After an aborted attempt due to snow last weekend I finally got to Wanlockhead for some training.

The route would take me up the Mennock Pass before turning up towards the radar station at the summit of Lowthar Hill.  It is a 10km climb up the Mennock Pass followed by 5km to the top of the radar climb.

Even though the sun was out it was a cold chill in the early morning as I headed from Wanlockhead down to the start of the pass at the end of the valley.  The chill dissappeared though as I began the climb back up.

I had done the climb before as part of a Sportive and was fairly nervous how I would get on as I knew it was hard.  On the first go up to the top of Mennock I felt fairly good.  I had a good rhythm and felt comfortable.

I now had to do the final 5km which is where the gradient gets serious though.  The only time I had done this part of the climb was at the end of my first 100mile Sportive.  I remember feeling so bad I nearly misssed this bit out so memories were not good.  It was tough and there are some steep bits to grind out at approx 20% gradient but I got there feeling way better than last time.

So now it was time to go back to the beginning and do it all again!

It is not often you get a 15km descent in the UK so it was fun to do though having to be careful on the top section where there was still snow at the side of the road and a lot of water run off.

The second time felt physically harder than the first but mentally easier knowing what was coming.  My HR data looks slightly better on the 2nd attemp as well.

So definately a worthwhile training session which I will do a few more of.