Motivation

Funny old ride today. Not sure what it was but I had no motivation to go and no idea where. So I meandered about a bit, through Stoneleigh, Cubbington, Honeybourne, Southam, Long Itchington and home. A glorious summer's day, 56k. Was a bit bored by it all. I guess its the uncertainty brought on by the cancellation, all of a sudden it all seems a lot of hassle. Still, not long till we go and its days like these, when you're really not up for it, that add up in the end.

Back on my bike

Well I kept my promise and didn't train for 3 days, drank too much and had too many late nights, but a great weekend for Beth's birthday. Back on the bike today 58k at an average of 29kph. Not much to say about the ride other than a) it hurt a lot b) I got quicker!

No real progress on the planning for lejog itself. Discover Adventure have pretty much confirmed they have cancelled and generally behaved in a pretty shoddy fashion and of the other riders 3 have indicated that they are still interested. I'm trying to get us together to discuss options, but my own mind is clear. Beth and Mo will drive and I'll follow on the bike. I think I can do it for roughly the same budget. Let's see if they want to ride with me.

Federation of clean cyclists

Another wet miserable day. Another spin class. I threw in 1500m on the rower and a few weights too.

No more news from Discover Adventure, but I am assuming the worst. We were due to go away camping this weekend, so I had planned in four or five days’ rest, but given the on-going floods we’ve cancelled and we’re just away for the weekend. The proposed cancellation by Discover Adventure has caused me to take stock of how much I’ve done this year so far (and I haven’t started yet!). I can see clear progress, but I can also see that I have made that progress at a cost to Beth and the kids. So I’m not going to get on my bike this weekend. Its family time.

Heaven knows

Miserable ride today. I had a busy day at work, needed to get out, so squeezed in an hour over lunch. Wet, windy, grey, like my mood. Mistook the rain for cold, so I was overdressed and too hot. When your heart's not in it, the ups hurt more, the downs are less fun and the flats are less fast. 37k, 1 hour 20 minutes. Body count 1 hedgehog, 1 sparrow hawk.

Still, at least if I get tired I can borrow a bucket of blood from Astana. They won't be needing it now.

A major disaster!

Well I'm fairly speechless. I took a call at about 4:00pm today from the trip organisers, Discover Adventure, to say they intend to cancel the trip. I was pretty much speechless, which quickly turned to anger. So much so that I had to tell them I'd ring back before I spewed forth more invective and Anglo Saxon than they probably knew existed.

Their reasoning being that they've had some drop outs and now only 7 participants remain, so its not worth their while. But they will have kept the £299 deposit paid by each drop out. They told me a month or so ago that they had 13 names, so that's £1800 they've pocketed for doing nothing. Nice earner.

What am I meant to tell all those people that have sponsored me to the tune of £3700? "hey, guys, guess what, I'm not going now, but thanks for all the money".

I've invested the whole year in this, booked trains and planes, hotels, bought a bike, got up at stupid o'clock to train, been out in snow, frost, rain, hail, sun, wind you name it, I've impinged on my family and friends and begged support and understanding, which has been forthcoming. But its "not in their interests". Oh well tough for me.

I'm going to go anyway. I don't know how yet, but I can't let everyone down. I will speak to Discover Adventure tomorrow, once I've calmed down and see what they have to say. This could yet get interesting. As it stands, I'm at my lowest ebb, I feel so let down. Why do people do this, make promises they can't keep?

Ahhhh. Rest day!

Spin cycle

Wet again today, but I hadn’t planned to go out because of my exertions over the weekend. I must admit to feeling sore this morning, but can’t complain, Beth just worked a 12 hour night shift on a busy hospital ward. Helps to keep it all in perspective.

I did do an excellent spin class, but, boy did it hurt! It turns out that Tony, who takes the class is an old friend of Beth’s from when she did her fitness instructor training. I have actually met him before (he probably thinks I’m a right ignorant so & so), but hadn’t made the connection. It was only when I mentioned about doing the end to end for SIDS and he said he knew about Tom that it dawned on me.

Anyway, top bloke that he is, not only did he say he’d sponsor me, but under threat of extreme physical pain he goaded everyone in the spin class to do likewise and promised to do the same in his other classes. So, if any of you are reading this – Thanks for the support!

Hors Catégorie

My intent this weekend had been three consecutive day's of riding, but the weather put paid to that. Still, a rare sunny day, so I planned a day of hills. Nothing much of note but Edge Hill and Burton Dassett are at least 10% climbs and my quads screamed after my long wet ride yesterday. I crested them both with a whoop.

On the way out I was pootling along, just at the base of the hill into Harbury, I hadn't yet warmed up and was taking it easy after yesterday. I don't like that hill because it steepens significantly as you go up it. Anyway, some guy in full CSC team gear comes past me, helmet on the handlebars without so much as a by your leave. I immediately accelerated, caught him and let him tow me the hill while I sat on his back wheel., then shot past him at the top with a cheery "ciao". Childish, but I enjoyed it.

For the first time I rode with my ipod. Normally I wear it to break the monotony of cycling to work, or at the gym, but tend not to on the road because I'd rather concentrate. Anyway I guessed the roads would be quiet which led to the slightly surreal situation of climbing Edge Hill with David Bowies (All the young dudes) and descending with The Arcade Fire. A nice ride of 66km, 2.5 hours and I only had to turn around once due to a flooded road at Hampton Lucy (where Shakespeare was caught poaching).

To put it into perspective as I type this the Tour is cresting a 14km Pyreneean Hors Catégorie climb for the second time today. I don't think I could do that!

Through a lens darkly

I was determined to ride today after yesterday's washout, but the omens didn't look good when I woke up. There was a heavy drizzle and the news reported that the River Avon had burst its banks pretty much the length of Warwickshire. The emergency services described Evesham, which was on my planned route, as "an island". As the worst flooding seemed to be west of here I thought I'd head east instead, notionally targeting the National Trust house at Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire. The problem with cycling east is that you head out with the wind at your back, but ride back into a headwind, because the prevailing winds come from the south west, hence most end to enders cycle south to north with the wind, but so be it. When I got there it didn't look like this picture, it had a big black cloud over it.

I was well dressed for the weather, my Howies merino base layer (which I would recommend to any cyclist http://www.howies.co.uk/ ), a swobo merino cycling top packed with munchies for the trip (again recommended - http://www.swobo.com/ ) and my race face waterproof, breathable, gore tex type stuff which has seen me through torrential downpours in Scotland and snowstorms in Wales. I opted for shorts because although it was wet it wasn't cold (about 14degC), which proved to be the right decision. So I felt snug and wrapped against the elements. Which was fine for a while, but I hadn't reckoned on rain on my glasses which drastically reduced my visibility. I persevered until the first hill at which point they steamed up reducing visibility to virtually zero, so I gave up and put them in my pocket. My eyesight isn't so bad that this is particularly a problem, but at about 12km disaster struck. My eyebrows stopped working! They must have reached saturation point because stinging rain started to stream into my eyes, causing me to have to stop and wipe it out. I continued warily. Reaching Fenny Compton I had intended to turn east towards my destination but couldn't resist a detour over Burton Dasset hills. Which was fun apart from the fact that when I got to the top it was shrouded in cloud, so not only was it more wet, but my visibility was further reduced. All I needed now was for darkness to fall! Even the sheep gave me funny looks.

My detour took me on a fabulous descent to Farnborough. At the bottom of the hill I braked hard (just as the first car I'd seen for about an hour appeared behind me) because I saw a large pool of brown water blocking the way. Except it wasn't, it was wet tarmac. How the following motorist must have cursed. Still it s nice to get my own back!

I had already cycled through three floods, only one of which had wet my feet, but on reaching Cropredy I was stopped by a full blown flood. About four feet of water covered the road in a torrent, with a pickup truck, with car atop, comically stranded in the middle. Cropredy is famous for two things, the Civil War Battle of on 29th June 1649 (I looked this up: http://www.battlefieldstrust.com/resource-centre/civil-war/battleview.asp?BattleFieldId=2) and the annual music festival for folkies run by Fairport Convention. I retraced my steps, via another impassable flood, to Claydon, not famous for anything that I am aware of, but preparing for a very damp annual fete. I asked three wet stewards which road I should take and was pleasantly surprised by their interest in my bike and what I was doing. We chatted for 10 minutes before they sent me on my way.

A pleasant quiet road took me through to Moreton Pinkney, with only one wet feet wade, but at least it wasn't raining. I passed over another battle field, this time from the Wars of the Roses at Edgecote almost 538 years ago to the day (http://www.battlefieldstrust.com/resource-centre/warsoftheroses/battleview.asp?BattleFieldId=13). The info board described it as a very black day for Wales as the Earl of Pembroke's troops were routed by those of Warwick (the kingmaker) and Pembroke was captured and executed. I tried to imagine the battle as I looked out across the fields and did take a picture for inclusion here, but my phone has suffered with the rain and packed up. Land of my fathers, indeed.

I intended to stop at Canons Ashby for a cup of tea in the cafe there, but as I approached the heavens opened again, so a quick carb stop and I carried on, through Eydon and intended to take the road past Boddington Resevoir (not sadly full of Boddington's Bitter), but it had burst its banks, so I was again forced to retrace my steps, but took a lovely route through Priors Marston and Priors Hardwick to Wormleighton and then back on the same road I came out on.

The only further event of note was the idiot driver who tried to run me off the road in the middle of a flood, causing me to swerve around her and get a soaking from the car's wash as I passed.

So I got home, wet but happy. 111km in 4.5 hours, an average speed of 26kph, a bit less than 10% off my recent averages. Which given the atrocious weather I was pretty pleased with. Because Beth and Mo were still out, when I got back I went straight to the gym for a sauna and jacuzzi, where I drew strange looks as I strolled through reception in tight wet lycra shorts and merino jerseys. Hmm, I have sympathy for those that witnessed it!

I bumped into Dave Mortimer from work and shared a celebratory beer (celebratory for me, he was pondering 2 weeks home alone as his family had just flown out to Spain. I expect to see him doing long hours in the office in their absence!)

King of rain

King of rain - I'd like to think. As Paul said, does Lance Armstrong hide in the kitchen when it rains? Does Craig Morris? No, he pours himself a glass of red wine and sits down with the paper listening to cool jazz (Cassandra Wilson if you're interested).

Today it absolutely poured, flooding many local roads, so it would have been silly to risk a ride. I thought I'd go to the gym instead to assuage my guilt, but I couldn't even get there and its only 2 miles up the road. The main road was stopped solid and the alternate route was under three feet of water with a couple of abandoned cars afloat for good measure. So, I did the honourable thing and came home, plugged in the ipod, poured the wine and read the paper, in anticipation of watching today's stage of the Tour, which no doubt will be played out under a blistering sun. Oh I love the rain. Lance would be proud of me.

Spinderalla

The sun is still shining. Is this summer, at last? Anyhow, I haven't been out to enjoy it, but I did a spin class at the gym and worked up a proper sweat. I'm hoping to get some big miles in this weekend , but the weather forecast is dire, so we'll see how it goes - severe weather warnings for the whole UK.

Day off today

And the sun is shining. Although I have cycled to work, does that count?

Breakfast: Alpen augmented with pumpkin seeds and a banana. Mug of tea.

King of the Mountains

Bring me a polka dot jersey. Absolutely beautiful ride this evening; had a long day of meetings, in Germany, Naperville, India, London and Austin. Phew, I didn't physically attend them all thanks to the wonder that is the internet, however I was shattered by the time I left the office. So I jumped on my bike, shot home, changed from commuter bike wear to bike bike wear (yes there is a difference) and went out with Paul, my on/off training partner.

We had torrential downpours today, but by 6pm the sun was shining a warm breeze whipped our legs and we were away. I absolutely flew round 52k. Paul is a triathlete and took me out on one of my first rides, of about 30 miles, the distance I did tonight and I really struggled. But tonight I found myself waiting for Paul at the top of hills (but not at the bottom because his belly pulls him down faster than me) and at various points. Which is a great benchmark for me because most of my riding has been solo, so this was a revelation and tangible proof that I am getting fitter.

Just as well with six weeks today to the off. Let's finish by looking at tonight's sunset. Isn't nature great, let's look after it.

King of Spain

Ashley Giles Warwickshire spin bowler was christened the "King of Spin" during a recent Test series by the England marketing team. Unfortunately when he played at his home ground of Edgbaston the commemorative mugs turned up in the shops with the motif "King of Spain" by mistake. By which nickname he has been known ever since.

No such luck for me although I did good sweaty spin class at the gym today. I wanted to get out yesterday on the bike, but Beth insisted otherwise and as it lashed down all day, she was (as ever) probably right. We drove down to a fabulous pub in Wales, the Chainbridge; where we treated ourselves to steak and chips.

:http://www.travelpublishing.co.uk/HiddenPlacesWales/Cardiff&Monmouthshire/WAL31275.htm

We met some friends who have also lost a child to cot death, Rob and Alison from Barry, near Cardiff. Despite the torrential rain we had a good lunch and a good chat and we're all looking forwards to see them again, this time with their daughter Megan, who was off on a gym training course in Austria. Good for her!

A quiet week

Been a bit quiet this week, not that I haven't done anything, although I should have done more with 7 weeks to go, but Beth and Imogen have both been ill. Imogen's virus in particular has led to disturbed nights every day this week so we're all a bit shattered.

Anyhow, Tuesday was a rest day, Wednesday I should have been out, but after little sleep Tuesday night I didn't have the energy, so I made the effort to get up Thursday and do 55k around Stratford. I was on the road at 6:15am and back by 8:00. Not much to report other than the fact the predicted drizzle held off and I had a dry ride under admittedly leaden skies. Body count: 1 badger; 1 squirrel; 1 hedgehog; 1 pigeon - pretty much the gamut of English fauna lying dead on the roads and if I hadn't been more alert I might of joined them when a selfish driver, who I know saw me, pulled off his drive in front of me to take his kids to school, causing me to have to break hard and stop inches short of his bumper. I couldn't resist pointing out to him that I thought he'd been "a bit reckless".

So to Friday and again I should have done something but didn't. A long day at work was followed by beer, wine a a lovely evening watching Big Trouble in Little China with all the kids (not Mo who was tucked up in bed).

Then to Saturday (today) 87km in just over three hours which I'm pretty pleased with. Popped over to Solihull to see my parents, stopped long enough for a cup of tea and an energy bar. I have to say I've discovered Dr Gillian McKeith's energy bars which are yummy and really do the trick. So, whilst I find her to be the most patronising and irritating of women, she does appear to know her stuff. Left Solihull and meandered back the long way through the lanes of Warwickshire, goggling at the size of some of the houses in and around Lapworth. There really is some money about, but not in my pocket!

But I don't need it, got my wife, kids & bike(s) and I'm happy!

Spin spin sugar

Not much to report today, did a spin class at the gym which was fun. Other than that, just nursed my cuts and bruises which again paled into insignificance next to the big pile up at the end of today's tour stage. C'est la vie.

Blood on the Tracks

Sunday 8th July 2007. A historic day for many reasons. The Tour departed London, I did my second longest ride and had my first off.

Today I rode 115km in just over 4 and half hours, which I thought was pretty good, given I'm still suffering a bit with this cold, until I got back and caught the end of Stage 1 of the Tour - how fit are these guys? My average speed was 28.5kmh top speed 53kmh, I suspect their average is near my top speed!

Sadly I also fell off in a pub car park in Weston sub Edge. I had pulled over to check the map and have some food, but laziness, tiredness whatever I didn't account for the gravel covering the pub car park I pulled into and the bike slipped from under me, planting me on my backside and giving me a nice gravel rash all down my left leg and backside. Fortunately, as I sat nursing my wounds a stereotypically buxom young barmaid displaying acres of cleavage wandered out holding a foaming hosepipe, presumably to water the plants with, but what better to lift a man's spirits? She hosed the blood and gravel from my leg and off I went. Except I didn't because I had failed to check the bike. The front brake was locked on and the levers at a 45 degree angle to true. A bit of tinkering and I was away. That was at 40km, so I still had a long way to go, through Evesham to Pershore and back.

More embarrassingly, I nearly hit an old bloke in a mobility car on Evesham High Street. He pulled across the road in front of me without looking, but the ignomy would have been mine. Fortunately I braked in time.

Anyway, a fabulous ride, made better by the fact that it was a beautiful English summer's day. Blue sky, cool breeze, fluffy white clouds skipping through the sky and quiet roads. BTW - porridge with honey and raisins for breakfast; baked potato and beans when I got back; 2 bananas, 4 water bidons and a power gel on the way round.

Back on the bike

So yesterday was a washout in reality and metaphorically. I was rough as a dog and Beth worked a nightshift which obviously inhibits my activities whilst she catches up on her sleep. Abi was off school ill too, so a right miserable bunch we all were. Anyway, today Beth went to bed I took the opportunity to escape the house with Imogen and took the VW camper van over to the British Volkswagen festival in Malvern, where I finally got my much sought after finger plates for the doors in the autojumble. Much joy on my part (I know, it's sad) and Imogen had fun on the fair, so much joy on her part. When we got home Beth had arisen from slumber, so I took off for a quick blast up Stoneleigh hill, 24km in 45 minutes, largely uphill. I'm getting quicker. And the sun shone, blimey!

Tomorrow I plan to do about 120km now I feel less lethargic. Watch this space for news.

Sick & ill today

Woke up with a raging sore throat and distinct lack of energy. Evidence I suspect of over training, so I did nothing all day. Great.

Actually that's not quite true I counted up and banked the remaining raffle money. The raffle raised a staggering £1308 in total. Thank you.

Monastic enlightenment

Tuesday

51k ride round the lanes and villages of Warwickshire tonight, through Norton Lindsey, Little Alne, Wilmcote (home to Mary Arden) and Snitterfield amongst others. It was raining and windy when I set off, but after half an hour the sun came out and a beautiful evening ensued.

I have to say I found it tough. Not the ride so much physically, but mentally I felt fatigued. Its 9 weeks today that I start on the big ride, so I need to really focus. I think I’m on target physically. I guess I need to be careful not to overdo it. But I’ve realised that I’ve significantly stepped up the amount of exercise I’m doing over the last few weeks, but I’ve done nothing to mitigate this in the rest of my life. I’m still having late nights, drinking, partying etc If I’m not going to blow this I guess I need to make some personal sacrifices and start having some early nights and moderating my lifestyle.

I can party all I like when its over. I have wondered what my attitude will be when (if) I finish. Will I be so smitten by my achievement that I can’t get enough of the bike or will I wish never to sit astride a saddle ever again? We’ll see.

Welcome to my monastic world!

Another week begins...

Monday

Didn’t get out on the bike today, but I did manage a session in the gym. 1500m warm up on the rowing machine, 20 minutes hill climb on the static bike, 10 minutes on the cross trainer and some weights to tighten my moobs.

I noticed there was a half empty spin class going on whilst I was at the gym. So I’ve signed up for Thursday and next Monday. I think the key to staying motivated is to mix up the training regime. For example I’m planning a spin tomorrow (Tuesday) evening, but where to go that I haven’t already been recently?

No cycling this evening because it’s Beth’s end of year presentation at College. I’m so proud of her.

Raffle results

Today we went over to Rugby to Laila's christening (coincidentally in the church across from Bilton School), so no training, but I did get time to have the raffle drawn. The raffle has raised over £1300 for FSID, so I am well on target to raise my total.

Many thanks to all those that bought tickets and helped to support me and FSID. In particular I would like to thank Panasonic UK for donating the first prize of a TV, HM Graphics of Leamington Spa for donating the second prize of a signed limited edition print and Xerox for donating the third prize of a bottle of champagne. The raffle was drawn by Simon Jones, the manager of the Warwickshire Gym, where I train when not out on the bike. I haven't sold any tickets through the gym, so he fitted the bill of someone independent and trustworthy, whilst being in some small way connected.

The winners were:

1st prize James Buckley
2nd prize Rey Cruz
3rd prize Joanna Gallagher


Congratulations to you all and commiserations to those that didn't win. Be satisfied in the knowledge that you have made a real difference to FSID.

Many thanks to everyone who has supported me thus far. The countdown continues!