More of the unusual

I'm a fair weather cyclist, usually. I don't venture out on my bike when it's raining or windy, usually. But this has been a week for me doing unusual things (cycling on my own, then cycling with someone who wasn't Alex) so I continued the trend today by venturing out with Alex for a 13 mile cycle in the rain.

As is often the case when we're heading out for a cycle on an unknown route, I wasn't sure whether to take the road bike or hybrid, but after a few rides on the hybrid recently I was itching for a wee shot back on my road bike. Decision made, we drove into Stirling and set off from Whins of Milton out New Line Road, past North Third reservoir and up the hill a bit (two years on and I'm still not great with my route descriptions!) This would be a very scenic route in the sunshine...as it was, it was a bit dreary...

...but we did manage to keep smiling all the same...

Most of the time we were fine on the road bikes, but I think the next time I would use my old hybrid. The gravel on the wet roads was a bit dodgy on the downhills, and the bumps and holes were a bit uncomfy all the way (apart from the few stretches of new tarmac - bliss!) However, nothing spoiled the fun and, apart from Alex really feeling the cold on the way back, we had another great ride.

I'm really pleased with my training this week; a fair few miles and trying a few things that are a bit unusual for me. Hopefully all standing me in good stead for Africa where, I'm sure, I'm going to be experiencing plenty of things that are just a tad unusual...

Click here for the map my ride profile of today's cycle.

Another first

There's just no stopping me this week! After venturing out on my bike on my own for the first time a few days ago, today I took another plunge into the unknown and ventured out for a cycle with someone who wasn't Alex!

Lesley is an old friend from my school days and, through the wonders of Facebook, we've re-connected after many years of, well, not having anything to do with each other. After reading about each other's cycling exploits online, she asked if I'd like to accompany her on one of her training rides (in preparation for her participation in the Rob Roy Challenge next week) and I'm so glad she did!

We cycled 32 miles along (and up and up and down..) National Cycle Route 7 from Strathyre to Killin and back. It has to be one of my favourite routes, and yesterday Lesley and I were lucky to have chosen a perfect sunny day for it. The scenery is simply stunning. From the bluebell lawns in the enchanting forests around Strathyre and Balquhidder, to the breathtaking views over Loch Earn and down into Glen Ogle and finishing with the magical Falls of Dochart in Killin. It's a route that shows you Scotland at its most beautiful best, and I absolutely love it.

Lesley and Loch Earn

Falls of Dochart

The route has some pretty challenging hills - especially one particular zig-zag killer above Loch Earn - but for every up there's a spectacular view and a fantastic down. It was the first time my old hybrid had been properly tested since its recent service - the new tyres, with much better grip, worked a treat (though I was a tad slow behind Lesley whizzing down the hills on her slicks!), the gear changes were much smoother (though I still have problems sometimes when I hit the hills and did have to deal with the chain coming off at one point - and I managed it, all by myself! Go me!), and the suspension was fantastic. My saddle, however, sadly hadn't been serviced and it squeaked, and squeaked, and squeaked ... the whole way. Lesley's mettle was well and truly tested...!

Hopefully our jaunt out today will have added something as worthwhile to Lesley's preparations for the Rob Roy Challenge (16  mile run followed by 40 mile cycle) as it has to my preparations for Cycle Africa. And hopefully the squeaking won't have put her off cycling with me again...

For those of you interested in such things, click here for today's ride's Map My Ride profile - and while you're doing that, I'm off to apply some oil to my saddle....

Doing it by myself

I cycle with Alex. Other than during two women-only Ride the Night events, every time I've been out on my bike - over the course of the past two years - I've had Alex by my side (...or in front of me, or behind me - depending on the prevailing wind!). I would never have got on my bike, that day in Arran when I became hooked on cycling, if it hadn't have been for Alex's gentle persuasion and encouragement. And, that's the way it's carried on. Gently (well, most of the time anyway) encouraging me, boosting my confidence and supporting me during every ride. That's the way I like it - cycling's something we do together and I definitely don't want that to change.

However, I've decided it's time that I plucked up the courage to get out on my bike on my own sometimes. I need to up my training in preparation for Cycle Africa and that means sometimes heading out for a cycle when Alex can't manage. (Plus, Alex is, at last, almost injury-free and back running again, and I definitely don't want to hinder his progress with that! Running will always be his first love - as far as sport's concerned - so it's important that he can get out and do it now that he's able to again.)

Now, some of you will be thinking I'm a right numpty for having to 'pluck up courage' to cycle on my own, especially those of you who do that all the time and don't think anything of it. But for me it's a bit of a big deal. I've worried irrationally about how I'd cope if I got a puncture, what I'd do if I fell off my bike out in the middle of nowhere, and how I'd manage without having Alex to gee me on and have a blether with! My daughter reminded me last year, during Ride the Night when I hit a pothole and sustained a double puncture then went into a bit of a meltdown at the thought of trying to change both inner tubes, that we were 'strong, independent women' then proceeded to get stuck in to fix the punctures. I'm proud that my wee girl has grown up into such a capable and independent young woman - and I wish I had half of her self-confidence! It was a great example of what Ride the Night is supposed to be all about; women doing it for themselves...

So, the other day I plucked up some courage and ventured out on my road bike on my own for a very short cycle along the main road from our house. And it was fine. And today I ventured out on my old hybrid for a short cycle along one of the bumpy back roads from my village. And it was great!

Today's ride was only 8 miles along a quiet country track (with a nice wee stop in our neighbouring village for a scone!), but it felt like a bigger accomplishment. I've risen to one of my own personal challenges on the road to Tanzania.

I won't be on my own in Africa, I'll be with a bunch of incredible women and I'll be well supported, but I want to go there with with the confidence that I can look after myself and cope with any situation that might arise, without worrying that I won't have Alex there to fall back on.

And after today's little ride, I feel like I've taken a big step towards that. I'd still much rather be with Alex when I'm out cycling than be on my own - but that's just because I enjoy his company so much. Not because I'm worried that I can't manage it on my own.

It's left me thinking that my daughter might be quite proud of her old maw..!

Just the cows for company today