Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Bank Holiday - bring it on!
Spent a very busy day at work trying to get things ship shape before next week. I have one day left to work on Tuesday but at a different office so there were plenty of well wishers during the day. It's getting close now and I am starting to feel pre match nerves and a lot of pressure.
There are some genuine people in this life and I am lucky enough to know a few of them. Ray is inspirational along with chaps like Phil and Tracey; my wife is lush and Spence is a hardworking best buddy; Nobby is Special Forces and Simon Smith gets things sorted. Simon has suffered sciatica and has generally felt cut in half by his bad back but still feels like he is letting me down by not being able to do a day in the saddle on 14th May between Chepstow and Shrewsbury. We have talked plenty of bollocks about endurance sport; Simon is on the same wavelength as me and has provided valuable support over the last 8 months. He has now stepped up to the plate again by sorting a brand new compact camera for the ride - something I did not have but now do. Thank you Simon; I hope to be able to repay you by sorting out the thing you call your fence?
The last spin session on Wednesday was fun but circuits on the Thursday has left me sore. I have minimal exercise planned between now and Friday morning; as a consequence of reducing my training and general indolence I have gained a few kilos over the last month. When all my gear is packed I will get on the scales with the bike and kit for pictures and to check the starting weight. Hopefully, I have enough of an energy contingency when things get tough but I do expect to lean up a bit. One thing is certain, I will have to work hard at my top end fitness when I get back - oddly enough, I am looking forward to this.
Sam has worked tirelessly and without complaint over the past few days to sort out my crap; train from Thurso to Inverness sorted; hotel in Thurso, sorted; lift from John O'Groats to Thurso by the Dounreay boys, sorted; flight to Brum from Inverness, sorted. She and Ben will be updating FB whilst I am away and generally acting as base camp with Harriet winding them up a treat. I've not been away from home for more than a few days before in 20 years, I'm going to miss them and can't wait to see them at Birmingham airport. I hope I don't let them down, or let down any of the poeple who have supported and indulged me since deciding to take this on.
Today (Saturday) has been spent going through a checklist of jobs that need doing and I'm nearly there - even down to cutting the now lush grass. The bike is looking wicked with the slick tyres and pannier rack in place. I should notice a difference in weights as I have ditched the cable shears and spare cables plus Spence has lent me his much lighter lock. The bottle cage on the underside of the down tube has now been modified to carry the meths fuel bottle and I have double checked all the torque values of important components. The only other thing to buy is a decent pair of shorts for 'evening wear'; Sam thought that taking my swimming shorts and wearing my bike shoes would lead to an early court appearance followed by chemical sterilisation....
The Blue Peter Totaliser has now reached £2,600 and I'm wondering if £3k is possible before I leave? You can but hope and keep pressing the keys in Twitter and FB.
A famous local author launching his book at Challow Cricket Club once said, 'some men deal with middle age by buying a sports car and base ball cap, not me, I decided to be a writer so please indulge me and buy my book!'. I've got a baseball cap but have no interest in cars however I quite like cycling, please indulge me and click the Just Giving link below!
Question: What the flippin eck am I going to do when this is finished?
.
There are some genuine people in this life and I am lucky enough to know a few of them. Ray is inspirational along with chaps like Phil and Tracey; my wife is lush and Spence is a hardworking best buddy; Nobby is Special Forces and Simon Smith gets things sorted. Simon has suffered sciatica and has generally felt cut in half by his bad back but still feels like he is letting me down by not being able to do a day in the saddle on 14th May between Chepstow and Shrewsbury. We have talked plenty of bollocks about endurance sport; Simon is on the same wavelength as me and has provided valuable support over the last 8 months. He has now stepped up to the plate again by sorting a brand new compact camera for the ride - something I did not have but now do. Thank you Simon; I hope to be able to repay you by sorting out the thing you call your fence?
The last spin session on Wednesday was fun but circuits on the Thursday has left me sore. I have minimal exercise planned between now and Friday morning; as a consequence of reducing my training and general indolence I have gained a few kilos over the last month. When all my gear is packed I will get on the scales with the bike and kit for pictures and to check the starting weight. Hopefully, I have enough of an energy contingency when things get tough but I do expect to lean up a bit. One thing is certain, I will have to work hard at my top end fitness when I get back - oddly enough, I am looking forward to this.
Sam has worked tirelessly and without complaint over the past few days to sort out my crap; train from Thurso to Inverness sorted; hotel in Thurso, sorted; lift from John O'Groats to Thurso by the Dounreay boys, sorted; flight to Brum from Inverness, sorted. She and Ben will be updating FB whilst I am away and generally acting as base camp with Harriet winding them up a treat. I've not been away from home for more than a few days before in 20 years, I'm going to miss them and can't wait to see them at Birmingham airport. I hope I don't let them down, or let down any of the poeple who have supported and indulged me since deciding to take this on.
Today (Saturday) has been spent going through a checklist of jobs that need doing and I'm nearly there - even down to cutting the now lush grass. The bike is looking wicked with the slick tyres and pannier rack in place. I should notice a difference in weights as I have ditched the cable shears and spare cables plus Spence has lent me his much lighter lock. The bottle cage on the underside of the down tube has now been modified to carry the meths fuel bottle and I have double checked all the torque values of important components. The only other thing to buy is a decent pair of shorts for 'evening wear'; Sam thought that taking my swimming shorts and wearing my bike shoes would lead to an early court appearance followed by chemical sterilisation....
The Blue Peter Totaliser has now reached £2,600 and I'm wondering if £3k is possible before I leave? You can but hope and keep pressing the keys in Twitter and FB.
A famous local author launching his book at Challow Cricket Club once said, 'some men deal with middle age by buying a sports car and base ball cap, not me, I decided to be a writer so please indulge me and buy my book!'. I've got a baseball cap but have no interest in cars however I quite like cycling, please indulge me and click the Just Giving link below!
Question: What the flippin eck am I going to do when this is finished?
.
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