September 2, 2016, by David Greenaway
Nottingham Life Cycle – Day 14 Strontian to Beauly
We had our first midgie attack today as we were getting sorted out to depart the Ben View Hotel. They were out in force. When they swarm in such numbers they are almost impossible to deal with. Received wisdom is that ‘Oh So Soft’ is better at keeping them at bay than insect repellent. I think the midgies have worked that one out, it did not seem to make much difference.
Before reflecting on our day, let me start with a fundraising update. We are at almost £540,000. That is a huge tribute to the efforts of all involved: the team on this endurance ride; those who cycled ‘Way of the Roses’; those riding in the Community Day on Sunday; the organisers of all the bake offs and other events. Thank you to all of you.
It is also a tribute to our corporate supporters and the generosity of those we meet every single day on this challenge. Tonight that included a large number of patrons of the Lovat Arms in Beauly.
This all has a purpose, changing the life chances of those affected by breast cancer. Today our Life Cycle Miles were in honour of Mhairi Fleming (nominated by Emma Oldham); Pat Huxley (nominated by Susan Anderson); Jen Davis (nominated by Alex Taylor); and the late Jenny Hazelgrove (nominated by Linda East). We are grateful you allow us to do this in your name.
I had terrible problems posting the blog this morning, because of a lack of connectivity. By the time I had given up, everyone was on the road apart from Susan, who had waited back for me.
That forced an immediate change of plan. Rather than cycling up the west side of Loch Linnhe to cross from Camusnagaul to Fort William, we took the ferry from Ardgour to Corran, in the hope I could secure internet connectivity there. If so, we would then proceed up the east side of the Loch on the A82 to Fort William.
After a bit of hit and miss, I finally got the blog away to Lisa in my office, and we were on our way again.
It was a wet start. I was soaked through after 15 miles. The internet challenges had an upside though, I got a complete change of clothing in Corran, then on to Fort William and beyond. In the meantime, the other riders had crossed to Fort William, on a much smaller craft and a more exposed area of water. It was evidently a very choppy crossing.
Doug and Andy passed us just before Spean Bridge where we stopped and ate with them, and Nick who rolled in shortly after. Nick, Susan and I rode out the rest of the day together.
From Spean Bridge we headed up alongside Loch Lochy, through Fort Augustus and on to Loch Ness. Despite the forecast, the weather remained dry and increasingly bright. The A82 along the side of the Great Glen is fast, busy and winding, and you need to keep your wits about you when riding it.
We stopped at the Glen Rowan Café in Invermoriston, just off the north shore of Loch Ness, and met up again with Doug and Andy. It is owner managed and well worth leaving the main road to search out, a terrific café with superb home-made food. Stefano and Sara also found their way there before we left.
The final 26 miles split neatly into two halves: 13 miles to Drumnadrochit, and 13 miles on to Beauly.
The first half continued on a stretch of the A82 which climbs above the Loch and snakes down to Urquhart Castle. The second half starts with a steady climb out of Drumnadrochit, then turns sharply. You are faced with 1.5 miles at an average gradient of 15% and peaking at 21%, and it twists and turns.
The memory of coming down this hill on LC2, is very fresh. I was clear before I got there, I was not even going to attempt it. On gradients that steep and which go on for so long, there is risk you go so slow you topple over. It has happened to me before, and I was not taking the chance.
Everyone else had a go, and four riders made it to the top without stopping and walking. A great effort. They all deserve 10 points for that, and I get deducted 10 for not trying.
The final 10 miles to Beauly went in a flash. It is almost all downhill, fast and on good surfaces. Top speeds recorded going down were reported as 47 mph. It was a great end to a challenging day, and everyone was in by 1800.
Tonight, at the Lovat Arms Hotel, I ran a LC6 auction. This involved all riders, Support Team and Susan (Greenaway) who has re-joined us. It had a range of lots I bought or had donated: cycling and whisky related books, garments, framed pictures from past Life Cycles, soft toys, and other bits and pieces. It raised another £1,200 for our cause.
It also provoked a number of sponsored challenges, so tomorrow, Susan will be riding in a pink tutu, Kate and Sara will be sporting false moustaches, and Stefano will be in shorts he wore on LC3. They might be riding on their own!
Today we added a further 92 miles, taking us to 1,188 miles. Tomorrow we have an eighty mile plus day. I have not yet looked at the route map, I think it reverses a stretch of what we completed on LC1. Weather forecast is again not encouraging.
Professor Sir David Greenaway
What a great day again though that hill proves to be a tough challenge. The auction was great fun last night with riders not only giving of their effort and their aching bodies but also their own money to raise what finally turned out to be a very significant donation. It takes a very special individual to donate their own time to support others, a lovely break on a sunny beach could be so inviting but instead, you choose to strive for a greater good. Thank you each and every one of you. Remember, as Eddy Merckx said, ” When it’s hurting you, that’s when you can make a difference.” Tomorrow sees the end of a gruelling but very worthwhile ride, you all deserve a long rest though I know the offices around the university will be busy again next week. Susan x
Ah you’re all doing brilliantly in miles and fundraising! Loving reading about your adventure. The only downsides to such a beautiful part of the world – the midges and the weather. Hope you are having a fairer day today.
Hope the weather holds today. Great job on the auction. And, please can we have some photographs of the tutu-wearing and false moustache-wearing riders …
Catching up on your blog and” exogmium or whatever it is” scores has been great for me today and a huge relief not to be the victim of the opacity surrounding the rules that prevails.
The blogs are reminiscent for me of past life cycle trials and tribulations. I can almost smell the atmosphere, if not the whisky.
As you close on the finishing straight you should be immensely proud of this final ride in the series. The life cycle relationships will never fade as such shared experiences will never be forgotten.
See you on Sunday.
David Walker
Oh Dear, it would appear that your stout-heartedness, resilience etc was so contagious that the midgies caught it. Impressed that it didn’t halt your progress or fundraising, in honour of the cause and those individuals named each day. Is Scotland ready for the tutu-wearing, false-moustache-wearing riders I wonder? A great testament to your tenacity, jocularity and altruism. Wishing you all the very best for Day 15.
So the top speed was 47mph – hopefully no one got a ticket for that! I hope the weather and the midges behave for the last couple of days and good luck to you all – reading about your exploits over the last week or so has kept me entertained-thank you!
Getting towards the end now! Congratulations to all of the team for your epic cycling and fundraising efforts – the blogs have given a great sense of what an extremely demanding endeavour it has been. Good luck for the last couple of days!
Keep going guys! The end must almost be in sight and hoefully the midges will give you a bit of a break and you can enjoy the final stages of what has been an amazing ride!
Well done on another hard days riding everyone, especially those who tackled the 21%er!! The only thing more astonishing is that there is a loch called loch lochy! Who says the Scots aren’t an inventive breed!
Look forward to seeing you all soon and don’t forget your laps around highfields lake, if you want I can enquire to see if it’s possible to do them on a pedalo on the lake instead?
Well done all, a truly magnificent effort, 1250 miles and counting. I hope the weather is kind for the final leg – probably not. Ride safely and see you Sunday. David, at the risk of putting words in your mouth; “I’ve had it. If anyone sees me near a bike they can shoot me” (with apologies to Sir Steve Redgrave). I think Susan probably just might.
Keep up the good work, not long to go now! amazing personal and group achievements – and a super fundraising event for cancer research. If I were to pledge an extra £100 would the VC wear the tutu too? Even for a pic? Oh and on the midges, there is only one way to keep them at bay… Rain! Lots of it and you don’t want that! Good luck.