Day Three - Edinburgh to Berwick upon Tweed

There is a core team of riders who will cycle the whole way, several others are cycling most of the way and on most days we have supporters from the groups who are welcoming us in their cities and towns and who come along for a few hours or even the whole day. It's great to have new people along every day and gives our ride a real boost. Today we had 3 Edinburgh supporters join us for the first hour or so and yesterday 4 more joined us into the city.

Hilly from Edinburgh to Berwick for over 60 miles. We cycled through beautiful countryside and tackled an especially mammoth hill over high moorlands - but was it worth it on the way down!





We lunched by a reservoir in the wildest of winds. No matter which way we parked the support van the wind managed to whip round it to frisk away our plates and cutlery. Using the wooden toilet block in the middle of the picnic area was described by one of the riders, Michael like he felt he was in a 'ship cabin in a storm!'.


Berwick Peace and Justice group welcomed us at the town and there we had reviving refreshments in the Peace Church and are being fully fed and accomodated by a very generous member of the group.

Day Two - Glasgow to Edinburgh

Our lucky Scottish tail wind pushed us all the way to Edinburgh today. We made great progress across rolling green countryside and not a spot of rain....yet! But we did suffer a bit of wind-chill having our picnic lunch in a park. We arrived early in Edinburgh and so had a quick riders' meeting. When cycling the riders pass messages along the line about potholes (lots!), turnings and any hazards. There was a short, feisty debate about whether "keep in" or "auto" should be used to mean a car was overtaking. Happily a compromise, we would use both!

A delicious meal was put on by Edinburgh CND and supporters at the Quaker Meeting House. After, we all talked about how bikes give you so much freedom and the contrast between that and the lack of freedom of both Mordechai and the Palestinian people, whom Mordechai identifies with. Mohammad, our Palestinian rider, told us about the cycling club he is setting up to try and bring some freedom to his people.

Day One - Faslane to Glasgow

Our first day completed! And we had balmy, sunny weather on our ride between Faslane and Glasgow. Last night many of us stayed over at the Faslane Peace Camp. The women cyclists slept in an old bus, which was very cold but a novel way to spend our first night.

This morning we joined the Faslane 365 blockade with a short vigil with the Older Lesbian Network. We spent our vigil painting flags for our bikes and launched the ride with a fab send off from the other blockaders and from the peace campers too. Helensburgh CND sent us off on our ride proper with refreshments on the pier.




A lucky tail wind took us all the way to Glasgow. There we had an interesting nuclear talk organised by Glasgow PSC, where we were reminded of the horror of the use of nuclear weapons.


Now we're feeding up at a city pub and looking forward to our beds.

Day minus 6 and counting

Frantic preparations continue to make sure the Ride is a success. Our Palestinian cyclist Mohammad arrived in London and is enjoying the freedom of London. Hope the weather stays good for us on the ride.

Welcome

Welcome to the Blog for the Vanunu Freedom Ride 7th - 21st April 2007