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

Monday, 23 May 2011

Ullapool

What a day !!!
It was with trepidation that we set off this morning to Durness. Joe was worried and made us think carefully about it.
After checking the weather forecast, wind speed and direction we decided to take the plunge.
After an initial bit of rain we had a good bit of sun, by mid afternoon the rain returned with a vengeance. Luckily the strong winds were of assistance to Durness. As we arrived in good time we decided to press on to Tounge where we had booked the night in the Youth Hostel, another 30 miles. The wind got a lot worse, we had to battle for 8 miles against 40mph winds with rain and hail thrown in for good measure.
Having set off at 9am we reached our windswept youth hostel at 8pm.
The power was down in the area due to the winds so it was a bit chilly. Joe excelled himself with a stir fry and the heating and electricity are now back on. Covered 95 miles today so will ache tomorrow, it was also the hilliest yet.

Mark
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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous23 May 2011 at 23:46

    The weather is not doing you any favours is it !! Keep going 2 and a half coasts down 1 and a half to go !!

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  2. Anonymous24 May 2011 at 00:02

    Wow! You've done really well to stay in contact with your bike today, let alone cycle it at all. We've had three large trees blown down within 100yds of our house, one of which has ruined a neighbour's car. You're up in a bleak exposed area of Scotland just now. Just don't get blown all the way to Norway. Good going, Mark. Well done.

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  3. Anonymous24 May 2011 at 00:07

    Sounded like the biggest challenge yet,glad you're all safe. Weather here very gusty too. Lots of trees down and Tay and Forth Bridges closed. Just back from a 4.5 hour round trip to Edinburgh to rescue Mum who was stranded after her train from York terminated at Waverley Station!! Fliss xx

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  4. Anonymous24 May 2011 at 00:17

    Well done Mark. Would a sail help for the next bit - presumably you will get some tail wind eventually? (Might get blown out to sea though). Hope you don't get covered in ash tomorrow as well as all the other challenges from the elements!
    Can someone give me your cycling details for Thurs please- Cromarty to Nairn. See if I can join you for part of it at least? Ken 078842 60736

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  5. Clive J24 May 2011 at 06:59

    Impressive stuff, Mark, with all your battles with the elements you almost qualify as virtually 'bombproof' - excellent work, keep it up!

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  6. Anonymous24 May 2011 at 10:33

    Hi Mark, It looks as if my comment sent last evening didn't reach you. Well done! and especially for yesterday. I think it's safe to say that you're probably past the worst of it now. Ken is altogether too polite in suggesting you'd need a sail to offer sufficient area for the wind to help you along! But it must be good to know that he'll be coming to tow you in on Thursday. Perhaps when you've finished the course you could offer to lead guided cycling tours of the route?

    Lots of folk thinking of you morning, night and in between and supporting you in prayer.

    Joan joins me in sending our love,

    Alex

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  7. Anonymous24 May 2011 at 18:16

    Wow. can't believe you managed such a long stretch yesterday. Mayhem all around so we are so glad you were kept safe. Well done! Maureen and David

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  8. Anonymous24 May 2011 at 21:19

    Wow! To use your words... "What a day !!!" ... I had to check out where Tongue was on the map, and recheck!, that’s a massive distance in good weather, never mind atrocious conditions... that really was some effort.
    We were both thinking of you everytime we heard a gust of wind yesterday. Very glad you got through safe. Hope the saddle is not too sore.
    Look forward to hearing more of the adventure
    dave & sal

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