Lesley Riddoch

Picking a date could cause a fight

Memo to Alex Salmond. No matter what you do with the independence referendum – no matter which questions are asked, who is deemed eligible and where they currently live – please don’t hold it on the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

Of course, it’s tempting to pile on the symbolic pressure as David Cameron threatens, Baroness Taylor blunders (does Labour really think the accident of birth should trump residency in voting entitlement?) and Michael Forysth mocks: “The idea we should decide the fate of the UK on … the date of a medieval battle … would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious.”

The last 'On the Bike' and a debrief

 In this last podcast of the 'On the Bike' series, Lesley reveals some of the secrets and things that happened on the epic cycle. She comes clean about the 'behind the scenes' operation. Pictured here is Lesley's back up driver for the trip.

 The whole production team would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to write and say nice things about the series. As you will hear if you listen carefully, Lesley may be tempted back On the Bike

Enjoy and feel free to comment/email or buy a bike and cycle the Western Isles...

Listen and enjoy.

The last of the 'On the Bike' repeats but stay tuned....

This is the last of the repeats of the series 'On the Bike', in which Lesley cycled from Barra to the Butt of Lewis. She arrives in StornowayIn this programme, it's festivals, Ali Baba, the Levellers, presenters and psalms. Oh and tides and broken cameras.  Although this programme is the last of the original ones; stay tuned for next week.

If you want a signed copy of the book that accompanies this series, send a cheque for £9.99 to Karen McLeod at Feisty Productions 4th Floor 21A Commercial St, Dundee DD1 3DD and tell us what you want Lesley to inscribe...

Listen again here.

And more saddle sores this week...On the Bike

After a long night at Callanish, Lesley pushes on to meet people like Moira MacLean, artist of the parish, and others who want to talk Gaelic. She gets a grass roots explanation of local tourism and a few other things in this week's repeat of 'On the Bike'. 

One of the funniest 'On the Bike' episodes

Lesley has met a lot of different people over her career to date. They have ranged from the famous to the infamous; but this On the Bike is something completely different. Choirs, chessmen, and shamans all feature in a visit to Uig and beyond.

Check out this programme guaranteed to make you smile.

On to Scalpay ...the journey continues

If you want to hear about Scalpay or Treasure Island, sheep, forests and the changing story of this part of the Outer Hebrides; then you are in the right place. Lesley meets a wide range of people who explain transport, religion and mountain bikes. She also climbs Clisham or is that cycles Clisham ? You decide as you listen to this week's repeat of On the Bike.

Have a break ....half way

In the process of putting together the repeats of 'On the Bike', it was obvious there would be some questions that Lesley could answer. If you've come to one of the book readings, you'll know the type. "Why did you choose the islands ?" and so on. So, this week we got Lesley to sit down and talk about some of her thoughts about the journey so far. She reveals the genesis of the journey and poses a question or two of her own. So have a break ... have a pedal down memory lane here in this special short 'half way stage catch up podcast', recorded with a near stationary Lesley Riddoch without bike. Next week, we're back on the bike and off to Treasure Island...

North Harris tourists and DJs...this week's On the Bike

A quick reminder that this week's repeat from 'On the Bike' is North Harris and the two DJs....and the tourists I met on the beach. At the SNP conference writing and if there is time, next week's 'On the Bike' will be a special one. Watch this space.

And on from Lochmaddy...

This is a special On the Bike which I remember with warmth and affection. This is the programme where I met the MacKillop brothers; 'Splash' ( pictured here ) and John with their wives; Gloria and Kate. Sadly, Splash and John are no longer with us but the recording of our playful conversation is the highlight of this programme. Listening to it brought back happy memories and a smile. The conversation about seal oil is priceless.

 I hope you enjoy this special On the Bike.

It's Benbecula week ...

This week, Lesley presses on to Benbecula. She meets people dressed in lycra, hears about seals and islands from different folks of different generations. It's another hard day in the saddle. Check it out here.

As ever, comments are welcome and the book is still available.