The Big Eze

So the little fella has arrived, well not so little at 8lbs 6oz. This picture shows Eze at a few hours old. We are all fine. It does mean I won't make the weekend meet at Olly's but hope you all understand. I'll be setting up my CycleOps Turbo Trainer instead. Happy days.

Best day so far this Winter

(Kev) I never managed to get out on the bike last weekend, busy day Saturday, looking forward to a Sunday ride with Steve and the Club, alarm woke me at 7am, opened the curtains, yes more cold, wet, white stuff. I think we are all pi**ed with this long Winter we are having.

I had a free day yesterday, the weather forecast wasn`t to bad so decided to get out for a nice long ride. Felt good so I decided to try and better my previous record of 52 miles. Ended up doing 62 miles, with no ill effects today.

Found, by accident I might add, some really nice quite country roads,taking in Eccleston, Bretherton, leyland, Hutton on to Preston and then back again.

It was the best day so far, weather wise. Even the sun popped its head out from time to time. Although the Easterly wind was a challenge at times.

Steve and I are off down to Milton Keynes this weekend to meet up with Olly (MK Dons) and hopefully Lee, for a training weekend. (weather Permitting!!!)

Energy crisis in South London

El took pity on me this Sunday, saying to get out on the bike and not to worry about being too far away in case the baby decided to arrive. For those not in the know, El is due to give birth, well was due to give birth last Wednesday but as yet, no sign of the little fella making an appearance. So off I went as usual heading for Richmond Park, the cycling mecca of green belt London. The thing was, which has been happening a lot, my legs felt like lead again and I couldn't really get going. I only did 35 miles but it felt like 70. I could put it down to over work, stress, lack of sleep, whatever, but that's just not the case. Who knows, but I struggled and by the time I was heading back to a more affable but less green part of London, i.e. our home, I was knackered. I reckon I need to do smaller rides more often instead of trying to go out and do loads of miles irrespective of how my body/head is feeling and so I've decided to buy a turbo trainer. This is because over the next 6 weeks it will be hard for me to get out at all but I can't let the northern alliance get too far ahead. Not sure which one to buy but I'm already formulating a plan to be able to watch the football, ride, and rock the baby to aleep all at the same time. Yeah right, like that's going to happen.

Snow Joke!!

Sat here (Steve) and can't believe that I seem to be jinxed with weather. Up at 7am to prepare for a good long training ride with the lads. Pulled open the curtains and there's a blanket of snow covering everything!!!!!!!!!!
Olly called at about 9am and said it's snowing heavily in Milton Keynes (hope it clears for our training camp down there next weekend)and he's prevented from getting out too. Then I get an email on my Blackberry (get me, all high tech, a Burberry as our Janette called it), and it's Lee, on his way out for a few hours riding. Ell is about to go into labour and he's still getting out before us.
Last week he was worried that Kev and I were training far more than him and was frightened that we were leaving him behind. In an effort to ensure we don't leave him at Lands End, he's offered to buy the Garmin sat nav. That way we will have to keep him with us. Unless there's a mighty thaw this afternoon, it's back to the turbo trainer for me.
Still, it will give me time to carry on plotting our route (which I will put a hyperlink to from here, once it's all completed).