My Arran Cycle for @vannessriddle

So Feb 25th- 27th we headed to Arran for Maryann's mum and dads ruby wedding anniversary celebration with the kids. Ill blog about that later.

Part of my trip was the cycle.- Around Arran and try and raise some money for Vanessa's Journey
This is a story of a local families will and inspiration to raise £500,000 for their 11 year old daughters fight against Stage 4 (High-Risk) Neuroblastoma, a very rare, aggressive and difficult to treat form of childhood cancer. 


Read Vanessa's story here

The guys have done really well, and you can donate to their cause through just giving.com. HERE

Connect to Vanessa on Twitter and on Facebook.

As of the time of composing this blog they have raise 475K. in under 50 days. Amazing!!













So my trip was a cycle around the isle of Arran. For any reader not local Arran is a small island off the Scottish west coast. Approx 56 miles round. 

For anyone that does not know me, I aint fit. I aim to get better. I had not been on a bike for 25 years until last year lol. But after I started with halfords, I got the bug... and this trip was a personal best for me...


So I left at 830am on Sun. After stopping for some supplies in the co-op I headed clockwise towards Lamlash, then onto small villages of Whitting Bay, Kimory, Lagg and onto Blackwaterfoot where I stopped for a quick sandwich, 20 miles in.. The weather was very grey, but thankfully though ground was wet, the rain stayed away.

Alisa Craig away in the dark grey distance

Then onward around the back of the Island and ground is pretty flat, and was a pleasant run. A bit windy, but was just me, my bike and my iPod..... and a long straight road LOL-

 Headed up towards Pimimill, then Catacol, just before 40 miles. Auld legs were getting a bit sore, but I was happy with my time of 4hrs so far.

I stopped at Lochranza for a good half hour. Had a nosey around the Castle which dates from the 12th Century. You can get the ferry from here to Claonig.
Lochranza is also home to the Arran Distillery.

Then I had a very sore hill after here. I will admit part of me jumped off and walked for a wee bit. but I got to the top then had a fantastic run down the other side.... hitting 38mph on my bike. I was like a bike kid haha!

Lochranza Castle

The last 14 miles were nice and flat, passing through Corrie. and then by Brodick castle and back into Brodick and to the hotel.... I was knackered.

So my running time was 6 hrs, 55 miles and more importantly I raised approx £850 for Vanessa's cause. A great day out for anyone that likes cycling if you get the weather right...! -Thanks to all who have donated for my run!.