12 September 2011

Just do it, it’s brilliant!

A common belief in the WildFox Office is that if you haven’t done an event in real time then you aren’t really able to understand what the participants go through ... so with this in mind WildFox Fiona set out last weekend to conquer Maggie’s Monster Bike and Hike. The goal was to complete the 72 mile route and still be in the pub for last orders. So, how did she fare?

It was a rather wet start as we set off from Neptune’s Staircase for the 31.5 mile cycle section. My friend and occasional WildFox chief marshall, Mike McCloy, agreed to join me for the challenge and we had roped two others in to act as support team. Our first, and most impressive obstacle was a large stag standing his ground on the road around mile 9. That sight alone made the 6am start more than worthwhile.  Two hours in and we thought it was going really well and had already voiced how we’d be ahead of schedule, that was until puncture number 1 occurred!  By puncture number 2 we realised this event would throw up a series of challenges and we’d just have to roll with them. We made it to Fort Augustus (the end of the cycle) where our support team were waiting, we were a little bit wet but not disheartened. Keen to start the next part of the route we headed off at a quick pace, joined by support team member Katie Macleod, and made our way to Invermoriston for a spot of lunch. When we weren’t admiring the views, Katie kept us amused in the next section by giving us a series of lateral thinking puzzles, a good distraction from the walking! 

We reached Drumnadrochit (mile 24 of the walk) in time for dinner, and our support team had timed it perfectly as the second we entered the pub the food arrived at our table!  I’d been warned that the climb out of Drumnadrochit was a real killer so was not looking forward to the next part of the walk. It was time for Steve Kirkwood to join us for the last 18 miles of the route.  Having been on the go for over 12 hours, it was nice to have someone new to talk to as we walked into the evening and the approaching darkness. We trudged along for a few hours, and while walking through a heavily wooded section managed to scare ourselves silly with talk of ghosts as nearby dogs howled angrily. It’s a bit surreal walking at night along a remote path but nice all the same. My highlight of the evening was the amazing starry sky. As the end approached I began to feel pretty tired but the team jollied each other along sining the odd tune, Bohemian Rhapsody seemed to work particularly well. 

Mile 72 finally appeared and we managed to sum up enough energy to do a conga line for the final few yards, crossing it at 00.35.  Katie was waiting with sparklers to celebrate and there were hugs all round. By the time we drove to our accommodation it was almost 1am so which meant we’d missed last orders, thankfully we’d come prepared with a bottle of wine and some beers so still managed a celebration. I finally fell into bed around 3am, proud of what I’d done and slightly worried about how my body would feel the next day (the answer incase anyone is wondering is, sore and hobbling like a 90 year old). 

My advice to anyone thinking of doing the event would be (1) change your socks at least twice on the walk section as there’s nothing worse than blisters (2) choose your team wisely, as they’ll be the ones encouraging you and helping distract you from the pain and finally (3) just do it, it’s brilliant!

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