Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 YouTube videos “Another Cycle Tour of Southern England” was posted on his YouTube channel today, the 9th of November 2018. It was filmed on Garry’s ride around Hampshire and Wiltshire. Once again, Garry’s got a couple of days to spare. This time, he’s off to Salisbury and the Isle of Wight. After camping in Salisbury (Watch out for the Novichok!) Garry heads back to Hampshire and on to the Isle of Wight.
You can watch the videos below or on Garry’s YouTube channel. But honestly, it won’t be any more enjoyable wherever you watch the videos! You can also subscribe to his channel. You’ll then be amongst the first to know when Garry releases a new video.
Subscribe to my blog and follow me as I travel around on my bike. Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. And, of course, you can always follow me on social media: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. I’m also on Flickr, where you’ll find pictures from all my tours, along with a monthly photo update that I publish each month.
If you want to find out if Garry’s away touring at the moment and check his location, visit the Where’s Garry page.
It’s been another good news month. I’m back on the bike! My voice is back to normal (maybe that’s not such good news!), and I’m walking with just one crutch!
Every day, I do my exercises, and no matter what the weather is like I spend as much time as possible either walking or cycling in a bid to regain my fitness and stamina! It might only be short distances at a time but built up over the day, it all adds up.
All the pictures this month have been taken while I’ve been out walking or cycling.
getting back on the bike
Ever since I came out of the hospital, I’ve had it in my head that I’m going to go away on one last camping trip before the season finishes.
Garry started cycling in the garden to start with
My first goal was to get to the New Forest before the end of September before the campsite at Brockenhurst closed, no way was that going to happen; I wasn’t even cycling then, but it was still something for me to aim for!
My next target was to get to Grange Farm on the Isle of Wight before they closed at the end of this month. This was probably a more realistic target, as I was now back on the bike, although the furthest I’d cycled in one day was 32 miles!
Garry in Bosham Quay
Determination
But determined as ever, on the last weekend of the month, I started to load the touring bike up, ready to leave on Monday morning. Everything still takes a long time to do, and it took me nearly all of the weekend to complete, but I got there in the end!
The good ship Alice moored up in Bosham for the winter. Garry went out on it a couple of years ago.
Once loaded, I thought I’d go out for a little ride to see how things felt. But I couldn’t get on the thing! It was too wide and high with all the panniers on; I just couldn’t lift my leg high enough! The only way I could get on it was by standing on something tall, like an old crate or chair!
St Mary’s Church, Felpham
This wasn’t a very good start, but I seemed to remember I’d had this problem before I went into the hospital, so I thought it would be okay!
he’s off
Monday morning came (Incidentally, it was seven years to the day since I’d left on my big adventure of cycling around the world!). The sun was shining, and I had a nice tailwind wind to help me along. After my initial problem of getting on the bike, which I achieved by leaning the bike up against my van holding the brakes on, putting the peddle in its highest position then getting on!
Once on, I went for a quick ride around the block to see how things felt. Everything felt fine, so off I went!
After nearly 4 hours, I made it to Portsmouth, feeling pretty exhausted!
One of the new Isle of Wight ferries
There was no way that I was going to be able to cycle across the island. Apart from the distance involved, it would be hilly, and hills are a real big problem for me!
more problems!
The other big problem I have, which I forgot to mention earlier, is, that I can’t kneel yet. The muscles in the back of my legs are too tight! Now that would be a problem in a tent! Although if I did feel that I wouldn’t be able to manage in my tent. Grange Farm have these camping pod things which I could always stay in!
The River Arun at Arundel
In the end, after weighing everything up, I decided to break the trip in two! I’d get the train home today, then tomorrow get the train back to Portsmouth and then cycle across the island!
Unfortunately, after only nine miles, the train I was on got cancelled, and I was forced to cycle home!
Let’s Try Again
The following morning, there was no rush to get going. I wasn’t allowed on the train until after 9.30. So I took a leisurely ride across the fields to Barnham, where I would catch the train!
Squirrel gathering nuts for the winter
By the time I’d got to Barnham I was done in, completely exhausted! Maybe I won’t be going to the Isle of Wight after all!
I’d only cycled 2 miles, but my legs felt more like they’d cycled a 100!
There was no way I was going to be able to cycle across the island, I was too worn out!
Portsmouth Harbour, one of Garry’s favourite places, watching the hustle and bustle of a busy port.
Reluctantly, I turned around and headed back home. Maybe I’m not as fit as I thought! But I was still proud of the fact that I’d managed to get as far as Portsmouth the previous day; after all, It was only 10 weeks ago that I was in intensive care! And I’ve not even been back on the bike for a month!
videos
I’ve also been busy putting together the videos from my cycle ride to Salisbury last May. Which can now be seen on my YouTube channel or watched below.
I’m currently working on the videos that were filmed the week before I was taken into hospital. They’re certainly an eye-opener!
The first episode will be out this weekend, with consequent episodes released as and when I do them.
Firstly the most important news of the month, at least as far as I’m concerned!
When I left the hospital, I was told by the physios that I wouldn’t be able to ride my bike until I had my hip replaced properly next year! They were wrong!
Toby keeping Garry company
After an appointment with my consultant. The one who operated on me and the one who would probably be the most pissed off if I damaged my temporary hip said that I was okay to ride my bike!
It’s just down to me whether I feel strong enough to cycle. In fact, she lifted all restrictions on what I can and can’t do. Saying you’ll know whether you can or not! But you’ve still got months of recovery before you’re fully recovered from the sepsis and completely back to normal! Was I ever normal!?!
Garry’s new form of transport
My blood markers are all nearly back to normal. So she also took me off the antibiotics that I had to have injected every day!
Things are slowly improving on the health front. Albeit very slowly, or that’s what it seems to me! It’s only when I look back over a week as opposed to each day I can see progress!
As I’m constantly being told, “Be patient. It’ll take time!”
Garry’s first pint since leaving hospital
I’m still on crutches and can’t walk too far; my voice is still croaky. My taste buds have gone. Everything has a tang to it, even beer! My shoulder is still frozen. And I still get very tired and have to take to my bed for a nap each day! Some days I overdo things and pay for it the next day. But you know what they say: “No gain without pain!”
back on the bike!
Ever since I got told that I was allowed to ride my bike. I’ve been trying to get on it every day, but I physically can’t. I don’t have the strength or flexibility in my legs!
Garry on his bike
However, now, at the end of the month. I’ve managed to get on it a couple of times with a real struggle! But not had the confidence to try and cycle yet! I’m now thinking of getting a ladies’ bike or a 3 wheeler!
Subscribe to my blog and follow me as I travel around on my bike. Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. And, of course, you can always follow me on social media: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. I’m also on Flickr, where you’ll find pictures from all my tours, along with a monthly photo update that I publish each month.
If you want to find out if I’m away touring at the moment and check my location, visit the Where’s Garry web page.
Subscribe to my channel
