With 2025 behind us, I thought what better way to start the year than lay out the plan for what lies ahead.
January and indeed the last few weeks of December held a load of cycling training, between the spin, road, track and gravel bike, I’ve been cranking out the miles. To get a lay of the land of my current cycling fitness as I bring myself out of my endurance cycling retirement. The challenge that lies ahead is the Swedish Midnight Sun randonnée, a 1,200Km ride from Umea, Sweden, up into Norway and the Arctic Circle. To be completed in just 91 hours. Chris floated this ride with me while we were in the midst of completing the ‘Super Randonneur’ series 2 years back. I was tempted but ultimately felt it was too far for me to enjoy at the time, and I had some laurels to rest on. It was, however, mentioned to me again towards the end of December 2025 during a magic bike ride, and it’s been niggling away at the back of my mind since, with an occasional Google of the route or flights every other evening. As each day passed, I knew that not taking the opportunity to do it while I had good company doing it would be something I would regret. So I’m happy to announce I’m on the starting list! Twice the distance of my previous longest randonnée ride. It’s been a couple of years since that 600km ride, and thankfully, I’ve not fallen too far back. With my last 6 weeks of training, I’m not a million miles away from where I was at my peak. Sure, my neck and arse need a little more work put into them, but the legs and the mind still have it. I’ll also have the benefit of not just Chris by my side as I did those years ago, but a group of 4 pals to keep the motivation and psych high and to keep an eye on each other as well as catching a draft! It truly feels like a challenge, but one I know I can complete if I set my sights on it, and I’m so excited to share the journey up to this ride with you.
Alongside the training for the Midnight sun, I’m still entirely committed to continuing to shine a light on Scotland and how well a bit of active travel and whisky can be combined to create some fantastic days out on a modest budget. I have plans to return to both Speyside and Islay to visit all the places I missed. Campbelltown is unknown ground for me, and I have every intention to change that; if I had to detour to Arran, I wouldn’t be too upset either. Though I suspect these will be reserved for the longer days of summer, and indeed joined by the other half who has made it known that these kinds of adventures are best shared in person. Not shared in the form of photos and miniatures once I’m home, so a little more planning is required to align schedules. First up, however, is a solo trip northwards to visit the Clynelish distillery. In news of its imminent closure as a visitor site, I’ve decided it simply has to be top of my list while it’s still an option. Weather dependant I’ll be clocking out of work at the end of this week and Cycling due north until I get there… only stopping to eat, sleep and potentially popping into one or two other distilleries en route if timings align.
I’m super excited to get stuck into the year and can’t wait to share my findings and adventures with you!
Gregor