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.

Mountain Goats

Today was a tough day in the saddle. We (Steve and Kev) headed out with the club following Pete's Garmin Sat Nav route. Took in Mawdsley, Eccleston, Coppul ect...and the top of Chorley (Botany Bay area). It was a tasty pace being set, so we jut sat in the pack until that point. I was aware of what was ahead (although I have not done it for a good while), so I stopped talking to preserve energy. Anglezarke is that big lump that sits in front of Winter Hill (see pic of Kev). Got to the foot of the climb and we started to split as a group as the gradient became steeper and steeper. I managed to get a good rhythm going and even managed to pass Kev on a steep part (who had messed up his gearing, that's what he says anyway!! LOL). He later got his own back by dropping me on the flat near the cafe. It was a great workout and all these tough miles will help our preparations for what is to come on the big ride.
It was a glorious day weatherwise, even though we encountered a headwind on the way back (don't remember a tailwind heading out).
Pete suffered a puncture on the way back, but other than that it was a superb ride.
Got to the cafe and H Middleton CC A and B rides met up to take over the place.
I'm off to stuff my face for a second time and replace what I certainly burnt today.
So next time you are driving and you look over and spot the TV transmitters, have a thought for our legs today. ps - that isn't a urine sample in Kev's water bottle!

It was him!!

After a morning visit to my dentist for my check up, and a quick lunch, I (Kev) decided its time to start getting some more miles in on the bike, as our Lejog ride is fast approaching. Didn't want to waist such a lovely day.
I enjoyed the ride out with the Club on Sunday so I decided to take the same route. The only thing I didn`t like about it, was the Southport Coast Road, drivers think its clever to beep their horn when they get along side you!!! Not clever, it frightens the c**p out of you.
As I was riding down the Coast Road, coming towards me on the other side of the road, all decked out in Team Sky colours was Bradley Wiggins. For those of you who don`t know who Bradley Wiggins is, he is a British professional track and road bicycle racer, currently riding for Team Sky. He won three medals on the track at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics, and two gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. He came fourth in the 2009 Tour de France.
Now that Spring has finally arrived, there is a lot more insect flying around, I think I swallowed about a couple of dozen. Need to start riding with my mouth shut. I suppose the extra protein will help! LOL
56 miles on Sunday, 52 miles yesterday, hopefully out again Thu/Fri and look forward to getting out with Steve and the Club on Sunday.

Sport Relief

Lee mixes with the queen, Catherine Jenkins and too many to mention high profile faces as a part of his job. Thought I would try to hit back and add a shot of myself with James Graham (plays for St Helens) who worked with my class today as a part of Sports Relief. Unfortunately, this will mean nothing whatsoever to anyone outside St Helens or people who are not followers of Rugby League. James won Super Leagues Man of Steel, he's also an International player. But most importantly, he's an Evertonian. Top bloke!

Too many layers

This morning was the first that I (Steve) have not headed out with a real nip in the air. In fact, I soon realised that I had too many layers on (honest Lee, I'm no longer fat!!!). A super turn out at the shop, about 30 odd riders. We split into A and B groups, with the B group having about 20 odd riders riding over the moss towards Southport on quite a windy day. Great to see Kev out with the club. It's only his second ride with the group and he really looked comfortable all day, even when the pace was stepped up (20 - 23 mph)on the coast road heading towards Banks.
Clocked about 35 miles at the cafe stop and an averae of 16.7, all good for our end to end challenge, which is creeping ever so close now.
Stuffed ourselves with cakes at the cafe, where the A group joined us.
Kev and I hung back and decided to do our own thing for a bit to get more miles in, ending up clocking 56 miles.
Called in at Steve B's (support driver and Kev's brother) place on the way back, who took a few staged shots of us riding past (sad I know).
The warmer weather is around the corner and that bodes well for stepping up the training in the next few weeks.

Route completed

At last, I (Steve) have managed to complete the route plan. A total of 1051.6 miles and a trip over to the Isle of Arran thrown in too. (See route on left hand side of this page).
Had a day off the bike today as I promised Charlie that I would watch some of his rugby tournament, playing for the school. I didn't stay for the whole thing, which seemed to go on and on. But he ended up captaining his team to win the tournament and they will now go on to Twickenham to represent Lancashire (so he tells me). Well done Charlie, even though it was using the wrong shaped ball this time.
Hoping to get a decent ride in tomorrow with the club.

Gorgeous weather

I (Kev) was chomping at the bit to get out on my bike this weekend, stunning early Spring sunshine. Had a busy day on Saturday so unfortunately was unable to continue with the training, Still, Sunday`s forecast was much the same as Saturday, so plan was for me to get out with the Club early Sunday Morning. Alarm woke me at 7.30 am, I woke feeling like s**t, really tired, aching limbs, sore head. Grrrrr
Eventually crawled out of bed about 9.00 looked out of the window, wow, what a gorgeous day. had a quick shower, then a decent breakfast, with 2 cups of strong coffee, which made me feel a little better.
Could`nt mope around the house any longer, thought stuff it, i`ll get the bike out and just see how far my legs would take me. I managed to do 61 miles! not particularly fast, but glad I pushed myself. As a result of my efforts yesterday, today I feel like I have been trampled on by a herd of Cows. Actually I did meet one on my ride. Made me think of a very rare fillet steak, home made chips and a pepper sauce!!!

Two glorious days of weather

I (Steve) went out to Aintree racecourse to the first race of the new season, The Eddie Soens. Have been to it several times and with knowledge of previous experiences, took lots of layers. But found the warmest Soens that I can ever remember. Our Amelia joined me and really got into it all, even asking how she may get into racing. Two of the club lads were racing and did really well, finishing it the main group. Considering they were riding on the company of Sky riders, Olympic games medalists etc.... they did brilliantly.
Got back home around midday and decided on a swift 30 miler with a few hills thrown in. Hammered it and got my average speed up, so beginning to feel like I am making progress.
Today I have been out with the club and it was quite cold early on, even though oit was bright. Steve Charlton led us out and straight into Ashurst Beacon, followed by Apply Bridge, Chorley, Charnock Richard, onto Bretherton etc... through Croston and really stepped on the gas for a good ten miles before the cafe stop. Clocked 50 miles today, but the average speeds have shot up to 16.5mph, all good prep for the big ride, which is creeping ever closer. Was considering a longer ride with the A group, who headed for The Trough of Boland, but had to be back for the blues 4pm kick off. It was well worth it with a great performance rounding off a decent weekend. Hope to get out in the week for a few hours, as the light nights are creeping up. It's onto planning the route from day 7 onwards and then quickly booking accomodation, planning advertising, equipment, nutritional products logistics etc... There are not enough hours in a day at the moment. (Can you spot our Mill and I next to the British Cycling bus?)

Hurrah, the cavalry have arrived.......

Well just the one cavalier actually, El's Mum has come down for two weeks to help us adjust to life with our little addition. Dot (El's Mum), El, Ava, Eze and myself (in that order as it happens) are all doing well....BUT with the arrival of Dot I can now get back to training for our little end2end trip, even though it is still on the Turbo Trainer. Can't go too far just yet and the roads around central London are so poor you really do need to ride out into the green belt to get a decent ride, that or Richmond Park again and even that is an hour away. So today and a couple of times earlier this week I've been on the CycleOps. 2 hours today, but no real idea how far or what speed but it feels like a decent ish pace and it really feels like it is doing me some good. It's better than doing nothing that's for sure. Still I feel like I'm miles away from where you guys are in terms of road miles and I guess I'll never truly catch up so I'll just have to do as much as I can. One thing about the Turbo Trainer though is that yes it's not like riding on the road at all BUT I reckon it's great for a little weight loss. Ava still thinks it's hilarious her daddy going nowhere fast in the kitchen on a bike that doesn't move...she just laughs at me.....I guess it's something I'll have to get used to and at least she is still too young to be embarrassed by me....that's still to come....and boy will I get my own back then. Happy Days. COYB.

Scene from Ben Hur

(Steve and Kev)Drove down to Milton Keynes on Friday(posh Skem) to spend a weekend training with Olly and the MK Don's End to End riders. Also a good opportunity to catch up with Steff (Olly's wife) and the kids. Planned a decent ride on Saturday and headed off at about 9.30 with rain in the air and more forecast. Waited for the other MK lads to join us (James and John).
Set off towards the Brickhills and Woburn area. Quite tough first hour or so with rolling countryside and a few naughty climbs thrown in for good measure. Hit with some rain and more hills as we headed out towards the Chilterns. The MK lads are totally addicted to Marathons (sorry, Snickers), each of them had about three in the first few hours of riding!!!
It was quite strange riding with these MK lads (no offence if you read our blog boys), they are road riding novices and rarely rode as a group. James stayed in the big chainring and hammered up the hills and on the flat (although he paid for it later with sore knees). He was constantly a good 50 -100 metres ahead of us. John (who I christened Wobbly Bob, for reasons you will discover) has only been on the bike for 4 rides and did remarkably well to stay with us.
We passed some beautiful, picturesque 'Olde English' villages, which included George Harrisons stately home and Frank Bruno's pad.
We counted at least four pubs called The Five Bells, But decided on The White Horse to water and feed us. One of the other MK lads called Dave managed to catch up and join us here. So six set off towards Ivinghoe Beacon (Anglo Saxon) and the heavens really opened as we started the climb. Found the climb quite easy, but passing over the top for a few miles through the trees it happened!
The MK lads have been sponsored by Trek UK, who have supplied training bikes. Unfortunately these are fitted with the cheapest mudguards and as John aka Wobbly Bob was getting a mouthful of mud and rainwater from Olly's back wheel, he decided to suddenly slow down and move offline. I (Steve) saw him coming and used my shoulder to push him away from me. Unfortunately, he kept coming and jammed his hub into my front spokes. Bang, two snapped, I had a big wobble, but managed to keep upright, despite a buckled wheel. (It was like that charoit scene in Ben Hur).
We were a good 40 miles from MK and stuck. Dave called his South African buddy with a van who came out and picked him and my bike up. Cheers Donald. Dave passed his bike to me to finish the ride, which was good of him. Unfortnately, it was way too big and I have ended up with an aching neck, not to mention a tender rump with a foreign saddle.
Headed off the Chilterns and Olly's iffy navigation skills got us spotting M25 motorway signs!!!!!
Still, we found an interesting route back and after several more challenging climbs and who knows how many more Snickers bars for the MK lads, reached home (Monkston MK) with 77 miles clocked.
A shame we didn't get back to back rides in.
It's a trip to get my wheel sorted at Middleton's before next weekend and hopefully another decent two days of riding.
Thanks to Steff and Darren for their wonderful hospitality. That Spag Bol didn't touch the sides last night Steff and sorry about eating all the Nan bread on Friday.
Congratulations to Lee and Ell with their new addition to the family. Keep on spinning mate and get some road miles in as and when the baby allows.

housebound, but in a good way

The Big Eze is settling in, El and I are now remembering what it was like to have a small child to look after. We're more relaxed than last time but it's still exhausting, more so for El of course....but we are very pleased to have the boy Eze with us, he's simply spectacular. BUT to cycling matters and last night I managed to put the CycleOps Turbo Trainer together. The instructions to build are terrible and if you let yourself get bogged down by the complex language you'd never manage it so I decided to throw the instructions away, metephorically, and just look at the bits and put it together. This was by far the best option. It took me little more than 1 hour to assemble but I waited until today to give it a go. So Eze was asleep, El was asleep and the Cup Final was about to start, so I stuck the telly on and got on the bike. 50 minutes later it's half time and I'd kept a good pace going throughout. The trainer is quiet and sturdy but without the great outdoors cooling you down you sweat buckets. Had a rest at half time and then got back on for the second half. Another 50 minutes at a good pace (well I never left the kitchen obviously but I was pedaling hard) at this point Ava came home with friends who subsequenty thought the site of her dad in lycra pedaling a bike that doesn't go anywhere the most ridiculous and therefore funniest thing she'd ever seen. Granted she's only 4 and will no doubt see many funnier things in her life, but today it was me. Laugh? Yeah she laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Still I have to say, even taking into coonsidertion the ridicule, the CycleOps is a success and it means I can try and catch the northern alliance up at least in terms of conditioning if not actual miles on the road. Hope you enjoyed Olly's, Kev and Steve, and Olly if you are reading, hope all is well and see you soon I hope. Happy days.