Saturday 13 June 2015

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.

Wednesday 10 June 2015

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....



Tuesday 9 June 2015

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



Monday 13 April 2015

Learning that short rides can be rewarding

Until this morning, I hadn't been out on my bike at all since our return from the States, mid-March. A combination of the lurgy along with a few weekends of wet windy weather have provided perfectly plausible excuses for leaving my bike in the garage.

However, I've not been totally detached from cycling as I've been watching some fantastic racing on the telly. The Paris-Roubaix yesterday was so exciting! Jeeso, so many cobbles! How do they do that on a road bike??! And, some of the cyclists risked getting hit by a passing TGV train when they jumped the level crossing barriers! Absolute eejits!! (But, I'm ashamed to say, quite entertaining to watch...)

Of course, I would never do anything so stupid when I'm out on bike. I might be a not-so-serious cyclist - but I do take my safety (and the safety of everyone else on the road around me) very seriously indeed.

Anyway, I digress, This morning I did manage a very, very short cycle but, even though it was very, very short, it was very very tough! A paltry 5.6km (3.5 miles)! 

I'm writing this post one hour since arriving back home and I still have lung burn! I clearly have a long way to go in improving my fitness before riding 100km through the night in London at the end of May, and definitely before riding 350km across Tanzania in October.

What I learned today though is that training doesn't always have to be about clocking up lots of miles. 

I hardly ever get lung burn during, or after, one of our long leisurely rides. Even if they've included big hills. So, I'm not sure what was so different about the very short ride I did this morning. I guess it was because I cycled fairly fast, and I included a couple of steepish hills, which I also managed to cycle up fairly fast (well, fast for me!). 

I absolutely love our long, leisurely rides - cycling for me will always be mostly about exploring, taking in the scenery, the freedom, managing a few more miles, feeling chuffed about getting to the top of big hills, and the indescribable pleasure that I get from whizzing down said big hills. But the short ride this morning taught me that the sprints can be just as rewarding as the marathons. 

I felt like I'd really 'worked out'. I broke a big sweat after only a few miles and I could hardly breathe when I was finished. Until now, I'd felt that a few miles on the bike didn't really 'count' as training. But, I've learned today that that's not true. It's how I do the miles, as well as how many I do, that really matters. 

I guess I got a bit of a buzz from cycling hard and fast, even if it was only for a few miles. Maybe there's the makings of a serious cyclist in me after all! Though, no matter how seriously I ever take my cycling, I'll never, ever feel the need to try to out-sprint the TGV...

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Cycling in the States

Alex and I took ourselves off for a fantastic two week holiday in the States - our 50th birthday present to each other. We hired a car and travelled around 1800 miles across California, Nevada and Arizona. I absolutely loved the whole experience (though, if I could do it again I’d by-pass Las Vegas...) and was often overwhelmed by the beautiful landscapes we were lucky enough to drive, sail, walk or cycle round, through or across. 

The first cycle (and walk) of the trip was one I’ll never, ever forget...


And, the same could be said for the last...


I think it's safe to say I had an 'awesome' time in America. And, it was just the perfect way to kick start my training for a certain other cycling trip, taking place on another continent, later this year...






Monday 9 February 2015

Walking, instead of cycling, on sunshine

I live in an ordinary wee house, in an ordinary wee village, that happens to be surrounded by some extra-ordinary scenery. As much as I love exploring it on my bike, sometimes a wee walk just hits the mark.

Friday 6 February 2015

Hoody haverings

I've actually managed to record another instalment of my video diary already! Just a wee short one this time (and not a rhyme in sight!)


Wednesday 4 February 2015

Turbo talk

I've got out of the habit of rambling into my phone and recording wee videos while I'm out on cycle rides, but I thought it might be a good idea to keep a record of this year's experiences during the build up to Cycle Africa in October. I don't think I'll be appearing on any red carpets any time soon though...



Monday 26 January 2015

A cheeky wee mention on the Cheeky Wipes Site

I was chuffed to bits when I received an email from Helen, one of my fellow Cycle Africa participants, asking for my permission to write a blog post about my appearance at the information day last weekend. I was even more chuffed when I read what she'd written! And, I love that she owns a company called 'Cheeky Wipes'! What a brilliant idea - wish they'd been around when my kids were little!

Click here if you'd like to read what Helen had to say about me and my poem - or if you'd simply like to find out more about her fantastic Cheeky Wipes ('guaranteed to make a bum job better!).

Monday 19 January 2015

A weekend of wonderful women

I'm knackered tonight after spending the weekend down in London with a bunch of wonderful, inspiring women.

First, there was the pair that I hooked up with on Friday night. I 'met' Zoe and Shara during the build up to the Ride the Night cycle last year. We 'met' on a Facebook group for the event and, before Friday, I'd only ever met them in person once (very briefly at Windsor Racecourse before the Ride started). However, anyone passing us by as we whooped and hugged in the middle of City Airport's arrivals lounge would've thought that we were long lost close and crazy old friends! We hit it off just as much in real life as we had done online; we had a blast, from the minute we met at the airport till the minute Shara dropped me off at my daughter's flat on Sunday. Social media gets a lot of bad press (much of it well deserved), but it does have its plus points - and we three are proof in the pudding that real - and special - friendships can indeed form on Facebook!

Next, there was the two hundred fellow women cyclists and speakers at Saturday's Cycle Africa Information Day. Even though I signed up for the Women V Cancer challenge to cycle across Tanzania months ago, I think it only hit me on Saturday just how 'big' an event this is going to be in my life.

Inspirational speeches from representatives of the charities that we're supporting; inspirational presentations from women who've been helped by the charities which reinforced my determination to keep on raising awareness and funds for Ovarian Cancer Action, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and Breast Cancer Care; inspirational and informative presentations from the organisers and Tour Manager (they even managed to convince me that camping will be fun...); inspirational and motivational talks from women who've participated in previous Action for Charity cycling events... I was, you'll have gathered, well and truly inspired! I was asked to read out a poem from my wee book and, even though I've read it many times at other events, it was such an emotional moment for me.

It was a special day, and I'm guessing that I'll always think of it as the start proper of my
Cycle Tanzania journey.

Yours truly trying to inspire...
I'm almost starting to believe this might just be so...




Lastly, there was my daughter Gemma. What a joy it was to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon with her and be reminded how settled she is in London. We didn't stop blethering - over lunch, during our lovely stroll around Greenwich Park, and over coffee and cake - till it was time for me to head to the airport and home.  Gemma makes me so very proud with her attitude to life. Ever since she was a little girl she's loved learning, looking for new opportunities, stretching herself, making the best of things, throwing herself into everything she does with passion, taking responsibility for rejections or 'mistakes' and using those experiences to move forward with renewed vigour and determination - basically, always being up for feeling the fear and doing it anyway! You know, I consider it an important part of a parent's job to inspire and motivate their children, and I've always felt a great sense of satisfaction and pleasure when I've been able to do that for any of my kids. But, that sense of satisfaction and pleasure is nothing compared to the feeling I get when one of my, now adult, children inspires and motivates me. And Gemma did that by the bucket load during our Sunday stroll. 

The young and the old in Greenwich Park, beautiful together...
So, I headed off to the airport feeling very tired, but very grateful for all of the fantastic and inspiring women in my life - not just down in London, but also at home, and beyond. And, with a very strong feeling that the ten month journey to Tanzania - and the trip itself - is going to be about so much more than just the cycling.

I guess, then, that there might be a fair few more Stories from the Saddle to come that aren't actually from the saddle! Hopefully though, you'll still tag along - and enjoy the ride...!

p.s. I should mention that two of the wonderful speakers at the information day were men, with one of them being the son of Jo Maxwell - the woman who inspired her family to set up Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust...

Tuesday 13 January 2015

A seasonal cycle with my son

2015 feels like a big year for me. Among other things, I'm hitting 50 in May and I'm cycling in Tanzania in October. I don't know whether it's just the marching on of time, or the pedalling on towards my big cycling trip, but somehow it feels important to get back into the habit of recording things more regularly on my wee blogs. So I'd better make a start...

The last time I was outside on my bike was Christmas Day when I fair enjoyed a little cycle through some muddy puddles, and up and down some wee hills, with my son. He's 21 now and the last time we were out cycling together was a fair few years ago:

We'd gone for a family cycle, along the route from Callander to Strathyre. I had gone along pretty reluctantly, as I didn't really cycle at all then, but I wanted to do that 'family thing'; be out, be active, pass other families along the way, wave and smile, be all happy, and jolly, exude an image of 'we're the sort of family that does stuff on a Sunday together and we don't ever fall out and we're all such good friends all the time...'

But, the day didn't quite pan out like that. Anyone who knows the area will know that there are a few tricky inclines on the route. They're not very long, but they're gravelly and they're steep and they're bendy and they're hard - especially if you're someone who never cycles. Like I was then.

On a particularly bendy hill, I met my match. I really wanted to cycle the whole way up. I started off determined. But, I just couldn't do it. I got stuck half way, and I wouldn't let anyone help me. Alex would have gladly given me a wee push. But, stubborness set in. Whose bloody idea had it been for me to join in with Family Fit for a long cycle that included hills?? I'm bloody going to manage this if it kills me! Oh, I huffed and puffed and moaned and groaned while Alex and the kids sat on their bikes at the top doing their, em, best to gee me on:  'You're doing great Mum' 'Keep going, you're doing really well' 'Why don't you just get off and walk up?' 'You're probably in the wrong gear?' 'It's not that hard, go back to the start and take a runny at it' 'Hurry up Mum, I'm starving...'

Eventually I gave up, got off and walked. Even that was a struggle! I was absolutely bloody knackered - and I was well huffed up. For the rest of the afternoon, every time we passed another family my smile and hello were given through somewhat gritted teeth.

I guess it's not always the kids that spoil a family day out...

So, I can't tell you how happy it made me to go for a lovely walk with my daughter and my mum, then to pedal speedily (OK, slowly) up the hills alongside (OK, a wee bit behind) my son on Christmas Day. It was just lovely to hear him shout 'Come on Mum, you're doing really well, you're nearly there!' and not want to spit teeth at him.

I came home caked in mud, with freezing cold feet (you know yon way; you get in the shower and it's like the shower head's firing needles at your toes) and way behind with the Christmas Dinner preparations (we ate at 7.30pm...) but it was so worth it. I'd had a blast!

And, I didn't have to grit my teeth when I was saying hello and smiling at any passers by. This time, I really did mean it.