Bob twitter hq

Here is the beating heart of the bob twitter hq. Sophie is managing to use both laptop and iPhone simultaneously as I write this. Hurry and get those tweets out before the apprentice starts!

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.

Help with stuff

Even in these hard times, companies that have already spent their budget for marketing have still offered help.
Bike food and shutt have offered help and commented on our unusual approach to the LEJOG.
I hope to take them up on their offers and we'll see how it goes.

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?

London to Cambridge by velocipede

Well today Jonny and decided that rather than hang around North London we'd cycle back from Cambridge.

To spice things up I thought I'd bring way too much stuff in a backpack and wear cold weather cycling gear. In keeping with the unspoken theme Jonny decided to bring a little less than he needed for the day.

We learned lots of interesting things today like how to swallow thunderflies, people in country pubs and shops are lovely and that we probably wont be going to club x in herts.

Overall a great day out.

twitter

Well it’s all getting very close now. Gigs are either booked, or close to being finalised. Contact has been made with various companies to beg for parts/spares/food/food vouchers.  We’ve had offers of help with promoting the ride and the cause.

Many thanks to the many good folk out in the twittersphere, of which I’m learning more of as time goes by.  Every friday you can use #followfriday (#FF) to suggest people to follow.  So those of you with twitter accounts it’d be great if you could twitter the following this Friday.

“#FF insert message of support here @buskersonbikes”

I only learn’t his when AcolyteHG twittered the following. So thanks Barbara!

"a late but very special ff# for a really good cause: in a distinctly whacky & uniquely British way: @buskersonbikes have a look at profile!"

If you have a twitter account we'd love you to follow us. we'll be tweeing along the ride too.