Year Round Commuter, Cyclist and Adventure Seeker.

So time to blog the big charity effort for 2014. - And it does not come any bigger than this. From May 10th 2014, Myself and Neil -shall be attempting to cycle from Lands End to John O Groats in the space of 10 days. I will allow longer if required. We did the Scotland run last year 404 miles in 4 Days, so this is more than double it. After Christmas, and new year, I plan to up the aunty on what I do. Train hard, lose more weight, and prepare for what will be the biggest single achievement in my life. - I hope I can do it. Will take commitement, dedication and stamina, and I know I can do this..... We have a Facebook Page - We are on Twitter We need your follow. We need your like. - As we build a good social media foundation for our future charity run for Cancer Research UK. Charity Address -  www.justgiving.com/lexjah2014 Thanks for the Support

Scots will go to the polls on September 18, 2014 to decide whether to become an independent country. If Scots vote to leave the Union, Scotland will become an independent country on March 24, 2016. Today - SNP unveils White Paper outlining vision for independent Scotland http://news.stv.tv/politics/250331-live-coverage-scottish-independence-referendum-white-paper-unveiled/ This article caught my attention. And has got me divided right down the middle. - but why change what's not broken ? What ever I decide to vote (prob decided), I will make sure I caste my vote in what will be the most important decision in a generation ..... -Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

After staying the night at the Berneray hostel, we were up at 630am for the short 2 mile cycle to the ferry port to catch the ferry to Leverburgh on Harris that takes around 1hr. As I left the hostel it was pitch dark, and after I managed to get the sheep to move, we were on our way... The ferry was on time and pretty quiet. - Boarded and 1 hour later we were on the isle of Harris. Today's cycle was to take use to Stornaway and I was keenly watching the weather. When we left I was a bit annoyed that my bright light had pack in, tried charging over night but clearly its broken. - rather irritating but hey ho it will go back.. We left Levenburgh and first port of call was to be Tarbert. - Some 30 miles away. We cycled around some really windy roads, mostly up hill and then the weather took a turn for the worse. - Freezing and wet we got to Tarbert pretty quickly, as you seem to pedal faster when its cold... We looked for a coffee shop or something to warm up, but christ...

Tues ..... So we were ready to head for Berneray, some 74 miles from the south end of Barra. - and the start of an epic journey. Obviously part of me was keenly watching the weather. - Gail force winds, rain, sleet and hail was forecast. - you know, perfect November normal weather. ... With teeth gritted we said goodbye to Mike over a coffee then left at 8am for the short 8 miles across Barra to the ferry port for the boat trip to Eriskay. Arrived there quickly. Nice view with sun appearing behind some clouds. A few cars parked and the odd local waiting for the ferry which was at 925am. Ferry took 40mins to get to there. - as we arrived the wind picked up and this would be a common theme for the next 67 miles. We went into the local shop and stood out like 2 sour plooms lol - breakfast was a chicken curry pie. Boak. - we left Eriskay via the adjoining causeway and was quickly into South Uist. - following the route we planned on the garmin's - the roads were q...

Tues night .... I'm writing this from the hostel at Berneray - North Uist. With no phone signal. (Or very little). - I'll add photos later as I get a better signal ..... Yesterday I was up at 430am, with the mad idea of cycling to Glasgow Queen Street to meet Neil for the 0821am train to Oban. Left home at 0520am, headed for Kilmarmock, up western road then up auld A77 through Newton Mearns and then Giffnock, Shawlands and the city centre. Got to Queen Street for 730am, nice and early and 32 miles clocked already. Was a bit wet on the run up. Met Neil, and train left on time. - 3 hrs later we were in Oban. Got chatting to a guy called Mike, who said he was staying at same hostel as us on Barra. .... (More on that in a bit). After arriving in Oban we had a couple hours to kill. A light lunch, then purchased the Hopscotch Number8 that would be our ferry guide across the Western Isles. We were fully aware weather wasn't to be great later, which seemed rather w...

Cheers. !! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Arrived in Oban. Up at 430am. Cycled 32 miles in pissing rain to Queen St and met Neil. Then 0821 train. As we departed train in Oban the sun is kind of shinning. Longing that this will continue. - quick bite to eat then it's Cal- Mac's 1340 sailing to Castlebay, Barra. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone Location: George Street,Oban,United Kingdom

So another year older on Monday, the last of the 30's. - All set to start our trip to the Western Isles and the #WesternIslesEpic with @aerobic247 , aka Neil. Pack stuff up the mora night, after work, then looking forward to a week aff work. - hoping weather is kind for our islands cycle to Stornaway then Inverness . - yes you read correctly in November ;) Train tickets. bought. -IF weathers ok, I ll leave early and cycle up to Glasgow... if not its the 630 from Ayr. Train to Oban is at 0821 from Queen St.

Day off on thurs. - busy lots to do. as always. lol. work meh. next week im on hol and guess what - lots on. Oban to Inverness via Stornaway. Mon- Thurs. Hame fri/sat the Cumbria sportive on Sun/ Sheffield on sunday for work- back with a boom.

I have been telling a few people of our plans for this run, and I am often greeted with 'Yer Mad at this time of year' lol. - And well they are probably right.  We are doing this run over 4 days, 3 nights. Head to Oban on the morning of the 11th November, to get the ferry to Castlebay, Barra at 145pm. We buy Hopscotch No8 for a respectable 35 quid which will get us to Ullapool via Stornaway.  Staying at the Dunard Hostel in Barra on Monday night, we are up early to cycle across Barra to get the ferry to Eriskay Our journey then continues up through South Uist, Benbecula, and into North Uist, and up to Berneray , at the north end of North Uist. This is where we stay on Night 2 , - could not be more remote, and this is the appeal ;) By the end of that day, mileage is around 60-70 miles. Timing is everything for the Ferry. At Berneray the next morning we get the ferry to Leverburgh , Harris, and then its the cycle to Stornaway. - another 60 miles ish ! ...