Day 11
The Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge
Blair Athol near Pitagowen (Perth and Kinross) to Inverness
80+ miles
Click on the map to view a larger image of yesterday's route.*
Posted by the Secret Secretary
Whilst the Glastonbury revellers were yesterday donning their flowery wellies to dance to the dulcet tones of Beyonce in deep mud that, after the torrential rains of Friday, had now, in the very warm summer temperatures of England's mini heatwave, turned to a chocolaty goo, the Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Team were making their soggy way northwards through yet more heavy rain across the Cairngorms, from Blair Athol near Pitagowen to Inverness.
The riders were able to make an early start for the 11th stage of the Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge: an early start in cool, drizzly weather. The drizzle gradually turned into rain that then got heavier and heavier until it was, as Les reports, "bucketing down". At least if the weather was testing the route was fairly straightforward following the Sustrans Route** along the A9. There were no opportunities to get lost, it was one straight road all the way, up over the Cairngorms, but at times the Sustrans Route was bordering on the 'all terrain' category as it followed its path along the old road and through the bottom of a disused quarry where the road surface was a mixture of hard dirt or tarmac covered in sand, all of which was now turning into Glastonbury goo in the wet weather. It was a wet, dirty ride and Les for one was at times chilled to the core with cold. He has of course experienced difficult conditions like this before when he rode the LEJOG with the Old Portlians' Cycle club in 2008***. The route the riders took three years' ago over the Cairngorms some how managed to take in Glen Shee and was much bumpier than yesterday's course, which offered a much softer approach to Inverness, even if the weather was as grim as it could be. Curiously enough, even with just the A9 to follow, the Roadbook still underestimated the mileage for the day, which grew from an anticipated 80 to 90 miles at the finish early in the evening when the Team checked into their lodgings in an Inverness boarding house with polka dot (almost) wallpaper (for its two wheeled climbers maybe?). Another long, wet ride but the Team still have a full complement of 6. "Everyone is riding well, especially Nigel who is in contention for the King of the Mountains polka dot jersey". Just as well given that there has been plenty of climbing on this Tour.
Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Les on Skype
Les looking very clean and dry after yesterday's cold,
soggy revel in the rain and mud
across the heights of the Cairngorms.
Today, Day 12 of the Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge continues north into "the badlands" across the wild, bleak landscape of the Sutherland moors to Helmsdale. The ride shouldn't be as hilly as the Cairngorms and according to the Roadbook it should be a little shorter at just under 60 miles. With a bit of luck, there may even be a little less rain.
The riders were able to make an early start for the 11th stage of the Pedal for Parkinson's Double End-to-End Cycle Challenge: an early start in cool, drizzly weather. The drizzle gradually turned into rain that then got heavier and heavier until it was, as Les reports, "bucketing down". At least if the weather was testing the route was fairly straightforward following the Sustrans Route** along the A9. There were no opportunities to get lost, it was one straight road all the way, up over the Cairngorms, but at times the Sustrans Route was bordering on the 'all terrain' category as it followed its path along the old road and through the bottom of a disused quarry where the road surface was a mixture of hard dirt or tarmac covered in sand, all of which was now turning into Glastonbury goo in the wet weather. It was a wet, dirty ride and Les for one was at times chilled to the core with cold. He has of course experienced difficult conditions like this before when he rode the LEJOG with the Old Portlians' Cycle club in 2008***. The route the riders took three years' ago over the Cairngorms some how managed to take in Glen Shee and was much bumpier than yesterday's course, which offered a much softer approach to Inverness, even if the weather was as grim as it could be. Curiously enough, even with just the A9 to follow, the Roadbook still underestimated the mileage for the day, which grew from an anticipated 80 to 90 miles at the finish early in the evening when the Team checked into their lodgings in an Inverness boarding house with polka dot (almost) wallpaper (for its two wheeled climbers maybe?). Another long, wet ride but the Team still have a full complement of 6. "Everyone is riding well, especially Nigel who is in contention for the King of the Mountains polka dot jersey". Just as well given that there has been plenty of climbing on this Tour.
Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Les on Skype
Les looking very clean and dry after yesterday's cold,
soggy revel in the rain and mud
across the heights of the Cairngorms.
***
*You can read about Les' 2008 ride from Land's End to John O'Groats with the Old Portlians in his book "From Wits' End to John O'Groats." Proceeds from the sale of this book go to The Cure Parkinson's Trust. There's more about the book in the right hand column or click here:* The Pedal for Parkinson's Challenge Website includes a tracking page and interactive maps to help supporters follow the Team. Click on the link here to go straight to the website:
** To find out more about Sustrans, click here:
http://pedalforparkinsons.co.uk/maps.aspx
** To find out more about Sustrans, click here:
http://theweaselonwheels.blogspot.com/p/from-wits-end-to-john-ogroats.html
No comments:
Post a Comment