Choo choo! Cocktails and chugging along Clackmannan to Dunfermline old railway line!

The impromptu cyclists’ mini cocktail bar … complete with ice cubes!

So a nice Sunday and our second attempt at a Spring ride out with good solo cyclist friends of the “old gal” and “old git” – Gillian and Craig. The previous attempt was abandoned in the full force of storm Doris hitting Scotland – and given the fact that I am not exactly aerodynamic when it comes to gusts of wind … I think that was a very wise decision.

But more benign weather greeted the lifting of the blinds and even the “old gal” couldn’t be despondent at the prospect of a fairly flat ride along an old railway line bed, followed by a nice relaxation in a hot tub, and an Indian meal. Gillian and Craig had even sent a cryptic message saying they would “fix the drinks” on the ride! I mean, what could there possibly be not to like?!

So my dynamic crew were full of the joys as I was packed into Matilda Transport and we headed for Gillian and Craig’s home in Alloa. They had identified a run along National Cycle Route 764 for the ride. The path – managed by my friends at Sustrans Scotland – starts just outside Clackmannan and follows the course of the old Alloa to Dunfermline railway line.

Ready for the off! The “old gal” with solo cyclists Gillian and Craig – bravely sporting shorts!

A short drive through the towns and we were soon parked near an old railway bridge. Fortunately the sun was out and there was also little in the way of wind – which meant that Gillian and Craig bravely decided to sport their cycling shorts. My crew (I think wisely) opted for the leggings!

The “old gal” at the start of our route which is part of the Clackmannanshire Cycle Network.

I was quickly unpacked and set up for the ride and soon we were ready for the off at the start of the NCR 764 route – which is also known as the West Fife Way and is a key part the Clackmannanshire Cycle Network. You can check out the details of our route on Strava below – and don’t forget to click on the map image to be transferred to Strava to get the full data and statistics! 

The route is classed in the easy category – on a tarmac path. And it certainly was a joy to tandem on as we headed off on the run to Dunfermline. And I must say I was impressed at the pace set by the “old git”! And the fact that the “old gal” didn’t complain shows that they are both much fitter and stronger than they believe!

I actually think that Team Matilda pedals along faster when we are in the company of other cyclists as my dynamic crew tend to get caught up in the chat – and don’t realise what speed they are actually achieving! In fact we averaged over 11mph for the whole trip!

The cycle path was encouragingly busy but there was till plenty of room to take a selfie with Gillian and Craig playing their role by photobombing the shot!

Time for a selfie as we tandemed along – photobombed by Gillian and Craig!

Now railway lines are recognised as being flat – that means no sudden hills – as trains (like this “old lady”) don’t do hills! But that doesn’t mean you don’t get inclines – and in this case – a long slow incline rising some 300 feet over the first half of the route.  But the views over the Kingdom of Fife towards the Forth bridges made it all worthwhile!

With about two miles to the half way mark, Gillian and Craig sped off! My dynamic crew thought they must have been going too slow for them – but didn’t try to chase after them! But all was revealed when we came round a bend and saw the end of the path and discovered that our friends had set up an impromptu mini cocktail bar on a railway sleeper!

Gillian and Craig set up a mini cocktail bar at half way – and they even brought ice cubes!

What a fabulous idea for a way to re-hydrate! And amazingly they had brought along a spirit measure and even more remarkably – ice cubes! An effort fully worthy of a gold star!

The mix of Martin Millers gin, Vermouth and cranberry juice really hit the spot! And what made it all the more enjoyable was the priceless looks on the faces of the many other cyclists who passed by! How many different ways to say that’s a good idea?!

Here I am at the mini cocktail bar which attracted interest from lots of other cyclists!

The cocktails nicely washed down the smoked salmon and chilli cream cheese croissants which the “old gal” had prepared for some fuel! This was followed by a fresh fruit salad and a small piece of chocolate – just for energy purposes of course.

Batteries recharged we headed on the return journey – soon reaping the benefits of that uphill climb, by picking up speed on the decline. It really was fantastic tandeming – lots of laughs with good friends in dry fairly mild conditions.

It was definitely one of those “its the Smiles not the miles that count” days and that was emphasised in this fun short video of part of our ride. (Remember if you are reading this on email, you need to click on the blog first – via the link at the bottom of the email – to view the video.)

One of the great things about the cycle path was how there were no obstructive gates which meant my crew weren’t forced to get on and off repeatedly – and the NCR 764 is certainly a credit to Sustrans Scotland who maintain it. Although it could be described as a “hidden gem” it clearly is a very popular route amongst locals. And the network of paths is part of a wider project to encourage access to the outdoors called Discover Clackmannanshire.

NCR764 is a hidden gem, which is also known as the West Fife Way

One of the attractions of the route are the views across the Forth for a good part of the trip – but the sections with a more restricted view are of interest as every so often my dynamic crew discovered some old railway relics – like sleepers made into seating, or railway signals. There is even an old signal box along the path – abandoned from the days when it controlled the trains on the line.

NCR764 runs along the bed of an old railway so there are relics like signal boxes along the way.

After a bit of a sprint along the last mile or two we soon reached the end of the path – exhilarated after the wonderful ride. After I was packed back into Matilda Transport it was time to head back to Gillian and Craig’s who just happen to have a hot tub in their garden! So the offer was made for another cocktail, a warm-down in the hot tub, and an Indian meal. I mean there are worse ways to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Hot tub with prosecco cocktail back at Gillian and Craig’s? Oh if you insist!

Relaxing in the warm bubbles there was time for the “old git” to check on Strava which officially recorded the ride as covering a distance of  21.5 miles with a total moving time of  1 hour 53 minutes, at a healthy average speed of 11.3 mph.

The total elapsed time was 2 hours 23 minutes – meaning cocktails and lunch took just half an hour! Top speed was 23.5 mph and the elevation covered was 459 feet. Together we managed to burn up 1032 calories, and produced an estimated average power output of 135 W.

The hot tub offered the perfect warm down therapy form the “old gal” and the “old git”!

I am reliably told it was a very therapeutic way to relax – with my crew enjoying the cold bubbles from a nicely chilled prosecco cocktail – while experiencing the warm bubbles of the hot tub! Absolute bliss! The last I heard was the “old gal” saying: “I want one!”

After a suitably long soak my crew emerged and joined Gillian and Craig in a hearty Indian takeaway to refuel, before it was time to head home after a great day!

So here’s to more sunny tandeming days with good friends, lots of laughs, pop-up cocktail bars, and fairly flat Sustrans Scotland cycling paths! I’ll say cheers to that!