WE DID IT

Well we did it Jim and I covered the 945 mile from Lands End to John 'O' Groats in 11 days through sun wind and rain ( more wind and rain than sun) but we did it and a brilliant experience from start to finish and something that I'm glad to have done with a great mate like Jim who put up with all my mind less rambling my bad temper and who kept us on course with some excellent map reading.

the big day

Well it finally here i have dropped of my bike and packs at Jim ready for the train south tomorrow. I will post some pictures on face book most days so please follow me there.

Training with Simon

Well the training is going well. Out today with Simon an old running buddie. We meet at the Rob Roy Hotel just out side aberfoyle and did a curcuit through Port of Monteith Arnprior, Fintry and Balfron. Where we stooped at Simon from a brew I then carried on Back to Callander totalling 50 Miles. The whether was windy but the rain held off. It was great to catch up with Simon good company on a long cycle with any luck he may join use for a leg or 2 of LEJOG.
I have finally set up my Just giving site ready to take donations so please take a look its www.justgiving/nickparkes.com. I hope you find it okay let me know if you don't

Nick Parkes is fundraising for Callander Youth Project - JustGiving

Nick Parkes is fundraising for Callander Youth Project - JustGiving

My first 100 mile day

I am please to say I've just return from a great weekends cycling in the highlands of Scotland with Jim. We entered the diageo 100 mile challenge from Dalwhinnie to Elgin. It was a beautiful sunny day as we arrive early on Saturday morning at the Dalwhinnie distillery to sign in a get our route details and meet a few other cyclists. Setting of a 9am we enjoyed a very scenic cycle through beautiful highland countryside passing through villages and towns such as Newton-more,Aviemore Grantown-on-Spey,Cardhu, Dallas, Forres, Duffus and Elgin. Over mores, through forests and long the river side with plenty of opportunity to stop and enjoy the countryside. Arrived in Elgin about 4 45 for a BBQ and a couple of well earned bottles of cold beer. Then a quick shower at the B&B and out for a couple more beers,Elgin is a great town to walk around and enjoy the pubs bars and restaurants.
An early night ready for the 6am start to the return journey. We set of at 7am heading out in the rain very different from the previous day. The rain got stronger until we where cycling in streams of water, our speed slower than yesterday as we left forres heading up over the Dava more. Very quite roads let us cycle side by side which was great, lots of chat and banter helped grind out the miles in the pouring rain. Stopped in Carrbridge at a very friendly CTC listed cafe for scrambled eggs and coffee. The staff didn't mind the fact that we where soaking wet. A change of cloths and on our way to Aviemore then linked up with cycle route 7 the rest of the way to Dalwhinnie. Total miles 172 total time 11hour 30 mins. A great weekend and a good confidence boost for lejog.

Killin

Well we cycled to killin on a beautiful Sunday afternoon/evening. I found the climb up through Glen Ogle once into Killin we went through the village and carried on until we hit 25 miles then turn back stopping for a quick half in the village.The best thing about long climbs is long descents. 3 1/2 Miles of free wheeling then back to Callander with a tail wind.

Well Jim and I got together for a cycle for the first time in over 4 weeks. We decided to keep to flat roads and aim for about 50 miles. We headed out of Callander toward Doune on the main A84 this road often has quite heavy traffic, so it's not ideal for chatting. We then picked up the cycle path to Dunblane catching up on each other busy life's. I then back on to the main road though Dunblane to Bridge of Allen through the Stirling Uni and out to Menstrie. Jim was flying, we were averaging over 16 mile per hour which is fast for me (I was fully loaded with panniers and the usual extra cloths, repair kit and snacks). We came back in to Stirling and the back roads to Blair Drummond and Deanston finishing with the four bridges on the invertrosachs road around to the lade inn for a couple of well earned pints and finally home. Total 46 miles average speed 16.8.
We started to plan our fund raising activities starting with a malt whisky dinner in my restaurant Callander meadows. Jim has a contact via Diego who will come and help out with a talk about each whisky. We are also planing a auction after dinner with lots including a day in the kitchen, a private dinner for 6 at your house, and lots more probably wine / whisky related. So if your interested get in touch.

The Balmaha challenge

Well that was tough Csaba my work mate challenged me to cycle to Balmaha and back before 8pmon Sunday evening which seemed very easy discussing it over lunch. By the time I got around to setting off it was close to 4,30 and just raining by the time i was over cock hill it was pouring down, with the wind in my face making very tough going. It was just after 6pm when i passed through Drymen, thinking great very close now but it was another 10 mins away finally got there only to move when my picture was being taken. I quick sandwich and back to Drymen to pick up cycle route7. A very good road surface quite a climb up into the Queen Elizibeth forest which i'm sure woul offer some great veiws if it wasn't for the heavy low hanging rain clouds, I pushed hard for the top and was rewarded with a great 15mins free wheeling in to Gartmore nice nd flat to Aberfoyle, back on to the main road with 35 mins from Braveal to be back in Callander, I was feeling very tied by now so Cock hill was very hard once over the top i kick thought the gears and out back to my restaurant just as the 8pm news was finishing on the kitchen radio. Did it 47 mile round trip in 3;27. I'm really doubting being able to cycle100 miles a day!!!

great cycle today

well took advantage of the good weather and cycled to killin on Wednesday. I decided to use the road instead of following cycle route 7. This was to see the other side of the glen and to see if the climb up to the top of Glen Ogle was as tough, wow what a climb just over 3 miles from Loch Earnhead to the top. When I finally reached the top it was a simple ride then to killin. Lunch was great I meet some family at the falls of dochart inn and we sat outside and enjoyed there hot smoked salmon open sandwich with salad and fries. That said I probably shouldn't have finished Abby's fries of because the climb back out from Killin steep, I followed the cycle route back to the crest then on the road down the hill great fun. I will do this route again total distance 44 miles allow 4 and half hours to enjoy lunch.
I do need to replace brake shoes and I also lost a bolt from my shoe cleets. I hoping Jamie at Mounter bikes will help me out he has a cycle hire shop in the square here in Callander.

back to training

Well after 2 weeks off with a bad back I managed to get some time this evening to get out. It was a lovely sunny late afternoon with the sun shining and only a few clouds. I decided to cycle from Callander around Loch Venachar through brig a turk pass the end of Loch Katrine up the dukes pass until the lower forest drive. The first 10 mile where beautiful with breathtaking views of the snow covered Benn A'ne and Benn Venue the water on the lochs reflecting the landscape like a mirror words just don't do it justice, I've taken some photo from a view point but even they are a poor second to the real thing. I continue to be amazed at the natural beauty of the Trossachs.I would recommend it if you like breathtaking scenery and cycling or walking you could spend a week here and take a different route every day.

good training day

We set out at 9am on a very cold day hoping to cycle around Ben Vorlich. We headed out from Callander on the A84 heading north until lochearn head. Quite a busy road but okay. I had my panniers fitted and the first few miles where about getting used to the extra weight and balance of the bike. We soon found ourselves sitting have coffee and cake at the end of loch earn St Fillins. The sun was now shining over the mountains. From St Fillin and onto Comrie then a long climb over to Braco i found the climb difficult initially the extra weight made a big difference. There was lots of snow but the road hard been well cleared. There was a beautiful stillness with no wind and the sun shinning. Lunch in Braco then onto Dunblane, Doune and Thornhill, a cup of tea with Jims dad before the final climb over Cockhill back to Callander 64 miles and feeling good.

checked bike for tomorrow

Well the bike is checked brakes, chain wheels, etc. The panniers fitted packed lunch made, just hoping for fair weather and a tail wind.

The challenge is about to start

Well we have now committed to this challenge in more ways than one. The initial idea to go cycling but not just locally has now grown into a fully blown adventure. We have decided to cycle from Lands End to John 'o' Groats this seems to be the most common long distance route in the UK. We have both done some cycling over the winter but nothing more than 50 miles but now the weather is becoming milder and the days longer we are planning to increase our training. Our first route is from Callander to Loch Earn Head onto Comrie then over to Braco and back to Callander Via Doune. That is our plan for Monday the 8th March. I 'm hoping this will give me an opportunity to put the panniers on my bike and get used to them I 've never ridden a bike with panniers so lets hope there fitter well and they are easily adjusted if needed.

Back to the challenge I have decide to endeavour to raise £10,000 for the Callander Youth Project this will be used to help pay for the mini bus that is in use to transport the young people in the rural area to various volunteer and work project that they wouldn't normally get the opportunity to attend. It is also being used for the rural skills course which enable the young adults to assess training for local trades in the rural community.