So my dear chums, for those who might be unaware of this, I recently set myself a challenge of cycling the length of UK, and raise some funds for a Glasgow based children’s charity Yorkhill Muscle Fund. I have finally managed to sit myself down and try to write about it, before the venture becomes a complete mess of a memory in my head.
My journey is between the polar extremities of the mainland UK, which will start at the most southern Lizard Point in Cornwall and will stretch all the way up to Dunnet Head Lighthouse at the northern tip of Scotland. I will do my best to keep it short as we have thirteen days and over 900 miles to get through.
Allow me to start by introducing myself. My name is Sergey and those who are aquatinted with me, will know my humble qualities of intelligence, strength, speed, cunningness, indomitable spirit and above all – unmatched gorgeousness of a man. Generally a stud (pictured below).
The beast and his feast..
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Now that the awkward facts are out of the way, let me move on to the real hero of this particular story – my bike, or as I refer to it: The Two Wheeled Stallion.
I’ll let you figure out which one I used on this venture..
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TECH INFO:
Bike Type: A Hybrid (best of both worlds)
Gears: 3 x 7
Weight: Not a Titanium Featherweight Racer.
Engine: Two bear legs attached to pedals with cleats, which will offer much fun later on in the story.
Baggage: 2 x Pannier Bags (Not carrying Paneer cheese)
Accomodation: 1 x Tent
Having not cycled for this kind of distance for the past 30 years or so, I decided it would be wise do do a wee bit of training, especially going up hills, of which there’s plenty to choose from in bonny Scotland. So here’s a wee selection of photos from the “training days”:
I have visited Isle of Arran couple of times, for some great cycling and fantastic scenery:
Lochranza Castle
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Machrie Bay
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Lamlash
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Road back to Brodick (Goat Fell in the background)
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Having had to make my way to Edinburgh couple of times for work, I’ve decided to mix business and pleasure so to speak..
A fantastic route stretches between Glasgow and Edinburgh along two canals and past the Falkirk wheel. Perfect 55k for daily commuting..
Forth and Clyde Canal
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Falkirk Wheel
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Union Canal
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Another training favourite has been a lovely little loop from Glasgow through Paisley, Lochwinnoch and Largs, and then following the gorgeous Old Largs Road to Greenock.
Spare bike on the way to Lochwinnoch
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Old Largs Road
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Greenock from above.
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Having done each of those couple of times in addition to a few less exciting routes, I felt that I was ready for my world tour..
Russian Bear On A Bike 