Right sorry I didn't comment earlier. I basically collapsed into bed when I got home and have only woke up half an hour ago
First of all thanks to everyone for making me so welcome and for a very enjoyable ride. I'm sorry about slowing you guys down though
I set off just after 5 am (apparently that does exist!) and driving through the heavy rain on the way up I was getting worried, but by the time I made it to Bishopbriggs it was cloudy but dry. Met up with magnatom and Viniga at the station and after some talk about where Mad Doug Biker was and whether the GPSs were set we set off. The riding was good and very quickly I realised it was also a bit faster than I was used to. We kept a decent pace on flats and downhills (I kept them waiting on uphills - must work on speed up them) and except for discovering that GPSs are no substitute for actually knowing where you are going it was a pleasant ride mainly in nice countryside and sometimes with a strong if blustery tailwind.
We met Scooch in Avonbridge and moved on to Linlithgow where I was very patiently guided through the town centre traffic by Scooch (for those who don't know I hardly ride on roads with a white line down the middle never mind in traffic at home) and while magnatom and Viniga set off to meet up with Seamab and Sleekitcollie I was accompanied at a
slower more sedate pace by Scooch (who pretty much looked after me for the rest of the ride - thanks!) and caught up with them a little later.
Nice to have met you Seekitcollie and I hope the arm sorts itself out soon.
Setting off east we soon met up with HLaB coming the other way and he, Seamab, Viniga and magnatom promptly left me behind at the next incline, so I didn't see the acrobatics display just wondered why they were all sat in the bushes at the side of the road as I turned up. It was later all explained as the bikes were checked over at the next stop and magnatom tried to find a way of getting his saddle bag re-attached (finally solved at HJ and Telemark's flat with cable ties) and in failing this gave up and shoved it up his (blood specked) shirt.
All seemed able to continue so we made for Edinburgh, splitting on the NCN 1 path with Scooch and Seamab leading me a quieter route which I rode very slowly with different parts of my legs alternating between aching and cramping (I need to get back out on longer rides more). But even though Seamab was on a singlespeed both were very encouraging and patient and I made it to HJ and Telemark's flat.
In the flat there was a very large stack of bikes (which I think Telemark has a pic of)
Thankyou for the great hospitality both of you, and the food was great. Sorry if I didn't make a lot of sense for the forst few minutes I was
a little tired)
The food was great, with soup and home made bread followed by various cakes, the one's that I tried were very nice. There was also a large amount of tea, which magnatom decided to add salt to (must have been for the electrolytes or something
)
I was guided by Telemark down to Waverley station as the others set off back into the wind, and then from the train put my bike back in the car and went home (and promptly fell asleep - about 8pm)
It was great to meet everyone, and I'll hopefully make it back again some time soon, although I need to get back out on longer hillier rides again first as my slow slogging up hills could slow everyone down again
Oh and the CC Jersey has made it back fine, now I just have to work out who to get it to next.
) group apart from the motivation its nice to have chat/ banter with folk and if we end up at HJ and Telemark's their spread is always greatly appreciated 
) ... Well done to all the mega-milers! 
, with the days getting shorter and the temperatures due to drop 
, but if we are lucky, we might still get another social ride or two in this year 
. For the newbies - RV stands for rendezvous, we agree a place (that serves 
) and a time , and everybody makes their own way at their own pace. That way nobody gets cold waiting.
