Suffer for a Cause

So, as ever it has been ages since I posted anything on here.because life never gets any quieter.   As a result of this never ending busyness with work, family and church I have not had a chance to post something that is rather important to me.  In a couple of weeks time I will be doing “The Tour of the Highlands” …. Again.  This year is slightly different though in that I am raising money for Integrate Scotland and I would really appreciate your support.  Yes I have set a stupid target to raise (if possible) but it would be fantastic to achieve it so please support in whatever way you can (click on the logo below).  I am far from fit based upon how full life gets and finally whilst last years weather was almost perfect; with Scotland you just never know, its not too late to snow.  So please give your support whilst I blow a gasket getting over some of the killer climbs at this end of the country.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Click on the logo to give

Integrate Scotland

#Festive500 Day 6 Ride

Last day!  I cannot believe after the first couple of days how much the weather has changed.  Overcast but warm and dry, perfect conditions for this time of year though better get my skates on because storm Frank (yes that really is the name of the storm) is heading in.  The turnaround in the morning has quickly become a routine; I have shut the side gate so the dog cannot go walkabout much to her disappointment.

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Tour of the Highlands Lookahead?

Was originally gutted to have missed out on the Tour of the Highlands (TOTH) three day event, but then delighted to be one of the lucky (???) few to get a second chance just before Christmas; so signed up and ready to go. This latest update of some of the route posted on the event Facebook book page gives a really good idea of what my #festive500 was like along with the current daily commute.

Get those winter (nautical) miles in. But stay warm and safe out there. Lots of debris and water on the TOTH roads.

Posted by Tour of the Highlands on Monday, 4 January 2016

#Festive500 Day 5 Ride

So my main target is to try to catch up on the mileage as Boxing day was cut short due to the appalling weather.  The hope was that it would be dry and my hands would function for the ride.  A quick check of the temperature; 8°C, perfect, quick look outside foggy.  Why is it that whatever the forecast there is always a potential complication.  So a quick change to the kit and head downstairs.

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#Festive500 Day 3 Ride

One of my unknowns before setting out on this #Festive500 thing was the consecutive mileage.  Whilst I am happy with a one day sportive and also manage to do 50km a day, everyday for my commute, I was not sure about the pulling off a large amount of mileage in such a short space of time.  The first four days at least allow me to have some initial days off to break myself in; I can ride the first day, the Christmas Day is definitely a no-no, then ride on Boxing Day and then a rest day with Church and friends.  after that it’s open season to finish off whatever remains of the 500km.  So far this has worked; when I got on the bike this morning I felt great, no tiredness or fatigue (other than the time I was leaving the house) and so felt really positive that this is going to be achievable; weather permitting.

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#Festive500 Day 1 Ride

Am writing up day #1 from the comfort of the sofa on Christmas Day whilst checking weather and route for tomorrows leg.  Truth be told I learned a fair bit yesterday on the bike; some things good, some things not so good.

One thing I confirmed was that I am definitely not as fit as I was a year ago, something I definitely need to work on this coming year; even with potentially loads of business travel.
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