TartanTed

Past cycling experiences cross my mind

For whatever reason a few memories from the ancient history that is my cycling career have been in my mind today. No reason other than I can’t get motivated to ride today so I’m “Relive-ing” past journeys – without the benefit of the app

Cycling to school one Fall morning I was struggling up the not inconsiderably steep Bruntsfield Place when I was hit side on by a veterinary student on her way to sit an exam. Presumably her mind was elsewhere. She was very embarrassed, I had slight abrasions on my knees. Way back then, last century, no one was into blame culture or of an instant mind to engage a lawyer, so she bundled me and my bike into her car and delivered me home. No more was said on the subject. I hope she passed her exam.

Fifteen or so years later I was cycling to work in Edinburgh City Center when a chauffeur driven BMW cut across Queensferry Road at speed and hit me side on; I did not get knocked off my bike because I hung onto the vehicle until he stopped. Unfortunately this resulted in a, no doubt, very expensive scratch along the side of the vehicle. Chauffeur and passenger were embarrassed but I had no injuries so once again no more was said. I hope the chauffeur kept his job.

No vehicle impacts involved here but I did need to struggle up this very steep road which leads to the Scotland / England border with only one knee powering my bicycle.
To this day I have no idea what injury I sustained, or how it happened, but this was day two of a 100 mile journey to reach the ferry to The Netherlands so I had no option but to carry on trucking.
Downhill from the Border I was able to rest my knee as I hit 42mph by gravity alone – that was scary!
The next day I had miraculously recovered and spent two weeks cycling the flat roads of The Netherlands without further incident.

Sunday is stormy but Saturday was overcast / sunny

I have gathered together a few photographs and a short video of my Saturday cycle ride to Goose Island State Park in Lamar, TX. I did not actually enter the park proper but visited the Big Tree and then headed home via the causeway and Fulton Beach Road.

24 Miles to Lamar and Back

https://gopro.com/v/Xl0DZ9PZJzQgG

Biggar, U.K. July 2004

I don’t actually remember what the occasion was other than it was an organized public cycle ride. Karen Lamb, on the left, no doubt was instrumental in encouraging Emily and I to participate. I do recall being horrified that I had to jump off the bike and push us up one particularly steep hill. We were using Patty’s Edinburgh Bicycle bike and boy did it have a heavy frame.

The Edinburgh to St. Andrews Bike Ride 1987

Photo credit: David Drummond

David Drummond, on the left, and myself at the start of a day-long non competitive ride to raise money for LEPRA. I participated in this ride a number of years in a row during which time the route varied slightly and was anywhere from 65 to 70 miles long. I believe the current route is 68 miles and, being Scotland, it is all uphill with the wind against you! More details available HERE.