Running Edinburgh

I couldn’t get Van Morrison out of my head today. The words of the song drifted in and out of my head as we cycled along the coast. ‘There’s only here, there’s only now’. It wasn’t difficult to live in the present moment day as I woke up freezing with ice coating the inside glass of the van. I reached down, switched on the heater and pulled the covers over my head....

These are the days (of the endless winter) I couldn’t get Van Morrison out of my head today. The words of the song drifted in and out of my head as we cycled along the coast. ‘There’s only here, there’s only now’. It wasn’t difficult to liv…

It’s Spring, well meteorologists would call it Spring and at odd points today when the sun shone and out of the cutting north wind it actually felt like Spring. Spring heralds the start of another year filled with adventure and opportunity. It’s that time of year where everything is in front of you and you feel the freedom to explore this amazing country of ours....

A 5.6.7.8 sort of Tragedy It’s Spring, well meteorologists would call it Spring and at odd points today when the sun shone and out of the cutting north wind it actually felt like Spring. Spring heralds the start of another …

The Australian phrase home and hoses was first mentioned about 1945 I think and was to do with a successful completion ie to shower after finishing a job. Except today despite the dark foreboding clouds we didn’t get hosed on therefore maybe I should have titled the blog home and dry. To travel the length of the UK by bike and only really have one seriously wet morning was incredible....

Home and not hosed upon The Australian phrase home and hoses was first mentioned about 1945 I think and was to do with a successful completion ie to shower after finishing a job. Except today despite the dark foreboding c…

The day started as every day begins with a plan. And you know what they say about plans. They always do and they always change. It looked like rain so I thought the best plan was stick close to Mike so he had easy access to dry clothes and wet gear. Looks like rain We waved goodbye to the other cyclists at the campsite from Holland and England....

Flying north for the summer The day started as every day begins with a plan. And you know what they say about plans. They always do and they always change. It looked like rain so I thought the best plan was stick close to Mik…

The van was warm but we both slept well and were ready for the day ahead. Mike was planning a 130k ride to Daviot and my plan was to run in Glenmore before heading to meet Mike and cycle back with him. The get go We parted company in Pitlochry, sadly before any of the coffee shops opened. A quick stop to oil the chain and squeaky bits which we’d forgotten got the restarted properly....

Getting my triathlon on The van was warm but we both slept well and were ready for the day ahead. Mike was planning a 130k ride to Daviot and my plan was to run in Glenmore before heading to meet Mike and cycle back with …

We changed up the routine. The weather this week looked hot, then wet and then cold so on Friday i persuaded Mike to modifying my trip to include the van. It makes life easier with no tents or stuff to be carried. Logistically, I drive to the planned end and then cycle back to meet Mike on a pre-agreed route - simples....

Hot, Hot, Hot – The Prequal We changed up the routine. The weather this week looked hot, then wet and then cold so on Friday i persuaded Mike to modifying my trip to include the van. It makes life easier with no tents or stuf…

Well there was no sweet little mystery about the weather today, it was wet, wet, wet as we jumped off the train in Berwick. After the luxury of home it was a bit of a challenge to get up early and head back to the road especially with the damp in the air. The rain was the wet type. I know you don’t get any other type but that rain that seems to seep through anything waterproof....

Heavy Mettle Well there was no sweet little mystery about the weather today, it was wet, wet, wet as we jumped off the train in Berwick. After the luxury of home it was a bit of a challenge to get up early and …

This is the cycle ride that just keeps giving. In some ridiculous moment that we hadn’t talked through we both pushed for an early start. 6:30am we were on the bikes and off. At 6:35 we were off the bikes pushing them up a beast of hill. It was a monster and even Mike had to join me on the walk - he’s not walked many hills so far....

Twofer This is the cycle ride that just keeps giving. In some ridiculous moment that we hadn’t talked through we both pushed for an early start. 6:30am we were on the bikes and off. At 6:35 we were off th…

The day started early as usual and we headed for the premier inn breakfast. The only excitement was the fire I attempted to start by putting a croissant in the toaster machine - apparently not the done thing. The fire Marshall, aka the waitress, handed me the burnt morsel and the black burnt bits actually tasted good! We got off the roads as soon as we could and hit the canal network....

Yorkshire puddings The day started early as usual and we headed for the premier inn breakfast. The only excitement was the fire I attempted to start by putting a croissant in the toaster machine – apparently no…

I’ve got to be honest, I wasn’t very excited about today when I woke up. The thought of heading up through Stoke really wasn’t floating my cycling boat. The original plan had been to spend a few days in the Brecon Beacon hills but we decided to flatten the route mostly because of the recent bout of covid. I’ve been fine but the collective additional physical load that cycling in such an extreme environment spooked me and Mike kindly agreed that we should adopt a less testing route....

Stoking the engine I’ve got to be honest, I wasn’t very excited about today when I woke up. The thought of heading up through Stoke really wasn’t floating my cycling boat. The original plan had been to spend a few da…