I have joined @ultracyclistsforpalestine to raise some cash for @medicalaidpal as they continue to give front line support to the people of Gaza.
This year I will be participating in the @lostdot101 , a 1200km ride across Spain and Portugal with the aim of completing it within a week. This will be a massive challenge for me and I hope that by opening a donation it can support a worthy cause. The link to donate is in my bio and here:
/page/ailsabeck?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL
~ reflections ~ GBDURO 2024
I think I am slowly growing back to the mountains. I felt the most connected to them, the lifestyle, and feeling comfortable in the uncomfort of the seasons when I was at university a few years ago. It was then I spent most weekends up a hill, in any conditions.
However, the mid-twenties-starting a proper job has made me soft in comparison, really only venturing out in fair weather, unless I was forced to experience the elements. I think in part this relates to more stress placed on adult life. University for me, was a space for growth, expression and connecting with landscapes meaningfully for the first time - as my degree in Environmental Geography allowed for a sense of exploration of the natural world. The GBDURO was a full step back into that, across some unforgiving terrain on a fully loaded gravel bike.
The race allowed me to move across spaces with a purpose, being aware of my plastic consumption, and fully experiencing our storm season. Although I didn’t quite make it to cape wrath, covering some 1350km across England and Wales was enough to fill my cup and reaching my limits. 🍂☀️
~ becoming ~
I have spent years growing up and seeing one type of body in the outdoor industry and now in ultra running. It doesn't take much for those questions to creep into your head that in order to be good at anything you need to look a certain way.
~ flowing ~
I have enjoyed the trip of @thealbacross as it has exposed me to not just 'Instagram worthy' shots but real, unfiltered images of my body, that I am so grateful to have and to use for the sports I have fallen in love with. Cheers to the folk I have been around people who have shown me that you don't need to feel pretty to feel happy.
~ identity ~
I feel empowered by running through nature with a body that carries me in a way that no one can. I feel feminine and masculine and non-binary all in one, and I am so stoked that I can recognise now that I am worthy enough to check in with myself.
Today I set off on a journey across Spain and Portugal, in a race with @lostdot101 . This winter I have been working as a tree planter, which meant not a lot of time on the bike, but given me a renewed sense of being outdoors all day, I hope my little leggies can carry me oo’er the hills.
This ride feels extra important to me as I am raising money for medical aid Palestine with @ultracyclistsforpalestine . They say you always need a reason to keep going when the race is breaking you and when the lack of sleep makes you want to curl up and quit, but I hope to keep positive and ride for those who can’t. I feel privileged to be able only think about the worries of my bike for a week! Chapeau to all the other riders and people I’ve met along the way, I can’t wait to bask in the portugese sun with @yelros16 when I finish.
Special thanks to Sylwia and Liam for getting my bike ready, the community in Glasgow is soooo good :) support yer local. Donation link is in my bio !
@mungosmessengers@mungos.mechanics@dynamo_glasgow@thealbacross
glory of the tree planter: misc, questionable songs from 2011 iPod, getting annoyed at brash, listening to the birdsong, yearning for the Sitka spruce, sore elbows, mud, worn out, banjo?, cool trucks and bodyweight in chocolate. Gained wisdom for long days in the wind
I think about the muted sea.
The low hum of the waves
readying themselves to break.
I think about soaring free
all day long under a lazy sun,
just like the kittiwakes.
I think about you and your eyes
a deep breath of green.
I think about those rugged blue drops
that make our knees wiggle
in a faraway dream
I wish to carry on with the same flochter,
the same kind that we gave on that day.
Among the gorse that bloomed, I grew ever fonder,
of a home where I might just get to stay.
🌿🌻
Hi everyone!! Since this year marks 4 years since we started the Alba Cross, we just wanted to reintroduce ourselves and the project 🌺
The Alba Cross project all began with an idea to traverse Scotland solely by human-powered means. Our journey focused on sustainability, environmentalism and the search for a slower pace of life on the road. At the time we never could’ve imagined the experiences we’d have or the people we’d meet!
Throughout the years, we’ve slowly built our community on here alongside living and working all across the country. Having this creative outlet and growing our passion project has kept us both going throughout many times of uncertainty, so for that we are very grateful 💚
It’s been amazing to continue to develop The Alba Cross through various creative events and outdoor adventures over the past two years with Glasgow as our base. We’re super excited to see how it continues to grow.
We just want to take a moment to thank all of you for following along and being involved, whether that be through participation,facilitation, or sponsorship. We are grateful for the continued support and look forward to sharing some exciting upcoming events in 2026! ✨
another lap roond the sun ! shoognifty special followed by a funny old time at cadderlie bothy :) grateful for friends n community n Scotland
this year shall bring more banjo-ing , writing , and loaming 🌻
Grief oft’n breakin like a wave on thi surface, has a grave tension post disaster. But what if thi disasters around us are continual, fed through thi same tickin feedback habitual? A loop for a growin number of folks in thi wurld, within yir social media consensus.
A pedalling hate toward those who don’t relate throu race or yir ane tongue. What shid they be if not in thir ane rubble? A lang shot for thi rise o violence and thi grumbles. Cud we share these experiences of loss and connection? We ken, that expressions of grief vary though accessing oor memories and knowledge throu oor ane affection. We ken that no one can carry aw this level o disaster alane. We need to mind that this is bodies hame.
