Day 11 - The climbing continues 💪
Day 11 began at the same place as the finish of day 10, as it always does. I was at the tip of the biggest mountain I've ever climbed and looking at more undulating roads. I was tired from the previous day, but not too bad considering. It was already very warm in the morning. The 1st day I had begun with very minimal kit on, and within half an hour, I had my shorts and vest on. I began with a nice downhill, and then straight into an up hill with a camber again! Another relentless up hill, or should I say, up mountain. It was another climb like the previous day, where it went on for over 10km. I was exhausted! I just wanted to stop. My body was screaming all over. Every muscle hurt. But there's no stopping! So I carried on to, what looked like a down hill. Mountains either side, it's was extatic. I began pushing and thinking to myself, any moment now I will freewheel, but it never came. No freewheeling at all. I kept checking my chair, but nothing appeared to be wrong. I thought I must have 2 flat tyres or something? Wheeling felt really tough. I even stopped to ask the car, which is when they told me that they also thaugh it was a downhill. In actual fact it was another up hill. But because it was straight (with a camber, or course!) We were all experiencing a mirrage effect. It was really disorientating. 😩
But shortly after that eventually came a nice downhill. I was elated. I thought, I'd done it! I threw my arms into the air, and even started singing along to my music, badly I might add. Could be a record in that? 1st time madge had been sung whilst wheeling a wheelchair through mountains? 🤣 I was so chuffed anyway!
Then, a mile or so up the road, I began up another hill. Yep it was another relentless climb. Anothe 10+km of relentless hills. Hardly any lay bys either. So I had to keep going no matter what. Cars were building up behind me, and I couldn't stop to let any go. Luckily most are being really supportive. Apparently the challenge had been in the local press, so some people seem to know about it, which helps. They were doing the short jolly toots, which I'd think were positive. We decided that long blasts were probably not so good, and I hadn't gotten of those yet!
I kept climbing again ,I was almost on my knees at this point. The camber was relentless to the left. So more climbing with one arm. My weakest one. I was exhausted beyond all comprehension. I diddnt think I could keep going after what I'd already faced that week. But then, a pull in, and a bit more and I was at the top. Thank goodness! I was sceptical for a while. U wonders if it was another mirrage! But it wasn't. It was real. The relief... well, it's hard to describe. I was then onto a massive downhill. But I diddnt care. They are very hard too, because you have to hold up your whole body weight and stop the chair with your hands, which causes burning through the gloves, to your skin. But I diddnt care!
The day was also the hottest day Scotland has seen this year. Their whole summer, up until now had been rain every day. So they all keep thanking us for brininging the sun with us!
I finished that day, very hot and very tired. We made our way to our place of rest for the next 2 nights, which is a campsite with a large static caravan on it. It's great because we are all together. Often, Neil is staying away from us, which is rubbish. It so lovely yo have us all in the same place. Neil made the most lovely Fajitas for tea, which were so welcome after another hard day. It was reassuring to know that the next day was to be a day off and us going to Glasgow Warriors to hand over a ball and watch the game.
Oh. One bit I keep on negating to explain is something I won't video, but the wee wee task! This basically involves a urinal bottle, with a lady funnel attachment and a towel around me. Means I can stand up and have a wee, with minimal fuss and faffing and get back ont the road ASAP. Poor Pam has been doing this with me. She holds the towel. Bless her. We are now very well acquainted! 🤣
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- End2End-therugbyrelay
- Glencoe
- Scotland
- Endurance
- Wheelchair
- Wheelchair challenge
Lexi Chambers