All Blissfully Quiet on the Western Coast

Friday 1st July 2011
Day 17
The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
Invergary to Lochgilphead
103 miles

With all Scots late yesterday afternoon ensconced in front of their television sets watching their bairn put up a valiant fight against the still invincible and ever charming muchacho from Spain, the roads down through the Highlands and along the Firth of Lorn to Lochgilphead on the west coast of Scotland must have been empty; well, almost! 4 lone cyclists continue to keep the faith, riding the Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge, which yesterday took the riders over 100 miles. If it was the Team's longest stage yet, it also sounds, from David's latest Skype report, that it could be a contender for the title of the most glorious.

After the events and rigours of the previous two days, all was blissfully quiet and tranquil in Invergary when the Challenge Team awoke; all the signs were for a bright day ahead. And so it proved to be: a blessing given the number of miles on the programme. Once again Mark set off early to get ahead. Given the different strengths of the Team, this strategy had already proven to be a good one on the stage into John O'Groats but despite this, by the afternoon and with the day pressing on, there were still 50 odd miles to ride. Inspired perhaps by the wonderful scenery of the Scottish west coast and the good weather, the lads found the impetus to raise their game and put in something of a Team time trial, racing into Lochgilphead, where they checked into their accommodation at 7:30 in the evening. It had been a truly wonderful day!

The boys had a wonderful day on their bikes.

A full and exhilarating day of cycling, but for David, as usual, the day was not over yet. Every evening, no matter how vigorous the riding has been, the Team Leader still finds the energy to keep his journal up-to-date on the The Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Website. The PR is important work as the Team's primary aim is to raise funds for Parkinson's and to increase awareness of the disease and the search for a cure. So it was that yesterday David interrupted his ride to contact the local media, which was very interested to hear the Team's story. So, by the end of the day, as well as clocking another century on the bike, David had also been interviewed by a local newspaper and two local radio stations: Nevis FM broadcast a 5 minute long live interview to listeners in the Fort William area, whilst a second station going out from Oban recorded an interview, which was then scheduled for a double airing last night and again this morning. There will be more radio interviews later today when the team arrive in Campbelltown after a lazy 50 mile ride.

Reports of such powerful pedalling and majestic scenery with lochs, moutains and castles just make me more envious that I am no longer riding The Challenge even if I still have a small roll as the virtual roving reporter at the end of a Skype line relaying the news. I feel like the man from L'Equipe faithfully following The Tour, which of course starts today. So it will be my turn to get comfy in front of the box, only I'll be watching the cycling and not the tennis. I guess if it's only very small compensation for missing out on my own tour, it will serve as a distraction from the disappointment of crashing out. The good news is, whilst there is a lot of pain, the doctor at the fracture clinic in my local hospital yesterday assured me that my broken collar bone is already starting to heal; the quicker the better, I say.

David and Viv report via Skype.
Don't forget to check the Team Leader's journal by clicking here:

http://pedalforparkinsons.co.uk/log.aspx