… not long enough to get ready to cycle 1,000 miles!
Haven’t done as many long rides as planned since my last blog, and time is rapidly running out. With flawless logic, I worked out that the reason I found anything more than 40 miles a bit tough to do, was nothing to do with my fitness level. It was obviously the equipment that was at fault.
Rectified that by replacing my Sherman tank of a machine with a much faster/lighter version. I had toyed with getting a Honda Goldwing, but decided that wasn’t in the spirit of the challenge, so settled on a Giant FCR3. Probably doesn’t mean much to most, but it’s definitely lighter, can be faster, and a heck of a lot less comfortable!
When you have no suspension and razor thin, rock hard tyres, you realise just how cr pi poor our roads are. In particular the 3 or 4 feet nearest the kerb, where the bike usually is. Must be some lobby group I can join????
Anyway, put it to the test today and somehow managed the magic 100 miles in a day. If only I’d left at 6am as planned, I’d have been back in time for Countdown…..
Despite all the bumpin’ and shakin’ from the aforementioned roads, nothing fell off, so onwards and upwards. Still not sure whether I can repeat that 11 days on the trot, but then, nobody said it would be easy…..

Its been a little while now since my last post, I thought I should update you on my training thus far. Well if I was to say I felt super fit I would be lying. That said I have been covering some pretty decent distances recently, last Saturday I cycled to and from Bournemouth and then on the Sunday I cycled a further 40 miles up to my Grans. Total mileage around 115 miles.

My current bike is a mountain bike and has been doing me proud getting to and from work. The old beast is very sturdy and reliable but has to be said not that quick. Mainly because it has a lot of bulk to cope with those mountainous roads I find on my way to work. Front and rear shock absorption for London’s many off road pistes, thick chunky tyres to give extra grip along the often treacherously slippy* Oxford Street. All of this adds up and when cycling on roads is not really necessary, though it does smooth out the potholes a little. So I decided to bite the bullet and invest in a hybrid bike. A bike specifically built for road use but would allow the odd short off road if required, kind of like choosing a Ford Fiesta over a Land Rover. Though my Ford Fiesta looks better… it probably also goes faster 🙂

My only concern now is I haven’t got all that long to get used to this new bike. Can see a picture below of the new bike nestled artfully in between loose shoes.

* shocked to find that slippy isn’t actually a word, at least according to my spell checker

Yes, it’s darts week this week. Clocked up 180 so far, largely thanks to a scenic tour of the New Forest today. Would have been more scenic without the howling gale – and a tad of sunshine would have been welcome too. Aim to carry on the theme, going for double top tomorrow and treble 19 on Friday

Note to Ian. – bit concerned about a lack of speed in the old legs. Might need night vision goggles to fit the 100 milers in!

After numerous incidents involving foot stamping and some pseudo tool throwing I have finally cracked. I now categorically state that “there will be no more A244 roadside tantrums, no more canal topping up tears, and no more French vocabulary practised in Pirbright”.

After enduring six punctures in the last four days, I have finally threw changed my sad excuse for cross-terrain tyres to the two beautiful little road burners I’ve been saving for our trip.

I am pleased with the change, reduced time, confidence in my equipment, a smooth and somewhat relaxing ride, and more importantly a big smile on my face, particularly when battling the buses in MY lane and evading the couriers who are eagerly delivering the needs and deadlines of the very busy many.

Long may it continue…

Unlike Captain Beefy (see Ian’s last post) I’m not trying to build myself up with weights etc., in fact, quite the oppposite. I reckon that if I can lose enough weight to compensate for the amount of kit, then I’ll barely notice it. Having seen the size of the tent, if I can just get down to 6 stone, I’ll have cracked it.
Swapped my chunky extreme cross country tyres for some semi- slicks in an effort to pick up speed. Not worked so far, but its probably not the tyres fault. Also took the opportunity to stick on the special self healing, puncture resistant inner tubes. You can guess what happened on my second trip out. Yes, 20 mile cycle ride, followed by a 6 mile walk home. Now got a huge blister on my right heel…..

After a nine day break, I’m back out on the bike again. Pains have eased quite a bit and I’m no longer sleeping propped up on a sofa (hurrah!). 30 miler today in the sunshine which was quite pleasant, before visiting the chiropracter. She’s re-assembled my bones again. Moved one of my ribs, which was a first, and explains a fair bit of the recent pains. However, going to have to pass on running for a while, and I doubt if I’ll be delivering directories again………..
Hopefully will do a long ride tomorrow, though it looks as though I needn’t bother with the factor 15.