The Capital Trail - 24 hour cycling challenge

How'd it go then??

My day started at 5-30am – a big breakfast, plenty of coffee, a check on the essential kit needed, bike etc and it was time to get going.

Going with the traditional Portobello promenade starting point (at the Seafield end), the route wound up into East Lothian through Carberry and Elphinstone, along to Pencaitland then into the Lammermuir Hills – where the first real test(s) of the day would come.   These climbs were a mix of being rideable (just!) and involving hike-a-bike, with the terrain being both steep and rocky.   After 65km had a lunch stop and enjoyed the views – however the dark clouds and increasing wind had me a bit worried.  Carrying on further up and into the hills, the legs were starting to really feel it – a long and technical section along the top took my mind off things for a bit, with spectacular 360 degree views.  

Exiting the Lammermuir’s, it was Lauder next – a lovely village where I’d normally stop for a coffee, take some time to around - but I was very conscious of the 24hr challenge I was on and saved time by grabbing some more water, a Coke and one as an emergency for later.   Back into the wilderness again – past Threepwood and Bluecairn and then down along the Tweed to Melrose, where the plan was to get some dinner.  My stomach was very much looking forward to that part of the day – and the food did not disappoint.  Traditional Fish and Chips with peas (at the Ship Inn), and a cold beer to wash it down.  More for the soul that anything else – and it was great.

Rejoining the Southern Upland way, the next target was Innerleithen, then over to Peebles to meet my family staying at the Glentress Mountain Biking centre camping pods.  There was the small matter of getting up and over the Three Brethren climb first, however – after so long on the bike by then and around 120km done in total, it was really tough to manage my way up but the peak offered incredible views of the surrounding areas.  Coming down the way, the wind tried it’s best to push me back up the hill, but I was determined to crack on before it got dark and get as close to Peebles as possible before switching on the lights.   Unfortunately,  the fading light forced my hand as I got to Innerleithen, and I found myself on a section riding through the Mountain Bike trails – hair raising descents, hands rattling as the bike wound it’s way through the forest.   And then…..I somehow ended up on a golf course by taking a wrong turn somewhere.  Laughing at my mistake, I worked out where to go and made the short trip from there over to meet the gang.

How much was I looking forward to seeing my family?  A lot – and not just because they had some food waiting for me!   I hugged everyone when I arrived, being pretty tired and emotional by that point – only to feel rather sick as I sat down to eat.  Uh-oh – had to go and deal with that problem.  I knew I was now struggling to eat or drink much – had a go at it but could not stomach anything.  It was time to choose – stop the ride and simply roll onto the bed in the pod and go off to blissful sleep (don’t get me wrong - this was very tempting!)…..or carry on riding.  I decided to see if I could make it home via an easier route for the last section, so that I could at least say I stuck at it and completed a loop back home.   The next 2 and a half hours were something of a blur as I pushed on through the dark heading for home – a beautiful sunrise welcomed me back into Edinburgh, and I felt a sense of exhausted satisfaction knowing I’d reach my house soon enough.    

I’m not sure what to say after such a unique day - except that it was a privilege to do it, and especially in aid of the Civil Service Charity.  Incredibly tough for sure, but so beautiful along the way - we’re lucky to live in such a country where we have the freedom to go where we want.  I was the one who went on the ride, but like anything else you try to do in life you need help - mine came from my wife Christina and son Zach, who were a constant source of laughs and support in the months leading up to it, letting me get out and train on the weekends.  Friends and family gave me great encouragement.  My fantastic teammates and manager were behind me from the start.  I feel very lucky to know such people and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave a donation, offered a kind word of support, or gave me advice on how I should approach the challenge.   And we’ll be selling some sweeties and cakes (more to come on that later!) to see if we can raise a bit more for such a great cause.   

Much appreciated everyone!!

John

getting nervous

First 50km

Coming up next....

This weekend’s training will be focused on the first 50-60km of the route I’ll be doing in August – from Portobello to (roughly) Crib Law, on the of the highest points in the Lammermuir Hills.  This will be an out and back route to get used to the terrain.    My speed won’t be too hot doing it but apparently the weather’s going to be very warm, so plenty of food and water needed.  

Back to normal life

Wow - this is DEFINITELY going to be hard.....

Training update

Back out!

Back out on the bike

What to eat on a long bike ride to keep you going?? Here's an idea......

Chocolate and Honey flapjacks

1) Get some chocolate (a decent amount, maybe 150g), honey (about 1/3 of a squeezy Rowse bottle), butter (a big slab) and brown sugar (a couple of dessert spoons is fine), throw into a bowl (glass Pyrex ideally) and melt this over the top of a pan with some water simmering inside (this part should take about 10 mins).  You can put in anything extra you want (fruit, nuts, broken biscuits etc) but the 4 basic ingredients above are pretty standard.  

2) Mix in some jumbo rolled oats (or regular porridge oats if you don't have any) and cover it all in the melted mix.  The idea is to make it evenly coated, not too moist and sticky.  If it looks too dry after adding the oats, put some more honey or butter in. 

3)  Put the bowl back over the heat for a few mins and roll the mix around to get the oats fully covered before you finish up (and please be careful if stirring over the stove - I badly burned my foot in January when a pan of boiling water tipped on it)

4) Lay down some baking paper in a glass dish and pour the mix in, spreading evenly with a spatula (this works best to flatten it all out) - cover with clingfilm / foil then put in the fridge to harden.   

5) Cut into whatever shapes and sizes you want and enjoy.  

I started making these last December and now struggle to get any myself as they're so popular with everyone.   But I’ll have plenty of them to eat for the ride!

Thank you!!

Next up

A taste of what's to come

Getting ready

Hello colleagues

On August 8th this year, I’m going to try and complete a challenge on behalf of the Civil Service Charity by cycling The Capital Trail – an off-road route that’s usually done over a few days in a group.  I’m attempting to do it in one long stretch inside of 24 hrs.