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.

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...

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.

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.

Twice in a Week.

Rode the final leg on Monday from home to Beachy Head, about a third of the overall target, completed in under 5 hours, not too bad, but 15 hours for the whole thing doesnt give much margin for error. Out again on wednesday in Bristol, went a bit further than I intended, due to a lack of planning and improvised navigation techniques. Keeps the legs spinning though. Weather has turned filthy again so may be road bike miles this weekend.

Have sent the justgiving link out to a few people, but have been disappointed so far by the response. Will have to start getting heavy with people. Unfortunately have to start the logistics planning next checkpoints etc. Family will I expect get lumbered with much of this, volunteers always welcome though.

New Logo and lack of training.

I've been a bit lax since jimdub came down for the weekend at the other end of May, I think i've managed 3 short rides in 4 weeks. Time to buck up my ideas frankly. Managed to get a little 14 miler in last night from the hotel in Bristol, although it was pretty flat and mainly road, its something I suppose, and gave the hardtail a bit of a shakedown after it's recent rebuild. Not sure if its going to be the one yet, comfort vs. lightweight, tough choice to be honest. Although appreciate a choice of bikes is an outrageous luxury any way you look at it. Just come back from Hungary where I went to my brother's wedding good fun but, the Hungarian idea of vegetarian food appears to focus around cheese, breadcrumbs and frying, often in the same mouthful. Obviously washed down with the local beer or strong booze known as Palincă made from fruit apparently so definitely got some of my 5 a day! This Langos pictured, is basically a fried pancake (or very large doughnut) with sour cream and cheese on top, very nice, very unhealthy.

I've been working on a logo/handout thing for the event too. Hope you like it, pass it on and drum up some interest/donations.

A good ride out

Lovely sunny Sunday. Thats a huge field of Flax pictured above. You could see it for miles. Picture doesn't do it justice though, but a great vivid blue.

Managed a great ride out on my new route, with added loops to get some more hillage. 36 miles, 2340 feet of climbing. Still not SDW scales, but there nontheless. Average 10.4 mph.
Got two days commutes in as well on Tuesday and Thursday. 10 mile each way gets my weekly total to 76 miles. Dont have the spare time to get much more riding in, unfortunately. I have noticed the importance of recovery time, which is obvious really. A day or two between really helps. Diet is being watched carefully too, feeding muscles properly. I can understand now, how sport science degrees really go for three years. I am definately the less able of the pack, so important to get my strength and endurance up.

Almost forgot, last week the Cold war came to the East Midlands. Spotted AWACS and Vulcan bomber in the vicinity of the airport, two or three days apart. By the time I got my phone out for pics, they were gone. You will have to take my word for it.

Pheasant Chasing

The sun came out, and all the bikes came out to play. Our area was covered in roadies yesterday. We're on a route, I think.
I planned a ride out, taking in West Leake hills & some local tracks. Part of a ride done with Pnik some years before, whilst training for C2C.  27 miles, and 1500 ft climbing. Thats a quarter of the distance, and an eighth of the climbing, but I did average 10mph which I was quite pleased with.

First attempt lasted one minute, when I realised that bottom jockey wheel on the rear mech was having trouble going round. return to house. Liberal oiling and mechanical assistance(!!) and all was good again. Got me thinking about replacing some of the works before July.  Do you hear that? .....Its a can of worms being opened...

The ride did, however involve bridleways through rough farm yards and ploughed fields, with two foot of wheat, which make it interesting. Some of the local wildlife was not expecting to be found. A couple of pheasants flapping skywards unannounced gives you quite a jump. The gates round here are not as well kept as those on more well known routes, so feet down in sloppy cow muck was the order of the day.  Anyhow, good ride, legs aching today, but expected that. Definately above the line.

No pics I am afraid as phone was running out of charge.