LeJog Update

I've been on holiday from work for a couple of weeks and had planned to complete three consecutive 100 mile rides as a measure of how much work I would need to do to be ready to complete the Lands End to John O Groats ride as seven 200km days. Unfortunately, having a bad cold Sunday to Tuesday ruled that plan out, however, I felt well enough yesterday to set out for Brighton. I left the house at 6.15am and headed south, taking in the stunning views over Kent from the top of Ide Hill, eventually making it to Brighton in time for breakfast at the Marina. A pretty straightforward ride, although Ditchling Beacon just before arriving in Brighton is always a challenge. This was the first time I had been up it without being surrounded by thousands of other cyclists on the London to Brighton bike ride. That didn't make it easier, it made it harder as I was not forced into a slow pace. More stunning views from the top though.

The journey home was more of a challenge. I returned via Lewis and the Ashdown Forest eventually arriving at the foot of the North Downs wondering how I would make it up the hill. Normally I would go via Ide Hill, but this time I opted for the quieter Toys Hill. That was a mistake as it was longer and steeper! I made it however, leaving only Polhill and a final 9km downhill stretch to home. For the last two hours if the ride, my feet were hurting - I was wearing road cleats which have no give in the sole whatsoever to ensure maximum power goes to the pedals. Next time I'll change the pedals and try it with MTB cleats which have a slight give, and which have the extra benefit of not making you walk like a stiff penguin! My legs were very tired and I was making full use of the gearing - as even small hills started to be difficult.

It was a very hot day, but I made sure I was drinking constantly. I took the opportunity to try out some of the so-called sports hydration drinks. I tried Gatorade, Powerade and Lucozade Sport. Powerade (made by Coca Cola) had added sweeteners and sugar, as did Lucozade, which meant they didn't sit so well in my stomach. However, Gatorade was much better, having no added sugars (natural or otherwise), and it tasted much less sickly. This will be my choice from now on.

I arrived home 11 and a half hours after leaving, but moving time was only eight hours 22 minutes. The difference accounts for traffic lights, an hour for breakfast people watching in Brighton Marina, pee-breaks, and two or three short snack breaks to admire the views.

My legs were a little achy in the evening, and my backside was a little tender, but this morning nothing hurts and, although tired, I feel I would be perfectly able to go out for a long ride again.

You can find details of the ride on the Garmin site.

Volunteering at Mile End Park

The week before last, about 25 of us from the office took a day out from paper-pushing and email to help the Mile End Park community project in Tower Hamlets. Tower Hamlets is one of the UK's poorest borough, suffering from many of the problems that blight innner city communities. As such, a facility such as Mile End Park is a God-send for many of the residents, and so it was no hardship at all for us to spend a day helping the wardens.

The task they had set aside for us was to clear the weed, algae and rubbish from the large ornamental pond. It was very overgrown and took all of us most of the day to get it back into shape. Not only did we end up make a good job of the tasks set for us, but we went away with a real sense of having helped in a small way, and of having got to know each other a little better.

The highlight of the day for me was when a few of us went to the local pub at the end of the afternoon for refreshments. We ended up in the Palm Tree which was orginally the corner pub on the slum streets of London's East End, and had survived the blitz in WWII. It now stands resplendent in the middle of the park, yet inside, still has the atmosphere and ambiance of a traditional London local. Standing there, you could almost feel the long gone houses that would have crowded round the pub. Well worth the visit.

Center Parcs

We're just back from our first ever stay at Center Parcs in Elvedon Forest. I was very impressed and can see why almost everyone I spoke to before going said it was a great place.

Butlins for the middle-classes.

The place was clean, well maintained and everyone we came into contact with was friendly and helpful. During our 5 day stay we managed plenty of bike riding, swimming, golf, crazy golf, crossbows, high wire adrenalin challenge (including the Jacob's Ladder), roller skating, foil fencing, badminton, huge zip wire, canoing and pedalos. And we fed plenty of ducks and geese.

The accommodation was very well presented, if a little small, and all the food we had was good. The main criticism I'd heard before we went was that it is expensive. I didn't find that to be the case. The prices we paid for the activities we did were pretty much on a par with the price you'd pay if you did it locally. And in fact, some were cheaper (such as the badminton). Just compressing so many things into such a short space of time inevitably means you will pay a lot of money.

It's certainly a holiday I would consider again. And if you are thinking about it, make sure you go with active people, as those less keen on physical activity will probably not have so much fun.

My highlight - the crossbows, which turned out to be more technical, and therefore harder, than you'd expect. However, we benefited from a good coach for the morning, which made all the difference and made it really good fun.

LeJog Update

June/July 2010 seems a long way off, but I guess it's never too early to start to prepare for an adventure like the Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride.

I now have a riding partner, possibly two, and have decided that the 60-odd miles per day organised events from companies such a Skedaddle is probably too leisurely, and that the 110 mile daily distances of the James Cracknel organised Ride Across Britain [RAB] are closer to what we should be aiming for. I had considered signing up for the RAB, but have decided against it for two reasons. Firstly, they're doing it in the wrong direction which would mean a strong possibility of a headwind for the duration, and secondly after a day in the saddle, I really feel I need a proper bed and shower, not a camp site with a mat on the floor of a tent.

So it very much looks like we'll be organising the trip ourselves. David - who I will be doing the ride with - is a regular Audax rider and has suggested we do it as an Audax Permanent event. This means 7 days riding of at least 200km (roughly 125 miles). We'd have a total of 14 hours (including breaks) to complete each 200km leg. Allowing for say 3 hours of breaks (very generous) that's an average of just over 18km per hour. My normal average speed on a long ride is between 24 and 26km per hour, so not too scary, except it has to be done again the next day. And the next day. And we'd have to ride all 7 days within a total of 10 days, which would allow one rest day. The downside of doing it this way is that we'd have to be self supporting and carry our clothes etc for the overnight stops.

Next step is to start the route planning, drawing on the resources of all those fools who have gone before us.

22 reasons to ride a bike

1. It's good for your heart
2. It's good for you lungs
3. It builds stamina
4. You burns calories which means more curry
5. It relieves stress
6. Exercise leaves you feeling good
7. It's better for the environment, no fumes.
8. A bike uses fewer natural resources to make than a car
9. You see more
10. You hear more
11. You smell more
12. In town, it's faster
13. Parking is easy
14. It's cheaper than the train
15. Leg power is cheaper than petrol
16. It's good thinking time
17. You get to talk to people
18. Trains get cancelled
16. You don't pay congestion charges
17. You can commute in shorts
18. It's trendy
19. It's more flexible - you can vary your route
20. People smile at you
21. You can race every day
22. You can be lycra-man!