Scottish Roads, Fuelling Woes, and the Garmin Edge 1040

A long training ride through the Scottish countryside, a first attempt at proper race-day fuelling, and some time with a new bit of kit — this one covers a lot of ground. With the Étape Caledonia now just weeks away, this was a key session: getting out on the roads, testing the nutrition strategy I'll be relying on come race day, and putting the Garmin Edge 1040 through its paces for the first time in the real world. Spoiler: not everything went to plan. - A long training ride through Scotland's roads - My first time properly testing race-day fuelling — gels, carb mix, bars, and what I actually thought of them - First ride impressions of the Garmin Edge 1040 - A bonus stretch of road with a bit of history behind it CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction 0:40 Route Overview 1:10 Ride Start 1:35 First Ever Gel 2:02 What Fuelling Supplies I Bought 3:23 The Fuelling Plan 3:57 First Ever Gel (cont.) 5:11 Back on the Road 5:44 Garmin Edge 1040 First Impressions 8:45 Ride Into Fintry 9:04 Fintry/UCI Route 10:01 Gel No. 2 10:36 On the UCI 2023 Course 12:37 Carron Valley Reservoir 13:33 Main Climb of the Day 15:43 Climb Review 16:32 Descending Time! 17:45 Thoughts on Fuelling