Wednesday, 14 July 2010

Tiredness continues

Even before our 300 mile trip across the North I'd been feeling pretty tired, lethargic and lacking in energy. Since returning 10 days ago I am seemingly on a roller coaster, one day feeling fine and rolling along strongly, only to be wasted and wanting to sleep all day then next.

Not sure what's up, and neither is the quack. Blood pressure is up, but pulse is low as usual. I'm finding it hard to motivate myself to get out riding during the day, even though the league has just released the dates for the coming seasons races (which does excit me) and I should be starting to build up my intensity on the bike.

Still, ridiing to work 3 times a week will help keep the fitness ticking over until I come out of this tunnel I feel to be in and on the good days it's great.

Tuesday, 29 June 2010

The cavaly has arrived...

To assist my fellow work colleagues during our Coast 2 Toast ride over the Pennines and back in 96hrs, today we have taken delivery of a Ford Galaxy, which will mostly be used for carrying some £300 worth of energy drinks, bars, gels and our Service Course workshop.

Just heard that full team kit, including arm and leg warmers (they know we're going North), has just arrived from Giant UK!

An early start tomorrow of around 7am will hopefully see us in West Cumbria for lunchtime. An short warm-up day to start goes over Whinlatter Pass to Keswick, then 3 long days in the saddle. Day 2 is over the Penines nealr to Newcastle, taking in about 7 main climbs including the Old Coach Road and Hartside. Day 3 is down to the coast at Tynemouth, before turning North west and heading to remote Kielder Forest, some 95 miles in total. Day 4 will take us briefly into Scotland enroute back to Cumbria for our last stop at Cockermouth. Sunday morning is a gentle run back to Whitehaven along the coast, and if we're not toast by then I'll be Belgium !!!



Friday, 25 June 2010

Trial Run

In readiness for my C2C challenge ride next week I have spend the last few days sorting out "Oom Johan", so now I have "pimped my ride" tourist stylie.


So yesterday I took him out for a spin to work, down some old lanes and bridlepaths to see how he handles. Effortless took all the rought stuff thrown at him, but will need some adjustment to the brakes to give a more positive response when braking on the hoods.

The panniers on tha back catch the wind just lovely, but the low 34/29 gear will hopefully handle the Old Coach Road out of Keswick and across Thelkeld Common to Dockray - my only fear for next week.

Back to yesterdays ride and the return home wasn't back at all. A quick stint up Moss Lane, over the potholes and road debris, then up the bridlepath to Pink Green where I met a padlocked gate. Even in tourist mode, Oom Johan was easily thrown over then I followed.

Here are a couple of pics of Moss Lane and the bridle path.