Barbs's Big Bike RIde

This year I have decided to stay and enjoy an English Spring. It has been a long time coming but at last it is here and I am off to explore my own back yard. Well actually travelling up the UK mainland as far north as possible before 21st June and see how close I can get to the Midnight Sun.


After my travels along the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain last September on my trusty old iron donkey, I have bought a lighter bike in the hope that I can get up a few more hills and by going from Lands End to John o Groats (LEJOG) I can avoid the killing headwinds of the Spanish meseta.


So here she is, we had a jolly naming ceremony on Saturday and hopefully the good friends, food and weather I enjoyed will carry me through to the farthest northern climes. Thank you all for a great send off, admirably topped off with one too many pints The Village Bike listening to Mojo Triangle.


And she is called Eleanor, isn't she beautiful, I hope I still have such tender feelings after 6 hours in the saddle, but probably only in the nether regions I fear.


The map link on the right will show a rough itinerary and route and I will try try to update with my actual route, if I can work out how and where I am as I go along, you know there will be little correlation but I will get there or somewhere in the end!


If you want an email update, submit your address in the box also on right and hopefully it will find its way through the ether to you.

Saturday, 25 May 2013

Hello Summer

It is unbelievable how much difference a day makes.  I  could stand out on deck on the ferry back to Mallaig, see the hills, managed a siesta on the beach near Arisaig and the mountains of Glen Nevis were absolutely clear fantastic for a number of three peakers starting their challenge; I hope they are as lucky with Sca fell and Snowdon. The return train ride back to Fort William was stunning, with the mirror like reflections if the mountains in the lochs. 
I manage to divest myself of three layers of clothing from yesterday, much to the consternation of the hostel receptionist as I unzipped my cycle jersey forgetting that all I had on underneath was, luckily, a sports bra! He was last seen taking a swift wee dram to get over the shock. It, the temperature not my divestment,  has also brought out the midges hey ho, time to find the skin so soft.

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