Day 17: Rolling with the Punches (and the Cobblestones)

Ah, the deceptive charm of a route that looks easy on paper. Today’s 45 km jaunt promised friendly downhills and breezy progress—but the Scottish countryside had other plans. On the map, it whispered, “smooth sailing”; in reality, it screamed, “brace yourself!”

Let’s talk terrain. Imagine walnut cake. Now imagine that walnut cake frozen solid and flung across a cobbled road. That’s today’s surface. I spent much of the day going downhill—a term I now understand can mean "gravity-defying slog." Freewheeling? Not a chance. I was pushing hard just to move, never mind coast.

Add to that the joyous challenge of severe cambers. I spent a good chunk of the day using one arm to correct my path, the other to brake, and both to avoid merging with oncoming traffic. Throw in some unexpected acrobatics to avoid tipping out of the chair, and let’s just say I got my upper-body workout in.

Still, silver linings abound. Paul is here, which is fab. He is kind, fun and actually speaks to me. 1 person out of 3 to talk to is a bonus! Plus I’m nestled in a lovely house for the next three nights (hallelujah for consistency!), and tomorrow’s a rest day. Cue the pampering and possibly a biscuit or three. Saturday brings a trip to meet the Carlisle Cougars—where the team will inherit a ball from the Glasgow Warriors. Then it’s back to wheeling, wincing, and winning.

Niggles? Sure—lower back’s having a wee grumble, and my arm might mutiny—but my spirits are high. I may be battered, but I’m not broken. Onward!

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