Cornish Hills......

.....so we have arrived in Cornwall, at my parents, just outside of Helston. I went out today and cycled (downhill) to one of my favourite places in the world - Porthleven. The biggest problem with Portleven is that the hill on the way back up is a 300ft+ climb in around 1.5 miles - this might not sound alot but have a look at the profile here - you can see my heart rate reached around 180...!



Some piccies from portleven harbour...

Struggling afterwards?

I thought I would try to cycle to Cambridge - 23 miles and then do a bit of shopping. I did the cycling bit in about an hour and a half, although on the graph/map attached you will see that I forgot to put my timer on for a 2 mile or so section!! It looks like I caught a ride with something/one and just missed a few miles... I really got in the groove and although it was really hot found it easy enough...however...this morning I have woken up with big cramps so I clarly have not had enough salts...forgot to take my rego drink which I will clearly need to take to Lon/Par with me. Not long now - 2 weeks and 2 days and I am feeling a little nervous. Pretty sure I can do day one but not too sure if I will be able to get going on days 2/3/4!!

I also cycled with my iPod for the first time and it was a revelation, definitely need to use that on the trip!

Time not on the bike and drinking beer means....

....a bloody hard run out. So 10 days where I couldn't get by ever expanding arse back onto my bike and I really struggled tonight and only did 8 miles. In the weight news I am up to 13 st 5 lbs (ouch - a gain of 2 lbs!) as last week I had two massive nights out and I have been sort of addicted to cashew nuts. Well the diet started again today and I have avoided all snacks and had pasta for dinner, meaning my run tomorrow should go well as I have stored up on a load of carbs. The plan is to be 15-20 miles tomorrow (possibly in 2 stints) and see if I can maintain a decent pace. Only 3 1/2 weeks to go now and am starting to feel a little apprehensive. Got to chase some sponsorship later in the week...

The difference between the two weeks....

Last week - I did 64 miles, this week 0, nightmare really but will need to do a decent ride on Sunday - also then got to arrnage to ride to Ely so I can meet up with the good folks of the Ely Bowls Club who are sponsoring me - less than 4 weeks to go now, starting to get exceptionally nervous!

Updates

Was going to go out but it is seriously pissing it down and nearly dark - I don't have my reflective jacket yet...

The guys doing our windows - Admiral have sponsored me 50 quid which is a nice touch - they are good guys - see their website here

Also - all my lovely energy bars and gels arrived - again, how exciting. These things are bloody great - one every 10 miles or so is my rule and that seems to work quite well...see piccy!

Rather Excited

I have to say I am rather excited. Dave Gorman (he of all the TV shows/panel shows and beard) has sponsored me 20 quid! I wrote to him telling him how his not giving me the details of his publisher meant I went on to start up R3 and he sponsored me - what a jolly nice chap. I suggest we all go and see him on his tour (link)

My knees hurt...

...thought I would head out and do a proper ride so I got on my bike and did 33 miles (and then to and from the station, another 6 miles that evening). It was quite hard work - the first 10 miles or so all seemed to be uphill but then, the next ten were much better, mostly downhill/flat. A couple of small climbs and dips and then home. The route took me towards Abbotsley, through Eynesbury Hardwicke, Tetworth, Everton, Sandy, Cardington, Great Barford, Wyboston....

I have to say climbing the stairs was the hardest part of the day and my knees today, a day on, are really hurting. Lots of ibuprofen methinks on the journey. The 33 miles itself wasn't too bad and I completed it in 2 1/2 hours, this included a couple of stops, one for a phone call, the other at traffic lights (for ages......). Some of the climbs were hard work though and I suspect this is going to be my downfall on the trip itself.

Richard and Lynn have booked to come to France and Jen wants me to book her too...Pat I think is coming too so there will be a few to greet me on the Champs Elysees on 13th Sept!

Back with a bang (whimper...)

So back from Vegas nearly half a stone heavier - that's what chips with everything does to you. Whilst over there I trialled the awesome Expresso bike as per below but aprt from that did bugger all exercising...so yesterday I thought it was high time to head out for a 15 miler - my furthest yet and the bare minimum from hereonin. The trip itself could be broken down into three stages really - the first five miles, nearly all hup hill were hard work but then I seemed to get into a good downhill rhythm for the next 5, meaning an average over that part of about 18 mph...I then found the last few miles quite tough (alot more uphill) but still managed a creditable 1 hr and 2 mins for 15.3 miles...couldn't find my heart monitor thogh which was annoying and have got to change the settings slightly on my shoes, but it felt ok and now need to make sure I do this every other day for the next five weeks....