The weather has been fantastic, which left no excuse to avoid stepping up the training. Been out on the bike every day since last wednesday, barring a break on Tuesday when I tried running instead. Struggled a bit with the running, still got to get a lot fitter, but it didn’t seem to upset the back this time. Up to 35 miles today, which was OK though found the wind a bit tough. Must cut down on the onions…..
Had a go at manually creating a route on my GPS. It actually worked fine, just like having my own satnav, though I suddenly appeared to be 20 yds from the road by Meon Shore. If it had been high tide I’d have been in serious trouble! Means I’m going to have to fork out for some mapping software now.
Oh, and had another trip to the chiropracter on Wednesday. She was very pleased with progress, don’t have to go back for four weeks, though I got a ticking off for slacking on my core stability exercises. Apparently going to be tested on the ‘Flying Bug’ next time. In the mean time got to keep up with the others, The Cobra, Dead Bug and Superman to name just a few. I prefer to do those when Anita’s not around. It only confirms what she already knows…… I’ve got a few screws loose..

If you remember that that was a hit in 1966 for the New Vaudeville Band, then you are probably as old as me……
David was back for the weekend, so it was an opportunity to go for a ride together. I generously let him use my old bike, but even that didn’t slow him down enough. Cycled to Winchester and back, round trip of 33.2 miles, in little over 2 hours. Averaged 15mph out there on a route best described as ‘undulating’. Did give us the opportunity to hit 33mph on a convenient downhill stretch,a new personal best. Only problem being that we had to go back up the same hill on the way back…..
I think I must still have a bit of competitive spirit left as today was my fastest 30 miler by quite a way. Unfortunately young whipper snapper noticed how gently I tackled the last few hills, sarcastically pointing out the de-limit signs with ‘you can go as fast as you like now, dad’. Funny. ( I don’t think).
Anyway, five days on the trot out on the bike gave me the perfect opportunity to visit The Talisman for a spot of carbo-loading (and the pub quiz).
David suggested trying Stonehenge tomorrow. Probably explains why he was so bad at geography questions in the quiz.

After Saturdays rest day, I set off on the bike again on Sunday. Pleasant enough to start with, but by the time I reached Meon Shore thunder was rolling around over the Isle of Wight and over Southampton. Sure enough, by the time I’d reached Stubbington it was spitting with rain, and before I could make it to Tichfield the heavens opened. After a couple of lightning flashes and cracks of thunder scarily close for comfort, I sprinted into Tichfied Village and took refuge under the porch of the Coach & Horses. Thank heaven for pubs, I say. Discretion being the better part of valour, I waited a good 20 mins or so before making a bolt for home. Totally drenched with only 15 miles or so clocked up, but I had managed some speedwork!
On Monday I tried running again. Still 2 mins run, 2 mins walk, etc, not very far, not very fast and woefully out of condition, but the back seemed OK.
Decided I needed to work on the running, so had another bash today (Tues). Went a bit further, but still found it really tough….. and now my back is giving me a fair bit of discomfort. Looks like I’ll be sticking to the bike for the forseeable future.

Yes, finally managed 3 hrs pedalling in one go. Well 3hrs 01mins to be precise, for today’s 40 miler. Now absolutely …..tired. Fortunately a rest day scheduled tomorrow.

You’re in for a big suprise.
For you will find, when you get back home, that you’re covered in loads of flies.

Well, that was certainly true yesterday, on my 28 miler. Today I added another circuit to do 34 and the flies weren’t so bad. This mornings rain must have drowned the little bug…s

Had a day off Monday, went to the Beeb to be in the audience for Question of Sport. Good fun, had a front row seat and the guests were all from my era – Allan Lamb, Pat Cash, Tessa Sanderson & Gareth Edwards. Also went to Aldershot last night to watch the mighty Shots play Weymouth (with brother Paul) and collect the Conference Trophy. Not a great game really, but a great atmosphere, loads of razamatazz, and 1pt was all they needed to hit the magic 100.
Another rest day tomorrow as I’m back off to London to support Claire in Alternative Fashion Week.

Hopefully back on the bike Friday and see if I can manage a 40 miler.

On a general note, well done David ( and thanks to Jude, Matt & Kelly) for getting the fundraising started. Our GOSHCC fundraising pack has arrived has arrived too, so I’ll get T shirts and sponsor forms to you soon.

Oh, if you can’t stop whistling Teddy Bears Picnic….don’t blame me

.. as the ventriloquist’s dummy said. Well, not quite, but today I picked up a couple of G.I. can openers. Very lightweight and lethal looking, not got a clue how to use them, so I’d better practise. Also got a whistle (only had one, sorry guys), a very cool steel mug (also only had one in) and a roll up mat to sleep on. Getting there bit by bit. Oh, managed to fit in a 28 miler today. Nice to see the sun shining!. Off to the beeb tomorrow to see Question of Sport being recorded, so looks like a ‘rest day’ in my schedule…

……definitely not required today. Thermals and oilskins called for instead. Meon Shore and Tichfield Haven are glorious places when then sun is shining, boats bobbing on the Solent, flocks of birds in the nature reserve etc. Cycling head on into a 20mph easterly in the cold and wet isn’t much fun. Stupidly I did it twice. Decided against a third go so just 22 miles today after a lazy 10 yesterday.
Realised that my bike has all the aerodynamic characteristics of a brick, though thats probably due to the lump on it rather than the bike itself. Beginning to doubt the wisdom of going north to south against the prevailing wind…………….

After 4 consecutive days phoning FirstScotRail, the position remains that our bikes are off to Scotland, but we aren’t. Hopefully they’ll have fixed their systems by tomorrow and I can actually book us on the train too!.
On a more positive note, I now have a pannier for my bike (to go with the bags I already had), Great Ormond Street Hospital Childrens Charity are sending us our fundraising pack, had 3 consecutive days of cycling (17, 28 & 27 miles) and my chiropracter was pleased with my progress. Don’t go back again for 3 weeks.
Paul (brother, uncle, uncle accordingly) is thinking of meeting us in Monmouth. Not to ride ofcourse, but we’d have a meal & beers waiting and a big tent to sleep in. I did warn him that we’d whiff a bit by then!
Only negative thing today was my pedal crank came loose again. Bit disconcerting, but I’ve added a big allen key to my tool bag which now stays on the bike. Just hope I can still pedal the thing when its fully loaded………….

Nearly forgot best news of all, Aldershot Town FC, Blue Square Premier League Champions and back in the Football League!!!!! Come on you Shots….

http://www.shotsweb.co.uk/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aldershot/7337126.stm

….was a hit for Crowded House from their Woodface album. It also described this mornings weather, as I cycled through rain, sleet, hail, strong winds and glorious sunshine. Just 22 miles today (friday), feeling a bit tired as I’ve got an annoying little cold & cough. Did 25 yesterday and 17 last sunday. Had a break Mon,Tues & Weds as we went down to Devon to visit mum. Which means the mileage is well down this week. Got a busy weekend too, up to London to visit D&C. Going to have to ramp it up a bit next week………

Glorious weather today, predicted to come to an abrupt halt tomorrow. Still, never mind, I enjoyed spring while it lasted.
After an easy day yesterday (11 miles) stepped back up today with a 30 miler. Very pleased with 2hrs 15 mins of non stop pedalling (13.3mph). Have to do a 40 next week…….