12th June Bury St Edmunds 100

We were up early and at the start ready for the 0830 off. Initially bright & sunny the temperatures dropped and clouds gathered. I was disappointed that a new route had been imposed. Initially pleasant the terrain became more dull & dreary as we neared Ipswich. The cyclists thinned out and as we headed north the rain started. In the end we decided to cut our losses and head for the start. Not 100 miles but over 100k completed, and we were shattered.
63m

5th June - THE NORWICH 100!

FIRSTLY BIG THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SPONSORED US SO FAR - We are training hard and every penny is spurring us onwards towards our goal in Paris!

Michiel got the nod and the Shacks headed off to stay the night at Wensum Valley Hotel just outside Norwich. Memories of the 2007 golf tour for Clive, the course looking as dry & sandy as I remembered.
Up early for breakfast at 0700 & off into the confusing town of Norwich. We ere dropped off and went through to meet Michiel at the start along with 3000+ others in the glorious early summer sunshine.
We were off and the gusty NE wind promised a tough first half, but an 'angels breath' to help us on the run in. This is a great ride and we swished through the lovely countryside and 'Old world' villages, cruising along hardly doing any work! A few hills came along before the lunchstop at Sheringham School. In our team ACTION MEDICAL shirts we adopted several riders as our pacemakers.
Gradually as we slowly turned southwards the wind helped more & more to compensate for tiring legs. Luke lost his 70 80 90 & 100 mile virginity with ease.
A pint at 90 miles (where we met up with Finn & Ali) gave us fuel for a fast ride back into Norwich, steaming past other cyclists, and buzzing with adrenalin and serotonin!!
Through the finish line our medals awarded we headed home - for me this is a ride I want to repeat...every year!!
100.04m 6h52 @ 14.6mph 3328ft climb
Here's a few clips that capture the feeling.............

28th May-1st June

Four smaller rides totalling 72 miles.
Met up with Michiel early on the Bank Hol Monday in Lutterworth with a planned cycle to Shacklestone & back via Bosworth (battle 1485) Field.
Unfortunately the rain & cold defeated us and like a group of soggy wimps we retreated home, vowing to do the ride another day soon.
Hopefully warmer for the Norwich 100 next weekend!