Day 1 summary

After late start, alledgely due to Tom checking how smooth his new look shaved legs are, we made good progress.
The "losing of Lefty" started just outside Arbroath. Lefty had been tucking in behind our group who had dropped back to help him up the hills.We caught up with Grant who'd suffered a puncture. Stopping to help, Andy and I told Lefty to carry on and we would catch him up. The problem was He kept going all the way to Carnostie. He was supposed to stop when he caught up the front group in Arbroath. Lefty had no phone or money on him so was out of contact. We'd no idea of his plan to get a head. A few calls were made to let people know we'd lost the one with the special hat. Lefty was eventually located by the Wallace family some considerable time later lurking around Carnostie. We'd lost lost a lot of time as Abroath was searched for him.

Once notified that he'd been found safe we set off to the Wallace household where Mrs Wallace provided us with ample and well recieved supplies of pasta, and plenty of fruit. A very welcome respite from our ride.

Andy Wallace then guided us from Carnostie. A route along numerous footpaths. While crossing a very narrow foot bridge at speed the other Andy collided with it's side removing some skin from his hand. After the briefest of stops He soldiered on.

The day had started with sun and the wind at our backs. A few climbs later we'd progressed along the coast. With good weather and the stunning views, a terrific ride. The latter part of the day the wind had switched and we'd moved more inland. A series of long climbs and we eventually we arrived, tired and maybe a little more tanned.

A meal and the Hamburger incident later and we all retired.  I managed the get Moz to sleep on the couch in my room.  He was going to sleep in the support van that he'd been driving all day. As the van was full of dismantled bikes - we'd no where else to store them - it wouldn't have been the most comfortable location.

On to day two.