RSF - The Off Road Cycling Club

The Adventure Starts Here

1970

“I never want to abandon my bike. I see my grandfather, now in his seventies and riding around everywhere. To me that is beautiful. And the bike must always remain a part of my life.” - Stephen Roche, Irish former professional cyclist

 

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I was at last ‘having a go’ at the King of them all — the Lairig Ghru. I had read and heard of so many tales of woe, of monumental efforts usually in unbelievable weather, that the Lairig had become something of a myth to me. It was high time it became reality. The start, from the Aviemore side, was unpretentious enough —a neat green sign pointing down a woodland path stating simply “Footpath to Braemar via Lairig Ghru”.
Whilst respecting the author’s opinions, publication of the above article does not necessarily imply that we agree with all he says. Neither do we want to see the old cyclist v. motorist controversy rear its ugly head in our pages. Rather would we try to foster a spirit of tolerance between all classes of road users, hope less though this may seem at times. But Jack has no need to be alarmed. The genuine 100% cyclist will always remain so, regard less of the speed age which surrounds him.
This is Lakeland as we knew it before the war, rural, quiet and unspoilt. A group of ponies galloped away as we wheeled the tandem down the path. We passed through a little coppice and, from here to a footbridge, the path had been marked out by parallel lines of stones. There is a lovely bay here, at Riggin Bottom , and the views looking across the lake to Mardale Common, or up the valley to Kidsty Pike were breathtaking
I was just leaving when one of the lads said “This is a famous spa, you can get a drink of their special water” ; I thought it’s more than water I want, but here goes, I’ll have a bash. A lady in the grounds told me where to go — I’ve never walked so far in all my life for a drink of water,  I don’t know if it did me any good or not, but I was bow-legged when I got back to the lads !
I also explored most of Faraid Head, except for the tip, which has been closed by the Navy. It is possible to ride across the Balnakiel sands to the peninsula, where there is a road which is partly covered by the sand dunes. The area between here and Cape Wrath can be dangerous as these homicidal neurotics use it for target practice. The rest of the day was spent on the tracks in the Kinlochbervie/Shiegra/Sandwood area.
An ideal touring companion, Arthur once saved four R.S.F. members from starvation in the wilds of Scotland, by producing from his saddle-bag a bag of flour and a packet of raisins, and then baking a batch of scones fit for a king — the memory still lingers after 12 years ! He has toured in Italy, Austria (where he was arrested for crossing the frontier unofficially), France, Norway, Yugoslavia, Canada, Ireland and Great Britain.

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