October / November update

So following my training failure in September, October turned out to be a much better month. I managed 139 miles over 6 rides. I also did 28 miles of rowing.

Unfortunately, I've not done any rides in November (very wet and cold). I have done 21 miles of rowing (with still 3 days to go). I can't see this getting much better in December.

Planning to route has started. I've currently mapped out the route from John O'Groats down to Warrington (about half way). At some point (probably when I've finished), I'll upload the route onto the blog.

In planning the route, I've used a combination of the CTC routes (free if you join), "Land's End to John O'Groats: The Great British Bike Adventure" by Phil Horsley, and Piemanpete's blog. I also used a combination of Google Maps (very easy to use and share with others) and BikeRouteToaster.com (very good for working out which route is is more hilly!). BikeRouteToaster also allows you to download the routes in a variety of formats for importing into devices (e.g. your Garmin) or other sites. I've also been using some of the tools from GPSBabel to merge routes or convert them into other formats.

So, roll on December (probably more indoor training) and the planning for the rest of the trip.

Here at last... as in joining the blog!

I'm here ... at last! I finally found time to sort our my Google account etc. and can now check out what you're all doing - rather than just getting the stock "go read the blog" answer when I ask.

Nothing much to blog about yet. Didn't ride today (bit icy!) but will hopefully be out on my MTB tomorrow for a few hours around the Cotswolds.

I'll start work on the kit/spares/clothing/stuff list at some point and will post when it's in a reasonable form.

Cheers for now. Trevor.

No excuses!

Thanks too much haranguing and nagging, mainly from Trevor the bike is now set up indoors so I have no weather excuses to get out of training:)

Martins October training so far.....

So, October arrived & so did the drop in temperature!  No problem I thought. Sporting my stylish new Luso leg warmers yesterday, managed a somewhat challenging 47 miles around the Cotswolds - 3000ft of climbing, averaged 13.3 mph, which I was quite pleased about.  Only problem was that getting up this morning, I was really, really glad that I wasn't going anywheer near a bike today! Mmmmm - that says a lot about my 'core stamina' methinks - will have to undertake soem research on how to fix that!! No doubt Trev, our resident team expert can advise me - he helpfully supplied us all with an article on Hydration at our first planning session in a local watering hole this week :)

Last weekend, a longer 56 miles, but fairly flat ride gave me a somewhat false boost to my confidence I think.

As for the newly installed turbo trainer (Minoura Gyro V270) - its a great device & having set up an old TV & DVD player, 30 minute sessions are quite bearable - I just need to try & stick to my planned 3 per week. Not working yet :)

A history of my bikes...

Riding from one end of our great isle to the other is no easy task for a experienced rider, let alone a complete novice like me.

Thinking back over the years, I have always had a bike of one kind or another. I should thank my parents at this point for that. So why haven't I been more involved in cycling before now? It's hard to say really, maybe my bike history can provide the answer?

The very first bike I remember riding was fondly called Budgie by the family, although it was the model name not something I made up. It was made by Raleigh, and was a mini chopper type of bike. (see the photo below – not the actual bike but an exact copy!) I must have been about 4yrs old, the bike was a light blue colour, with stabilisers, and small wheels. It was the same bike both my brothers learnt to ride on. My only real memories of this bike are a photo of my Grandma Jones riding it thru Reading University and the day my dad took the stabilisers off. Pedalling furiously shouting at my dad "Don't let go! Don't let go!" of course he had he was just running alongside to make me think he hadn't! Cruel to be kind eh? Just as well really, if he hadn't let go at that point, he would still be holding the saddle to this day and John O'Groats to Lands End is a long way to run whilst holding the saddle of your kids bike, even for my Dad 

From the Blue Budgie my next bike was a Raleigh Striker in silver grey, with a back pedal brake! Simply brilliant for skidding! But that's another story, for Part 2 of my bike history…

Sent from my iPhone

My wheels...

As promised a while ago, a couple of photos of my new bike that I hope will take me the length of this great country next May.  

The science bit, A "Large" Specalized Sirrus Sport, currently unnamed, carbon forks with Zertz inserts, 24 gears, and 700x28 tyres, a saddle bag containing spare tube, tools, Puncture repair kit. The only modifications to date, a 2nd bottle holder (not shown in pictures) and a wireless speedo (max speed thus far 42.8 mph, hell that was scary!) and a small aluminum pump. 

That ends my 2nd post in October, an impressive 200% improvement on last month :)

Guilted back into the saddle....

There have been excuses, but essentially I hadn't been out on the bike since mid August, save one 5 mile trek to the top of Bredon Hill.  May 2011 is fast approaching and I needed to get back out there, even if just to keep up with Rodger and all his rowing and cycling.  Well yesterday I managed a little over 17 miles and it felt good.

Brilliant! At least it would be, [or I would certainly feel better] had the reason for my sudden burst of motivation  been the thought of the challenge that lays ahead and ensuring I was prepared and at peak levels of fitness.

But no, my motivation, a guilt trip following the demolition of a bag of donuts! Plain and simple gluttony was what it took!

Anyhow, I have broken the trend of not training and am now back in the saddle and raring to go.  In fact had it not been raining and fairly windy this morning, I might be out there now.  Oh!, no wait a minute, that be them darn excuses again.  :)  

September Training

FAIL!

Only managed to do 1 ride this month (35.5 miles) due to work and a strained muscle! Did manage 16.5 miles on the rower.

Must do better. Must do better. Must do better. ...

I did managed to buy some Polaris Revelation sunglasses, Endura FS260 Aerogel Mitts and some Lusso Coolmax Pro Gel Bib Shorts (thanks to Absolute Cycles). Looking forward to trying these out tomorrow. No problem with my credit card training!

August Training

Training going well. Managed to do 5 rides in August, over 90 miles in total. This together with over 25 miles on the rowing machine is a good start.

More importantly, my body (and more importantly, my bum) is starting to cope with longer and longer hours on the bike.

In addition to the stuff I bought at the time I bought my bike, I now am the proud owner of a Endura Hummvee jersey (thanks to WeLoveMountains.com for their prompt delivery). I know that its really a mountain bike shirt but it works for me!

Team jersey ordered!

Rodger was so impressed with this jersey, thought I best get an order in for the whole team. Another practice ride here, joined by Josh (11) and a potential new victim ( not shown ), Huw.

In the background is the Loughour estuary. Full on 20mph head wind on this 18 mile run - great practice for those Scottish glens we felt!

Gower Rides

Practice rides from Deepest Wales

Constrained by gsm speeds and an iPhone sized screen, a short post from deepest Wales! Training not really started yet, but enjoying a few shorter practice rides of up to 20 miles around the fabulous gently undulating roads of Gower.

The welsh drivers are great to road riders, especially when sporting my recently purchased Sarn Helen sportif jersey which features a large red dragon on the back!

If I figure out how to upload images from this mobile, I'll add a few pictures!

Martin

Thinking about the trip, are my wheels up to it?

Looking up and down my Mountain bike it was tired and weary. It has been through two road traffic accidents and has carried me around for the last ten years. To ask it to get me from John O'Groats to Land End next May felt like an ask to far. Don't get me wrong it has served me well, it's time it had a well earnt rest!

With the trip next year in mind I headed off to Williams cycles to see what the options were. I needed a road bike that was good for touring and covering a lot of miles, speed and sprinting less of an issue.

The advice from the lad in the shop was a flat bar'd road bike. "It gives a more up right riding position, better for someone of your build, sir!" I knew what he meant :) I am sure if I got down onto some dropped bars I'd never get back up again, 900 miles lying on the top tube doesn't appeal.

After checking some info online regarding suitability and costs I was back in the shop a few days later parting with my hard earnt cash. I had to wait 24 hours for the shop to prep the bike, it was like Christmas eve, I was so excited. I collected the bike the night before my 36th birthday and unloading it at home it suddenly felt very real! 900 miles and 10 days in less than a year! I had better get training then.....

Photos to follow....

Ian

Today I went to market and bought...

A new bike - a Specialized Secteur Elite,

Derek

A Specialized Propero Helmet (in the photo),
A Specialized EMT Survival Kit (hung under my saddle),
A spare inner tube (I got this free!),
A Specialized Speed Zone Sport Wireless computer (on my stem),
A Specialized Air Tool Mini Pump, and
A Massey Ferguson Tractor.

No going back!

What started as a family trip to Lands End, an off the cuff comment to a friend, and a drunken night in a pub has turned into a plan (in the loosest sense of the word) to cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End next year.

I'll update our progress here as we plan, train and (hopefully) complete this goal.

No going back now!