So I thought I'd up it a bit today and went for a 50 miler on this route taking in Tak Ma Doon road (going North). My first time for this hill.
I was well chuffed today as I managed to make it to the top without stopping once!
![Smile](http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
However, it was the downhill that was to leave the biggest impression!
![Shocked](http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/icon_smile_shock.gif)
Wow! That is some downhill. The road was very smooth and had some undulations on the way down which had my heart in my mouth on a few occasions. However, that wasn't the brown trouser moment... that came when near the bottom travelling 40mph+ (My max was 48.8mph!) I spotted some water in a dip in the road. No problem I thought. I'd seen some water across the roads in a few places, not deep and flowing very slowly. It was only when I was about 20m away that I noticed that it wasn't just a trickle of water. In fact it was a proper mini ford with raised cobbled stones etc.
Oh bu%%er!!
There was no time to reduce the speed (about 40mph) and no chance of evasive action I just had to hope for the best....
![Eeeek](http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/eek2.gif)
As I hit the ford I could feel the bike lifting off the ground and I had lost control. I was at the mercy of gravity and lady luck. I could feel the bike start to tilt to the right underneath me, so I braced for impact. As my bike came back down (on the wheels!) it wobbled and I was sure I was coming off. AMAZINGLY the bike righted itself and I managed to gain control again and kill the speed.
I survived!
![Bravo](http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/bravo.gif)
I carried on cycling for about 10 minutes before I decided to stop and take stock. That was very VERY close to being a complete wipe out! I would have been in a very bad way had I came off. I will be taking the descent of Tak Ma Doon a little more cautiously in future!
Anyhoos, despite the drama and the significant headwind on the way back, I managed an average of 16.5mph over the 50 miles. I was very happy with this.
Once I was home and had time to reflect I realised that as I jumped over the ford there had been a gust of wind that just so happened to blow through my helmet vents. I reckon it was this that helped to stabilise me enough to make my safe landing. Thank goodness I had my helmet on....
![Wink](http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
![Twisted Evil](http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif)