Day 7 Carlisle to Kilmarnock - orange sheep (94.4 miles)

Kit remains a key topic of conversation among the cycling fraternity. Putting aside the 'look', cost and brand label, the technical aspects are important. Try cycling in a cotton top on a cold wet day. It retains water and loses any thermal insulation when wet. Also, when hot, sweat is unable to 'wick' to the surface easily. Hence the road cyclists attire and the acronym, MAMIL (middle age man in lycra).

Cycle shorts evoke much debate - whether to double up on shorts on long rides, the value of gel padding over a synthetic Chamois and whether to use creams such as Assos or Udderly Smooth Chamois cream. Sudocrem might be applied at night followed by a morning daub of Udderly Smooth (originated from the Ohio dairy trade!). I thought I would experiment with different shorts combinations - a modest application of cream, a 'skin' (stretchy, tight synthetic layer) topped by the non-carbon gel 'Funkier' bib shorts. Not that effective! It's been said that science is a delicate interplay of theory and evidence, one informing the other. Different combo needed for tomorrow then.

We left Carlisle heading for Gretna Green, just 14 miles from our start, for a photo and tot of whiskey at the border. Some of the party took a wrong turn incurring a 10 mile detour, a not uncommon navigational hazard. The wedding room is still in operation, but no takers today.

We moved as a giant peloton (group if cyclists bunched or in a line to benefit from the slipstream effect) along mostly flat farming land to Dumfries and then on into Ayrshire passing place names such as Cummertrees, Cleughbrae and Sanquhar. The first pit stop was a less appealing lay-by on the A76 so we cycled on for an al fresco Costa coffee in Dumfries. Here John III (Red) Comyn was stabbed to death at the alter by Robert the Bruce. I simply ordered a chocolate twist pastry.

Minor pelotons grouped, split and regrouped along a river valley route to lunch. This was in a barn and subsequently followed by fine ice cream stop just south of our destination.

We arrived at a fab 4 star hotel in Kilmarnock. Many of those with less cycling experience had become confident and stronger, managing to keep pace with the faster groups. We hurtled along the 96 miles, Lizzie and Maria, with only 6 months cycling experience, managing an outstanding 16.4 mph average on mostly flat terrain.

We were all buoyant and spirited, the only major argument occurring at dinner when two cynics denied that we had seen orange sheep on route. Many of us had indeed seen the orange sheep. However, we were accused of false perception, group psychosis or simply winding them up. You will have to decide for yourself. After the usual arrival ritual of icy bath, purple sludge 'recovery' drink, this time to a background "Riders on the Storm". Was this a poor selection of music or a portent of the future?

Prior to supper, I emerged from my room in dressing gown and slippers for the sauna, only to be led out the hotel, across a car park next to the football ground and over the road to a nearby gym. The smiling man at reception clearly thought me a strange southerner. Tomorrow, a cycle to the ferry for Dunoon then Inveraray!

Statistics
Distance: 94.4 miles
Riding time: 6:46
Climbing: 886m (descending 897m)
Ave speed 16.9mph (max 38.9mph), ave heart rate 98bpm (max 120bpm)
Road kill: rabbits, x7 grouse, x1 wiesel
High point: Superfast 85 minute leg "riding the hoods" along the edge of the River Nith
Low point: Losing most of last night blog post at midnight last night and having to re-write