Category: Garry’s Blog

Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 is cycle touring in the UK on Wednesday, 27th-September-2023. Bognor Regis to Brockenhurst. 62 miles. Where did the summer go? I can’t believe we are near the end of September, and the campsites are starting to close. It feels as though they’ve only just opened.

Hollands Wood, where I’m camped tonight, closes on Friday, and another of my favourite campsites at Adgestone on the Isle of Wight also closes this coming weekend. So, I thought I’d best get around to them before they close for another year.

I had hoped to come away a few weeks ago, but with hospital appointments and various other commitments, I just didn’t have the time. And I’ve only got until Sunday this week, because surprise, surprise, I’ve got the hospital on Monday.

I went to see the musculoskeletal specialist last week about my Myelopathy, who now thinks I might have a problem with my lower back as well. My leg keeps giving way, which it has done for years. But it was always very few and far between. Now, it gives way all the time. I’m sure people must think I’m drunk.

I had a bit of a disaster when I went to cook supper tonight. My cooker packed up. It was playing up a bit when I was in the Netherlands, and I had it on my list to get a new one, but I never got around to it. I thought it might have seen out this season first, but obviously not. Still, I can’t complain. It’s at least 15 years old and has been on every trip with me apart from my world tour. I took my multi-fuel burner with me on that trip.

I had a bit of a shock earlier when I was in my tent sorting out my panniers. I turned around to find one of the ponies inside my tent! Well, his head, anyway; he was having a good old rummage through my stuff. I had a job to get him out.

I might head to Swanage tomorrow for one night before going to the Isle of Wight. A lot depends on this storm “Agnes”. I think it could be rather windy tomorrow, and it would be blowing against me if I went to Swanage. It’s rather windy now.

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This week’s on this day post comes from the 22nd-September-2013. And I’m in France on my way to Greece, dithering on which route to take. (Some things never change!)

Sunday, 22nd-September-2013, Gerardmer, France to Freiburg in Germany. 75 miles.

The day started with a seven-mile climb up the 1135m Col de la Schlucht, which took me a good two hours. On the way up, I was passed by several Lycra-clad idiots who didn’t acknowledge me at all. Not that it bothers me. I know I can cycle just as far as them on a bike that weighs a lot more than theirs. And I’m enjoying myself. I even got passed by a couple on skis. The skis did have wheels so they could go on the road. They must have been in training for cross-country skiing, ready for when the snow arrives.

It took me two hours to reach the top of Col de la Schlucht but only twenty minutes to ride the ten miles down the other side. Once at the bottom, which must have been around Munster, it was flat all the way to Colmar. While in Colmar, I had a little look around, trying to see if there was anywhere I recognised. I stayed here in 2010 on my Swiss bike ride. Some bits were familiar. The pretty wooden-clad buildings and a church that had green tiles on the roof, but that was about it. Mind you. I didn’t spend too long looking, as remarkably, I found myself on the right road out of town.

Decisions Decisions

I had a fairly short ride from Colmar to the Rhine and the border with Germany. Once at the Rhine, I was in two minds as to whether to cycle down the Rhine to Lake Constance or take the more direct route, my original route. Going down the Rhine would be more pleasant, and it would be a flat ride on cycle paths, but it would be a long way around.

I started to follow the Rhine, but after about ten miles, I changed my mind. I then tried to return to my original route by cutting across country using cycle paths, which proved to be an absolute nightmare. But eventually, I found my way back to my original route. Although I’m still not convinced it’s the best way, we’ll see tomorrow!

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This week’s on this day post comes from the 15th-September-2012. And again, I’m in Kazakhastan camping wild, but tonight I have some company.

Saturday, 15th-September-2012, Khromtau to near some village! 114 miles.

It’s been a dull, boring day. There’s been nothing but long, straight roads. And the only highlight of my day was turning the map over. Although, that was a little disappointing when all I could see on the map were more straight roads.

I’ve had trouble finding places to eat today. And then, when I did find somewhere, they only sold fried eggs and spam. I’ve had three lots today.

A Much Better Evening

The evening was a bit more eventful. I’d pitched my tent and settled down to a bowl of pasta when a dog appeared and started barking at me. Not in an aggressive manner, more of a letting me know he was there. Then, a young lad appeared on a bike. Great, I thought. All I need is to be spotted!

The young lad came over and shook my hand, as they all do and started to chat. Not that I understood him, as I’m sure he didn’t understand me. Although I think he may have understood more than I did. The lad sat down just outside my tent with his dog, and we had the normal conversation that neither of us understood. I think he asked what countries I’d travelled through, and we also talked about the Olympics and the medals that Kazakhstan had won. We also chatted about football, and he told me he was looking after some cows, which is why he was there.

Sitting there talking, I shared some biscuits with him and his dog Rex. He must have stayed for nearly two hours. And just before he left to go home, he tied a little red ribbon to my bike for good luck. (which is still on there eleven years later)

What an enjoyable evening that more than made up for the day’s dull ride. Although I was a little worried that he might return with others, I contemplated moving. But in the end, I’ve stayed put.

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September is Sepsis Awareness Month, and September 13th 2023, is World Sepsis Day, as it is every year. And as a sepsis survivor myself, I want to promote it as much as possible. So, people recognise the signs, and we can save as many lives as possible.

In 2018, I was lucky enough that the wonderful doctors and nurses in St Richards Hospital, Chichester, recognised the signs of sepsis and saved my life. I was in a coma and in intensive care for a month. And it was touch and go for a while. But I’m here now to tell the tale. It takes 5 minutes to learn the signs of sepsis, which are;

Slurred speech or confusion

Extreme shivering or muscle pain, fever

Passing no urine all-day

Severe breathlessness

It feels like you’re going to die

Skin mottled or discolored

Learn The Signs

Please learn the signs. It’s really important as it could save a life. 1 in 5 people don’t know the signs. Don’t be that person. That’s why I’m promoting Sepsis Awareness Month to encourage as many people as possible to get Sepsis Savvy this September. I was lucky; let’s promote World Sepsis Day, learn the symptoms, and spread the word as much as possible so others can be as lucky as I was.

Subscribe to my blog and follow me as I travel around on my bike. And see how life after sepsis can still be good. 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, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.