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Monday 26 September 2011

Nice day for it?

An interesting week, joined the gym but was then felled by a bug so haven't really had the chance to work either the guns or the pistons yet. However both myself and Ewan braved the elements yesterday, Sunday the 25th of September and clocked up another 6 miles along Kilbirnie cycle path.
To be honest the weather was ridiculous, the entire ride was blighted by torrential downpours but we powered on. As soon as we started off though, we encountered our first hurdle, Ewan had a flat tyre.


Not so sure of how good a view you get in the video but it was not an easy ride for Mr Jamieson. We persevered and after each ride I am feeling more comfortable in the saddle. The one good thing about the bad weather is that not many people are stupid enough to be out in it, but we are.



After a while in this kind of weather you just accept your fate. You are soaked through and you cant get any wetter so you might as well enjoy yourself.



Hopefully the next time we go out the weather will be kinder but it definitely felt good to get back out there and I even conquered a hill that beat me last time we were out.




This week I will be trying to hit the gym as Ewan is away to Berlin. I really struggle in the gym due to the boredom of it all, that and the general public puffing and panting all around me, with their big fat sweaty red faces. I will struggle on though.

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Not a bad first shot

Its Tuesday the 13th of September and yesterday I cycled a bicycle. That's right, I did it. After a challenging start involving WD-40and a stubborn bicycle seat, Ewan gallantly lent me his bicycle (seat suitably lowered) and so began the incredible journey.



 We started by attempting to roll down the hill outside Ewans house, after finding the comination of the high seat and my stumpy legs a stumbling block we swapped bicycles and before long the wind was flowing through my bald patches. I felt like I had E.T. in the basket infront, I felt like De Caprio and Winslet in Titanic, I believed I could fly.



With renewed vigour we relocated the training to Dalry Public Park. After rolling downhill again something happened, my feet seemed to find the pedals and I began to cycle, albeit wobbly and slowly, but I was cycling nonetheless. We regrouped behind the bowling club and set off on my first intentional cycle, all was going swimmingly until we encountered a bumpy puddle ridden section of footpath. As Ewan powered through with the ease and expertise only experience can give you I faltered and flapped. My first fall could have been worse, I wasn't flat on my face but my hands did find the muddiest part of the park, nothing a splash in a puddle couldn't wash off then back into the saddle.


We continuedand things were promising apart from a brief downhill adventure where I found myself ankle deep in a quagmire. I then completed my longest run to date tackling puddles along the way. Then came the challenge, go up a slope. Having known Ewan for the better part of 20 years he knows the motivation that will work. So with the promise of a small Donner Kebab (salad and sauce seperate) and chips, defeat was never an option. I powered through and over the incline and with the inspiriation coursing through my veins even tackled some speed bumps. The Kebab was mine.


Sitting here today on an arse that feels like its gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson (Prison years) I am proud and look forward to carrying on this journey. Looking back at the videos I can't believe it's me riding a bicycle and even though it may look like I have defecated in all the excitement I can confirm it was merely the spray from the tyres, the tyres I cycled on.

Gregor

Monday 12 September 2011

Pictures from the Maiden Voyage



This evening we set out on the first of many cycles. Our quest was to help Gregor achieve the outcome of cycling up a slope - a realistic achievement. Ewan had put the carrot of a free donner kebab and chips to help enthuse his couch potato friend. Will he manage....


The Terminator

Ready to Roll


 More ready to roll


 First fall, muddy paws



Buns o' steel


Out of puff


Conquered Dalry Public Park slopes and all a total mileage of 3.4 miles was accumulated. Chickachickyeah!

Ewan and Duff

The Uber Challenge

2 men, 2 bicycles, 1 Great Britain....this is Ewan and Duffs Uber Challenge Blog.

You might think 2 people cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End (or Lands End to John O'Groats depending on which one is in Scotland) for charity would be challenge enough. You might even want to call them heroes, and I would agree. But the real challenge hasn't even started yet.

The idea was put forth after a vigorous game of volleyball on the 1st of September 2011 by one Ewan Jamieson to myself Gregor 'Duff' Miller. Why not I thought, it seems like a good challenge and we could heckle some shekels out of family and friends for charity.

So here I find myself a week and a half later, the tail winds of hurricaine Katia whipping the west coast of Scotland and the plan to meet Ewan after his work to learn how to ride a bicycle. Yup, 30 years old and I can't go a bicycle. In fact I have a venomous hatred for bicycles and and indeed, their riders. Right from the ludicrous helmets and spandex onesies down to the fact that they are an inconvenience on the road that they don't even contribute taxes towards, I digress, my point is that this is MY Uber Challenge.

It could be argued though that the toughest challenge lays at the door of Ewan. Tasked with trying to teach me how to ride a bicycle it could be described as an uphill battle to say the least. I am grumpy, unmotivated, lazy...did I mention I hate bicycles? He did try a couple of years ago and I managed to roll 200 yards down a hill, but, unless we find a route the length of Britain with a gentle slope we may have to alter these tactics.

We will be updating you along the way so after (hopefully) mastering the ancient art of cycling with dark and broody skys looming over us, winds chasing our tails as if Aeolus himself had sent them and the rain lashing our brows we shall prevail like David against Goliath to continue this tale of heroism and bravery.

Gregor