Monday 25 April 2011
beautiful wil'durness'
Hope - Durness 20miles
Thursday saw us heading up North to Durness. I had a text from Speedy early on to say he was taking advantage of the weather and cycling the whole way up........unfortunately some of us had to work or i would have done the same....
As we were driving up we got a phone call to say he had a puncture, so we sped up and met him just north of Lairg. We drove for a while with the bikes on the back........ when we got to Hope we got on our bikes and rode the last 20 miles to Durness in the beautiful evening sunshine.
When you think of the North coast of Scotland you don't associate it with white sands, sunshine and aqua waters.... but honestly these beaches were stunning.....who needs the Carribean anyway ?......Its safe to say I've fallen back in love with the Highlands...And this from the girl, who for the last decade, felt she had to travel half way around the world on holiday to find beauty, I'm totally converted... i don't think I'll be clocking up any air miles for a while ............
Anyway, we rode into Durness and made our way to our accommodation (hillside b&b), where we were given an extremely warm welcome. Tony (one of the hosts) even gave us a spare tyre and inner tube to take on our onward journey, which came in very handy........ That evening we headed to the local for some carbs, a few shandy's and a really poor game of pool...... i thought i was bad, Speedy and Mark were even worse !!! Don't give up your day jobs boys ........
Friday arrives and we say goodbye to our lovely hosts, we stop for a few photos and then get on our way......
Durness - Ullapool - 70 VERY windy and VERY hilly miles
On Friday the sun was shining, boy was it windy but at least it was warm. The landscape was breathtaking but the wind was so noisy at times we had to shout to each other...we passed horses running wild a herd of deer and a the odd cow, i felt like i was cycling through a safari park at one point.
After a long 20ish miles it started to get pretty hilly..... what i do sometimes when we're out and about is ask Richard how hard a ride is compared to one we've done before, this time when i asked he didn't say much, which left me feeling a little apprehensive....The hills were tough but the wind was the biggest challenge and at one point i got blown of my bike, thankfully i wasn't going very fast, in fact i was just about going backwards at the time ;-) On we slowly pedalled, when the wind died down for the odd minute and we go like the clappers to make up some time....i even managed to come down a hill at 42mph....that's super fast for me.....
Then oh oh ....Second puncture of the weekend.....thanks again for that inner tube Tony.
So we stopped at Kylesku bridge for a breather, water, kendal mint cake, jelly babies, snickers, bananas and pretty much anything we could get our hands on to give us an energy boost.
A few miles after the bridge i saw a sign saying 28 miles to Ullapool, i thought to myself that's ok, 28 miles is fine even in this wind ...ha ha the hills hadn't even started !!! Up down, up down, up down, up down and so it went on, ............... just like other windy days before, you don't get much of a recovery when you have to pedal into your descent...then i remember Speedy saying 'lou get your climbing legs on for a couple of miles' we turned a corner and oh my word !! there in front of me was indeed one heck of a climb, these next few photos don't really show the scale of the hills, trust me if you could see the sweat coming of me you would understand the effort involved...
Eventually after what felt like forever, we turned right towards Ullapool ....10 miles to go..... the wind dropped and we managed to take on the last ten miles a bit faster, two more big hills then we dropped down into the town. Wind swept, exhausted, sunburnt and hungry i had just ridden the hardest 70 miles so far since i started training. Hard but ace ...a big huge pat on the back for both of us !! I think I'm ready for Applecross now ;-) We arrived at our b&b , had a quick shower then straight to the pub to have a blether about the days achievements....
Saturday Ullapool - Beauly 50 fast and furious miles.
Saturday arrived and so did another fab ride. We left Ullapool about 9am and headed to Beauly, the wind was quite strong to start with but after the first hour it calmed right down. Although a lot cooler than Friday as the morning went on the riding conditions became perfect. With our heads down we cycled home as fast as our legs could carry us, not for any other reason but because it was so nice to pick up some speed after yesterday wind.
Ullapool to Beauly 3hrs 5 mins ......
Fab weekend of cycling but a few niggles are starting to cause problems so another trip to the Inverness Therapy Clinic is called for http://www.invernesstherapyclinic.com/ ...............
Thursday saw us heading up North to Durness. I had a text from Speedy early on to say he was taking advantage of the weather and cycling the whole way up........unfortunately some of us had to work or i would have done the same....
As we were driving up we got a phone call to say he had a puncture, so we sped up and met him just north of Lairg. We drove for a while with the bikes on the back........ when we got to Hope we got on our bikes and rode the last 20 miles to Durness in the beautiful evening sunshine.
When you think of the North coast of Scotland you don't associate it with white sands, sunshine and aqua waters.... but honestly these beaches were stunning.....who needs the Carribean anyway ?......Its safe to say I've fallen back in love with the Highlands...And this from the girl, who for the last decade, felt she had to travel half way around the world on holiday to find beauty, I'm totally converted... i don't think I'll be clocking up any air miles for a while ............
Friday arrives and we say goodbye to our lovely hosts, we stop for a few photos and then get on our way......
Durness - Ullapool - 70 VERY windy and VERY hilly miles
After a long 20ish miles it started to get pretty hilly..... what i do sometimes when we're out and about is ask Richard how hard a ride is compared to one we've done before, this time when i asked he didn't say much, which left me feeling a little apprehensive....The hills were tough but the wind was the biggest challenge and at one point i got blown of my bike, thankfully i wasn't going very fast, in fact i was just about going backwards at the time ;-) On we slowly pedalled, when the wind died down for the odd minute and we go like the clappers to make up some time....i even managed to come down a hill at 42mph....that's super fast for me.....
Then oh oh ....Second puncture of the weekend.....thanks again for that inner tube Tony.
So we stopped at Kylesku bridge for a breather, water, kendal mint cake, jelly babies, snickers, bananas and pretty much anything we could get our hands on to give us an energy boost.
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Saturday Ullapool - Beauly 50 fast and furious miles.
Saturday arrived and so did another fab ride. We left Ullapool about 9am and headed to Beauly, the wind was quite strong to start with but after the first hour it calmed right down. Although a lot cooler than Friday as the morning went on the riding conditions became perfect. With our heads down we cycled home as fast as our legs could carry us, not for any other reason but because it was so nice to pick up some speed after yesterday wind.
Ullapool to Beauly 3hrs 5 mins ......
Fab weekend of cycling but a few niggles are starting to cause problems so another trip to the Inverness Therapy Clinic is called for http://www.invernesstherapyclinic.com/ ...............
Tuesday 19 April 2011
100 DAYS to go .......... and counting...tick tock tick tock
In case there is anyone left on the planet that doesn’t know....I am cycling 1100 miles from lands end to john o groats in aid of the Kids if Kolkata. I am leaving on the 31st of July and plan to complete the trip in 11 days. Today marks 100 days until I leave...over the next 100 days I will not only be cycling 200 miles a week in training but I will also be asking every, friend, colleague, family member and acquaintance if they would donate whatever they can so I can raise as much money as possible for the Kids of Kolkata. This is the biggest physical challenge I have ever taken on so I would appreciate every pound or penny you can possibly spare in way of support. If you would like to sponsor me please text or e-mail me with your donation and your e-mail address and I will let you know how you can pay. THANK YOU x www.luludoeslejog.blogspot.com 1100 miles,11days, 1 Cause
I want to ride my bicycle i want to ride my bike..............
My life is turning into one long ride..............
Last Thursday - Avoch -Killen-Munlochy-North Kessock- Muir of Ord-Malbuie-Munlochy -Avoch - 36 ish miles
Saturday - Black Isle Challenge then from Cromarty to home 33 miles
Great morning out, fab atmosphere and great cakes at the end ;-) great effort everyone who took part.
Sunday - Avoch - Lossiemouth - Elgin 62 Miles
Fab solo ride along the coastal road, average speed 16mph, beautiful day, great ice cream for rizza's ices in Losssiemouth, then after a sugar induced power ride to Elgin it was time for a pedalo ride in cooper park.....
Monday - Avoch -Tore- Beauly - Inverness -Munlochy -Avoch 38 Miles
I went out lat night with the intention of going out for an hour.... 2hrs and 40min s later i re-appear....i just cant seem to stop myself...oooops
Cycling is openning up a whole new world for me, you just nip on to a back road and you see where you live through completely new eyes, what an education and all this fresh air is makig me sleep like a baby....not that i need any help in that department but i'm lucky if i see past 11pm these days.......
Heading up north and west this weekend for a change of scenery ...... Hopefully i'll get a wee ride in before we shoot off.......
Last Thursday - Avoch -Killen-Munlochy-North Kessock- Muir of Ord-Malbuie-Munlochy -Avoch - 36 ish miles
Saturday - Black Isle Challenge then from Cromarty to home 33 miles
Great morning out, fab atmosphere and great cakes at the end ;-) great effort everyone who took part.
Sunday - Avoch - Lossiemouth - Elgin 62 Miles
Fab solo ride along the coastal road, average speed 16mph, beautiful day, great ice cream for rizza's ices in Losssiemouth, then after a sugar induced power ride to Elgin it was time for a pedalo ride in cooper park.....
Monday - Avoch -Tore- Beauly - Inverness -Munlochy -Avoch 38 Miles
I went out lat night with the intention of going out for an hour.... 2hrs and 40min s later i re-appear....i just cant seem to stop myself...oooops
Cycling is openning up a whole new world for me, you just nip on to a back road and you see where you live through completely new eyes, what an education and all this fresh air is makig me sleep like a baby....not that i need any help in that department but i'm lucky if i see past 11pm these days.......
Heading up north and west this weekend for a change of scenery ...... Hopefully i'll get a wee ride in before we shoot off.......
Wednesday 13 April 2011
' My names Louise and i'm a bike-a-holic '
This week so far ......
Tuesday - 28 Miles
Up and down the beautiful hills on black isle, killen, rosemarkie, feddon hill, munlochy, ord hill ...... to many to mention ..............
Wednesday - 22 Miles
It was slightly cooler tonight when i left Avoch but still mild enough to make cycling a joy..... I headed through Rosemarkie and had a steady climb up to Eathie, what a view from the top, over to Nairns sandy beaches. On i pedalled for a couple of miles on the quiet country lanes, in fact, i don't think a single car passed me along the Eathie Road. I climbed over the brow of the last hill and then i found myself having a bit of moment, i was looking down over the Cromarty Firth, miles of countryside below and a beautiful red sky to top it all of. All of a sudden i felt very lucky to live in such a pretty part of the world. Then in an instant, i was off........gears up, head down, elbows in and away i went down the hill to Cromarty at 31mph, i cant tell you how much i love hills now !! I'm even thinking about having Aero bars fitted, and no that's nothing to do with chocolate in case your wondering..... i finished my ride with 10 leisurely miles back to Avoch.
TBC .......
Tuesday - 28 Miles
Up and down the beautiful hills on black isle, killen, rosemarkie, feddon hill, munlochy, ord hill ...... to many to mention ..............
Wednesday - 22 Miles
It was slightly cooler tonight when i left Avoch but still mild enough to make cycling a joy..... I headed through Rosemarkie and had a steady climb up to Eathie, what a view from the top, over to Nairns sandy beaches. On i pedalled for a couple of miles on the quiet country lanes, in fact, i don't think a single car passed me along the Eathie Road. I climbed over the brow of the last hill and then i found myself having a bit of moment, i was looking down over the Cromarty Firth, miles of countryside below and a beautiful red sky to top it all of. All of a sudden i felt very lucky to live in such a pretty part of the world. Then in an instant, i was off........gears up, head down, elbows in and away i went down the hill to Cromarty at 31mph, i cant tell you how much i love hills now !! I'm even thinking about having Aero bars fitted, and no that's nothing to do with chocolate in case your wondering..... i finished my ride with 10 leisurely miles back to Avoch.
TBC .......
Monday 11 April 2011
If at first you dont suceed try and try again .......
This weeks training
Mon/Tue/Thurs - 15 Mile power loops round the black isle
Wed - 2 hours in the gym
and on Saturday ................
Wooo Hooooo we cracked the big 100 !!!!!!!
Totally unexpected, Totally delighted, Totally sunburned.........
Avoch-Ardeseir-Nairn-Croy-Culloden-Inverness-Inchmore-Beauly-Mulbuie-Culbokie-Cromarty-Rosemarkie-Avoch -103 miles
I left Avoch in really foggy, misty conditions feeling a little dubious about the beautiful blue skies the weather forecast had been promising us, however, it was much milder than last weekend so no room for grumbling. I met Richard on the kesock bridge and away we rode to Ardeseir, still no sunshine ;-( ....We arrived in Nairn in good time and rendezvoused down at the links for coffee and a quick photo then off we went to the bike shop to sort out a few comfort adjustments..still no sunshine ;-(
We headed back from Nairn via Croy and there it was ..... breaking through the clouds like a space ship. Finally, the sun put in an appearance and i could cycle in the heat.......
We cycled at a good pace back from Nairn then had a quick stop in Culloden, it was lovely to look down onto Inverness in sunshine for a change.
At almost the same moment we both decided that today was the day to give 100 miles another go. So with that in mind we decided to make a massive extension to our planned route and give it our best shot. So we rode.......
Mon/Tue/Thurs - 15 Mile power loops round the black isle
Wed - 2 hours in the gym
and on Saturday ................
Wooo Hooooo we cracked the big 100 !!!!!!!
Totally unexpected, Totally delighted, Totally sunburned.........
Avoch-Ardeseir-Nairn-Croy-Culloden-Inverness-Inchmore-Beauly-Mulbuie-Culbokie-Cromarty-Rosemarkie-Avoch -103 miles
I left Avoch in really foggy, misty conditions feeling a little dubious about the beautiful blue skies the weather forecast had been promising us, however, it was much milder than last weekend so no room for grumbling. I met Richard on the kesock bridge and away we rode to Ardeseir, still no sunshine ;-( ....We arrived in Nairn in good time and rendezvoused down at the links for coffee and a quick photo then off we went to the bike shop to sort out a few comfort adjustments..still no sunshine ;-(
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| Nairn Beach |
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| Somewhere between Nairn and Culloden |
We cycled at a good pace back from Nairn then had a quick stop in Culloden, it was lovely to look down onto Inverness in sunshine for a change.
At almost the same moment we both decided that today was the day to give 100 miles another go. So with that in mind we decided to make a massive extension to our planned route and give it our best shot. So we rode.......
and we rode .................
and we rode .................
and we rode some more...through Inverness to Inchmore, then to Beauly, Mulbuie and then on to Culbokie........I think this was the point i started to get a few twinges nothing serious but a few niggles. Only 30 ish miles to go
6 miles from Cromarty i started to feel a bit ropey, I'm not sure how to describe it really, my muscles felt fine and my legs weren't sore it was more to do with blood sugar i think. I was feeling pretty shaky so we stopped in Cromarty for a bowl of soup, it was also getting much cooler outside so the roaring fire at the Royal was hugely appreciated.
I was 13 miles from home, there was no way in the world i wasn't going to finish...so i layered up and we got back on our bikes and climbed out of Cromarty...surprisingly, it felt much easier than i thought it was going to. We arrived in Rosemarkie and my garmin was showing 94ish miles, Rosemarkie to Avoch is only 3 miles, that wasn't enough miles....so we detoured down to Chanonry Point and around the houses then up one final hill before dropping down into Avoch.
I had just enough energy left to give speedy a high five .... another milestone achieved ;-)
I went to bed happily exhausted.
I woke on Sunday morning and it was another beautiful day, double bonus..... i didn't have a single ache or pain from yesterdays ride. We headed to Glenlivet to watch Speedy and Christina run the Glenlivet 10k. Well done you guys, you rocked, it was a tough one in that heat, Speedy ....how can you run a hilly 10k in 41 mins after cycling 103 miles ....you're a machine !!
I went for the easy option and had a leisurely 20 mile cycle from Glenlivet to Grantown on Spey. Absolutely beautiful cycling, rolling hills, gorgeous scenery, perfect weather, i could have cycled around there all day ...so stunning and tranquil....we'll apart from the motorbikes whizzing past me at 400 miles an hour ....and why do they have to come so close ?? I don't take up that much room on the road ???
On we went (by car) to Logie Steading where we found a lovely sunny, sandy spot and relaxed in the last of the sunshine whilst Heidi skinny dipped in the River Findhorn. Happy days ..........
Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a fab weekend .... love you guys xxxx ;-)
Monday 4 April 2011
WET WET WET
Avoch- Dores- Fort Augustus-49miles
Richard and i rendezvoused at the kessock bridge on Sunday morning and followed the Dores-Foyers-Whitebridge road to Ford Augustus. The first 20 miles were fine but the next 20 felt like they went on forever. The rain started just after Dores and down it poured, then the wind picked up, soaked to the skin, wind burnt and chilled to the bone, on we pedalled up and down the relentless hills.
I said goodbye to Speedy at Fort Augustus as i had a lunch date but he continued round Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit and back home....well done Speedy great effort ;-)) Typically the rain stopped when i did ................
Yesterday i didn't have much love for my bike.....however, we're friends again today, I've been out for a quick power ride and woohoo although its still really windy i managed to build up some speed, unlike yesterday where i don't think i got out of my lowest gear for an hour.....
Avoch -Rosemarkie - Mnt High-Killen-Munlochy -Avoch - 15miles
Fingers Crossed for some nicer weather soon ..............
Richard and i rendezvoused at the kessock bridge on Sunday morning and followed the Dores-Foyers-Whitebridge road to Ford Augustus. The first 20 miles were fine but the next 20 felt like they went on forever. The rain started just after Dores and down it poured, then the wind picked up, soaked to the skin, wind burnt and chilled to the bone, on we pedalled up and down the relentless hills.
I said goodbye to Speedy at Fort Augustus as i had a lunch date but he continued round Loch Ness to Drumnadrochit and back home....well done Speedy great effort ;-)) Typically the rain stopped when i did ................
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| This was the best bit of yesterday the descent into Fort Augustus |
Yesterday i didn't have much love for my bike.....however, we're friends again today, I've been out for a quick power ride and woohoo although its still really windy i managed to build up some speed, unlike yesterday where i don't think i got out of my lowest gear for an hour.....
Avoch -Rosemarkie - Mnt High-Killen-Munlochy -Avoch - 15miles
Fingers Crossed for some nicer weather soon ..............
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