Day 98 has seen 6 miles walked, 16 miles cycled, me completely flabbergasted and a pack of Hyenas.
Today all started with a 3 mile walk back at the War Memorial where I had had that complete and utter panic as I became in a sense blinded by a seizure while caught up in the undergrowth and slipping and falling on the elephants graveyard type skeletal remains of the recent deforestation. I have long since got over the fear of going back there but do still get a subtle pang of anxiety as I step through the breach in the hedge behind the war memorial and in to the elephants graveyard. This time though it was nice and bright and all was well.
While I walked I made a plan for today. There were some bike rides that I was really keen to do in Aberfoyle but were perhaps too big to do after a 20 mile ride from Doune, through Callander and up over the Menteith Hills to Aberfoyle and back again all in one day. So instead I was forming a plan to dothe 20 miles to Aberfoyle and overnight. A day doing the routes I would like to do and overnight then the 20 miles back over the top to Doune. I loved the plan but the whole thing hinged on my trusty old steed. My bike was groaning and moaning every time I hit a hill. The front wheel was wobbly. Not quite like the Salvador Dali painting I have had before but not good. The pedals were wobbling from side to side and I was struggling to tighten the breaks without locking off the wheels so in effect I had to cycle with very poor breaks. Not good. I called the wonderful Peter in Wheelology in Callander to check he was open. He was. If I cycled the bike over could he have a look at it. Fix it on Monday ready for me to pick up off the bus in Callander and then set off over the Menteith Hills for Aberfoyle in the afternoon. No promises. Bring the bike and he’ll look at it.
A quick change and pack of my kit. A check of the bike. All a little wobbly but in working order. Brakes still a little weak but I had good thick soles on my boots too. A little more air in the tyres and I was off. It was jolly cold at about -1oC but wrapped up warm and put my mits on to protect the hands against the cold. The best bit was putting on the boots I got at such a discount in Mountain Warehouse in Stirling when I stumbled unawares into Black Friday a few months ago. They are called Boulder Winter Trekker Boots and are warm as toast. Not the right sort of boot for Mountaineering above the snow line but perfect for Mountain Biking in winter and even hill walking below the snow line. I have been a paddle steamer in them a few weeks ago and my feet stayed dry so today I was hoping that the lovely fleecy inner might keep my feet warm as I went up and over the Braes of Doune.
I was off and with my mobile phone tucked in to my pocket I was hoping to take some great pictures from the top for you all but as I gained height I started to realise that the thick cloud on the hills around me was not going to give me any form of a decent view for a photo. Nothing to see in the distance but plenty to admire on the way. I was having a lovely time. Just me on this hill road. Nobody else. Surrounded by the fields glittering white in the hard frost of last night the gentle breeze caressing my face with the stinging cold but giving that lovely gentle whooshing noise across the ears as the tyres hummed along on the surface broken only by the crunching of the icy surface of the puddles, the lovely pungent sweet smell of the hill cattle wrapping my head up in its intoxicating aroma as I hummed along the road. TO THEN SUDDENLY have to brake hard, my brakes squealing in protest as I pulled on the handles as hard as I could and realising that it wasn’t enough then grounding my feet to slow me further as I descended hard towards a long stretch of sheet ice spread thick across the road and ready to catch me out. I was now wobbling quite viciously in a sort of hilarious comedy moment full of quite treacherous possibilities as my feet scuffed the ground on either side of the bike, one side then the other side, then the other side each scuff making me rise slightly in the saddle and probably adding to the comedic spectacle. Just as I reached the ice I released the brakes, feet back on the peddles and focused very hard at trying to stay upright – perfectly balanced – PERFECTLY BALANCED?!! Arch this is me. I have no idea half the time as to whether I am standing up straight or not so to have any concept as to whether or not I had my centre of gravity well centred over the bike was a long shot. A very long shot indeed. However the truth would tell any second as I braced for a slip sideways followed by a punishing fall. NOTHING!!! Before I knew it I was over the ice sheet and on solid tarmac again. I relaxed, giggled a nervous giggle and kicked on. The cows in the field just ahead and to the left and responsible for that sweet smell that so distracted me earlier staring at me quizzically and nonchantly as they quietly chewed the cud. Then I heard a cough at least I hope it was a cough otherwise one of the cows was laughing at me. I would like to see one of them riding this bike. Now that would be funny!! Lesson learnt and still with a long way to go I focussed on the task in hand and kept my eyes on the road. Slow well in advance and in control prior to the ice then glide gracefully over the ice in a controlled and balanced manner. I did have a couple of back wheel slips but no falls. I had done it and smiled a huge grin of relief as I cycled along the cycle track behind Callander the crisp Autumn leaves lying thick and crisping on the path underneath me. My balance was getting better than I thought. That would have been a catastrophe should I have tried that just a year ago. I was winning!!
Once in Callander I cruised by the Deli Ecosse. Open – fantastic but first in to Peter’s wheelology shop which was almost right next door through a low alcove. Peter had a look at the bike starting at the front wheel, Not Good. The front bit, not the Head Gasket, the Head Set. Not Good. In fact really bad. The brakes. Not Good. The cranks of the peddles. Not Good. In fact really bad. The more he looked the more he found and then it happened. He sucked in air through his teeth. At that point I knew that it was going to be bad news!! It was. The bike was beyond economical repair. I would be better off just taking it to recyke-a-bike and getting another one. I suggested that while the bikes they recycled were brilliant for pootling up gentle cycle tracks, as soon as I start pushing myself up the sides of hills on muddy tracks and then down the other side on really bumpy rough tracks and rock runs, like this one, I am just going to shake it to bits again. I’ll need to consider my options so I’ll ride my trusty old steed back over the hill and take it from there. ‘Oh no you wont’ said Peter ‘You’re banned from riding that bike. It’s close to exploding into a pile of debris and could kill you in the process.’ I thought for a second and realised that he was absolutely right. In fact I decided not to confirm his fears with the story of my near death experience earlier! I needed to think this one through. The bus wasn’t for a while so I think I’ll get a Mocha to drown my sorrows as I say farewell to the old girl. I offered Peter a Late, his favourite.
It was great to see Julie, Debbie and the team again when I walked in to the Deli Ecosse. They were all in good and playful form as usual. DeCaf Mocha made with Lactose free milk coming right up with a flapjack said the girls with large grins. I added a Late and then Julie added an egg sandwich with salad. Well it was lunchtime but can I come back for the sandwich? Sorted.
And when I went back to Peter with the Late I was struck for probably the first time in a long time speechless. Totally speechless and as I stood there banging my lips together in a vain attempt at speaking I suddenly realised what the term flabbergasted meant. I was completely flabbergasted. Peter had just given me a bike to keep me on the road while I considered my options and was busy moving all the lights, mudguards ancillaries’ et al over on to the bike he was giving me. With slick tyres and the type of equipment it was fitted with it couldn’t take me over any mountains or rough tracks or Mountain Biking Trails so Aberfoyle was off the cards for a while but was in really good nick, would be safe to ride and feel like riding on velvet after battling with your old warhorse up hill and down tracks for so long. As a form of transport and for cycling along proper tracks and roads to keep me fighting in the challenge this bike was ideal. I was so very thankful and then, as we sipped on our coffees discussed what sort of options he would recommend for a new bike. We could do an ex hire one but he had none of the right size. Peter was thinking hard as to how he could best help me out. I knew that this bike was going to need to give me many many miles in the future over some pretty rough terrain so would a new bike not be more sensible. Preferably one with mountain climbing gears rather than the rather under cogged warhorse I was used to. We went through his recommendations and I was surprised to find out how much it would cost me to get a new bike suitable for the purpose. I was pleasantly surprised so made the decision and went for it which by ordering in with the bikes he was ordering for his hire fleet from the same company was able to give to me at a really good price. I was hoping to splash out around £20.00 on repairs. This was a little more but will be the first new bike that I have had for a very long time and was sorely needed. When compared with the cost of purchasing, maintaining and fuelling a car this was significantly cheaper!!
Peter had some work to do so I nipped back to the Deli for my sandwich and salad. As I sat there eating the sandwich I could not believe how lucky I had just been but also how brilliant Peter had just been with me. I was blessed to have met Peter and cannot thank him enough for his belief in me and the work I am trying to do through the challenge. Frankly, without him and his Wheelology shop in Callander I would have given up cycling as part of the challenge a long time ago. I had written three emails to three separate cycle companies hoping for sponsorship but didn’t even get a response and after three chase up attempts with no response had no choice but to leave it. I was really looking forward to trying my new second hand bike as I brought my plate and cup back to the girls. So it was a quick thank you and farewell with a promise to let Debbie know what the boots I was wearing were called because my feet remained toasty warm all day and how long it took me to cover the 8 miles over the ice sheets over the top road over the Braes back to Doune.
Debbie – 50 minutes and they are called Boulder Winter Trekker Boots and are warm as toast xx
Back in to Wheelology a huge thank you to Peter and a handshake as I picked up the bike and met Alisdair who had been waiting so patiently as Peter prepped my bike for the road. I managed to get out the door, rather awkwardly, but got out and set off. He was right. My trusty old steed was a wreck. This was like riding on velvet. Nothing wobbled, except me, and the gear shift even shifted the gears to the one you selected. Peter Thank you. As I lost myself in the joy of riding a bike, the odd piece of sleet just stinging the face as it struck, I did forget though to ensure I was prepared for the ice sheets and found myself running towards one a little fast. In fact far too fast. I slammed on the brakes and nearly threw myself over the handlebars. The brakes worked so well in fact that I was completely off balance on arriving at the ice sheet. This was going to be horrible but as my front wheel hit the ice sheet and I braced myself for a fall I suddenly felt that extraordinary sensation on the saddle of my bike just like the feeling you had as a child when your father held your saddle and guided you up a hill. This time I somehow managed to regain my balance and glide without incident over the ice sheet despite hitting it at completely the wrong angle. I should have fallen and it felt very much as if God had laid his guiding hand on my saddle and kept me safe. I can find no other way to explain that sensation that I have felt once before on this road a few months ago.
Back home in good time I stripped down and cleaned up all my kit before showering and then cracking through a few emails. By 1600hrs though it was time to take Georgie for another 3 mile walk, this time along the river Teith through the Wood of Doune and out towards the Castle. It was almost dry but lighter now and a very pleasant walk. Back home we had tea and then the children went upstairs to play and it became like a pack of hyenas in the bedrooms upstairs as Heather and James ragged with each other. Barks of rage as one or the other got caught out then cackles of laughter as they both resumed the fight. It was a joy to listen to and the ending in tears never happened. In fact all is quiet upstairs except the rumbling through of a lego box with tuneless whistle and the gentle murmurs of a girl in conversation with somebody. Better go and see who it is!!
Day off tomorrow. Church then planning and then maybe a film after another attempt at my baked plaice tomorrow so no post.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend but before you do, the challenge in numbers in total since the start:
Days completed: 98
Total Miles Cycled: 527
Total Miles Walked: 501.0
Total Miles Run: 25.6
Total Miles Paddled: 7
Total Distance Cycled, Skied, Ran and Rowed in the gym: 8.4
Total Distance Swum: 500 metres
Total Miles covered under own steam.1069.3
Total Height Gained under own steam: 31,645 feet
Mountains Climbed: 5
Hills Climbed: 17
Days of Voluntary Activity: 5.5
Organ tunes learnt and performed: 5
Salmon Caught: 0!
Curling Matches played in: 4
Curling stones placed on the button (the centre of the target): 1
Weight Training Sessions: 8
Aerobic Circuit Sessions: 4
Press Ups: 188
Pull Ups: 48
Sit Ups: 188
People Met and Hands Shaken: 338
Pots of tea shared: 22
Prayers joined on the top of a hill: 2
Prayers joined in the street!: 3
Prayers joined in a Train Station: 1
Pills popped: 432
And most important of all – Money Raised as at Day 96 – £5,802.77.
Considering I started this challenge 20 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 £60.44 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. May I also ask however that if you are not sponsoring me to please consider it for as much or as little as you can afford. My rate of revenue raising has slowed from £70.00 a day to £60.00 a day so please sponsor me and encourage your friends to as well.
Thank you all for your incredible comments and support. Please continue to spread the word.
If you see me around do please give a cheery hello and shake my hand or toot your horn and give a cheery wave to show your support and encourage me on.
How to Sponsor Me
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 Beat the Beast Challenge is self funding through my own contribution while keeping costs to a minimum with voluntary support and corporate sponsorship in kind. Therefore the entirety of every penny donated will go directly to the 5 charities I have chosen to support.
Please sponsor me by completing a standing order form either through your own personal internet banking or by completing a hard copy standing order form in your branch of your bank and then handing it in to the teller.
It is entirely up to you how much you would like to and are able to sponsor me for so do please give as much or as little as you can. Every penny will be very gratefully received.
While I hope you will encourage me to keep going by sponsoring me for every day I survive and am able to find the cognitive and physical capability to complete a day’s task designed to improve my chances of ‘Beating the Beast’ or improving the lives of others, 5 days a week, four weeks a month, for as long as ever I can any One-off Cash contributions will be most gratefully received and distributed in exactly the same manner to the five charities as the sponsorship.
Thank you for having enough faith in me to sponsor me.
Yours aye
Archie