Tantrums and toe cleats.

In the last couple of weeks I have been introduced to the world of mountain biking. Now, I have always cursed the mountain bikers that chew up the paths in the Pentlands, but the biking I have been doing is on proper bike trails down at Glentress.

My first trip was on my very old and heavy fully rigid mountain bike that has only ever been used for commuting. It was hard work but I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill and excitement of it all. So this weekend we headed back and to do some more as plans to go away camping for a few days to the North West were thwarted by crappy wet weather.

So, on Friday evening we went back with my old bike, now sporting some actual MB tyres but also some clip in pedals, as I was finding it hard to keep my feet on the bike as it jumped around over the bumps. I thought that I would be able to manage the cleats ok as I have found them good and relatively easy to use on my road bike. However, testing out the pedals in the car park proved to be my first challenge and I fell over and winded myself on my own handle bars! Thankfully nobody was watching, but I felt rather foolish and initially thought I had ruined my weekend before it had even begun.

Not to be put off I jumped back on and began the journey up the hill, so far so good, a tad tricky at points but no more falls......until I tried to stop, didn't quite manage to undo in time and boom in the ditch. Pride starting to get slightly dented by this pointed, but no blood so all good. The rest of the evening was uneventful and again thoroughly enjoyable.

Saturday, up and away back down to Glentress, this time though we thought it might be good to try out one if the hire bikes and get a feel of the trails on a bike more suited to the terrain. Since I had quite liked using the toe cleats we swapped the pedals and off we went. Fairly soon though it became apparent that a new bike and toe cleats was possibly just a step too far for what essentially was my 3rd trip out. I had lost all confidence and hated having my feet confined. I tried to use that flat underside of the pedal but even that was proving difficult. A minor meltdown was on the verge of happening and I was finding that my cool and calm demeanour was melting away fast by the heat of my own annoyance.

Thankfully my co pilot was very laid back and reassurig about the whole thing so we cycled back down changed the pedals back to flats, had a gluten free chocolate brownie and a coffee before puffing our way back up the hill.

Result, happy Caroline was back, but fear had also creptd in. I hate adult fear it is so debilitating at times, you just want to wish yourself back to childhood when you feared nothing. So in order to try and recover some pride I faced my fears head on, and was given some tuition in the skills area going over bumps and rocks etc. It certainly helped and the rest of the day went by without a hitch, thankfully.

However, there is one further minor hurdle that I have to over come. I think the motion and the concentration of the downhill gives me slight motion sickness. It would be interesting to know if anyone else has ever experienced this or if it is just one of the weird things that happens to me. Not that this will hold me back as I purchased a new mountain bike today a long with some travel bands that I hope will help stop the motion sickness.

All in all a fantastic weekend of exercise, good food, nice drinks, great company and chat. Happy days. xx

Let the weekend begin.

A room with a view.

Taking a breather.

Grass and trees.

New bike baby.

Peace x

All photos by Caroline Harvey on instagram.

Edinburgh to St Andrews Cycle.

Today, along with some friends, we took part in the Edinburgh to St Andrews bike ride. This event is organised by LEPRA and this year marked it's 33rd birthday. I have done it twice before but many, many years ago. So long ago in fact that I had actually forgotten and did not even recognise 90% of the route.

Beth and I did not register for the event until this morning as weather wise this event has a very poor track record, and I did not fancy 65 miles of torrential rain. However the rain seemed to stay away for the most part and the wind was very much in our favour, which was a blessing as I have not exactly been doing much in the way of training.

The route has a few steep sections which cause a fair amount of lung and leg burn, but combined with some downhill and long undulating sections, makes for an excellent tour, although at points some extra way markings and marshalls would have been useful. This event does have a very friendly and family orientated vibe to it, and people complete the course on a very varied array of bikes. It is definitely not just for your wanna be Bradley Wiggenses. There were even 2 girls dressed as crayons!

Our friend Charlie and his mates did an excellent job of completing the course, one team member did get a little lost but found his way eventually. Beth and I were just glad it wasn't us getting lost for a change. This was their first foray into the world of cycling and possibly their last, but they had a great support crew that brought us alcohol at the finish and a minibus to take the bikes home. Thanks guys.

The Crew

Well done Dolly.

Do it.

Windswept and sweaty!

St Andrews band stand.

2 out of 3 boys ain't bad.

Catriona.

Cheers.

Destroyed.

A big thanks to Beth for her amazing flapjacks, they are the best cycling fuel ever and so delicious.

Great day out.

Peace x

All photographs by Caroline Harvey.

The Amazing Mrs Mc.

Well for once the weather over the weekend has been great, sun, blue skies, no rain and the temperature in double figures! I think the term for describing it is "Summer", but have been mistaken in the past so won't jump to conclusions too soon.

Fingers were all crossed for the conditions to be good as my dear friend Lesley aka Mrs Mc, was running her very first marathon in our lovely home town of Edinburgh.

Along with her support team (Beth and I) we drove into town sharp in order to get parked and walk over to the start on Regent Road. The town was very busy with lycra clad bodies all heading in the same direction. We managed to get to our pink coded starting point with about 10 mins to spare for Lesley to get into "the zone". Beth and I continued down to just after the start line to shout our encouragement.

Getting ready.

Matching nails.

In the pink.

Start.

Go Mrs Mc.

With Lesley safely on her way, we headed back to the car in order to make our way to the finish in Musselburgh. A fairly simple task you would assume, but with a combination of road closures and heavy volumes of traffic due to the marathon itself, football fans leaving Easter Road and a police incident, this took us slightly longer than anticipated. However, we made it in time to see the first of the runners coming through and waited with great excitement to see Lesley make it to the finish.

As she was quite visible in her bright pink tee shirt we spotted her coming and shouted encouragement for the last few yards. The focus on the finish was too much though and she sadly did not see or hear us. A few minutes and a phone call later we were reunited and hugs were had all round. Finishing in a truly amazing time of 3hrs 33mins. It was enough to bring a tear to our eyes, we were all so proud.

Powering through the finish.

Spot the pink.

The end.

Wowser of a time.

Very proud friends and sister.

The medal.

Peace x

 Photographs by Caroline Harvey, Beth Gall and Jim Fordyce

Pedal on Parliament.

Today, me and family Gall, Pedalled on Parliament. This was my first ever experience of participating in any kind of demonstration and I have to say it was a very pleasant one. We met at Harrison Park and then cycled to the main gathering point at the Meadows, where we joined hundreds of others.

I have cycled many miles and many years on Edinburgh roads and have often cursed and bemoaned drivers, the state of our roads and general lack of cycleways, so it was about time that I should lend a hand to the cause.

It was great to cycle from the Meadows to the Parliament without traffic, but it was very apparent on our way home how unsuitable our streets are for cycling in a group with small children.

Good afternoon out and the rain stayed away. Bonus.

Near the front of the line.

Pandas POP.

The back of the line.

Panda Power.

At parliament.

Peace x

All photos by Caroline Harvey