As part of a personal challenge and a greener approach to commuting, one of our team members, Ranald, swapped four wheels for two this April - cycling daily along the scenic Caledonian Canal to our base at Dochgarroch. What started as a one-week trial turned into a month-long journey of fresh air, fitness, and the occasional grumpy headwind. Read on for his honest and entertaining take on active travel, and why it might just be worth considering for your next visit to our Dochgarroch base for your cruise or visit to An Talla …
For 4 weeks in April, I cycled to and from work. To be completely honest, I only meant to do it for a week… but I enjoyed it so much I kept it going.
I am very fortunate to live near the historic Caledonian Canal, so I am able to cycle along the canal towpath for 5 miles to our headquarters at Dochgarroch.
It’s pretty much flat the whole way. There may not be any incline; however, the wind can make or break your day! Some days you hit the jackpot and there’s a northeast wind in the morning helping you on your way to work, and then a southwest wind in the afternoon helping you home.
Sometimes you lose, though, and you’re cycling into the wind on the way to work AND the way back. (There were definitely a few journeys where I was a little bit grumpy.)
It involved eating properly to fuel the body and a lot of early nights. Overall, though, I’ve felt a lot better, both physically and mentally. (And yes, I admit it—maybe I felt a little smug as well, helping the environment AND saving money by using less fuel.)
I thoroughly enjoyed the 4 weeks, so I will continue to cycle to work, but as the season gets busier, I won’t be able to manage it every day.
Distance cycled: 200 miles
Time cycling: 20 hours
Grumpy cycles: 4
Smugness: immeasurable!
Why not join our tours at Dochgarroch by active travel? WalkHighlands is a great resource for walks, both locally and all over Scotland, read more about walking to Dochgarroch along the Caledonian Canal here.
Ranald
