11th September 2011

Will be up early to ride in the MACRIDE this Sunday.
Rode it last year..a lovely circuit around Warwickshire.
Meeting Michiel Tim Thorpy Toby & Andy Love(L2P 2011)
http://www.macride.org.uk/

Next planned ride is the CYCLE4CYNTHIA on 25/9/11
http://www.cycle4cynthia.co.uk/

4th September - Kettering to Derby solo

Firstly see link to Tim Doogood ?DoGOD telling the amazing story of his 1200+k 77 hour PBP marathon ride...AWESOME stuff mate.
After riding to Nottingham I decided to do the ride to Derby & keep the old legs going ready for the MACRIDE next week & CYCLE4CYNTHIA ride in 3 weeks.
Off at 7 again, this time under grey skies, then drizzle and past Leicester pissing rain - I mad good progress out past east Midlands Airport & on to Chelvaston.
Here I briefly visitted Manor Road...where my great Uncle Horace lived back in the 1930's. Unfortunately the houses were generally 1970-ish era.
I arrived at derby Station at 1120 - with enough time for coffe croissant & home on the 1146 train.
Very damp and the hot shower was very welcome. Shame I didnt make the Manchester 100 with Simes & AndyW - or even Darren...maybe next year
63.5m 4h05m @ 15.5mph 1931ft climb
TOTAL FOR 2011 now 2139m 148h pedalling!
route:- http://ridewithgps.com/trips/380165

16-26th August the Broads

We had a boat for 10 days and got to Beccles Norwich Great Yarmouth Potter Higham etc.
I took the old tractor bike and did some exploring over the lovely Norfolk countryside.
Total Miles 98.2 at a more sedate pace on the heavy solid old raleigh!

14th August - Kettering to Nottingham solo ride

DooGood is now resting up prior to his Paris-Brest-Paris cycle in 1 weeks time. This crazy event takes place every FOUR years and is a non stop...1200k...yes 800+mile ride. Even thinking about if fills me with dread and puts some of my expoits in the shade. Andy (L2P '09) has just done a triathlon (2.5m swim:100 mile cycle: and then a full marathon)...al I can say is RESPECT to you guys...
Anyway I have had this kettering to Nottingham cycle in the back of my mind for some time so I decided to bite the bullet & go for it...after all it's only 56 miles!
Set off at 0700 and met up with Tim who joined me for a few miles before he headed home.
The weather was fair and I enjoyed the countryside, especially along the old Grantham to Nottingham canal...that needs alot of renovation.
I eased into Nottingham with plenty of time to catch the train home after some lovely coffee.
England isn't really that big.....
56.5m 3h49m @ 14.8mph 3152ft

7th August THE GREAT SHAKESPEARE RIDE

Up early & over to Stratford-upon-Avon.
Bet up with Andy Love (L2P 2011) and 800 other riders as we set off en masse under Police escort!
Generally flat we sped on over the early miles dodging wasps in warm weather and tackling a few strategic hills on the way. Gradually the weather dteriorated and in the final wet miserable miles I was cursing the fact thet I hadn't put the mudguards on...I hate that cold wet arse feeling!
I omitted the last hill, my excuse being that I needed to get to Warwick castle to meet up with the rest of my family.
A good ride for a great cause & I hope to do again
61.6m 3h49m @ 16.1mph 3483ft climb
the route as recorded on my Garmin :-
http://ridewithgps.com/trips/380197

Previously tried to break the 2h round Corby route - started well but faded to 2h5m...
31.7.11 34.8m 2h05m @16.6 1283ft