Well we've had dinner so now to mix up some energy drink and go to bed. May have overloaded on the kids left overs.
South Downs Way 100
Saturday, 21 July 2012
Monday, 16 July 2012
1 week left, gulp
Looks like the weather won't be too bad. No time for the ground to dry out though.
I've washed my bike, greased and lubed. Changed tyres, written lists of tools for my bag, tools for the car, spares for the car. Bought so much energy food, Napoleon could have made it to Moscow. I think we are nearly ready, trying to eat well, go to bed early and not let work get to me this week.
I'll be using a cool little tracker application on the day, so you should be able to see how far we've got by clicking on this; http://www.greenalp.com/RealtimeTracker At the moment it has us in the Atlantic, but I'm hoping it wont be that wet!
Been working on some approximate timings for where we'll be and when, I reserve the right for this to be utterly wrong though.
Come and say hi if you're in the area, meet us at the end for a cheeky shandy at Beachy Head or just bung some money on the site. By the way we've raised £1000 which is good, but i'm sure there's a bit more down the back of the sofa, under the driver's seat or in the biscuit tin.
https://www.justgiving.com/teams/SDW100D2D
Monday, 9 July 2012
Three updates in one...
Firstly, well done to Nik getting the 50 miler...
Two weeks ago, I attendeed a skills course up at sherwood pines run by Jonathan...http://www.themountainbikerockschool.co.uk/
Had a whole day learning how to stay on bike, brake properly and turn corners. Sounds fundamental, but after years of riding, thought it a good idea to see how to do stuff properly. My legs ached alot, so I guess it was new stuff. Need to practice my new skills now.....just need to do a decent length bike ride.....ahhhh.
One week ago. Set out early sunday morning to get a 40 miler in. Only had four hours to fit in, so needed to go for it. Added extra loops in, concentrating on the hills. Got to 42, in four and a half. 3000 feet of climbing. Felt ok afterwards too. Taking extra nutrition at 20 miles is, I think the key.
Yesterday, another early start, this time aiming for 50 miles. Was going to miss out any flat fun bits, and literally loop round the hills. OK? No. I completely forgot about the 'Months rain a day' we had on Friday. Trails were completely unrideable. The mud at several points jammed up the whole bike. Along with the old 'front wheel dissappearing in a hole trick' and going shoulder first into the ground, I followed Mr Glover's advice, and kept off the moors and stuck to the roads.
A pathetic 24 miles. Dropped off home again, hosed off bike & ate some food. Will get some sort of ride in the week if possible, but i think thats it for biggies, as it takes me days to recover.
J
Two weeks ago, I attendeed a skills course up at sherwood pines run by Jonathan...http://www.themountainbikerockschool.co.uk/
Had a whole day learning how to stay on bike, brake properly and turn corners. Sounds fundamental, but after years of riding, thought it a good idea to see how to do stuff properly. My legs ached alot, so I guess it was new stuff. Need to practice my new skills now.....just need to do a decent length bike ride.....ahhhh.
One week ago. Set out early sunday morning to get a 40 miler in. Only had four hours to fit in, so needed to go for it. Added extra loops in, concentrating on the hills. Got to 42, in four and a half. 3000 feet of climbing. Felt ok afterwards too. Taking extra nutrition at 20 miles is, I think the key.
Yesterday, another early start, this time aiming for 50 miles. Was going to miss out any flat fun bits, and literally loop round the hills. OK? No. I completely forgot about the 'Months rain a day' we had on Friday. Trails were completely unrideable. The mud at several points jammed up the whole bike. Along with the old 'front wheel dissappearing in a hole trick' and going shoulder first into the ground, I followed Mr Glover's advice, and kept off the moors and stuck to the roads.
A pathetic 24 miles. Dropped off home again, hosed off bike & ate some food. Will get some sort of ride in the week if possible, but i think thats it for biggies, as it takes me days to recover.
J
July - Suncream and Gore-tex?!
Did the magic 50miles yesterday, half the distance in under 7 hours, went out along the Downs as far as Alfriston and then came back along the wet weather route. Was burning from the sun on the way out, and got caught in a couple of downpours on the way home.
Best bit was up on top on Firle Beacon with 360' panoramic views across the Weald, the English Channel, the Newhaven Incinerator (OK not that pretty) with my legs feeling pretty strong. Picture below looking back towards Lewes.
The worst bit was having 'bonked' or 'hit the wall' at 42 miles sat on the verge considering the nutritional and energy value of daisies, inner tubes when the rain started. Managed to get going and hurrah for the Half Moon at Plumpton, Coke and peanuts not perfect but better than foraging in the verges without Ray Mears handy.
Forgot the suncream so have a rather red-neck (yee har) today, but was very pleased to have gore-tex on my feet. Dry socks considering the rather large puddles around some of the gates on the Way (for puddle read pond/small lakes) are a good thing, a runner was very impressed to see me ride up to the gate, open the gate, ride through and latch the gate again without putting my foot down, in a 4-6" puddle, he would have been less impressed earlier on, but that time there were no witnesses! After he'd climbed over further along to avoid the wetness.
So 2 weeks left, all the miles that can reasonably be got in, have been, now for some quality tapering, at least that's what they call it. Sounds a bit flash to me, but basically it means early nights, eating sensibly, light exercise to arrive on the day in tippity-top condition. Have you even seen me!?!
Oh yeah and I'm going to look again at the wet alternative route, too much slogging along the side of a-roads at the moment, from the bits i've tested over the last couple of weeks.
ttfn
Best bit was up on top on Firle Beacon with 360' panoramic views across the Weald, the English Channel, the Newhaven Incinerator (OK not that pretty) with my legs feeling pretty strong. Picture below looking back towards Lewes.
The worst bit was having 'bonked' or 'hit the wall' at 42 miles sat on the verge considering the nutritional and energy value of daisies, inner tubes when the rain started. Managed to get going and hurrah for the Half Moon at Plumpton, Coke and peanuts not perfect but better than foraging in the verges without Ray Mears handy.
Forgot the suncream so have a rather red-neck (yee har) today, but was very pleased to have gore-tex on my feet. Dry socks considering the rather large puddles around some of the gates on the Way (for puddle read pond/small lakes) are a good thing, a runner was very impressed to see me ride up to the gate, open the gate, ride through and latch the gate again without putting my foot down, in a 4-6" puddle, he would have been less impressed earlier on, but that time there were no witnesses! After he'd climbed over further along to avoid the wetness.
So 2 weeks left, all the miles that can reasonably be got in, have been, now for some quality tapering, at least that's what they call it. Sounds a bit flash to me, but basically it means early nights, eating sensibly, light exercise to arrive on the day in tippity-top condition. Have you even seen me!?!
Oh yeah and I'm going to look again at the wet alternative route, too much slogging along the side of a-roads at the moment, from the bits i've tested over the last couple of weeks.
ttfn
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Map and stuff - UPDATED
View SDW100 in a larger map View South Downs Way - 2 Routes in a larger map
So the blue line is the South Downs Way and the yellow line is the emergency backup route, if the weather turns against us, or we suffer other problems then that's our backup plan. The feedstations are initially at 20 mile intervals, but I've thrown in an extra one nearer the end to get a boost for the final push.
Working on a 5am Grand Depart from Winchester, so hope we'd hit the first stop between 7 and 8am, the second after between 10 and 11. After that it will get tougher and the pace will slow I expect. Ideally the 60 mile point by 1pm. But we dont really know. We'd welcome support along the way, and we will provide some updates along the way of progress made.
As for my training, managed 32miler on Sunday and I returned to my Pilates class this week after a few weeks off, as I've been away for work. Just bashed out a short session on the turbo trainer this evening, and planning another 30+ session at the weekend, really I'd like to get nearer to 50, but not sure if I've got the time. Havent looked at the forecast either.
Keep donating, the fund's are still going up, which is great, but I reckon we can do better.
Friday, 15 June 2012
Interim update
Not posted for a couple of weeks, mainly due to nothing particularly eventful happening.
Managed 30 odd last Sunday, no idea exactly as I managed to stop the clock at some point in the ride. Missed out the boring road bit, but felt I rode a bit faster overall. Cut short mainly because I ran out of water in the Camelbak.
Need to address this somehow. Wondering whether a larger capacity bladder thing(not mine) will fit in... Noticed another pair of bottle cage bosses on the bike, but again, unsure whether another will fit.
Forgot to attach the tool bag to saddle, therefore had a puncture three miles from home. Dragging a tyre off the rim with fingertips is interesting. Never did find the puncture-er, guess it lying on the track for next time.
A bit of inspiration came this morning, when a group of neighbours set off for three peaks challenge. They are hoping to start at 5 this evening. They seem to have done most of their training in the pub. Hope they manage OK. Good luck guys.
Mid week rides have been missed due to various kids lift home from school, appointments etc needing to drive. Normal Sunday ride will be moved forward to Saturday as spending whole fathers day on a coach to hertfordshire watching No.1 son in a sports tournament!
The totaliser on the justgiving page is going up. Also have a few pledges on the noticeboard at work to add in which is really good. If you haven't added to it yet, then please get over to:
http://www.justgiving.com/teams/SDW100D2D
Click on either of the Donate buttons a shove a couple of quid on.
Thanks
ps. Just found out my brother is also doing a sponsored ride on the same day. More details to follow...
Managed 30 odd last Sunday, no idea exactly as I managed to stop the clock at some point in the ride. Missed out the boring road bit, but felt I rode a bit faster overall. Cut short mainly because I ran out of water in the Camelbak.
Need to address this somehow. Wondering whether a larger capacity bladder thing(not mine) will fit in... Noticed another pair of bottle cage bosses on the bike, but again, unsure whether another will fit.
Forgot to attach the tool bag to saddle, therefore had a puncture three miles from home. Dragging a tyre off the rim with fingertips is interesting. Never did find the puncture-er, guess it lying on the track for next time.
A bit of inspiration came this morning, when a group of neighbours set off for three peaks challenge. They are hoping to start at 5 this evening. They seem to have done most of their training in the pub. Hope they manage OK. Good luck guys.
Mid week rides have been missed due to various kids lift home from school, appointments etc needing to drive. Normal Sunday ride will be moved forward to Saturday as spending whole fathers day on a coach to hertfordshire watching No.1 son in a sports tournament!
The totaliser on the justgiving page is going up. Also have a few pledges on the noticeboard at work to add in which is really good. If you haven't added to it yet, then please get over to:
http://www.justgiving.com/teams/SDW100D2D
Click on either of the Donate buttons a shove a couple of quid on.
Thanks
ps. Just found out my brother is also doing a sponsored ride on the same day. More details to follow...
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Planning and Riding
Been a good week, road bike ride at the weekend, cracking mountain bike ride on Tuesday night in Bristol and a quick lunchtime dash today on the road-bike. another 70 odd miles in the bank.
I've looked up the sunrise and sunset times for the day.
As you can see we've got nearly 16hours, that means we need to average 6.3mph if we ride from sunrise to sunset. So to allow breathing space to punctures, lunch etc. we need our average riding speed to be over 8mph, 10 would be great but probably not practical. Last time i rode it in 2 days the total time over 2 days was about 14 hours riding. So trying to build up the pace and distance now.
I've started doing some mapping too, planning checkpoints at about 20mile intervals, i'll publish those locations on my next updates, and guestimated timings.
I've looked up the sunrise and sunset times for the day.
| 22 Jul 2012 | 05:10 | 21:03 | 15h 52m 26s | − 2m 38s | 13:07 | 58.6° | 151.983 |
As you can see we've got nearly 16hours, that means we need to average 6.3mph if we ride from sunrise to sunset. So to allow breathing space to punctures, lunch etc. we need our average riding speed to be over 8mph, 10 would be great but probably not practical. Last time i rode it in 2 days the total time over 2 days was about 14 hours riding. So trying to build up the pace and distance now.
I've started doing some mapping too, planning checkpoints at about 20mile intervals, i'll publish those locations on my next updates, and guestimated timings.
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