Training and personal cycling history

After an inauspicious start, I am now ready to go. Bike is fixed, yeh! Managed 15 miles yesterday. Weston this weekend. A little history. My first biking experience was as a five-year old. My first bike was a bluey silver and I spent hours holding onto the garden fence spurring myself on to let go and take off. That was the start of a long life of cycling: I cycled to school. I cycled to work. I cycled everywhere. And, I've been pretty lucky so far, with only one major spill in September 2008 when I was caught by a driver opening his car door. I went flying and landed unceremoniously on the hardest tarmac ever. I was covered in purple bruising both sides, had whiplash and was obviously traumatised. It knock my confidence somewhat. However, step by step I got back to cycling and now I'm ready for the challenge.

30miles today.. the food and drink certainly made a big difference. No surprise there then. Doh!

My handlebars stll aren't right, had pins and needles in my hands for most of the ride, got to sort that out, can't cope with 3 days of cycling mammoth hills, and pins and needles :-(

Met a cyclist at the Totton railway crossing who'd already cycled 32miles. He shot off when the gates went up, i'd only been going for 2.5miles and couldn't catch him!

Refueled And Ready

Ready for another ride. This time with porridge in my tummy and plenty to drink. I must keep drinking, I must keep drinking, I must.... you get the idea.

Picnic and a cycle

Cycled just 13 miles with Rich and Adam yesterday to the New Forest and had a picnic with friends. Was a great day and a great spot. Was very tired though. I need to eat more, drink more and get bigger muscles :-(

We have an official finish line!

The Pilgrim Inn in Marchwood have very kindly offered to host our finish line. So put us in your diary for Tuesday 14th September and get down to the Pilgrim Inn at about 7pm!! Watch this space for futher details.

Cycled 50miles today in 5hours 55 miuntes - including breaks. Just under an average of 10mph. Which is just as well because if we're any slower during the actual event, we'll be cycling in the dark!!!

I can even walk downstairs without my knees wobbling too :-)

3 days training in a row!!! Phew.. I get a break for 2 days then it starts again. Found this site today SkyRide. There's a Southampton ride this Saturday, they will be shutting all the roads to cars. Cyclists Rule!

Thanks to Hargroves Cycles in Southamtpon today - my bike is too big for me so I bought a 'bit' to move the handlebars closer to me. Don't ask me what the 'bit' is called - jointy bracket thingy-ma-jig.

Fancy Dress

Can you guess what part of the fancy dress costume these are for???? A clue - they're not elbow pads! Select the comment buttton below to make your guesses.

Clue - we might look like fluorescent hedge hogs....

Thank yous

Thanks to Colette from Marchwood Parish Council for her kind words of support that helped me get out the door on my bike today - Thank you Colette :-)

And to everyone who has sponsored us so far - we're overwhelmed by your generosity - thank you xxx

Just realising how far 250 miles is and also realising that I am a nut case (sometimes). Cycled 37 miles today, need my bed, need to sleep.

I went on my ride today,
Was not such a beautiful day,
But the cows were humping,
And the cars weren't bumping,
So all in all a good day.

Mid Week Cycle Training

Didn't want to go out cycling today, rain threatened on the news and in the sky and it was a long day at Dad's funeral yesterday. But I managed to shove myself out the door and do 25 miles. I got soaked then i dried out. I got soaked again and I got covered in grit. I dried out but the grit was there to stay! Felt a bit fitter today cycling up the road in top gear... here's hoping :-)

The beginning

Well, I have looked at my bike. So far, that's the start of my training. I haven't warned my legs yet about the 250 miles yet. I thought I would break them in gently. Just under two months to get ready. Yikes. Will start with a warm up ride this weekend.

A Tribute To Dad

Our Dad

Our dad didn’t do much talking,
He loved the Cricket, Football and Tennis.
And when there was time,
He liked walking.

Our dad protected us, out on the streets,
Putting himself between us and the danger.
He was our very own, Lone Ranger.

Our dad worked hard,
And looked after stuff well.
He made the garden look pretty,
And the veggies were swell.

Our dad collected stamps,
I’ll never know why.
They’re still in the loft…
I hope they’re dry!

Our dad liked trains.
He spent hours perfecting,
The switches and signals,
A genius, reflecting.

Our dad looked after the pennies,
And taught us girls well.
You did a good job Dad – we’ve sorted our pensions
And we’ve turned out well.

Our Dad, Keith Kerrigan died peacefully on 3rd July 2010 Aged 68 after suffering 3 years from Dementia and Motor Neurone Disease. Please sponsor us now, to help find a treatment or cure.

What is Motor Neurone Disease?

Motor Neurone Disease is a fatal condition for which there is no treatment and no cure. In the UK 35 people die from MND every week, and every week 35 people are diagnosed with MND. The average sufferer will live two years, only 10% will survive more than five years. The muscles waste away and the patients die from weakness and paralysis of their breathing muscles. Many doctors regard this condition as the worst disease in medicine.

MND was described by Charcot in 1869. Since then very little has been done.

Motor Neurone Disease is also known in some countries as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or as Lou Gehrig syndrome. In France it is called “La maladie de Charcot”

Figures show that between 1999 and 2004 6000 people died from MND, 4200 from HIV/AIDS and 92 from vCJD. During this time £33million was spent into vCJD, £45 million on HIV/AIDS and £8 million on MND.


'There is no worse disease than MND’

Dame Ciceley Saunders OMDBEFRCP, the founder of the modern hospice movement

Source: http://www.sifoundation.com/What_is_MND.htm

Training

Cycled 30miles yesterday 10-07-10. 12 miles to find a new helmet after crashing into a road sign last year. Should have replaced it last year really. Funny things is, if I hadn't had the helmet on I would have seen the sign! Didn't find one that could make me go faster. The rest done with friend Karen, bit of a power workout playing tag along the road from Beaulieu. My legs were stiff today.

Managed to summon up the energy to cycle another 20miles today 11-07-10. Was feeling very tired but thought of the challenge ahead and got out the door. Today is the first time I've cycled 2 days in a row!!