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! 

Those who disdain the humble cyclist ....

Whilst i have begun to love cycling ... i would only go as far as saying that i tolerate cycling around London... it never ceases to amaze me how many road users have complete disregard for everyone else on (& off!) the road.  It is sorely tempting to get a camera fitted to my helmet and start to compile the craziness on the roads.

I have begun to identify patterns ...

- The larger the vehicle the less likely to use indicators....
- The smaller the vehicle the more erratic the behaviour ...
- Cyclists - the more safety gear the more likely to stop at red lights....
- Pedestrians.... alas totally unpredictable ... other than the obvious - if theres a phone in the hand they're likely to step into the road without looking!

I foolishly thought that i'd 'sneak' through the backwaters of Mayfair where there isn't much traffic... well it was a lesson in flawed logic. Whilst it's true that the traffic numbers are low... this does not lead to free flowing streets as the only vehicles in Mayfair are all oversized 4x4's that can barely squeeze down the streets and certainly never use indicators or mirrors... slapping bonnets or boots as they swing towards me is become increasingly common....

Wonder if i'm slapping the cars of russian drug lords?!

Cycling this week has been a bit of a chore - lacking motivation somewhat.... and the mixed weather is tricky - having (almost) mastered the layers required for cold, blustery, stormy weather i'm now learning the best gear for hot, muggy, rainy weather ....

So off i go ... another session ahead of shouting at pedestrians and slapping cars!

Joy!!!

Sx