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.