4 days to go!

That's it, training is over, I can do no more.

Saturday saw the final group ride - 60 miles in the wind and rain, can't be many days in May when you can see your own breath!
Now, a few days rest before my biggest challenge yet starts on Friday (that's about 90 hours from now!)

Training over the past 3 months has been good, whether it's been enough only the weekend will tell.

The last 11 weeks!

Will update again before I leave then look out for photos on my return...

Not Long Now!

Been having some computer problems recently preventing me from updating things.

Anyway training has been going pretty well for the last week or so. A few big group rides which have worked out ok and plenty of other stuff inbetween - been ytackling the hills between home and Royston a couple of times last week on a commute. Tough day today tho' with a hefty headwind for a good 15 miles home really took it out of me. Sore back and neck rather curiously however this evening!?

On the plus side, now fully kitted out. New shoes have arrived in the correct size and have been tested out. Only a couple of minor accidents so far, one on day 1 after 10 miles without stopping then forgetting to unclip at a junction, cue comedy sideways fall, at least no-one saw me! Second one was less inconspicuous - during a stop on thr group ride on Saturday - in front of everyone!

So, into the final full week of training. Plan is gym on Tuesday then ride to and from Cambridge on Wednesday, Royston commute on Thursday and gym again on Friday. Hoping to have a final group ride again next Saturday before the bike goes into Newdales for a final check over.

Ready?

Two punctures and a sore backside

Tough week or so on the bike.

Some good riding last week with a 34 mile trip back from Wicken Fen followed by some work at the gym and a commute home from Stevenage (32 miles). Then a 50mile round trip at the weekend with 3 of the group which was rather drawn out due to some differing riding speeds (glorious weather was a a treat though). Plan for this week had been to transfer bike into work on Monday then cycle home and back in following morning. Monday evening commute took a hit when I picked up a rapid puncture halfway in Buntingford - no problem, fixed in 15 minutes but meant a rush home to see the kids before bed.
Following morning with sore legs (bad sign) struggled as far as Brent Pelham (14 miles) before another puncture (same tyre) put paid to the trip - no more spare inner tubes. A call home to the wife (on a borrowed phone having forgotten my mobile and the telephone box being out of order) and arrival at work 90 minutes late rather dampened my spirits.
On the plus side, new tyres arrived (and have been fitted) which should provide better protection on the roads. Unfortunately, new shoes were too small so have been returned and next size up are on the way.
Will try and get out to test the tyres tomorrow evening before a group ride on Saturday afternoon. Only 3 weeks to go now...cripes.

Uping the miles

Hmm, so, training plan didn't last too long.

The planned 12 mile time trial route I worked out almost killed me on a cold morning last week. Saturday was to plan with the biggest ride so far (62.5miles) taking in a route from Chesterford out to Meldreth, Bassingbourn, Nuthampstead, Clavering, Wimbish and back to Chesterford. Glorious weather and a slight sunburn, all in a great 4 hours in the saddle with two of the group.



Now taken a couple of rest days but have a day off work on Tuesday so planning a ride back from Wicken Fen (about 32miles). Will follow this up with some miles on Wednesday and then plans for first ride back from work in Stevenage (27miles) on Thursday. Will report back then!

New training plan!

After a discussion with the fitness instructor at work and a re-evaluation of my current training regime i've put together a more structured plan for the next 5 weeks. I'm trying to mix it between distance/endurance and speed training so a week now consists of:

Monday - 12mile speed training route
Tuesday - 20mile+ distance ride
Wednesday - 1hour hill training (gym)
Thursday - rest day
Friday - 12mile speed training route
Saturday - 50mile+ long distance ride
Sunday - rest day

We'll see how it goes!

On another note, I've decided after Saturdays ride that I'm going to take the plunge and purchase of some proper cycling shoes, clip in peddles and cleats. Looking at the dhb R1 road shoe - not exactly top of the range but very reasonably priced entry level and highly recommended. Will order asap.

The south(westerly) wind doth blow

Been putting in some tough training over the last few days. A couple of 20mile runs around the nearby villages with some winds to contend with. Today was a whole different matter. An early morning start in light drizzle and a pleasant enough ride up to north Cambridge via Shelfords and Cherry Hinton (20miles in just over an hour). Stopped off for a warming cup of tea at the Lunchbox cafe on Milton Road then paid a visit to our rental property.
Set off for home back along Newmarket Road then turned into the wind through Teversham and Fulborn. Then the hills kicked in. Rolling terrain and a headwind all the way to Balsham then even more full on through to Linton, Hadstock and on to Saffron Walden. Final stretch back to Gt Chesterford had the wind behind and 45 miles ticked over as I turned into the High St with the clock ticking over 3hrs 10mins.
The legs are feeling it now but giving myself a day off tomorrow to recover. Won't have that luxury in 5 weeks time!

The Route

First the train now the bed!

5 weeks to go and our accommodation is booked!

Friday night will be spent at The Black Swan in Gainsborough



followed by Saturday night at The Red Lion in Spalding



Just hope they know what they've let themselves in for!