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2005
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September 2003
Hand Cycling weekend
Isle of Arran
An evening ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick launched
the group of 14 into a twilight cycle along the eastern shores
of Arran, towards the Lamlash Bunkhouse. A weekend cycling the
rocky peaks and shores of Arran was already an intimidating prospect
as the group cranked their way through the evening climb out of
Brodick!
Saturday brought sunshine and stunning views over
the sea, and another gear-challenging climb before a long descent
to Blackwaterfoot for island charm and of course, lunch! A cruisy
afternoon along the stunning western shore of Arran (complete with
dolphins!) brought a 35 mile, satisfied and well-spread bunch of
cyclists and some creaking hand-cranks into the Lochranza campsite,
where the owner had been doing some quick afternoon building alterations
to make the toilet and shower block more accessible!
A hearty meal and liquid calories at the Lochranza
hotel set the group in stead for the final 14 miles back to Brodick
and a ferry home. Thanks to a support vehicle, volunteers and funding
from SportScotland, the wheelchairs, camping kit and luggage were
transported – a big help on the arm muscles, and a welcome
stream of refreshments along the way…luxury cycling!!!
Have a look at these images from last years event
(click images to enlarge).
     
FURTHER INFORMATION
Getting There
Train: Glasgow to Ardrossan
Scotrail Tel: 08457 484950
or
Strathclyde Passenger Transport
Tel: 0141 332 7133
Ferry: Ardrossan to Brodick (Caledonian
MacBrayne)
Tel: Ardrossan (01294) 463470 or Brodick (01770) 302166
Bus: Services on Arran contact Traveline
Tel: 08706 082608
Lochranza Golf (camping)
Lochranza, Isle of Arran, KA27 8HL
Tel: 01770 830273,
Email office@lochgolf.demon.co.uk
www.arran.net/lochranza/index.html
www.arran.net/lochranza/golfcourse/index.html
Bunkhouse, Lamlash
Aldersyde Bunkhouse
Aldersyde Hotel
Lamlash
Isle of Arran
KA27 8LS
Tel: 01770 600959
July 2002 TOP
Sea Kayaking 4* Training
Isle of Skye
This was Interventure and Integrate Paddling’s
first structured coaching weekend, with two paraplegic participants
and a British Canoe Union (BCU) 4* sea kayak proficiency to be
tackled. The BCU assessment structure is able to accommodate for
the nature of an individual's disability, but there is little structured
information about the specifics of adaptive strokes, techniques
and skills, making meaningful and rigorous assessment challenging.
This weekend resulted in more detailed understanding of the differences
involved in paddling for people with no function of the lower body,
and resulted in the two paraplegic participants being amongst those
to receive their 4* sea kayak proficiency award.
IMAGES (click to
enlarge)
     
FURTHER INFOMATION
Skyewalker Independent Hostel
Old School, Portnalong, Isle of Skye, IV47 8SL
Tel: 0800 0277059
Email: skyewalker.hostel@virgin.net
£7 per night.
Skyak Adventures
13 Camuscross, Isle Ornsay, Isle of Skye, IV43 8QS
Tel: 01471 833241
Email: skyak@onetel.net.uk
Equal Adventure Developments
Tel: 07989 573784
Email: suresh@equaladventure.co.uk
July 2002 TOP
Handcycling Tour
Isle of Mull & Ardnamurchan Peninsula
This three-day 90-mile circular tour visited some
of the most spectacular scenery in Britain. The narrow asphalt
ribbons in the stunning scenery of the NW Highlands were a fantastic
hand-cycling location. The tour began in Stronitan, west of Fort
William on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, and followed a circuit including
the north shore of the Isle of Mull and a side-trip to the Ardnamurchan
point, the most westerly point of mainland Britain. The trip was
aimed for individuals with a reasonable level of fitness and not
averse to tackling a few hills on a hand-bike! A support vehicle
provided transport for wheelchairs, camping kit, and endless cups
of tea and calories.
IMAGES (click to
enlarge)
     
FURTHER INFORMATION
Ariundle Centre
Strontian, North Argyll, PH36 4JA
Tel: 01967 402279
Camping, evening meals, breakfasts & coffee shop, bunkhouse
about to be built
Kilchoan House Hotel (camping)
Kilchoan, Tel: 01972 510200
Arle Farm Lodge (hostel)
Arle, Aros, PA72 6JS
Tel: 01680 300343
Email: arlefarmlodge@btinternet.com
Ferries
Regular hourly crossings on all routes (in the summer).
May 2002 TOP
OneTel Hebridean Challenge
Interventure entered an inclusive team into the Hebridean
Challenge (see www.wichallenge.co.uk,
an annual multi-activity adventure race over 5 days from the Isle
of Barra in the south of the Outer Hebridean Island archipelago,
to the Butt of Lewis in the north. The event involves cycling,
running and sea kayaking, and the Interventure members took on
the sea paddling. A fantastic event, but unfortunately due to injury
whilst hauling a kayak up a long sandy beach, the full team didn’t
finish…the rest of the team however, went on to be the fastest
team over land, finishing in 3rd place overall.
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