stapfam

Just got the incentive to freeze my nuts off or get them washed away this winter. I don't do many 100 milers in a year and most of my riding is about 50 to 60 miles up a few slopes. I know I ought to do more but I just can't get the impetus to train harder or longer to be able to do a Century ride with ease. 65 miles is OK for me and even without any further training and the enforced layoff I have had for a month or so--I could do a metric century tomorrow. That is providing I can get my *ss in gear and prep the bike tonight and the temp is above 50F- no rain and not much wind so not much to stop me----Except me.

Well that has changed. There are a few Sportif rides in the country that are worth doing and they are generally oversubscribed. In View of the British resurgence in cycling after the Olympics- a few prestigious events have been arranged for next year. Couple have been run before and I know they were well supported. They are down in the west country so would need me to get the campervan up and running and usable as they would involve overnight stays for me. But there is the new one in a start in London and the course is just testing enough to say it should be a good ride and the climb is somewhere around the middle of the ride. Should be easy enough as last summer there were quite a few riders did the course and the event was televised. Didn't see anyone struggle except Mark Cavendish and he is not noted as a hill climber and it only happened after a few laps of BOX HILL.

In case you haven't guessed--The route is the one used in the Olympics except you only go up Box Hill once. I applied months ago and today I got the E-Mail to say that I have been accepted as a rider for the Events and riding for the Prostate Cancer UK Team. Not only for the London event but for all 3.

Gonna get my brain in gear and look at the dates to see if it is possible to do all 3 rides and the only sticking point is sponsorship. 1 event and I can probably raise the amount they want- but 3 Might be above my friends capabilities.

So I might not be available too much this winter as I will out there getting soaked- Preparing bikes or resting .

rck

Hey I haven't ridden in a month and I could do a metric century tomorrow as well! We're talking 100 centimeters right?

Let me know when you ride the Olympic course and I'll wear that t-shirt you sent as a sign of support!

Banded Krait

stapfam,

Congratulations on being selected to participate in this challenging series of rides!

The only piece of advice I can give you is consider buying a trainer. Yes, I've seen your earlier posts in which you state that riding on a trainer is too boring. All I can say is, I bought my trainer at Christmas last year, and since then, my cycling fitness has experienced a quantum leap. During the harsh winter months or during other periods of foul weather, having the trainer enabled me to ride hard nearly every day of the week.

Good luck on your training program and we look forward to hearing about your participation in this epic ride.

daveF

The only good thing I like about a trainer is I can legally drink a beer while on it

wobblyoldgeezer

Congratulations!

I applied also, and offered to ride for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - I've run 6 marathons for them, and I was diagnosed Type 1 40 years ago. Haven't heard yet, though!

Have fun training, but, you know....remain the sporting amateur

stapfam

Trainers are out for me--So is the Gym at the cost of it now so it is get the Warm wind-proof and hopefully waterproof clothing out and enjoy the hot bath after the ride.

This is the first winter I have said "I am not riding in that" But then again- this winter is colder- windier and wetter than I can remember. Not only the winter- the Summer was like that aswell. Providing I can just get back to my 100 miles a week that I started the summer with- I should be able to start the Spring with a good base to work on. All it will take is that bit of resolve on my part to get out there and ride.

Though mind you-the way the weather is right now "I am not riding in that" tomorrow is forecast for lots of rain and 40mph gusts but it will be "Mild"

And Wobbly- If you don't get an entry--I can always set the Tandem up with slicks for a single team.

IBOHUNT

Congratulations!
I have a mate that signed up and will ride it as well.
Now, if you are reading this you aren't out training.

stapfam

Definitely not training.The bike does not have floats on it. Local roads are Flooded and although the chickns have webbed feet from today's rain--So far we have escaped the worst of the flooding. Can't even get out toi the hilly bits North of us as I can't judge how deep the water is. Tomorrow looks better though.

And don'y know if it is luck but I have heard of about 5 othrs locally that applied and not got the "Magic" E-Mail.