Brighton rocks... and other boiled sweets

As substitutions go, it has to go down as one of the worst tactical decisions in history.

On a previous ride out to Hever Castle, Dan introduced us to the magical properties of the Jelly Baby: a suck on one of those little suckers every hour or so along the route and you get a glorious little sugar rush, and a little hit of nostalgia, too. Arriving at Brian's at 8.30 on Sunday morning (which was really 7.30, yeah, thanks very much daylight saving or whatever you're called, you can stick your clocks and your time-tampering) found the poor man in disarray. His enthusiasm for the Jelly Baby - and, apparently, his inability to stop talking about them - had prompted Jenny to spend the week's shopping budget on a huge consignment for him to take with us on our trip to Brighton. So where, he half-sobbed under his breath as he emptied the contents of the kitchen cupboards, had they gone?

It must have been sleight of hand - I never saw it, I swear - but at some point, in his desperation, and in the continuing absence of Jelly Babies, he must have grabbed whatever came to hand in the darkest recesses of a cupboard and snaffled it into his knapsack. It could have been a half-empty bag of puy lentils or a tin of pears in syrup. But no.

Georgio-Armenian salt-and-pepper liquorice humbugs. Bah.

Mmm. Yeah, they're not bad, actually Brian. Kind of like aniseed balls, aren't they? No... no, I like them. I do. Another one? Erm, yeah. Well... let's just... I'll wait, actually Brian. They're nice though.

What a fantastic ride to Brighton. The sun shining, the wheels whirring and a tremendous route. I think it's the first time that I truly got it - the obsession with bikes and cycling and getting up out of the cosiness of your bed to propel yourself along the roads for the day. Gliding out through country lanes with the wind in your hair (helmet) with a group of chums - Ken, Brian, Dom, Jonny - is sort of, well, sorry for this, meditative. Easily the biggest two hills I've encountered in the saddle so far, Turner's Hill and Ditchling Beacon, the humpbacked monster that blocks out the horizon between the Downs and Brighton, faced up to and yes, given a darn good spanking. Land's End to John O'Groats? Let's have it.

Squeezing ourselves (and our bikes) on a train back out of Brighton, sun-blushed, rather pleased with ourselves, a can of well-earned lager in hand, Brian had one more pop at the prize.

'You know what? Cold beer. This is where these little beauties really come into their own. Anyone?'

Justgiving Page Updated

The Justgiving page has been updated! Its now got a photo and some blurb.

Dig deep and head over to
http://www.justgiving.com/buskersonbikes

London to Brighton, and the green monster

To save energy for the slog to Brighton, I thought I might drop off my bike at Brian’s the day before. I wasn’t expecting to be out-foxed by a couple of presta valves and a cheap pump, but apparently that’s all it takes. I was about an hour late... Luckily Brian’s daughter ( Delilah?) was in to let me lock the bike securely away for the night.

Getting up at the crack of dawn for a bike ride is often a very pleasant thing to do. Fresh morning air, other cyclists,  joggers and dog walkers saying hi. Don’t do it the night the clocks change and then get a tube across London. All I got was a gnawing sense I should still be in bed, and the look of grim confirmation from my fellow early risers.

After a lovely breakfast (thanks Miss S) I set off for Brixton. A bit of banter another attempt to fill the tyres and we were off. The stage out of London is the second hardest bit of the day (more of which later). At one very early stage I realised that a hill had tested my physical abilities to the max, or so I thought.

Once in the countryside we had a good couple of hours of beautiful scenery and nice riding. We stopped for some of Brian’s oddly flavoured aniseed-salt-pepper sweets and some photos, and off again. We agreed to stop for a bite to eat around one O’clock, and passed scenic pub after scenic pub, only to find by one they had all but vanished from the surrounding area. A quick stop in Hayward’s Heath revealed it to be a vacuum both culturally and culinarily... so onward.

We stopped a little later to get a masterclass from Ken on how to change an innertube by the roadside, which I had a perfect view of as I patched the old tube while the other  three struggled with the tyre.

An overpriced, but delicious sandwich and a coke later and we set off to ride up the devil’s own hill. Two cyclists passing by, stopped and asked us where the ditchling beacon was. Brian replied it was that thing blocking out the horizon... he was right. It is a monster. A green monster.

Great view from the top, and for me from the path as I had to walk up. The hill I thought had defeated me earlier was just one hill of many that I managed later in the day. Don't panic relax and keep pedalling.

A fast cruise into Brighton and the bizarre feeling of being back in the traffic again. Warren picked up a puncture at this point. Tickets. A quick Peek at the sea and the train home.

I was able to ride back from London Bridge, and as I got to the hill before my road, which only months ago I found a difficult climb, I smiled. Even tired this was going to be no problem.

Oh what a beautiful morning.....

I went for a ride on Sunday - 35 miles that included some hills and a strong headwind. It was cold and damp, I had on a wool base layer,jersey, jacket, arm warmers, boots, etc. etc. etc. Hard work the entire way though I felt fantastic once I was done.

I am hoping to go for a long flat ride tomorrow so went out for a quick 12 miles this morning just to loosen up my legs. What a difference - blue sky, sun shining, out in my shorts, jersey and some arm warmers. Nicest ride I've had in a long time.....

Maybe it's the spring weather, maybe it's the daffodils blooming, maybe it's because my Brooks saddle finally feels like it might possibly be broken in by July, I don't know, but it was a fantastic start to the day.

If anyone is not/does not want to use clipless pedals, I can highly recommend the 'Power Grip' straps like the ones here:

Power Grips

I started off using Speedplay clipless pedals last summer. When I bought my current bike (old Woodrup) it had the Power Grips straps on flat pedals and as it was approaching winter, I left them on thinking they would be more practical for boots etc. They are very comfortable, and far easier to get in and out of than pedals with 'cages'. I haven't decided yet whether I will go back to the Speedplay pedals before the trip or stay with the Power Grips...

Ah. Things were going a bit too well today, so I've just dropped a full cup of tea on top of my Martin. Luckily it missed the soundhole, but did leave a nice ding!

Howdy all

Wow, I don't look at the site for a week and look at all the blog posts! Its amazing to see everyone's different view points on the trip and the training and nice to hear from Lynne. I can't really believe Dom weighs that much - don't look it!

Anyway, so I've had a little week-long break from cycling as I was getting over my tumble from last weekend. After the tumble on Sunday I was in a taxi-crash on Monday which has left me with a cracked rib (or at least very sore). I was really worried that I wouldn't be able to cycle at all but I was determined to give it a go so this morning I climbed on my bike to enjoy the sunshine.

Fortunately, the rib caused no problems and even going over bumpy roads caused no discomfort, great! I decided to do a hill ride which was really tough. I went up from Kentish Town to Hampstead Heath which is quite a hill, down the other side and then back up to the top of Hampstead.

On the last bit of the last hill I stopped paying attention and was looking down at my gears only to ride straight into the kerb - bouncing myself off a lampost on my way to the pavement. My bike fared better in this one than my last tumble and with only a misaligned handlebar and a bruised knee I triumphantly rode to the bike shop to get it repaired and serviced.

The guy in the bike shop said that these things happen in threes so hopefully my ride to Ken's tomorrow will be less painful.

Looking forward to playing music with everyone tomorrow. I was jamming along on my clarinet to "Dreadlock Holiday" this morning and strumming to "Hey Soul Sister". If I play high up barre chords and use only the top 4 strings, it kinda sounds like a uke.

A weighty issue (sorry)

During Sunday’s ride Ken said something which stuck with me. It involved clipless pedals and increases to efficiency. If clipless pedals improved the transfer of power by x%. What else might help. Obviously a lighter bike, aerodynamic clothing...

Then it hit me. My bike weighs about 10kg without pedals or water bottles, so probably around 11.5 ready to go. I could shave some of this weight with lightweight bottle holders etc... but what about me. I weigh 82kgs. The upper end of the healthy BMI for my height and build. The bottom end of Healthy BMI for me would be up to 6KG lighter or 7% of my bodyweight.

This might be key to me getting better. Dragging less of ass around

I guess I’d better start counting the calories. The bloody mileage should take care of the rest!

Better late than never…..

I decided it was about time to introduce myself….my name is Lynn and I am a 46 yr old living in Lincolnshire.

I have a fairly extensive music and cycling background, but regular involvement came to a halt about 17 years ago when I got married and had kids. I picked up the guitar again about 5 years ago and started cycling again last summer to try and rid myself of the post-baby flab. (ha!! My youngest is now 9.…)

I was riding about 125 miles a week and thinking about doing my first LEJOG in 2011 when I saw Warren’s post on Facebook - it sounded fantastic to me. I have been a member of Busking Cancer UK for a while but not actually done any busking yet (I used to busk when I was in my 20’s down in Hereford, but I was young, pretty and had a cute puppy with me….now, not so much!!!) so a busking and cycling trip - perfect!

I had surgery in January and didn’t get back on the bike till Feb….it took a lot more out of me than I had originally thought and I was struggling to do even 15 miles, but the last few times out I have been feeling stronger and am now doing three 25-30 mile rides a week, with shorter ones in between. I’m planning on upping the mileage by 5 miles per ride every two/three weeks, so am pretty confident I will be fit and ready for the ride in July. I may finish last, but I am determined to get there!

The biggest hurdle training is that it is very flat here - I have to ride about 20 miles to find some hills. We do get very strong headwinds but I really need to make an effort to get in some decent hill work as part of my regular routine.

As I live in Lincs and have no transport, two young children, and work in my husband’s shop, it is unlikely I will be able to meet any of you until much closer to the start of the trip. I am really up for this trip and will do my best to keep the blog updated and keep in touch with you all.