Sigma Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 I got this second-hand bike for only £30 today. I am 15 stone, and I have been suffering from Anxiety for 10 years. I think this is going to help me out a lot, and I feel like I am ready to take a big step in changing my mental and psychical health. I'm looking forward to being one with nature and seeing a lot of great views. An update.I have been doing this for two months now. And I am pleased to say that I have lost 3/4 quarters of a stone, can cycle around a 13 Mile Loch daily, and my stamina has improved greatly. However, the thing I am most grateful for, is some of the amazing views I have experienced while cycling around Loch Leven. There is something so peaceful mentally about witnessing these views after a good cycle. It does your mental health wonders to get through long cycles, and keep a history of the trails you have cycled on a GPS map app (I use MapMyWalk).Getting a bike was the best decision I have ever made. And I plead to anyone who is on the fence on buying one to get themselves one immediately. Your mental and physical health will thank you for it. It is greatly satisfying to see yourself progress from struggling to cycle 10KM a day, to cycling 20KM a day easily.Here are a handful of pictures I took over the past few months. 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorlomin Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 2 hours ago, Sigma said: However, the thing I am most grateful for, is some of the amazing views I have experienced while cycling around Loch Leven This is making me jealous 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbornbairn Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 Not a boy racer, white van man or Kia in sight 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statts1976uk Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 (edited) Retirement celebration at Leslie Bike Shop this Saturday with Andy and Fiona retiring, Andy has had the business 38 years! At least the business isn’t going to a major chain as one of the employees has bought it so it’ll still retain the atmosphere and reputation. After all these years he’s still not sold me a Bianchi! I’ve walked in to buy one and came out with Cannondales and Meridas amongst other things! Edited August 28, 2019 by statts1976uk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnash Posted August 28, 2019 Share Posted August 28, 2019 Anyone else doing the Tour o' the Borders this Sunday? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunfermline Don Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Any other P&Bers doing the Pedal for Scotland next weekend? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie McSquackle Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 Anyone else doing the Tour o' the Borders this Sunday?I'm not but my sister and her husband are going back again as they really enjoyed it last year. Seems to be very well run with fantastic scenery. They did say the big hill (Talla?) is an absolute killer though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin_Nevis Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 I'm doing the Bealach Mor event this weekend. I think it's going to hurt [emoji23] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonHMFC Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 On 27/08/2019 at 16:53, Sigma said: An update. I have been doing this for two months now. And I am pleased to say that I have lost 3/4 quarters of a stone, can cycle around a 13 Mile Loch daily, and my stamina has improved greatly. However, the thing I am most grateful for, is some of the amazing views I have experienced while cycling around Loch Leven. There is something so peaceful mentally about witnessing these views after a good cycle. It does your mental health wonders to get through long cycles, and keep a history of the trails you have cycled on a GPS map app (I use MapMyWalk). Getting a bike was the best decision I have ever made. And I plead to anyone who is on the fence on buying one to get themselves one immediately. Your mental and physical health will thank you for it. It is greatly satisfying to see yourself progress from struggling to cycle 10KM a day, to cycling 20KM a day easily. Superb stuff, really glad it has made a difference to your life. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnash Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 (edited) 21 hours ago, Archie McSquackle said: On 28/08/2019 at 20:44, Gnash said: Anyone else doing the Tour o' the Borders this Sunday? I'm not but my sister and her husband are going back again as they really enjoyed it last year. Seems to be very well run with fantastic scenery. They did say the big hill (Talla?) is an absolute killer though. Yeah, it's tough. Short but very steep ramps. 19 hours ago, Day of the Lords said: I'm doing the Bealach Mor event this weekend. I think it's going to hurt Talla isn't as tough as Bealach na Ba though - enjoy! Edited August 30, 2019 by Gnash 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statts1976uk Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 13 hours ago, Dunfermline Don said: Any other P&Bers doing the Pedal for Scotland next weekend? I was going to at least do the Classic but my son wants to do the Wee Jaunt again this year. A question of etiquette though, is it the done thing to drop him for being too slow 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin_Nevis Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 1 hour ago, Gnash said: Yeah, it's tough. Short but very steep ramps. Talls isn't as tough as Bealach na Ba though - enjoy! I was hoping for something like "It's not actually that bad" I'm theorising that it will be no worse than Cairn o'Mount - twice the ascent but over three times the distance. The other 83 miles in shit weather will be challenging also 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnash Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 9 hours ago, Day of the Lords said: I was hoping for something like "It's not actually that bad" I'm theorising that it will be no worse than Cairn o'Mount - twice the ascent but over three times the distance. The other 83 miles in shit weather will be challenging also If you're doing it from the east, Bealach na Ba is an easy 5% or so for the first half (in terms of distance, not time). But it ratchets up and there is a murderously steep section of 1km at 16%. That's the closest I've come to getting off the bike and walking. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin_Nevis Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 5 minutes ago, Gnash said: If you're doing it from the east, Bealach na Ba is an easy 5% or so for the first half (in terms of distance, not time). But it ratchets up and there is a murderously steep section of 1km at 16%. That's the closest I've come to getting off the bike and walking. I've driven it a few times, but I can't remember that section. Is it just before the switchbacks? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnash Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 7 hours ago, Day of the Lords said: I've driven it a few times, but I can't remember that section. Is it just before the switchbacks? Yes, the switchbacks come as a relief after the really steep bit. There's a Strava segment of 700m at 19%, but that might be a slight exaggeration by the GPS. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonsanorak Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 Aye, booked in for 8 to 830 departure.Looking forward to itAny other P&Bers doing the Pedal for Scotland next weekend? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin_Nevis Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Yes, the switchbacks come as a relief after the really steep bit. There's a Strava segment of 700m at 19%, but that might be a slight exaggeration by the GPS.Didn't do it [emoji23]We were staying in Annat, forecast was shite. Set the alarm for 6:45, took one look out the window at torrential rain and wind and went back to bed. f**k that [emoji23]. We passed a few finishers on the way home through Glen Torridon, they looked fucking shattered. Went out today on a local Audax, 105 miles at 15mph and 5800ft ascent. Wrecked after it. Glad I didn't do the Bealach, I'm not as fit as I was a month ago. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnash Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Finished Tour o' the Borders and got in the top 10 I think, but annoyingly the official results include folk who registered for the long course but switched to the short course, so my 'official' result is outside top 10. I was in the front group but just starting the penultimate climb I dropped my chain, which got wedged into the frame and I spent almost 5 min fixing it. Anyway, overall I was delighted as staying with the front group as long as possible was my aim. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnash Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 2 minutes ago, Day of the Lords said: Didn't do it We were staying in Annat, forecast was shite. Set the alarm for 6:45, took one look out the window at torrential rain and wind and went back to bed. f**k that . We passed a few finishers on the way home through Glen Torridon, they looked fucking shattered. Went out today on a local Audax, 105 miles at 15mph and 5800ft ascent. Wrecked after it. Glad I didn't do the Bealach, I'm not as fit as I was a month ago. Good ride - was that solo / mostly solo? I need to do an Audax. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin_Nevis Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Good ride - was that solo / mostly solo? I need to do an Audax.We were a group of three. One last trying for his first ton. Just took turns on the front, or tried to [emoji23] There seem to be quite a few Audaxes around the borders. Nice ride in the TotB btw [emoji106] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.