Pedalling for Parkinson's

 Day 21 - Culloden to Lairg Another wet day in the Scottish Highlands! The heavens poured down upon me as I cycled from Culloden to Inverness, this was beyond double waterproof weather, I wished I had a third!!! It was also interesting route planning from Komoot and  Google maps who placed me on the dual carriageway A9 northbound! Forunately I found a scrubby pathway alongside and just hoped that there would not be any glass or debris to render me with a puncture! Finally the Kessock Bridge and a traverse across the Moray Firth; it almost looked like Hong Kong or West Coast Canada with wisps of cloud clinging to the tree clad banks of the hills as they fell down to the estuary edge, quite beauitful! One of my favourite sections to cycle in the UK is the northern edge of the Moray Firth, from Kessock Bridge towards Muir of Ord, I have cycled it many times before, always in May,and it is beautiful; soft hills with old oaks, crumbling stone walls, gorse and bluebells, accompanied...

 Day 20 - Tomintoul to Culloden Moor Tomintoul is very much in the Cairngorm National Park and so the ride was still very hilly as I wended my way Northwards towards the Moray Firth. And a delightfully sunny day to enjoy such a ride. I thought of my partner, Michael, as I passed the sign introducing the Malt Whisky trail route, and cycled past the distilleries of Glenlivet and Cardhu. The Glenlivet estate looked particularly pretty and had an art installation above the road, comprising a mirrored cube, reminding me of a friend's garden design at Hampton Court Flower show a few years ago. http://www.alexrainford.com/show-gardens Onwards the cycle up my super steep climb for the day, and up to the most stupendous view of the Cairngorm, where I sat and enjoyed my lunch! The route then took down towards Grantown on Spey, across much more arid and open terrain, with a few rogue escapee sheep to keep you on your toes! It was then a pine forest lined route for a while, before crossing moo...

 Day 19 - Ballater to Tomintoul      Ballater is a terribly swish village, and I shall explain for why; It is the train station to which the Queen arrives to visit Balmoral. Cycling up from the River Dee out of Ballater I started a climb through pastureland and ancient silver birch forest; I have never seen such old silver birch trees and it made me think of my time in Sweden fondly. In Swedish weddings, people make an arch of silver birch as you enter the church. These birch were covered in super thick sleeves of lichen, of varying types, they looked very cosy! I then came across a superbly steep stone bridge, I am sure the ascent was almost vertical! And then the climbing began, winding through stunning moorland, where I heard Grouse for the first time. What a comical sounding bird!! And I also saw them too, black grouse, darting about the moor, safe for the moment. The descent was super steep too; I am realising with my parkinson's that grip strength can be challe...

 Day 18 - Blairgowrie to Ballater Wow! What a B&B we stayed in last night! Wonderful!! https://www.glenshielinghouse.co.uk/ Greeting the drowned cyclist on their doorstep with reassurance there was plenty of hot water, towelling robe, slippers and tea & cake waiting for me was just wonderful!! The team running the B&B had moved here from Brighton six months ago and completely renovated it during lockdown, with such opulent decor and interior design! What a find! Such a treat to be sitting on a sofa rather than a saddle, reading a magazine!!! IS this what normal people do with their weekends?! I discovered a fabulous magazine, https://www.scottishfield.co.uk/, I'm tempted to start a subsccription to maintain my Scottish connection from the South! In muchthe same way Ive started a subscription to French country living to sate my love for France! Fully rested and restored I was ready to tackle the cycle; a truly hilly route, taking in the first of my ski station stops...

Having enjoyed a relaxing walk above the gorge at Rumbling Bridge after the days cycling, I returned home to find I had received a text message from one of the other participants from my Public Health course that I had enjoyed earlier in the week. John had messaged to ask whether I may welcome a local cycling with me from Rumbling Bridge; the rare opportunity to meet with a fellow course participant was very attractive as all is being conducted online remotely for COVID security. I was delighted to accept his offer. To take advantage of a narrow weather window I started early setting off up a long slow ascent above Rumbling Bridge; it was stunningly beautiful following a narrow valley, before it opened up to a higher pasture that reminded me of the Col du Joux Plan in France, cycling amongst pasture with cattle, pines and little wooden barns dotted about. I then enjoyed a speedy descent to Dunning, where John was waiting for me beside the church. He kindly brought along Scottish provis...

I have taken the last two days off from cycling in order to attend a virtual work programme for Public Health Consultants; it was really stimulating, particularly meeting consultants from across the UK, all sharing their different backgrounnds and experiences.  Interestinly I found the online teaching almost more exhausting than cycling! So I was glad to be back on my bicycle today! It was a beautiful start to the day, as I climbed up just below the Pentland Hills, and looking out Eastwards the hills were sporting bright white caps of snow! I was incredibly grateful for my Garmin today, without which the navigation of Edinburgh and Dunfermline would have been really challenging, and hugely more time consuming! I took a route circumnavigating the city centre, including  a stunning church at Corstorphine surrounded by cherry trees blossoming! I finally wended my way towards the Firth of Forth above Crammond and caught my first glimpse of the three bridges traversing the river. T...

Having dried out from my watery cycling baptism yesterday I was feeling brave to tackle the hill climbs en route to Edinburgh. All started well, there was even fleetiing sunshine to warm my back as I climbed up my first range of hills for the day; a rare occasion found my support crew, AKA My mum, was taking the same route and so a rare occasion was that I had a photographer, fleetingly! It was just as I approached the summit of the first range, that I turned a corner and was hit by such a powerful gust of wind that I almost fell off my bike! The valley floor was north-south aligned, and so I now faced a steady northerly headwind, so strong I had to pedal hard in an easy gear to make progress down a steep hill!  Rain joined the wind and so the fun began! Having learnt from yesterday I was better prepared - with waterproof socks inside my merrell waterproof leather knee high boots, topped with waterproof overshoes and waterproof trousers, oh and ski warming packs inside my boots! Ev...

I am an optiimist; and so despite a weather forecast for Heavy rain and moderate breeze I proceeded with my intended route. Sitting safely and warmly ensconced in the Tushielaw Inn as I write this, as the snow settles on the hillside outside my window, I realise I may need to temper my optimism!! The ride out of Langholm was a gentle climb, and I am frotunate that a love of nature distracts me from most negative thoughts; and so despite the rain I was happy taking in the wild flowers, primroses, wood anenomes, bluebells, cowslips galore and geums, along with looking at tiny lambs. Climbing through Bentpath and up to 260m I entered a valley and cycled onwards towards Eskdalemuir. A note for cycling in Scotland. Scotland is very sparsely inhabited compared to England. A relatively large place name on a road atlas often is a hamlet, so travel well prepared with food and drinks.  You also know it;s particularly wet when you seek out any shelter under which to enjoy aforementioned snack...

And so the crossing of my final country border of the trip; before reaching this site at Penton Bridge however was 55 miles of traversing the Southern edge of the Northern Pennines, weaving along the Eden valley which was welcoming undulating rather than super steep. The weather was a little less clement and so waterproofs o clock it was; I am so glad I brought my winter cycling  kit, complete with thermal tights, merino, full waterproofs, sealskin gloves and waterproof leather boots! It was a very rural cycle with no provisions opportunities en route, and so I was delighted when I arrived at Castle Carrock and discovered a pub serving food, complete with large marquee. I befriended a couple of other cyclists who regaled me with tales of various cycle tours, Eurovelo 6 from England to the Black Sea! Wow!! I felt rather inadequate doing LEJOG! The other wonderful thing about cAstle Carrock was their village sign; thus far I had seen - X village welcomes you; drive carefull through X...

 It appears I have created a route taking in as many National Parks as possible!! So today I enjoyed a fabulous and very hilly cycle through the Yorkshire Dales and Westmorland Dales. We started the day in civilsed fashion enjoying an espresso at a cafe in Kirby; the one aspect of European cycling I miss in the ease of obtaining a strong coffee in the smallest of hamlets!  And so I started cycling up Northwards, running parallel to the M6 but fortuately sufficeintly far away as not to hear it; instead I heard Curlews, and also the first cuckoo of the year, appropriate for 1st May! https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/curlew/ By Beck Foot I happened upon the most impressive rail viaduct straddling a terribly deep valley, which I had just ventured down with brakes full on, and then enjoyed cycling back up! Today's second highest summit was at the top of this c. 330m and commanding views across the Dales and also towards the Lake District peaks; PLa...

The Forest of Bowland is beautiful; if you are passing by that way do stop a while. There are far fewer poeple about that in the Lakes and has wonderful walking & cycling territory. I started off with a gentle climb from pastureland beside the Ribble, and headed up to Moorland, where hardier lambs were gambling about. It was beautiful and along lovely coutnry lanes, thank you Komoot for the route! Just for the record, I am n ot a twitcher but I have recently become a bit more interested in birds, maybe is is because I am over 40! As I was cycling along I heard a funny electronic bird sound. I had heard similarly whilst cycling in the Test valley in Hampshire, and googled it because I was convinced it was an electronic crow deterrent; in fact it is the song of the Lapwing, I promise you it sounds like it is from a synthesizer!  It also flies in a very erratic fashion and sports a spectacular head feather! https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/lapwin...

  I enjoyed a fabulous cycle across country lanes today; no HGVs trying to run me over; the only risk was that the Spring lambs are really distracting and I might fall off whilst laughing at them gambling about! I enjoyed an alfresco lunch in Longridge, where my mother and I looked particuarly ridiculus wearing wooly hats & down jackets, singing along to the music playing on the terrace, it would have been normal in a ski resort, but I'm not sure Longridge's residents knew quite what to make of two ladies singing along to Diana Ross! I have also really enjoyed the road names I have cycled along today, Birdy Brow, Twitter Lane; as you can imagine there are a fair few birds about here in Lancashire's Forest of Bowland, I think I may have even heard a curlew!! I can definitely tell I am cycling Northwards, it is freezing! And Spring seems a little farther behind here, lambs are younger, and the spring flowers and leaves are like they were down in Dorset a month ago; so I a...

I was fortunate to have the change to see an old family friend before I set off, Tristan, We grew up together and have enjoyed some cycles in the past, alas his work commitments precluded joining me this time, but it was lovely to catch up if only briefly. The day started with an off-road route across Telford, which rather reminded me of Basingstoke, a host of housing estates and roundabouts. Finally reaching the countryside I was able to pick up a bit of pace for which I was grateful as it had turned cold. A little geek speak now relating to cycle route planning; my partner kindly gave me a Garmin GPS device for this trip, to help with navigation, as whilst using our mobile phones on previous trips we realised how they ran low on battery and struggled with the rain. The issue I had not envisaged with the one relating to uploading routes to the Garmin; as GPX files. It transpires that my friends more au fait with these devices, spend hours planning their cycle routes and GPX files usin...

Having enjoyed a delightful stay at an Airbnb in Kenchester at a stud farm, the cycle across Herefordshire began; beautiful countyside with lots of farming along the way, alas no spring lambs to share my lunch with! I took a mostly country lane route, first to Leominster. Feeling a little low in energy I took the opportunity of a little bakers to grab a doughnut, and whilst sitting on the bench outside a lady called Hazel asked me whether I was on holiday in the area; I suppose there are not many lycra clad cyclists with panniers frequenting Leominster! I mentioned my cycle for Cure PArkinson's Trust and she kindly donated £20 to CPT! Thank you HAzel! Onwards to Ludlow, and as I cycled into the town I spied my mother's VW van, and managed to bump into her on the street there, so we enjoyed a delicious al fresco lunch at Harp lane cafe, whilst a classical guitarist busked on the street! It was wonderful! https://harplane.com/ Onwards then across Herefordshire and into Shropshire...

I must confess I enjoyed a rest day yesterday; visiting my godchildren at Dyffrn gardens near Cardiff! It was such a treat to see them as I have missed them horribly with the COVID restrictions. We enjoyed a wonderful picnic, purchased from Cocorico in Cardiff - winners of the BAke off Professionals series! I can highly recommend them! Apparently they will be teaching patisserie workshops from the Autumn.. I cannot wait! https://www.cocoricopatisserie.co.uk/ And so the cycling resumed; and today my friend Beth Bennet Britton joined me, and Loz returned for a second helping of cycling with me!! Glutton for punishment!! More Loz Browning route planning took us on the newly opened Greenway from Chepstow to Tintern Abbey, complete with a tunnel over 1Km long! Signage is a little vague and the track may not suit super slick tyres but we all coped fine on our road bikes.  https://greenwaysandcycleroutes.org/wye-valley-greenway/ Beth's parents live along the Wye valley and very kindly off...

    I cannot recommend our Shapwick Airbnb highly enough, The Potting Shed, hosted by MAtthew and Karin; super comfortable bed and a home cooked & home grown breakfast to set me on my way across the levels to Cheddar. The somerset levels rather reminded me of the marshland , Le Marais, at the Southern end of the Cherbourg Penisnsula, and so may Tour de France in a day began! Alas no patisseries however the views were specacular as I cycled across the flat waterlands, interspersed with straight dykes, willow orchards and cattle grazing. Today my dear friend, Loz Browning, was joining me to cycle; we met at Cheddar and enjoyed some alpine climbs up Cheddar Gorge, reminscent of a previous epic cycle we enjoyed up the Col du Lauteret! We then returned to Cheddar and cycled a route beside the Cote d'Azur of Cheddar, the local resevoir! Before heading out through pretty villages to then join the Strawberry Line, again, thank you Mr Beeching! Apparently in the day this was the ro...

Day 5 - From Exmoor hills to the Somerset levels      Awaking in Exmoor to the sounds of bleating lambs was a delight. I had slept particularly well last night following a Sri Lankan Curry supper on Baricane Beach in Woolacombe, courtesty of Carey and Peter, a real treat!  Ready to hit the Exmoor hills the route did not disappoint, although my front wheel only left the ground once today, so things appear to be easing off... or so I thought until I reached the Qunatocks!! I climbed across the Southern ridge of Exmoor from Winsford towards Raleigh's Cross; enjoying a picnic lunch en route accompanied by spectating lambs. I also enjoyed my second county crossing, from Devonshire into Somerset. It was then a gloirous descent towards Bishops Lydeard, before a long steep climb atop the Quantocks.  The scenery  I realised was familiar;  anyone who knows me will know that my car has long been treated as a mobile bicycle locker, and it is often that following a...

 Day 4 - Great Torrington to Countisbury Hill I was very excited to be heading to even more familiar territory today; cycling to Exmoor; since I was a baby I have been coming to Exmoor regularly and I love it! Again, also being hill obsessed there was a particularl nemesis I was keen to cycle up, Countisbury Hill; a hill so steep that I was once the passenger in a friends car whislt they drove, and they requested I alight the vehicle as they were struggling to drive up the hill with me  in it!! It was an old morris minor, but still, the feeling sticks! Prior to reaching Countisbury, there was a farther stretch of the Tarka trail to enjoy, cycling down a valley on a disused railway, fabulous wild flowers abounding, a few people out walking, jogging or cycling along the way. You then reach the estuary and follow it out to sea near Bideford and Instow, where I delighted in discovery a coffee shop, and was terribly healthy and abstained from cake! From Barntstape I headed inland a...

 Day 3 Trewint to Great Torrington A delightful day of cycling largely on country lanes with seldom another vehicle or house in sight, bliss!  I also discovered a little village shop selling coffee and baked goods; as anyone who knows me will attest I am rather a fan of tea & cake, and strong coffee at 10am, so this was perfect and I managed to acquire a Cornish speciality, safrron buns! Onwards to Holsworthy where Filter Through provided the coffee and toasted saffron buns! What a day this was turning out to be!! Onwards and upwards, And my first county crossing of the trip, from Cornwall to Devon, Woohoo! I then realised I was on familiar terrain, the Tarka Trail, that I had previously cycled in 2018 with a friend, and fellow personn with Parkinson's , Alison Anderson, when we cycled the Devon Coast to Coast! I was glad to arrive at Great Torrington, where we also enjoyed a treat for the support crew, a trip to the Royal HOrticultural Society gardens at Rosemoor; my moth...

 Another glorious day and we cycled out to Wadebridge, finding a lovely cross country route, avoiding the A39! Gambling lambs, high banked lanes flanked with violets, primroses and discovering moors we did  not know existed was ample recompense for the hillier route ( I hope michael agrees!!!) The team rendezvous point was beside the Camel trail at Wadebridge; Mummy had also enjoyed a cycle during the morning, albeit slightly flatter!  At this point Michael departed as he had to return back for work and so the solo cycling began, I cetainly felt more vulnerable as I headed out on the A39, drivers certainly seem more aware of two cyclists than one, maybe I should attach a cardboard cut out to my bike! It was lovely cycling in terrain a little more familiar, from surf trips with friends and family holidays; familar village names popping up, Polzeath, Port Issac, Tintagel. Feeling a little fatigued from  yesterday I made an executive decision to avoid the hillier route,...

As a GP when I was d iagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2017 at the age of 37 it was a massive shock; shattering my sense of self and my future plans. I was fortunate to find Cure Parkinsons who provided me with the greatest treatment, hope! Through their commitment to funding research to find treatments to slow, stop or reverse this disease I have found hope, as have many others. Having worked to support the COVID response during the pandemic, I am thrilled to now be supporting Cure Parkinsons to help assuage the impact COVID has had on their income this year. Anything you are able to donate would hugely appreciated! https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=ClaireLehman1&pageUrl=2 I shall be cycling over 1070 miles in the next month to raise funds for more of their work; cycling from Land's End to John O Groats! Several friends and family requested I share updates along the way... so here we are with a blog to follow me, Claire Leh...

We were blessed with wonderful weather on Saturday 17th April as we set off to Lands End; my mother driving the support van, with myself and my partner Michael, who had volunteered to cycle with me for the first weekend. From the outset Cornwall let us know it was a hilly county, and we were soon shedding layers as we climbed short sharp stealth inclines!  I was incredibly tempted to stop en route for a swim at the Penzance Sea Lido but alas the miles beckoned and I shall have to return another day! Working up a hearty appetite we enjoyed lunch overlooking St Michael's Mount, and again resisting the allure of the azure blue water we headed inland towards Hayle. From there climbing further inland to Camborne and Redruth, where we learned how to use Komoot to help us route find on the cycle! This provided a beautiful cross country, very hilly country, through a hidden village of Bolingey to find our place to stay for the night! Being so close to the coast I couldnt resist the beach, ...