A patch of grass next to the trail at Loch Affric. In three times racing the Highland Trail, this was the first time I was able to rest here. Normally this would be one of the worst sections of the route for midges. This year they were still absent, much to my surprise. Half an hour ago I had dinner, potato salad and a sandwich, enjoying the tranquillity of the evening and the last dry hours. Soon the skies would open again as they did on the first two days of the race. Two hours ago I briefly stopped at the hostel, bought some supplies and pushed on. I had almost entirely eaten my supplies for the night on the push up to the Camban Bothy. The hostel, just a few miles further down the valley, was a welcome resupply stop. While a warm bed was tempting, I decided against sleep and for pushing on.
Last Friday I had the opportunity to speak to employees of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage at Stirling, as part of a cycling to work initiative organised by Stirling Cycle Hub. I am a firm believer in the fact that commuting to work should be most importantly…
Lee Craigie’s ‘Escape’ caught my attention a few days ago, and when I recognised that it’s screening alongside Tom Seipp’s ‘A Mountain Journal‘, which I hadn’t seen on a big screen either, I was pleased when I got an invite from Stevie, the man behind the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival….
Tom Seipp is just 11. He loves riding bikes as much as his dad, and even more with his dad. I met his dad, Rich, on my Highland Trail ride in 2014, where he thankfully ordered dinner before the 9pm cut off at Strathpeffer, where we both enjoyed a great evening…
When Rich Rowe, one of the masterminds behind the Peebles Outdoor Film Festival contacted me shortly after finishing my epic round the world trip, I was excited and surprised in equal parts about the opportunity to headline the Sunday evening to close what looked like an exciting event to me….
