Category Archives: Preparation

Ride & Stride – Day 8: Wednesday 14 September – BRORA to EVANTON (61 miles) As we approach the final leg of our Ride & Stride challenge it’s worth making a few comments on the NC500 route itself. On cycles and when running or walking it has not always been easy, especially on the busierContinue reading “Caravans”

Ride & Stride – Day 6: Monday 12 September – POLLA to MELVICH (plus an excursion to JOHN O’GROATS) (51 miles) Until last evening I had not realised the link between our overnight stop of Durness and the Beatles, or perhaps more specifically the relationship that John Lennon had with the village. Lennon visited DurnessContinue reading “Stinging Rain”

Ride & Stride – Day 5: Sunday 11 September – UNAPOOL to POLLA (via DURNESS) (53 miles) Once more a lovely start to the day – it is so incredibly quiet here – and after a scenic breakfast we set off together, myself in Daisy, the camper-van, and the running team in Nessie, northwards throughContinue reading “The Ramblin’ Rover”

Ride & Stride – Day 4: Saturday 10 September – ULLAPOOL to UNAPOOL (60 miles) What a wonderful place is Ullapool. I have been here a couple of times before, both for one night only, and the last time was back in May 1991 with Rachel. The weather then was fine, as it has beenContinue reading “Island”

Ride & Stride – Day 3: Friday 9 September – KINLOCHEWE to ULLAPOOL (71 miles) First of all a big thank-you to our hosts Caroline and Raymond at the Loch Maree Hotel last night for supporting our Ride & Stride charities – that is very much appreciated, thank you! The runners started things off today,Continue reading “Catch The Wind”

Ride & Stride – Thursday 8 September Given this evening’s sad news from Balmoral on the passing of Queen Elizabeth, the full report on Day 2 of Ride & Stride will follow after our exertions tomorrow. The Mother We Share was the 2013 debut single from Scottish synth-pop band Chvrches, co-written and featuring the vocalsContinue reading “The Mother We Share”

Ride & Stride – Day 2: Thursday 8 September – LOCHCARRON to KINLOCHEWE (63 miles) We could not have imagined, when we woke up yesterday to a fine dawn over Lochcarron, that up here in the Highlands we would be witnessing the final hours of the Second Elizabethan Era. Our triumph at completing the climbContinue reading “Wild Mountainside”

Ride & Stride – Day 1: Wednesday 7 September – INVERNESS to LOCHCARRON (64 miles) All is going to plan, at least as far as the Scottish weather is concerned! We had thunder and lighting last night, and a grey drizzle had settled over Inverness by the time we finished breakfast. This did nothing toContinue reading “Westering Home”

This morning as we prepare to leave for Scotland on our NC500 challenge, and since my last Blog of yesterday, I have received two further stories from members of the Ride & Stride team, Tina and Moira. I think that you will find them quite moving: These personal journeys affecting members our team underline theContinue reading “Journey”