As memories go, the 13th of September 2009 takes us back to “The Pedal for Scotland” bike ride from Glasgow through to Edinburgh.
This was a very special day as nine cyclists’ from the Celtic family took part in a cycle to support the “Bringing Martin home campaign” Martin was also known as “Kano” on the CQN blog.
The background is that Martin originally from Glasgow had moved out to Perth in Western Australia a few years previous. One evening Martin had gone to bed and awoke feeling ill, where it was discovered that Martin had been struck by Devic’s syndrome. Which can be described as 1000’s times worse that MS as it had an immediate impact on Martin’s health.
If we go back in the time machine, on Saturday morning the 20th June 2009, I had been chatting on the CQN blog with another blogger “Moonbeams WD” through conversation we had been kicking about a few ideas, where Danny had suggested why don’t be make a bike ride through to Edinburgh and utilise that to generate both awareness and funds to support the campaign of bringing Martin home from hospital, where funds would be required to convert part of his family home.
With the target do to so being GBP 60,000 there was a need to create a sense of urgency to raise awareness. So, a few moments later in the discussion the plan was hatched that we sign up for the annual pedal for Scotland cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh. Before we knew it, we had nine folks signing up for the cycle which would take place a few weeks later.
My own personal journey on making cycling and charity events essentially started from this point, to give some background I had not spent much time on bikes in the previous 15 years. As a kid growing up, I had been active with bikes, BMX, racers etc. So, this would be a new challenge and the start of the “Mouldy’s crazy cycles and charity projects”
One week later we got the mountain bike out of the garden shed, dusted it down, pumped up the tyres and commenced the training. On Saturday 27th June I headed down the cycle path to Kilbarchan, whilst is a difficult name to pronounce is also a difficult place to get on a big heavy iron horse mountain bike when the rider had done limited cycling in the previous years.
The first cycle was a round trip of 16 miles, on the Sunday I repeated the same journey. So, 32 miles achieved in first two days, brilliant. Well, the truth of the matter is that whilst the cycle path is flat there are a couple of small bumps along the way, these would become difficult for myself and on occasion found myself getting off bike momentarily to push the bike over them as I did not have the muscle strength or technique to find the way using weight of quads, backside, and body to push through.
The highlights from these two days, included developing blisters all over the hands and developing some aches and pains, through the course of the subsequent four days I had started to come across aches and pains in the body where I did not even know I had muscles, getting in and out of cars and out of bed would become fun.
The subsequent weeks on the journey brought about some new challenges, changing punctures on the road, getting multiple punctures on the same ride, not being able to get the wheel of the bike, being stranded and having to call for a lift (happened a few times)
The journey started to become a learning process as different tools would be required for the bike, different types of clothing, including hi viz jackets that don’t keep the water off you, all good fun looking back.
We repeated this process for a few weeks eventually building up the miles. To support the training, I had arranged to take off some half and full days from work allowing that I could get extra training slots in.
On one day, a new milestone was achieved. I recall this day well where I had taken the day off work, planned to cycle as far as I could and then leave some energy in the tank to get home. After I left house, the rain started, and it just never stopped. I think this is where Ange coined the phrase?
Some memories from that day, I met a few cyclists at the entrance to the cycle path at Castle Semple, near Lochwinnoch. During a brief chat the folks had mentioned that they were heading up to Paisley as Lance Armstrong was making a cycle around Paisley town centre. Ok great well “Lance Mouldy” is heading down the path in direction of Kilwinning and hoping to get past current PB of 22 miles.
We eventually got to Glengarnock and thought this is great 16 miles achieved, quick turn around and back home. A new milestone was achieved of 32 miles, whilst I was waterlogged, frozen, little tired, I was elated at the same time. After getting warmed up headed into town to meet my wife, grab some food and head to Hampden to see U2. On a few occasions had found me drifting off to sleep lol.
We repeated similar cycles a couple of times before the big day. Advice given by one of the cyclists was to ensure hydration, so I brought my aqua pack which held 2.25 litres of Lucozade sport along with a few backup bottles in the backpack. I was also guided to ensure a carb loading the evening before, eat plenty of pasta I was informed to do the night before and on the morning prior to departure. All these tips where followed.
On arrival at Glasgow Green, we met up with the rest of the team, Danny Moonbeams, Steven M, Des T, Kenny Mac (Lisbon cyclist), Johhny Mac, Mark, Jimbo and Peter along with some supporters Brendan and Marc. The route contained 4 rest stops for hydration, refuelling along with those horrible portaloo plastic boxes which unfortunately came in handy, lesson learned don’t eat massive amounts of pasta before a cycle.
On reaching Linlithgow castle grounds, I had met up with my mum, dad and wife who had been travelling the route in the car. After a quick catch up it was time to leave, next up the climb out of Linlithgow. I was now in new territory as I was now passing my biggest distance so far of 32 miles.
This as a I recall was the last stop before Edinburgh, I carried on even although at some times out there it was a bit lonely pushing the big iron horse along the road, with the wee man in the head wanting to get you to stop a few times. Before we knew it, we had past Kirkliston and we could see Edinburgh airport, we keep going and as navigate through the large private estate close to the A90 we arrive at the start of the cycling path.
Looking up I can see that several of the cyclists had been standing at the side of the road waiting for the last man and his iron horse. We managed to the cycle the last few miles of the cycle through the cycle paths to the end point which was a large park. On arrival we had been met with Marc (CRC), Brendan (TTTT), Lynne (Greens socks) along with my Mum, Dad, and wife. Time for some team pictures, rolls and a can of Heineken, 53 miles completed and job done!
In reflection looking at the day whilst it was tough, this brought about a personal sense of achievement and new motivations were generated from this. The team of cyclists had raised close to 9.5 K through these efforts and momentum would start to be generated, large bucket collections took place at Celtic Park, some folks joined the Glasgow half marathon, Paul67, JPG and Lisbon cyclist Vinny.
At the race night at Celtic Park, which was compered by our friend Helen, we learned through the proceedings that evening that the campaign had reached 63 K. The goal of bringing Martin home was achieved. Some of Martin’s family where present that evening including his dad Matt. Again, the Celtic Family and the folks from CQN had come together to support someone in need.
We look back at this event as being the anchor point for myself which was the first of a few crazy cycles and charity projects. In subsequent years we would call on the support of team members and cyclists from this event to join and help organize events.
We also look back at this evening and recognise that through subsequent years through illness some of our friends from around that time had sadly passed away and we remember Kano, Wee Gerry, Stephen, and Helen. RIP friends.
Please support my cycle by donating at www.justgiving.com/page/mouldygoestoseville
Charity has always been an integral part of our football club, uniting the Celtic Family around the world in collectively-held values and beliefs. Celtic FC Foundation is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (number SC024648) and we strive to honour the charitable principles and heritage of Celtic Football Club.We aim to respond to the needs of disadvantaged children, young people and adults in our local communities to improve Health, promote Equality, encourage Learning and tackle Poverty.
Images from the Bringing Martin Home Campaign:
