Blogger Bugs

Blogger has been playing up for me over the last week. It has deleted one of our posts - Going For Bronze (dont worry we haven't scaled down our ambitions, its still gold or bust!) - which was a shame as we had someone post a message of support. To you, anonymous Bike and Hiker, thanks, it was much appreciated. If you see us at the event, come and say hello. We are the four gormless looking ones from Dunfermline!

I will try to get things up to date over the next few days. We went out for a wee walk last night (I never thought I would say that about 7 mile walks!) and Scott and Alan went out on Saturday. I couldnt make it but planned to go out on Sunday morning. However, Alan's 30th Birthday Celebrations put paid to that as I finally surfaced at 12:40pm on Sunday afternoon. Hopefully I can get back on the wagon, or the bike, this weekend.

Going Off Road

'A token effort this weekend' says the Corporal (Alan). Stuart and Scott couldnt make it so the plan was a wee cycle and then home. With that in mind I got tucked into the indian takeaway feast that we had for my wife's birthday.

The token effort turned into a 30 miler which took three hours. Couple of miles into the journey it started to rain. A lot. So by the time we got to bogside we were soaked. Then it stopped and the wind kicked up so we dried out. When we got to the end of the cycle path the corporal suggested we head for Gartmoor Dam (which I didnt know existed until a few weeks ago). Its only 2.5km further on and it looks like its tarmac all the way. WRONG! Pretty soon we were on a bumpy, muddy, pot hole covered farm road and then we were into the forest and into the serious off road stuff. The route was filled with little bridges to cross the fast flowing burn and if you didnt line the wheels up, there was a fair shout you were going to end up in the drink.
It was muddy, a wee bit scary in places but great fun and I was laughing like a wee kid going along at some parts. Having said that it did cross my mind that I would be in big trouble if I copped a puncture 20km away from home.

Gartmoor Dam is set in beautiful surroundings...even if it is near Alloa - sorry Mo and Fraz and the fine people of Alloa. The pics below were trying to give the impression that we have became so majestic on the bikes, that like the swans in Gartmoor, we can literally cruise on water :-)

However, I realise that we just look like a couple of rejects from a mountain bike accessories catalogue.

Thanks Murray!

Murray at Maggie's has been sending out regular emails giving us a bit more info on this year's event. Last night, he sent out a mail publicising our blog and Jake and Paul's. Cheers Murray - I might have to start putting this through a spelling and grammar check if I actually think people are reading it!

If you are a new visitor to our blog, you are more than welcome - thanks for stopping by. Feel free to leave a comment. If you are a fellow Monster tamer and have set up your own blog, let us know about it and we will add you to our links section.

I have still to post last week's training update - I have plenty of excuses lined up for the delay - but will post this later on.

Have a good weekend!

Falling Off The Wagon

You're four times more likely to have an accident when you're on a mobile phone. So says the radio advert anyway. Last week, new legislation was introduced which meant drivers would be fined £60 and have 3 points added to their licence if they were caught using a mobile phone. Apparently, this legislation does not apply to cyclists, although they can be charged with careless cycling.

Just as well we train off the beaten track (or the bobby's beat) or one of our lot might have ended up with the aforementioned charge this weekend. To protect the guilty, I will not name the team member who tried to answer his phone whilst peddling along the cycle track, had a rummage in his pockets, lost his balance, came off the track and then off the bike. The Nokia was bruised but otherwise unhurt, police are appealing for witnesses (who wont laugh when telling the story!).

Tip for the day....Get A Helmet. Better still, from now on......

To Someone Very Special...

I will post all the details about our weekend exploits soon, tomorrow probably, as I am knackered today.

I just wanted to post a wee message of support to someone very special. This person has spent their whole life worrying about other people and making sure her family were all ok. She is one of lifes 'good people' - honest, friendly and her generosity knows no bounds. Like I said, she is always looking out for everyone else, but now has to be a bit selfish and focus on herself for a bit and the wee battle that lies ahead. She's up for the fight that's for sure, and we are all behind her.