beyondaverageadventure-blog
BEYOND AVERAGE ADVENTURE
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us"
9 posts
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Last Seen Blogs
Text
Beyond Average Adventure?
BEYOND [preposition]
Meaning: Outside the physical limits or range of.
AVERAGE [adjective]
Meaning: Of the usual or ordinary amount, standard, level, or rate.
ADVENTURE [noun]
Meaning 1: An unusual and exciting or daring experience; Meaning 2: A reckless or potentially hazardous action or enterprise.
0 notes
Text
About me
My name is Neil Walmsley. I'm just an average guy seeking adventures that will increase my sense of belonging and purpose. Whilst predominantly I regard myself as a cyclist and a mountaineer, I enjoy all kinds of activities from local Parkruns on saturday mornings to scuba diving wrecks in various locations around the UK. It wasn't until my mum found out she had ovarian cancer and later lost her battle, that I realised the value of time. I can't waste this gift my mum gave to me. I want to be able to look back and say that I used my time wisely. Of course, it's much easier said than done with an intense full time job and family and friends to consider, but I do what I can to take advantage of the spare time I have. I'm very grateful to my wife who lets me "play out" when I want to and supports me with my adventures. She understands how important this time is to me and I owe her for her selflessness.
When I was younger I was always outside seeking adventure, exploring, riding my bike, building dens or hoping I'd find an old treasure map leading to caves, booby traps and One-Eyed Willy's rich stuff. I think it's when I went to university, that I lost my way. Only recently, during my Mum's illness, did I start to appreciate the great outdoors again. I found that cycling on remote, quiet roads or disappearing amongst the mountains for the day, helped me cope with my own anxieties. It was my way to escape and heal and later mourn. It also helped me find myself and made me appreciate what I have.
I love planning, it's where the adventure starts. I like getting maps out and researching routes, using what I can find on the internet to assist me in my decisions, and sometimes going against my best judgement because I just want to explore. Sometimes I will look for interesting features on google earth that I can't explain so I can go and have a nosey. I prefer going alone. I enjoy the solitude. I use the time to clear my head. However I also enjoy being with like-minded people seeking adventure, looking to challenge themselves or who simply fancy some banter.
Taking inspiration from others and using my own imagination, I am constantly dreaming up challenges to push myself up to, and beyond my limits. I never actually know whether I will complete a challenge that I've set myself, but thats the idea! I never actually believed I could cycle 310 miles from Newcastle to London in 24 hours when I signed up to the event back in 2015. I'd only had a road bike for 4 months and hadn't even completed a century ride. It was an emotional and physical rollercoaster. I trained hard. I still struggled. I saw it through in just over 19 hours. A proud moment which spurred me to go harder and further. The following year I planned my own challenge. A solo effort from Flamborough Lighthouse to Blackpool Tower and back again. A total of 332 miles. I set myself a goal of completeing in under 24 hours. I made it with 18 minutes to spare. I was that tired I was hallucinating during the night. There is something quite eerie about cycling along country roads alone at 3am in the morning! It goes to show that you can achieve great things if you really want it, but without having a go, you will never know.
I could go on but I'll stop there. The purpose of this blog/website or whatever it is, is to provide an account of my challenge to summit a 7000m peak within the next 5 years and what steps I will decide to take to get there. Having only previously climbed mountains in the UK, I am really excited to start the journey in 2019. I'll also cover other things on here that I have done previously or am currently involved in, so feel free to explore and give me a follow on instagram if you like! (Links at bottom of page).
0 notes
Text
2019 / Going Alpine
Picture: The Margherita Hut on the summit of Punta Gnifetti (or Signalkuppe) of Monte Rosa, Italian Alps.
1 note
路
View note
Text
2020 / The Next Step
Picture: Mont Blanc, South Face.
0 notes
Text
2021 / Hitting 6000m
Picture: A view from the summit of Stok Kangri, Ladakh, India.
0 notes
Text
2022 / More technical or not?
Picture: Everest Base Camp often visited enroute to Island Peak
0 notes
Text
2023 / The End Game?
Picture: Aconcagua Provincial Park viewpoint of the mountain itself
0 notes
Text
Other stuff I鈥檝e going on...
Although I have set myself some key objectives to help me achieve my main goal of climbing a 7000m peak within the next 5 years, I have some other personal challenges that I am either in the middle of or have planned to do. I haven't set myself a deadline for these, and I have no doubt the list will grow but I have every intention to have a go and complete as many as possible.
Hadrian's Wall 48hr Challenge
I had originally planned to do this in 2018 however personal circumstances gave me little choice but to postpone. In fact 2018 was a complete write off and I achieved very little I had set out to do. Honestly, my head wasn't in a very good place, my motivation reached an extreme low and I felt deeply frustrated for feeling that way. I also felt huge guilt because I'd put it out there that I was doing this for charity in memory of my Mum. I had collected several donations from people (some being kind hearted instagram followers), and I had simply not delivered. I failed. I am in a better place now. I'm not completely where I was and I certainly need to work on my fitness but I'm good.
So what is the challenge and when will I do it? The challenge is simple. Walk the length of Hadrian's Wall from West to East and cycle back East to West within a 48-hour time limit. It's 84 miles each way. I would like to think that I could attempt this in July 2019, but I'm not ruling out 2020 because I think that may be more achieveable due to current commitments. This one however is a priority as I hate letting people down.
Everesting (Cycling)
Everesting is basically cycling, running or walking a total ascent equal to that of Everest in one continuous effort/activity on one hill/mountain anywhere in the world. One activity, no time limit, no sleep in a nutshell.
This has been on my to do list for several years now. Here I will attempt to be the first person to Everest the southern ascent of Holme Moss, near Holmfirth in West Yorkshire, with the additional aim of qualifying for the High Rouleurs Society (cycling beyond 30,000ft). Realistically i think I will need to drop some weight for this but having lost over a stone in 2018, I'm heading to where I think I need to be.
everesting.cc
Everesting (Running/Walking)
Using the same principle as above, I have planned to do this on the Watkin Path to the summit of Snowdon. The path is roughly a 1000m ascent and should therefore take me 9 repetitions. I believe I am looking at c.72 miles to complete this challenge so it's going to be tough on the knees.
Summit all 214 Wainwrights
I love the Lake District, I love the fells. I'm going to climb them all by the end of 2020, or at least that is the plan. Currently sat on 65 summits but I try to visit at least once every month.
Become a Summer and Winter Mountain Leader
Currently completing Quality Mountain Days and need to book my training. Hopefully this year, maybe next, there is no rush. I'm doing this for my own entertainment and for no other reason.
Cycle 400 miles in 24hours
This is just something I want to try to do. Continuously repeating a known, flat 30 mile loop that is close to home, how far can I physically go in 24hrs? I'm curious so I'm going to find out. My current PB is 332 miles in 23hrs 42mins although that was a much more demanding route.
Complete the Dragon Devil
My Nemesis. In 2016 I only managed the Gran Fondo distance even though I had entered to complete the full 305km Devil. Unfortunately the heat got the better of me on the day and I was strongly advised to withdraw. Live to fight another day as they say. So this year, 2019, I will tackle it again. I was flying up to the 100 mile mark in 2016, after another 40 miles I was cooked. Sick, dizzy and shivering. I was well prepared in 2016 though. I had a high level of fitness, but the unexpected warm day threw a spanner in the works. I aim to reach those levels of this year and hope that the weather is kinder. A cool day would be nice.
www.dragonride.co.uk
0 notes