There’s a lot of preparation involved in an undertaking like this. It’s a pilgrimage, of course, so there are those who say the only preparation that counts is on your knees – saying your prayers.
But I don’t want to neglect other aspects of preparation. The Bach Cello Suites aren’t exactly Grade 2 material, so there’s daily cello practice to be done. That’s a never-ending process. And the admin is mind-boggling. I reckon there are now about 1200 separate emails on the system – at lease 30 per cathedral. Every day someone thinks of a new question, or a new difficulty.
Which means there’s hardly any time for the physical prep, the training you’re supposed to do before any kind of marathon undertaking, so that you don’t just drop dead when you arrive. The new cargo bike is heavy, seriously heavy, and there are some big hills along the way. So it’s hill training I’m focussing on.
Actually that’s not a complete reason. I live in Cumbria, and I would have to ride about 20 miles before I got anywhere even approximately flat, and there just isn’t time for that. I live right at the bottom of a lovely hill called Hartside. The road goes unrelentingly uphill from my house, 600ft above sea level, to the top of the Pennines at 1900ft. That’s a 1300ft climb, of which the first 900ft is properly steep.
The rest of the climb, btw, is relatively gentle, because John MacAdam – inventor of tarmacadam – was commissioned to design a road you could drive your cart up without having to stop and rest your horse on the way. This is the A686, which unfortunately is on everyone’s list of the best motorbike rides in England. But I have to climb 900ft up a country lane before I can join the A686…
So the other day, putting aside admin and cello practice, I decided I really should do some proper training. Filling my saddlebag with flapjack – about 80% sugar – I set off to see how many times I could climb up to the A686 and live to tell the tale.
Well. The proof is at the top of this page. Nearly 12 times. Just over 11,000ft. Three-quarters of the height of Mt. Blanc. Is this a blog post, or a blog boast?
It’s not really anything to boast about, of course; it’s more evidence of stupidity than fitness. But it has encouraged me a little, to think that yes, maybe I can cycle 2000 miles around England’s 42 cathedrals.
So it’s back to the cello practice and the admin.
Wish me luck.
The spring is coiled.
Good luck
Hey Kenneth,
Good to see your next project.
I’ve gone into management since we last saw each other. If you ever need a manager for your admin I’d be available 😉
Lots of Luck to you Mr. Wilson!
(since you asked…)
Although, confidence is plentiful that the hard work of steady preparation will serve your quadriceps and playing far better!
Dear Kenny, I can’t wait to read what happens next!
It’s exhausting just thinking about what you’re doing, Ken! That is one steep climb, never mind nearly 12! But if you can do that, you can do pretty much anything, I reckon. All the best with the next bit of the project!
Hi Kenneth, wonderful to hear you’re planning another escapade. Good luck with the training and I look forward to meeting up again if you come to a certain beautiful cathedral near me.
Karol.