When I used to work in newspapers, one of us always got landed with the end of year review – trawling through a year’s worth of news to create the highlights from the year. It’s not a task we would fight over. I’ve attempted to review my year of cycling and I didn’t hate this task, in fact it filled me with joy!
The biggest challenge was choosing my favourite pictures from the hundreds I have taken this year. I was aiming to pick 12 pictures, I just couldn’t do it. So please forgive my self-indulgent photo splurge. This is my longest ever blog, so thanks for lasting the distance with me. For me every picture I’ve taken represents a captured moment of joy and awe in my life. To anyone else, it might look like I’ve taken pictures of the same thing over and over again. To me, they’re not the same. Each moment is a unique step towards a different changed version of me.
Something that did not surprise me when I was scanning through my pictures was how often I was wearing my rain jacket. I couldn’t get a definitive number, but I read that there were approximately 175 days of rain in most part of Scotland, 250 days in the highlands, but my region came out as the second highest rainfall so I think we are somewhere in the middle of that, pretty damn wet anyway. It does make me question how I managed to keep going every day, given that so many of my rides were in the rain.
I absolutely loved my wee solo bike-packing trip in February. I felt like a real adventurer – strong and self-sufficient. I’d love to do more of this, if my circumstances change to free up some space for overnight trips. Yes it rained, but it was still awesome and I really appreciated investing in some good quality gear to keep me warm and dry. I also feel so lucky to live in Scotland where we still have right to roam and wild camp in so many beautiful places.
I am so lucky to have great cycle paths near me and the River Clyde on my doorstep for my daily rides.
I attempted my first metric century in March, which turned into my longest ride of the year – 70 miles! It was epic and I was so proud of myself. Biggest lesson is to take my headphones on such a long ride as I started to go a bit loopy and talk to myself. I remember that ride was almost ruined by the big dogs on extendible leads that ran out in front of me. I really love dogs, but I still think a lot of owners use shared paths in an irresponsible way and that incident definately made me more wary.
March was also the month I had covid, so had to cycle indoors for some days. After dodging the dreaded virus for 2 years I was determined it wasn’t going to take my challenge away from me. This was also the month when my beloved gravel bike Ruby came into my life. I love her. That is all.
I cycled 500 miles throughout April for Diabetes UK. Throughout the year I did a mixture of long and short rides, but these challenge months for charity were blooming hard work. I often had to cycle twice in a day to make up the miles and there was no space for slacking. I think it averages out at 16.3 miles a day. That is a lot and it is knackering. I remember the first time I did this last year, I felt like I had broken my body and didn’t cycle for two months afterwards. This year, I was fitter and it was a little easier, but it still stretched me.
I love cycling by the river Clyde, which runs through the heart of Scotland. Along the shoreline in Inverclyde there are some spectacular views, but it’s often a brutal ride exposed to all the elements.
I got to visit Shetland in April for work and me and a colleague hired some less than brilliant bikes, but I still got a few miles in. We both cycle frequently but we could not make those bikes go fast, plenty of laughs.
A wonderful trip with a dear friend to the stunning Isle of Ghiga in May was definately a highlight. The island is only six miles long, but I loved my wee cycles over there.
The sun came out in May, it’s one of the better months in Scotland. This meant I had to get over my fear of cycling shorts. Well not fear exactly, but getting over that weird feeling that I’ve crapped in my pants. On those longer rides I was so grateful for the padding and now I’m definately a convert.
I also clocked up another century ride in May, cycling from west to east to the Colinton tunnel in Edinburgh. This is definately on the list again for 2023.
Like many cyclists I fell foul of a few accidents over the year, mainly skinned knees and elbows. In June I got whacked in the face by a tree branch, sporting an attractive scabby nose for a few days. Cycling is a messy business – there’s mud and oil and blood and sweat and sometimes tears. It’s all part of fun. June was also the month my bike took a dive into a river and I jumped in to save her, oh what an adventure that was. And there’s no pictures because my phone ended up at the bottom of the river.
I loved seeing Scotland’s wildflowers bloom, changing through the seasons.
I went to London for work in July and made the long journey by train with Ruby. It was not the easiest journey, fully loaded with panniers and I scraped my legs numerous times getting the bike on and off trains. I was slightly terrified at the thought of cycling in such a busy city, but the cycling super highways and bike infrastructure down there is awesome. I loved cycling past the epic landmarks and it made my excited about taking part in the 2023 Ride the Night London challenge.
Riding around John O’Groats in July was awesome. The scenery in this part of Scotland is breath-taking. Maybe one day I will do the whole of LEJOG, you just never know what you are capable of until you try.
The cyclist’s motto for how many bikes you need is easily calculated as n+1 (n=the number of bikes you already have). Basically there’s always space in the stable for another steed.
I finally completed all three parts of the Great Glen Way in August. I loved every single minute of this epic route. It was damn hilly but worth it for the breath-taking views and the ultimate solitude of riding through the ancient forests. It’s impossible to avoid the Scottish curse of the midge, but I’d rather look ridiculous than get eaten alive. The midge smoker contraption is a winner.
I turned 50 in September and writing this review reminds me of one of the main reasons I started this challenge. I wanted to mark my 50 years on earth by doing something epic for myself. I certainly feel like it has been. My birthday ride was 50 miles for 50 years on one my favourite routes along the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
The birthday celebrations went on all month and I had the most wonderful trip to Cornwall to stay with another dear friend, and another adventure by train for Ruby. We had lots of mini-adventures and even rode out to Land’s End – another 50 miles on a super hilly route.
October was filled with more long rides to reach my goal of 500 miles again for Diabetes UK. The weather was much worse than in April but I still managed my target.
This is my favourite time of year with the trees changing colour. There’s a richness to everything with the glorious autumn reds and golds and the rain makes everything green and lush.
November was a month of fairly hideous weather with the odd day of sunshine. I think I was getting really exhausted, especially after my push to do 500 miles in October.
Work was busy, there was less daylight and I found it really challenging to get out. I thought the challenge would get easier towards the end, but it actually got harder. But I did finally manage to ride the epic forest paths up at Gravelfoyle.
The final month came with its own challenges. I had organised a holiday abroad with my oldest friend. We missed out on her 50th birthday celebrations during covid so this was our re-organised holiday. I couldn’t take my bike, so I ended up cycling in the gym every day. It was the most chilling out I’ve ever done on a holiday and I think I really needed it.
I did manage to hire a super crappy bike in Egypt. I think it had ridden across the desert and then been sitting in the guy’s back garden for years. The chain kept falling off and I got about a mile, when I heard a pack of what sounded like wild dogs in the distance. I turned tail and made that bike get me back safe.
I finished my year of cycling with 22 miles up Loch Lomondside. With temperatures in minus figures, I could barely feel my feet by the end of the ride.
But my heart was full and definately had a wee tear in my eye as I cycled my last mile of 2022. I may never have another year like this in my life. I will never forget what it has taught me about myself. And I am full of gratitude for everyone who has been by my side cheering me on, in real life and virtually. Now, 2023, let’s be having you 😁
Type 1 Cycologist 