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!

22nd May Dorset Coast and Getting lost!

Went down in Ruby on Saturday and made camp near Upton.
First disaster...I'd forgotten my padded Lycra shorts!!!
Having planned to take in part of the bike-events ride and add a few miles to Lulworth Cove we decided to stick to the route. As it happened we got lost a couple of times, and early on ended up travelling north instead of south! The local road signs were totally crap, but after going along a gravel bridleway past an interesting watercress farm we got back on the road with the other riders. Unfortunately we went the long way to Corfe via Lulworth castle and an enormous hill. Then another out of Corfe after passing this amazing castle - must have been imposing when new!
We then sped down into Swanage, then up and over & down to the chain ferry to Sandbanks.
This clunking contraption complete with a 'Captain' in full Uniform (dreaming of a proper ship!).
We got some chips and headed back up the prom and through the town back to the campsite.
Thanks to Ali & Luke again for providing support and being to patient!
We were both pretty knackered and I have been reminded of the necessity for padded shorts!!
60.6m 5h01m @ 12mph 3753ft climb 2011 mileage (CS) 939.9
With thanks to all our sponsors so far - much appreciated

20th May record attempt!

Home from work with itchy legs, and inspired after watching some of the Giro D'Italia on TV - I set off at punishing pace. Pushing on with only a brief stop on the A14 bridge I got round in record equalling time. Hopefully can get closer to 50mins on a day with less stupid flipping traffic idiots.
16.5m 55m30s @17.9mph 603ft climb

15th May - Grey & windy cycle to Foxton & back.

Ground it out through Desborough & Market Harborough past the grim Gartree Prison and back whizzing along in the wind to Harrington and familair fast route past the old 'farpoint', Loddington, and home...tiring!
39.5m 2h38m @15mph 2007ft climb
Tim Tom taylor - crazy audax king has surpassed all he's done before! Having complete 100k 200k 300k and even 400k events...he's now done a 600k event!! From Chepstow to Anglesey & back in 36 hours. I am speechless. It's an awesome achievement and puts my rather pathetic efforts into the shade. I still cannot believe it!! Incredible....I don't have the words....

11th May Harrington Loop

Luke & I pushed around at good speed - still not broken 1 hour together...too windy today, but >16mph average....
16.5m 1h04m @16.5mph 603ft climb