Anyway, I should probably explain myself, I’m Gaia, I’m 11, I love cycling and raising money for charities that have helped my friends and family.
I have now done two charity cycle rides and I鈥檓 always looking for a new challenge.
I decided on the Caledonia Way as it certainly would be a challenge, I mean, from 182 miles (when I did the Hebridean Way in 2018) to 237 miles, that certainly is a challenge.
I wanted to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland.
My grandad died with Alzheimer鈥檚 so I wanted to support the charity that helped him.
I set up a page on Just Giving and people would leave messages with their sponsorship.
Thinking about those messages kept me going and really helped motivate me when I was finding it hard.
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Seeing Scotland differently
It was a different way of seeing Scotland, from a different angle.
Because we didn鈥檛 scare animals away and you take a longer route, as you鈥檙e not always on the road, you see things you wouldn鈥檛 see in a car.
We rode through lots of different types of scenery along the coast, lakes and forests, it was all really beautiful.
My highs consisted of sweeping into Caradale, 1戮 miles to Lochgilphead, woohoo, and the seals sitting on the rocks at Loch Caolisport.
I really enjoyed it but it was hard work.
Riding in the rain was absolutely horrible.
Getting up was sometimes a struggle, there were a few times when dad had to literally take the tent down around me because I was so tired.
Also, the hills were tough because my bike is a road bike it doesn鈥檛 really have the low gears so sometimes I had to get off and walk when it was too steep, but I don鈥檛 mind that.
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Being on my bike exhilarates me
Being outdoors and on my bike exhilarates me and I always get a good night鈥檚 sleep.
I don鈥檛 think it matters whether you are a child or an adult, sometimes I think I was the one encouraging dad that he could do it.
When I ride my bike I may not have as much experience as my parents but I鈥檓 learning to be safe on road.
I felt very proud when we finished, and it was really exciting to think I had travelled all that way.
Though I had to take a break from my bike for a wee while afterwards because it takes a lot out of you doing a ride of that length.
I definitely want to do another big cycle ride, I鈥檝e done it before and I want to do it again, we just need to find another route for next year.
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