Well My Bags Are Packed and I'm Ready To Leave

Squeezed in At Last

All  Ready to Go

On Saturday I had my last training cycle, thank goodness. Just a gentle 21 miles with my sister Isla and Murray. The sun was actually shining and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I managed to source the part for the bike headset so the bike is running very smoothly. What a relief. Today, Sunday, we boxed the bike for the flight to San Diego and had a bit of a struggle.  British Airways demand that the front wheel and pedals are removed, the handlebars turned and tyres deflated.  We padded the bike frame out with bubble wrap, cardboard and tubing then tried to squeeze the bike into box. Some part was always sticking up or out but eventually we got there and were still speaking. It will be my difficult job in San Diego to  remove and assemble it. My two medium bags are packed, everything  pushed and pummelled into place

Ceremonial Dumping of Filthy, Non-Waterproof Winter Jacket and Overshoes. Yippee

Gone and Forgotten

What a great feeling, training is over so getting rid of my non-waterproof, smelly, filthy winter jacket.  It served me well but its days are over.  The same applies to my overshoes, they have had it, ripped and falling apart.  

A Quiet Brodick Morning

Cycled the bike to the top of the String then onto Sannox.  Just a short ride as I am beginning to wind down. Also, testing the video camera on the bike handlebars - Brodick was very quiet when I went through . Camera seems to be working fine and a lot less vibration on this bike than on the last.   Loaded the bike up as it will be when I travel. Had to find places for 4 waterbottles as at times, it could be really hot, Gulf area, so we must keep hydrated. Therefore one bottle on the frame, one on the fork and two attached with straps to bike bag.  Sorted. Its all the little things that have to be remembered - batteries, memory cards etc.  I am allowed only two bags at 25lbs each and that includes tent, sleeping bag, sleep mat, so everything must be kept to an absolute minimum. Still I am used to touring with only two panniers therefore should manage OK.

Fortnight to Go. Excited but Nervous.

With just a fornight to go I am beginning to panic. All the 101 things that I put off, have to be dealt with, NOW. Still, after this Sunday training will be winding down, so will have more time.  Training is good, over 200 miles a week and with the strong winds probably  equates to more. With the new Brooks saddle I  have discovered that I don't sit square on.  One side of the leather saddle has a nice deep dimple, which I am quite proud of,  but the other side, not so.  The 'other side' still gives me trouble but hopefully it will soften up soon. I have now completed over 700 miles on it but will persevere.
  Took the bike for final check at local bike shop and 'disaster darling' as the 'head set' is  loose. The bike is made by 'Specialized' so the new part has to come from Specialized.  Trying at the moment to locate a UK dealer and get the part, then fitted, before I pack bike in 9 days time.  The bottom line is, if I don't locate a part and have to go with old part, remember 3200 miles, it SHOULD be ok.  The steering column could become unpredictable but the bike won't fall apart.  Could do without this!!!  The bike has taken a pounding with the Arran roads and weather.

Water, Water Everywhere.

Ok. so I know I go on about the weather but today was just the pits.  Heard on the radio that Scotland has had the wettest winter in over 100 years and I can confirm it. Looked out the window this morning and it was lashing down, wind from the south.  Decided to head south into the wind ( get it over with first ) and do 40 miles. Completed 27 miles and called it a day.  Could feel pools of water in my socks, my hands were numb and fingers getting stiff.  My waterproof socks had let the rain in but then wouldn't let it out. Slosh,slosh.
Managed another 13 miles on the exercise bike at home, so I got my 40 miles total. Tomorrow looks dryer so will go out again, if my clothes have dried??  No pleasure in this.

String and Ross Roads



The String Road  760 ft

Top of the Ross 952 ft -  Bitingly Cold day

In the local paper this week it stated that 'the String Road' and 'the Ross Road', Isle of Arran have been included in 'the Cyclist's Guide to Hillclimbs on Scottish Lowland Roads'. This book describes the toughest road hillclimbs in Lowland Scotland.  With this mind on Monday, I cycled over the String, from Brodick and returned via the North End. On Tuesday, I then cycled over the Ross from Lamlash and back over the String.  I go over the String at least twice a week normally but the Ross more infrequently.  I don't really like it.  Not because of the climb but I find the road just seems to go on forever and I feel I am never reaching the end. A lovely route, I know, but not one of my favourites.

Saddle, Sleeping bag, Tent

Have now completed 300 miles on the saddle and it is a lot better. I just become slightly aware of it after 25 miles so by the time I go in 4 weeks should be ok. Have received my ' Alpkit Mummy Goose Down Sleeping Bag' and it feels lovely -  soft, warm and surprisingly quite roomy. Says it should be ok down to -5*. Hers's hoping.  It came in a stuff sack 9''x2''. I rolled up the sleeping bag and fought the stuff sack for 20 minutes.  I then watched on You Tube how it was done and off course 'as it says on the tin' you
'stuff' it in.   Easy no problems, so I am getting there. Practising putting up my tent as 'if it is raining' and
 'if it is dry'.. Hope all this gets easier.