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YouTube Video: Fast blast at St Kilda 4mins (If you get seasick, don't watch!)YouTube Video: Soloroundscotland in 8 mins
Stats for the Solo Round Scotland Challenge:
Three objectives:
1: To raise funds for OYTS and PDS - done. £11,500 and climbing -donate here
2: To be the first person to circumnavigate Scotland by boat and bike - done
3: To set an official WSSRC time for the circumnavigation - abandoned due to gear failure and setting into port and accepting external assistance.
Total elapsed time: 18 days 2 hrs 5 mins
Time spent in port for repairs and sitting out adverse weather: 9 days 4 hrs 18mins
Sailing time: Kirkcudbright to Blyth via Stromness - 8 days 22hrs 47mins
Cycling time: 21 hrs 01 mins (including 5hr recovery stop)
16th June: £11,500 barrier smashed!
15th June: online donations website closes
25th May: £8500 barrier broken!
19th May: Pegasus is back in action competing in the Scottish Islands Three Peaks Race.
11th May: Pegasus returns to Dunstaffnage Marina having been sailed back to the west by OYTS crews. Help in bringing Pegasus back to west grealy appreciated and a vital part of the overall project plan -- THANKS GUYS
12th May: £7,000 barrier broken! Donations still open, click here
1st May: JOB DONE: Scotland has now been circumnavigated by boat and bike or sail and pedal power! At 14.28 on Monday 1st May Alan cycled into Kirkcudbright so completing the cycling leg of 160 miles. Met by family, supporters and representatives from The Parkinson's Disease Society Alan was welcomed home after a gruelling cycle run. Having left Blyth at 17.15 on Sunday 30th Alan cycled through to 00.30 covering 97 miles with his wife Shona following in a support car. After a cramped night sleeping in the front seat of the car near Gretna Alan set off in pouring rain at 05.30 to complete the cycle leg. Joined by his brother Ian and sister Helen at Annan the trio cycled the remaining 60 miles to Kirkcudbright. The final 10 miles were "agony" battling into strong headwinds and the hills between Auchencairn and Kirkudbright and also dealing with puncture.More news to follow. SUPPORT THE FUNDRAISING BY CLICKING HERE TO MAKE A POSTAL OR ONLINE DONATION
29th April: 16.45 Pegasus arrives at Blyth. Sailing leg complete! Lines taken and Pegasus tied up to pontoons. Alan met by RNYC sectretary Linda Lane-Thornton who has been very helpful with arrangements at Blyth. After a shower and a meal 'refreshments' are taken with the crew from visiting yacht Ruffian on the RNYC club ship.
16.30 Fairway bouy off Blyth harbour rounded - end of trip.
13.00 Pegasus rounded to wind to put in a reef to mainsail. Damaged cars holding sail to mast track finally give up the ghost with two breaking free. Decision taken to drop mainsail and run under genoa alone. A rather slow end to the trip as winds lighten and speed drops to an agonising wallow in the following seas
Wind picks up to a strong F7 with white horses chasing Pegasus south.
Long cold night sail some 50 miles off the coast of east Scotland. Lots of shipping traffic off the Forth estury.
28th April: 021.00 hrs. Aberdeen to starboard and settling in for another starry night
15.00hrs Spinnaker hoisted for the first time in beautiful weather.
13.00hrs - 9.9 knts recorded and 140 miles covered in 24 hours.
10.30 hrs Forced to alter course to avoid oil rigs!
O6.00 hrs -Beautiful sunny start to the day with wind out from the west and still making a fast passage south.
01.10 Pegasus in the approaches to the Pentland Firth. Sighted (at one time) 6 ships' lights moving in all dircetions. Traffic further complicated by a fishing boat doing a good display of 'fishing boat ballet' on our heading. Fishsing boats moves off north with blazing working stern lights.
27th April: Left Lerwick 14.00hrs. Fast passage past Noss Island and onto south. At 20.15 hrs spotted Fair Isle to starboard and had a fast night sail south.
26th April: Final preparations made for departure planned for 27th.
25th April: Donation received from an old school pal who I have not seen for over 30 years and £2 from a guy on the ferry makes the waiting worth while.
Another day on Shetland- no hardship it must be said. Some retail action at the local wollen shops for my long suffering wife Shona and a cycle ride on the island of Bressay fill the day.
Weather forecast from Fiona Campbell looks as if Pegasus will be heading south on Thursday after the southerly gales have abated with a lighter winds coming in from the west.
Access to emails and updates to this website thanks to the team at the Visitshetland information office at Lerwick.
Interview with BBC Radio Shetland.
24th April: Forecasts worsen with southerly winds of 30-50 knots predicted with very rough seas. Pegasus well tided up in the lee of the pier at Lerwick with triple lines on ready to sit out the bad weather.
23rd April: Forecasts not good for a Monday of even Tuesday departure. All eyes on the long range forecasts. Lerwick very busy with Norwegian cruise ship berthed in town.Alan takesa a cycle run down to Scalloway and Hmanavore on west side of island. Stunning views and Shetland shown off to its very best. Alan very impressed with sights and people.
22nd April: Cycling training run on Shetland into strong gales... not recommended. Cycled down to Scalloway and then flew back with wind at my back. Visited the Shetland MCA Coastguard station to thank them for their listening services during the leg of SRS in their waters. BBC radio Scotland live interview with Sports Weekly from Pegasus by mobile phone.
21st April: All quite in Lerwick with many friendly well well wishers visiting Pegasus. Lerwick Boating Club showers and laundry facilities much appreciated.
20th April: 19.30 Pegasus arrives safely at Lerwick and enters the small boats harbour. Lines are made safe and Alan turns in for some R&R. Strong gales forecast for Saturday and Sunday so Pegasus will stop over and let the strong southerlies pass through.
20th April: 12.00 Pegasus rounds Muckle Flugga the most northerly point of Scotland. Near perfect sailing conditions take Alan and Pegasus round this famed piece of water in sunny but brisk winds . For the first time in the trip Pegasus heads south.The sail south from Muckle Flugga done a great speed in the Easterly breeze with Pegasus touching 13knots cracked off and heading to Lerwick. Pegasus has company for 15 mins with a pod of dolphins playing in the bow wave and darting under the boat to surface and leap back under the bow of the boat.
19th April: 0800 - Alan with Pegasus continues with the Round Scotland Sailing Challenge after departing Stromness, Orkney this morning just before 0600.Very light winds gives slow boat speed up the west side of Orkney. Wind fills in later in the afternoon and carries on throughout the night so making up for lost time earlier in the day.
17th April: 1200 - Alan carries out repairs on Pegasus in order to continue with Sailing Challenge. Auto pilot, radar, genoa, mainsail, and boom are all casualties of the Monday gale. Please visit our donations page to support him on his charity sailing challenge.
16th April: 1800 - Problem happened 85 miles from nearest land and after 12 hours of motoring in gail force winds Alan andd Pegasus are tied up in Stromness. Stromness Lifeboat called out by Shetland Coastguard as a precaution. Lifeboat meets Pegasus at the entrance to the Sound of Hoy and 'pilots' Pegasus to the marina. Pegasus battered and bruised by overnight gales and Alan licking his wounds for now.
16th April: 0600 - 40 miles past the Island of Rona and north of Orkney auto pilot self steering gear failed making the rest of the passage impossible. Pegasus suffers damage to sails and rigging in gale force winds.
15th April: St Kilda has disappeared into the distance as have Flannan Isles which showed for 2 hrs through the cloud. Now pressing on northwest with Rona next way point then turning to Shetland. Beautiful sunset but squally clouds astern. Steaming on at 9 knots with gannets and gulls for company. Fantastic Day.
15th April: 0930hrs Alan made Sat Phone call reporting that he has had a great nights sail with 9-10 knots of boat speed (including 2 hours sleep). He is now about to jibe round St Kilda, with "Pink Floyd" playing in the background.
14th April: 1800hrs ship to shore update- 18 miles off Skerryvore. Log run 162 miles. Lively day with very strong winds off Rhinns of Islay lighthouse, throwing up 20ft breaking waves over the tide! Wind died and now a more leisurely cruising pace with clear skies and suntan- sorry sunblock on! Able to dry wet clothes from last night's soaking after spending one hour on a very bumpy foredeck fixing the naviagion light.
Total of 1 hr naps in the last 6 hrs and ready for first proper meal of pie and beans......and another kip. Keep spreading the word and keep the donations coming. Thanks for your support.
13th April: Great send off from Kirkcudbright. Many thanks to all the local helpers and supporters. Wind 25 knots -set sail (blade & 2 reefs). Thanks to film crews and reporters for braving the elements -"All in the line of duty!" Crossed the start line at Balcary Point at 1216 hrs. 1800 hrs first ship to shore report. 3 miles of the Mull of Galloway. Average 5.6 sogs, currently 6.5. 31 miles logged. At 16.00 hrs experienced 44 knots in squal with hail.......calmer now at 25 knots. Two thirds genoa out. Westerly wind. 15 minutes kip and in for a windy night. Great to be started. Spread the word and keep the donations coming.
11th April: START DATE SET FOR THURSDAY 13TH APRIL, WATCH OUT FOR FURTHER NEWS
8th April: SRS crosses the £5000 barrier -thanks to everyone for their support. Spread the word and lets hit the £10,000 target!
8th April: Start date delayed due to westerly gales and very rough seas forecast. Challenge off standby with start unlikely before Thursday 13th April.
6th April: Double radio exposure for SRS Challenge going out live on BBC radio Scotland and Oban FM. Biggest single day's hits to SRS website 4550
6th April: Weather forecasts not looking good for a start before Tuesday 11th due to presence of north atlantic high proceeded by strong northery gales over the weekend
4th April: Pegasus inspected by World Speed Sailing Record Council. Start, course and finish points accepted. SRS Challenge now on full alert for weather window to start record attempt.
3rd April. Perth City Cycles make last tuning of TREK bike and fit racing wheels and tyres.
3rd April: Decision made not to leave week commencing 3rd April due to likely strong northerly gales later in the week
2nd April: 75 mile cycle, possibly the last training weekend
1st April: Re-measure of cycle route confirms 146 miles and 8500ft of ascent. (Not an April Fools joke!)
29th March: SRS goes to one week weather notice with Fiona Campbell for start.
21st March: Funds raised cross £4,000 barrier - £6,000 to go to hit target!
19th March: Pegasus sailed down from Ardrossan to Kirkcudbright via Bangor.
18th March: APP Broadcasting Seamaster Sailing Series agree to supply SRS with onboard camera to record the challenge and video diary for future programme. Footage also to be used for after event fundraising activities.
16th March: Cellhire phone hire company supply SRS with satellite phone to ensure offshore communications can be maintained.
12th March: Non perishable provisons for trip are stored aboard Pegasus.
11th March: Prize draw for luxury break at Gleneagles goes live on website
10th March: Press feature runs on Perth City Cycles and TREK support for SRS
5th March: 50 mile cycle training run from Blairgowrie to Amulree and back, just do that X3 !
4th March: Fit out of additional safety gear, life lines, EPIRB and electrical systems check
1st March: C-Map electronic chart manufacturers support SRS with contribution to e-charts
23rd Feb: First online prize of luxury hotel break for two is won. More prizes coming soon!
17th Feb: First shakedown sail in Clyde to test systems.
13th Feb: SRS breaks £3,000 donations via website
11th Feb: Solo Round Scotland hits front page of yachting world.com
10th Feb: Perth City Cycles up the anti on the road bike fitting aero bars, toe clips and carry out full service. Photo shoot for Perthshire Advertiser.
7th Feb: Pegasus launched at Clyde Marina
7th Feb: SRS features in Yachting Life along with regular OYTS feature
6th Feb: Weather planning meeting in Glasgow with Fiona Campbell
4th Feb: Full cycle route driven and mapped with route changes made to avoid busy A roads and some hills!
1st Feb: First SRS prize draw quiz goes live on home page
13th Jan: Local Perthshire papers run SRS features and promote website
13th Jan: Scuttlebutt, international online race-sailing magazine features SRS
10th Jan; Sue McKichan joins support team to help with PR
9th Jan: More press coverage of SRS with over 2,000 hits to the project website
8th Jan: Press coverage of SRS in Scotland on Sunday
7th Jan: BBC Radio Scotland Out of Doors feature SRS on Out of Doors Boat Show special.
7th Jan: Press coverage of launch of SRS.
In late September Pegasus was taken to the Clyde Marina yard at Ardrossan for the winter and to go through preparation for the challenge in the spring 2006.
