(punctured)
Napoleon said (reputedly), ” With a new Army, it is possible to take a formidable position, but not, to carry out a complicated manouver”
I’d like to say a big “thank-you” to all the hugely generous donors who supported my son Ben, on yesterdays fund raising event.
He and his two compadres set off early yesterday to cycle the entirety of the West Highland Way – in two days – raising funds for his Japan trip. An ambitious goal, I’d have thought, even for experienced cyclists.
I am not (in this context) an experienced cyclist, but I’d like to consider that I am an A-list planner.
Ben (and friends) are also not experienced cyclists (in this context), but they do have the invinciblity, resilience and fitness of youth. They are not A-list planners, but then what 17 year old is?
Some people (who are not parents) might have thought that some assistance with planning and preparation, might have been welcomed…fellow parents will know that Mums and Dads have no useful information to impart to seventeen year olds.
“What need of council? We pedal hard and just keep going uphill” – hmmmm?
Still one does not wish to discourage, and some lessons can only be learned, not taught. Besides – “all things are impossible which pass unattempted” (one of my favourite quotes, bonus for the book).
Trains were off and buses (to Glasgow) do not accept bicycles, so Ben has to come in with Dad (at the last moment). This means wheels off the bike and re-jig the small car, all in a rush as I’m leaving for work. This results in a few missed items. Sleeping bag, food….
The first text arrives after the two hour effort to repair the third puncture, and I am required to remotely diagnose a wheel alignment issue. The fourth puncture and the broken valve however are an unrecoverable set back. By wild chance I am not in Kilmarnock sipping wine, but in Maryhill visiting grandma, so 2 hours closer than expected.
I cannot however recover 3 bikes and 3 strapping teenagers in tiny car, however it seems that a fellow parent is enroute with a larger car and bike rack. This is in fact true, but the bike rack (which they have never actually seen used) is in pieces in their boot.
Fortunately, my entire life has been as training for this very moment, all those years with lego and mechano and holding spanners for the motorcylists, and carrying always carrying spare bungies. I do not claim it was built perfectly, but it did work, and was secure enough to bring two bikes back , though we did follow it home just in case.
Were the intrepid three disheartened? Not a bit of it (nor should they be) . “We were a bit underprepared” admitted Ben…
It’s a Dad’s life.
Next week, god alone knows….
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 