bike

Welcome!

Hi Peter,
Welcome to the Bike blog! Good to hear that you're getting into better shape - sounds like this training is doing you good, despite the pain,.. and the wind...

As for me, I think I'll try the 'act like a tree' thing.
Phil

Great to share the pain

This is all new to me. I've had to work hard, only being back into cycling for a year after a 30 year gap! I've had to rebuild my fairly new Halfords bike for the trip - new wheels, gears...... but the biggest task has been to rebuild me! I've lost 3 stone since January which is probably the single most important upgrade to my cycling! Not being a natural sportsman I have been taking every bit of advice going (except from my cousin, who, although a personal trainer, believes I should stand every day pretending to be a tree!) I have been following the on line recommended training regime since early July and can see very clear improvements. (I don't expire up moderate hills any more!) I trust the Lord as my personal trainer. We have regular strong winds here on the south coast - every time I give thanks through gritted teeth that He knows I need the resistance training! Also whenever I get time for a long ride I regularly end up very wet! (There is no such thing as gear that guarantees dry feet). I am looking forward very much to meeting everyone. My wife has made it clear that I owe her a trip to Paris as we have never been! The next few weeks promise to be hard. I am supposed to do two 25 mile and one 60 mile ride before next Wednesday! This week was 10, 20, 20, 50 (just.....argh, the wind!)

Mobile blog

It works - from mobile via http://m.typepad.com

Test1 - photo from mobile via MMS

Training for the yellow jersey

Unfortunately Phil is not the only person crazy enough to cycle from London to Paris. There are more of us! My husband, Simon, and I did a 50 mile journey yesterday in preparation for the big week. Although it wasn't the first training ride - and unfortunately not the last - this one really tested me. We were against the wind for the first half of the journey, and let me tell you it's disheartening to cruise down a hill and see your speedometer go backwards. I thought you were supposed to speed up when cruising on a downwards slope!

We did learn that it isn't very relaxing cycling on UK roads - even in the countryside. Fear of being mowed down by cars -a surprisingly large amount due to it being a nice weekend day - and the overpowering volume of engine noise prevented me from feeling at ease. This was magnified since I was riding behind Simon. He claims it was a strategic move to make him feel safer. Apparently the cars always hit the person following, giving the one in front more time to react. Fortunately the scenery (and sunshine!) made up for all of this and we (more importantly I) got through it safely. Only 4 weeks left and it's only going to get easier...at least that's what people tell me...