All of a sudden this trip that has always been in the dim and distant future is suddenly upon me. I shall do one more training ride and that's it. If I am not ready now I never will be. Was probably a mistake though to go out walking in the Dales on Easter monday. Can hardly walk today. There has clearly been some interference with my finely honed cycling muscles!
Training Log
Rides 28
Miles 1307
Average 47
Tea Stops 48
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Friday, 22 April 2011
And now something completely different
This lovely group of ladies are known as The White Rosettes. They are currently the European Barbershop singing champions and I had the pleasure of seeing them on Saturday night. As far as I know they have nothing to do with barbershops but if you ever get the chance to see them do so. They are brilliant!
If you know my friend Ken Guest, see if you can spot his wife Irene. she's in there somewhere.
If you know my friend Ken Guest, see if you can spot his wife Irene. she's in there somewhere.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Today I bought a Dell streak Tablet
And it is completely doing my head in. It has come very close to being launched at high speed out of my bedroom window today. However I must persevere or I wont be able to blog while I'm in the States.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
A weekend in the land of the Concrete Cow
. . . also known as Milton Keynes which was my home for over 20 years and which probably accounts for my strange Yorkshire accent. It was great to catch up with old friends before my departure but after over eating and drinking for most of the weekend I thought some exercise would be in order. So Saturday was a 27 mile ride to Stoke Goldington with 'Sarah the Spinning Queen' where I had the pleasure of meeting her Mum and sister Rachel again (who now has two lovely children) who I had not seen for at least 15 years.
Monday was a 45 mile ride south of Milton Keynes with my Godson Jack. All I can say that if you're an old bloke on a bike and you think you're quite fit go out on a ride with a 16 year old teenager to give you a reality check.
Oh and Noel Edmonds will be pleased to know that the concrete cows are still there although they seem to have been relocated to the city centre
Training Log
Rides 24
Miles 1107
Average 46
Tea Stops 48
Monday was a 45 mile ride south of Milton Keynes with my Godson Jack. All I can say that if you're an old bloke on a bike and you think you're quite fit go out on a ride with a 16 year old teenager to give you a reality check.
Oh and Noel Edmonds will be pleased to know that the concrete cows are still there although they seem to have been relocated to the city centre
Training Log
Rides 24
Miles 1107
Average 46
Tea Stops 48
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
If your freehub breaks 25 miles from home and you've forgotten your wallet
. . . it's really useful to have Spa Cycles finest mechanic riding with you and a friend with a credit card. Apparently it's very rare but it happened to me on the Wednesday EG's ride last week. What appeared to be a harmless little click 10 minutes before lunch escalated to full freehub breakdown. That's the bit that the rear wheel spokes attach to for the uninitiated.
After a detailed inspection by Norman (of Spa Cycles fame) the prognosis did not look good so a trip to the nearest cycle shop was needed. And as luck would have it, Easingwold Cycles was just round the corner.
For a bargain £24.99 they came up with a new rear rim, and they very kindly fitted the cassette tube and tyre from the old wheel free of charge, so I didn't even get my hands dirty!
Problem was I didn't have £24.99 but fortunately Eric the Mad (see EG's ride report Feb 2nd) came to my rescue and stumped up the cash.
Otherwise a very enjoyable ride and another 55 miles on the log.
Training Log
Rides 22
Miles 1035
Average 47
Tea Stops 47
After a detailed inspection by Norman (of Spa Cycles fame) the prognosis did not look good so a trip to the nearest cycle shop was needed. And as luck would have it, Easingwold Cycles was just round the corner.
For a bargain £24.99 they came up with a new rear rim, and they very kindly fitted the cassette tube and tyre from the old wheel free of charge, so I didn't even get my hands dirty!
Problem was I didn't have £24.99 but fortunately Eric the Mad (see EG's ride report Feb 2nd) came to my rescue and stumped up the cash.
Otherwise a very enjoyable ride and another 55 miles on the log.
Training Log
Rides 22
Miles 1035
Average 47
Tea Stops 47
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Monday, 4 April 2011
Only 25 days to go
. . . and my training continues with two more 50 plus rides under my belt. Mother's Day duties meant I had to cut short Sunday's ride so I took out the expedition bike fully loaded and clocked up 35 miles. A very pleasant ride to the cafe at Thorpe Arch and back.
It's been a great week for sponsorship though so I think the features in the Yorkshire Press ( and now the Harrogate Advertiser) are having an impact. Currently over £2300 raised so nearly halfway towards my target. So thanks very much to all of you have donated and of course those of you that are going to but haven't quite got round to it yet :-)
But the best news for me today is that the broken crown that has been giving me grief for the last four weeks has finally been fixed. Thank you Dentist and I hope I don't hear the sound of your drill again for a very long time!
Training Log
Rides 21
Miles 980
Average 47
Tea Stops 45
It's been a great week for sponsorship though so I think the features in the Yorkshire Press ( and now the Harrogate Advertiser) are having an impact. Currently over £2300 raised so nearly halfway towards my target. So thanks very much to all of you have donated and of course those of you that are going to but haven't quite got round to it yet :-)
But the best news for me today is that the broken crown that has been giving me grief for the last four weeks has finally been fixed. Thank you Dentist and I hope I don't hear the sound of your drill again for a very long time!
Training Log
Rides 21
Miles 980
Average 47
Tea Stops 45
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