Training ride #7 Saturday 20th March 2010

Colin and I met at 8am in the rain... out into the Ribble Valley and over Waddington Fell. Got very very wet but it was good fun. These miles were hard earned for sure!

Ride distance 45 miles, Cumulative 340 miles
Remaining against 500 mile target: 160 miles

FUNDRAISING UPDATE !

I have just reached my fundraising target of £1300 so a massive thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Maybe I should set a stretch target of £1500 ??

Training ride #6 - Sunday 14th March 2010

Rich and I did the 80 mile Jodrell Bank Sportive around the leafy lanes and commuter villages of Cheshire. It was ok weather although a bit windy and we did it in a respectable 5.5 hours. Didn't even feel too tired afterwards (honestly).
I'm also adding the 5 miles I did with my daughter yesterday around and about local woods - every little helps!

Ride distance 85 miles, Cumulative 295 miles
Remaining against 500 mile target: 205 miles

Training Ride #5 - Sunday 7th March 2010

Rich and I are doing an 80 mile sportive in Cheshire next weekend:

http://forums.cyclingweekly.co.uk/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/78316/an/0/page/0

so we'd tentatively arranged a warm-up for this weekend which after my exertions yesterday I was hoping he'd dip out. Anyway, his text came in last night as I was well into my second large glass of red wine asking where our meet up time / place was!

Below zero when we set off - did the Trough again as Rich hasn't ridden it before - boy did my legs feel it ! Got round again it was hard and also had patches of ice on the high elevation roads despite it getting really sunny towards mid-morning. Had to recharge at the Cobbled Corner cafe in Chipping. Took a sneaky slightly shorter route back home so 5 miles less than yesterday.

Ride distance 45 miles, Cumulative 210 miles
Remaining against 500 mile target: 290 miles

Training Ride #4 - Saturday 6th March 2010

Colin and I tackled the Trough of Bowland. Met at 8.15am (yes it does exist on Saturdays) and hit the hills. I had a comedy fall after about 5 miles and landed hard on the tarmac exactly where my grazes and bruises from last week are - ouch !

Really great ride, the hills are getting a bit easier. I may be out agian tomorrow, see how I feel.

Ride distance 50 miles, Cumulative 165 miles
Remaining against 500 mile target: 335 miles

3rd March 2010

Just been out for a short jog - just checking that the legs still work after the heavy fall on the weekend. All was ok ! Bring on the weekend and a big bike ride!!

MTB Weekend in Quantocks

Just returned from a "boys weekend" in the Quantock Hills near Minehead. Really, really wet making riding pretty challenging but great fun! I think the miles covered (only 20 but mainly offroad on very muddy trails) should count double but as I'm honest I will just count them as actual miles ridden towards my target.

Took a pretty spectacular tumble towards the end of the ride and had to be checked over to make sure nothing was broken. Walking with a limp at present and I have various lacerations down my right arm and leg! Nice.

Ride distance 20 miles, Cumulative 115 miles
Remaining against 500 mile target: 385 miles