Out at Last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The thaw happened and we (Kev and Steve) got out for a while today. A really tough ride with slight crosswinds on the way out. Think it was tough because of the inactivity regarding riding during the big freeze. Got another 40 mile in (actually 40.02) and thought that we were doing okay until I got home and looked up a club we were in the cafe stop with (West Pennine). These blokes had ridden out from Rochdale, while Kev and I were spitting distance from home. If the weather holds up it's going to have to be more miles next week, a bigger ride with some decent climbs too. Will have to up the average speeds too, don't think Team Sky will be looking over their shoulders at the moment.
Wonder if the Opera Impresario got out for a ride today? Taking it that London has experienced a thaw too.
A week on the treadmill for me (feeling like a hamster in its wheel) and Kev should get out for some runs if the weather stays decent.

Its grim up North!

Well done Lee, its so frustrating not being able to get the bike out. Its been a week now since I managed to get out on it.
Regarless of the weather, Im going to get out running again tomorrow.

Competition from the Southern Softy (maybe not so soft)

Fair play Lee. Great effort today!

I will stop emailling my training spreadsheet to you, it's making you as paraniod as when my Australian girlfriend was stalking you.

It's still far too bad to get out on the roads here. London gritters must work longer hours than up here (mind you, your council tax bill is higher).

Kev's climbing the walls, itching to get some training in and I have been spinning endlessly on the turbo trainer, without getting anywhere far. I'm beginning to feel like a hamster in a wheel. Plus the neighbours will start to complain soon with the noise the fan is creating. I should think about connecting the flywheel up to some sort of generator, I could power up the whole cul de sac. I'm off to spin some more now that I have found out that you are catching up.

Hurry up and thaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

it's so cold.....

.....but I still managed to get out thismorning, although had to take a rucksack with me with dry clothes just in case I fell into a frozen ditch, or more likely, into the Thames. Went up and down and then up and down again the big hill at Crystal Palace. Peope looked at me as if to say 'Hey soft lad, what you doing out in this weather?' To which my look said 'two blokes 300 miles from here are probably out and so I have to'.......

The Queen promised Lee if he popped round with his sponsor form she would sponsor him for a penny a mile.

Sometimes my job is great. I didn't get to mention the ride.

Weather won't stop me!!!!!

I'm afraid that this cold snap is affecting our preparations. It is eating into our training program. it looks like the turbo trainer this week and the gym if I can get there. (Steve)

My Gloves

Seeing as you've got an issue with my gloves Mr Warner, next time you are in Matty's shop can you pick me out a pair of decent (black) winter cycling gloves if he has any. (They should be

Hands?

Love the gloves Lee! Did you raid ITV's props department and steal Fozzy Bear's hands?

Guess who I saw today?

Yes, I got out today with a new chain and enthusiasm renewed. Headed for Richmond Park and as I was nearing said cycling mecca I saw my Aussie friend running along, waving......now I'm starting to worry she's a plant by Steve Warner to make sure I'm riding correctly, or maybe she's just making sure all my bike bits are in the right place. Steve you can tell your girlfriend I'm all sorted now and she can stop following me around. it's getting ridiculous. Clocked up 37 miles today and I'm feeling it in my legs now, but that could be as much due to me chasing Ava around the South Bank this afternoon as the cycling. She can't half run. By the way on the cycle back from the Park I was obviously a bit knackered, especially having been passed constantly by other riders in the park even though I tried to stay with them, when I felt a prescence behind me, I looked back half expecting to see Steve's girlfriend again but it was some old bloke and a rickerty old paper round bike....but he was closing fast.....shit I thought I can't let him pass me as well, so I put my head down for a few hundred metres. I looked back and he was still closing in, head down again, but now I could even see his shadow and he was overtaking....oh well give in to it I thought, after all he's probably been riding for 200 years......as he was passing he gave me a little nod as if to say......bit more practice son I'll you'll be alright....it was then that I looked down and he had one of those electric motors on the back wheel........panic over, but the last 400 metres had completely done me in. I rode the last 3 miles at a snails pace.

Too fast for the camera shutter? I think not.

Hills and ice

Set off on a last training ride before reality bites and we are back to work. It was freezing throughout the ride, with all extremities (and I mean ALL) quickly going numb with cold. Took Kev over a few hills today, skirted Billinge, climbed Ashurst Beacon and a few around Parbold area. There were patches of ice over the tops and we had to be really careful. Cafe stop was like a scene from that film Cocoon, blue rinses everywhere. Fuelled up with Flapjack and Tiffin then continued to clock up another 40 miler. Came home a little light headed, but soon wakened up when I switched on the TV and found Leeds knocking Man U out of the FA Cup. Get in there. (Pic on left shows Kev avoiding skid marks in the ice, I mean skid marks on the road!). Wonder what Lee has been up to today? Breaking chains? Fitting wheels (the right way around)? Maybe counselling Australian female joggers?

And you trusted a wheel that was put on by your dad Lee! He was obviously the reason why your computer wasn't working, putting the wheel on the wrong way around, classic.

But, now I am thinking that he's somehow behind the dodgy chain link too.

No wonder he was running behind me the other week when I left his, asking where the spare parts are for the bike?

You got offered help from an Ozzie jogger, Kev got mistaken as Spiderman and called it during our cafe stop on Boxing Day!

Just to think that we are trusting your dad in the support vehicle!!!!!

first ride 2010 part 2

So I get to Richmond Park ready for a long ride, seeing as Mr Bellion and Mr Warner did 40 miles the other day I set out to at least do 30. So that's twice around the Park and then back home again. On my first circuit I was changing gear when suddenly I couldn't peddle anymore, I looked down and one of the links on the chain had some how splayed out, stopping it running through the gears.....so I had to stop and call El, who then had to come out and get me.......
It was such a beautiful day aswell, lovely winter sunshine. It was then that another rather bizarre thing happened. As I was inspecting the chain whilst wainting for El, a runner stopped and asked if I was OK. Yeah just problems with my chain I say......to which she replied........my boyfriend simply never came home last night (and started to cry)......it's then that I notice there was blood coming from her mouth.....have you fallen I ask? No she said, I had a tooth removed yesterday and it won't stop bleeding.....and my boyfriend has left me and I've only been here for 3 weeks (she was either Assie or Kiwi).......(more tears)........to which I replied with the first thing that came into my head....oh well best keep running then..........she looked at me and said....that's a really nice bike.....and off she went, running, with tears and blood all over the place. Happy New Year

Lee's first ride of 2010 part 1

So finally got out this morning. By the way thanks Kev, my wheel was on the wrong way round which is why my cateye wasn't working. So with the cateye in place I set off for the 9 mile ride from mine to Richmond Park. Richmond Park is a great place to cycle as it turns out. There is a road that goes around the whole circumference of the park, with plenty of little inclines, and one horrible one.

MY BEAUTIFUL CARLA SHE MADE ME SMILE EVERY DAY X

Trip to the smog

Tuesday 29th December

Had a day away from the bike in London and met up with Lee. We discussed setting up a training weekend in London in the next month. Lee is joining the Dulwich Paragon club and we will join him on a club run. He is also working on setting up a meeting with Catherine Jenkins, which will make the trip worthwile for Kev. (I just hope he's not in his Lycra when he meets up with her).

Last Ride of 2009

Kev and I got out and did an easy 40 miles today. Training is going well inbetween the poor weather. It was a really enjoyable ride despite Kev having a moan about getting mud on his bike frame and both of us a bit saddle sore!
But even better news today, thanks a million to Sharon Sweeting for getting us a plug on smooth FM. Word has got around since then. Varoius people have heard the plug and things are gathering momentum.
Superb.

Start of Training

Kevin is fed up with the weather, cant get out on the bike, as I need plenty of time in the saddle because myself, Steve Warner and Lee Connolly are attempting to ride from Lands End to John O`Groats on the 2nd June 2010 (hopefully in 10 days!) in Memory of Carla and to raise a load of cash for The Liverpool Women's Hospital, Palliative Care Unit.