Introductions

Introductions

Al's intro

This Blog is about the trials and tribulations for three two blokes cycling round the quite roads of the UK, Al (me), Andy and Bobby. (Unfortunately Andy has had to pull out. L)

 Al, Andy and Bobby.

This has all come about because in 2011 Bobby asked me if I would be interested in doing a cycle for fun along the Leeds/Liverpool canal. This “Fun” cycle slowly snowballed in to a Charity event and Andy also agreed to join us.

We decided to go from Rishton to Leeds and back over three days. And set about training for the cycle for the three month leading up to the day. The actual trip was great fun, the weather and the canal path were not so great but hey you make the best of what you are faced with. The wet weather has made the canal path into a long mud bath which would slow the bike down to almost a stop. This was hard work on the legs.

We stayed the two nights at Brown Bank Caravan Park. The owners were great and the site was wonderful although the ride up from the canal to the site was about 1.5 miles up a steep gradient (12% in places) and after 48 miles that is when I start pushing :0)

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=2182&map=on#maphere

After a successful ride (and a huge Chinese meal in side us with a few beers) we were buoyed up and decided to do another ride in 2013 (lesson here… don’t make decisions like that for a few weeks after ;0)). As Bobby had picked the location and route in 2012 the baton was passed to me to choose the location and route for 2013. It was an easy decision for me I have always wanted to go to Skye but never had a reason and this look like the perfect excuse. So I chose Skye before really researching the routes. Not a mistake in any way but having spent time now looking at the roads and more importantly the hills I have a better appreciation of the task we are taking on.

We did not record our training experiences in 2012 so we have decided we would like to start  making a diary of our adventures, hence the creation of these blogs. I will be inviting Andy and Bobby to add their experiences as we go along.

I also hope to be able to update the blogs as we actually do the cycles. 

Like

•              I need a phone/device I can access the web from
•       I will need internet access (looking at Highland wifi for this as they seem to have coverage. http://www.highlandwifi.com/)
•       Need to keep the phone/device charged so will be looking at a solar charger and possibly power from the campsites we will stay at.

Well that’s the intro over. We will try to keep the blogs updated as we go along.

AL



Bobbies Intro

I am Robert (Bobby) the old man of the group at 48 years of age, whilst Alasdair has commented about our 2012 tour he has made no mention of how we started, read on …

Both Alasdair and I had commuted to and from work for many years and in 2010 Alasdair threw the gauntlet down that I should accompany him on the "Pedal for Scotland 2011" Glasgow to Edinburgh cycle ride.

Queuing for the start

Not wishing to disappoint Alasdair I took on the "Pedal for Scotland" challenge, a one off journey of approx 50 miles. 
At this point my weekly commute by cycle (base millage) during the Summer Autumn months was approx 36 miles. 
In September 2011 both Alasdair and I started the ride through the streets of Glasgow.

On the road

Approximately 5 hours later our 47 mile journey was complete as we arrived back in Edinburgh. Our average speed was 12.6 and any fear I may have had during my training sessions of 2011 in respect of those Scottish hills had been conquered.

A nervous start

Proud to finish 

 In the short spell of achievement which followed our Pedal for Scotland ride I sowed a seed in respect of our 2012 challenge, this was done before I departed back to Lancashire. The 2012 challenge a three day cycle tour along the Leeds to Liverpool canal which incorporated a visit to the Royal Armories in Leeds. At this point neither of us had undertaken any previous cycle touring and the maximum I had traveled by a cycle in one day was the journey of 47 miles (Glasgow to Edinburgh).

Having approached Boots for sponsorship in respect of McMillan Cancer (courtesy of my wife Jackie) the stakes had now been raised so to speak and failure was not now an option. At least travelling along the canal you would expect there not to be many hills J. A few muddy towpaths later, one puncture (On Andrews bike as we approached Leeds) and again some new experiences behind us and the challenge had been completed.

It was only when we had nearly finished this trip that Alasdair announced the challenge for 2013 a cycle trip around the Isle of Skye. More Scottish hills and a new challenge, the dreaded Scottish midge!

With my final total cycle mileage for 2012 totaling 2028 miles and my total yearly mileage this year to date standing at 378 miles I have still a few miles to equal last year!  I have even had to cycle the long way home in order to ensure that I have done the right level of training required for the 2013 challenge!!  

Bobby

The joy of country roads. Downhill all the way.

Andrews Intro

Hi, I’m Andrew, the young and good looking member of the group. At 26 years old, I certainly have a large amount of youth on my side, but what’s not on my side is my care-free “I will do what I want” lifestyle!

There is nothing more I love to do than go out for a few scoops, and eat way too much bad food. On the cycling front, I’m probably the stereotypical fair weather rider. I had a bike like most kids did and loved it. As I grew up I cycled less and less despite a continuing interest in cycling. I very seldom cycle during the winter, and even when the warmer months arrive I prefer to stay indoors if the weather isn't looking good.

Last year saw my first ever organised ride along the Leeds-Liverpool canal with Bobby (Robert to me,) and Alasdair. I’m not afraid of hard work, but I found that during last years preparations I had more of a prickly attitude towards it knowing that it was not paid work. I spent 3 months trying to cut down on my weight in the gym before going outdoors on the bike for 3 months to build up to the event. The first 3 months were a little more fun. I was away from the cold weather, the inevitable sly ditches everywhere and ignorant dog walkers. I also had Emily (Robert’s daughter/Alasdair’s niece) for company. For anyone who may stumble upon this blog, yes me and her are, but her father does know!

Admittedly, it turned out to be a heap of fun. In between the hard work there were a few laughs which mostly took place during the evenings. Presumably this was because we knew that we had at least 12 hours rest and a huge meal to tuck into before starting again.

I love a challenge and the Isle of Skye promises exactly that. I take a lot of inspiration when faced with challenging situations from those who walked long before I did. It would be easy to drive to Skye and have a pleasant meander around and stop a few times to enjoy the scenery. However, it is a greater challenge to ride around on a bike, and earn the right to respect those surroundings.

The destination does not make the man, the journey does.

Andrew