The Prep

Those of you who followed my first touring blog (Edinburgh to Dublin slow and scenic) may know that I asked my bestie Amanda if she wanted to join me. She wasn't able to that time but we have discussed doing another one on and off since. As she now lives in Southampton we only get to see each other on holidays and short visits, so I suggested earlier this year that we do a cycle tour this autumn instead of a city break. She was up for it and after some discussion considering various options we settled on NCN Route 7 North -Glasgow to Inverness. A beautiful looking route taking in some of our amazing Scottish scenery.

We decided not to camp as we didn't want to have too much to carry and weren't sure about the weather in September. As we were following an NCN route minimal planning was required. We settled on 5 days cycling around 40 mile each with stops at Aberfoyle, Loch Tay, Blair Atholl and near Aviemore. Amanda would come up a couple of days before to see a few friends and hire a bike.

Now I love Amanda to bits - she has been one of my best friend for years, she supported me in my first cycle over 50miles - Pedal for Parkinson's in Stirling, and trained for it and completed it with me, despite her focus at that time being more on running. But she has always been physically fitter than I am, and much more competitive! So my only concern was that she would be much faster and get frustrated at me trailing behind, however it turns out she feels the same as she says she hasn't been as active recently as she normally is. I'm not sure I believe her and I am sure that she is worrying for nothing but it makes me feel a bit better!

It is also a different experience doing a tour as opposed to a days ride out and home again, carrying your kit and doing the miles several days in a row. We have agreed to just enjoy the ride and walk up the steepest bits if we need to!

In the last week excitement has been rising, both at seeing my friend, doing a tour and putting both those things together. Being able to share something you love to do with someone you love and being confident that they will love it too (as I'm sure she will!)  is an exciting prospect.

Packing the panniers now - Can't wait to get started!