Living on the Moon

After Steve and Lee`s great efforts at the weekend, thought I`d get out on the bike on my own today. Managed to do 35 miles, tried to get my average speed up, but the wind today was a pain, really felt the headwind today.

Just like thank the other solo rider who stopped to see if I needed assistance, had a flat, luckily it wasn't a puncture. The nice gent was from Skelmersdale, we had a chat about the state of the roads after the snow and ice, pot holes all over the place. Didn`t get his name. Wished me luck with The End to End Ride and then he was on his way.

St Andrews

I managed to escape the rat race last weekend and spent a bit of time in Scotland. I was invited up to stay with my Friends Phil Cochran and his lovely Girlfriend Joanna Sutherland.

On the Friday Phil and I jumped on a couple of mountain bikes, left Tayport and headed for St. Andrews, not too far, only 20 miles round trip but really nice ride all the same.
We went via Leuchars, which has a RAF Base, Tornadoes taking off, deafening!
Had a ride around the 18th green at St Andrews, very posh. Then we had a nice lunch in the town and then headed back home.
On the Saturday evening Joanna put on fantastic spread to celebrate Burns Night

Then Sunday, the 3 of us went Clay Pigeon Shooting. Great fun.

2 Baths still doesn't ease the legs

STEVE'S RIDE, SUNDAY 24TH JANUARY

Was without my training buddy today, Kev's popped up to chilly Jockoland for a bit of r and r. So I decided to get out with Matty and the Middletons CC. What a stupid idea that was! I knew they were planning on a big ride out to Chipping, but still went for it. Big group (30+ riders)outside the shop at 9am. Set off at a good pace (18-20 mph) all the way to Preston. Those that didn't fancy it turned off and headed back to the Rufford cafe. I had a mad moment, probably becuase Matty asked me, and headed off with 20 odd towards Chipping, taking in Longridge Fell and Jeffrey Hill on route to the cafe. I was dropped, but Matt (cheers mate) hung back to show me the way. Could barely climb the stairs in the cafe and had white floaters in front of my eyes, I was totally gone!!!!! Grabbed a gel sachet and an energy bar before the food and tea came. It was running through my head how I was going to get back from The Trough of Boland by myself (that is once I was dropped outside the cafe). Make it to Preston and jump a train (lad told me they don't run on a Sunday!!!!), call Banner and get a taxi, call our Janette (no way she would find Tarleton, never mind Preston). But I managed to stay sat in the bunch all the way until Rufford. Trundled back home alone in heavy rain. In fact it rained all ride and I still kept my cape in my spare bottle. This was Matty's A riders, many competative and younger than me. They are a good bunch of fellas and I had several useful conversations (when I had enough energy) with riders about the end to end ride, some good advice. I think it will be a case of finding his B group for a few weeks now though as I'm still light headed now. Thinking of trying a third soak in the bath now, as I can barely stand up. Great effort by Lee today, keep it up mate. Don't want to sound like 'one up manship', it's never about that, but 4hrs 43mins, 74 miles clocked today. Oh and I managed to get out and turn in 20 miles in yesterday's fog before I went to the match. 94 miles in a weekend, the miles are mounting up. Not back from the 'fat cyclist'. (Pics Jeffrey Hill and Longridge Fell) I'm off for bath 3 and then bed.

The only way to get used to riding a long way is to ride a long way......

Lee's ride down south Sunday 24th January.

As my old fella said last week....35 miles isn't enough.......so I've been out this morning for a 50 miler, which has frankly done me in. My legs are like lead weights and my shoulders feel like I'm giving our kid a piggy back....but 50 miles nevertheless. (well 48) Had some problems with gears today, don't know why, they just wouldn't respond...need to have a look. Other than that all good down south. Apart from me and El still not agreeing on the name of the one yet to arrive.......