Rainy day men

Today was a useful examination of what is waterproof in our kit. I think the short answer is not very much, save for Brian's yellow sailor's jacket.

In spite of all the sogginess, it was a good ride today. Reassuring to know wet weather doesn't necessarily equal misery and also, personally, a decent run-out with the clipless pedals before we hit the road proper in a week's time.

I also came to the decision it's definitely time to lose the mudguards. A graceful around-town accessory they may be, but they squeak, rub, get clogged with grit and mud, shake loose and basically get right on my wick. Be gone!

So plenty of learning today and a pleasure riding with everyone once again. Even more pleasurable was ringing my socks out afterwards, a cup of tea at Brian's, a pint at the wonderful Prince of Wales on Cleaver Square on the way home and the mandatory hot shower. Mmmmm. I hope they have plenty of hot water at these youth hostels...

Clipless pedals

Well today I finally took the plunge and went clipless. I was a little nervous as it's one of those things that seems to be what separates the newbie from the seasoned tourer.

Jonny had just got some before the Cambridge ride and I was more than a little jealous as I struggled with cages and straps...

I went back to Evans in spitalfields as they'd not tried to upsell me when I went in to try the Honky Tonk.
Once we'd established that I mostly commuted but was preparing for the Lejog ride, the assistant suggested as an entry into clipless pedals an mtb shoe and pedal... Mostly so I can get off and walk.
I was initially sceptical until I realised that the 2nd pair of shoes he showed me I had initially thought of as practical town shoes.

Realising I don't normally wear Lycra into east london for fun he offered to fit them, as the bike must be close by (they have an umbrella stand for bikes... Well that's what it looks like). After practicing clipping in and out against a wall I set off. Instant massive improvement. Well happy!

Bring on those hills.

Medicine balls and welsh hills

knew it was a good idea to to do the majority of my bike rides on that big ol heavy bike i borrowed from the neighbours!! After 5 months of what seems like cycling with medicine balls today I was able to get used to the new road bike. What a dream it was! those hills (Steep Welsh hills) did not stand a chance! Bring on LEJOG!!!! oh and the good people at bassetts (which is owned by cadburry, which is owned by kraft) will not be sending us boxes upon boxes of jelly babies :(

Also what are we going to do about buying energy food and all that? As we have 45% off at bike food are we going to to make a pot of around £20 each and buy all together or are we going to buy individually?

Equipment for the ride

We've paid for the accomodation, booked the van, done the training and practiced the songs. It would be really helpful if anyone or any companies out there can help with spares, cycling gear or vouchers for supermarkets.

We are riding the following bikes

	Make	Model	Year	Tyre Size	Tyre make
Dan	Charge	Juicer Mid	2011	700x23	Continental
Dominic	Kona	Honky Tonk	2010	700x28	Specialized
Jonny	Trek	1.2 Triple	2010	700x23	Botranger
Neil	Carrera	TDF	2011	700x23	Kenda
Warren	Trek	1.2 Compact	2010	700x23	Botranger

We still need to buy:

Spare tyres, inner tubes, Cable sets, brake pads, chains, Water bottles, Multi tools, puncture repair kits. We are nearly all medium or large in cycling gear. We are still short spare sets of cycling gear, but I'm aware this is pricey stuff.

In return we can mention you or your company on the blog, your logo on our website, and a listing as "with support from" on future press releases. Of course you'll be able to point to us and say "I helped them realise their dream."

Or

"Look I gave them stuff!"

Of course you'd also have our gratitude

Thrills on the hills

After a (relatively) gentle hoon-about around North London a couple of weekends back, we took to the somewhat more challenging terrain of the South Downs the following day, pushing off from the picturesque environs of Lewisham station and gradually leaving the urban smokiness for dust. Through Mottingham, Chiselhurst and around the bulging belly of Bromley - and out into the green hills.

Four intrepid travellers this time - myself, Dom, Jonny and Brian - muscles rippling, pecks bulging, stomachs growling. And what a route! - picked out by map-man-in-chief, Brian. It really hits home on days like this just how lucky we are (particularly those of us down in South London) to be within easy distance of all this fresh air and green and pleasant land. A beautifully rolling, long road called Pilgrim's Way was the definite highlight: banks of fields on either side, hardly a car in sight and a view of the Downs stretching out in all directions around us.

Man, there were some hills, too: one in particular (Sunbridge Hill? - see photos for immediate post-Sunbridge shots) appeared out of nowhere, hidden behind hedges and a sharp left turn. A bona fide thigh-trembler. But, you know, I would have openly sank to my knees and wept at the sight of it a few months ago - and now it's just another monster to tick off the list.

A quick postscript: great meeting in the glittering offices of Cancer Research last night, kindly organised by Fiz, our wonderful CR representative. Many, many hills to climb before we set off next month (yup, thanks Dan for pointing out that it's actually next month), but you know what? We've got the legs for it.

Day two

Yesterday I took the boys on a tour of north London low lights. Not the original plan but we got to see such sights as the Turkish football association, empty housing estates(2)and more grim town centres than you would have thought possible.

Today is warren's turn. We are starting in the wood green of the south east, then the plan is to head out in to the final frontier.

Our two dayer is to get us ready for day after day of mental cycling. Well here goes!

The only way is Essex (and Bedfordshire)

Hi All,
Here is my latest on my personal training rides. We haven't done much as a group because of all the holidays but it hasn't stopped me from getting on my bike.

To celebrate the Royal wedding (well actually, to take advantage of the long holiday), my fiance and I along with 3 other couples went to stay at a caravan park on the coast in Essex. We had a great time but that is a whole other story. I took my bike on the back of the car and went for a nice 30 mile ride. The landscape is flat but the wind made up for the lack of hills. It was a great ride, the weather was glorious and the roads nice and quiet. Some of the villages I went through were really picturesque.

When we got back home, I thought I should have a long ride so took the train up to Bedford and rode the 55 miles home. The first part of the ride was great, good weather again and nice roads, once again quiet because of the bank holiday. The landscape this time was more rolling with a few tough hills, and some great views. The wind was really really strong and it certainly made the going a lot tougher. Also there was a stretch of the road which was so badly surfaced it shook my bike literally to pieces, a screw holding the rear mudgaurd came off so I rattled the rest of the way home.

The last few miles, from Watford to home (Camden) were not so pleasant as it was mostly along busy main roads. I did the ride in under 5 hours so I know I am fit enough to do the kind of distances required. The problem I'm yet to overcome is that I am very sore at the end of it, particularly my neck and back, and am happy to not have to get on the bike tomorrow. Something to work on before the big ride. Any tips?

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.

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!