Cycle Slam D-15

It's raining again!!

I missed updating my blog last week - life's been as hectic as ever & with the ever-disrupting weather & plenty going on, I've not found time to sit & write....

Weekday evening rides have been abandoned for now - the last one we did was way back on April 4th, however the Turbo has been a godsend & well worth the investment! When the New Year began, Sam set me a challenge, which you may remember, of putting the bike into top gear, then from a standing start, get the revs upto 100 rpm & hold for 10 seconds - that was quite a task 4 months ago, but I'm pleased to say that last week I managed 130 rpm for 15 seconds - thrice in one session - with the help of Sam & Jack's grey matter, and a calculator, we reckon that top spreed reached nearly 45mph - and it also takes a few revs to get upto 130 too! It's amazing how the extra fitness comes almost without you noticing!!

So last weekend was to be our last workout before the BHF Dorset Bike Ride on Sunday 29th - Sam & I headed out on Saturday for a steady 25 miler around our first organised ride's route - a few years ago for Menigitis - Unfortunately Sam managed to pick up a couple of flat tyres during the ride, so we were somewhat distrupted - but it was a great all the same. On Sunday it was Jack's turn to join me & we covered the same route, but this time with no punctures & I upped my cadence from Saturday - so another good trip. Luke's first outdoor cricket match was due that day too - It was with South Dorset & we were all looking forward to 35 overs each - however, the weather meant it was cancelled, so he played the final game of the season for Wimborne. Luke played the first half in goal & although he pulled off a couple of fantasic saves, he couldn't cater for the defenders who went missing.... 2nd half he played midfield & despite a tremendous effort & one Messi-like run at the defence, they went down 3-2.

Onto this weekend & Saturday April 28th will go down as my first 100 mile ride! I joined up with 2 of my fellow Stage 5 Slammers, Terry Burwell & Martin Young, for our own New Forest adventure. Terry & Martin started from Winchester & I from home with the aim to rendezvous in Redlynch, south of Salisbury. The forecast all week was for a dry day Saturday, with rain possible from 4pm; so you can imagine my surprise when I got up Saturday morning to make coffee & Tea to see the decking wet & the rain falling (or should I have not been surprised!). Still, there's nothing to say it's not going to rain in France, so off I went. It was just over 25 miles to get to Redlynch - I chose a direct route via Verwood & Fordingbridge, which was a good ride, but the wind & rain was in my face for most of the way, particularly going north! Terry is far more eloquent than I, so have a look at http://www.terryburwell.blogspot.co.uk/ for Terry's fantastic review of the day!! After we split on the way home - i was tempted to pop into the High Corner Inn, but the gravel track probably wasn't ideal for my racing tyres!! I did manage to have an incident with a couple of galloping horses that couldn't decide which way up the road from the Alice Lisle they wanted to go - but I don't think they were quite as scarily as 30 black Texas Longhorn Cattle that Terry & Martin had the pleasure of! Getting home was hard, especially north up the A338 to Fordingbridge, but with a pit stop in Alderholt I cracked on - I felt good on the flats & the speed was good there, but the hills were more of a challenge - but I did it - 103.73 miles to be precise & it was brilliant that I had my family waiting at the top of the road to greet me - they'd been following our progress on Endomondo - so knew exactly where we were - no hiding in this world!!! Thanks Terry for mapping the route & organising lunch at your sister-in-law's & thanks to both Terry & Martin for your company, support and encouragement!!

It was home for a cold bath (10 minutes max) then a hot shower & a lovely evening with my family, with pasta for tea, of course!!

Today was due to be the Dorset Bike Ride, but it was cancelled (rightly) on Friday due to the weather - disappointing for all, but there's no point putting anyone at risk. Hopefully we'll have a new date soon. The top of the backs of my calves are abit achy today, but that's all so i had a good session on the Turbo this morning - I didn't, and was expecting to, make 130rpm for 15 seconds but i was really pleased with 115rpm for 10......you've got to get there too....!!

On the sponsoring front, I had £500 come in from Kia UK this week - that is thanks to my former colleague Beverley Packwood - many thanks, Bev! My younger brother chipped in a very generous donation too - thanks James & Sandra & Liam & Ryan - so with gift aid I'm now over £4.5k - I'd really love to get to £5k, though!!

So, 2 weeks today, I'll be catching the bus to Heathrow, to fly out on Monday 14th! We've got Headteacher approval for Jack & Luke to be off school on the Friday 18th, when we cycle to The Olympic Park - so it's all getting very close & very exciting! I'm really glad I've got my first 100 under my belt - in 2 weeks time we'll be doing 3 of them on consecutive days!!!

Cheers

Andy