Time is ripe


I have been longing for a long haul cycling trip for years, and it never worked out. Spring would colour the Burgh and bring some hope, but it was always a false start. Autumn would follow soon and I never managed to join the migratory birds in their fly to warm places. It was just not time. To be fair up to 3 years ago I couldn't even conceive the existence of such adventures, and then I started to hear the endeavours of some crazy nomads, and there was an instant inner call, something that I had to do, to write down in the "done" list.


The "done" list is quite varied and well stocked already: South America by bus, Trans Siberian by train, walked 930 km of the St. James walk, the Annapurna Circuit, run the Swiss Alpine and Mont Blanc Marathons, but cycling no, nothing there yet. It had to be done.


The passion for the bicycle started recently out of chance. As a mountain girl, cycling in a city just didn't feel right, too stressful, too many cars. But then a leaving friend left me his bike, a beautifully rotten Revolution Courier whose date of birth is as well concealed as that of a woman. Zorrita, or the wee bitch as I later named her for leaving me stranded at every odd day, was left to rest in my bedroom over the winter. Our first approach was of mutual distrust and curiosity, we started to go for short rides, and with time I started to build up confidence, and understand that my only limit was my own imagination. Zorrita got upgraded to a second hand Kona Dew Drop, and with her the Scotland exploration got started. Day rides of 100km, then 140km and finally 170km were the norm, West Coast, Highlands, Jon O' Groat, everything was possible, even a world cycle?


The temptation of the challenge kept teasing me but it was just a dream. I didn't have any planning skill, mechanical expertise, equipment, no connection, no self-confidence, any clue on where to get started, just this strong practical common sense whispering words of patience and perseverance. One day, this will be within reach.


Then 2 years ago, again, there was this humming voice in my brain, but that was a running year, I was in full shape and couldn't stop running. Cycling was just a form of cross training, exploration and a way to have fun with friends while saving money and knees.


Finally, all the problems holding me back were overcome:

• Money - most of my friends suggested to raise money for a charity, or get a sponsor. It must be cultural, but I've never understood charity fundraising, I mean, if someone wants to donate to a charity I can't see why I should be put in the middle. And, the idea of someone paying for my holidays has always sounded so remote and bizarre that I've never even tried or believed it could happen. So, how did I get money to cycle for months? Working and trying to save as much as possible. It's not a sustainable way to keep on travelling, but at least it's a way to get started.
  
  
• Basics of bike mechanic - On my first cycling adventure (10 miles...) I had to walk the bike for 5 miles due to a puncture, and not having any tools, nor any idea how to fix it. At that stage I realised freedom came only with some understanding of bike mechanics, and some good luck too. With time I run into all the possible mechanical failures - punctures, breaks, gears, crank, bottom bracket, spokes, rim, pedals, you name it. Then last year I was lucky enough to spend a few months volunteering in the Bike Station, a charity that was recycling and rebuilding bikes. On Saturdays they run the "Fix your bike" session and I was accepted to hang around helping people, or to be more precise, to hang around trying not to make too much damage. I was so pleased with the experience! Getting some practice, meeting great characters and building up some confidence with tools and parts. I learnt that I'm quite good at maintaining bikes, but I suck at fixing them. I know by now that I'll never be a bike mechanic. I just lack the curiosity that I see in my friends in experimenting with parts but still, I learnt the basics. The other way is, make sure your partner is an experienced bike mechanic! 
   
  
• Travelling buddy - my early bird and masochistic habits made it quite hard to find a perfectly compatible travelling buddy so that I got used to travel alone. That's the way I like it, and the only way I know how to do it. I don't mind to spend a few days with random people when paths accidentally cross, but that's it, no long term commitment, a few good unforgettable laughs, and then keep going. This time is different though. The impossible happened. A few months ago Paul came up with the idea, he sent me this link:
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqCYE-Smqf4
  

and the only answer I could give was 

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! 

The day after we booked the fly to Calgary. That was it, no way back now. I couldn't have been more lucky to find him, and I can't think of anyone else I'd cycle with. Sometimes things just happen.