200 Mile Day

Update - April 2015

With the adjustments and lack of riding brought on by my Carpal Tunnel symptoms and surgery this challenge is very firmly on the back burner. But like an itch you just have to scratch I know I will come back to it. Maybe I'll ride it on a trike! In the meantime I'll leave it up as inspiration to me, and maybe someone else looking at the site.

Update - 12th August 2014

For a variety of reasons that I'm not going into (just yet) this challenge is on hold again for at least another year. Although I feel better about being able to do it, my own uncertainties and general personality won't let me do it unless I feel even better about making an attempt. And until I do it is better to have it as a dream yet unfulfilled. It is still nagging at me to do it, so I will, but I'm not quite sure when yet.

Update - 1st July 2013

For this year at least this challenge is on hold. I attempted it on the 29th June and for one reason and another didn't even come close to completing. With the commitments elsewhere and the longest day gone I am going to refocus on doing it next year. I'm a little disappointed but not entirely surprised. Here's to more training!

Welcome to Al's 2013 current challenge. This time it's all about me. So no chasing anyone for charitable donations, no feeling responsible for anyone if I don't do it. Except I will feel really badly if I don't. And that's why I'm writing it up and posting it. Making it public. I feel there's less chance of me slinking away into a corner and going 'Nah, I just won't bother....'. So here it is.

About

I think the title pretty much gives it away this time. I want to ride 200 miles in one day. And, being me, not just any 200 miles. 200 miles with a couple of big hills in it. And I want to do it on my own and unsupported this time. If I meet another cyclist going the same way I'll be happy to share some company but the idea is to set out from the start not expecting anyone else to help along the way. Other than purveyors of water and sustenance of course but I will be carrying money to pay them for it.

And this year I'm going to pick a date to suit. I want to do it in the middle of June again but I'm happy to watch the weather forecast for a few days, pick one and then go for it. Hopefully no struggling against the wind for the whole ride this year. I have a cunning plan to make that so, but it probably won't work out quite the way I want.

Route

The route is relatively straightforward as a set of instructions. Maybe less easy to execute.

• Depart from St. Andrews (home),
• Ride to Perth via the north of Fife,
• Cycle to Blairgowrie, 
• Onto Braemar via Glenshee,
• Enjoy Deeside and go to Ballater,
• Over Cairn o' Mount to Edzell,
• A wee ride down to Alyth,
• And home via Dundee and the Tay Bridge.

Sounds alright doesn't it? I'll leave you to look at the map to decide whether it really is.

Map

The exact route is subject to change as long as it doesn't drop below 200 miles, but this linked view should show the latest incarnation.