DAY 1 Route

Kev and I had a session/ lesson courtesy of Pete M on the Garmin Sat Nav for the bike. Pete set it all up for us and we are hoping to begin using it properly from now on. Thanks a million Pete, you are a saint.
Above is a screen shot of our day 1 route. I will post more over the next week or so.
We have put an article in this weeks Ormskirk Advertiser about Carla, the charity, our ride and sponsors support etc...Click on the link to read the article.
http://www.osadvertiser.co.uk/news/ormskirk-news/2010/05/06/aughton-friends-ride-in-memory-of-carla-maguire-to-raise-money-for-liverpool-women-s-hospital-80904-26381747/

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We will need all the encouragement possible during the ride itself.

Media Training Not Required. Kev the Pro

Today Kev and I went out to do a longish ride. The intention was a ride of 70 miles plus. However, the first thing that struck us was how cold it was, finger numbingly temperatures!!!! The rain clouds also gathered around us and there were a few threats of a downpour. So we opted for a shorter ride of 50 odd miles. Whilst we were out Kev got a call from his mate Gareth and was told that Radio Merseyside would be interested in our ride and Kev's story. It was great news and another way of publicising the charity. Then I took a call at about 4pm from Kev who was preparing for an interview to go out live at 5.40pm!!!!!!
His interview was excellent, calm, collected and managing to get in so many details in about 5 minutes of chat. You did us proud buddy!!!
To listen paste into your address bar - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p007jxbz, then scroll to 53 minutes and about 20 seconds. The interview was today (3.5.10) and will stay on the site for 7 days.
Nice one Kev. This was good practice for TV - Granada Reports etc.....
You have a great radio face mate, not sure if TV audiences are ready for you.

RADIO MERSEYSIDE PLUG

Just heard (short notice) that Kev is going to be interviewed on Radio Merseyside at 5.40 today (95.8 FM). Come on Kev!!!!

Carbo Loading for a long ride

(Steve) Read club forum after Steve C talked of a long (100 mile +) ride out to The Trough and Scorton. So it was a huge plate of pasta and an earlyish night last night in prep for what was to come.
Got to the shop for 9am and was told that there had been a change of plan an ammended short ride instead.
Set off as a huge group, maybe 30 odd. But the pace was brisk, maybe because it was made up of A and B group members. The pace was soon moderated when Mick Freeman threw out a box of drawing pins and John D was the unfortunate one who punctured. This gave Mick a breather and chance to take on board fluids. One of the lads decided on a comfort break at the back of Rainford, an unfortunate choice of side road (Maggots Nook). Pace was picked up again through Billinge and then again on a long climb to Standish. Unfortunately, people were being shelled out of the back frequently. I left a gap on the Standish drag and wasn't able to close it. Then I took a wrong turning, but was called back on track by a bloke walking his dog. Unfortunately, it was all guess work as to where the main group had headed from there and I took the wrong route, so no chance of catching them. Picked up Keith at the back of Wrightington and rode back to the cafe with him. Walked in the cafe and there I found all groups = Race heads, Sportive group, social group and some others that had been swept up. Kev (who used to be my training partner and mate) managed to hang onto the main bunch until just before the cafe sprint. I sat down to enjoy my flapjack and tea as the lads all stood up and headed home!!!!! Planning a big ride for the morning (need to burn off some of these calories from my carbo loading session).

Rain rain go away......

Lovely day yesterday in London, but couldn't get out so planned to go today but London is now flooded, like some sort of natural disaster, people have started to climb to the top of buildings to avoid the on rushing water. We (Lee, El, Ava and Eze) live on the second floor so we'll be ok, for now, unless the Thames barrier fails and the banks crumble, then we're all knackered and we'll have to swim for it. Still at least I won't get knocked off my bike today. Turbo trainer for me. Happy days.

Drugs Test for Cervello (Sir Bellion)

Tuesday's club Chainey, DEFINITION a relatively short, but high intensity ride whereby riders hang on until they can hang on no more, was my (Steve) second one with H Middleton CC and I think it's 12 years since I last rode in one. But for Kev this was his first. So as the group of about 18 set off at a brisk pace, I positioned myself towards the rear, chewing a few wheels (drafting). The tempo increased and at one stage through Eccleston a speed camera when off displaying 25mph and a smiley face, should have been a grimace! I looked out to see where Kev was and couldn't spot him, so I assumed that he had turned off, with the pace being too keen for his liking. Then a moment later I caught a fleeting glimpse of a Cervello white top. He was tapping out a furious pace on the front!!!!! Was he feeling good? Did his order of EPO arrive through the post before the ride? Or was it a case of his being naive? Whichever it was, it was impressive stuff. His 'L' plates are certainly off and I have banned him from using the word novice from now on.
The pace picked up yet again after we arrowed through Croston Village and the through and off began. Great buzz, hammer down and maintaining a superb pace. Then it happened! Heading through Holmswood after Rufford the through and off began to take its toll and Kev's earlier exertions began to show. I had missed a few turns and was hanging on. But Kev shot out the back and despite my efforts to ride him back on towards Martin Mere, he had blown a gasket. We rode together for the last few miles and kept a reasonable pace up. Can't give the exact stats for the ride, as I never reset my Cateye until three miles or so into the ride. But it read something like 34miles covered and an average speed of 22. something mph. Our End to End Challenge begins 5 weeks today. At these kinds of average speeds we will be finished in a few days!! Unfortunately, not all of the UK is flat.
Hats off to Mr Bellion tonight, impressive stuff.

Big Bad Wasp!

A small turn out Sunday for the Club ride, maybe the early rain put people off, the rain threatened again but didn't materialise.
A few of the A riders headed off towards the Trough to do 100 miler and a few big climbs.
The rest of us, about 15 I think,set off, got to the top of Ashurst and the group split, Steve Diesel who did a big ride on Saturday was complaining of saddle soreness, so decided her wanted a more leisurely ride, he went off with Simon, Helen, Paul and young Charlotte. Good luck to Helen and Simon who are doing the Fred Whitton Challenge in May (they must be mad! lol)
Steve and I(kev) and the rest of the group set off for a hilly ride towards Rivington via Haigh Hall etc. Eventually arrived in Blackrod turned around, no Steve, so waited for him with John from Scarisbrick (sorry John don't know your surname) waited about 5 min, still no sign so gave him a call. He had took a wrong turning and then had a puncture. John a I started to head for home, Steve said he would meet us in the Cafe.
The rest of the lads had disappeared so John and I hoped we would find our way back home from Blackrod without getting lost! Luckily we did.
We had a good descent down Hunters Hill until about half way down doing 28mph a very large wasp decided to fly inside my glasses!!! After nearly ***** my pants, I just threw my expensive Oakley`s to the floor and the big ****** flew off before he stung me in the eye.
Went back to retrieve my glasses hoping they would be still in one piece. Pretty robust those Oakley`s
Arrived at the Cafe to see the other lads getting stuck into tea and cakes. Steve was only a minute behind us. He did well to catch us up.

Next week, hopefully if we get enough riders it will be a big club ride 100 miler.
Checked my cateye when I got home, somewhere on the ride I had managed to do 41 mph.

Swift Flat Ride (very flat for 4)

What a cracker, Lee fell off his bike. I (Steve) reckon that the driver was totally distracted by his iffy looking legs. (get them shaved mate). Hence he was clipped and went down. How's the bike Lee?
No seriously, I do hope you are okay.
We (Kev and I) went out with the clubs 'B' ride. There's nothing B about it at the moment as we were absolutely flying when we were not stopping for the four members, yes four, who punctured. It was a flat route with the intention of bumping up the average speed. That we did and I clocked pushing for 19mph average, then on the warm down to home it was about 18.3 average. We will get the end to end done in 7 days a that sort of pace. Unfortunately, our route is far from flat. It was great to get out without oversocks and lots of layers today, although leg warmers were kept on as the sun refused to come out. There were over 20 in the group and although we lost a few, I counted about 20 on the run home (see pic). Not a bad week with a few shorter rides logged too. Tuesday is the clubs first Chain Gang and more of the high intensity stuff. Looking forward to it already.
p.s. Lee, and Kev for that matter, get the legs sorted out. I don't want showing up come June 1st.
Pics show me, trying to look the part. Annette puncturing (background) and the group putting the hammer down yet again.

First proper sunny ride in shorts....surely I wouldn't fall off..

How wrong was I (Lee). I was knocked off really , but I escaped with minor cuts and a bruised knee, at least it was the good knee and not the bad one, thank the Lord for small mercies...and for the car behind breaking in time to avoid my strewn body and bike......this is the first time I've had that feeling when you are falling from a bike with your feet locked into the pedals. Very scary. I was trying to sneak through the traffic on the inside because the cars were at a very slow, traffic jam style, pace. But as I was passing one particular car it got too close to the kerb and so bumped me slightly. My balance left me and I feel behind the car and in front of the oncoming one, which thankfully braked.
Anyway I got up and dusted myself down and did the....get back on the bike straight away thing......and did just shy of 50 miles. Hope you guys got out on such a lovely day. Happy days.

I'm back........

So yes I disappeared for a few hours, or was it days? Anyway I'm (Lee) back from my ride to Brighton. When I say Brighton I actually mean East Grinstead because that was where I ended up after getting lost somewhere in Surrey. Still I'd clocked 35 miles by the time I had arrived and had a snack in a road side cafe that was like going back to 1979. I say 1979 because that was when the Conservatives last played on the failure of Labour to get into power. which was on my mind whilst I was sitting in the cafe....... Anyway I don't want to use this blog to complain about how the Conservatives back in '79 created a Britain of selfish individualists, but for reporting on my semi successful ride to sunny, yet windy East Grinstead. I set off at 11:30AM and made steady progress until I hit a mother of a hill in a little town called Black Rock (It wasn't called Black Rock but it should have been)...I turned a corner and hit the hill to find a boy, all of about 12 on a BMX starting the climb...so obviously I passed him on my speedy machine....the thing was he didn't take too kindly to such a move and by God he chased me up that mother of a hill and stayed on my tail for about a mile before we hit the real steep bit just at the top. Now I'd like say that I was never in danger of being caught but I was, and I had to dig deep to stay ahead of the whipper snapper to make sure I didn't have a Bad Day at Black Rock......really he was all of 12, on a BMX, and there was me looking the part with all my gear, but riding like a fat middle aged man....errr, yeah well...yes......anyway to cut a long ride short by the time I got home I'd clocked 70 miles. Not the 100 I hoped to achieve but not too bad........happy days.

London to Brighton?

There is growing concern as to the whereabouts of Lee. He set off from home (London) early this morning with the intention of riding to Brighton and back. At the moment (9pm) nobody has heard from him or seen him. If there is no contact within the next three hours we will be sending out a search party.

Peloton of about 30

Rest day on Saturday after Kev and I had got the 100+ ride in the day before. Knew the club run was going to be a challenging one from reading the forum. Outside the shop at 9am and about 30 riders opted for the 'B' ride out towards Rivington. A fair pace was set by Steve Charlton, so I wisely just sat in the pack. Quite an undulating route was taken to the foot of the climb and a good few conversations with the lads. Only rode alongside Kev for a few miles (so many out today). Felt great on the climb and with climbing miles in my legs, I'm starting to feel quite comfortable. It all split on the climb, I paused to take a pic and noticed that I had no signal on my phone. I was alongside the North West TV transmitters????? Fast descent into Belmont and then yet another climb (cheers Matty) with Horwich and the Reebok stadium on the other side. Got into a steady tempo and then one of the many John's got a puncture. Spring into action Bicycle Repairman! Group waited at the bottom. When we reached them there was this surreal scene, wish I had taken a pic. A bunch of about 25 H Middleton CC riders mixed in with a big gang of Mods on scooters!
The hammer went down again when we were all together, through Blackrod, Haigh, Standish and eventually to the cafe. The weather warmed up enough to expose the legs (not sure the cafe customers were ready for it, but I was). Chatted to Annette from the club, who did the end to end last year. So Kev and I bombarded her with questions, sorry Annette.
Great days riding and bagged another 60 miles +, making 250+ miles since last Wednesday. Great, I'm back in work tomorrow and I have P.E. pm. Might not get through the warm up!!

Dulwich Paragon Cycling Club (Lee)

You boys are just too good, 50 milers one day, then the magical 100 miler.....leaves me feeling very nervous and so I think Steve you'll now be riding your old racer that I use for work and Kev, you'll be using a BMX come the ride in June. This I think will give us a level playing field which will mean I'll be able to keep up. Got out today with with the club. Gentle ride (average 16 MPH) for a couple of hours (3) with some nasty hills....obviously I was left behind again but I was better this week than last. I'm planning a big ride this Thursday, unfortunately on my own but I ned to get some miles in and see how I feel after a long, long ride. Hoping for Brighton and back but we'll see. My left leg is playing up having spent 40 years kicking a ball with that leg only. I'm receiving physio treatment at Crystal Palace Sports Centre with a fair amount of acupuncture so I hope it's doing some good. It was a lovely day today and I was over dressed for the ride so I may have to spend a few quid on some new summer kit even though I know we are due to get some soon, I can't keep riding in winter gear when the sun is cracking the flags. Well done both of you for that mammoth ride.......

Clocking the miles and dancing on the pedals

Had a much improved midweek with regards the weather. This has meant that both Kev and I (Steve) have managed to get some decent rides in. We kept it quite local for midweek, but still did a few decent training rides. Fingers were crossed for Friday with regards to the weather (after a 50 miler on Thurs). Set off early and headed towards Preston, with the intention of getting to Chipping in good time. Unfortunately, after plotting a route and putting it into the Garmin, it began to play up around the Leyland area. It was giving us directions to head home from there?????? Really frustrating, as I had plotted a decent route through Preston town centre. I ended up ignoring the Sat Nav and opted for Steve nav. Managed to get to Longridge and after a few wrong turns (adding to our miles) found the climb of Longridge Fell. We flew up that, dancing on the pedals all the way up. I think this is an indication that both our fitness is getting somewhere near to what we are aiming for come June. Over the top of Longridge Fell and a great descent towards Chipping. Kev filled his face with jacket spud, refuelling for the 60 odd miles still to do. We had a busy route through to the Preston docks to navigate. Then it was onto Longton and Bretherton, where Kev came up trumps and took us on a brilliant route. Back up through Leyland, Eccleston, Mawdsley, Rufford etc.... But as we got to Cleaves Hills we still had about 12 miles to do to reach 100!!!! A few laps of this area, then out to Bickerstaffe, where we picked the pace up. Then heading back we hit the magical 100!!!! A good day = great weather, decent route, bodies held up well and not too sore/stiff today. Bodes well for the big push come June. Looking forward to the clubs ride out to Rivington tomorrow. The legs could even make a first appearance of the year if this weather continues.

Poem

(I (Steve) now need to spend more time in the saddle and less writing daft poems)

Challenge of a lifetime, such a long journey to ride
Six months of preparation, will take its toll on our hides.

Three buddies from Aughton, with a lot to arrange
Eleven days of exertion, dressed in lycra will be strange.

In Cyclexpress jerseys, good publicity for Matt
With Steve B driving support, no delays from a flat.

Avoid Denis as mechanic, wheel put on the wrong way
Lee’s Cateye wasn’t working, zero miles covered each day.

Got to get the miles in, joining H Middleton CC
Pull in at the café, double flapjacks are for me.

While we are turning pedals, touring Lancashire Lanes
TV Producer Connolly is suffering, on hilly Kent plains.

December to January we were frozen out, interrupted by lots of ice
Occasional sunny spells right now, back to back rides would be nice.

A tribute to the lovely Carla, she’ll be forever in our hearts
We’ll raise money for the fund, target nine followed by many noughts.

Hope Lee doesn’t show up on my old Eddy Mercx
One odd bike in three, we’ll look like proper berks.

Two using Dolan Hercules, be calling on his muscles
Especially during the lumpy bits, in Corwalls hilly struggles.

You have to see Con and Kev on matching his and hers bikes
Mind, Kev’s looks so small, it may be made by ‘Little Tykes’.

Lee’s first outing on his bike, while riding in Richmond Park
He managed to break his chain, phoned Ell as it was getting dark.

Lee’s prep is on a turbo trainer, spinning in his flat
Daughter Ava is amused at this, she says he looks a pratt.

Mr Southerner is behind in miles, chance of catching are slim
So he’s offered to buy the Garmin Sat Nav, then we’ll have to stay with him.

In danger of some chaffing, so chamois cream to apply
It goes in all those places, unseen by human eyes.

Change from tights to bib shorts, then it’s time to shave your legs
We’re hoping that for poor Lee Con, it’s an improved vision of his pegs.

Setting off from Lands End first of June twenty ten
Hoping for a tailwind and some better weather by then.

Two days in the South West, with Dartmoor on day three
Followed by the Severn Bridge, from where Wales we can see.

Shropshire looks quite scenic, but there’s the Stiperstones to ascend
Makes Parbold hill look like a speed bump, the climb it never ends.

Day five is such a long one, 122miles to cover here
By the time we reach our houses we’ll have earned a Cockbeck beer.

Driver two takes over, leaving Denis to recover
There’s sure to be some fallouts, cos replacing him is Kev’s brother.

Next it’s off to Lakeland, those fells are oh so steep
But the biggest hazard of this leg is avoiding all the sheep.

We then fly across the border into chilly Jockoland
We’ll get bitten by lots of midges, but won’t get very tanned.

Further north to the coastline, we’re looking for a port
Ferry over to Arran, who’s circumnavigation is quite short.

Night over in Lochrenza, next morning on the boat
Then it’s back onto the mainland exploring Highland slopes.

Along the Caledonian canal, to the East of old Loch Ness
If we don’t watch where we’re going we’ll end up in a mess.

Eventually reaching the east coast, night over in a place called Tain
Can almost see the ending, our efforts weren’t in vain.

The final leg’s upon us, it’s when England play USA
But the World Cup’s banned in Scotland, ‘got no TV’ they will say.

Friday the 12th will be emotional, our thoughts to gather this time
Over a thousand miles covered, as we cross the finish line.

By Steve (bet Wordsworth would be quaking in his boots)

Missing club ride

Had a mixed week with regard the weather. However, towards the end of the week managed to get out with Kev for a few rides. Thursday night was a tough route, taking in the hills of Ashurst Beacon and Shaily Brow. It was intended as a bit of preparation for me to tackle the clubs 7 Hills of West Lancs today.
Got out the next day with the intention of getting a longish ride in, but we got a good soaking and ended up heading back home after a few hours out.
So, made a decision to opt out (chickened out)of the club masochistic run today and am planning a few big mileage rides with Kev this week.
Got hold of a Garmin Sat Nav for the ride and it will take a bit of getting used to. Lee's handlebars will resemble something from Kennedy Space Centre during the end to end ride.
Great news from Kev, who had a meeting with Mr Jones of Halliwell Jones (see link to their site at the bottom of the page), who has very kindly offered to support us by providing a support car for the ride.

OMG I'm so unfit

So both you boys will be pleased to know that I (Lee), despite hideous rain and wind, made my way this morning to the meeting point for Dulwich Paragon's Saturday morning ride. I got there to only find 3 other riders (these rides usually attract around 50 which gives you some idea how bad the weather was) and they looked like their minds were already made up...there's no way we are going out in that weather........however 3 other riders turned up and just as everyone was looking forward to saying let's not bother.....the clouds temporarily showed a bit of blue.....so we set off. Now what usually happens I'm told is that the group splits into 3 groups, fast, intermediate and steady...but because there were 7 riders only we stayed together.....and therefore an intermediate to fast pace was set.....OMG, how unfit am I. As soon as we hit the first climb I was left behind, really really easily....but they waited for me at the top (good bunch of lads). I kept up on the flats, was a little way behind on steady inclines and left for dead on any climb of note...but they always waited. This continued for the next two and a half hours....them waiting for me to catch up once they reached the top of a climb. Having said all that they did say that for my first time out with a group I'd done well to stay with them. It was a good feeling to be out with other riders and I now understand especially on flats how much easier it is....when I say easier I by no means mean easy, because the ride wasn't that for me. So to conclude I did 7 miles either side of the ride and the ride was about 35 (I forget to set my cateye) It was good fun, despite the weather and I'll be back next week to try and keep up, but it'll be a while before I fly up the hills the way they do. Happy days.

pacey ride

The clocks went forward an hour and I (Steve) seemed to lose an hour on the group today!!! Totally hammered it from the shop to the start of the inclines around Haigh Hall area. Then the group split as the climbs really began. We went through Blackrod, Little Scotland and to the foot of Winter Hill. I hung back, slipped an energy gel from my pocket and straight down my mouth in anticipation of what testing climbs we were about to face. Then we swerved left and also whizzed past the Anglezarke sign. All that psychological build up and Steve Charlton decided to lead us from the foot of major climbs and head for the cafe via Coppul and Charnock Richard etc....
I hung onto the group as the pace quickened, but was feeling really dodgy. I paced Helen back onto the bunch, but was really struggling myself. About 4 miles from the cafe I started a coughing fit and threw up. (Blaming it on my sister’s salmon last night). It was lucky for me that I had decided to wear my overshoes, they saved me getting my new shoes covered in Wheatabix and carrots.
Managed to reach the cafe and sat outside as it was heaving with riders today. Strange thing was that I noticed nobody sat near me. Might have had something to do with the unusual pattern on my tights and the vile smell circulating from them! Still a decent ride and another 50 mile + ride in. Hope to get some decent training done this next few weeks, but won't be calling into our kids for a feed anytime soon! Thanks to Kev (who's flying at the moment) for hanging back for me.