Training with Vanda and Archie.

Vanda and Archie, whom I cycled with in India, came to stay for a few days.  Vanda is cycling in India again, next February, so wanted to do some training.  Unfortunately, the weather was against us and we only managed 26 miles on Wednesday ( 2080 feet climbed ) and 35 miles ( 2640 feet climbed ) on Thursday.  I should add though that they arrived at 11.00 o'clock on Weds so daylight was against us. It was great to have their company and I thoroughly enjoyed their visit.  Archie is remarkable, at 84 years he cycled straight over the String Road, elevation 750 feet over 2 miles.   Vanda's determination and guts see her through and I'm quite sure come next February she will cruise up to Kalimpong, West Bengal, elevation 5000 feet, (for her 3rd time) without any problems.  We feasted well when they were here, east meets west, curry, haggis and red wine.  What a combination but it all went down well.

Puncture at Last

Yippee.  At last I have had a puncture.  All the years, and thousands of miles I have cycled and not one puncture.  Perfect setting for 1st puncture - in garage just about to go out and noticed front tyre was flat. Managed to change tube and put tyre back on.  A little bit of glass was the culprit.  Now I know I can do it - next time it will probably be out on the road with wet and windy conditions.  So happy!!!!

October Training - What a Wet and Windy Month.

Well that is the first 5 weeks of training completed and it has gone quite well. I wanted to do at least 100 miles per week and I have managed between 125 and 139 miles, so well over. Every week I cycled 5 days of about 20 miles and one longer day between 34 and 38 miles.  The weather has been awful.  Wet and very windy but mild. At least, I am not cold.  The wind is a killer - a trip of 20 miles mostly uphill with headwind can seem like double that distance.   On Arran, wherever I go, there are hills, hills, hills which is great training but exhausting.  Difficult to have an easy day.  I have started looking for detours - along Strawhillian Road,  Clauchlands which adds 2.1/2 miles, King's Cross etc. For November I hope to cycle 150 miles per week, just a gradual build up. Its great having company - Murray, Isla, Linda. The miles fly by as we blether. It can be difficult fitting training in as life gets in the way.
Still on track though.

Hubba Hubba 2 Person Tent

Researched tents and decided on a Hubba Hubba 2 person tent.  Main reason, very easy to put up, only takes 3 minutes on U Tube. Very light, 4 lbs. Has an inner mesh sheet and outer fly sheet, so ideal for the cold and the heat.  Downside is they cost about £300 - tooooo much.  Had a look on E bay and managed to get one with postage for £195 from America. A bargain.  Tried to put it up in living room today and very easy.  Poles are all spring loaded so slot together - no wondering where does this or that one go. Wonder how I will get on when I am exhausted and it is wet, windy and muddy .   Just hope it is dry on the first night, would hate to pack it away covered in grass and mud  Bound to happen.  Next have to buy sleep mat and tent footprint. 

Application Accepted !!!!!!!!!!

Letter and leaflet arrived today from Adventure Cycling Association stating I have been accepted for 'Southern Tier of America' cycle trip.   EXCITED.                                                                                    

This is the link to tour details
    
&phttp://www.adventurecycling.org/tours/tourdetail.cfm?t=EV12&id=279=1 .


Five months to go so serious training starts now. No excuses if the weather is cold, wet or windy - I will just have to get out there and cycle.

'Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.'

Back On the Road Again

Monday,26th Sep. 2011.

Took a week off from training. It looks as though I had 'periformis syndrome' which is a strained muscle deep in bum which affects sciatic nerve.  Rested and sat on a tennis ball, don't laugh. If it hurts its helping and boy did it hurt - sat the muscle on the tennis ball and rolled back and forward.  Painful, painful but I felt the difference very quickly.  Out on the bike today for 20 miles and no problems so training resumes. Weather is dry, warm for this time of year but very windy. Bogaille closed at the moment for resurfacing so Sannox road very quiet, great.

Strained Muscle

Have just strained a muscle deep in my left bum.  Really sore. Have googled the symptoms and apparently it is a common runners injury.   Didn't think I had been silly and increased training too much.  Should really stretch out before and after a cycle, something I never do.  Will rest and ease back into cycling the hills.