One Week!

One week, just one, so think training can be pulled back and give in to some good old "Carbo Loading" (eating like a pig in my case!)

Think a trial pack this weekend, money- check, suncream - check, Passprt - check, Imodium - check "Sudacream" - check... etc... to make sure all present and correct, maybe a ZipVit trip for some extra ZV energy, a good ride on "the Chase" Sunday, Spin Tuesday.............. and the Rugby Club Sportsmans Evening Thursday - opps!

The Big Count Down!

12 months ago I had no idea I would be embarking on this trip, and there are times when I forget why I undertook it, and when reality dawns I wish I wasn't, because then I would not need to mark the passing of Steve. We could still be seeing each other a couple of times a year making the usual promises of "I will call you" " we must do dinner", safe in the knowledge the cycle would continue with no need to fit "more" in, God, how one call can change so many lives in so many ways.

Under 4 weeks to go, September`s miles where down and I"missed" the organised training weekend, but with a couple of long rides planned I feel OK regarding the actual ride, the funds however are not looking good and I risk becoming a "Pain" in some quarters!

I have booked in for some Spin classes at the gym , these seam the "in thing", watch this space.....

and so it goes on..................

Mid point of September, training going ok, still 36 miles round trip to work 4 out of 5 days, whilst getting in some "bigger" rides at the weekend, 50 + road miles last weekend including a 12% climb, the weekend before a good few hours on Cannock Chase, damped somewhat by double puncture on way home!

The sponsorship is still lagging somewhat, but have "upped" my activity on this front and hope to see the fruits of my labour soon.

Plan to call and see the twins this week as have been a little neglectful on this front.

And that was August

So August has been and gone a good mileage of 600 +, mainly on the road with a small amount of "mountain biking", my "trail" skills where never that good, but 2 hours on Sunday saw me all over the place, oh well a quick blast around the Winnlatter Trails on Friday morning should see me back in the saddle!

The funds look like they have stalled somewhat, pledges made are hard in converting, and another mail out is on the cards..........watch out!

We have the Training Weekend at the end of the month, so will be good to meet up with my fellow "trippers", lets hope for some sun.

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.