I’m cycling 200 miles in April to support Highland Hospice
You can follow my progress on my Facebook Page or on this blog.
Please support my efforts for this worthy cause using this QR code or the “donate” link below.
Thank you!
The challenge: To cycle 200 miles during April 2023
I was away at work for a few days last week. The weather was predicted not to be too great, so didn’t bother to lug the bike all the way to Brechin and back, for nothing! As it turned out, wise decision!
Saturday 8th April.
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and we are doing a the full sheebang Easter lunch, roast lamb etc, in Nairn with our parents and Alexander. So, here is the plan, I’m going to cycle to Nairn, have lunch and get a lift back afterwards. That should add a few miles on to the total.
But this is my first day back and the weather was OK. A bit on the windy side, but hey, I have electric support on my bike, I tell myself, no problem! So why don’t I do a warm-up cycle today, just a few miles to get back into it and loosen up for tomorrow.
I set off after lunch. It is more windy than I’d thought and I’m having to fight with the side gusts to remain on the path. I try to plan a route that will keep me mostly-side-on to the wind most of the way, rather than heading directly into the gale.
It sure looks lovely in the pictures, but at this stage, I had turned back and despite all calculations was now heading directly into the teeth of the gale.
I eventually had to relent and shift the electric power up from low (green) to medium (blue). I can count one hand the number of times I have had to use this setting!
I made it back into Elgin and cycled past the beautiful and eerie Elgin Cathedral built in 1224.
Only 5Km to go from here but directly into the wind.
I struggled back home again. Legs on fire after a comparatively short ride of only 26Km (16 miles). So much for my warm-up cycle!
So, this was the anti-gale effort. I am more tired than I was after my 60Km ride a few days ago!!!
Wind and cycling just don’t go together, in my humble opinion!
That’s me now up to 74 miles in total, 37% of the way to my target.
Tomorrow’s cycle to Nairn will add another 50 to 60Km to the total.
Or will it!?!
Tomorrow comes. The wind is even stronger than the day before. My legs can hardly move from yesterdays’ efforts. Common sense (cowardice) prevails and I leave the bike behind opting for the luxury of motorised transport and extra glass of wine with lunch to console myself!
Please support my efforts – click on the “donate” button above or scan the QR code.
Dr Doug (Douglas) McKendrick 
Try, try and try again! The wind here in Nairn yesterday was very strong.. causing all the ploughed soil to cause dust storms.
Mum
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