Vital Stats

So, 5 months of training are over and the big ride starts Sunday. Some of my stats over that period.....
Weight 234lbs to 219lbs.
3845 miles of riding.
152,045 calories burned.
47 hours on the exercise bike for a further 37,432 calories.
No punctures on the road but 2 flats overnight in the garage.
1 chain.
1 bottom bracket.
1 cassette.
Average speed was 17.8 mph.
1 set of tyres.
8 different saddles!
4 road rage incidents.
1 pheasant and 1 pigeon taken out, sorry.
15 feet of climbing, this is Norfolk remember!
1 duck egg omelette.

Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for Breakfast

It's holiday time on the Isle of Wight for us and I have of course brought my bike to keep the legs moving this week. The island has a 65 mile circular route which takes in both coast and inland roads. It keeps off the main roads and even has a Paris Roubais style section on which I enjoyed blasting past the tourists at 20 mph (to their 6 mph).

I left at 0615 telling the family I'd be back by 10am. What I didn't take into account was the hilly nature of this route, as seen in the photo. One is either ascending or descending for most of the time. This added a few minutes to the ride as my speed was only 15.2 mph average!! With a ferry also involved I didn't get back until 10:50, of course the reception wasn't great with the kids waiting in the car to go to Blackgang Chine!

I guess this route is good practise for Cornwall and Devon so I'll have another go round on Thursday.

No more training

Well i just did my last ride before the start of our jaunt up the country. I managed 100 miles (almost) and felt pretty good. The weather wasn't great, rain, wind and all that stuff we are more used to on a typical Manc bank holiday. Waterproof shoes, waterproof overshoes and waterproof socks and I still cant keep my feet warm and dry - I am such a baby when it comes to chilly feet!

Annoyingly I have done something to my left knee, nearly fell out of bed this morning when i put my weight on it. I have 6 days of rest now so lots of cold compress and ibuprofen gel should sort it out, fingers crossed.

So many people ask if I am doing this for charity that we finally decided that if we can make a few quid for a good cause, then why not... If anyone reading wants to part with a little of their hard earned cash please go to this link www.justgiving.com/pub-cyclists

The next blog update will be from somewhere in Cornwall. Wish us luck, bye for now :o)

Less than one week to go

Somehow the last 6 months have percolated down to just a few days to go before the great ride north. Last week my road training was basically nil due due work and other items. I still managed to get on an exercise bike most days but it is not quite the same. My weight this morning came in at 217lbs so only 2lbs off my target.
Today was an 80 mile ride, as you do. The wind was extremely annoying since it changed from a southerly direction to a NW direction and therefore I had the wind against most of the ride. I felt I could have done the 100 so basically I tink I may finally be ready! Good job really since the ride starts next Sunday!

2 weeks to go......

After a weekend off last weekend whilst Donna was away on a Hen weekend I got a full day in on Saturday doing 96 hilly miles with a club run in the middle. It was a glorious sunny day in Kent a much fluid and sun cream was needed. I don't think Simon had the same problem- more an issue with his water proof socks leaking. Let's hope the weather is good for us up north; I am more accustomed to cycling in Kent.

Bust week next week, , a few evening rides (short!) then Wembley on Saturday followed by the Isle of Wight- with bike of course.