I am counting down the weeks and still feel confident about completing the ride. I rode 40 miles on Sunday and the weather was mild and sunny. All in all we are all feeling good about the final ride.
So I'm not really sure if I can keep this blog up until then writing the same old business each week and I think I may need to start another one to allow me to write about something else. I'll still maintain it until the ride in 7 weeks...
And to top it all my laptop got some sort of virus on it and I had to reload all of Windows xp causing me to lose everything. However it's got a lot quicker.
Hmm now to get the new blog ready...
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Weekend Off
A weekend away from the two wheels. My efforts of last weekend made me think I earned a couple of days off. Which I have enjoyed but intend to get back full on next weekend.
Plus it was mon anniversaire today so I felt even more justified in doing nothing other than reading the Sundays today.
Now to watch Little Miss Sunshine with a glass of beer. Luxury.
More to report later this week I promise.
Plus it was mon anniversaire today so I felt even more justified in doing nothing other than reading the Sundays today.
Now to watch Little Miss Sunshine with a glass of beer. Luxury.
More to report later this week I promise.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Last weekend
I said I would update some details about last weekend earlier this week but I just didn't get round to it. Work is busy (but for once reasonably enjoyable - why does it come and go like that??). Anyway here goes.
C picked me up around 8 on the Saturday morning. The mornings are much lighter at the moment and make getting up early all the more easy. C looked terrible, the previous evening he had been to an 80's style Roller Disco which has opened at Kings Cross and he had got home at 2. The disco retro idea sounds awful but everyone I know who has been to it says it is marvellous and I think I may try and get there myself soon. We set off to Maidstone to N's house and started on the tea and toast which has become a pre-ride feature now. No Marmite but there was some Golden Syrup which is absolutely delicious if a little tooth rotting.
We set off just after 10, the sun shining and the wind behind us. Our route took us out of Maidstone towards Leeds Castle past some weird railway line where the level crossing was manually operated by some guy in a hut who came out to shut it just as I was passing. I wasn't aware that such oddities still existed, even in Kent!
We seemed to stop around every 20 minutes maintaining the Lance Armstrong idea of keeping up your fluids and food which really does pay dividends. The day got warmer and sunnier and I was surpriswd that it took us only 3 hours to reach Canterbury, our half way stop. We made the mistake of hitting a sandwich bar serving delicious sandwiches but which meant we ate too much and we struggled up our first hill out of Canterbury on our way to Deal. Man it was tough, I could feel the beef and coleslaw on granary hanging around just below my throat level as I pedalled ferociously up that hill!
The section to Deal was very enjoyable cutting across countryside riddled with quiet roads (part of our journey to Canterbury was on the busy A20) most of which I knew because I had covered them on the same journey on Boxing Day. The sun held out for the afternoon and we rolled in for a cup of tea in Deal chez in laws at around 3.30pm.
The final section of the first day was a short ride to the Gardener's Rest in Kingsdown, a superb little Guest House of which we had the whole upstairs. The place was stunning, a huge garden and spacious bedrooms with a small dining area between the two rooms which looked out over the garden and the channel. The owners were a lovely couple who had built the property from scratch and had recently started letting out the rooms.
We settled in and drew straws for who got the king size bed to themselves. C won and me and N settled for the twin room. Not that there was a problem with this - there was still loads of room. I ached and was tired but after a short nap we were ready to head out. After an evening of a mini pub crawl (including The Ship in Deal which would appear in my top ten boozers if I were ever to compile such a list) and an average curry we headed home and hit the sack at the Saturday night rock and roll time of 10.30pm!
Sunday morning and we awoke early, the sun streaming in and the owners ready to supply a huge breakfast which we had ordered the afternoon previous. I didn't ache too much having completed 60 miles the previous day. After a plate of bacon and eggs (all locally sourced apparently) we said our goodbyes, settled the bill and set off back to Maidstone. The wind was facing us and we knew the journey back would take much longer. We returned via Folkestone and Ashford and learnt the hard way that if you are not sure where you are going it's best to stick to more well known roads - the result of not following this was covering about 5 miles in an hour - not good when you are meant to be doing 60 in 6 hours.
An altercation with a farmer who said we were blocking the road led to an exchange of verbal profanities and resulted in us being chased by said farmer! He was spoiling for a fight shouting "come on then, let's 'ave some!" - if the Crays had some surviving family and they had gone into farming then this chap was clearly a close relative.
Otherwise the day was a pretty fast but uninteresting trip along the A20, stopping off for Mars Bars and tea and Ginsters Pasties from Esso garages. In fact I ate more choc over the whole weekend than ever before. The sun stayed out and I was surprised how quickly we got back. We returned tired but satisfied and optimistic about the full three days where we will need to cover 75 miles per day over three days. C dropped us back to Bexley and eventually I fell asleep at 8, woke up and had something to eat and then went to bed at 10.30.
Much backslapping the next day and an all round good feeling which has stayed with me all week.
Bring it on!
C picked me up around 8 on the Saturday morning. The mornings are much lighter at the moment and make getting up early all the more easy. C looked terrible, the previous evening he had been to an 80's style Roller Disco which has opened at Kings Cross and he had got home at 2. The disco retro idea sounds awful but everyone I know who has been to it says it is marvellous and I think I may try and get there myself soon. We set off to Maidstone to N's house and started on the tea and toast which has become a pre-ride feature now. No Marmite but there was some Golden Syrup which is absolutely delicious if a little tooth rotting.
We set off just after 10, the sun shining and the wind behind us. Our route took us out of Maidstone towards Leeds Castle past some weird railway line where the level crossing was manually operated by some guy in a hut who came out to shut it just as I was passing. I wasn't aware that such oddities still existed, even in Kent!
We seemed to stop around every 20 minutes maintaining the Lance Armstrong idea of keeping up your fluids and food which really does pay dividends. The day got warmer and sunnier and I was surpriswd that it took us only 3 hours to reach Canterbury, our half way stop. We made the mistake of hitting a sandwich bar serving delicious sandwiches but which meant we ate too much and we struggled up our first hill out of Canterbury on our way to Deal. Man it was tough, I could feel the beef and coleslaw on granary hanging around just below my throat level as I pedalled ferociously up that hill!
The section to Deal was very enjoyable cutting across countryside riddled with quiet roads (part of our journey to Canterbury was on the busy A20) most of which I knew because I had covered them on the same journey on Boxing Day. The sun held out for the afternoon and we rolled in for a cup of tea in Deal chez in laws at around 3.30pm.
The final section of the first day was a short ride to the Gardener's Rest in Kingsdown, a superb little Guest House of which we had the whole upstairs. The place was stunning, a huge garden and spacious bedrooms with a small dining area between the two rooms which looked out over the garden and the channel. The owners were a lovely couple who had built the property from scratch and had recently started letting out the rooms.
We settled in and drew straws for who got the king size bed to themselves. C won and me and N settled for the twin room. Not that there was a problem with this - there was still loads of room. I ached and was tired but after a short nap we were ready to head out. After an evening of a mini pub crawl (including The Ship in Deal which would appear in my top ten boozers if I were ever to compile such a list) and an average curry we headed home and hit the sack at the Saturday night rock and roll time of 10.30pm!
Sunday morning and we awoke early, the sun streaming in and the owners ready to supply a huge breakfast which we had ordered the afternoon previous. I didn't ache too much having completed 60 miles the previous day. After a plate of bacon and eggs (all locally sourced apparently) we said our goodbyes, settled the bill and set off back to Maidstone. The wind was facing us and we knew the journey back would take much longer. We returned via Folkestone and Ashford and learnt the hard way that if you are not sure where you are going it's best to stick to more well known roads - the result of not following this was covering about 5 miles in an hour - not good when you are meant to be doing 60 in 6 hours.
An altercation with a farmer who said we were blocking the road led to an exchange of verbal profanities and resulted in us being chased by said farmer! He was spoiling for a fight shouting "come on then, let's 'ave some!" - if the Crays had some surviving family and they had gone into farming then this chap was clearly a close relative.
Otherwise the day was a pretty fast but uninteresting trip along the A20, stopping off for Mars Bars and tea and Ginsters Pasties from Esso garages. In fact I ate more choc over the whole weekend than ever before. The sun stayed out and I was surprised how quickly we got back. We returned tired but satisfied and optimistic about the full three days where we will need to cover 75 miles per day over three days. C dropped us back to Bexley and eventually I fell asleep at 8, woke up and had something to eat and then went to bed at 10.30.
Much backslapping the next day and an all round good feeling which has stayed with me all week.
Bring it on!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
120 Miles in two days
I have returned and completed my weekend task. You cannot believe how happy I am about this! But tired now oh so tired - so I will update this entry tomorrow with tales of the Kent countryside.
Adieu!
Adieu!
Friday, March 09, 2007
Marriage Of Figaro
My tribute to film scores has started and thanks to recently viewing a crappy Alfa Romeo advert I have downloaded a track from Mozart's "Marriage Of Figaro" (featured in said advert) , the one used in the Shawshank Redemption when he locks himself in the warden's office and plays music to the inmates while the evil staff look on and try to break into the room where he is playing the music.
I urge you to do the same.
I urge you to do the same.
Pre ride video
Home for a Friday evening in preparation for my weekend ride and the early start this will require. Bag is packed and loaded with as little as possible although the weight of it indicates I am carrying the equivalent of the contents of Imelda Marcos' shoe collection in the rucksack.
Loaded up with high energy snack bars and such like as well.
Early night required and all I have to do is get through the Borat DVD which was hired (not by myself) from the local Blockbuster (curse you global DVD conglomorate with your dull safe choice of films). I am worried I may find it funny even though I am trying to tell myself not to laugh at it and that I should follow the Observer's review of it and not entertain it at all. Oh well I am going to watch it with an open mind.
Loaded up with high energy snack bars and such like as well.
Early night required and all I have to do is get through the Borat DVD which was hired (not by myself) from the local Blockbuster (curse you global DVD conglomorate with your dull safe choice of films). I am worried I may find it funny even though I am trying to tell myself not to laugh at it and that I should follow the Observer's review of it and not entertain it at all. Oh well I am going to watch it with an open mind.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
I'm free
The death of John Inman announced today brought a swathe of emails to my inbox this morning. I requested two minutes silence at 11 o' clock but this did not go down well. "Are You Being Served?" was rubbish but that doesn't stop it being part of my tv formative years and I probably split my sides laughing at it back in the 70s.
His demise covered on the 10 O Clock news where they implied that his character Mr Humphreys could have been gay! Ber-limey what a revelation! What next?
Anyway enough of this campery. This weekend is forecast to be good in the south (15 degrees and sunny on Sunday) so the two day round trip is looking good.
My racing colleagues and I have spent much time debating the few items that we need to pack and how best to pack them. So far we have decided on a toothbrush and a change of clothes for Saturday night and that's it. Everything else we can buy or will be provided by the hotel in Deal. The most cumbersome item is finding the lightest pair of shoes to take as I cannot wear my clip-in cycle shoes on Saturday night as they would look stoopid.
The only other requirement is directions. Which I must now go and sort out.
Random question of the day - Is there really any need to bring out a new version of itunes every two months on average? These downloads stuff up my laptop. Curse you, software snoopers.
Random thought - I have been attempting to grow a moustache for the last couple of days. I thought it looked ok but the youngest told me it looked rubbish. So off it came this morning.
His demise covered on the 10 O Clock news where they implied that his character Mr Humphreys could have been gay! Ber-limey what a revelation! What next?
Anyway enough of this campery. This weekend is forecast to be good in the south (15 degrees and sunny on Sunday) so the two day round trip is looking good.
My racing colleagues and I have spent much time debating the few items that we need to pack and how best to pack them. So far we have decided on a toothbrush and a change of clothes for Saturday night and that's it. Everything else we can buy or will be provided by the hotel in Deal. The most cumbersome item is finding the lightest pair of shoes to take as I cannot wear my clip-in cycle shoes on Saturday night as they would look stoopid.
The only other requirement is directions. Which I must now go and sort out.
Random question of the day - Is there really any need to bring out a new version of itunes every two months on average? These downloads stuff up my laptop. Curse you, software snoopers.
Random thought - I have been attempting to grow a moustache for the last couple of days. I thought it looked ok but the youngest told me it looked rubbish. So off it came this morning.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
A Few Good Men
Whilst filing this entry I am watching "A Few Good Men" which I find is still a good watch even after the 7th time of viewing. And it has Kevin Bacon in it who apparently can be linked to anyone else filmwise. Jack Nicholson is superbly threatening and all round you know it's gonna work out but it's still good.
Hotel is booked for the weekend. One night. I need to pack a bag with as little as possible as I have to carry it all on my bike for 120 miles. For the evening out I can't wear my cycling gear so I will have to pack just a pair of jeans and t-shirt and some clean crackers of course.
Roll on the weekend...
Hotel is booked for the weekend. One night. I need to pack a bag with as little as possible as I have to carry it all on my bike for 120 miles. For the evening out I can't wear my cycling gear so I will have to pack just a pair of jeans and t-shirt and some clean crackers of course.
Roll on the weekend...
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
120 miles this weekend
I should be getting an early night in - not blogging at 11.30pm.
120 miles, 60 each way on Saturday and Sunday with an overnight stop in Deal on Saturday night.
A test for the real thing.
More details tomorrow.
120 miles, 60 each way on Saturday and Sunday with an overnight stop in Deal on Saturday night.
A test for the real thing.
More details tomorrow.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Thong
Yesterday me and C (who had a stinking hangover) cycled through a place called Thong. I didn't get a photo. It amused us greatly and took our minds off the three times we were called female downstairs part profanities by the tosser drivers of NW Kent, mostly youngsters of course.
We also went through Cobham a lovely village close to Thong (how I still laugh as I type - I may need to get out more) which looked like it had a lovely boozer to visit come summer.
36 miles completed. and on a saturday....
this was because I had the youngest's 7th birthday party today - only 7 guests but a two hour experience nonetheless, mostly of shouting and hilarious gags about how the french say "oui oui" and that the french for dustbin is "poubelle" (anything with the sound poo in it is the funniest thing ever according to a room of year 2 types). Bit like a village called Thong...
We also went through Cobham a lovely village close to Thong (how I still laugh as I type - I may need to get out more) which looked like it had a lovely boozer to visit come summer.
36 miles completed. and on a saturday....
this was because I had the youngest's 7th birthday party today - only 7 guests but a two hour experience nonetheless, mostly of shouting and hilarious gags about how the french say "oui oui" and that the french for dustbin is "poubelle" (anything with the sound poo in it is the funniest thing ever according to a room of year 2 types). Bit like a village called Thong...
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Lance Armstrong suggests...
to always wash your bike if it gets muddy.
Also you must always degrease your chain on a regular basis.
All wise words.
However I've yet to get to the bit where he says cycling from London to Paris in 3 days is a piece of p*ss. I'm sure I'll get to it soon...
Also you must always degrease your chain on a regular basis.
All wise words.
However I've yet to get to the bit where he says cycling from London to Paris in 3 days is a piece of p*ss. I'm sure I'll get to it soon...
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