two wheels and a tent
Having done so much hiking over the years and carrying a heavy ruck sac, on top of having had a childhood injury to his right ankle, the joint finally disintegrated. But with the wonders of modern surgery and within the equally wonderful NHS, Peter had the ankle joint fused and took up long distance bike-camping instead. The engagement with nature from two wheels is `richly fulfilling` he tells us, along with all the other benefits and pleasures of strenuous physical activity.
The planned schedule of big bike-camping ventures continues of course. In the past decade or so however, his pedalling and camping challenges have been many and varied. Included in this have been Scotland coast-to-coast by at least six different routes, from the Clyde/Tweed in the south to Ardgay/Ullapool in the north. Scotland end-to-end has featured at least 4 times over the years, plotting a different variation on that theme each time. In 2023 the most demanding was crossing the southern Cairngorms from Blair Athol to Braemar and then finishing up in Aberdeen. The high Corrieyairack Pass has been crossed twice, south to north on each occasion.
A favourite has been testing out whether a track or path, marked on the map actually exists on the ground. This inquisitive approach has taken him and his bike across bogs, through an almost impenetrable tangle of wind-blow, and over boulder fields aplenty. All part of the septuagenarian challenge, apparently.
Bike-camping interview, May 2024
Generally, however, the routes chosen to have included roads major and minor, tracks, trails, paths, beaches, and former railway lines. Sustrans, has of course played a valuable part in all this. Camping locations have covered the full spectrum, from wild moors to commercial sites. In between all this, there`s been a few back gardens, the lee of a church, and under the odd bridge or two. The occasional bothy has come in handy, and on very few occasions, the luxury of staying in a hostel has appealed.
During Covid and lockdown, Peter was undeterred, as he did a virtual 26-day Scotland end-to-end, sitting on an exercise bike on the patio in his back garden. This venture can be followed on YouTube here:
Logistics are crucial to the success of each venture, with planning, communication, food drops, and even calling in a few favours from generous hearted folk along the way.
Charity fundraising usually comes into the picture for each venture; charities or causes close to Peter`s heart. Though no grand total raised exists, it seems likely that it would exceed £50k in the last decade. This is no small achievement, and is testament to the inspiration that he generates, and the generosity that somehow follows. Peter feels that people are at the heart of all this and are with him all the way – as their generous donations show.
Upper Glen Tilt near Falls of Tarff, 2019
The end of the Eight River Valleys of Dumfries and Galloway,July 2023