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MY BIKE
I went on a family holiday five years ago and didn't spend as much money as I thought I would, so I bought this bike from buy-a-bike cycles in Charnock Richard with the £350 I had left!
Peter Smith the proprietor and I went to school together so he threw in some little pedals and some funny shoes with metal in the bottom of them. I had no idea what I was doing really, but when you put the funny metal bits onto the little pedals your foot got stuck onto the pedal, like magic!
I have got to know my bike a little better since January 2003, and have now fitted some stronger wheels, a rack on the back, some cogs on the back that give you at least a chance of getting up steeper hills, and I have bought some panniers and a little black bag to go on the top. Lovely!
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TRAINING!
I am lucky in that I live 27 Miles away from my work as catering Manager at Burnley Football Club. I had cycled in a few times during the heat of last summer, but once I had decided to do the ride, I knew that the ride to work would form the basis of my training schedule.
I have lost nearly two stone in weight since January, and have cycled through wind, rain, hail, snow,with occaisional sunshine thrown in for good measure. Wind is the worst and most de-motivating, especially when it changes direction to be in your face both on the way to work and on the way home again!
When I started training, I would generally have to stop to get my breath a couple of times at the top of big hills. After a while, you realise you can do it non-stop, so you then start trying to bring your time down. It does get easier, but there is no real substitute in my book for just getting on your bike and cycling, there is no magic formula. I have used Stadium fitness at the Football club to vary my training a few times a week, and I have to say I now feel great. As I write this piece, I am six days away from the trip amd am what the proffessionals call "tapering" which is a posh way of saying I can't be bothereed doing any more!
Seriously though, I feel ready and am now hopefully going to be in the best shape for when I start on June 5th
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What am I taking with me?
I am aiming to travel as light as humanly possible.
I reckon I can get away with the following items, but don't come too close to me after about three days!
Two pairs cycling shorts
Cycling shirt
Cycling jumper
Rain-proof jacket
One set of casual clothes (the lightest I can find)
A couple of pairs of shorts, underwear etc.
One pair of light shoes, in case i get those funny ones with metal bits on them wet
Two inner tubes
Two allen keys
Puncture repair kit and tyre levers
Multi spanner
Maps and record sheet, maps to be laminated onto A4 sheets back to back courtesy of Autoroute express
Lights, speedo, camera
Vitamins, cod liver oil, lucozade sports powders
Mobile Phone with hands free kit, this also plays radio
Sun tan cream
washing pwder
shower gel toothpaste, de-oderant etc, but all half full or small size to save on weight, you will see from the pictures I don't need shampoo
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