Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all that have followed my Blog in 2012. At the start of the year I had been inactive on the sporting front for around two years, my football career had come to an abrupt end at age forty and I felt the onset of mid life and the little Buddha belly that goes with it. If anyone had said you were going to take up cycling and finish the year with the goal of London to Paris in 2013 then I would have called them crazy, but lets look how 2012 turned out.
March - took to the bike for the first time since seventeen years of age.
June - Cycled 62 miles in the Wickes big ten cycle challenge.
September - Cycled 58 mile in London Bikeathon.
October - Purchased new road bike as I got a bit more serious.
November - Signed up to London Paris 2013.
Cycled a total of 1,400 miles since March.
Raised in excess of £500 through my cycling for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

So what now for 2013, Well the big one is in June, 460 kilometres in four days from London to Paris. I have committed to raise £1,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and will be asking all and sundry to help me on my quest. Blood cancer is still a major killer of children and adults alike and every penny raised helps us find a cure. My blog has a link to my just giving page and I would ask all that take time to read my blog to find it in their heart to give what they can afford. I in return will train hard and share my experiences with you to hopefully entertain along the way. This is for me my greatest sporting challenge and I still sit and contemplate what I have let myself in for. So please be generous and I hope you all have a happy and prosperous New Year.

Roll on Paris.

It must be Christmas we had rain deer!

 I hope everyone had a good Christmas and are looking forward to a happy New Year. I have been quiet for a couple of weeks as far as blogging goes, but I have still been out on the bike. We spent Christmas at mums, like every year, when you have the best cook in the world as a mum it would be unthinkable to do anything else. So plans were for me to cycle, only fifteen miles, and meet my wife and son there who would drive (very sensible). Over the last few weeks like everyone else rain has become the norm and seeing wet ground and only a few drops falling from the sky I was undeterred. How wrong can one man be? I set off on my normal route without a thought of the torrents that had fallen

over the last couple of days, this was a big mistake as two miles in I use a road called "Watery Lane" a big clue you would have thought, and yes you know it, road closed flood. I'm on a bike I thought "I can ride through a flood" so going past the closed signs with a sense  of adventure and feeling brave I turned the next bend to where the flood began. Looked OK to me, so off I set holding to the right where it was shallow, I new where it usually flooded and was anticipating that after this next bend it would be clear. Not this time, after the bend the water went as far as I could see and as the water became deeper my bravery dwindled. Managing to turn around without taking a swim I decided the detour was probably for the best. I was soon back on track and enjoying the ride when the heavens opened. Now it was Christmas and the normal way of things are for Jesus to be remembered, today I would probably have been better off with Noah. I have seen it rain but this was biblical and the roads soon run with water. The lanes to Billericay started to resemble rivers and dodging puddles became impossible, I was wet anyway so onward I ploughed without a care in the world. Thing was there was this Range Rover driver with the same attitude and while traversing one rather large flood across the road he thought it would be in the spirit of Christmas to speed up past me, while creating a bow wave  a power boat racer would have been proud of. I thought I was wet before, dream on. I must be a bit sadistic as I was still enjoying myself and finished my journey with a broad smile on my face. Christmas was great with the family and I am excited by the prospects 2013 hold, Roll on Paris.

Squirrels and Alcohol !

It has been a strange week with the Beast from the East threatening to obliterate East Anglia with snow and ice, only to change direction and leave its tail to whip us on Tuesday. Yes it was very cold and icy and a few snow flakes caused chaos with grid locked roads. Work and social commitments on top of this had meant a week of inactivity on the bike. Now I am not the fittest of forty two year old but by far not the worst. So when Saturday came and an opportunity to get out for a few miles arose, I was eager to get back in the saddle. Wet and windy did not put me off as the temperature had now risen to a balmy 6 degrees C, so off I set towards Billericay with the prospect of a cuppa at mums about fifteen miles in. Now the social activities that I mentioned earlier came into play, you see late nights and excessive alcohol in my twenties and playing football was not a problem. Problem is I am not twenty anymore, when the hell did that happen, and so with some shock my legs felt dead and hills became mountains before my eyes, why did I have that last glass of wine? Now you see people say Essex is flat, not quite and I had probably decided to cycle, to my peril, one of the hilliest (mountainous) routes around. It was hard work in that first stint as it was all up hill on the way out, at least the homeward stint would be of some relief. The roads in the country were still very wet and the water was running from the fields from yesterdays down pours,  

twice I found floods that crossed my path and gingerly I cycled through six inches of water. Reaching mums I was now hot and bothered, sweating more than normal and looking forward to a cup of coffee and a chat, as normal I was spoilt with a new packet of shortbread freshly opened just for me, don't you just love mums. Refreshments over and an easier ride home I set off for the lanes that on a Saturday morning I new would be deserted. Peace personified, I was in a world of my own when out he came, a kamikaze squirrel with a taste for cyclists. Slamming on the brakes on a greasy lane with fallen leaves, for a split second my heart was in my throat. I saw the whites of his eyes as he approached the spokes of my front wheel and then with an agility of a ninja he turned and I'm sure with a wink disappeared back to the trees. It was with an increased alertness that I continued on my way and was on full squirrel alert until I exited the woodland that I was cycling through. The rest of the journey was completed without any further eventful activity and back at home I made a pledge no more excess before training, well maybe after Christmas. Roll on Paris.

 

A ride of two halves.

It's been a week of changeable weather with snow and ice in abundance for the first time this winter. However I did get out on Tuesday before it all began. It was a chilly morning but with blue sky and sunshine, very inviting. The forecast showed showers in the afternoon and a freshening wind. Being out early I thought I may miss the worst. So rapped up well I set off on a thirty mile route. How great did I feel, cruising along at a great pace, everything was good and I was thinking I could go all day if I wanted. My destination was again Wallasea Island and wow did I get there quick, averaging close to seventeen miles an hour I was feeling pretty chuffed with myself. Turning for home I had a big dose of reality, that freshening wind had obviously freshened a bit earlier than forecast and boy did I feel it. Life had just got that bit harder and I was now facing fifteen miles of graft into a wind that had been my friend till now. Muscles started working far harder and great speed became a thing of the past, while I was now feeling that giving up was  the better choice to going all day. Getting home was filled with satisfaction and an average pace still over fourteen mile an hour, I was still chuffed. Roll on Paris.

Its cold outside

Today was one of those days, not at work, need to train but any normal person would look outside turn the heating up and have some hot porridge for breakfast. Problem is I have rarely been described as normal so out came the Lycra and bike and with the temperature reading -2 I got myself ready for another twenty miles. Not having been out in such temperatures before the obvious choice was the mountain bike and plenty of layers. To be fair the roads were not that bad, I thought that the frost may have caused me more problems but apart from being cautious on the bends they were pretty good. The same could not be said about my hands, my gloves on all previous rides had stood up to the elements however with sub zero temperatures I started to feel the cold. About five miles in feeling the gears when changing them became a problem and I might as well have had hooves instead of fingers, at ten miles I was struggling to feel the handlebars full stop. While at this time the temperature had risen above zero, I needed to do something about my now completely numb hands. I stopped and spent the next ten minutes shaking and rubbing my hands together, I was glad I was in the middle of nowhere at this point as I'm sure the sight of me in Lycra shaking arms and jumping around was made for you tube. What ever it looked like it worked as the circulation came back and the rest of my ride was done in relative comfort. A new experience cycling in the cold and some research needed into new gloves, but all the same I still enjoyed the ride. Roll on Paris.

Wet Wet Wet!!!

Been raining a bit around here recently if you hadn't noticed, so when I got up this morning and was looking to complete a training ride it was no surprise to see there was still wet stuff falling from the sky. After my drive home from work yesterday and seeing the amount of surface water the decision was easy, if your going out today you fool, take the mountain bike and think about the snorkel and flippers!!! After sorting the bike and hearing the local news report about the chaos that was happening on the roads with accidents, floods and bridges being hit by lorries, I set off with some intrepidation. It didn't take long before It became apparent that  

 I was not going to be disappointed. Traffic was everywhere but not going anywhere very quickly, I was not going to be holding up many cars this morning. As it turned out it was the complete opposite I dodged traffic everywhere I went and couldn't wait to get out into the country and actual get some speed up. Stopping in my normal spot in Rochford I took a very contrasting picture of the small stream that runs through the park. I had taken a shot of the same spot only last week and could not believe the difference. The country ride was great with open roads and blissful peace, how short it was though. On any normal day the ride back to Rayleigh via Hulbridge is one that I enjoy and share with a few straggling commuters and farm vehicles, not today, because today the whole world had used it as a detour and four miles of stationary traffic in both directions greeted me this morning. So with grit, determination and some skill I took to the middle of the road a picked my way carefully between the cars and vans. It was challenging and my expectation of irate drivers late for work and the normal hatred for cyclists was smashed completely. As I passed open windows there were jovial comments of envy " Can I borrow your bike mate" and "I guess you'll be the only one getting somewhere today" echoed on more than one occasion. With the rain still falling and the traffic solid all the way home, in some twisted way I found myself really enjoying the ride and pulling into my drive with another twenty miles under my belt a feeling of great satisfaction came over me. Roll on Paris.

 

 

 

Ouch what a pain?

A frustrating week, coming off of  a solid 120 miles last week, I felt a twinge in my neck come Monday. Some say it was a reaction to having to go back to work after a week off, myself I think its just age. Which ever it was it has kept me off the bike and with having to work all weekend frustration is creeping in due to inactivity. Probably something I'll need to get used to with winter approaching. The exercise bike is set up but it is just not the same as the freedom of the road and I soon get bored going nowhere. I watched the Bradley Wiggins documentary on Wednesday (looking for some tips) left in complete ore of the dedication and pain he has gone through to be just that good, If you wanted inspiration you could do a lot worse. Can't wait to be back in the saddle, roll on Paris.

Wallasea at the weekend

 

The end of my week off work and a final trip out on the bike. I woke up to a fantastic morning with bright sunshine, if a bit chilly, and after getting the gear ready I opted for a thirty mile trip. Deciding on a destination I headed towards Wallasea Island and Essex Marina, which is one of my usual stop points, a nice place to take in the views for a few minutes while having a drink. It was an uneventful trip out and at fourteen miles to Wallasea very pleasant on a sunny Sunday morning, with little traffic to concern me, and once out in the country it was very peaceful.

Once at Wallasea I decided to take a look at the RSPB site. I had recently read about the project to transform this part of the Essex coast line and it is the biggest project of its kind in Europe. Take a look its great o see conservation  on this scale. http://www.rspb.org.uk/wallasea . It was a bit bleak out on the Island and in different weather I can imagine it being very hostile, not today though I was glad I took in the couple of miles with the birds singing and total isolation in the sun, perfect. Now pushing for home I had what wind there was in my face and the effort level was raised to maintain my fifteen miles an hour pace. The miles seemed to be going past at some pace and before long I was on the final stretches to home. It felt great managing two trips without a puncture, at one point this week I was thinking I was cursed. Final stats for the week 126 miles at an average pace of 15 mph, a long way to go. Roll on Paris.

Another twenty miles

Another twenty miles today, felt a bit tired on the outset but only for the first couple of miles. Thought I'd push it a bit more today and managed an average over 16 mph. Been pleased with ninety miles this week, a long way off London Paris miles but that's June.
 Roll on Paris.

Reality strikes

Just a quick note, I went out yesterday and did 40 miles. This in its self is not unusual or overly far, however it was the day after doing 30 miles and the first time I have done two days on the trot. Reality is I will need to do a lot of training before June, the last six miles were the hardest for some time. I see many miles ahead of me and some painful times. With more trepidation than before, Roll on Paris.

Puncture what Puncture

 

Last week saw me fail quite miserably in my attempt to complete a training ride, due mainly by my inability to repair punctures. This was followed by a bout of man flu which prevented me from getting straight back in the saddle. A week to forget I think and time to look forward. So with a trip to the bike shop completed and all the spares I could carry it was now time to hit the road and complete what I had set out to do, a thirty mile ride. It was another bright morning and for the time of year very mild. With my previous weeks experience on cycle tracks I set off with a plan to stay mainly to the roads, I felt good today and cruising speed was high for me, and at ten miles in, averaging 16.5 miles an hour. Heading now towards Shoebury which was the furthest point of the ride I took a minute or two out to take a photo across East beach and the Thames estuary. Heading for home and for a change not having the wind against me on the sea front I took to the only stretch of cycle track on route, the well used five mile stretch of Southend sea front. Now this is where my day took a turn for the worse and I will have to deliver a plea to Southend council. "Please, please, please can we understand that glass, cycle tracks and bikes do not mix. Not one but two punctures in five miles and me not being the only one as between punctures I passed another poor sole dismantling his tyre. Get it sorted and employ a few more road sweepers." At least this time my preparations and previous experience meant I had all the right gear to get me going again and made it home under my own steam. 31 miles at an average speed of 15.3mph, satisfied with that and plan to go out again tomorrow, roll on Paris.



Training misfortunes

Setting off today on a 30 mile training run. It was a cold and frosty start this morning but with winter gloves on and several layers I was all set to go. Did the usual pre-ride checks of tyre pressures and repair kits etc. and off I went to do battle with the morning rush that is the school run. It was a bright day if a bit chilly but I was soon into my stride and was happily going along, it brought a smile to my face as I sped along the cycle track past all the stationary traffic queueing into Southend. However this was very short lived as I was about to experience the cyclists worst enemy, a puncture and only eight miles in. No worries though as with spare tube and my new compressed air pump, I would be on my way very soon. Feeling extremely pleased with myself after only ten minutes on the road side I again took off and was cruising along at some pace, the wind rushing past and now out in the country away from the crowds and morning traffic. When disaster struck, a second puncture in the same tyre. While this may not seem to be a problem it actualy was, you see its at times like this I realise how much of a novice I still am and how much of a challenge I have set myself with the London to Paris trip.You see as I said earlier I had this fantastic new compressed air pump, the problem was all the refill canisters were still at home and so rendering the carefully packed repair kit null and void. Quandary was, ten miles from home and no way to fix the bike, eureka my twenty year old son not at work till the afternoon would still be in bed, one phone call later and support vehicle was on the way. Having now abandoned the ride for the day and back home I set about the task of understanding how I was that unlucky to have got two punctures in two miles, was it just misfortune? Well no not really as again the novice in me had risen to the top. On closer inspection very neatly embedded in my tyre was a piece of glass, which from the inside was not visible and so when I had checked earlier while changing it on the road side it had been missed. So with lesson number two now learnt, check both sides of the tyre following a puncture and to take your compressed air refills with you, I look forward to my next training session with hopefully less drama and being far more prepared. Roll on Paris.

 

My Chariot

 

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog, I am a first time blogger and have been inspired by the challenge I am about to embark on. I took up cycling in March this year to take part in a charity event, riding 62 miles and raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. This has unleashed a passion that has seen me cycle over 1200 miles this year and turned me into what is commonly known as a MAMIL (middle aged man in Lycra).
 In my wisdom or a moment of madness I have signed up to the very challenging London to Paris ride next June, covering 460km in four days with 300 other cyclists, all with one goal. Supporting vital work to beat blood cancer, we can and will win if we can all pull together and this event alone will raise in excess of £300,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
 I will be putting myself to the ultimate challenge and enduring hours of training in all weathers to be in a position to achieve my goal.
 If you feel inspired by my endeavours and can find it in your heart to support such a worthy cause then please find my Just Giving page link on my home page.
 I will be posting updates on my training and fund raising efforts over the coming months, if you feel inspired to do something yourself to support charity by reading this then I have succeeded and made it all worth while.
 Thank you to everyone who ends up visiting my site and please wish me luck.

 Trevor

My greatest sporting challenge. 460km in 4 days