By this time there was a bit more cloud around and it even started spitting rain as we got nearer to the car park. Fearing a sudden downpour I put on a spurt of speed and arrived there a bit before Ruth. However the downpour never came, which was just as well as I didn't have the car keys with me anyway! Here's Ruth arriving in style - this was at about 4.45. We got back to Pitlochry at about 5 to enjoy the luxurious facilities of the Dundarach Hotel - hot baths, a bar meal and a game of Scrabble in the evening. Ruth and I went out later on to put the bikes in a secure storage area and noticed that one of the tyres on my hire car was flat. What! Not another tack attack on the Etape Caledonia race? Well no, I don't think so. In fact I think it had had a slow puncture even when I collected it. Ruth, always prepared for any eventuality, produced an electric pump which I had to use a few more times during the week as well.

Arriving back at Old Bridge of Tilt