There was some spooky tyre stuff going on this morning when we all got up at cock crow for an early Saturday morning ride. Beth had a flat one.....Alex had a puncture last night. John and I had a problem with low pressure and poorly pump. But all was resolved come 7ish and we met at the Bar at Copsale. Now, to the uninitiated this place doesn't compute. But in our world its a fitting substitute for the previous meeting place...outside the bar at the White Horse! The bar at Copsale is a little junction on the A24 where we have decided to meet up when we all ride together. Today John and I sped along a few minutes later than planned to find Alex and Beth there already. So we all tucked in behind one another and took off along the A272 to Coolham. I won't go into the details of the ride as we have done this one before. This time it was raining....our first wet outing as a team...though Beth is a veteran of the solo wet one! We squelched our way along with me being grateful it wasn't last Saturday when my birthday BBQ might have been jeopardised. It was lovely to be out together....though Alex goes so far ahead of us that his sociability rating is up for discussion! I was amazed that, despite having only gotten off my bike 14 hours before, I was still spinning like someone who was fit enough to do so!
We had a coffee break at Storrington...when I spoke on the phone to a nice chap called N who wanted to buy our surplus dining room furniture. Turns out N is a cyclist too! He was most interested in our plans for LEJOG!
So our ride ended up at Macdonalds for the customary (by now) thick shakes, cheese burgers and coffee. Then we parted company with the Maplehurst massive and we tootled back to Southwater. John headed off for shed building with Trusty. I waited in for Nigel and his lovely wife (sorry, Mrs S, didn't catch your name!). They got an ABSOLUTE bargain (!) with our outsized dining room furniture. But I have many happy memories of many great times spent around it at The Snipe. Anyone reading this got happy memories of time spent around the cherrywood dining table? Please share! In the process of the deal being struck Nigel decided he wanted to join us for a leg of LEJOG. Top man! So watch this space for news of new training buddy.
Popped in to the White Horse tonight to discuss lists for things to take on trip. It is merely weeks away at this stage so getting serious regarding cycling gear, accommodation etc. Beth is off to US in two weeks so needs to be well organised before she goes. So it is scarily near. Have you donated to my chosen charity yet? Do you want to? It'd be muchly appreciated. If you don't want to donate online, try calling me on our home number...01403 738073.
And the stats for today.....46miles at 12.5mph.....in the rain!
Saturday, 31 July 2010
Friday, 30 July 2010
Fifty and lovin' it!
Hey, hey, hey y'all. I think I owe this blog some words as I have been a bit lax this past fortnight. Been a bit lax with the cycling too actually! After the last entry following the ride with Beth things just got a bit more manic than they already had been. Bit of a birthday bbq down at the Vortex which meant a house full of guests (the Essex massive with a couple of Suffolk interlopers for good measure, not to mention Big Don). Trying to move boxes around to create enough room for folk to get in the house was a challenge! Mix in with that helping Chris, Rox, and Alex make some funky bunting, creating a very fruity trifle, charging to Chi to get my hair cut and a gazillion other things, then MAN, come Saturday, I needed to relax! As my patient family will testify to, I dare say! And what better place than down at the Vortex (officially the White Horse in Maplehurst)? Where Simon created a fab bbq, Beth almost ran her (already aching, no doubt) legs off, Vic did his magic thing with some groovy tunes, Agent Alex and Saucy Sal (from West Chilt) came up trumps with some amazing salads and puds and Chris, Rox and Alex did a stunning job with the funky bunting and the magical lanterns! I have some serious competition on the dance floor from the mini Hobbits - great moves abounded from Cordy Hobbit and Leo Hobbit, not to mention their old folk! The family and friends who were there did a very good impression of enjoying my 50th birthday celebration. And the ones who weren't or couldn't be were muchly missed. And to top it all Coach Pattison became Best Husband by announcing that I wouldn't have to cycle 50 miles on Monday because I'd be too busy heading off with him to France for four days of complete birthday indulgence! Not great for my training programme but very, very good for my recovery!
So we just ignored all the moving chaos and took off via the tunnel to our favourite hotel in Epernay. Originally we were going to be there for a couple of days to watch the tour de France. This got cancelled due to pressure of moving. So no Lance to sing Happy Birthday to me (as if) but we had a fab time. Then we spent a couple of days down in an area we hadn't been to before - Foret d'Orient - beautiful area, big lake, very lovely. We met up with Annie and Mudger for lunch (as you do) as they happened to be over there and drove to meet us. Altogether so relaxing, and boy did we sleep! But of course, you didn't come here to read a holiday blog did you. I expect you want to know how the training is going now we've been back 24hrs, don't you?
Well, in my absence the rest of the team have been hard at it. Well, not sure about Trusty as he is a bit quiet but Beth and Alex have been racking up the miles and the hills which included Duncton Hill AND Devils Dyke this week! Wow, that was me under pressure to catch up a bit. So today we attempted to do just that. After faffing around most of the day John and I headed out at 2pm for a trip up the Dyke ourselves. It's a pleasant enough 18 or so miles to get there. Then a big slog up some pretty big hills to get up the top...as you would expect! I found one hill particularly tough but poley poley won the day. And won me an icecream at the top (with a flake in!). Yay, another milestone. We moseyed on home and cycled for 2hr50m altogether. Covered about 35/36m (can't remember exactly, will check computer shortly). Our average speed was 12.1mph which isn't bad considering the terrain.
The next challenge is to go out again at 7am to meet Alex and Beth for a 40 plus miler! Eeeek!
So we just ignored all the moving chaos and took off via the tunnel to our favourite hotel in Epernay. Originally we were going to be there for a couple of days to watch the tour de France. This got cancelled due to pressure of moving. So no Lance to sing Happy Birthday to me (as if) but we had a fab time. Then we spent a couple of days down in an area we hadn't been to before - Foret d'Orient - beautiful area, big lake, very lovely. We met up with Annie and Mudger for lunch (as you do) as they happened to be over there and drove to meet us. Altogether so relaxing, and boy did we sleep! But of course, you didn't come here to read a holiday blog did you. I expect you want to know how the training is going now we've been back 24hrs, don't you?
Well, in my absence the rest of the team have been hard at it. Well, not sure about Trusty as he is a bit quiet but Beth and Alex have been racking up the miles and the hills which included Duncton Hill AND Devils Dyke this week! Wow, that was me under pressure to catch up a bit. So today we attempted to do just that. After faffing around most of the day John and I headed out at 2pm for a trip up the Dyke ourselves. It's a pleasant enough 18 or so miles to get there. Then a big slog up some pretty big hills to get up the top...as you would expect! I found one hill particularly tough but poley poley won the day. And won me an icecream at the top (with a flake in!). Yay, another milestone. We moseyed on home and cycled for 2hr50m altogether. Covered about 35/36m (can't remember exactly, will check computer shortly). Our average speed was 12.1mph which isn't bad considering the terrain.
The next challenge is to go out again at 7am to meet Alex and Beth for a 40 plus miler! Eeeek!
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Very moving
Hello folks. We are now on the 'other side' of the move, so a bit pooped, to be honest! Still, we are in even if up to our ears in boxes, yet again. I am going to write an autobiography just so I can entitle it 'My Life in Boxes'. I seem to have spent my entire adult life moving boxes. Anyways, it is kinda nice to be back in sunny Southwater. We have lived here several times over the past two decades so it feels like home. We miss our pals in Maplehurst but so far have managed to see one or all of them every day since we left! Mostly due to our dog having his best friend and soul mate still back there and they insist on seeing each other every day. Plus there is John's commitment to regular appearances at the 6 oclock club at the White Horse Vortex. Last night we had the excuse of a 'meeting' to discuss the next 4 weeks riding requirements. Oh my, have we got some treats in store. Back to back 60milers (on consecutive days), riding up Devils Dyke, just for starters. Even some mountain biking for variety.
So on to today's ride. I hadn't been out since last Wed. If you really want to know what we did then, please look at Beth's report for that date at http://www.le2jog.wordpress.com/ It was the day we moved and my mind is a blank. Though I do remember enjoying it! L(The ride, not the move!)
Beth and I met at our new meeting place on the A24 today at 7.15. Not quite as convenient as coming out of our respective doors and meeting on the path outside - a trip of ...oh.....20yards or so. Still it worked. We had a lovely ride. Not too hot today, no chain events, no parachute rolls (see Beth's blog). A very early, but no less welcome, stop for a Twirl at Storrington. Where we were joined by John who proceeded to get our average speed up to about 13 and a half for the ride.
So we did 46 miles and finished off at McDonalds before we parted company with Beth and wended our way back to Southwater.
So on to today's ride. I hadn't been out since last Wed. If you really want to know what we did then, please look at Beth's report for that date at http://www.le2jog.wordpress.com/ It was the day we moved and my mind is a blank. Though I do remember enjoying it! L(The ride, not the move!)
Beth and I met at our new meeting place on the A24 today at 7.15. Not quite as convenient as coming out of our respective doors and meeting on the path outside - a trip of ...oh.....20yards or so. Still it worked. We had a lovely ride. Not too hot today, no chain events, no parachute rolls (see Beth's blog). A very early, but no less welcome, stop for a Twirl at Storrington. Where we were joined by John who proceeded to get our average speed up to about 13 and a half for the ride.
So we did 46 miles and finished off at McDonalds before we parted company with Beth and wended our way back to Southwater.
Monday, 12 July 2010
Mouse in a teapot! www.justgiving.com/le-jog.blog
Not much tiime to blog this week as we are moving in! Yay! It seems like the longest move in the history of moves, I must say. But this house is getting barer and barer. Even my underwear is in Southwater...that's how close we are to being moved!!!!
So I am getting away lightly with rides...oh ho ho tho! Coach has some dastardly training plans for us once he's relieved of his Mr Shifter cap. Just an hour on Sunday at 13.5mph this week. And Beth and I have plans to go out on Wed for a 3 or 4 hr ride.
The mouse in a teapot is what Janine calls me....because I like to sleep and she cannot believe that I am training so hard! And she has kindly made the first online donation to my chosen charity today. Thanks Neen, much appreciated. I will try and keep awake for the duration!
So I am getting away lightly with rides...oh ho ho tho! Coach has some dastardly training plans for us once he's relieved of his Mr Shifter cap. Just an hour on Sunday at 13.5mph this week. And Beth and I have plans to go out on Wed for a 3 or 4 hr ride.
The mouse in a teapot is what Janine calls me....because I like to sleep and she cannot believe that I am training so hard! And she has kindly made the first online donation to my chosen charity today. Thanks Neen, much appreciated. I will try and keep awake for the duration!
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Essex is cool!
Literally, that is! We are here visiting and on the coast there is a breeze and it is sooooooo refreshing after the mugginess of the countryside. I slept properly for the first time in weeks and weeks last night in our cosy campervan. Even felt mildly chilly at one point which is a miracle...well, you know what I mean!
So yesterday was Monday and Alex, Beth and I gathered at 8am for our 40 miler. A bit ambitious of Agent, I thought. He hasn't ridden for weeks and has had a busy weekend of umpiring and gardening. Hey ho tho'...he knows best. So we headed off into another beautifully sunny day in the Sussex countryside. As is his way, Alex dashed off at speed keeping Beth and I on our toes and upping our average speed for a while. We stopped off at Alex's mums house for our break which was lovely and beat the Texaco garage at Storrington hands down for hospitality! Thanks Diana! This was 25 m into our ride and we all admitted to jelly legs on our next hill after the stop! Downhill was a thrilling 30mph but then as we hit the upslope I felt like I'd hit a brick wall! Anyway Beth and I recovered somewhat but Alex really suffered from thereon in for the rest of the ride. We tended to him with leg massage and water but he was definitely a tired greyhound! We are all having to make the mental adjustment to training for the long distance endurance ride rather than the greyhound sprint. It is becoming clear to me that it's a matter of pacing ourselves, poley poley up the hills to conserve energy and higher cadence to be more efficient at managing that energy. Not an easy lesson and sometimes a bit painful.
My pain today was the saddle soreness from trying a ride with no padding! Not a good idea. One I need to give some serious thought to.
Anyway its been a great weeks riding. Really feel like I am getting fitter. Though the weight continues to rise week by week. A combination of stopping smoking and putting on some muscle. I try and remain philosophical about it but, again, it ain't easy!!!
So yesterday was Monday and Alex, Beth and I gathered at 8am for our 40 miler. A bit ambitious of Agent, I thought. He hasn't ridden for weeks and has had a busy weekend of umpiring and gardening. Hey ho tho'...he knows best. So we headed off into another beautifully sunny day in the Sussex countryside. As is his way, Alex dashed off at speed keeping Beth and I on our toes and upping our average speed for a while. We stopped off at Alex's mums house for our break which was lovely and beat the Texaco garage at Storrington hands down for hospitality! Thanks Diana! This was 25 m into our ride and we all admitted to jelly legs on our next hill after the stop! Downhill was a thrilling 30mph but then as we hit the upslope I felt like I'd hit a brick wall! Anyway Beth and I recovered somewhat but Alex really suffered from thereon in for the rest of the ride. We tended to him with leg massage and water but he was definitely a tired greyhound! We are all having to make the mental adjustment to training for the long distance endurance ride rather than the greyhound sprint. It is becoming clear to me that it's a matter of pacing ourselves, poley poley up the hills to conserve energy and higher cadence to be more efficient at managing that energy. Not an easy lesson and sometimes a bit painful.
My pain today was the saddle soreness from trying a ride with no padding! Not a good idea. One I need to give some serious thought to.
Anyway its been a great weeks riding. Really feel like I am getting fitter. Though the weight continues to rise week by week. A combination of stopping smoking and putting on some muscle. I try and remain philosophical about it but, again, it ain't easy!!!
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Ha! Famous last words (see last blog entry)...
After worrying that Alex would be like a greyhound out of a trap what he actually resembled was a doormouse tucked up for the winter! He had overdone the social aspect of his Presidents Day at cricket and didn't make it out with us on todays ride. Still, as he is President then I guess he can be forgiven.
So it was just Trusty, Beth and myself today. The Cap'n had made some modifications to his helmet to accomodate his sore head and off we trundled. We did our hilliest route via Cuckfield with the addition of a few extra hills via Staplefield. Great weather again. I think if it actually rains on our big trip we won't know what to do! We have been so spoiled by the great weather on our training rides. No dramas to report, no breakdowns, chains off, pot-hole collisions or anything at all, at all. Just a groovy ride around some fabbo countryside with some cool companions!
We are intending a longer ride on Monday but this one was around 27 miles at about 12mph. Hope you are all enjoying the weekend. If anyone is actually reading this apart from me, do drop a comment or two. It'd be great to hear from you!
So it was just Trusty, Beth and myself today. The Cap'n had made some modifications to his helmet to accomodate his sore head and off we trundled. We did our hilliest route via Cuckfield with the addition of a few extra hills via Staplefield. Great weather again. I think if it actually rains on our big trip we won't know what to do! We have been so spoiled by the great weather on our training rides. No dramas to report, no breakdowns, chains off, pot-hole collisions or anything at all, at all. Just a groovy ride around some fabbo countryside with some cool companions!
We are intending a longer ride on Monday but this one was around 27 miles at about 12mph. Hope you are all enjoying the weekend. If anyone is actually reading this apart from me, do drop a comment or two. It'd be great to hear from you!
Friday, 2 July 2010
'Climb into the cooler and shut the door'
Anyone remember that ad for Coca cola (I think) years and years ago? It's so hot all you wanna do is climb into the cooler and close the door. No? Never mind. It just about sums up how the weather is affecting lots of us at the moment. Hot and muggy and, certainly in Maplehurst, no respite at night. I have been sleeping dreadfully for a while now, some of which is due to the weather. Waking up and not getting back to sleep. Just lightly dozing all night without really going to sleep. Weird (and sometimes wonderful) dreams. So much weirdness going on generally at the moment....but that's another blog.
Was intending to go out for a morning ride with Beth on Thursday but after a mostly sleepless night I just couldn't get out of bed! So I went a bit later - setting off at around 9.30am which is still morning. Took the route that John suggested and extended it a bit too. It was kinda odd being on my own, no pointing out potholes to Beth etc. But enjoyable nonetheless. I cycled for an hour and three quarters ending up at the new house. Where I cleaned stuff for a while. All looking great there with the painting done and carpets due in the next day. Then back on the bike for the trip home. 25 m in around 2hours and a bit.
Saturday we are planning a trip with Trusty and Agent Alex. Tho Trusty has stitches in his head from a fight with his garage door. So I don't know if he will be able to get his helmet on. Agent Alex will be on his first big cycle for weeks so we will all be kept busy reigning him in to prevent him going off like a greyhound out of the trap!
Was intending to go out for a morning ride with Beth on Thursday but after a mostly sleepless night I just couldn't get out of bed! So I went a bit later - setting off at around 9.30am which is still morning. Took the route that John suggested and extended it a bit too. It was kinda odd being on my own, no pointing out potholes to Beth etc. But enjoyable nonetheless. I cycled for an hour and three quarters ending up at the new house. Where I cleaned stuff for a while. All looking great there with the painting done and carpets due in the next day. Then back on the bike for the trip home. 25 m in around 2hours and a bit.
Saturday we are planning a trip with Trusty and Agent Alex. Tho Trusty has stitches in his head from a fight with his garage door. So I don't know if he will be able to get his helmet on. Agent Alex will be on his first big cycle for weeks so we will all be kept busy reigning him in to prevent him going off like a greyhound out of the trap!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
