What took us 4 1/2 hours by train has taken us nearly 4 days by bike in returning to wet & windy Inverness !
Day 4 started well enough courtesy of Brian and Elaine at the Monach House B&B in Bonar Bridge where they plied us with great company and a terrric breakfast - all went rapidly downhill first of all there was the rain but i guess this is Scotalnd - secondly getting lost near Tain saw us competing on the A9 with 120 km/hr trucks - 3rdly when I realised after 42 kms that the pain i was experiencing in my head was in fact a bike fitting that I'd tossed in my helmet - old saying no sense no feeling - 4thly when we undertook a holding pattern that would have done a pilot at Heathrow airport proud as we cycled a beautiful figure 8 near Inverness hopelessley lost.
The days disasters though werent yet complete as crossing the Firth or the Forth river we were nearly blown from the bridge into the drink - we arrived to get rained on one more time and then lost once again trying to find our accommodation
We're now at 330 kms - I can safely report that the "girl" is doing real well having battled gamely all the elements that Scotland can throw - while her personal drive is kicking in I'm sure the motivation of helping to support Anne and Belinda back in Oz is a key factor !
Tomorrow wer'e off to Timmontoul over the Mtns reportedly the place were of one of the the lowest ever UK recorded temp of -20c ....great !!!
In June 2011 I will bike over 2000km's unsupported from John O'Groats to Lands End UK ! My motivation is simple i.e. 1) To undertake a life challenge that is physically and spiritually rewarding 2) Raise funds to help 2 worthy local OZ causes - Painting with Parkinsons & a local 10 year old girl with Autism named Maleah 3) Promote awareness and support for Parkinsons UK ! Any support is greatly welcomed. I hope my journey inspires others !
5 comments:
Hi Monika,
I read about you on the Westpac Inranet today and I just wanted to say that I am in absolute utter awe of what you are doing!
You're a good person. Being a hack cyclist myself, I look forward to reading about your journey. :)
Wellness wishes to you and your bike!
Cheers
Kerrie Ward
hi monika & micheal
Sorry to hear the weather has not been so good to you. But I have every faith that you will get to the end no matter what. You can get a map app from the app store at citymap2go.
Well done love, your be crossing the border soon, and hopefully leaving the b----- cold behind, we are all proud of you onwards and downwards to lands end, should be reasy its all downhill on the map,
Mick
PS. My sister lives in Bristol, she would like to catch up with you, i suppose you will be to knackered enroute from Abergaveny to Cheddar, let me know your thoughts on the this perhaps during trhe erest days at Honiton
Hi Monika,
Mick here, sitting indoors with heater going at 1.00am Friday 10th,
(Parkinsons insomnia) so its about 4.00pm Thursday. Hope you haven't frozen the brass monkeys going over the mountain and definitely hope you didn't experience any -20, The bum will be the least of your problems, your legs will be like blocks of concrete but your made of the right stuff. Onwards and downwards to Lands End and the beauty of Wales Somerset, Devon and Cornwall to come and sunshine, hey catch a bus for a little way I want tell anyone, remember your British this is what we do win the unwinable fight, we never surrender, keep safe, keep happy, meet nice people and if you can enjoy yourself, proud of yer luv, catch yer soon.
Mick
You have insired me to write:-
JOHN O'GROATS TO LANDS END, MARVELOUS MONIKA & MIKE
Monika & Mike embarked on a charity bycycle ride from the top of Scotlansd to the tip of South West England for the aid of a young girl with autism, PWP Vic,and for all Parkies in the two allied Countries//
This only there early days only 5 days in and already a rest day, with Mon's bum saddle sore after 5 days one can only picture it after 21. She will have to sleep standing and request a standing only seat on the flight back to Oz, Luv you will not put bum to seat for a year//
The inclement weather taking its toll on both mind and body, howecver they are British, they wil cycle on the flat, they will labour on the hills , they will never surrender they will achieve their goal for a small girl in Endeavour Hills, for Parkies with Paintbrushes, for all Parkies in the two allied Countries.//One and all should doff their hats to these to angel soldiers of love and charity, you make me proud to say "I know them". Finish your ride and be content and happy for the rest of your lifes in knowing you did something special for the less fortunate in society.//
Love you Mon & Mike
Mick
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