It is 2012 and I am still here!
THE CELTIC CHALLENGE
I picked up the leaflet at Cramond Kirk and was immediately fascinated by the prospect of taking part in an organized cycle to Iona. John and I had taken part in the Glasgow to Edinburgh 51 mile cycle in aid of Cancer Research the previous year but 200+ miles over 4 consecutive days was a considerable step up on that.
I decided I would have a crack at it and John was happy to support me through the training. That was the most miserable part of it as the weather was consistently cold, wet and windy with frequent hail showers. Because of our experience of cycling in Scotland we invested in every permutation of waterproof clothing completing our 'wardrobe' from whatever Lidl had left that week. When it came the time to finally commit to the challenge we both signed up i.e. if she can do it, so can I !
A few weeks before the event John went down with a chest infection which prejudiced his chances but when the time arrived he was well enough to at least start off. The old thespian expression of "bad rehearsal, good performance" applied as the weather performed perfectly and the sun shone for the whole trip.
EDINBURGH - GLASGOW
We were asked to be at Trinity for 7.45 a.m. on the 23rd May, 2012 for a briefing and bacon roll. This was the first time we met the rest of the team which had at least one representative from 5 decades. Among other occupations there were 2 doctors and a grave digger. We were well covered for every eventuality although hopefully not in need of the latter!
It was quite an exciting/anxious moment for me when we set off towards Cramond promenade, bells ringing in unison. We soon arrived at our first nasty hill which took us passed Cramond Kirk at which point I was wishing I had not scoffed the bacon roll. We were to follow the main road to Linlithgow after which we joined the tow paths all the way to the Falkirk Wheel. Just before the wheel we had to dismount and walk through a dark tunnel for some half mile which was a bit uncomfortable for anyone who was claustrophobic. We were extremely well supported by Kevin, Chas, Alison and Harri of "Sport Ecosse Events Limited" who were waiting for us at the lunch stop with drinks, fruit, biscuits and all the elements for making up rolls to suit individual tastes. we were counted in at each stop and given contact numbers in case of emergency. The afternoon was straight forward as we continued on tow paths to within a couple of miles of the Pond Hotel which was to be our destination for that day. The group ate together but no one was in party mode as even the builders were in bed by 10 p.m.
GLASGOW - CRIANLARICH
On day two we were all ready to roll by 9 a.m. and made our way back to the tow paths taking us to Dumbarton. There were a few twists and turns around the town and our organizer, Kevin told us that if we found ourselves lost any local would be able to put us on the right road to Loch Lomond.
"....but will we know what they are saying?" enquired an Englishman in all seriousness.
The morning was a pleasant, easy ride as we made our way round the West Loch Lomond Cycle Path. The Graham Team (8 builders who are involved with the new Hospice) always set off like rockets as at least 3 of them are semi professional cyclists. It caused the rest of the group to be pulled on faster than intended as there was a mild panic at the thought of being left behind. In reality no one was left behind as the organizers had a sweeper who always stayed at the back.
We usually had a stop mid morning, lunch time and mid afternoon before arriving at our day's destination. We had the luxury today of lunch at the pub in Inverbeg and an afternoon stop near a cafe where some of us indulged ourselves with ice cream. The afternoon's cycle was less pleasant as the roads, although not too busy, were quite narrow in stretches. The final 10 miles were particularly
exhausting as it was mostly uphill in the extreme heat of the afternoon. The Crianlarich sign was a welcome sight as we rolled downwards for the last mile.
Most of the group were booked into the hostel but 4 of us decided we would book into the Crianlarich Hotel in the hope of getting a good sleep. Unfortunately the fire alarm went off at 12.30 a.m. and we had to drag ourselves out of bed until the source was found. It was apparently caused by someone smoking in one of the rooms. Needless to say we got no sympathy whatsoever from the |Hostel people who had sweated it out 6 to a room, on bunk beds!
CRIANLARICH - OBAN
Another beautiful day dawned and the team set off at a cracking pace. The first few miles through Tyndrum were uphill. We veered off towards Oban and cycled on round Loch Awe, traditionally Campbell country. For a while we were in amongst quite a bit of traffic as tour buses set off for their day's travel. The road surface was surprisingly rough for a main road and I feared for my camera bumping about in the front bicycle bag. We had two stops this morning, the second being at St. Conan's Kirk. The beautiful building standing majestically on the steep north shore of Loch Awe would appear to be an old Church. It was in fact built in the 1880's and developed by a Walter Campbell who incorporated an eccentric blend of styles from across the ages. He allegedly built it for his elderly Mother who found it difficult to travel all the way to Dalmally to worship.
We were to stop at Taynuilt for lunch. My Mother's best friend moved there some years ago and I had planned to knock the door on the way passed but unfortunately missed the turning. Maybe it was just as well as she may have found it alarming. It is not every day you get a visit from a friend who just happened to be passing on a bicycle from Edinburgh.
We were advised at lunch not to overeat as the afternoon through Glen Lonan and Glen Cruitten was described as challenging. The route, which is stunning, is rated in Scotland's top 50 cycle rides i.e. hilly. There was indeed quite a hill to begin with but the terrain became acceptably undulating once we were up on the plateau, with wonderful views of Ben Cruachan. We had plenty of time this afternoon to get to Oban which made everyone more relaxed and although the builders soon disappeared out of sight the rest of the party spread out as they took time to enjoy the scenery. I have an irritating habit of seeing wonderful artistic compositions which I just have to photograph and I had to play catch up with John. I was 18 again as I rattled speedily over the cattle grids, eyed warily by some suspicious sheep, still protective of their now half grown lambs. A little further on a small herd of Highland cattle languished with their young under some trees in an attempt to escape the heat of the afternoon sun. I had just remarked to John that I thought the difficulty of the route had been overplayed.....and then we arrived at a sign saying "Oban - 3 miles". We were reduced to tottering up the first two perpendicular slopes and finally gave in to walking some 150 yards on the last one. We knew we still had a day to go and it was not worth pushing our luck. We completed the afternoon with a whizz down the final descent arriving in Oban around 3 p.m.
Everyone was feeling more relaxed now and the younger members of the group took themselves off to the pub after dinner. We finished our evening with a coffee on the front looking out towards tomorrow's challenge.
OBAN - IONA
The alarm was set for 6 a.m. as we had to be ready to make our way to the ferry at 6.45 a.m. The van was transporting the bikes this morning while we took charge of our own cases - full to bursting with fleeces and wet weather gear! The kind gentleman who insisted on helping me up the stairs with my case complained that I must have Pavarotti in it. We had the luxury of a relaxing 45 minutes on the boat to Craignure drinking in the scenery still topped by a perfectly blue sky.
As usual the organization was slick as the bikes were claimed and water topped up. We were ready to go before 9 a.m. and enjoyed a leisurely cycle to the mid morning stopping place at Salen. We were to be going the long way round to Fionnphort to make up the full mileage. The scenery on Mull in such conditions was indescribably as we moved sometimes between grand rocks on one side and seascapes on the other. Before the lunch stop somewhere in the "sticks" we had one particular hill to conquer. Not only was it perpendicalar but it was also in a wind tunnel which took your breath away. We walked the last 50 yards of it for fear of being blown off. It is normally a relief to be going downhill at the top but on this occasion we were still having to pedal to move forward. We found ourselves on our own for a while and I began to worry we had missed a turning. John did not find my observation very helpful (or words to that effect!)
It was a relief to see the familiar van waiting for us. The lunch encampment at the head of Loch Scridain was by a bridge with a picturesque stream running over rocks just right for a paddle. A Dutch couple cycled by.
"Which country are you from?" asked the Dutch lady.
"This one" I answered, proundly claiming ownership, "and we always get weather like this!"
Unfortunately my plug for the Tourist Industry fell on deaf ears as the couple had cycled from Newcastle and knew differently.
I had expected the afternoon to be easier but that was wishful thinking. The road skiring the water became single track and I was constantly pulling in to let a car or two pass. Trying to start up again, often in the middle of a hill, was quite taxing. John, who was more Bolshie with the traffic had to wait for me on more than one occasion. Although I was 18 yesterday I was definitely over 60 again today but soldiered on to the last of our "pit" stops. The bluebells decorating the edge of the water were pretty on this side but I resisted the temptation to stop for a photo shoot as I knew we had a limited time to get to the ferry.
We were just 5 miles away from the ferry when we stopped for the last time at a local hostelry in Bunessan. After half an hour's rest and several glasses of something cold we set off over the last challenging hill. After being re hydrated we attacked this last hurdle with gusto, quite unfazed by the sign pointing to the cemetery half way up the "cardiac" hill.
The magic moment finally arrived when, there in the distance, we first caught sight of the ancient Abbey bathed in sunlight. Founded by St. Columba, it still projects the same quiet, persistent voice today that it did in 563. After the short ferry crossing 35 cyclists raced towards the finishing line with all guns blazing....or maybe just all bells ringing! This was not just a cycling trip enjoyed by 35 people: it was a trip with a purpose with 35 different reasons for doing it and 35 personal moments of reflection.
I visited my Grandfather's grave not so long ao and noted that he died of cancer aged 61. That would have been my destiny had it not been for medical science. I am so happy that I have had my time extended as I would not have missed this trip for the world. A big thank you to Martin and Michael of the Hospice who made it all possible and to the great team who shared our experience.
