ROSIE BAXENDINE
HAPPIEST WHEN FERAL
I moved to Perthshire, Scotland in 2004 and soon fell in love with the wilderness, exploring by horse, walking or running. I discovered the joy of cycling off-road in 2016 and started to do small overnight trips to see friends - strapping bags to my bike in any way that I could! I have been "bikepacking" around the UK - solo and with friends - since 2017.
I am not destination focused - I would rather take my time and live in the moment. I am not out to conquer nature or smash a route in the fastest time. I am out there to immerse myself - stopping to appreciate the small beautiful details as well as the vast breath taking landscapes.
I am a qualified Cycle Leader level 1 & 2, Mountain Bike Leader Level 2, Bikeability Trainer Level 3, Cycling Essential Skills, Velotech Gold, Lowland Leader, 2 day Outdoor First Aider, NEBOSH Managing H&S. I am fully insured through British Cycling for activities that fall within their remit, and my own business insurance as a bikepacking guide.
I am a volunteer Director of Adaptive Riders Collective - a charity that offered adaptive cycling opportunities throughout Scotland, a trustee of Highland Perthshire Cycling. I am also contracted to develop the routes for Perthshire Gravel.
In addition to the above, I have my COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills, ASD, survivor, trauma and low arousal training. I soon discovered that being in nature, in a non-judgemental and safe environment can have a profound effect on people. I wanted to ensure that I was able to protect both myself and others in this situation with appropriate awareness, listening skills and responses. My full time job is support worker in a care setting.
I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos in 2019 (which essentially means that my superpower is hypermobility!). This does not affect my ability to guide. It does however give me an understanding of living with chronic pain and physical challenges. If you have any questions about what is possible or available to support your individual needs, then please contact me. This can include hiring of adapted or electric bikes, carefully selecting suitable routes and additional arrangements for luggage transfer etc if required.
See below for the non-cycling side of my life - and LinkedIn for my work life.
AIKENHEAD HOUSE
Rosie & Adam own Aikenhead House - self catering holiday accommodation near Dunkeld in Perthshire.
The small holding also has a large organic veggie garden, horses, pygmy goats, Shetland Sheep, pigs, chickens, dogs and a cat!
They are eco-conscious – with sustainable heating sources, locally sourced food and minimum plastic use wherever possible.
Aikenhead House was featured on the collaboration with what3words and Airbnb - see the video here.
RIVER TAY SWIM - BETWEEN THE BRIDGES 35K
Rosie swam along the River Tay from Perth to Dundee in a day with a friend. A 35km adventure battling challenging currents, tides, mud and sand banks and over friendly seals! For no other reason than... why not?
She has also swam across the Firth of Forth in an organised event.
Rosie and The Ladies of the Loch were filmed for SnowRoads: The Open Water Swimmer feature.
BRAVEHEART BEN NEVIS TRIATHLON
Rosie did the Brave Heart Triathlon - entering only two weeks before with no previous triathlon experience and no training...
The event is a 1.2 mile sea loch swim, a 56 mile road cycle, and a 13 mile hill run to the summit of Ben Nevis and back.
The team were so amused by her story that they asked for an article!
RED BULL NEPTUNE'S STEPS
Here's what happened when 220 Triathlon Magazine persuaded Rosie to take on the tough open-water challenge, the Red Bull Neptune's Steps.
Spoiler Alert....
my first and only ever DNF!
BEN NEVIS WINTER EXPEDITION
Rosie was part of Team Nevis/Team Pancakes - a group chosen to help a disabled lady fulfil a dream of a summit of Ben Nevis in winter conditions.
This required a slow ascent of The Ben over 2 days with a wild camp in between.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Rosie has also completed the Rat Race Coast to Coast as a single day, The Snowman Legend middle distance Triathlon, The Mighty Deerstalker, multiple obstacle races including Tough Mudder and Spartan Race
Plus various other races and events in the UK and abroad including Oman, Lanzarote, Mallorca and USA.
