Bike gets a dusting off...

Cycled into work today a minute or so off the pace, it's been a while given the rubbish weather and meetings at work etc. The rear mech cable needs replacing and the gears adjusting again but apart from that, all good. Not much occuring at work and no class today so I am looking forward to the ride home.

I have been thinking about training over Christmas, will probably just do an afternoon of climbing up and down to the Ridgeway from Wantage. There is no navigation required, mind in neutral and go! I also have the months free membership at the gym in Grove, may consider using this over Christmas or just doing a few classes there.

Fund raising has crept up to £90. Spence is looking into the possibility of getting a data tracker from one of his contacts, this will be a big job done if he can. Need to write a few more letters to companies over the Chrismas break and decide whenthese will be sent.

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Virtual Xmas Card Day

I usually send an email instead of cards to people at Christmas, it saves post and paper and fuel etc but to assuage the guilt of not being bothered, I donate to charity. This year was easy, I donated to CDC on my Just Giving site and mentioned this to all the people I sent a virtual Xmas card to. Three people donated immediately with a number of other people promising – all good! The Moo.com cards are also going down well. It's probably about time to get some more printed with details of the Text giving on them.   

Another useful offer of help today, someone who is always first to put her hand up and help – Tracey, you know who you are. She visits her family regularly halfway along the route so offered to shift gear to a drop off point if required. A very useful contingency to have because it saves me hauling it.

Although I haven't cycled this week, I have been to 3 classes: spin, weight training and boxercise. Given the rubbish weather I will do circuits tomorrow – feeling strong and slightly leaner although I could do with shifting another kilo.

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Kit Packing Test

I had a spare hour this afternoon so grabbed all my kit, checked it back to the list and then packed it. I was pleasantly surprised at the way it fitted in and also the amount of space left over which will be reqired for food etc.

There are two further jobs to do: have a weigh in an then document what is packed where. This has the advantage of being able to pack a lot quicker if you have a checklist to follow. My strategy for packaing was:

Bar Bag - valuables plus cooking kit/thermal mug (important to get a quick brew going when you feel rubbish).

Top Pannier - Tent and ground sheet plus some other non essentials

Side Pannier - Clothing

Side Pannier - Sleeping bag and mat

The smaller pockets were filled up with 1st aid kit, lube, degreaser and one pocket for the field flannel and towel (separate from dry stuff).

Might try and fit this lot onto my bike tomorrow....

A week off

I spent last week at Centreparcs eating and drinking too much.  I did do one spin class but the only other exercise was swimming and some badminton (plus a lot of walking).  Whilst I was there, I took the opportunity to think about a coordinated approach to fundraising and started using Onenotes to plan things.  Useful piece of software. I wrote some letters and compiled a listg of companies/people to write to.

I had an errand to run in Goring yesterday so I cycled over and back - it worked out at 41 miles in the end but it was reasonably undulating.  No ill effects except a slight dull feeling in my quads and a stiff neck.  Plenty of fuel on board so did not get the hunger pangs.  I think that my chain is just about done as the gears get out of whack quickly now, the cassette was new a few months ago so it can't be that.  Possibly a new rear mech cable too as the other might be slightly stretched.

I also tried to take some video, my first attempt and it's not great.  The sound is rubbish and the narrative ridiculous; think I will have to talk louder but you do feel a bit self conscious talking to yourself.  I have posted this on my just giving page too. See what you think.