Category: Le Tour

So, end of my first week of my programme – I’ve cycled 65 miles since Monday, when I took a trip to Gosport via Fareham, took the ferry to Gunwarf, crossed Southsea to the Hayling ferry, then home on the Billy Trail. This week, the evenings were bright, and when I got home I got my kit together and headed off. If this is how its going to be over the summer, then bring it on.

The only downside was getting my stats for Body Fat %, and my BMI – have a look at your own It don’t have the courage to pop the stats down here, but just to say, it wasn’t great.

Anyway…we’re on the right track.

This week I was very happy to become rider number 23482 in this year’s London to Brighton. This is a charity ride intended to raise money for British Heart Foundation. I will be riding 54 miles from Clapham Common to the seafront in Brighton along with 26,999 others on Sunday June 20th. I will not be alone, and have roped in Martin, Neil and John, who I’m sure will be happy to ride with me for a few miles before I tell them “leave me, I’ll only slow you down” like in old adventure movies. I have planned a regime to get me up to full fitness and will try to get close to the 50 before the day itself.

The BHF have added a new feature to the sponsorship side, with a new online sponsor form where you can enter your details and sponsor me direct. There’s a permanent link on the right hand side. I should remind you to tick the gift aid box, this means that for every £1 you give the BHF can claim an extra 28p from the tax man. And it won’t cost you a penny extra.

So, this a big thing, I’m hoping you’re going to make it a huge success, please give generously, every penny will send me on my way and help the British Heart Foundation. Messages of encouragement will be most welcome, I’ll let you know how the training goes, and report on the big day when it finally happens.

Over 35 miles with Neil to see a hockey match in Liss. When we got there, the game was over and we trundled home. I almost got up Buriton hill in one go, I know that when I finally manage to climb it without getting off, I’ll have made good progress. I should mention that Neil didn’t have any trouble, and spent a few minutes at the top waiting for me to catch up.

Oh, I’ve entered the London to Brighton and I’m waiting to hear if I’ve got in. Apparently there are only 27,000 places and most of them have gone by the end of March. I’m going to put a sponsor form on the web and on the notice boards at work, and maybe get a bit of dosh together.

It’s nice to think Lance has one of these in the garage. Its a thing of beauty, a folding trek bike with Bontrager wheels, 9 speed, cromo forks…mmm. Unfortunately it cost £450. Maybe I’ll get one to ride when I finally get rid of the car, wouldn’t that be great. Having said that, my little 106 passed the MOT first time today, and its been really easy. It would be a nice ambition to cut down on car travel, it all depends on work, trains etc.

Took a big step this week into shoes, cleats and pedals. Also had my first big fall of the year and removed several layers of skin from my knee. It wasn’t coincidental, I slipped badly on a load of mud on the road, my usual reflex would have been to put my feet down, but trapped in my pedals i was helpless and everything slipped away from me. Something about it all makes me feel quite good, that a little bump does you good occasionally. What doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger…speaking of which…

Very pleased to hear of Mario Cippolini’s return to Le Tour after 4 years. Petachi will have some strong competition and I’m sure it will liven up the opening days, especially after last year. Hopefully we will get to see them go head to head in Quimper where we’ll be standing in the crowd. To say I’m looking forward to seeing Le Tour is a bit of an understatement. I think we’ll probably catch it in Briec the night before, then go into town to see the final sprint later in the afternoon.

Had a good ride yesterday, clocked up 31m (the 1 is very important), during which I climbed Harting Down, and almost came a cropper on the way down. My average is building up, and I can do a steady climb, but have trouble on much steeper climbs. Anyway, it was a good day, and felt great when I finally came home.