Cambridge'd!

I've been a bit quiet recently .... partly because i was away over the last week - retreat to Malsanger and then a few days in France .... but also because after being battered by the hills around Bath i've been feeling pretty low about the trip ...

However 2 things have changed all of that! 

Firstly chatting to the organisers of our trip - who whilst we were sorting out the logistics reassured me that everyone will walk up some of the hills in Cornwall /Devon ... and not to worry .. just keep on training! 

And secondly .. yesterday i completed my longest ride yet - 64 miles from London to Cambridge! It was a fantastic day and even better .... i'm feeling good today and have already been back on the bike again! 

My friend Rachel and I did the cycle which was brilliantly organised by Bike Events who i have to say ran it perfectly, I couldn't fault a thing  - over 4000 cyclists kicked off from London,  the sun shone, thankfully there was a gentle breeze and we wended our way through country lanes up to Cambridge... there were some long long hills but i'm happy to say none of them defeated me (although i salute Rachel in her amazing hill prowess!) ... and we had a lovely lovely day. For much of the route there was no traffic (maybe they very wisely avoided hoardes of cyclists on narrow lanes!!) and the lanes were filled with cyclists pedalling along .... a really lovely experience. It's run every year in July - and if the weather's good I wholly recommend it! 

The start ..... cyclists had been leaving for 3 hours ... we were the last group... which was huge! Fair to say when we arrived and found ourselves surrounded by Wiggins'alikes we were slightly concerned!!! 

 The girls ready to start ....... 

 They had 4 refreshment stops en route ... brilliant! 

 We spent the day surrounded by bikes!!! 

 Glorious views from the top of hills... and the most glamourous cyclist i know! 

(NB there were some people who walked up hills... I felt slightly delighted I didn't join them!)

And then when we got to Cambridge... well this cycle should really be called 'London - Cambridge & then around Cambridge for miles' ... and eventually we got to the finish line! Which was well worth finding as they really made an event of it .... people wooping and cheering as we arrived... medals and certificates handed out ... 

There was even a bouncy castle!!! 

So after chatting with some lovely cyclists and getting fine advice about upcoming adventures we got back on our bikes and got the train back to london ... 

It was a really lovely day - and i'm feeling so relieved...  64 miles matches the longest day on LeJoG and whilst i know the  terrain may be tougher... well... i can do this thing! One day at a time i can do it! Apart from a slight issue with my new clippy shoes (toes going numb - apparently i had them done up too tight) all gear is working ... and for those of you that have warned me of 'chafe' issues... well this stuff  along with padded shorts seems to avoid the issue! Enough said! 

So ... now ... 6 weeks to go and many more miles to get under my belt!  Please keep on sponsoring me ... it really is spurring me on! 

Heatwave!

Ahhhh boy oh boy its a whole different thing cycling in the heat - but welcome pleasure to be under blue skies! I've been away in Bath / Bristol for the last couple of days and driving around the hills over there has certainly focussed my mind on how far i have to go regarding training .... there can be no slacking!

I was consigned away from the bike with a chest infection - but am happily back in the saddle now .... and seem to be doing ok ... todays ride was a more unusual smorgasbord of miles as i was in 'street clothes' due to meeting a friend from out of town in Marylebone...  Cycled down ... had a lovely time in the sun chatting and catching up and then i left her to go off and do some laps of Regents Park ... some meandering around the heights of Hampstead ... and then home...

Had a rest stop ... with a sandwich.... and a pretty decent view!

My confidence on the roads is definitely increasing only had a couple of near misses today ... learnt that cycling in jeans isn't as bad as expected...  coming up through central london at rush hour is hilarious fun with lots of bikes - but you have to have your wits! Whilst the weather stays this hot i need to be out early early early in the day ... and Water Sarah Water!!!

Feeling more and more at home in the saddle.... this is a good thing! Next challenge sort out diet to speed up the shifting of a few pounds!

xxxx

Finally!

... this morning i've picked up my new bike!

To anyone that cycles regularly it's no big deal ... but to me - it's the first bike (ever!) that's properly fitted to me ...we're still playing around with the handlebar height / angle but that will all come as i spend more time in the saddle and get used to it. I've never had a 'road bike' before (or as i will forever think of them... racers.... which was what they were called in the 80's!) so here i am gently getting used to bending forward and feeling like a bit of a fraud! It will become natural i know .. but just now i'm enjoying the slightly unnerved feeling i have!

So 8 miles this morning ... and i'm toying with heading out for the afternoon ... although - have things to prepare for France and a wedding tomorrow ... so should focus ...

Feels good.

Am excited.

This is it now.... training all the way!

Wish Dad were here ...  but ... in some special ways he is.  It's funny how this is already seeping into all areas of life... my flat now has 2 bikes gracing the hallway (must get rid of the one that i no longer need)...  so i'm always edging around 'a bike' to get anywhere!  I have more Hi-Vis outerwear than i've had in 20 years (last time i wore hi-vis in anger was as a Site Engineer... and then it was oversized, padded and designed for warmth on sites in Scotland!) .... and i sacrificed my long flowing locks (too much blowdrying required!!) ... rather than a clutch bag/pashmina combo hanging by the front door - i now have a bike helmet and fluorescent jacket ...  and i can already feel the pull of clip in shoes rather than toe clips... but for now....  i'm doing ok.

Fear not though dear ones... i'm not going to turn into a complete cycling whippet - i shall still be wearing pretty shoes and nice clothes...  and enjoying late night jazz and drinking red... and ... all the things that 'real' cyclists don't do!!!

Today is marked... it's really happening! xxx

This is where it begins.....

Well that's not quite accurate...  there has been some gentle movement in the direction of cycling over the last couple of months.  But today's the day that i go and collect my new bike... so it feels like this is a whole new phase in the preparations for cycling LeJoG in September - after all it has already affected my hairstyle - the clothes i'm buying and wearing .... and now the momentum has built and i can feel the influence that this little adventure will have over the next months....

So ... this little virtual marker is being sent from my screen out into the ether .... i shall catch you up with my story soon dear reader ... but for now... know this.

I am a redhead!
I am about to pick up my new bike...
I haven't cycled regularly for the last 15 years ....
In September i shall be cycling from Lands End to John O' Groats ...

That's enough for now... more shall come soon!!! xxx