Countdown!

Well I'm back from my work in beautiful Shetland and while I was up there I saw some enthusiastic cyclists appearing to effortlessly cycle the Shetland roads - left me feeling a tad guilty.

So, as the countdown begins...10 weeks until I set off on the 1st September....I know that I must take every opportunity to increase my training.

I'm starting to think about stocking up on the little things now too...biofreeze gel for my sore joints & muscles...tiger balm, ibuprofen & paracetamol....sunscreen (ever hopeful)...spare inner tubes & tyres & (fanfare please) chocolate.

The front light on my bike seems to wiggle itself downwards if I go over bumpy ground, so this week I'm going to get some insulation tape and get it sorted once and for all!

I'm also on a quest to find some aqua repellent cycling trousers, not trousers that will cycle, though if someone could come up with a pair that would be genius, just trousers that repel the water. I've also seen some waterproof shoe covers to stop the rain from soaking through your footwear...a great plan!

At least by September I will LOOK like a cyclist.....it's a start!

"Act as though you know what you are doing, and understanding/enlightenment/success will follow." - Anon

Van Appeal!

Well, I've not been out on my bike much recently..but I did discover a great fish and chip shop in Forfar, not sure if that's relevant but I'd tell you to prove I've not been completely idle.

As plans come together for the cycle in September I realise that (a) I'm a bit more scared than I'm admitting and (b) we need something with more boot space than my Mercedes sports coupe...love it of course, but it's not exactly the most spacious for all the stuff I'll need Gillian to carry in the car.

So here's the appeal....please, please, please could you - yes you reading this - find out if a company, a person, an all round good egg would be willing to lend Gillian a van from 1st - 10th September (actually August 31st - September 11th) to carry food, water, spare tyres (I've got one of them, but sadly it's got nothing to do with my bike), camping kit for others joining us, and any other bits and pieces.

It would just make such a difference to our trip.

This Thursday I'm going over to see Andrew for a few days - I'm planning on clocking up some miles on my bike, and getting back on some kind of training plan! I keep thinking about Eddie Izzard doing that massive 43 marathons in 51 days and he claims he really didn't train that much for it. If he can do that, then surely a 43 year old wifie can cycle 377 miles without her thighs exploding!

"The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving." - Albert Einstein

Getting the hours in!

When I got up this morning I knew as I had a whole day off that I'd be getting out on my bike, but I have to tell you, even though the sun was shining I was able to procrastinate for quite some time before I actually did it!

However I am now back from a 12 mile cycle which, I might add, had some impressive hills! Sadly though one guy wearing, "back off bitch I'm a real cyclist" shorts went past me at a great rate of knots...he did raise a hand as he passed, I think in a friendly wave, or it could've been the equivalent of, "Ha! Ha!" in Nelson from the Simpsons stylie.

Anyway I muttered what my parents used to say when some nutter over took them in their Mk II Ford Escort - my Dad was never much of a speedster, but when (what he would've called a lesser car) sped past he'd say, " Yeah..good for you! See you later when you're wrapped round the next lamp post!" So I caught myself turning into my Dad when the cyclist did the same to me!

Yesterday my friends Bill & Muriel dropped off an exercise I'd had in "storage" in their garage for 6 years!! I have a tiny memory of Emily, my eldest daughter using it when we lived in Glen Prosen and it was in her bedroom, but I don't think I'd ever used it. It will be good for me to get peddaling on that when I can't get out because Charlie's off school or it's night time and I can watch TV and cycle - perfect!

My Dad babysat for me yesterday when I went to the Perth Races..and won, wait for it..£6. I'll try not to spend it all in one shop.

The photo is of my Dad cycling like a madman on the newly acquired exercise bike...probably just as well he's not joining the trip in September!

"I like to sit up here and make fun of the sunset. Hey gas ball! You suck!"- Nelson Muntz, The Simpsons.

An evening of encouragement, testosterone and laughter

Well it's been a while since I've been on here, and I have an excuse..I was away in the US for two weeks and have been playing catch up with work emails and clients since then.
My friend Gillian is back from her travels, and it was lovely having her to stay for a few nights. We were able to discuss more about the plans for her to drive my car and carry all my essentials..chocolate, lip gloss, Clarins perfume and moisturiser and my ipod charger. She'll also not mind (I've told her she's not allowed to) me crying and moaning about the pain, the weather, the hills, my inability to cope and her job will be to pamper to my every whim, slap me if necessary and remind me in my darker moments of the good reason why I'm doing this!
During Gillian's stay we arranged to go through to Perth fire station to meet the fire crew who are going to join us on day 7 & 8 of the 10 day cycle. As Gillian has been travelling in countries near the equator she has quite a tan...on top of that she's naturally beautiful, and I had hoped she would ugly herself up a bit before we went to Perth - it seemed only right that I should be the pretty one, but alas she didn't..so that was annoying. Fortunately though that was the only annoying aspect of the visit. The crew were lovely and I'm so chuffed they're going to be helping raise money for SHELTER - I feel quite moved by their kindness, and excited that 7 days into my challenge I'll have their banter and humour to keep me going for a couple of days! I think it's incredibly generous of them to give up their time and days off to support this event, and I'm looking forward to having their company on those 2 days. I explained when I talked with them that I'm also raising money for the equivalent to SHELTER in Canada called, "Raising the Roof" and also for a homeless organisation in Australia called, "Swags for the Homeless". Most families have relations and friends in all corners of the world so I'm hoping that if they know folk in those countries who might want to sponsor them, then the money they donate can be used in their country by either of those 2 charities.
Next week training will start again in earnest....a village near here...do my jokes ever end?! I'll keep you posted.

"Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can." - John Wesley.

Training on the new bike!

Well, last week I collected my new bike - with all 21 gears! And I'm delighted to report that I've been clocking up some miles in training this week, and I've managed to use all 21 of those gears that initially I was sure I wouldn't really need.

For some of the route I went on a fairly busy "A" road...that was okay and mostly people gave me enough room...ironically the only vehicle that did nearly knock me off was an ambulance.

I have a busy couple of weeks ahead and my training will have to take the shape of swimming instead of cycling - but any training will be better than none!

Keep spreading the word about the cycle and let people know about the link on the blog on how to sponsor me for SHELTER (Scotland)!

Kathleen x

Birthday!

Well I'm 43years old today! Feeling good and having a lovely day so far - no cycling done at this point as my new bike hasn't arrived yet..though it's on it's way!

I was working in Moray this week and it was beautiful weather - I'd really wished I'd taken my old bike up with me and had a cycle on some flat, coastal routes! Cycle route 1 to Forres is a route I'll be using in September so it think when I'm up working there again in May I'll take my bike and go a few miles on that to suss it out.

When I got back last night Andrew handed me an envelope from one of his friends..in it was a cheque for £250 for the sponsored cycle for SHELTER...how lovely is that?! I've also had 3 lots of £20. One from one of my Letham friends and 2 from Andrew's friends...every penny donated is greatly appreciated!

I'm also delighted to report that 2 friends from Wilthshire are going to join me on day 2, 3 & 4 of the event. Tina and I worked together in the medical ward of Dr Gray's hospital, Elgin in the '80's. Caroline and Tina work together teaching Hypnobirthing to Mum's in Wiltshire. I wonder if they can teach me some relaxation techniques to take my focus of attention away from my sore muscles and bum during the trip?

Some (I'm not sure how many!) Firefighters from Perth are joining me on day 7 & day 8...so if somethings going to go wrong with my bike it would be handy if it could happen while there are some burly men to sort it out for me..is burly a real word?!

Remember to anyone who has made, or is going to make a donation you are welcome to join me on any part of the route.

Right I'm off to get out while the sun shines!

Kathleen x

"I'd much rather be a woman than a man. Women can cry, they can wear cute clothes, and they are first to be rescued off of sinking ships." - Gilda Radner.

New bike!

Well it's been a while since I've been on here, but I've been very busy
honestly!
I have now managed to book accommodation for the majority of the 10 day trip, with just 2 places left to get back to me - do B&B folk take holidays?! I have emailed them both so hopefully they'll get back to me soon.
Also the 3 night bike maintenance class came to an end and I felt strangely sad about that - I really enjoyed it.
Now, to the photo of the bike above! Andrew has very kindly offered to get me this hybrid bike for my birthday (19th March for anyone wishing to send gifts!) I cannot wait to get on it and clock up some miles!
At 8.45am today I was at my Dr's getting a clean bill of health...so now there's no excuse to hold back on building up my fitness. There was a thought that one of my auto-immune diseases had gone wonky, but my blood work shows all is well, so understandably I'm delighted with that news.
Two friends from Wiltshire have confirmed that they'll be joining me for day 2 - day 4, then when they go I've got some firemen joining me for 2 days on day 7 & day 8. There's still plenty time for others to join me for a day (s) part of a day or whatever you can manage. All I ask is that you make a donation big or small by clicking on the "virginmoneygiving" link to the right hand side of this blog. SHELTER is such a worthwhile cause!
Well now I'm off to London & Hove - to work and to see my 2 daughters - more when I'm home again! It's Emily's birthday on Friday..and mine next week..great planning on my part I'd say :)

Kathleen x

"Like many women my age, I'm 28 years old." - Mary Schmich