Cold spell....and snow!

From the long mild spell we have had lately, it has been a bit of a shock this week to have minus temperatures, snow and ice. It has been a bit tricky cycling to work but not given in to the conditions....yet! One good thing, the heated gloves are working well....getting to work and still able to feel my hands....result!!

Bakewell and back!

Had the chance to get some miles in again this weekend so Saturday morning on with the helmet and off to....Mmmmm.... don't know yet! Another windy day but not dangerously strong like it has been. Need to get back for three so off I go. Sutton...Stanton Hill...Teversal...might as well go to Chesterfield!



Lets have a look...yes, up the A619 to Baslow....wish I had not picked this route! up hill for miles into a strong head wind. Average speed 5 mph until I started going down hill then reached a max of 9 mph and that was with pedalling hard!! Now I have gone this far I might as well go to Bakewell for lunch.



Quick sandwich and off again. All the way so far has been into the wind so it has got to be easier going home....brill....wind behind...yiphee! Next stop Matlock and then Matlock Bath.



Clocking up the miles now at a good pace so keep on the A6 and come off at Ambergate. Now through Pentrich....Somercoates....Jacksdale....Selston....nearly home....don't think I am going to make it!! legs are really aching now....just a few more miles....Nuncergate and finally at last Kirkby....PHEW! that was hard!

60 miles, average of just under 12 mph and on the saddle for 5 hours ten minutes. Not bad for the conditions.

Sunday - should I do it all again today....no chance....Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

WINDY!!!!

There was plenty of these on the way home yesterday! What a windy day. Head winds, cross winds.... not a good day for cycling. The news reported this as the stongest storm for 17 years, hopefully that is it for another 17 years!

Intend to get a few more miles under the belt this weekend, so fingers crossed that the weather calms down.

Doctor no!

Today was the first time during this fund raising event that I have encountered anything un-charitable. I must get it off my chest and then move on.

For insurance purposes the event organisors request that all participants fill out a medical form and then get it signed by their doctor....no form....no place on the event.

No problem! I filled out the form and took it down to the local GP's for a signature....CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!....HE CHARGED ME £10!

YES £10 FOR A SIGNATURE FOR SOMEONE WHO IS TRYING TO RAISE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE FOR CHARITY!

At least I can get comfort from the fact that for every one person like my doctor there are 1000 who are not!!

When I think about the effort, time and genorosity people have given me so far...it makes you spit feathers!

That's it, moan over, back to positive thinking!

Flowers for top Mother-in-law!

Sponsorship has been that good this weekend that I have upped my target amount from £1100 to £1500. I am sure this can be reached!

Thank you very very much to all the new donators! ..and...three cheers for the mother-in-law! This weekend she has managed to collect £20 from the Trinity Methodist coffee morning. £40 from Church friends (with another £40 to be collected) and £42 from the 50+ group. How good is that! Thanks Jean and again, thank you to all those kind people who have sponsored me.

Fitness Level mmmm... not bad!

Saturday 6th January - Wife working, daughter at messy play with mother-in-law. Only one thing for it, seize the opportunity and go for a long ride to test out the fitness level so far!

Target mileage 60 miles.....
Time in saddle target 5 hours......

Off I go!

Through Ravenshead then Calverton, pass Lowdham, over Gunthorpe Bridge, onto the A46 and upto Newark. Bum a bit numb, have a break at Newark..... Right off we go again!..... Ollerton, past Sherwood Forest, absolutely teaming it down with rain, turn round, back to cafe at Sherwood Forest for a coffee..... Right! off again, through Mansfield Woodhouse, onto Mansfield, towards Sutton.....Need a few more miles for target....back to Mansfield....back to Sutton and finally.....aahhh BACK HOME!!

61.5 miles 4 hours 55 minutes. Target met and felt I could have done more. Really fit, feel great, bring on the challenge...Sunday morning...OUCH!!! OOOh!!! Way to cocky! MORE TRAINING REQUIRED, MUCH MORE TRAINING REQUIRED!!!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all had a good Christmas.

Good old Santa turned up with the much anticipated heated gloves, can't wait for a really cold morning to try them out.

2007 has started well. The sponsorship has now reached a sum of £944.45 fantastic!

Did not get too much chance to train over the Christmas break but did manage a 40 mile ride one day. On top of all the sausage rolls and mince pies I was quite pleased with that!

Now the new year has arrived I intend to write out my training plan. This will be a five month schedule but the first two months may be affected by wintery weather. We will see!