Airbourne?

Last week it was eastbourne airbourne. Basically a 4 day airshow with all sorts of military hardware and display teams performing over the sea in front of eastbourne.

This includes the legendary Red Arrows.

On Sunday I decided that in need of extending my range a bit, I would go and watch the Red arrows on my bike ....from Beachy Head.

I had planned to stay on the roads and make the 25 miles in a couple of hours. Unfortunately I decided half way that I would go up past the long man of Sussex in Lillingstone, up onto the South Downs way. Ooops.

After getting about 1/3 of the way up the shear chalk track I had to get off and push. I made it to the top still about 5 miles from Beachy to see the Reds in their characteristic diamond 9 formation go whizzing over my head. So I had unfortunately not made it in time.

To add insult to injury (nearly cardiac), I saw glimpses of coloured smoke over the cliffs whilst basically off roading across the downs whilst simultaneously getting lost!

Muddy and tired I emerged at the bottom of the hills in Jevington. Back on the road I cycled past Friston forest, but after all that, the hill climb from Friston and from east Dean to beachy were too much. I had to push again.

I eventually made it to the top. Got back on the bike and promptly scared myself stupid with the frighteningly steep descent. seems less scarey in the car I remebered thinking.

Aching, covered in mud and with nothing left in my legs I decided to stop at the surgery on the way back. Bad move. Whilst the 2 bottles of Powerade I got from the shop next door re fueled my legs, my backside was complaining bitterly when I got back on the bike.

It was a very slow 10 miles home.

I have now got my nice new bike from Halfords on the cycle to work scheme. A Carrera Virtuoso. So as a pure road bike I have every excuse not to repeat Sunday's idiocy. I took her for a 10 miler yesterday to get used to the set up. I think we'll get on well.

total miles this week so far 55.

Meet the Team - Angela

Sorry to have not posted before, I'm a bit of a technophobe.

I am a vet nurse and one of the JVP's at the Norwich Longwater branch.

I really enjoy cycling and have been cycling to and from work for the past 4 years which is currently 18 miles a day! So I thought I would take on the challenge of Lands End - John O'Groats.

I have been to Halfords and picked out my new bike, a Boardman Road Comp called Bertie, I am still getting used to him after taking a tumble yesterday. Luckily my pride is more bruised than I am.

I am both excited and nervous as to what I have signed up for next May, but well up for the challenge and raising a large amount of money for such a brilliant charity.

Oh Boy

Well following the successful test ride to the surgery on saturday I decided to cycle in today as I finish at 5 today (or am supposed to!).

However I had forgotten that our new springer puppy Rumer arrived home yesterday. Having stayed up as late as possible with her to try to get her to sleep through the night she went to bed around 11.30. However she decided she neded to go out for a wee at 4am. She cried and told us...good girl. However once we have had a wee, we are awake again, and have a strop when put back to bed. Following 15 solid minutes of howling (despite being Adaptilled up) she finally went back to sleep.

I had planned to leave at about 7 anyway, but she was up at 6.30. So whilst Vicky entertained and fed Rumer, I got my stuff together and left. However whilst worrying about falling asleep on the bike and disappearing under a truck, I had forgotten my keys. Well who needs keys if you're not driving right?

So on arriving at the gym up the road from the surgery, where I had planned a nice relaxing swim, sauna and shower before changing into work gear and pootling the last mile or so to work to avoid getting icky again, I discover an inability to lock up the bike. Now as nice as the residents of Eastbourne are and the members at the gym belonging to a certain dragon who's name begins with B are, I am paranoid. So I rush in shower and change. I get to work... No key.

Eventually Lisa my nurse arrives and lets me in. We go to get the cahs from the safe.......no key.

I have one and Alison my morning receptionist has one. Alison is off today. Ooops. Had to phone her to get key.

So the cycle was actually the easy bit. By the end of today that's 46 miles for the week. Not bad for a fat chap who hasn't cycled since he wanted to be in BMX bandits.

I suspect the miles done will far outweight the hours slept too....thanks Rumer pup......zzzzzzzz

Meet the team - Adam

Hi, I live in Edinburgh, work in Livingston, sold my car in April, (hence ecologically, I must be as benign as Felix) and I pride myself on trying anything - including running a vet practice & cycling long distances for 12 days running in May 2012, even if it means spending time with Cormac!

I will leave some detailed info, in time, of my ongoing "training", but so far, in summary, on average I'm doing 100-200miles per week, as when the weather is nice, it seems irresistible to the masochist in me to not cycle the 17miles home from work - whether I leave at 7pm, or 10.45pm (as I did on Tuesday after a stone-eating Border Collie decided to vomit for a day - the 3rd time she has done this!). It takes me anything from 1hr to 1hr20mins on my mountain bike, about 57mins to 1hr 5mins on my racer, and oddly, as little as 50mins on my newly acquired hydbrid, so guess which bike I'm doing the 1000miles with? You're correct - the most comfortable one - not sure which one this is yet...

I weigh 92Kg, but despite the last 6-8 weeks (lost track of time since the weather made cycling more appealing) of training, the only time I have temporarily managed to lose weight was to 91Kg after cycling 71miles in 4hrs 10mins on a very sunny Sunday.

My plan is to increase the number of these longer cycles on consecutive days to at least 4, not sure when I'll achieve this for the first time. My polar watch (and heart monitor) tell me I have a resting heart rate (when reading emails of a non-stressful nature) of 49bpm. Not the fittest I've been, but it'll do for now.

I'll add some photos once I work out how, but for now, I'd better let Maggie (Border Collie) and Billy (rescue greyhound) out for their midnight jaunt around the garden.

should really introduce ourselves....

This is myself and Paolo at our first fundraising event today where with the help of the whole team (and in particular Natalie's husband Daniel) we managed to raise £165. We were each on the bike for about 1 hr 45 mins and not feeling too saddle sore tonight.
I signed up to the cycle on the first night it was drunkenly suggested, but anyone who knows me knows that I've got a fairly big stubborn streak. So as far as I was concerned as soon as the challenge was on the table there was no backing down. I was quite surprised though to hear that Paolo wanted to join us. Exercise is not usually his cup of tea but he does like to cycle. His goal at the moment is to make it to Scotland and eat deep fried kebab pizza.
Our training so far has involved cycling to work - 5k for Paolo and 10k for me. We're away next month but when we get back we'll be starting some longer cycles to try to build up our fitness.
I'm definitely encouraged by today's fundraising effort. We had some really good feedback from customers in Pets at Home about the charity and some very generous donations.

A start

Well afer doing the 8 and 1/2 miles last Monday, I have summarily failed to get to the gym or get on a bike all week. Lots of odd things going on at the surgery.

So I decided today to do a "test" cycle to the surgery. I walked my youngest springer Rebus for about 7 miles as a warm up.

Managed to cycle to the surgery in about an hour. Although towards the end he addition of the gel saddle was losing its benefit. May need some padded shorts too. Goodnes knows my backside should be padded enough!.

Got back and took both dogs round the block as a 10 minute warm dowm. Especially as I feel if I sit down for too long I'm not moving again for a while.

37.65Km round trip, about 23 miles according to my little handle bar trip computer. Even managed to survive some of Sussex's bigger A roads.

May need a soak in the bath now.

Meet the Team - Tom

Hi, I am the vet partner in Truro, Cornwall. I moved to Cornwall 3 years ago with my wife Kathryn and three kids - Harry, Natalie and Lucy. I know some of the other guys on the trip fairly well and the others I am looking forward to getting to know better - possibly whilst walking in a slightly strange manner after cycling 90 miles a day!

I spend a lot of my spare time in Cornwall surfing, but I do occasionally cycle the 6 miles to work and I do own an old racing bike so that is a start at least. Time to start taking it a bit more seriously I guess and putting in some hours cycling around the Cornish Countryside - Open invite to anyone who wants to come down this way for some training rides!

Have to admit I already own some cycling Lycra which the practice nurses think is very stylish. I wonder how long it takes for the other to lose their dignity and invest in some skin tight clothing!

Last but not least

Hi Team & supporters,

Got myself locked in for the challenge finally.

1st thing 1st... need to get a medical for the all clear... H&S 1st and the magic is back in.

I have been cheating a bit and have been riding to work for the last year and a 1/2 after deciding to be car free.

Set the trip computer to 100miles and see how long it will take to complete over the next few days, and get an idea of how much effort to put in for a 18-20 mph average. That should mean an early finish each day on the challenge for a beer and a massage before Adam & Cormac roll in.

Ouch

Well I have a bike to start a bit of training on. I bought a car cycle rack and brought a bike back from my in-laws in Northants after we stayed for the weekend. Motorway driving with a bike on the back definately a new experience.

It is a light weight hybrid frame but has really chunky mountain tyres. But I figure if I can get going on that, when I switch to a road bike things can only be easier.

Did a little test ride today to get used to gears etc. Did about 8 and 1/2 miles. Very hot day and did it at lunchtime so really hot.

Managed better than I thought even with a few inclines. Took about an hour with 2 drink stops.

Note to self I must get a gel saddle.....ouch.

Let the training begin...

It's taken me 2 weeks to come to terms with the fact I have actually agreed to do this! So with reality setting in that it is a long way (not helped the by fact all my mates think i'm mad!) i thought it was time to start some training...

With the old mountain bike rusting in the garage, I thought I'd ease myself in with a trip to the warm gym and 30 mins on the "comfy" bike followed by a trip to costa on the way out... I survived the rigors of a hill programme which is a challenge since I grew up in linconshire and anything 1m over sea level is a mountain! Not sure how the legs will feel in the morning but only another 81 mile to add to the day and i'm there!

The wheel is rolling!

I have finally set up my fundraising page, reserved a bike, looked at some shoes and pedals and thought about training. Shoes don't look too comfortable to walk in!
I did 5 push ups and 2 and a half sit ups last night and I'm feeling the burn a little today - Feeling fit already.
Really enjoying the mixed reactions of people when I tell them what we are doing.

My week in training

This weeks totals: hmmm. can i have a do-over? 0 cycling. 10k run. Oh and some takeaways. lots of takeaways....

Next weeks targets: Well at this rate anything would be a bonus so i'll set the bar low and say 3 cycles and 2 runs but i'll cheat and wont define a distance yet!

The fundraising begins.

I know we've got lots of training ahead of us but I have to admit that the most daunting part of this crazy adventure is the amount of money we've pledged to raise for Dogs for the Disabled.

Myself and Paolo are starting our fundraising on the last Sunday of this month with a bikeathon in the waiting area of the Charlton Companion Care practice. We're borrowing a fixed bike trainer so we can take it in turns to cycle on the spot over the course of the 6 hour day.

With the surgery open day happening around us we hope to get support from our clients and pets at home customers alike.

It's going to be a long day but least there won't be any hills to climb!

Well got started. Last week managed 2 very short runs. Only about a mile or so but need to build up. Gym after work on Saturday. Did mix of cardio and upper and lower body resistance.

Was supposed to have a bit of a rest day yesterday. But as I was decorating at home, filling rubbing down priming and painting, felt quite stiff by the end of the day.

This morning 2 hours at the gym. 20 mins each on 4 cardio bits of equipment and lower body resistance. The sauna and jacuzzi after were most welcome. Getting quite stiff now so I think I'll be back on the creatine supps to help muscle recovery.

No booze this week but I might allow myself a couple tonight. Off to se Lee Evans at the Congress theatre in Eastboure with a few mates.

Current weight 126.0Kgs.

Meet the team - Jen

I ride horses. I don't ride bikes! I don't really remember when I did last ride a bike. I don't own a bike. 

But for some reason I couldn't shake the idea of doing this cycle ride. And before I knew it I was signed up so no turning back now! I am excited but also scared. 900+ miles on a bike in 12 days... and a lot of fundraising to do in between. I plan to start training this weekend, hopefully I will prove that you really do never forget how to ride a bike!

Jen

Well just went to Halfords. But I'm a bit confused.

Whilst I know that I probably need a road bike lightweight, thin tyres etc. I'm not too keen on dropped handlebars. I mean, once I've finished this ride (I mean if I finish), I would like just a good "all rounder" to continue using.

The chap in the shop as quite helpful, if not a little disbeleiving looking at the state of me.

So I think I'll be looking at Hybrids.

Either the Carrera crossfire, or the Marasa Voodoo.

W

Meet the Team - Cormac

Well, this was my stupid idea. I'm the partner in our Ashford surgery.

For some reason, despite a complete lack of fitness i always like to imagine myself as an athlete within a coach potatos body! I never really did any fitness until i did my first sprint triathlon 2 years ago (with the bike in the pic and the saddle falling off as i did it) and i have since done the Reading half marathon twice (very slowly). My exercise endeavours do tend to be spaced about 6 months apart though so constant training will be interesting.

The most i've ever cycled was a charity 100km cycle in Ireland which almost killed me and made all the more embarassing by the fact my 60 year old father was leaving me in his dust (and reminding me of the fact!)

Last year i spent a few hours at the Dogs For The Disabled kennels and it really is inspiring to see what they are doing. I hope we can raise our target to really help them continue this incredible work

no bike but new shoes!

The training has got off to a flying start. Got myself a lovely new shiny bike, cycling shorts and SPD pedals/shoes. I look a real pro and have been attracting admiration from my fellow commuters on my 10km cycle through London's busy streets. That is until last weekend when I tried to stop at the lights just before Tower Bridge, with a line of cars behind me and a less suitably kitted cyclist in front. I tried to catch hold of a bollard so as not to unclip my feet and totally mis-timed it. Down I went onto the tarmac with a crash, feet still firmly in place. I grazed my knee (haven't done that since I was a kid!) but the only pain was that of embarassment. Especially when the other cyclist turned to check I was ok and his face showed the joy he felt when he saw my attire. I can only imagine how the black cab drivers behind were tickled!

a good start....

well my first 12 miles cycled yesterday at a very slow pace. on a positive my bottom is not exceptionally sore. (yet!)

only about another 5000 or so more to go