Miles and Miles......................

Hello All, the last two weeks have seen an increase in the miles, Monday - Friday 10th - 14th August was 200 and 17th - 21st 236, with NO weekend riding at all, apart from shop / allotment trips, so feeling ok legs wise now. The approching weekend is a long one so am hoping to get a good mountain bike ride in, with the following weekend in the Lakes helping on Race the Sun, chance for a little Lakeland ride maybe!!

July, where did that go?

Seams hard to believe its August already!, the year is flying by (must be an age thing!) July came and went so quick I am finding it hard to remember what I did, must have been the two weeks leave I had. During the Holiday I only manged to get on the bike a couple of times, but found Mondays ride in, well easier for the rest.

Fundraising is, well should be reaching a close, but I find myself a little under half way so I need to put in some effort!

Update

Lovely day, and up too late to come in on the bike! opps..............

Just a bit of an up date really, thanks to all who have sponsored, to all who have promised some - now would be a good time!

Looks like I am to add the BHF Dark Peak Challenge to the "warm up" events. Starting from Edale the Extreme Route takes in 34 miles of ".....tough climbs and fast technical descents ...... conquer this and you`ll have earned "Elite" status.........." so should be a nice morning out then?

Also planned a trip around the Mary Towneley Loop. Lady Mary Towneley fought to hightlight the state of the county`s bridleways and was a campaigner for the The Pennine Bridleway. The route is approx 47 miles taking approx 7 - 8 hours, I will post the chossen date and if your free why not join me?





Links for your interest -

http://www.bhf.org.uk/get_involved/take_part_in_our_events/event_finder/view_event.aspx?ps=1000359

http://www.idonohoe.com/mountian_bike9.htm

Diary of a Commuting Cyclist

As some of you maybe aware, I can now truly call myself a cyclist commuting a round trip of 36 each (most!) working days. "Is he mad?" I hear you cry, no........., well ok a little but you knew that anyway!

I have to say that in the time I have been riding in every day (I had been riding in once a week since Christmas) so far it has been fairly dry, if a little windy!, manging around 17mph average. It is a great way to start the day, plenty of time to think of the day ahead, and watching the world pass by, although - it is really necessary to get that close to me in your "flash" BMW, I am sorry but it does seam that BMW drivers have to see how close they can get to me without actually pushing me ditchwards.


So far, one (serious) close shave, when seeing me pedalling towards him, a nice gentleman decided pulling out at a cross roads was ok, causing me to take avoiding action and use far too much brake pad in the progress!

Again, as you may be aware, I have a cycle trailer which I use when going to the allotment, a challange has been laid down regarding me making a delivery for work with the trailer - I need to think about this as I am guessing a doubling of traveling time!, I will let you know what happens!

Catch up........................

Hello All,

Couple of weeks since last post, sorry!

Sponsorship is again on the move, which is good!, looks like could be close to a 1/3 by next week, so still some way to go.

Training...... the "company car" "went" last week, 8th May, so this week has seen me cycling to work and back, a total of 180 miles covered at around an 18mph average, I managed to avoid the much of the rain, but it has been a windy ride most days!

Four weeks to go until the Marin Roughride, so I need to find and get up some hills in the next couple of weeks, but think I will give myself Saturday off!

Thunder Run - Not Much Thunder

Saturday 25th saw me "racing" in the Thunder Run, a 10k "off road" event held at Catton Park. The 10 O`Clock start was preceeded by a heavy downpour which made for a slippy surface and just before the 1k mark I ended up face down, and after a slow rise to my feet a painful ankle as a result! My target, as "off road" was sub 1 hour, and after jogging the very nice route, having to walk some of the steeper down hills to protect my ankle, I finished in 56mins, so was quite happy!

The event was well organised and as part of the Enduro Six weekend was plenty happening, have a look at http://www.robcrayton.co.uk/ for some pictures.

Sunshine

Great how good the sun makes you feel! even work feels a little easier!

As I write this, it is St Georges Day, quite apt as I find myself in a battle with the great Dragon that is Fund Raising!, I am currently in the middle of addressing letters far and wide and revisiting "old" friends as my figure needs a good boost. A few ideas I had haven't proven to be "goers" so back to the drawing board.

Two days until the Thunder Run 10k at Catton Park, part of Pat Adams "Enduro 6" weekend, which sees lots of Mountain Biking as well as the run, the venue is just of the A38 between Burton & Lichfield, start time 10.30am on Saturday if you need a laugh!

(oh, Unicycle - still not managed even a revolution!)

Onwards & Upwards

What a great weekend, good weather and generally a "goodie". Good Friday saw me "cave in" to my daughters birthday request - we now have a puppy -I must be mad!, managed a good run though. Saturday was family day and also first "ride" on Lidl`s finest unicycle - this is going to be fun. Sunday saw a gang of six walk up and around Kinder Scout a great walk and really nice day, but as busy as I had seen it in years.
Monday, up and out on Mountain Bike and a couple of hours "hills" on Cannock Chase, must take camera next week as guessing the Bluebells will be out in force, after ride and puppy training a quick unicycle lesson - still going nowhere - then to allotment.

Hope your weekend was as good!

Spring has Sprung

Hello, two weeks since my last update, where did they go! Seams not had time to do much....... Parties, Gigs, Allotment..........the list goes on, but have managed to get more cycling in and hoefully can use the Easter break to kick start both the training and more importantly the fund raising as still a way to go.

Update

Hello, a quick update. Two weeks on from the 1/2 marathon and looking to get running again as this week just under 4 weeks until the 10k, uping the cycle distance / time and have ventured out with the a local Triathlon Club on their Sunday ride. (oh, in two weeks put on 4lbs)

Fundraising has slowed up a bit so need to spend some time getting this back on track, as (only) just over 1/5 so far.

Anyways the light nights are upon us which will make us feel a lot better no doubt!