My name is Mark Parsons I'm a 49 year old who is hoping he is still in his mid-life crisis!! (rather than the male menopause). I have decided to try and raise some money for the Steeple Church Development Fund. Having been inspired by Mark Beaumont a fellow Dundonian. I came up with the idea of cycling around Scotland as it makes a change from John o' Groats to Land's End. I only found out later it was further and far more hilly!! I will be travelling a total of 1196 miles over a period of 17 days, an average of 70 miles per day. The total additive height attained over the whole trip is 31927 meters, which is equivalent to 3.6 times up Mount Everest - from sea level. Please help me by following me exploits and leaving me cheery messages and telling others about it. If you want to make a pledge all the better and thanks so much for your support. All the money pledged will go to the Steeple Development Project

Sunday, 22 May 2011

Hi Folks - Back with it today!!! Arrived in Ullapool at approx. 6.00pm.
Apparantley nearly caused a riot in the dorm last night with my snoring - but I had a good night sleep and felt better for it.

We left Torridon in the rain but the weather soon improved for a while. Infact the weather played games with Sun, Rain, Sun, Rain - Tropical Downpore sun rain - the only constant was very strong winds. It even decided to hail just when I had a flat tyre.

We cycled 84 miles today with a number of significant climbs too, but I think the old pins are slowly getting the hand of things at last. I have bulges on my calve/thigh muscles I have never seen before.

My clothes seem to work like a wet suit - I get completely soaked early on and then use windproofs to jsut keep the water warm. When I clench my fists the water drops gushes put of them!!

Medical Update. I seem to have been miraculously cured of my aortic anurism, and even the angina seems to be better under control. Was worried about diabetes but the hypo's may be due to physcial efforts - even the peripheral circulatory problems may just be the cold - so you never know I may be alright!! :-)) I think I had better stay clear of prescribing cardiac drugs as an independant prescriber :-P for a while.

My trainer and motivator has been pressing on with new ? helpful comments - "Just look on hills as hard flats ..... " "Remember it goes down when you get to the top!!!" and when we reached 1000+ feet comstant climb from sea level said - come on get a move on our average speed has dropped :) I need to have David GSCE result for geography checked too. He seem to forget where hills are and say "it's all down hill from here" jsut before more hills appear!!

Hope to reach Durness tomorrow - jsut hope i do not get blown off the end!!
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6 comments:

  1. Unknown22 May 2011 at 22:24

    Hi Mark
    great to hear how your getting on... well done - I can't believe your in Ullapool already!
    keep up the good work and look after youself
    dave

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous23 May 2011 at 00:07

    Don't be hypocritical dad, you use those lines when you drag us out on walks ''It's only a short wander'' turns into a whole day excursion!!!
    Keep powering on :)

    Danielle xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous23 May 2011 at 07:39

    What's that 'old one'- its only water it won't hurt you, anyway it's character building!!!
    We are feeling abit sorry for you though the weather has been a tad harsh!

    Keep on the 'long and winding road'

    Love Fliss x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous23 May 2011 at 13:56

    Listening to the weather forecast and thinking of you!! Have made a little donation to spur you on. We are seriously in awe!

    Take care

    Love Keith, Angie, Chloe and Jack xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous23 May 2011 at 16:50

    Dont worry about the rain, plenty of water to drink! Looking at my map, it is all level as you go along the top of Scotland and the wind will be behind you, and when you reach the top right hand corner its all downhill to Dundee!
    Good to see your kids moan about walks and for the same reasons as Dominique, does be a family failing!

    no update on the saddle soarness yet?

    Philip

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous23 May 2011 at 16:53

    spelling appalling hope you understand!!!!
    philip

    ReplyDelete

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