We just saw we raised £1500 for Trees for Life. It's a lot of money. Thank you to all the people who donated. In a few years time you will see some trees growing thanks to your generous donations 😀🌲🌳🌱
I'm writing this sitting next to Freya and Olly on the train, seeing Fife from a different perspective. I'm raging inside. I did wonder if we'd have difficulties getting our bikes on the train, and, sure enough, we did. We stayed in student accommodation last night, and cycled to the train station escorted by Philine this morning, to get the only train we'd been able to book two bikes on this weekend (weeks ago), thereby missing out on a bit of time in Edinburgh. Philine was allowed onto the platform to help us, and when we found the conductor he told us there were already two bikes on the train, so we couldn't get on. I explained our situation, I showed him the printed email from Scotrail customer relations (one of a long trail of emails I'd had to send in organising this one, simple thing). I explained our journey and it's purpose. He sent and spoke to the couple who had put their bikes on the train. It turns out they'd been told by Scotrail just t...
What an epic start to our journey! We had a lovely send off from Judy McInnes outside Farr School, and Isobel outside Inverarnie Stores, Murray and Maria cycled out from Inverness to join us for the first couple of kilometres, Paul accompanied us to the shop and bought the Inverness Courier so we could admire our article (!), and Scott accompanied us to Tomatin, where we sampled the delights of the cafe. The route was basically on good cycle paths and quiet roads. The main danger point was the crossing of the busy A9 between Moy and Tomatin, where we had to wait for ages for a break in the traffic - this would be a very good place for a cycle underpass.. The dreaded climb to Slochd Summit was achieved without much effort because a kindly wind blew down Strathdearn on its south-westerly course and funnelled up the hill to the Slochd. We were expecting a headwind by that point! Then it was basically downhill! It was strange going passe...
We're extremely grateful to Sustrans for all their efforts over the years in creating a national cycle network. We're following route 7 to Perth, and it's mainly on quiet roads and cycle paths. Imagine if cycling were as safe as this throughout the UK - I think a lot of the government's transport spending should channel away from making car travel easier, and into improving active travel networks, and public transport links. And it should be easier to take bikes on public transport. Upgrading roads just results in people being more likely to jump in their cars. The cycle track yesterday following the A9 and railway was mainly excellent. The only thing I would add would be trees. More trees between the A9 and cycle track would add car noise protection, shade from the sun, shelter from the rain, and a great habitat for more wildlife. Imagine a corridor of trees here, and clearings for views. Si...
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