Catch up (unpost dated) post 3

Well, even copying and pasting my entries from the Sponsorhouse blog leaves a bit of a gap! No problem, I've got plenty to fill the space with.

So, I didn't get into the ABSA Cape Epic and I'm not on the waiting list, which is a shame because I'd really psyched myself up for this one. I'll try again next year, perhaps with more Sponsors it'll lend my application a little more weight. We'll see!

As for my statement that I am going to ride the Tour Divide in 2009 - I was beaten to it by a Friend of mine who's already submitted his letter of intent. Now, it's an unsupported event and you're supposed to do it solo so I'm going to need to clarify if it's ok for the two of us to take part even if our paces mean we'll not be spending a lot of time together. I am still training for it, I'm still pumped to do it but Brian got there first and I don't want to tread on his entry if mine will cause problems.

The South Downs Double - I took a sneaky look a couple of weeks ago in less than ideal weather conditions (visibility down to about 20ft due to fog & low cloud) but the route itself seems like it lends itself perfectly to my attempt. The plan now is to keep increasing the mileage I'm doing (currently on average 35 miles a day off road with regular road training sessions as well), and then start doing the distance on a turbo trainer. 

I know the trainer won't give me the full effect of riding the distance off road but if I can do the distance on the trainer and get my body used to it I should find the Double 'easier' when it comes to the attempt early next year.

In theory, anyway.

This last Saturday I snuck in a long ride, leaving the house at 6:30am (still dark, yuck) and heading out across Dartmoor for what I'd expected to be a few hours. In 7 hours I ended up covering just over 85 miles and had a pretty good time just exploring the local trails that I've not taken the time with before. The main thing I noticed was that when I got back I wasn't tired so Sunday I went and did another 50 miles off road instead of my road ride. There's a lot to be said for riding when it's raining - empty trails for one!

In other news (I always did fancy being a BBC Newscaster) - Life goes on. I'm back in Plymouth for what looks like a long stay. I was in San Jose at the end of October for 2 weeks taking care of some things and I'm sad to report that my relationship proved to be unsavable for which I blame myself entirely. I made some great friends in California and will be staying in touch with them (and I'm still planning on going back to visit as often as I can) but now I'm assessing where I want to be next. It's not going to be Plymouth, that's for certain!

I think that about covers it for this particular update, I'll be posting again soon so as to avoid getting told off by a certain Velo Fellow! :-)

Catch up postdated post 2

"Well I didn't get into the Cape Epic and it's another 2 week wait to find out if I'll even get onto the waiting list yet. Still hoping. Still planning. Still training. We'll see what happens.

I've taken to putting in some miles on the road bike lately, just to get my base fitness back up. It's good to know I still have a fairly decent turn of speed and can recover from an effort quickly. I'm not getting younger and it's no big secret that my body's taken a bit of a kicking lately. I'm pushing a 53/11 and am getting to the point where I can tackle all but the very steepest climbs in the big ring.

Saturday I borrowed a Mountain Bike and went to a local 24 hour race (Bontrager TwentyFour 12 at Newnham park in Plymouth) just to put in a few laps (I hadn't entered the race so took advantage of the free practice to get some riding in). The course was 12.5k long with a decent amount of climbing and technical aspects to keep everyone entertained (this course used to play host to UCI World Cup rounds so isn't a push over).

I felt pretty good, wasn't pushing too hard and was happy to discover that my average lap time was coming in around the 35 minute mark (the course average was 45 and the quickest was a one off 27 minutes - all his other laps were a good deal slower). This gives me hope for the races I've got coming next season. 

On the ride home I got into a bit of an incident with a Jeep Cherokee. The driver wasn't paying attention and hit me from the left, knocking me clean off the bike. I landed pretty hard on the tarmac and gave my head a good smack (Fox Flux, totally destroyed but head in one piece. Thanks Fox!) The Jeep left the scene so I reported them to the Police but I got pretty well banged up. The good news is that the bike was fine.

My lesson for this post is this: Always, Always wear your helmet. Seriously. If I didn't have mine on I'd not be here now. That's a sobering thought.

On my dilemma from my previous post - I'm doing the TDR in 2009 whether I get into the Epic or not. Mad? Yes. Certainly!

Thanks for reading, stay safe!"

Catch up postdated post 1

Has it really been this long since my last post? Oops. I'm sorry, I've been slack. It's been a busy year, will a muffin basket make up for my neglect? (thanks for pointing out my negligence Krien, I need a nag every now and then).

To bring this up to speed I'll copy & paste from my Sponsorhouse blog... excuse me one moment. Normal service will resume shortly.

"It's been two weeks since I last updated (Why does this feel like Confession all of a sudden?) and plenty has been happening to keep me from getting online to do any updates.

For the past Month I've been tossing an idea around in my head and it's a Pretty Big Idea that can't really just 'happen' - it's going to take organisation, planning and a lot of hard work. I made it clear that 2009 is going to be my turnaround or breakout year. I'm going to start crossing those events off the list and bagging myself some horizons. I've entered the lottery for a place on the ABSA Cape Epic in South Africa (only 5 more days until I find out if I'm in or not!) I'm going after the UK South Downs Way double records (yes, plural) and I've got a long list of other things I'm going to achieve.

But something has been calling me. Taunting is actually more accurate. Teasing me with a 'you ain't ready for this, Boy' grin on its' face and now I want to prove it wrong.

I want to race the Tour Divide.

2,711 miles of unsupported, self inflicted, off-road suffering from Banff, Alberta down to Antelope Wells in New Mexico. Making it the longest self powered endurance event in the World.

Crazy? Without a doubt. 

Why do I want to do it? Because I need to know that I can. 2,711 miles. The length of a whole country (and a good portion of Canada as well). That's something to hold in the memory. That is an Achievement. And that capital 'A' was not an accident.

I've given myself another week to think this over. The question isn't 'if' I do the Tour Divide it's when.

On other topics my physiotherapy is going great. I'm over my aversion to appearing in swimming shorts and I'm getting stronger. My leg is still a great color though!

I'll update again soon. Hopefully with good news from the Cape Epic!"

First entry for 2009

Yesterday I made my first entry for 2009 - I've entered the lottery for a place on the 2009 ABSA Cape Epic! The event covers 950 km of South Africa over 8 days and takes in something like 18000 meters of climbing. The event always attracts huge numbers of entrants every year so they have to run this lottery system, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get a place. If I do then I'll recruit a team mate and begin training in earnest!

I had another physiotherapy session today and I'm feeling a lot stronger even from just this short amount of work. As my Physio is a Mountain Biker I've asked if he could help out with a conditioning program that would help maintain a high level of base fitness all year. It's all about making the best of a situation.

I'd like to say a huge thank you to my latest Sponsor - The Sock Guy! I'm excited to be rocking the best socks available anywhere. Thanks guys!

Website finally online

It's taken me awhile to get it finished and online but last night I finally managed to upload my complete website.

I'm very happy with the way it turned out, it looks good, there's plenty of information available and some pretty handy links. It's also got a full version of my events calendar so you can keep track of where I am and what I'm up to. As soon as I'm confirmed as taking part in an event I'll upload the details.

The only thing I didn't do was embed a blog package. There are plenty of companies that offer software to do this on a 'normal' (non-corporate) website but I didn't like the learning curve involved and the fact they seemed to have so many security holes. So, for blogging - I'll still be posting here and linking to this page from the main website.

Nice.

Yesterday I had another session with my Physiotherapist. Still no sign (or word) of when my braces and support are going to arrive but I'm hoping it's soon so that I can really push myself in the gym. My next session we're heading into the pool. Which will be interesting as I've not been in a swimming pool in... ummm... a Very Long Time. It'll all come good in the end though!

I'm really pleased to announce that I've had a new sponsor sign me since my last post: The Helmet Man! So now my head will be totally protected no matter what lunacy I am up to on the bikes. Thanks for signing me Guys! It's very much appreciated.

And that wraps up this round of reporting from me. I'll post again soon, thanks for reading!

Colors to the mast.

Since stating that I'm planning on taking on the UK South Downs Way Double I've had a couple of people get in touch asking if I'm serious.

Yes.

Very.

First off I'm going to set the inaugural Single Speed record (assuming no-one jumps in there before my leg is healed enough to let me ride - if they do I'll just go after their record).

Then I'm going to go after the current SDW Double record using a geared bike (the current record stands at 20:55:51).

It's 204 miles (or close enough to it) of off road riding with 27,000 ft of elevation gain over its' length. I know that I'm able to cruise comfortably at 15 mph off road for 136 miles (my current PB) so according to the calculations and barring any mechanical issues (not that there should be many with a Single Speed attempt) I should post a sub 24 hour time for the Single Speed record and a sub 20 hour time for the Geared record.

I'm planning on using Motortabs (my new sponsors - thanks guys!) to cut down on the amount of bulk I need to carry fuel wise (as this is an 'Alpine' style record and done without support I need to keep the weight I'm carrying to an absolute minimum) and am now evaluating the rest of my component & equipment choices. Comments and advice are welcome!

Physio session today

I got a good working over by my new Physiotherapist today. He's a Mountain Biker so completely understand why I'm so desperate to get back on the bikes. Together we're working on a plan that will have my legs back up to full strength in next to no time! I'm sore but it's the good sore. I'll be able to do even more work once my supports & braces arrive.

I've decided that I'm going to challenge for the record on the UK South Downs Way Double. 200 off road miles in 24 hours or less. The current record stand at 20 hours 55 minutes 51 seconds. I'll have a few test runs at it first then by May next year I'll have a go at taking the record!

Oh, did I mention that one of the 'test runs' would be setting the Singlespeed record for the SDW Double? 

For those who aren't familiar with the South Downs Way it's a 100 mile long track across some of the most beautiful Mountain Biking in the South of England. The track itself is ancient but MTB records only started getting set in the past couple of years. The attempt at 200 off road miles in less than 24 hours is made all the more challenging with the 'Alpine' aspect - you are expected to be fully self sufficient (carrying all food, spares, clothing etc) and you are only allowed to take on water - there are no stash points allowed along the route!

Rob Lee set the current record on May 6th this year taking a good chunk of time of the previous record and now he's got two people out determined to take it away from him already. If they do succeed in setting a new record it's theirs that I will have to beat and sub 20 hours for 200 off road miles is quite a feat.

I can't wait to get started!