Day 42 has been, in honour to dear friends Matthew and Alison, Hoofing, which in my Jackspeak guide to British naval slang and usage means ‘an all purpose measurement of excellence’ which in Archie terminology means jolly good or wizzo!! Today has seen 22 miles cycled over whilst climbing to a height of over 820 feet twice. That’s right twice. I have just cycled over the top road from Doune to Callander then on from Callander over the Rob Roy Way and National Cycle Network Route 7 through the Menteith Hills from Callander to Aberfoyle and back again. That’s 44 miles cycled, 1640 feet climbed, a very sore bum, very tired legs and a feeling of immense relief because I haven’t had a seizure – not even an inkling of one all day – Hoofing.
Today wasn’t without incident though. I had just about finished the climb over the top road to Callander and was about to hit the amazing downhill section when a car that had pulled over for me last time I cycled this route came on to the horizon. I pulled over to let him pass this time. Once past I jumped back on the bike and started to grind the last few hundred metres to the top of the hill. As I pushed hard on the peddles I noticed an odd sensation from the back tyre. By Jingle – I had a puncture!! I jumped off again, took the bike to the side and got my tools out to repair it but before I started to dismantle it I tried to put some air in to it and it came out again faster than I could pump it in. This told me it probably wasn’t repairable. 3 miles walking the bike in to Callander but the worst bit was that it was down the fun downhill after all that effort to get to the top!! Off I went, grumbling away when all of a sudden the sun came out and lit up the mountains. I broad smile swept across my face and then 30 metres down the road a big fat pine marten went to run across the road, saw me, jumped around and darted back into the woods. I had never seen a pine marten so close before and wouldn’t have seen this one of it wasn’t for the puncture. Then a red squirrel skittered into the road and startled by me skidded to a halt, turned tail and dived back into the hedgerow just beside me. I was getting a real wildlife treat all thanks to the puncture. As I nursed the bike to Callander I thanked God for the wonderful things he had shown me this morning but then, and perhaps slightly cheekily, prayed that Peter would be in the Wheelology bike shop or I was up the creek without a bicycle!! He was in and for the cheap price of a Latte fixed the bike aga pulling a barb from barbed wire from the tyre. It was vicious and frustrating to have it in the tyre but as Peter said as he pulled it out ‘better in the tyre than in a cow’s foot’. He was of course absolutely right and it was of course the perfect excuse for a mocha and a flapjack. Julie dully obliged and as I waited I asked Debbie how long she thought it would take me to cross over the top to Aberfoyle. 90 minutes was the reply. Time was tight in order to get back for the children after school but that would work just. I had lost a lot of time in having to walk but decided that I could do it so would – absolutely would.
With a big thank you to Peter for his generosity in the wheelology bike shop off I set to grunt my way up and over the hill and in to Aberfoyle. My goodness it was hard work but I got to the top and paused to take the photo. Thinking I knew exactly where I was I started my descent down one of the rockiest and adrenaline fuelled downhills I have ever done. Down and down I went making noises akin to a caveman each time I hit another rock, Uh, UhUh, then hehehehehehehehehehe as I giggled childishly after a near fall. Onwards and onwards I sped and giggled and then as I rushed past it I realised that, having been idle at the top of the hill, I had become navigationally embarrassed and just sped down the hill past Matthew and Alison’s farmsted. It was a long way back up the hill so I am sorry that I did not call in for a cup of tea, I would have loved to had I known where I was before I sped past it. I was a bit stinky so probably better that I didn’t come in but at least you now know who that madman was careering down your stony track in a fluorescent yellow jacket on a mountain bike with a daysack was!! I hit the main road and had a quick nav check, turned right and headed the last few miles in to Aberfoyle.
Another mocha followed in Aberfoyle as I tucked in to my packed lunch of tuna mayonnaise and salad sandwich and veggie pick and mix bag. While having lunch I still managed to convince the café manager and some Turkish holiday makers to look up the Beat the Beast Challenge and spread the word. I also met a delightful couple who were truly inspirational with the upbeat way in which they were manging her MS. Wheelchair bound but full of life I was truly motivated by such an example and of course, having told them both about the challenge I very much hope they will come on to the challenge and say hello because I rather stupidly forgot to get your names before I ran out of the door to get home in time for the children. Forgive me.
Off I went and my goodness the way back up was easily the hardest part of the day but get up the hill I did. Some delightful but far smoother downhill sections now I was back on the correct route followed and before I knew it I was back in Callander. My word Debbie you were absolutely right 95 minutes dead on – thank you because your accurate estimate of the time I would need meant that I could get back in time. The old bike was running like a dream thanks to Peter so on I went heading for home. I do have an apology to make to Gregor as I cycled home. I thought you were Peter’s son when you spoke to me in the shop the other day and reassured me that James was settling well at school. I now know that you are Peter’s sponsored ride and doing really well so congratulations in securing sponsorship on your bike and the very best of luck for all future competitions. I got home just after the children but only just. It had been a quite amazing day with amazing views, close wildlife encounters, more kindness from Peter and Julie’s team, great thrills, many feet climbed, many miles covered and most importantly of all – no seizures.
I was reminded, in a message from Allie earlier this morning, of a verse from the end of Isaiah Chapter 40 about which I was familiar as it is one of the verses I carry around with me in my back pocket for when I need inspiration: ‘I shall believe in the Lord to renew my strength; I shall mount up with wings as Eagles; I shall run like a deer and not be weary; I shall walk the long path and not faint.’ I couldn’t think of a more appropriate verse to quote today for today has certainly seen my strength renewed. Thank you Allie.
So time for the challenge in numbers in total since the start:
Days completed: 42
Total Miles Cycled: 202
Total Miles Walked: 176
Total Miles Run: 4
Total Distance Swum: 50 metres
Total Miles covered under own steam: 382
Total Height Gained under own steam: 20,067 feet
Mountains Climbed: 5
Hills Climbed: 4
Days of Conservation Activity: 2 1/4
Organ tunes learnt and performed: 5
Salmon Caught: 0!
Curling Matches played in: 1
Curling stones placed on the button (the centre of the target): 0!
Weight Training Sessions: 2
Aerobic Circuit Sessions: 1
People Met and Hands Shaken: 170
Pots of tea shared: 6
Prayers joined on the top of a hill: 1
Pills popped: 174
And most important of all – Money Raised as at Day 30- £2,267.00.
Considering I started this challenge 6 weeks ago very quietly with no target beyond a fiver, thanks to the brilliant advice from a friend of mine, I am absolutely thrilled and again thank you all. So far that is £75.00 for each and every day that I have managed to find the will and energy to do something worthwhile and my goodness it has been worth it for my peace of mind, for my healing and for the five wonderful charities you are supporting through your generosity. Long may it continue.
Thank you for joining me on my own personal journey and encouraging me to walk, cycle, climb, paddle, sport and do good deeds each day to ‘Beat the Beast’ while helping to improve the lives and life chances of so many more people through sponsorship. The Five Charities that I have selected to support are:
Thank you for having enough faith in me to sponsor me.
Yours aye
Archie