Saturday 30th January but not 31st

Got out with Kev on a beautiful day and decided on a nice flat route. Headed off and within 2 miles Kev had a flat. Call for Bicycle Repair Man!!!! I got my hands dirty and after a 10min pit stop we were off again, chased by a stray dog. Lost the dog and headed out towards Woodvale Airfield and left onto the Southport Coast road with a slight headwind. Put the hammer down for about 8 miles of coastal route. It's amazing how much we anger drivers, who beep horns, shout abuse etc...... It must be a nightmare having to steer half a metre to overtake a bike. They all seem very brave, protected by a metal box. It's always interesting when we catch up as the lights go against them. Kev had a hunger attack at the back of Tarelton and I provided an energy bar to refuel him for a while. Clocked a 44 mile ride and the average speed is creeping up.

I fully intended getting out with the H Middleton CC lads today (Sunday), but the sudden, heavy downpour of snow put paid to those plans.

It's a week of work in the gym to try and compensate for todays no ride.

Have planned a training weekend in sunny Milton Keynes on 27th and 28th Feb with our mate Darren Oldroyd. We will join up with his end 2 end riders from MK Dons and head off to the Brick Hills and the Chilterns. Lee is also planning to escape the smog of London and join us for a ride and photo opportunity. Should be a good weekend.

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.......

Oh what a lovely day, apart from the hangover

Never go for a ride with a hangover...not sure who said that but they are rght.

So I got out this morning with Mr Peter Ratcliffe, a friend of mine from the deep south. We actually went out for dinner last night with El and Lotte (Pete's partner) and probably had too much to drink, well we did, well I did...and I paid for it. I'd like to think that the reason Pete had to keep waiting for me was because I was tired from last weeks work load but in reality work can't really be blamed considering I mostly sit on my arse..........and it was my legs not capable of pedaling rather than my arse. Anyway about 35 miles done with a hangover, not good enough, I know this. My dad has even just called me to say the same thing....like thanks dad.....so I need to do better, go further, ride longer........and stop drinking the night before.

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!!!!!