With only 5 weeks remaining before the ‘grand depart’ on my LEJOG attempt this is a good time to reflect on my preparations.
Training: The seemingly eternal winter coupled with a particularly busy work schedule delayed the start of my training effort by a couple of weeks. I didn’t really get going until the middle of February, and even then most rides were a fairly dark and cold experience. The improving weather and longer days have brought the fun back and in the last couple of weeks I have started ramping up the miles to an average of 100 per week. From the outset I have attempted to train at a sustainable pace (10-12 mph including stops) and at full weight including loaded panniers. This has meant adopting a different mindset and a style of riding that is all about efficiency; it doesn’t matter how quickly you get to the top of the hill but it does matter how much energy you preserve getting there. As I start to do longer rides my main concern is being able to ride significant distance day after day. Having done multi-day endurance events before (albeit not on a bike) I am heartened by how quickly physical exertion becomes ‘normal business’ for the body. I’m hoping that happens to me pretty soon after the start of LEJOG!
So with just over 500 miles on the clock I’m a little behind where I hoped to be but overall not too far off the pace.
The Bike: Back in January I bought a new Ridgeback Panorama touring bike. In short, I’m delighted with it. It does exactly what it is supposed to. It is at its best fully loaded and gliding along at a stately pace. It is comfortable, smooth and unexciting – perfect for touring! The big gear range is invaluable and I have made it up some pretty chunky inclines even with maximum weight. With Schwalbe Marathon tyres fitted as standard, I have gone off road with confidence (or at least more confidence than I have in my navigation, which was probably the reason I was off road in the first place…) And the disc brakes are excellent; without doubt they saved me on a particularly steep country lane – or more accurately they saved the bumper of the car in front of me! Special mention needs to go to the Ortlieb Classic panniers which are genuinely waterproof and carry everything I need (rear panniers only) whilst being ridiculously easy to clip on and remove.
Fundraising: I am riding to raise money for the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. I have set up JustGiving pages, which can be accessed here:
This is the first I have advertised these pages, but I plan pushing them quite hard over the next few weeks. Consider this a pre-warning of the pestering to come! In all seriousness, I would be hugely grateful for any contribution in sponsorship you can make. Every penny of the money raised will go to the two life changing charities mentioned above.
And finally, if you want to ride any sections of the route with me, or if you just want to say hello en route, please get in contact and we can arrange it.
Now back to the training……