Day 152 has been one of the best days that I have had for a very long time and has seen 36 miles cycled while gaining 3522 feet to walk 5 miles and receive many wonderful words of encouragement.
I cycled from Doune over the top road into Callander, along Loch Venachar and then along and around the top of Loch Achray in to the Ben Venue Car Park in order to walk the Achray Water Bridge Circuit which is a short walk around the countryside of the Achray water, a natural stream controlled by a dam to feed the hydro electric turbines below.
I left at just past 9am having made my packed lunch and enjoyed morning prayer and organ practice first thing. So I left under hazy sunshine to tackle the top road past Drum Loist in to Callander. I cycled this steep hill road in complete happiness and awe at the wonderful livestock and wildlife around me. Sheep with menacing horns and the glorious chatter of birds keeping me company as I huffed and puffed uphill, past the whispering trees, past the abandoned buildings with such stories to tell and then haring down the far side into Callander. My bum was a little sore after yesterday’s ride into Stirling and I insisted on carrying my large rucksack on my back packed full of enough kit to survive a night alone on a hillside in winter. The theory behind the reasoning was simple. Firstly I needed to stay in shape to carry the heavier packs required at winter. The best way to do that was to carry the same pack in the summer. Secondly I have epilepsy. Should I take a seizure there is a chance that it could immobilize me for some considerable time which could lead to a night on the hills waiting for help and although it was summer time, the temperatures on Scottish hills can drop to near or even below freezing overnight and quite unexpectedly. So to ensure that I survived such a night in my weakened post chemo state I needed additional warm kit and an emergency blanket, bivvy bag and high visibility survival shelter. So add to that the repair kit I carry to keep the bike on the road should something go wrong and my two litres of water in a water bladder I was carrying a significant extra weight which was sat right on my shoulders, right above my bum which was having to cushion that additional load on the rather narrow seat. The net result. My bum was smarting and to such an extent that each time I stood on my peddles I winced on standing and then winced again on sitting back down. I have been assured that I will get used to it. I just want to know how long that will take!!
Once in Callander a quick stop to drop off some shoes I had carried in to get repaired in Jefferson’s Shoe Shop before stealing myself to lower myself back onto the saddle to get cracking up past Loch Venachar. The weather was perfect for such a cycle. The Loch looked superb and there was some stunning vegetation. I heard, for the first time in many years the unmistakable sound of a cuckoo off in the distance cuckooing away while I peddled with the woodpeckers shaping their nesting holes thumping away at the rotten tree trunks sounding like a plastic ruler being vibrated along a desk top.
After bumping away along Loch Venachar I carried on to the Southern edge of Loch Achray and stopped for a pee. But just before I relieved myself in a bush I saw the bright fluorescent colours of two cyclists coming my way. I quickly adjusted myself and grabbed my map for a map check so as not to look too suspicious. As I did so, with my bike on it’s side at my feet this delightful German couple stopped to ask if they could help in any way. I explained that I was just checking my map but thank you and then I felt a sudden urge to tell this couple about the challenge. They looked at me blankly initially then explained that their English wasn’t good enough. They didn’t understand. So I tried again, keeping it very simple so not really manging to explain very well why it was I would like them to pour a glass of wine and watch a video. I just about managed to get across that it is for very good reason and if they do like it after reading the posts to please help me raise awareness back home. With some sign language and simple English Michael and Michaela got it. In fact looking back on this meeting seemed to get it remarkably well. Once I had finished telling them about the challenge they prepared to leave after a photo and handshake and I realised that their English was an awful lot better than they had led me to believe. I wished them a wonderful remaining few days in Scotland but also asked Michaela that when she goes home to Germany could she please leave the sunshine with us. We badly need it. She laughed loudly at this request and with a smile and a wave started to cycle away. Michael mounted his bike and just as he was about to cycle off called back to me the most wonderful words of encouragement. ‘In Germany we have an expression. When the angels are with you so always the sun is shining!’ He waved and cycled on leaving me standing there in bright sunshine with a smile on my face a tear in my eye and a shuffle in my feet because I so badly needed a wee!
Suitably relieved I cycled on to the Ben Venue Car Park at the Western edge of Loch Achray. Locked up my bike, prepped my walking poles and sat and had lunch while I studied the short route I was going to walk and as I ate I hear,’ Archie, Archie is that you?’ I looked up and saw Chris and Kerry with a friend. It was great to see them so cheerful and then I was made to feel more welcome. Chris owns the Whisky Wood company and makes these brilliant personalised keyrings from the wood of the old whisky barrels. He has offered to make them for the challenge for free which means that retailing at £5.00 for each one that I manage to sell the challenge will receive £5.00 minus the postage. What a generous offer and one that I will develop with Chris to bring to you all soon. Chris’ friend was sat watching and relaxing after their walk up Ben Aan so I thought that I would introduce the challenge to him. As I spoke about the incredible journey being so punctuated by the wonderful people I have been meeting I talked about the best bit. About the way that the story that was unravelling in front of me and my telling of it was providing hope, inspiration and encouragement for so many more people as well as just me. But as I spoke about this phenomenon my voice cracked and I found myself beating back the emotions. Blayre stood up, walked over to me and gave me a hug. I was stunned by this instantaneous expression of support and he just explained, ‘Archie, you showing your emotion makes the whole story real for everybody. It makes you real and somebody that we all want to follow and support.’ I couldn’t thank Blayre enough for this wonderful show and words of support but I also sensed that there might be a little more to this. Perhaps Blayre himself or somebody he knows could do with a little encouragement to fight their own particular beast but I decided not to pry. But I very much hope that he does come and join the journey on the challenge and do all that he can to help me raise awareness. He was such a pleasure to meet.
We bade our farewells and with the walk around the Achray Water Bridge Circuit completed it was time to tackle the ride home. Back the 18 miles I had come. Again in delightful weather and thoroughly enjoying it. As I cycled up past Loch Venachar however I received the shock of my life. I over took a couple in their 60s on what looked like folding bikes while the gentleman rode his with a pipe in his mouth, the smoke giving a most excellent impression of a steam train. I bid them good afternoon as I passed and thought nothing of it. Until they overtook me while the gentleman still puffed with huge smiles on their faces. And it was only at that point that I realised that they weren’t folding bikes. They were electric assist bikes. I laughed. Peddled harder, caught up the gentleman and asked if I might tell them about something. They duly obliged and I told Henry and Sandie from Falkirk about the challenge. They promised me that they would look it up when they get home and then Sandie told me about her sister and her successful battle with breast cancer. I was thrilled to hear of such good news and then we parted with a handshake a cheery farewell. They set off at quite a pace and it was some time later before I caught them up. They were turning off to the caravan park but had stopped so as I cycled past I shouted over to them while waving my hand, ‘BEAT THE BEEEEEEEEEEAST!!!!’ They laughed, waved back and were gone.
Sadly I got back just a little too late. Margaret had already put a meal in the oven so I couldn’t cook for her tonight. A shame because tonight I made Thai Rice Noodle Salad with Steak with Rice Noodles, beansprouts, lime, soy sauce, red onion, little gem lettuce and sirloin steak. It was delicious and provided a good protein hit after such a physically demanding day.
I have a couple of meetings tomorrow so no post tomorrow. Next post on Thursday.
So the challenge in numbers in total since the start:
Days completed: 152
Total Miles Cycled: 720.44
Total Miles Walked: 805.08
Total Miles Run: 116.63
Total Miles Paddled: 7
Total Distance Cycled, Skied, Run and Rowed in the gym: 42.17
Total Distance Swum: 3,780 metres
Total Miles covered under own steam.1,695.02
Total Height Gained under own steam: 59,147 feet
Mountains Climbed: 6
Hills Climbed: 25
Days of Voluntary Activity: 8.5
Organ tunes learnt and performed: 5
Salmon Caught: 0!
Bats Found:0!
Curling Matches played in: 8
Curling stones placed on the button (the centre of the target): 3
Weight Training Sessions: 12
Weight shifted: 10kgs lifted over 318metres or 6360kgs moved over ½ a metre,
Aerobic Circuit Sessions: 8
Press Ups: 580
Pull Ups: 100
Sit Ups: 845
People Met and Hands Shaken: 467
Pots of tea shared: 30
Prayers joined on the top of a hill: 2
Prayers joined in the street!: 4
Prayers joined in a Train Station: 1
Prayers joined in a Café: 2
Pills popped: 868
Days until Driving Licence (lost to epilepsy) possibly Returned: 725
And most importantly – Money Raised as at Week 39 – £7,714
Considering I started this challenge 6 months 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. That is £52.83 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 to £54.02 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.
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:
- Cancer Research UK – My Father Succumbed to Lung Cancer; a couple of friends are currently fighting cancer and I am fighting a brain tumour. Let’s Help to Beat Cancer Sooner.
- The Prince’s Trust – Inspiring and preparing disadvantaged Young Lives for success.
- British Red Cross – helping those in need around the UK and the world whoever and wherever they are.
- World Wide Fund for Nature – For a Living Planet and a Future Where People and Nature Thrive.
- Help for Heroes – Support for our Wounded and their Families. To learn more about my story that brought me to this point, how I plan to ‘Beat the Beast’, what activities I plan to do within the challenge and why, please see my welcome video on this page.
How to Sponsor Me
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 listed above.
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. Any one off donations can be made by BACS or cheque.
Thank you for having enough faith in me to sponsor me.
Yours aye
Archie