Lightning is fixed, the knee seems to be holding out, all I need now is get myself into the right frame of mind. This trip is going to be as much of a mental challenge as a physical one, especially the long days where it will be just me and the bike.
Feeling a bit stretched in terms of all the things I still need to do before I set off. Have never liked to ask for help from anyone, and have recently realised I don't seem to be very good at asking for help in a way that ensures that I get it when I need it. Something to muse on whilst clocking up the miles on the long days I suppose.
I have also been reflecting on the Sense annual lecture topic last year of 'what makes us happy'. I will have plenty of time on the ride to consider this very theme - haven't been doing a good a job of finding it at all recently so maybe having some time to reflect on what really does matter to me and how best to find happiness is a good thing.
If the experience of the Land's End to John O'Groats cycle is anything to go by, the immediate elements to happiness whilst cycling are clement weather (but you have to roll with whatever comes your way on a ride), no major mechanical issues (but you have to just fix what you can and find an expert to help fix what you can't), no injuries or health issues (hopefully have fitted in enough rest days and am training pre-ride so I stand a good chance during the event), good food/drink (and everything tastes better after you have been riding in the glorious UK outdoors) and sleep. If all else fails then chocolate is a good standby option. However, I think this ride will at least give me the time to reflect on what makes me happy during my usual daily routine and I hope to be able to come back to my everyday life with some kind of plan for getting the most out of it. Or an even bigger addiction to all forms of chocolate than at present (wait a minute, not sure that is possible, but willing to give it a try....)
Friday 25 June 2010
Friday 18 June 2010
Less than a month to go
So I have just realised that there is now less than a month to go until the start of my ride, but at present I have neither a working bike (it's still being fixed) nor a working Yvonne (an old knee injury has flared up from doing too much training on a spin bike at the gym). Hopefully both of these issues will soon be resolved (fingers, toes, and anything else is crossed if it will help with bringing that about).
My other big issue at present is how to get the bike and me over to Sligo to start our ride on the 17th July. The lovely people at Sense Northern Ireland are having a look to see if there is anyone they know in Dublin who could help me out with the logistics, but there is a definite glitch in terms of getting me and the bike together and then getting us to Connolly train station in time to catch an appropriate train. I had hoped to cycle from Sligo to Omagh on the 17th, but 70ish miles if I would only get to Sligo at 2pm seems a bit excessive for my first day. There is also the problem that bike spaces on the train go on a 'first come first served' basis, so even if I can get lightning and me to the station in time for the 11:05 train there is no guarantee we will be able to get on it. There are all kinds of options (such as altering my itinerary so I only need to get to Sligo on the 17th and then spread out the route to Larne over the next days), contacting the people at Connolly train station to ask if there is anyway I can reserve a space for my bike, cycling from Dublin to Sligo (hum, I think that one is a bit of a non-starter), shipping the bike direct to Sligo and putting it back together from the box myself etc etc. I will find a way, but could do with a bit of the 'luck of the Irish' to ensure I don't start off the trip with a mad dash across Dublin, pleading with train staff at Connolly station, then a longish cycle as the light grows dim on the first day.
I am hoping I can get my bike back today as there is the Ride for a Reason 64 mile cycle out of St Albans this weekend - I have done it a couple of times and it is a really nice event, well organised with a good atmosphere amongst the cyclists. If not it will be back to the gym again.
Quick update - LIGHTNING LIVES!!! I have just had word that Lightning has been repaired and is ready for collection. So all I need to do now is work on a bionic knee for me and all the boxes are ticked...
My other big issue at present is how to get the bike and me over to Sligo to start our ride on the 17th July. The lovely people at Sense Northern Ireland are having a look to see if there is anyone they know in Dublin who could help me out with the logistics, but there is a definite glitch in terms of getting me and the bike together and then getting us to Connolly train station in time to catch an appropriate train. I had hoped to cycle from Sligo to Omagh on the 17th, but 70ish miles if I would only get to Sligo at 2pm seems a bit excessive for my first day. There is also the problem that bike spaces on the train go on a 'first come first served' basis, so even if I can get lightning and me to the station in time for the 11:05 train there is no guarantee we will be able to get on it. There are all kinds of options (such as altering my itinerary so I only need to get to Sligo on the 17th and then spread out the route to Larne over the next days), contacting the people at Connolly train station to ask if there is anyway I can reserve a space for my bike, cycling from Dublin to Sligo (hum, I think that one is a bit of a non-starter), shipping the bike direct to Sligo and putting it back together from the box myself etc etc. I will find a way, but could do with a bit of the 'luck of the Irish' to ensure I don't start off the trip with a mad dash across Dublin, pleading with train staff at Connolly station, then a longish cycle as the light grows dim on the first day.
I am hoping I can get my bike back today as there is the Ride for a Reason 64 mile cycle out of St Albans this weekend - I have done it a couple of times and it is a really nice event, well organised with a good atmosphere amongst the cyclists. If not it will be back to the gym again.
Quick update - LIGHTNING LIVES!!! I have just had word that Lightning has been repaired and is ready for collection. So all I need to do now is work on a bionic knee for me and all the boxes are ticked...
Monday 14 June 2010
Lightning on the sick list
So my noble steed Lightning is currently not feeling well. I took her in for a service last week, and you know it's not going to turn out well when the mechanics phone up to ask whether, by chance, you happen to have the piece that is missing off your bike which stops it falling apart. It is something to do with the pedal system (I think) and without it the bike is not safe to ride (goodness only knows how long I have been cycling without it...). It appears that this isn't a part that is as easy to come by as a blueberry muffin (and wouldn't life be good if any mechanical problem could be fixed by the application of an antioxidant rich cake treat). I have put in an order for what the mechanic thinks may be the right piece, but he wasn't entirely sure.
I have now resigned myself to doing training via the medium of spin classes at the gym for at least another week but probably longer. At least that avoids the problem of potholes.
I had another look at my route yesterday, largely as I have allocated rather a lot of days of 100plus miles up in Scotland. I had a spare day (as well as my 'rest days') so am trying to find a way of reducing the mileage up in Scotland on the days when I have been a bit on the ambitious side. It's coming together but still feels like there is an awful lot to do.
I also went on the hunt for a GPS system (or equivalent of a satnav for the bike). I think we narrowed down the options to one system, largely based on the fact that it was the only one that may have sufficient battery life to be able to last out on the longer days I am planning - there is the option of having a solar powered recharger, but given that weight is going to be at a premium I am not sure that I can be as 'green' as I would like to be. It would be great if someone could invent a way of running all kinds of electronic gizmos for the bike off the equivalent of a dynamo/pedal power. Hey, maybe I should develop something, patent it and then become a millionaire. Although given that my answer to a missing crank bolt was a blueberry muffin it may push the boundaries of my technical abilities to come up with a human energy conversion device.
I have now resigned myself to doing training via the medium of spin classes at the gym for at least another week but probably longer. At least that avoids the problem of potholes.
I had another look at my route yesterday, largely as I have allocated rather a lot of days of 100plus miles up in Scotland. I had a spare day (as well as my 'rest days') so am trying to find a way of reducing the mileage up in Scotland on the days when I have been a bit on the ambitious side. It's coming together but still feels like there is an awful lot to do.
I also went on the hunt for a GPS system (or equivalent of a satnav for the bike). I think we narrowed down the options to one system, largely based on the fact that it was the only one that may have sufficient battery life to be able to last out on the longer days I am planning - there is the option of having a solar powered recharger, but given that weight is going to be at a premium I am not sure that I can be as 'green' as I would like to be. It would be great if someone could invent a way of running all kinds of electronic gizmos for the bike off the equivalent of a dynamo/pedal power. Hey, maybe I should develop something, patent it and then become a millionaire. Although given that my answer to a missing crank bolt was a blueberry muffin it may push the boundaries of my technical abilities to come up with a human energy conversion device.
Sunday 6 June 2010
Training hits a hole...pothole to be precise
I am trying to build up my fitness slowly but surely for the summer ride. Unfortunately I hit a bit of a snag yesterday in the form of a rather large and wide pothole. I was cruising down a stretch of road called Hemp Lane on the way from Wiggington to Aldbury when I hit a rather large pothole. I only just saw it before I hit it and it was so large I didn't have chance to swerve to avoid it. My shoulders were a bit jarred but lightning came off worst with a front wheel puncture and some serious shredding on the rear tyre.
Having rolled to a stop and taken some deep breaths (and muttered a few choice swear words under my breath, followed by some more thankful words for the luck of not being thrown over the handlebars) I found a large gateway in which to fix the tyre. I replaced the inner tube on the front wheel and then reinflated the tyre. Not sure whether lightning sustained some damage from the pothole but just didn't seem to be able to get the tyre to sit right. Decided to cut the ride short and ease lighning to the nearby Tring train station to head back to London. I had only done about 26 miles so it wasn't the 70 plus day I had in mind!! I have booked lighning in for a full service this Thursday but in the meantime I think I shall have to just rely on the spin classes at my gym for some fitness building.
A thought struck me at the time - I am OK with the physical challenge of this ride so long as there is no serious mechanical problem. Although I can change a puncture etc, if I do something a bit more serious like break a spoke or snap a brake line then I wouldn't know how to fix it. I had only really thought about the physical training I would need to do to get ready for the ride but hadn't really considered the huge gaps in my knowledge of all things bike mechanical. If I had more time I would probably try to get on an evening class or similar. In the meantime I will just have to follow the example of Blanche from 'A Streetcar named Desire' and rely on the kindness of strangers should anything go wrong with lightning during the trip. Let's hope any problems happen somewhere with a bike shop and friendly bike shop owner...
Having rolled to a stop and taken some deep breaths (and muttered a few choice swear words under my breath, followed by some more thankful words for the luck of not being thrown over the handlebars) I found a large gateway in which to fix the tyre. I replaced the inner tube on the front wheel and then reinflated the tyre. Not sure whether lightning sustained some damage from the pothole but just didn't seem to be able to get the tyre to sit right. Decided to cut the ride short and ease lighning to the nearby Tring train station to head back to London. I had only done about 26 miles so it wasn't the 70 plus day I had in mind!! I have booked lighning in for a full service this Thursday but in the meantime I think I shall have to just rely on the spin classes at my gym for some fitness building.
A thought struck me at the time - I am OK with the physical challenge of this ride so long as there is no serious mechanical problem. Although I can change a puncture etc, if I do something a bit more serious like break a spoke or snap a brake line then I wouldn't know how to fix it. I had only really thought about the physical training I would need to do to get ready for the ride but hadn't really considered the huge gaps in my knowledge of all things bike mechanical. If I had more time I would probably try to get on an evening class or similar. In the meantime I will just have to follow the example of Blanche from 'A Streetcar named Desire' and rely on the kindness of strangers should anything go wrong with lightning during the trip. Let's hope any problems happen somewhere with a bike shop and friendly bike shop owner...
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