Well I've done it now! The accommodation is all booked, all I've got to do now is work out how the hell I get to John O'Groats (though I know it will be by Train to either Thurso or Wick and then travelling on in some form). Can't do that till three months before because the Train companies might want to put their prices up, or Gordon Brown is starting charging Train Station taxes or some such.
So I am reduced to the small matter of joining the dots on a map.
I am using the tried and tested method of the largest AA Road atlases I could find (2 of), marked with fluorescent marker pen and then each relevant page detached from its bindings and good old Sticky back plastic to combine to make a beautiful stage map for each day.
Its just like being an extra for Blue Peter but unfortunately no-one so far has said to me "here's one I made earlier".
I suppose its quite appropriate given Blue Peter are looking after a Guide Dog Puppy called Magic at the moment and my aim is to raise at least £1,000 for Guide Dogs.
February 23, 2007
February 13, 2007
State of Disrepair
Ho hum, my chosen velocipede is in a state of disrepair, and as such I am temporarily back to using the old Mountain bike for training. It don't half feel different to my tourer!
I feel like I'm riding one of those mini bikes you see formula one drivers riding down the pitlane, just before Fernando Alonso comes flying in at god knows what speed from his "flying" lap. Something to do with having a long body and short legs I would guess, and to think the original plan involved no tourer and panniers on the mountain bike(now that would be hard work!).
Anyway February so far is not a right good month for training, what with "Snow", poorly childer, aching bones and broken bikes, I am not (so far) following the plan. If only British summer time began in winter, I'd have loads more daylight to catch up my arrears.
Anyway not to be pessimistic, the route is coming together, the accomodation is mostly booked, I've got donations as can be seen, to your left (Thanks to the lovely ladies involved) and I have the start of a cunning plan to make myself a little more noticeable on the ride, forming deep within the recesses of my mind.
That'll take some pulling out then! but I guess it beats doing the ironing or watching repeats of Friends, American Idol, University Challenge etc on the telly.
I feel like I'm riding one of those mini bikes you see formula one drivers riding down the pitlane, just before Fernando Alonso comes flying in at god knows what speed from his "flying" lap. Something to do with having a long body and short legs I would guess, and to think the original plan involved no tourer and panniers on the mountain bike(now that would be hard work!).
Anyway February so far is not a right good month for training, what with "Snow", poorly childer, aching bones and broken bikes, I am not (so far) following the plan. If only British summer time began in winter, I'd have loads more daylight to catch up my arrears.
Anyway not to be pessimistic, the route is coming together, the accomodation is mostly booked, I've got donations as can be seen, to your left (Thanks to the lovely ladies involved) and I have the start of a cunning plan to make myself a little more noticeable on the ride, forming deep within the recesses of my mind.
That'll take some pulling out then! but I guess it beats doing the ironing or watching repeats of Friends, American Idol, University Challenge etc on the telly.
February 06, 2007
Feeling Old!
Today I feel old! I can't remember where I've left my bike ,what I had for breakfast, and have absolutely no idea how my top troublemaker Oliver is now THREE.
That must mean intrinsically that I have been a Dad for three years today! My how ones life changes! It seems only yesterday I was "abandoned" with a newborn and told to get him "dressed before he gets cold".
Gone is all that partying, seeing my mates once a month, drinking alcohol, spending money wildly on women and song and having not a care in the world. (Before anyone says anything I can dream!)
Replaced by responsible green thinking, careful budgeting, and the call of "wake up lazybones, it's time for my breakfast" at 6:15 on a Sunday morning.
Would I change it? not for the world.
All that's left to say is Happy Birthday Oliver!
Love Daddy.
That must mean intrinsically that I have been a Dad for three years today! My how ones life changes! It seems only yesterday I was "abandoned" with a newborn and told to get him "dressed before he gets cold".
Gone is all that partying, seeing my mates once a month, drinking alcohol, spending money wildly on women and song and having not a care in the world. (Before anyone says anything I can dream!)
Replaced by responsible green thinking, careful budgeting, and the call of "wake up lazybones, it's time for my breakfast" at 6:15 on a Sunday morning.
Would I change it? not for the world.
All that's left to say is Happy Birthday Oliver!
Love Daddy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
