Lands End to John O'Groats again!!

2012 the new challenge

2011-06-10T09:31:00.001+01:00

Well I have definately got running out of my system & am now looking forward to planning to do LEJOG again.

I do have a new blogsite of: www.e2ea.blogspot.com check it out for more of the same!!

Change of Focus

2010-07-18T10:15:00.002+01:00

Dear all

Thanks for following my blog over the past few years & thanks especially for the people who have sponsored me. With your help I have raised somewhere near to £15,000 for a variety of good causes..... thanks very much.

I am now hanging my bike up & am now concentrating on running as I am doing the New York Marathon in November 2010 & the London Marathon in April 2011

I now have a new blogsite where you can follow my training & even sponsor me!!

The Running Pork Scratching!

Some photographic Memories of the trip

2010-07-12T12:47:00.004+01:00

The Zen Art of Banzai!!

2010-07-12T12:09:00.000+01:00

3rd and possibly the final time

2010-07-12T11:48:00.008+01:00

Dear all

Now finally have some time to reflect on what I've achieved now for the third year running & had the same enjoyment I've had over previous years & must thank Carole for driving, Neal, Rae & Si for their riding company. We had at least one really good deep belly laugh everyday & will miss their company.

We were so lucky with the weather, it rained for 1 day between Gretna & Kilmarnock. This was the severe weather warning we rode through, with gail force winds & localised flooding. We were cycling up one particular hill & I was following Si, his bike was leant over to about 60 degrees just to prevent the wind from blowing him across the road. All I could hear was Rae giggling to himself behind me!!

Day 1 started well, we left Lands End in glorious weather, which did stay with us nearly all the way. There were no dramas to report on day 1 & how we all loved the climb to the hotel at St Austell. It's about a 3 mile climb & is so steep in places when you push down on the pedal the front wheel comes off the ground. My pulse reached 102% of my maximum

Day 2 is the hardest of all the days & includes the lengthy 17 mile climb onto Dartmoor. It's energy sapping, you get a build up of lactic acid in your legs & your thighs are on fire. It was this day that the Zen Art of Banzai started. Rules are simple, you creep up on another ride & go passed them at speed & scream Banzai in their ears. If they jump you win. Very childish, but keep the interest going & more importantly from a safety factor meant you were looking behind you more often to see who's creeping up on you. Didn't stop me being the victim of a 3 man drive by banzaing though!!. Just before the climb one of my spoke loosened it's self & Si managed to straighten the wheel a little to enable me to get over Dartmoor. The cry of 'Woodpecker' was heard as we passed over the cattle grids (Email me if you want to know why!). Finished in Exeter this day

Day 3 started with the rather flat boring days up the East side of England. There were a few hills, but nothing compared to the savage hills of Dartmoor. This is where I chased Neal down for about 3 miles to Banzai him, I was doing almost 30 mph when I caught him & managed to capture the moment on my headcam. This days has probably the worst climb of all, the step mile one to Bristol Airport. Killer!!

Day 4 was another flat day. We worked as a train, with one person on the front for a few miles & then they peel off to the rear & the number 2 takes over. We covered 40 miles in a little under 2 hours doing this & there wasn't much time for Banzaing!! Neal & Si did pass me & both squirted their waterbottles into my face. Neal didn't laugh so much when I emptied almost a whole bottle of drink into his right ear!! We finished at Worcester.

Day 5 was another flat & fast day, where nothing much happened, we stayed in Crewe

Day 6 we were joined by Si's Uncle Pete, who cycled in the last 35 miles with us to Lancaster, a real gentleman & nice bloke. Again another flat & fast day.

Day 7 was the day I threw my teddies out of the pram. I have the route programmed into my satnav so lead the way out of Lancaster & through the back roads until Kendal. The others followed me in a train for about 6 or 7 miles. We then reached the dual carriageway & I dropped to the back. My downfall was my pulse was at 95% as I did this & I needed time to recover. However when you get to the front your immediate reaction is to speed up, which Neal did (you do it unintentionally). I then spent about 2 miles trying to breach the 60 yard gap that the others had on me & couldn't. I was so pissed off by this that I then embarked on a 70 mile solo break for Gretna in Scotland. I powered my way up the legendary climb of Shap Pass & reached Gretna. I had passed Carole checking into the hotel as I had gone through Carlisle, so I knew or thought she would be there the meet me...... wrong!! Si had suffered a mechanical & she had gone back to him with the spare bike. Nice a 16 mile solo ride back to the hotel!!

Day 8 What a difference a day makes, we had fantastic weather all week & my good the BBC got it right with their sever weather warning for Scotland. We left Gretna in our train into a strong headwind, with torrential rain. Out came the sealskinz socks & waterproof overshoes!! The wind was by far the worst aspect. It's just energy sapping continually trying to fight with the bike as side winds are pounding you. As I mentioned earlier Si was leaning over to about 60 degrees just to be able to cycle forward!! We stopped in a one horse town for lunch & when we came out the sun had almost come out. This stopped about 2 miles down the road when the hail storm started & Neal & I sort sanctuary behind a road sign to get some cover. Had a great meal with Christine & Stu in Kilmarnock..... thanks guys!!

Day 9 We cycled through the country lanes to Glasgow, across the Erskine Bridge & onto the highlands of Scotland. My left knee was suffering & I told the others to go & I would make my own way, which I did getting to the end some 10 mins behind them.

Day 10 We went over the highlands of Scotland, still with a strong side wind. I had told them all about the fast 6 mile descent off Glen Coe & how much we were all looking forward to it. We breached the apex of the climb & about to start our descent & straight into a bloody headwind where we had to pedal to go downhill..... what's that all about???

Day 11 We left Fort Augustus & cycled about 4 miles along Loch Ness (no didn't see her!) & the road was shut. A lorry had overturned & caught fire shedding it's load all over the road. We managed to blag our way through the police cordon & were off!!! We decided to make as much progress as possible to be able to have a relatively short last day. We stopped at Golspie only leaving us 68 miles on the last day!!

Day 12 We were blessed with a tail wind & after we had climbed Helmsdale & Berriedale the rest was a breeze. We arrived at John O'Groats at about 4pm. Carole drenched us with champagne which wasn't the only alcohol we had that day!!

Great fun as always & to wind down I cycles 104 miles 2 days after we finished with my dear friend Nikki!!

Home!!

2010-07-10T21:20:00.001+01:00

Hiya all

Sorry for the lack of posts, but I refuse to pay Premier Inns to use their wireless network, when they block my BT bluetooth dongle

We made it OK & am now back at home I will post some pictures & a write up in the week. I'm off to bed as I've got the Surrey 100 miler in the morning!!!

Day 5

2010-07-01T19:04:00.002+01:00

Dear all,

Now in Crewe after travelling 79 miles from Worcester. The rain was on & off all day, & got hot taking on & of my rain mac.

Off to Lancaster tomorrow & then into Scotland for some deep fried Mars Bars!!

Day 4

2010-06-30T17:17:00.003+01:00

We are now in Worcester having cycled what I think is the best day I have ever spent in the saddle. We left Bristol & for the first 10 miles the Banzaing continued. I was the victim of a 3 man ride by banzaing!!

We then got onto the A38 & the serious riding began. We soon got ourselves organised into a 4 man echelon each taking turns to pull at the front for a few miles & we covered the next 40 miles in a little under 2 hours. We were cycling at Gas Mark 6!!

We slowed down towards the end & the new game of soaking the person that you overtake with you bidon. Great weather, great fun & great company!!

Day 3

2010-06-29T17:18:00.002+01:00

Now in Bristol having covered 77 miles today

It was a good day, with fast flat roads. Managed to banzia Neal a few times & have one on my headcam, which I'll post when I get home

Still restricted to using my iPhone for these updates & the bloody predictive text is a pain & I can't change my spelling or grammatical errors until get to a real computer!!

Day 2

2010-06-28T20:24:00.004+01:00

What can I say, 76 miles of hell!!

We started well at speed, Neal had an interesting moment near the Eden Project, we were going down a steep hill & he went to brake & his handle bars came loose! The phrase was 'smell it I'm sitting in it'!!

Pretty uneventful until about 1 mile from the worst climb of the day, when my rear wheel buckled. Rollocks is a phrase that sprang to mind!! Si did his best & managed to get it less bent!!

We then started the energy sapping climb onto Dartmoor, boy was I glad when I'd reached the top. My pulse maxed out at 99% so clearly I wasn't trying hard enough!!

Got to Exeter & we were 2 hours quicker than last year, have to be happy with that!!

Off to Bristol tomorrow, only 76 miles but sadly rain is forecast

Day 1

2010-06-27T19:44:00.001+01:00

Day 1 done, covered the 58 miles to St Austell in blazing sun & on a windless day. Off to tackle the climbing onto Dartmoor, how am I looking forward to that!!

Sorry about the post, restricted to using my iPhone, it would appear Premier Inn's block my BT dongle to enable me to use my macbook

D day!

2010-06-26T06:24:00.002+01:00

All the training is done, all the miles now behind me.. My bike has been serviced & I now just want to get on the road & start cycling!!

I will update this as often as I can (pictures & SATNAV downloads may have to wait until I get home), but please look in if you are able.

I will also be updating my FACEBOOK page on a more regular bases, as I know Neal & Si will be. If you are on FB, then add me as a friend if not, you should be it is the 21st century after all!!

Back in 2 weeks!!

Day well spent

2010-06-20T08:19:00.005+01:00

Rode for the last time yesterday over a very hilly 55 mile route, with Toby, Tom & Ginga. It was made harder because of the constant head wind. I still fail to see how I can cycle a circular route & always be going into a headwind??

Our route

I never realised I looked so good from behind!!

Last ride before the off

2010-06-17T19:29:00.003+01:00

On Saturday I shall be doing my last ride before I service my bike & get ready for departing the following weekend. It's now into single figures & I just want to get going now!! The route I have devised is a hilly (they always are living near to the North Downs) but does have some fast flat bits.

I'm being joined by a few friends & just want to get another 50 miles into my legs & saddle area!!

Great Kent Ride

2010-06-13T17:00:00.006+01:00

Today was a good day, I was joined by Si & Rae who are doing LEJOG, & 2 friends from the gym Kerry & Joe. Lastly we were joined by Helen who I work with. Helen has never attempted anything over 15 miles before so a 57 mile ride is challenging at best.

We set off & soon made our way to the flat fast marshes of Kent & it stayed billiard table flat for nearly 30 miles. There was very little wind & the sun was up & shining. You can certainly see why Kent is called the garden of England..... it was a great day, with great company. Helen does deserve special mention, she is lovely woman who I work with & I like to think of her as a little old fashioned & qwerky (in a nice way). She took this old fashioned persona I have of her, by arriving for the ride on a bike that weighed about as much as a three story house & I think was first ridden by Moses? Needless to say she had to fight all the way round, but my god she did well.... chapeau to you Helen, you should be proud of yourself. I am taking her shopping in the next few weeks to buy a road bike with her.

20 miles done & a well deserved cup of 'nato standard' tea

Kerry climbing one of the few hills of today (16% at the bottom)

Simon & Helen getting ready to level off. This climb came as a shock after 27 miles of billiard table flat

Bumped into a friend at the pub!

The end, 57.4 miles & a great day

The flat route!!

Last word must go to Helen....... chapeau xx

Norwich 100 miler

2010-06-07T16:42:00.003+01:00

Sunday was another big day, we decided to do the Norwich 100 miler, which as it's name suggests is in Norwich & surprisingly is 100 miles!! We did it last year & it was truely miserable, it poured down with rain & we had a really strong headwind. This year it was so different, hardly a breath in the air & it was dry until the last 5 miles.

Norfolk is far from flat!

Our 99.4 mile route

It was a good ride with good friends, I had a slow puncture for about 10 miles & had to stop & pump the tyre up about 4 times, I eventually changed the inner-tube, but the problem persisted & I ended up buying a new rear tyre at the checkpoint. Overall I was satisfied with the day especially when we average 3mph quicker over the same route than last year

The North Downs

2010-06-03T22:56:00.003+01:00

Oh dear is a good starting point for this!!

Took the day off & Gav & I decided to do our 40 mile route in reverse. We climbed for the first 10 miles to Pollhill, where we had a cup of tea & a bacon sarnie. The plan was the to go down Pollhill & then through Dunton Green. However I have heard so much about Star Hill & we decided to give it a go....... easy!! only 12% in places & actually a nice climb.

Feeling a little braver, we decided to have a stab at Westerham Hill.......... oh dear. A fairly gentle start to the climb, pass the juction of Pilgrims Way & bang it was like cycling up a brick wall, 29% was the maximum gradiant I recorded on my twatnav. The only good thing it was then 14 miles downhill, which we did at over 30mph in places.

Just to cap the day off, span for 2 hours & did an hour of Marcia's core conditioning!!

We seemed to climb the whole day??

Sussex/Surrey scramble

2010-05-30T18:32:00.006+01:00

Today was a BIG challenge in many ways; it's the first long distance ride I have done (80 miles plus) since I did LEJOG last year & here I am less than 4 weeks away from starting it again. The terrain was also a big consideration, normally when I have done longer rides they are not over the North or South Downs!!. The hills were energy sapping & demanding. The climb to Goodwood hit 24% (1:4) & was painful. Lactic acid was burning my thighs & when I pushed down on the pedal the front wheel was coming off the ground......... epic!!

It was the first ride that I have done by wiggle & I was certainly impressed. I have done loads with bike-events.co.uk & they are very good, however the wiggle ones are for 'proper' cyclists & not hackers like Sandra & I........ it was the first ride we have done & NOT overtaken anyone!! In hindsight though it was a great day, the weather was fantastic & we averaged 13.8mph, which was good as we hoping to beat 13!!

Our palmarès

This is screaming out caption competition........ Prize f0r the winner!!

I nearly forgot to mention Sandra's cyclocross incident, we were cycling along side by side chatting away & she turned to me & said "it's lovely" just as we went round a right hand bend, she then manages to leave the roadway & end up on the verge. She kept shouting out for a truck, but I couldn't see one. Fortunately she was OK, but her pulse did go to 170bpm from 100!!

Summer is finally here, lets hope it stays!!

2010-05-23T11:21:00.005+01:00

Is the summer finally here?? Lets just hope it stays until I at least get to Glencoe (I've said jokingly that I will continue to do LEJOG every year until I see it in the sun!!)

Been out the last couple of days, doing my all to familiar training ride up & over Wrotham Hill, Borough Green & back up Pollhill. On Saturday I was joined by a couple of spinning partners from the gym (Ross & Toby) & we had a good ride in perfect weather.

Sunday, I was joined by Sandra & we decided to do our circular route the other way round. The first 10 miles are a steady climb (not too step), before the fast descent into Dunton Green. This is then followed by undulating roads until you get to the climb I was dreading which is up to the top of Wrotham Hill. It's about a mile & I was worried, I come down it at 45 mph & I was convinced that I may not even get up it. How wrong was I. Not only did I not have to come off the middle ring on the front, I overtook another cyclist, yes you didn't misread that I OVERTOOK ANOTHER CYCLIST ON A HILL...!! We also average our best speed yet for this route, albeit the first time we did it this way!!

Sunday, the 'wrong way' round!

Saturday's stats

The legendary climb up Wrotham Hill where I got the polka dot jersey!!

The Tour of Tendring

2010-05-16T15:13:00.005+01:00

Dear all

I was again joined by Sandra as we left home at 6.30am to drive to Dovercourt (Harwich) to complete in our first organised ride of the year called the Tour of Tendring. It was a circular route over some very fast & predominately flat roads (There were a couple of little hills, but nothing really of any note). We were fortunate with the weather (a unique experience for us this year!) & the rain stayed away until we had loaded the bikes on the roof of the car & were driving home. There was a strong headwind that seemed to follow us everywhere, but we just put our heads down & powered our way round. It was the fastest long ride we have done, covering the 48 miles in 2hrs 51 mins, which equated to 16.7mph. About 3mph quicker than we normally average. If we hadn't had the headwind for the majority of the ride I would think our average would have been well over 18mph........ great roads!!

Another well organised ride by www.bike-events.com

Download from my SATNAV via Garmin Connect

Download via Trialrunner

I have been asked by a few poeple how I am able to download my pulse monitor etc & produce them as JPEG's. Quite simple really I don't have a polar pulse monitor, nothing wrong with them, however nearly everyone at my gym does & you get bleed over between them. I have a Garmin, which also links into my SATNAV. The Garmin comes with a USB dongle that automatically downloads the info from my watch onto my Imac. As I don't have a PC & am very much a MAC convert, I use a free program called TrailRunner to produce the maps (I don't think it's available for PC's??)

Got a certificate for finishing!!

London Marathon now

2010-05-10T20:05:00.006+01:00

The spinning is very much continuing now, & Sunday I am doing another long cycle ride. Went to the gym today & the instructor didn't come, so I decided to do a quick 50 km sprint, which took me 1 hour, 25 mins & 23 secs.

Hard work, but satisfying

Other news, I have now entered the London Marathon in 2011, best I get out running soon!!

New York Marathon

2010-05-06T21:12:00.002+01:00

Dear all

Again I received some good news today that I am now doing the New York Marathon on the 7th November ..... woohoo!!!

The cycle training is continuing in earnest & I am still at the gym nearly every night of the week. I am finding it increasing more difficult to get my heart rate up to my maximum & I am noticing that it returns to normal a lot quicker which is encouraging!

I will be running the marathon again for COPS & don't worry you will receive an email!!

The misery of the Isle of Wight

2010-05-03T18:58:00.004+01:00

Sandra & I were joined by some new people as we cycled round the Isle of Wight, these were Tessa & Nick.

On Saturday we went & did a 41 mile ride across the middle of the island & then down along the sound west coast, up & over Ventnor & then back to the capital Newport where we were staying. The sun shone & it was marvellous.

Team Madras at the start

Halfway round (Fish suppers all round)

At the end, waiting for the key-holder to come back!

Day 1 & you'd be surprised how hilly the Isle of Wight is?

Day 2....... oh dear where do I start???

Tessa didn't join us as she injured herself the day before, we left Newport in the howling wind & rain & then checked in at Cowes. We then started on the course to cycle round the Island. It was a good ride, except for the rain, wind & the freezing cold. We got about 20 miles in when Nick had a puncture (got to try my new CO2 pump, so I was happy!). Another 10 miles in & it was goodnight Vienna for Nick. Whilst changing down gear he ripped his rear derailed clean off the bracket & it is now knackered!!

Sandra & I did the decent thing & left him after calling the back up car to come & get him. We soldiered on & clearly for leaving Nick the gods were against us. The rain & wind got heavier. We started at the bottom of the climb to Black-gang Chime & we had a tail wind & as I was going up the climb I was changing up through the gears. This changed as we reached the top, when the head wind was then against us & how did that stay with us. By this time we were soaked, I had lost the feeling in my fingers & my lips were suffering cyanosis (turning blue). We carried on the route & found a pub. We decided that as no lives depended on us finishing we would go back to our hotel & get warm. We did manage 53 miles & as the cycle route round the island is so well posted WE WILL RETURN & finish it!!

Day 2 a wet, windy & cold day....... miserable!!

Biggin Hill and back

2010-04-29T14:20:00.004+01:00

My mother is still in hospital & seems to be making steady progress which is good news, I was intending on cycling to Folkestone today, but because of her current state I don't want to be too far away, Sandra, Gav & I cycled a route I last did back in July before LEJOG last year. It's a nice route, up & over Biggin Hill, along the valley & back up Pollhill. I was amazed when we got back to mine & when I downloaded my satnav, we were a staggering 15 minutes quicker than last time.

Can't believe how flat that looks, trust me it isn't!

That's more like it!!

We have decided now that we must try & get this below 2 hours, which means we have to shave another 6 mins off our time.

Day 3 cancelled

2010-04-28T23:46:00.002+01:00

Dear all

Sadly Day 3 got cancelled, my Mother was taken into hospital & has been admitted & a big thank you to Sandra for driving me back

I did speak to Neal & Chris & they did the 70 miles today in about 5 hours......chapeau!!

Day 2 of Boot Camp

2010-04-27T17:57:00.004+01:00

Sandra, Neal & I were joined by Chris today & we drove out to Dunster Castle to start our circular route up & over Exmoor. I wish someone could explain how a we can cycle a circular route & always seem go cycling uphill??

It's a hard ride, the first 17 miles are up hill onto Exmoor, we then cycled across the moor. The weather was a vast improvement on the howling wind we had last year, it was sunny, windless & hot. We went across the plateau of Exmoor at over 30 miles an hour. We then descended in Lynmouth. Had a lovely cup of tea & then oh dear........Connisborough Hill. It's about a 2 mile climb & the bottom 400 yards are about 23%......... Killer

We then cycled along the coast road steadily climbing for another 600 feet, the descent down Porlock Hill is 'interesting'. A mile of fast switchbacks....... don't think I've gripped the saddle so tightly!!

The last 10 miles back to Dunster were fairly uneventful, except for the nasty head wind for the last mile.

On reflection, the new bike, weight loss & improved fitness meant that we were nearly 2 miles an quicker round the whole route. We averaged 10.7 mph, which is a reflection on how hilly it is. My maximum pulse reached 100% again. So looking forward to tomorrow & some fast flat days!!

Our palmarès!!

There seems to be no downhill!!!

Day 1 of Boot Camp

2010-04-26T16:38:00.004+01:00

Dear all,

Now the weather has turned, Sandra & I have driven down to Neal's for a 3 day boot camp up & over Exmoor. We had a good but hilly ride today, covering the same circuit that we had previously done back in November. It hasn't got any easier, but I am pleased to say we were 15 minutes quicker over the 50 mile route. I know that that's not a fantastic difference, but as Tesco say 'Every little helps!'

The Route, oh how I just love those hills

My heart rate topped out at 190bpm, which is at least 10bpm too much!

The ride got off to an amusing start(for Sandra & I). Neal didn't even clear the drive before he fell off. He had what is referred to in cycling circles as a clip-less moment & was left lying in the road like a turtle that had been placed upside down on it's shell. We didn't mention it (much) & Neal excelled himself again going up a hill when he fell off. He did remain upright for the rest of the ride though.

The ride it self was challenging, the hills of Exmoor are brutal & as you pound up them your legs are full of lactic acid & the pain is almost unbearable. The worst climb by far was almost a mile long to Rayliegh's Cross. My satnav records the % of the climb & it varied between 12 & 23%. It took me over 20 minutes to cycle it!!

I love my new bike!

2010-04-18T16:50:00.006+01:00

Wow, is all I can say!! Sandra, Gav & I went out over one of our familiar training rides today & we shaved a full 2 minutes off our best time!! Woohoo, gotta love the good weather & company.

I have a sneaky suspicion that Gav is fuelled by corned beef & pickle sandwiches & I was in France yesterday & perhaps "les escargots" are the way forward???

My secret weapon??

The food of champions, corned beef & pickle sarnies!!

It was a great ride today, the weather was fantastic & the company of Gav & Sandra is always welcomed. I've only got 2 months to go now & so need to up the anti in my training. Monday week Sandra is joining me to Neals for some serious hills. We are spending 3 days in Devon & will cycle around 240 hilly miles.....2010 the year of pain!!

The new bike is going like a dream & I am contemplating what to call her, she deserves a name & I am open to suggestions!!

Our palmarès!!

Spring at last!

2010-04-14T20:18:00.004+01:00

Well about time is all I can say! The winter, rain & everything the almighty could throw at me to keep me off the bike has finally now gone. I've been cycling to work again & it feels so good being in the saddle again.

The sportive rides will soon be starting soon & I'm looking forward to cycling all over the home counties for fun with my mates. Love the endorphins when they kick in, a real natural high.

This Sunday doing the usual training ride with Sandra, Gav & may be joined by some new people...... watch this space.

Last week in May I'm off & cycling for 8 consecutive days. Plan to spend at least 6 hours a day in the saddle. Off to Exmoor for the first 3 days, then home & then off to the Isle of Wight for another 3 days cycling..... how long will it take to circumnavigate the IoW..... it's about 65 miles, so I would think about 4 hours??

Looking forward to next year, doing coast to coast & another 2 friends want to have a crack at some serious climbs in the Alps or the Pyrenees: The names being mentioned are L'Alpe d'Huez, Mont Ventoux, Le Tourmalet or Le Galibier.

To put this into some perspective, depending on which website you read the king of L'Alpe d'Huez is either the late great Marco Pantini or Lance Armstrong. Both did the 10 mile climb in around 36 mins. I will be happy to do it in less than 3 hours, which will mean me being well & truely in my red zone for the duration with my pulse around 90 - 100% of my maximum...... I must be bloody mad!!

Back to training

2010-03-30T21:09:00.005+01:00

Dear all

I've never had flu before, bad colds yes, flu no. God it was miserable, I was in bed for 3 days & just about all my joints & everything ached. So the end result was I have done nothing for nearly a week now.

However feeling much better now & have started back down the gym. I have been pushing myself on the spin classes to regain my fitnesses. In the past 2 days I have spun for getting on for 5 hours & burnt somewhere in the region of 3400 calories. Tonight I actually pushed myself on a sprint & got my heart rate up to 190 beats per minute, which equates to 105% of my maximum!!

My heart rate download for nights 2hr25min spin class. My sustained sprint at the end where my heart rate went to 105%........ thanks Debbie, she wanted us to cycle 4km in 6 mins... I did & was the only one in the class!!

Other news, Sandra & I are off to Devon again for a 3 day 'boot' camp on the 26/27/28 April. Some tough days in the saddle ahead! We are also joining a few other people to cycle round the Isle of Wight in May. I shall soon be sitting down & working how many weekends before the ride I can get away with doing sportives (Don't tell the Soup Dragon!!)

Man Flu

2010-03-25T21:02:00.002Z

Dear all

After last Sundays ride, I felt on top of the world. It was fantastic getting out on my new bike & had great company of Sandra with me. How that changed on Monday, when I woke up with Man Flu, not any old flu but MANFLU.

Men will realise how serious this is & woman will not. The end result is I have done no spin classes or any fitnesses training all week & probably will do nothing until until next Monday when I am hoping to start swimming & cycling again before & into work.

I have now booked the Ferry & the hotel for the Isle of Wight cycle ride in May. I am looking forward to this & many others that I am hoping to do. I shall shortly be booking the hotels for LEJOG

First one of 2010

2010-03-21T14:05:00.007Z

Sandra & I managed to actually get out on our bikes today for the first time this year. We did one of our regular 38 mile training routes up & over the North Downs of Kent.

We left mine at 8.30 this morning & we were flying!!

I tried my new bike for the first time today & I was very impressed, it handled like a dream & although the saddle looked like a razor blade it is comfortable to sit on!!

We were a lot faster over the route than normal, all the fitness training I have been doing coupled with the weight loss have helped....... Bring on Devon & Cornwall!!

It felt so good actually being on the bike today & it must be nearly 3 months since I managed to ride on the roads; winter seems to have lasted forever. I am hopeful that all the dreaded cold weather is behind me & I can get out every weekend & start to increase the distances I am doing.

On a brighter note, I was cycling up through Swanley & my mate Clive drove passed & he knew it was me & he'd only seen my from behind. Can't work this one out!!??

38 hilly miles!!

Nine years today

2010-03-13T11:52:00.004Z

Dear all

I sometimes wonder why I have put myself through 3 years of misery to continue to cycle from one end of the country to the other?

Today was a timely reminder as it's 9 years today that Tony Hanies died responding to a domestic call, when the car he was driving wishbone snapped going over a pot hole, putting the car into an uncontrollable spin

Pc Tony Haines 415RG

As ever this year I shall be raising funds for COPS (Care of Police Survivors) in memory of Tony & also my dear friend Chris Jefford who died of a brain tumour just over 4 years ago.

I have just been away in St Lucia for 10 days & I am still waiting to try my new bike, but the weather finally looks like it may have turned a corner, so hopefully soon I'll give it a ride!

The spinning continues, I am finding it increasingly difficult to get my heart rate above 90% of my maximum now. My resting pulse is now down below 50 beats per minute. My blood pressure is also down & the weight is still coming off slowly & I'm hoping to be around 15 stone when I start the ride this year.

Heart Rate download from todays 2 hour spin session

My new baby

2010-02-21T11:50:00.003Z

Woo hoo, my new bike has arrived!!

Evans cycles.......hmmmmmmm

2010-02-15T16:02:00.004Z

Dear all

Rant time!! It's official Evans Cycles are useless tosspots who couldn't organise a p%*s up in a brewery. They were supposed to be getting my Roubaix in 2 weeks ago & where the f*^k is it??? Perhaps it's with Shergar in Atlantis being test ridden by Elvis? I so wish my employer would go with someone else for the Ride to Work Scheme.

The weather is also getting on my nerves, it's been nearly 2 months of freezing cold miserable weather & I so want to get out & get some miles in my legs. I'm spinning as often as I can, but this doesn't really help for road riding.

The swimming before work continues as does the body pump classes when I can fit them in. The combined effort is that I have lost nearly 2 stones & remarkable as it seems my cycle clothes are getting lose, well OK that's probably an exaggeration, not as tight is more the phrase I am looking for!

As soon as I ever get my bike, I shall be down to Neals for some hill riding over Exmoor to get used to my new beast.

On other news, I must be getting fitter (OK I know I am, my resting pulse is now around 47/48 bpm). I am finding it increasingly difficult to get my heart rate above 90% of my maximum & I am also burning less calories per hour in my spin classes. This must mean my body is working more effectively & efficiently, which I am hoping to test when I climb Wrotham Hill next, to see how much quicker I can ascend it & also if I can use a higher gear?

I do need better weather for this!!

This is me in the gym after 2 hours, my heart beat was about 171bpm when my mate Glen took this!

2010 the year of pain!!

10 hours in 2 days!

2010-02-03T15:10:00.002Z

Dear all

The weather is hopefully clearing & I should soon be able to get out & do some road miles. I must admit it will be nice to feel the elements on the body as I cycle through the rolling countryside of Kent. I intent to concentrate on the North Downs to practice hill climbing in preparation for Devon & Cornwall.

As the weather has been that bad I have taken to doing double spin classes at the gym. Monday night I did 3 hours, last night was 3 hours & this morning I did 4 hours. My legs feel remarkably well considering it was 10 hours of high aerobic classes. This also is having the knock on effect of helping lose weight. I have lost half a stone in the past 2 weeks.

Should hopefully get my new bike ordered in the next few weeks & then I spend all waking moments cycling!!

Body Pump added to the regime

2010-01-24T20:00:00.003Z

Dear all

Much to my better judgement I have now added body pump 3 times a week to my training. I blame Linda from the gym for bullying me into doing it!! For those of you unaware it's a fitness workout to music with a weight training bar where you target certain muscle areas. First time I did it was fine, but my god how I ached the following day!!

On other news I am ordering my new bike on Tuesday, so hopefully should have that in the next few weeks, which I am hoping with coincide with an up turn in the weather?

Next Sunday the first ride of the year & it's a gentle one to break us in.... the Hell of Ashdown. It's only 65 miles but we climb somewhere in the region of 6,000ft & having been over some of these hills they are not slow gradual climbs...... bugger!!

It is my intention when I get my new bike to go to Neal & spend 3 days getting used to it up & over Exmoor & Dartmoor. It's savage terrain, but that's what I need

Have I mentioned 12 stone by Xmas!!

The pain continues

2010-01-19T21:12:00.002Z

Dear Reader

The bad weather has curtailed my cycling into work, however I plan to be back on it from next week. I have however upped the amount of time I spend spinning & also the classes. Mondays & Tuesdays I now do double classes & spin for around 3 hours now at a time. My old mate Glen is with me & the time does fly bye.

I am also now finding it harder to get my pulse above my 'maximum' of 181 beats per minute, but I am however able to sustain a higher heart rate for a longer period of time. This means my endurance is increasing & I must be getting fitter?? I will let you know on the 31st when I cycle the Hell of Ashdown!

My 3 hour work out Monday

Only managed a meagre 2hours & 45 mins!!

2010 the year of pain

2010-01-02T18:40:00.004Z

Hi all

I have decided that this is definitely the last year I am doing LEJOG. Not because of the actual ride, it's the fact I use half my annual leave entitlement on the ride & I so need a foreign holiday!! I love the ride, the companionship & more important the good fun we have!

I am just waiting for my voucher to come through at work & I shall be ordering my Specialised Roubaix bike

My new baby!!

The training is going well for the early part of the season, I am still swimming every morning on my way into work for 45 mins & have been using my old Cannondale Bad-boy to cycle in. It's only a 12 mile round trip, but I do have a nice 3 mile climb coming home!!

I have decided that 2010 really must be the year of pain to make Devon & Cornwall bearable, as often as I can I plan to get out & continually cycle the North & South Downs in a massive effort to increase my effectiveness over these hills. I have to resign myself to the fact that I am no Michael Rasmussen & tend to climb more like Chippo or Tom Boonan!! (If you don't follow cycling, the first is like a mountain goat & goes up them about as quick as a rat come out of drainpipe! & the last 2 are sprinters who struggle over them)

I am away next weekend, but after that I am de-toxing big time, being careful what calories I consume & pushing myself to burn more!!

On the Summer solstice I am looking at seeing how far I can cycle in day light between sunrise at 04:32 & sunset at 21:40...... should be fun, are you up for it??!!!

I plan to be 12 stone by Christmas & Happy New Year!!

I'm now famous!!

2009-12-13T17:53:00.004Z

I have recently changed roles at work & for the first time in nearly 21 years I'm not doing shift work. I now work Monday to Friday 8-4. It feels a little weird & the weekends just don't seem long enough??

To try & get into some routine I've cycling to work. It's only 12 miles so to spice up my training I have added a 45min swim to my day. I'm trying to maintain this habit & seems to be paying off. I've lost a few pounds in the past few weeks...... the hills will be easier next year!!

I will shortly be ordering my new bike & I am opting for the Specialised Roubaix with a triple ring on the front. Hopefully I will have this in time for the Hell of Ashdown on the 31st Jan!!

On other news it would appear that I am now famous & recently had a page devoted to my cycling escapades in the Surrey Overseer magazine

If you double click on the page it will become readable!

Like losing a loved one!

2009-11-22T17:03:00.003Z

Went out with Rae today & did the Evans Cycle ride out of Biggin Hill. It was truely a miserable day with strong wind, rain wet leaves on the roads....in fact I should have stayed in bed!

The ride was punishingly hard over the North Downs & many a time we cycled up rivers that were cascading down the road. I managed to break my satnav & as it came off the bike I braked to stop & managed to trap it under the rear wheel between the road as I skidded to a stop on it. Needless to say it is now buggered!!

One knackered satnav

The incredible thing is that it still works & needs a new case & screen, which I will arrange over the next few days.

I managed to come off today as well, fortunately at very slow speeds on wet leaves, nothing broken on me or the bike. The only good news to come out of today is that my waterproof overshoes are excellent & they certainly had a good testing today!!

Exmoor is a Bas%$rd!

2009-11-17T18:55:00.007Z

Dear all

Chris & I drove to Neals in the early hours of Sunday morning & this trip alone should have acted as a warning for me not to go!! The weather when I left home was horrendous; I like to feel that I am a confident driver (The Commissioner has sent me on several driving courses!), I've never seen surface water like it. I aquaplaned about a dozen times & the car behind me 'dosey-doe' on the road, did a 360 spin & ended up on the hard shoulder. Things were that bad I slowed down to 70mph!!

We got to Neal & I had told him that I wanted to practice hills. He didn't disappoint me. We left his & strayed out onto the outskirts of Exmoor, where we climbed for ever & never seemed to stop! We finally levelled out & it was an excellent ride. Day 2 was a completely different kettle of fish!

Day 1!

We drove to Dunster & left the car. The first 17 miles were uphill & took about 2 & a half hours to climb. The wind & rain was in our faces & it was relentless. It was energy sapping & demoralising. When we finally reached the top of Exmoor the strong wind & rain got stronger & it was truly miserable. The decent off the moor, was eventful. Chris had his first puncture, which we mended OK. We then arrived at the part the locals call Little Switzerland.......... It was awful. The road reached 29% in places, which was too steep for me. Chris managed (just) to do it & chapeau to him!! The descent was a scary affair. Descending some 1500ft at speed over a road surface covered in wet leaves. It was like cycling over wet paper -mache. I locked both wheels up a number of times & my brake blocks are now shot. How can you cycle a circular route & always seem to be into a head wind & going uphill??

Day 2

To put into some perspective how hard these 2 days were, when we go out cycling over almost any terrain, we average between 13 & 15 mph. Day 1 was 9.4 mph & day 2 was 7.3!!

Day 3 was a different ride, we left the road bikes at Neals & went out on our mountain bikes. Neal was setting the pace at the front when his chain snapped as he was standing out of the saddle. It's wrong to laugh at another's misfortune, but he landed rather abruptly on his love spuds & let out a high pitched scream that only dogs could hear. We managed to mend his chain (not his wedding vegetables) We limped him back home & had a stab at the local hill leading to the Monument. The daily download doesn't do it justice, it was 31% at the top. I stopped because my glasses were just covered in sweat to take them off & couldn't get going again up the hill, I had to cycle across the road to get some momentum going before I could turn to do the hill!! I was glad to finish it at the top

Day 3 (Mountain bikes & a sedate pace as our legs were shot!)

The climb to the Monument, the other didn't do the steepness justice!!

Winter Training

2009-11-13T13:07:00.002Z

Dear all

The top riders are now resting after a long season & will start their pre-season training in the hills of the Canary Islands. Having a few more days off before I start my new job, on Sunday I am doing the same & driving down to Devon to spend 3 days with Neal & Chris cycling the hills of Dartmoor, Exmoor & the Blackdown Hills.

The weather forecast for the Canaries is 25 degrees & sunny. We have 11 degrees, torrential rain & strong winds.

Madness must be setting in!!

I'll post pictures etc Wednesday next week when I get back

The end of the 'season'

2009-11-02T07:14:00.003Z

It's almost time to hang the road bike up in the garage & start to get down the gym for longer & more often. I am planning to spend 3 days with Neal in Somerset in a few weeks time to do some hill work & then on the 22nd I am doing a sportive from Biggin Hill.

I am then looking forward to the Hell of Ashdown on 31st January. Not sure if looking forward to it, is the right phrase. It's only 65 miles, but you climb over 2000 meters & it's steep. In fact it's so step when Le Tour de France went through Ashdown they modified the route to take out some of the step hills that I will be going over!!

All I will say is the diet is now well & truly on!!

Oh dear!

An Indian Summer

2009-10-29T15:56:00.005Z

Have you ever wondered why an Indian Summer is called an Indian Summer. Well so have I & no-one seems to know why?? If you can tell me please email me on pc.clare@gmail.com

I was joined by Rae & Chris as we enjoyed the last of the glorious weather on what will possibly be our last ride of the year? We did a 40 mile circuit which was a tad misty to start with!!

Some famous Kent Oast houses in fog!

The ride was uneventful, I am amazed at just how quickly your stamina & endurance can go. It was only a few months ago that I cycled 80 miles a day for 12 days & I struggled in places today!

Boys Toys 1 - my heart rate recorded on my Garmin Satnav

Boys Toys 2 - my heart rate recorded on my Garmin watch

The 2 Garmin products seem to vary quite considerably when recording my heart rate. I know it's only a guide, but as they work off the same chest band, surely they should be closer???

My favourite download of the route, shows it in clear detail. What more could you want??

Alas I am now working this weekend & Chris & Rae are off to cycle to Brighton tomorrow & I wish I was with them. I am off from Monday for 3 weeks before I start my new job. Hopefully the weather will be kind to me & I can get out on the road! Failing that I'll keep on spinning & running at the gym

The winter months

2009-10-23T12:04:00.005+01:00

The training is very much continuing as the nights draw in. I am spinning when ever I can & have now taken to getting to the class about 2 hours before it starts. This is helping me to burn off some extra 1000 calories a day & more importantly to regain some of the stamina & endurance I lost since finishing LEJOG back in August.

Rae & I are going out on Thursday next week & doing a 50 mile ride around the North Downs (I so love hills!) & then I would imagine my road bike will be hung up in the garage for next year rides' to start.

The spin classes are hard & I sweat so much that it runs down my legs into my socks & shoes & I can actually wring my socks out at the end.... isn't that a pleasant thought??

My heart rate for (the class is the huge bit at the end!)

Boys toys!

2009-10-15T12:38:00.003+01:00

I went to the London Cycle Show last week at Earls Court & to be honest I was a little disappointed with it. There were some wonderful looking bikes & I saw about 3 that I think I need, however I settled for a new heart rate monitor to help me with my training. As the winter will soon be with us, I am concentrating on spinning & have added running to my regime. I have often been asked a few questions:

1) What is a spin class??

It's an exercise class on a static bike in a group set to music. The bikes have gears & the display records your gear, cadence & heart rate (if you have a transmitter on) & total distance travelled along with the time spent on the machine.

The dreaded machine!!

The Handlebars & display unit

2) How hard is it?

If you look at the 2 downloads below they are me on the last couple of days warming up then spinning for an hour & then running for 25 mins. I think my sustained high heart rate gives some indication of effort used!!

Camerons Class (45mins) & 25 min jog

Marcia's class, can you spot where it started!!

Where has it gone?

2009-10-05T12:49:00.003+01:00

I am amazed at how quickly my fitness has disappeared. I have had roughly 4 weeks off training & doing very little & today I did Marcia's spin class..... where has my fitness gone?? It was extremely hard work & I am now looking forward to spinning as often as I can until next years ride to help boost my fitness level back up. I will be below 15 stone next year!!

Other news I didn't get a place in the 2010 London Marathon, so to make up for this I have entered Carol & I in the Silverstone half marathon in March.... should be fun?? I am also changing roles & will soon be at Lewisham Police Station. I can cycle to there easily & may soon start to jog too & fro??

Spinning again tomorrow & I do hope it gets easier!

Day 1 for 2010

2009-09-24T18:17:00.006+01:00

Dear all

The blog has now been changed & today I am looking forward to again cycling LEJOG. Confirmed this year is Rae, Gary, Neal & Nathan. I think Chris can be convinced & I'm sure Trevor will as well. Sandra, Nikki, Alan & Kevin are all a big NO's!!

I am looking for volunteers to drive the support car. It's 15 days away & you don't put your hand in your pockets, we cover all your expenses.

I am also looking for other riders. Again we are away 15 days & it will cost approximately £1000 to do this (hotels, petrol & food etc.) email me if you are interested pc.clare@gmail.com

If you are interested you will have to come riding with me on more than one occasion & also prove your fitness on the Norwich 100 miler or other similar cycle rides. (details will be circulated!)

I will soon be choosing which charities to support. It will be a police one & also a cancer related one. I have a few in mind, but haven't decided yet.... watch this space!

Crack open the sudocrem, the training starts again on Monday!!

2010 the final time??

2009-09-24T11:59:00.003+01:00

Dear all

Just wanted to say a huge thank you for again supporting me & the team for this years ride. I raised nearly £4000 for some very worthy charities & on their behalf I just wanted to again thank you all.

A big thank you to Schwalbe our official tyre & inner tube sponsor. We certainly got through some inner tubes. Thanks also to Neal the wheelman, a tough job to do well & you did us proud.

The blog must now change & I must start to focus on 2010 ride & I will soon start my training in earnest for this. In 2009 I was a lot fitter than 2008, but I still really struggled up & over the hills of Devon & Cornwall. Of course I always will at 19 stone, so next year I plan to be below 15. To help in this I find out next month if I have a place in the London Marathon..... I must be mad!!

Thanks again & watch out for the blog name change when I can come up with anything suitable!!

Kent from a different way!

2009-09-17T19:23:00.002+01:00

Today I joined Chris & Rae & we cycled a measly 40 miles in Kent. I hadn't been over these parts before & forgot how hilly parts of Kent are. Needless to say I still hate hills & probably always will!! The steepest was the hill coming out of Tonbridge at 20%. Needless to say I was in the lowest gear grinding my way up!! I enjoyed the ride, just wonder how many I can get in before the weather turns too much??

Our rather hilly ride through Kent!

St Albans ride

2009-09-10T20:47:00.008+01:00

Dear Reader

Before the weather turns against us completely Sandra & I went & saw our old friend Nikki & did a 50 mile ride through Hertfordshire on wonderful weather. It was great to be riding with her again & makes last years LEJOG seem like a lifetime ago!!

Todays route

I am now starting to send off the first batches of sponsorship money that has been raised & I received the nice letter from Christine who is the president of COPS. She is also damned good cook & did us a wonderful meal at hers when we cycled through..... thanks Christine it was the best meal of LEJOG xx

My secret is now out, perhaps we should get Old Speckled Hen to sponsor us for next year??!!

The first time?

2009-09-08T07:37:00.003+01:00

Dear Reader

You would think after cycling LEJOG that I would be sick of the sight of my bike!!! Today Sandra & I are going out & doing about 70 miles to try to keep the endurance we have built up??

We were joined by an old work friend of mine Gary who has convinced me that I need to go LEJOG again next year, with Rae, Neal & Nathan...... oh OK then! See I'm easy to convince!!

Gary & Sandra having a well deserved drink (it was 28 degrees)

Gary, next years riding companion

Our route today with the topography & other interesting facts!!

New Gucci shoes!

More photos

2009-08-26T12:58:00.002+01:00

The dust has settled

2009-08-20T20:14:00.005+01:00

Dear all

Well I am now back at work after being off for nearly a month & nothing changes!! It just all seems a distant memory, good memories though!!. I hadn't mentioned it on here, but good news. We were cycling along the A49 somewhere in Lancaster, when I heard a girl scream & I looked behind to see Kev throwing his bike on the floor & calling for me running into a hedge. (Not a girl, but Kev...... must have been saddle sore??). I went back & he had seen a car in a ditch that had clearly just gone off the road it had a lone female occupant who was unconscious & trapped in the rather mangled car. She had an obvious serious head injury & amongst us we dealt with it until the local Plod, Ambulance & Trumpton arrived........ Sandra you were magnificent!! The good news is the victim is going to be OK, she apparently was touch & go for a while, but so the locals tell us she is now on the road to recovery. It did mean we spent a few hours in the driving rain & cold there... hey-ho I've had worse days at work & I haven't got to go & do the call that all Policeman dread & break the awful news that someone has died (we are human after all?!)

There are a number of awards that need to be mentioned here. We didn't have a King of the Mountains we had a Queen (no, not Kev!!)

Queen of the Mountains Sandra Rutherford

Yellow Jersey Chris Stoodley

Most whinging tosspot Kev Parks

Person least prepared Kev Parks

Person who moaned the most Kev Parks

Best crash Trevor Barnes

Best spleen ranting Kev Parks

Best admission of daftness Chris Stoodley

Some of these need to be explained. Chris & I were cycling at the front of the group in Bristol, when a bus pulled out & clipped Chris who shouted at the driver to stop, he did & apologised. Kev the for some unknown reason (probably as he couldn't catch the original bus as he was soooooooooo far behind) rented his spleen at the bus behind??

Chris fell off twice, once in Bristol on the climb to the airport where he has no idea what happened, one minute he was going up the hill & the next he was lying on the verge & he has no idea how he got there!!! The other time was in Scotland when he couldn't unclip his feet from the SPD pedals!

Sandra fell off once when her chain came off, but the best 'Torvil & Dean' moment goes to Trevor just outside Gloucester when at about 3 mph his mobile phone rang. Neal our wheelman describes it as like watching a triple jumper & after his hop, skip & jump it was goodnight Vienna, he ended up lying there like a turtle on his back, legs & arms flapping in the air......10/10 for presentation & 10/10 for execution....!!

Chris does warrant special mention. He is off on leave for all of August & never actually asked me the dates of the ride. A few weeks beforehand he did. I told him we finished in John O'Groats on the 16th. No problem, anyway 15 mins later he rang me back to say he had a problem as on the 17th he was on the 12.30pm ferry from Dover for his family holiday. On day 11, when we covered 75 miles, he pressed onto the end & cycled an incredible 155 miles........... Chris Chapeau as they say in France..... awesome & yes dear reader he made the ferry & I trust he is now having a well deserved baguette & bottle of Vin Rouge!!

I have been asked if I would do it again......... yes I probably would. I love the feeling of cycling along through magnificent countryside with the sun on my face & the wind on my back...... the first 5 days were fantastic, alas it then poured down & we had strong head winds & I am yet to see Glencoe & to be honest most of Scotland in sunshine!!

Some photographic memories of the trip

2009-08-19T07:33:00.007+01:00

Home at last!

2009-08-19T07:21:00.004+01:00

You don't realise how far John O'Groats is from London until you have to drive it! (nearly 800 miles). Anyway I am now finally home & on reflection enjoyed the last 2 weeks...... will I do it again next year............we'll have to wait & see (I may drive a support car, I haven't decided yet!). The total distance was 915.33 miles which equated to 76.2 miles a day. You did tend to get used to being in the saddle, but I was glad to finish.

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12........Horray!!!

The missing days!!

2009-08-14T13:44:00.003+01:00

Dear all

Just to let you know we are all OK are now in Fort William. Premier Inn's have a new trick up their sleeves & now block bluetooth dongles so you have to use their wifi at £5 an hour; or in my case not!!

We are pushing on today to Fort Augustus & stopping there before coming back to the hotel. It has poured down with rain on us & going over Glencoe was cold, wet & miserable.

I shall try my dongle again tonight, but if I get no joy then the pictures will have to wait for the end of the ride??

Only 2 days left to go now!!

Day 2 & 3

2009-08-07T21:11:00.006+01:00

Day 2 was truly miserable, I have never suffered as much as I did yesterday. We all felt the same, clearly Jesus or God were not cyclists or they would never had made Devon!!

The misery of Dartmoor isn't really explained in this picture!!

We left the hills of Devon behind us & made our way to Bristol. There were some fast flat roads where we made good progress. I had 4 bloody punctures within a few miles & I was not impressed!!

Day 2 was easy by comparison!!

The internet is a bit hit & miss, my bluetooth dongle doesn't work to well, so I shall update this every other day & the pictures will have to wait until the end!!

Off to Worcester tomorrow........... keep reading!!

Day 1 done

2009-08-05T20:00:00.007+01:00

Dear all,

We had a wonderful start to the day, the sun was up the weather was hot & there was no wind in the air. We left at 10am & the first 20 miles or so aren't that bad.......FLAT!! We were fortunate that an old friend Brian Lobb & his wife Caroline came & waved us away at 10am when we left

My poor little car on the journey down

The start, by the famous sign post

The 'real' start!!

Lunch after about 30 miles & Neal did us proud with hot tea!!

Our route!

Tomorrow is another day & we are cycling to Exeter (about 75 mile) & over Dartmoor which is a horrible climb

The last few days

2009-08-02T17:12:00.003+01:00

Spent most of today running around doing last minute things & I plan to relax tomorrow (apart from picking up my wife's new car) If it's forgotten it's now too late & I'll have to buy new ones en-route!

The weather looks miserable for the next few days & I have a feeling of déjà vu, but can't think why!!

Please continue to follow us on the ride, if you can sponsor me fantastic, if not please continue to follow the blog. I will try & update daily, but the internet we found last year was a bit hit & miss. I will however post pictures to my facebook account. If you are on it add me as a friend by clicking here FACEBOOK or you can always register & you might find some old friends!!

Wish us luck!!

Last minute preparation

2009-07-29T18:35:00.001+01:00

Bollocks is about the only word I can think of that sums up the long range weather forecast for the start of the ride. Those of you who have been reading this for a while will remember that last year it poured down with rain for 8 of 10 days. This year we are doing it over 12 & I hope we get more than 2 clear days.

Oh well it's for a good cause & I'm sure I'll still have fun?

London to Cambridge

2009-07-26T17:35:00.005+01:00

Sandra & I completed in the London to Cambridge ride today. It was our last long ride before the off, which is looming faster & faster upon us!!

The ride went well & looking at the average's we are nearly 2mph quicker than last year. I have to be content with this & shows how much more training I have done this year. I'm off to Dublin in the morning for work for 2 days & plan to spin on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. I am then having a weekend off doing very little but getting ready to go!!

Only downfall of the day was the bee/wasp that decided to sting my head after it crashed into me. It bloody hurt! I just want to get started now & would happily drive to Cornwall get going ........ only a week to go now

Download from my Satnav

The route

Single figures now!

2009-07-25T17:00:00.002+01:00

Oh dear, the countdown clock is now into single figures & we are only 9 days to go now, I should have trained harder, lost more weight & 101 other things but time has passed me by.

Tomorrow Sandra & I are doing London to Cambridge & that will be our last long ride (59 miles). Sandra is then working up until we leave, I'm in Dublin for the first half of the week & then running around getting all the last minute little jobs done.

Where has the time gone???

2 weeks & counting

2009-07-21T09:06:00.002+01:00

Woke up this morning & I feel awful....have I got swine flu? I actually do hope I have, it'll last a few days & will not impact on me when I am cycling. Before you all rush to avoid me it might only be hay fever?

Had a good 3 days, cycled 160 miles with Sandra & I feel a lot fitter than this time last year. I am looking forward to getting going & just want to start. All the last minute preparations are now in place & the worrying & fretting about what could go wrong I have hopefully factored out?

It may be a bit hit & miss updating the blog when I am en-route, but I will be posting pictures on Facebook. If you are not on it click here to register FACEBOOK & add me as a friend.

I have added a poll to see how much weight you'll think I will lose over 12 days. Last year I lost 4lbs over 10 days to give you an idea. However I drank isotonic drinks all the time not realising each bottle was nearly 500 calories. I shan't be drinking as many this year!??!

Have we finally cracked?

2009-07-20T10:51:00.006+01:00

Dear reader

Sandra & I may have finally cracked & should be sectioned. On both our day off we left mine at 7am (no not a misprint!) to cycle 31 miles up & over Biggin Hill. We had done this a few weeks ago & were 5 minutes quicker today - must be getting fitter?? We reassured ourself that this was normal behavior & we would be all civilised & have a nice coffee in Brasted. We were too early & the bloody coffee shop was shut as well!!

The route & you can see I reached 48 mph going down Westerham Hill!!

I'm off tomorrow where I intend to do a spin class & I may just do a quick 40 miles on my normal Wrotham, Borough Green, Polhill Route, or I may just sit in the hot tub at the gym relaying war stories?!

London to Southend

2009-07-19T16:22:00.005+01:00

As time gets nearer Sandra & I were joined by Gav & we cycled London to Southend. I hadn't done this event before & I found it very similar to London to Brighton. Too many people doing it with no bike handling skills!!

Our Route

The download from my Satnav.

If you look at my speed at the end you'll see it tailed off. That was the unbearable head wind which was accompanied with hail. The last time I cycled in hail was the decent of Glencoe last year. I do hope this is not a forecast of things to come??

A tired little soldier on the trip home!!

Essex Castle

2009-07-18T18:29:00.004+01:00

I did something today that I thought I would never have to do & that's load 4 bloody bikes onto the roof of my car! It brought back some horrible memories of last year!!

We had a good run today apart from the headwind, which we seemed to have nearly all day. It's worth pointing out that we stopped for a tea after about 35 miles & then 2 people sat in my back wheel for the next 6 miles as I struggled to maintain 20 mph. They are both about 12 stone & I'm 19 stone!! It was bloody hard work & when I couldn't maintain it they then passed me drafting each other............

Our Route!!

London to Southend tomorrow, it's an easier day at only 59 miles!

Another well organised event by www.bike-events.com

Tempus fugit

2009-07-16T10:21:00.004+01:00

I know I have said this before, but where does the time go, it does seem to fly by??

All the hotels are booked, checked & double checked. I have bought the supplies, got Neal & Chris on the car insurance & to be honest just want to leave now & start. I know the others feel the same as we have been talking about it.

Looking forward to the weekend, doing 75 miles on Saturday doing Essex Castles & 59 on Sunday completing at London to Southend. The bikes will then go in for a service & the following Sunday I am doing London to Cambridge which is 59 miles. That will probably be all the longish rides I can fit in.

It's now less than 3 weeks to go & am starting to get apprehensive, not about the ride, but more as I've organised it all!!

To give you some idea of the route & more importantly for us, the terrain, I mapped our ride on www.mapmyride.com which is an excellent website.

You can see it's 893.7 miles which we shall be doing over 12 days (just short of 75 miles a day average). The steep pointy bits are awful. Day 2 the big climb is onto Dartmoor, which I am not looking forward too. (on 99 miles). The next one is at 445 miles which is Shap Pass in the Lake District. Another long steep climb. The final long slog of note is the 30 mile climb up to Glencoe at 650 miles. All plan sailing then!!

Folkestone today

2009-07-13T18:07:00.006+01:00

Sandra & I are very much continuing our training. Today we cycled the 61.77 miles from mine down the old A20 to Folkestone. Not a bad route, we stopped & had coffee a couple of times & generally treated it as the training ride it is. Good news is I am improving massively over some of the steep hills & I can now sit quite comfortably at 20 mph on the flat with my pulse at about 65%. This is encouraging & I feel that I am a lot fitter than this time last year & should find Devon & Cornwall easier??

The profile of Wrotham Hill & yes I know I somehow managed to turn off the tracking bit on the SATNAV, however if you double click on the image & look at the top right hand side you will see the stats (I must read the manuel to see how things work??!!)

On the way home & we still had to cycle another 7 miles from Orpington station

An inspiring video

2009-07-12T08:28:00.004+01:00

Hopefully NOT a portent of things to come?

2009-07-11T18:30:00.008+01:00

Sandra & I in our continuing quest for perfection went out on a little ride of 30 miles today which was up & over Biggin Hill & then back through Brasted to mine. I do hope the weather we had isn't a forecast of what will have on the ride. It was a horrible drizzle that started as soon as we left mine.

Biggin Hill from mine is a steady climb of 13.4 miles which is something I still need all the practice I can get at!!

Our route (double click to make bigger)

Monday we are cycling to Folkestone (about 70 miles) for a stick of rock & a kiss me quick hat, hopefully it will be sunny & I will have some pictures to show you?

My friend the generous poet

2009-07-10T19:55:00.004+01:00

Dear all

I recently sent a round robin email to my address list asking people to look at this blogsite & to think of us as we cycle the 878 miles

I had this reply back from my dear friend Joe which is just has to be shared with you!!

May the 5th of August (Wednesday) dawn bright and dry and clear
As you leave the coast at old Land's End to a rousing sporting cheer
With your back wheel touching water and your cycle pointing North
Set your ass upon that saddle and just push for all you're worth

As you travel over hill and dale, compass reading Nor' Nor' East
May the wind be ever at your back, Well, till Inverness at least
Then North Kessock, Fortrose, Evanton and on till Dinnock Firth
But you still continue pushing on for all you're bleedin worth

Thru Helmsdale, Hill of Many Stanes, thru Wick and Aukengill
There's just a few more miles to go then up that final hill
And when, at John O'Groats ye stand, a - lookin out to sea
There will be a cheque for 100 pounds, to go to you from me!!

London to Oxford

2009-07-05T19:03:00.006+01:00

Today was truly a glorious day, the weather was hot, the company (Sandra, Chris & Gav) were on good form & we were on fire!! We managed to cover 21 miles in about an hour & 25 mins, the roads were flat & fast. The only bit that spoilt the fun was the 800 ft climb in the middle, but descending at 60 kph was great!!

The ride & stats (Double click to make it bigger)

Another well organised ride by bike events

Off for a few beers & a curry now!!

5 weeks & counting

2009-07-02T15:57:00.012+01:00

It appears time & tide do indeed wait for no man, as I said a few posts ago, I can't believe where the time has gone & we are now less than 5 weeks & nearly at the 4 weeks stage until we leave

I have been out on my bike as much as I can & am tending not to do spin classes at the gym. This week alone I have cycled 150 miles & should add another 140 miles by Sunday, which will finish with me doing the London to Oxford cycle ride with Chris, Gav & Sandra.

I must be getting fitter, going up Wrotham Hill to Brands Hatch my pulse is no longer above 90% & I am struggling to get it that high!

Today I was joined by Gav & Sandra & we cycled to Ashford on the hottest day of the year, we really struggled to find places to fill our bottles & we all drank at least 4 of them. Fortunately Kent Police have a few stations on the way we called in at!!

It seemed warmer!!

I've now got a new SATNAV for my bike, which I am not 100% on working at the moment!! When I do I should be able to add the data from it (I had better learn quick as it's not long to go now!!)

The beer garden of the local pub after 45 miles on Tuesday

The phantom slasher leaving the scene of the crime!

I just weighed myself when I got in & I lost almost a stone in weight today. I think I may be dehydrated & need fluid!!

My heart rate & speed (double click to make bigger)

The route, my heart rate & speed (double click to make it bigger)

Eek!!

2009-06-29T17:42:00.003+01:00

Worrying!

Mark Cavendish eat your heart out

2009-06-25T11:36:00.002+01:00

As you know much to my better judgement I was talked into doing London to Brighton by Rae (who I spoke to yesterday & is hopefully being released from hospital today or tomorrow). I bumped into some people I used to work with & one of them had a camera at the finish & caught the moment when I out sprinted the chap behind me. We had raced for about a quarter of a mile & I was absolutely knackered.

When you cross the finishing line you get your medal & a bottle of water. I undid the bottle, but couldn't actually drink any as I was breathing so hard!!

I had reached about 35 mph & had cycled 70 miles to get here.

6 weeks & counting......eek!

2009-06-23T12:25:00.007+01:00

Dear reader,

Where does the time go?? It only seemed like a few weeks ago LEJOG was still 6 months away & low & behold it's now 6 weeks. I am spinning as often as I can & am seriously monitoring my food intake, which is having the right sort of effect as I have lost 2.5 kg this week. Which is good until you look at it in terms of percentages of my overall body weight. I am still the same percentage of fat as a pork scratching, but I am at least a lot fitter than this time last year & I am hoping in the next 6 weeks to be able lose another 10 kg. Watch this space!!

The training will continue right up to the weekend before we leave, when I shall do nothing for 3 days prior to the ride.

On other news Rae had his operation yesterday, so here's to a quick & painless recovery & hopefully back on his bike very soon. The final line up for the ride is Sandra, Chris, Kev, Trevor & myself with Neal as the wheelman!!

This is the inside of my garage, am I becoming obsessed??? It doesn't show the other bike on the other side of the garage & I still want another one......

Been a busy day for me today, did Marcia's spin class this morning & decided to have a real hard effort this evening. I started spinning at 5.30pm & did the 6pm class that lasted for 45 mins. I continued spinning until the 7.15pm class which finished at 8pm. I span for 2 & a half hours & feel fine

20 mins into my 'warm up'

The end & was I glad to finish!!

London to Brighton 2009

2009-06-21T16:48:00.009+01:00

I vowed last year that I wouldn't do London to Brighton again. It's well organised, but I feel far too many riders on crowded narrow country lanes, with people who cycle far too fast & do not have the required bike handling skills. Right, rant over & I did it again this year at the last minute. Rae who was doing LEJOG with us had a relapse last weekend whilst we were out riding & he is now booked in for an operation tomorrow & now very sadly will not be joining us for the main event, don't worry Rae we will do it next year (what am I saying, but sadly folks I am already looking ahead to 2010!!). Rae twisted my arm last weekend to do it today, so it's his fault & he wasn't even there!!.

The ride was uneventful for me (not others who crashed at the side of the road!). You can't ride a fantastic fast time because of the crowds, but it was a good day. I am clearly a lot fitter than last year & managed to make Turners Hill look easy. I got a lot further up 'The Beacon' than last year & I'm afraid had to walk the last 400 yards. My pulse had been over 100% of my maximum for about 5 mins & I thought it prudent to stop!!

I also cycled up to the start & back to Lewes where my wife met me. All in all a good training ride, which increased my confidence as I seem to be a lot fitter than this time last year. We only have just over 6 weeks now until we leave for Devon

Facts of the ride

Distance traveled 75.8 miles

Average speed 11.6 mph

Maximum speed 36.5 mph

Total calories 4255

Average heat beat 74% (131 bpm)

Maximum beat beat 121% (215 bpm) - Ditchling Beacon!!

The Profile of Ditchling Beacon & I certainly do not remember the downhill bit!!

The days route

Great Kent Ride

2009-06-14T16:41:00.009+01:00

Dear readers

The training is continuing & I was joined by Chris, Rae & Gav as we cycled a 60 mile round trip to & from Ashford in Kent. It started well as we covered nearly 18 miles in the first hour (ok I admit it's like a billiard table with no wind). This part of Kent is made for riding a pedal cycle on & it was virtually perfect cycling weather, which makes a nice change!!

After a nice cup of tea we pushed on over the Walland Marsh towards Rye, before turning back in land. Again still perfectly flat & windless.

Oh dear how that changed when we turned off the main road onto a much quieter one, I suddenly thought I was in the Alps!!

It was an unwelcome addition to the route, but at least it was relatively short. We had a little rest at the top & carried on, only to be held up a few hundred yards down the road by an unusual traffic jam!!

The woollie peloton going the other way!!

The ride was then fairly straight forward back to Ashford, with one added bonus of a hill that was 20% at it's maximum. This nearly killed me, but I just dropped down to a low gear & grinded my way up.

London to Brighton next week, another 60 odd miles!

I think the steepest hill I have ever cycled up??

Facts of the ride

Distance travelled: 59.6 miles

Calories burnt: 3477

Average speed: 14.7 mph

Top speed: 34.4 mph

Average Heart Rate: 87% (154 bpm)

Maximum Heart Rate: 104% (185 bpm) - on that bloody hill!!

Norwich 100 miler

2009-06-08T11:52:00.011+01:00

The Norwich 100 miler!!

They day started badly when we got stuck on the M11 at 5.30am for an accident & didn't move for over an hour. (I'm not blaming anyone for being 15 mins late to mine, but we would have missed this Gav!). So we arrived in Norwich just over an hour late, oh well these things happen. To put 100 miles into a distance to comprehend it's roughly Trafalgar Square to Birmingham or to put it another way.... a hell of a long way!!

We started cycling at 8.30am & you will be pleased to know that I didn't come off this time! We started in sunshine, but very soon into the ride we had a few drops of rain, but nothing spectacular. But the further we got away from the start the heavier it began to fall. Dear reader after last years LEJOG I am used to cycling in rain, but yesterday was truly miserable. We stopped after 30 miles & had a well deserved cup of tea to warm us up. The sun actually came out & about 10 yards after we left the village hall, the heavens opened & this then stayed with us for the next 50 miles.

25 miles in & damp at this stage!

We then pressed onto the coast road where the downpour was joined by the unwelcome addition of a strong head wind. To show how strong this wind was, on a fairly level piece of road, I was doing 14mph & I stopped pedaling. Within 50 yards the wind had stopped me!! The rain was the worst thing & it's hard to describe the miserable cold feeling of padded cycling short that has absorbed about as much water as an olympic sized swimming pool!

Needless to say it was hard work & we rapidly started to run out of energy, but we did it. If anyone tells you that Norfolk is flat then they are liars!!

When we drove home the blue sky finally came through & I had to put my sunglasses on................ my mother wouldn't like the words I was thinking!

I have a little under 2 months to go now & I have to work on losing weight & my endurance. I'm still a little over 19st 7lbs which is a hell of a lot of weight to carry up & over hills. Next Sunday I am doing another ride with Rae & Gav from Ashford. It's only 60 miles & hopefully it will be hot, sunny & DRY!!

Facts of the ride:

Distance 101.4 miles (ride time 7:34 mins)

Calories 6359

Top Speed 30.3 mph

Average Speed 12.9 mph

Max heart rate 107% (191 bpm)

Average heart rate 85% (152 bpm)

The Route in detail

West Kent 2015 Appeal

2009-06-02T08:40:00.002+01:00

Dear all

Those of you know that apart from Cycling my other passion is Freemasonry. The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for the Province of West Kent, Jonathan Winpenny announced today that we are to hold a festival in aid of the Masonic Samaritan Fund culminating in 2015

To acknowledge this I am adding the 2015 appeal for my masonic chums to sponsor me on!

2015 Festival Appeal

Back to work

2009-05-22T14:34:00.001+01:00

Dear reader

I have cycled into work & home again the last couple of days & the weather has been fantastic. It's a long time since I have cycled both ways after working a twelve hour day & it's tiring to say the least!!

My injuries you will be pleased to know are healing well, Carol has accused me of being a big girls blouse & I'm disappointed, but I suppose when you leave the NHS & now work in the private sector then you don't have the be sympathetic anymore???

We are nearly in June & nearly every weekend I will doing some form of cycling event, Norwich 100 miler, London to Oxford, London to Southend, Great Kent Ride etc... I'll do my best not to get unseated & stay on the bike!!

Ouch part 2

2009-05-18T16:41:00.008+01:00

Carol is now back from her parents & has dressed all my wounds, it's always good to marry a nurse, you never know when they will come in handy!!

My elbow

Road rash is all the rage!

A very sore cheek!!

I can fly, I can fly oh bugger no I can't

2009-05-17T20:01:00.004+01:00

Many many years ago when the world was at war a famous soldier (note not poet) wrote a poem about death. It is some corner of a foreign field & tells of a soldiers thoughts should he die in Flanders Fields & that were he is buried will ever be a part of England. (see bottom of post for full poem). I was reminded of this poem today when I came off at about 25mph after being unseated when my chain came off. I went over the handlebars & for a brief nano second I thought I could fly. This was dispelled just before I landed on the road & slid to a standstill on my knee, elbow & hip. Good news nothing is broken (bike included), but I do have some serious road rash. There is a road in Hertfordshire that will ever be me as the skin from my knee & elbow are there!! I got back on & cycled another 20 miles through some torrential rain. Good thing it washed nearly all the blood away!!

The chain that I put on, which was too long & I had shortened is now apparently too short so I will be taking the bike to a different cycle shop to get them to fix it tomorrow. I may spin tomorrow morning depending how my injuries are. I have enclosed a few picture & will add some more when the bruising comes out!!

I'm now off to try & sleep, got a feeling it's going to be a disturbed nights sleep!

Being treated by St Johns Ambulance

I make an awful fuss!!

If I should die, think only this of me:

That there's some corner of a foreign field

That is for ever England. There shall be

In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;

A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,

Gave, once her flowers to love, her ways to roam,

A body of England's, breathing English air,

Washed by the rivers, blessed by the suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,

A pulse in the eternal mind, no less

Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;

Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;

And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,

In hearts a peace, under an English heaven

This weekend

2009-05-15T07:51:00.002+01:00

This weekend I will be starting on many Sunday cycle rides around various locations in the South East. Sunday is the turn of St Albans, which some of your might remember I did this last year. Nikki & I are again doing the 50 miles & looking at the weather forecast it will be weather we are used too!!! At least the rain should keep us cool?

Still waiting for my work bike to be repaired. Since the credit crunch my local cycle shop have been inundated with people getting their old bikes out of the shed to be serviced. This is annoying as I want my work bike to cycle to work on

Watch out for pictures from Sunday!

Buggered back wheel

2009-05-08T21:20:00.001+01:00

Dear all

In an effort to again put some added momentum into my training I was planning to cycle to work every day from tomorrow, just been out & pumped up my rear tyres & was generally checking the bike before going to bed & I noticed that the rear wheel was slightly buckled. On closer examination I have broken some of the rear spokes, so I will have to put this into the menders on Monday when I am off next. Bugger is on the only word I can think of that sums this up!!

Less than 3 months to go!

100 days & counting

2009-04-26T15:58:00.004+01:00

Dear all

The training over the past few weeks has been a bit hit & miss, something called work keeps getting in the way. It's now only 100 days until we leave & the weather is finally seems to be with us, which means I can get back on the bike with renewed vigor.

We have however lost another member of team plod. Nathan changed departments last week & he now can't get the time off work, so we are now down to a merry band of 8.

On other news Sandra & Sarah ran the London Marathon today, don't know what time in yet, but you can guarantee it would be quicker than I could run round in.

Their charts & I'm not saying which one is which!!

I will shortly be announcing something big in West Kent!! & also details of Sunday rides that I will be doing with some of the gang, so please come back to the blogsite & see the updates

Warm weather at last

2009-03-30T17:06:00.009+01:00

It was a wonderful day today & almost a novel experience, being on a bike, warm with bright sunshine, it was great feeling the heat from the sun on my legs!!

We left the local gym & Sandra & I were joined by Clive & Gareth & we did our now familiar route down to Maidstone, across to Tonbridge & back through Sevenoaks......... well that was the plan!!

We reached the top of Wrotham Hill & started our descent all together. It's fair to say that what I lack in hill climbing I make up for in descending, I lead the descent reaching over 40 mph. The descent is a nice straight piece of road with a roundabout at the bottom, where we turn right to continue descending. Getting back up to the 40 odd mph over the next roundabout & descend for another 2 miles.

About 4 miles further down the road I get a phone call from an unnamed person (It's wrong to name her) to ask me where I was?? Despite strict instructions & a knowledge of the area, Sandra & Clive turned right at the second roundabout where the should have gone straight on!!. Seizing this as the perfect opportunity NOT to do Sevenoaks Hill we turned round & tried catch them back to David Lloyds (without success!!)

The rest of the ride was uneventful, except that I don't think any of the pro teams will hire me as a mechanic. I had terrible trouble shifting down on the rear de-railer & my chain came off a number of times (always going up hill). It transpired that the new chain I put on is too long & needs to have some links taken out..... this is now in the cycle shop. Main downfall was I had to do the last hill of the day (Polehill) in the big cog on the front.......... hurt like hell before you ask!

Garth, Sandra & Clive by Brands Hatch

Facts of the ride

Distance travelled 37.4 miles

Average speed 12.8 mph

Maximum speed 41.6 mph

Calories burnt 2999

Average HR 85%

Max HR 100%

Gareth & my route!

Sandra & Clive ride was 32.12 miles long & I'm convinced it so they didn't have to do Sevenoaks Hill!!

Junior circuit!!

Spring cleaning

2009-03-29T17:55:00.003+01:00

Dear all

Having tried to cycle throughout the winter & in some truly awful weather, I decided to give the bike a jolly good clean. The chain had become a little stiff with the funny red/brown on it, which I am lead to believe was rust! Needless to say, it was salvageable but I decided I needed a new one for the training that I must now throw myself into now the weather finally appears to be getting better.

New gold chain

I also treated myself to a new set of tyres, the others had covered somewhere in the region of 3000 miles & had started to crack in places.

Tomorrow I am going to cycle to Maidstone across to Tonbridge before heading back through Sevenoaks & Orpington. This round trip from mine is 61 miles. I am planning to do it again on Tuesday before I meet my wife in London at Rules to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary (I think the diet will be off that night!!)

Where has March gone?

2009-03-24T11:34:00.002Z

Dear all

March has almost gone & apart from working a few nights & spending all day sat outside a court because of legal argument I've been off. The training started well, but I managed to get an inflamed gland in my leg which took a few days to go (burst really), but it's very much now back on track

Marcia was back at the gym today & her class was harder than ever, I'm not sure if that's because of my week off or her anger at not being well?? Nether the less, I burnt over 1000 calories in just over an hour!!

The weather it would appear is finally improving & I am hoping to get out for some longer rides now to let my body acclimatise it's self to longer periods in the saddle.

You will be pleased to know that when I was nights last week, I cycled into work; which as ever I really enjoyed.

Keep following, as I have a plan up my sleeve for another daft event!!

Day 5!

2009-03-05T12:45:00.005Z

Dear all

Day 5 of my new fitness regime & it's going well. I've been really careful in what I eat & am losing weight (not as much as I would like though!!) & have been to the gym every day & this may come as a surprise have been doing spin classes!

The weather it now seems is conspiring against me & we had snow last night!, but we still have a few months to go before the main event, so I am confident I shall be able to do many more long rides. I am hoping to get out next week & I am hoping some of the team will join me?

Other news, Claire managed to come off a few weeks ago, when a lorry clipped her & she apparently has some nasty bruises to show for her troubles. Hope you feel better soon!!

When I go back to work in 4 weeks time I plan to cycle everyday. The route is about 12 miles & is a fairly level one. Having spent many years investigating fatal road traffic collisions I do stop at traffic lights & do not go up the inside of lorries & it takes me about an hour, which is quicker than public transport!

My Route to work

1st March & Lent!

2009-03-01T18:31:00.007Z

Dear all, time is gradually ticking away & we are into another month of 2009. I am now off work for nearly a whole month & have decided that I must really get started on some serious training, if I want to make the hills of Devon & Cornwall a more pleasant experience than last year!!

I was joined today by some of my usual companions Nikki, Sandra & Gavin & we decided not to take on the might of the Col de Sevenoaks & opted for the now familiar training ride through Borough Green & Sevenoaks (We nearly missed it as someone who will remain nameless went off like a whippet & missed the turn off to Borough Green - didn't you Sandra!)

The hills never seem to get any easier, but the recovery time does. I was however still slightly bunged up with cold & produced an incredible amount of snot today (I estimate a good 2 pints!) The weather was kind as well which helped. A good day all in all & nice to see Nikki again who hadn't been on a bike this year.

Top of Polhill, which I flew up today & was first by some time..... woo hoo!! (I was last on all the other hills today)

Nikki, shoveling a pasty down herself, I've never seen one disappear so quickly!!

Profile of Polhill

Profile of Ightham Hill

Facts of the ride

Distance covered 39.1 miles

Average speed 12.4 mph

Average heart rate 88%

Maximum heart rate 102%

Top speed 37.3 mph

Calories burnt 2801

Looking forward to March

2009-02-19T13:25:00.002Z

Dear all

I now only have 4 more working days left until I am off for nearly the whole of March & the real training must begin. I am hoping to spend 3 days in Devon with our wheelman Neal, to try & taylor my training specifically to hills (which to be honest I am slow at best on) & generally get used to cycling long distances in new surroundings. I do enjoy our rides out into Kent, but you do get bored with the same routes.

My bike will be on fire by April & I am hoping to have lost a few stones & I shall be back on the bike to get to work. I am now seriously contemplating getting a new bike for this years ride, but will have to work on the soup dragon!!

I may need a new bike??

My new nemesis!!

2009-02-13T19:26:00.005Z

Dear all

I was again fiddling with my computer & I have downloaded the profile for Sevenoaks Hill, I now don't feel that bad for having to stop to let my heart rate come down to below 100% on 3 occasions!!

Is that part of the gradient 17% or our my eyes failing?

Winter training

2009-02-11T17:39:00.007Z

All the professional teams go to nice warm locations like the Canaries to train through the winter. I came up with a great idea of cycling through Kent over some of the steepest climbs in crappy weather in February!!

We were joined by Rae who will be doing Le Tour with us & a friend from the Gym Clive. We cycled down to Maidstone, across to Tonbridge & back up via Sevenoaks & Orpington. Sevenoaks is the worst hill & I had to stop 3 times to let my heart rate drop to below 100%. It was a good day, until the heavens opened about 14 miles from the end, but it's all good training

The morning after the night before & looking remarkably fresh when you consider what she drank!!! Well it was her birthday

Who was a naughty girl!!

Top of Wrotham Hill for a nice hot coffee (Sandra & Clive)

Halfway round for an egg banjo & tea. (Clive, Sandra & Rae)

It poured down & I got a wet & dirty bum!!

Facts of Ride

Distance Covered: 57.7 miles

Average Speed: 12.3 mph

Top Speed: 38.3 mph

Average Heat beat: 84 BPM

Maximum Heart Rate: 104% (Sevenoaks Hill)

Calories Burnt: 3801

Who do you believe?

2009-02-06T08:05:00.006Z

We have had some cold weather, which must be the stupidest start to a blog entry ever, talk about state the obvious!!

In a few days Sandra & I will be attempting 3 progressively harder rides from Tuesday, we will be doing 40 miles, 60 miles & then 104 miles. The trouble is I don't know what weather forecast to believe as they are all different??

BBC Website

MET office (which you would expect to be correct?!)

My iphone

I think we will have to play it by ear for each day, but big Daddy will return & I am sure we will get out & do some cycling even if it's laps of a local 7 mile circuit I have. We might just go round this about 10 times to get the miles in our legs!

Big Daddy returns!

2009-01-30T14:26:00.010Z

Sandra & I again cycled our now training route out over Wrotham Hill & back through Sevenoaks & Orpington. When we last did this there was snow on the ground & it was bloody cold!! It was Mediterranean today by comparison & was a barmy 5 degrees. So we both wrapped up warm in cycling tights, overshoes, hats & full length gloves. Some pretty unkind comparisons were being made about me & a certain former sports star!!

I expected more from my wife!!

We were a few minutes quicker today than when we did this earlier in the month. Having done 7 spin classes this week, my legs were not functioning at their best & I was unable to dance on the peddles up the hills. Sandra on the other hand was like the preverbal rat up a drainpipe. If you double click on the picture below you will just be able to make her out!

Sandra is the little yellow speck about half way up

Fact of the ride

Distance travelled : 37 miles

Time taken : 3 hours & 5 mins

Average speed : 12 mph

Calories burnt : 2385

Average Heart beat : 81%

Stamp your Mark 2014

2009-01-30T07:45:00.006Z

I have also decided to help boost the Surrey Provincial Mark appeal for 2014 by raising fund with my ride. For my friends in certain clubs, click on the 'Stamp your Mark' below & follow the instructions how to donate via the downloadable gift-aid form

Stamp your Mark

Where has January gone?

2009-01-26T21:28:00.008Z

Well we are nearly at the end of January & I don't know where the time has gone? I've finally got rid of my boomerang cold (I called it that as it kept coming back!) & I have now been able to do some seriously hard spin classes. I span this morning for nearly 2 hours & burnt 1491 calories. I must be getting fitter as it now takes me an hour & 20 mins to burn 1000 calories & I haven't managed to get my heart rate above 98% no matter how hard or how long I push myself. My resting pulse is low 60's & my clothes are getting looser (expensive!)

I am now looking at all roads when I drive down them thinking, this'll be a bastard to cycle up or not as the case may be!!

I just seem to see cyclist everywhere, these sheep just look like le peleton on a mountain stage. I suppose the polka dot jersey would be made of wool?!

It was great to see Lance Armstrong make his comeback on Le tour Down Under & that has given me an extra impetuous to get out on the bike & put in some hard miles. I was chatting at the gym this week I was amazed how many of my fellow spinners feel the same about cycling & looks like we might make an informal cycle team (The David Lloyds Gentleman's second XI spinners?) Because of shift work this will mean I should have a riding companion on most days when the weather is better!!

I have to have 2 weekends away with the wife in Rome & Paris to watch Lance finish 2 of the 3 Grand Tours he has entered this season. We were in Paris for No 7!!