Tag Archives: Cycling

Highland Hospice Cycle 200 – 9th April 2023

Posted on by
1

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!

Donate

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.

Highland Hospice Cycle 200 – 3rd April 2023

Posted on by
Reply

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!

Donate

The challenge: To cycle 200 miles during April 2023

Today I managed to squeeze into the Highland Hospice jersey. Very smart. I like it! But, I have to agree, they are certainly on the smaller side.

That’s Duffus Castle in the background.

As you can see it was a fabulous day for a cycle ride

It started off very chilly this morning, -1’C when I woke up.

My plan today was to go to Nairn on the train to sort out a few things for my folks and meet with my accountant, then cycle back to Elgin in the afternoon.

When I left home to cycle to the railway station to catch my train, it was still only 5’C so was still a bit chilly. Several layers were required as was warming pads within the shoes. My problem was that it was predicted to rise to 13’C by the time I was due to cycle back. Whilst I realise that for my friends in Botswana, this is positively Arctic and would require 10 layers of thermals, for us here in Scotland, this is a lovely day and definitely tropical requiring shorts etc. Because, I was cycling I had to travel light, so wardrobe selection was critical. Or, was it, 🤔, I could just dump a bunch of stuff at my parents house – to be collected later. That is what I did!

So, this is today’s effort.

The straight line is the train journey and, before you ask, was not included in the final mileage!

The wiggly line is my cycle ride. It is wiggly because that is how the little back roads are (I was following on the N1 cycle route) not because I had been on the wine at lunchtime (today anyway!)

Part of the route I used involves crossing the Findhorn river on an old railway bridge. It’s lovely.

Loads of newborn lambs in the fields today. Awww 🥰 ☺️

And of course the magnificent Duffus Castle (without me in the photo to spoil it!)

So, a heavy day today, for an oldie like me anyway, 60Km (37 miles) in total. Seven Personal Best’s (PB’s) on various Strava segments 😲

That’s me now up to 58 miles in total, 29% of the way to my target.

I am aware that it is only the 3rd of the month, but I’m conscious that I will be away a bit more at the end of the month and unable to cycle, so better get ahead now!

Now the bad news. My legs are knackered. I’m away for a rest!

Please support my efforts – click on the “donate” button above or scan the QR code.

Highland Hospice Cycle 200 – 2nd April 2023

Posted on by
Reply

Highland Hospice aim to support people, their families and carers, living with an advancing, life shortening illness in the Highlands to live the best possible life and to prepare for and experience the best possible death.

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!

Donate

The challenge: To cycle 200 miles during April 2023

With yesterday being the first day of the month, I got the bike out of the garage, blew off the dust and set off.

It was only 6’C so was a bit chilly. Several layers were required as was warming pads within the shoes and over boots – the feet are the part of me that always suffers the most when it’s cold!

A wee cyclical route around Elgin to start with, but that’s 33Km (20 miles) in the bag. Not a bad start!

So, that’s me 10% of the way to my total.

Please support my efforts – click on the “donate” button above or scan the QR code.