Papad

It's a gentle uphill then downhill to Glasgow on the old A77. You won't really notice the gradient though. If you're going to EK then you'll probably go along the moor road to Eaglesham. There are some reasonable climbs on that road but the views are spectacular.

You mean the old A77? If so, great route. The prevailing wind is a south westerly so normally a tailwind to Glasgow and a headwind to Kilmarnock (which can be brutal).

Haylie brae is fine for cycling, it's a lung buster till just past the second hairpin though. There's a few decent climbs in the garelochhead area and, of course, rest and be thankful.

If you mean near Paisley/Glasgow then the Crow (Lennoxtown) and Tak Ma Doon (Kilsyth) are the classics. Tak is the harder with two steep ramps but both are excellent climbs. You can reach the Dukes Pass (Aberfoyle) too, nice climb but not as bad as its reputation would suggest. Near Paisley there is Glinnifer Braes and a similar climb at Greenock too. Both are pretty short but you could always do hill repeats!

Get a road bike and you won't look back. You'll be out chasing KOMs before you know it!

A bit harsh there mate. A little bit of luck and Australia would be looking to go 3-1 up in this test.

Is it the same course as the National Road Race last month?

Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. Still great to see the druggie Contador get dropped. Not one attack from him so far this tour.

Froomey unstoppable!

Nice to see the Strava king Laurens Ten Dem still up there!

You mean a saddle bag? Wiggle, Chain Reaction and many other places will have them online. And most bike shops too.

You could but I wouldn't recommend it. You will struggle on the descents as the dual line section - the Gash - is mega slippy and steep. It's a nice circuit for a blast and has a few surprisingly tough climbs. If you enjoy the trail centres then you'll like this.

I see the British Cycling National Road Race is in Glasgow on the 23rd of June. Supposedly David Millar and Mark Cavendish are competing. It looks like a tricky little course with lots of corners. I hope the council have been out fixing all the potholes! The run from Glasgow Uni library down Gibson St is going to be mega fast! Here's the course: http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/events/NRRC/Documents/8152_nat_rr_ch_road_map%20%282%29.pdf The Commonwealth Games road race is meant to be following a similar course. Bit of a shame as I would have loved to see it go up the Crow or the Tak (or even Eaglesham) but the road surfaces up there are diabolical.

I'm feeling a bit guilty - I never clean my chain save for a bit of soapy water on the odd occasion I wash the bike. Doesn't seem to do much harm.

I think it's running them at 60 psi. You must have been able to feel the rim hitting over bumps. I've had 1 puncture in the past 8 months on gatorskins, about 5000 km of running. I did have to replace one after the canvas started showing! So I like 'em.

Was in town and popped along to the megadeth gig. It was a great show! I always forget how little Mustaine speaks during the gig. The sound was dodgy, especially the vocals, maybe dave has it turned down on purpose! But him and broderick are guitar gods. My only complaint was that they played a few dodgy tunes. Last time I saw them was the rust in peace 20th tour so not much can live with that, but starting with trust??

Mine is on the handlebars. Out of interest, why would you want the Garmin way out front?

Do it for a couple of weeks and your legs won't even notice the 65

Bad luck. I ripped my tyre on Sunday and had to use the old fiver trick to get home. Lucky it wasn't a well used Bank of England note!

At the risk of sounding a tad abrupt, why not? I enjoy seeing how I'm doing against 'pro' riders or guys who I know personally or even those that I don't but are fast. I think this, as well as monitoring your own performances, help make you faster, if that's what you're after. Anyway, Strava's a bit of fun, I'm sure we can agree on that!

I don't agree with that. Besides, Strava can be used to check your own improvement against your previous times. It's a great motivational tool for many cyclists, of course some will take it too far and kill themselves, but the fact that it encourages a lot of people to get out on the bike more is good.

Strava's great to see how your doing against everyone else and to measure your improvement. Check out how much this fellow has been cycling the past few weeks - absolutely insane! http://app.strava.com/athletes/1738360

I love the climb up Glentress (and Innerleithan for that matter), not so keen on the descent! What's everyone's favourite 7 Stane? I love Kirroughtree, Talnotry Hill is just awesome.

110 back 10 front for me!

You can share the data with Strava and the rest very easily. Forerunners work with cycling too, indeed you culd take your 500 with you if you went for a jog. It is a (very) glorified speedo but the range of data you can record is amazing and useful if you want to become a full blown lycra warrior!