Commute 18th January 2010

Commuting update -

Monday 18th, first cycle commute of the year (and only second ride of any sort!) and was glad to be back in the saddle a little chilly but pleasant, remembered to take charger so as not to be riding home without lights! Tuesday followed, but a little different as had to take Midget for MOT, so new Boardman was dismantled and carefully stashed in the Midget, so as to ride the 12 miles or so from the garage to work. (Oh, joy it past the MOT) Still getting the Boardman set up, seat position wise and need a good distance ride to really settle down the set up, but appears as good as the reviews.

Weds & Thurs where car days, Friday up and cycle gear on, stepped outside to let out the Chickens, pouring down with rain. This was forecast, but over my Wheetabix, decided that the car would be a better option today and so drove to work with a guilt trip as the weather improved and was dry by the time I reached work!

Sinai Update Monday - Bike Day

So, the day is at last upon us and its another hot one, a lazy start as we take it turns to choose a bike, fit pedals, saddle etc.... We, as a group, had a lot of "tall" people, more then we had large bikes, so extra beach time while we waited for these to come. The bikes, "ok", not quite "Apollo", but I not think I would have challenged them to any real Mountain Biking!



Day one was a short sprint of 50km, a water stop at "approx" 25km, then to our overnight in a Bedouin tent on the shores of the Red Sea. The group soon spread out, amazingly so. Some keen to get the pedals racing, others happy to ease their way into the riding. Chatting away I found myself at the back, the tailwind making for an easy pedal and whilst the roads where busy they where flat and pothole free, but this didn't stop one of our number hitting the dirt a few kms in resulting in a fine array of bruises! As we rejoined the coast I picked up the pace and spent the remaining kms to the water stop catching and riding with the various groups spread along the road.

After the water stop, the pace picked up a little, with the stronger cyclists showing themselves, another crash keeping Doc. Brian busy, whilst two flats for Mike kept the mechanic in work.
Trying to catch the front group after a comfort stop, I found myself riding alone, enough curve in the road to not be able to see the group in front or behind. In time I began to wonder if I had missed the turn to the camp, but a sight we soon all longed to see soon came into view, the yellow tshirt of one of the "guides". A short ride "off road" found me with the first arrivals at the beach camp.

With little tide in the Red Sea the camp was right on the shore, and no time mattress where "bagged" cycle gear off and swim wear on! The smell of Sulphur filled the air, we where right by natural "springs" and several off us soon coated ourselves in the black smelly, but very warm - mud!

The sun was setting rapidly and dropping with it the temperature, so after getting dried off the queue for dinner formed, those new to head torches blinding all around, but with a failing generator they were positivity a necessity.
By 8.00 most of us were tooked up in our sleeping bags, most pulled out of the tent and under the stars, ready for the 125km day tomorrow.

Sinai - more tall tales..............

So in my last entry regarding the epic ride that was the Sinai Cycle, we were in Cairo. Sunday was a long day, first a quick visit to the Pyramids. Quite a shock to find them so close to the city and, I know this shouldn't be a shock, but how busy they where. The greatest difficulty after getting past the numerous "street vendors" was trying to a get a picture without masses of people / buses!

Cairo, what a mess!, I hadn't expected quite the sight and extent of the rubbish, every street a wash with it. We left the city behind and started the 6 hour coach trip to Sunday nights hotel, not a lot to see, so sleep became the order of the day, a brief "comfort" stop before venturing under the Suez Canal, the dividing line between Africa & Asia, and a chance to grab some rather nice ice cream.

We finally left the main road behind and began eagerly looking for our Hotel, like a group of package tour Holiday makers. Here we are, quite nice, very quiet and I think open just for us. A little stroll before the sunset found us on a beach, sun loungers, beach bar (closed) and, of coarse, the sea, within minutes a couple of us had changed and where enjoying an evening swim, just the ticket after such a long coach ride. Those not for the water, soon found a bar with TV, showing football, Manchester Utd playing! After a shower, dinning room found and a very nice buffet dinner. We then retired for the main event briefing, and the realisation of what we where to undertake came over us all, still that was soon forgotten and the bar revisited! This was our first chance to have opportunity to have a good chat, and after a few (small) beers the talk gave way to much laughter as stories of past trips & training tales gave us a smile to go to bed on.

Still No Ride!

13th January and still not a ride to speak of and, with more snow forecast, cannot see one in the next day or two. Looks like a good group ride on the 24th, the Mercia CC Reliability Trail, see - http://www.merciacyclingclub.org/ - a nice "metric 100", whislt Dan Fleemans more local "Tour of the Nock" is on the same day as a family event I cant really avoid, not that I would want too avoid it!, so at least one good ride to look forward too, but hardly the training I wanted to be putting in.

I can, I guess take comfort from the fact it is the worst cold spell for 29 years!

The picture?, a hot and sweaty day in the Sinai.

commute or lack of it!

Well so far this year my resolution to commute on the bike more has failed, so far 6 working days and no ride! I am to do my best to get in one ride this week........... but with more snow forcast am doubting if I will manage it.

The weekend did see some mountain bike fun, not as much as I would have liked but something is better than nothing. (did manage to do some garage sorting though.. oh and took the Midget for a spin!)

2010 then...............

Hello and a Merry New Year to all.............................

I still need to bring you an update of the Sinai trip.............. I promise too add loads of photos!

2010 off to a good start 6 days and not even sat on a bike, do "spin" machines count?, having entered both the Cheshire Cat 28th March and the (epic that is) the Dragon Ride 6th June, I need to get back into the saddle pretty quickly. At the moment I guess I could blame the weather............. but that would be a feeble excuse. (but the only one I have)

Joking aside, I did manage a good "end of year" ride, collecting the car left on Christmas Day from family in Northampton, recording enough miles (66+) for a "Metric 100" in around 4 hours, the A5 is not the most scenic road in the land and luckily was quiet!

And Away We Go!

7th November, here at last and the start (or end?) of the journey. 7.05am train down to Euston, listening to the days plans of a group of London "first timers", the vision of them racing up and down Oxford St. trying to find Harrods(!), getting off at the "next" tube stop, as one of them didn't manage get on at the last station, gave me something to smile about and passed the time away. In no time at all, only two stops on the way, I was heaving my bag through the Euston Station concourse and heading for a "Costa" has it seamed I had time in hand.

Meeting new people for all of us can be a little nervy, 32 of them all at once, knowing you have no escape for the next 9 days can make you question your sanity, however the 11.30 meet at Heathrow in no time at all seamed an age ago, as by the time we hit baggage check it felt that we had known each other for years as witty banter broke down the barriers and any remaining nerves.

Saturday, passed mainly in a blur of departure lounge daydream, in flight reading and dozing as, by the time we cleared the airport and stepped into Cairo, Sunday was upon us. The night drive across the city had us all staring out of the coach windows taking in the sights of a "new" city at night. The hotel was reached and the first challenge, who was your room mate! As on previous trips, I was lucky and was paired with Andy with who I shared many a laugh! although approaching 1 am we all elected to try some food, the fear of the rations ahead giving us added reason for getting good food while we could get it. (as it happened the food was great all week)

Time for the first of the weeks "moments", and it fell to me, well me and Andy. Wondering through the Hotel trying to find our room, Andy laughed that "wouldnt it be funny if we all had double beds", sideways look from me and a quick "dont be daft they will be twin rooms, always are"............. what do you do, call reception and complain demanding to be moved to a twin room or get your sleeping bags out and bed down.......... we opted for the latter! Now this in its self is not a major problem....... sitting at breakfast and telling the whole party was!, no matter how much I kicked under the table, Andy continued to give a blow by blow account!

Just your average week............

Still working on the blow by blow Sinai account, hope to "post" at the weekend, for now a picture of myself atop Mount Sinai.

Back on the bike at the weekend, managing a short ride in the wind and rain on Sunday morning followed by a pleasant ride to work on Monday. The home leg however, was not so good though with a heavy headwind for half the route making for hard work.

Done!

Well, what a challenge!, what a group.

The ride is done, the Mt. climbed!, a really great adventure made all the greater by the people sharing it, some with some tear bringing reasons to be there, some just wanting a challenge.

some £50,000 plus was raised, with blood, (lots of) sweat & tears along the way, sleeping under stars, chased by rabid dogs, target pratice for the local pre-teens - sticks & stones - and many more tales, and lots of photos.

A more detailed up date to follow!

Its Now!

So its here, in 24 hours time I will be in the departure lounge, ready to jet off.

If time / access allows I will try and update during the week, if not a full report upon my return.


Thanks to all have have supported me, with extra special thanks to Sally - X, who I will miss loads!