BB FANS

Yes I probably do more exercise than I realise, because I always take the stairs rather than use lifts etc

Even though I don't actually consciously exercise, I am still quite fit according to my pulse rate and can easily do long walks without suffering the next day. I once went on a very long walk over hilly terrain with someone who was really fit and exercised every day and they struggled and felt the muscles in their legs the next day, whereas I didn't.

Anyway, back to the cycling - the weather's not very pleasant for you at the moment.

The weather isn't very predictable at present.
Yesterday I could have made the trip to work without getting too wet. But the forecast said it wasn't a good idea.
Today again I could have made the trip. We only had very light rain on the way home but again the forecast said not to do it.

It's looking better for the end of the week so I'll be on the road again.

Regarding fitness levels when I did the two day Waendel walk the first time using the medium routes which are 16 ish miles depending on course changes I had someone pace me on day one and we did something like 4.75 Hours. And day two he gave up trying to keep up after about 30 minutes.
I've always been a fast walker but if I remember correctly the average walking speed for the two days was something like 4.5 - 5 mph.
I know I used to out walk the army cadets who march their way around the course.

The only fitness clues I had using a heart monitor watch etc showed that doing a sustained fast pace on the exercise bike my heart rate rises to the low 90's at the start and usually falls back to the low 80's.
The hydraulic stepper is the only thing that makes my heart rate climb but the settings I use you have to push down on the stepper arms and my rate climbs to around 110 at the highest.

I've never tried it out on the bike to see how well it does or doesn't do but one day I'll give it a try.

Another day lost due to the weather forecast. It forecast showers some of which should have been heavy. But there hasn't been any rain at all in this area today.

Tonight though I've done about 3 miles around town so I still need another outing to go passed the 500 Mile mark. Think it's 496.6 so won't be long.

Now the forecast for the weekend looks good so I should be able to spend some time on the road. I'd like to try part of the course but as I don't have any way of getting my bike over there without riding it it'll add 5 miles in each direction.
I know my brother has a cycle carrier which might fit my car. I hope it's fits one of our cars (he has recently changed his car) as I don't want to cycle there on the day as it'll turn into a 26 mile ride.

Have you reached the 500 mile yet larry?

Tomorrow should see it passed .I didn't leave enough time this morning to take the bike to work.

Forecast shows light rain showers from mid afternoon and now shows light rain for the rest of the weekend. But I'll just have to get wet. It could rain on the day so I'd do well to get some practice.

On the day my radio will be sealed in polyethylene and it'll be locked on one frequency plus there's a speaker in the microphone and I'll have an ear-piece so the radio itself should be safe if it rains.

Just back from a long ride. Now have 508.9 miles showing giving the last outing as 12.3 Miles.

Think one of the hardest bits will be the 2 mile or so uphill between Little Irchester and the main town Irchester. It's rather steep in places.

Anyhow I was on the road for about 1.25 hours with only short breaks to take on water. And I never made any attempt to hurry or even to think about time. I didn't even have a watch with me. So I think my prediction of completing the course in around 2 hours should be achieved easily

Well done on your progress so far!

Thanks.
Although I'm not charging along like the youngsters ,I am cycling up the hills that they are walking up.

In the last couple of weeks I've cycled up some of the steepest hills in this area without running out of gears. I'm not saying that there won't be one steeper on the course but I'd be surprised if they's anything worse than I've already tackled.

That section I mentioned in the last post is part of the course but I think the cycle track might be a smoother ride than the road was. What I'd really like to do is to start off at the other end without having to cycle there and then follow more of the course. I have a map made up of multiple Google map images that the route can be seen on.
Think it's time to see if with the back seats down I can get the bike in the car otherwise I'll have to borrow a cycle carrier thing from my brother.

Just done a rerun of the route I took on Saturday and the big long up hill section seemed easier second time a round.

I hope it isn't any hotter on Saturday. 22C without a jumper under my jacket is about right though I have the option of unzipping the liner which will make it a little cooler.

As the weather is forecast to be good all week I'll use my bike most days instead of the car.

Not long to go now then larry. Lets hope it's not too hot on the day.

Very true.

With the change in car I'm trying to decide who's car is going to have to have the cycle carrier fitted to get me over to the event. I'm not sure if I could manage to cycle to and from the event as it'll add 10 - 12 miles to the journey.
I'm sure something will be sorted by then.

Any how currently up to just under 529 Miles. First time in ages I had a facing wind for the return journey. Was good this morning as it took 20 minutes or just under getting to work. I know the rev counter was sitting at 17 where normally it 14-15 for a long time.

It's nearly time.
I've done around 70 miles to date this year all in the run up to the event Saturday.

Still got to workout how to get there ! I fitted the cycle carrier to my old car tonight but the number plate is obscured and I'm sure I'd get stopped if I used it like this.
Working on an idea that would allow an estate car to be used.
I really don't want to have to cycle there and back because as I've previously stated it'll add around 11 miles to the days cycling ! 27 miles would be the most I've ever done in one day.
And It might well be the hottest day of the year so far ,so a start around 7.30am looks a good idea. I've removed the quilted lining out of my outer jacket and that has made it very light weight so I shouldn't get too hot. I have a water container and there should be water en-route so it can be refilled.
The course should only take around 90 minutes but if I have to cycle both ways then there's another hour-ish .

One way or another it will be done.

That's the spirit!

Just a pity that there aren't more people around on this site at the moment, Larry, as I'm sure if others knew about it, they'd be eager to sponsor you.

Good luck for tomorrow larry. Hope everything goes okay and that it's not too hot.

Have you sorted out transport there yet?

Not yet but as I'm spending a few hours updating the computer my brother has bought off eBay it has been suggested that I ask him to provide the transport for the work being done on it.

I'll have to also have a work with the company who supplied it as it didn't have a valid license key for the operating system. Needless to say that it is now sorted ,but still it's not good for a business to be selling them like that. Refurbished or otherwise.