I have a couple of rides planned for the end of May. One is a night ride-London to Brighton and is the first time this event has been held. The daytime one is still going ahead in June and is a nightmare ride due to the number of participants. 33,000 other riders trying to knock you off your bike. The night experience is not new to me as I used to train offroad so understand what I cannot see. Half of this ride will be on Lit roads in any case but it will be interesting not being able to see the rider that is going to take you down. The other is a 50 miler that takes in a couple of basket hills and I have been training on hills to prepare for this.

Now there is no way that I am at Peak fitness but I know that I will finish the rides and enjoy them both. The 50 miler will be a challenge though as I am aiming for the "Gold" standard of 4 hours and 10 minutes. In view of my current fitness and the degree those slopes are and the total climb on the ride it will need a bit above my current capabilities but if I fail--I fail.

But the person I was doing them with has dropped out. He says he is not fit enough. This is a rider that kicks my butt every time I ride with him. Admittedly only on the Sunday rides where we do about 40 to 50 miles but he still kicks my butt. Talking to him- he doesn't think he will be able to blast the rides for the whole of the distance- in particular as both of them have a nasty Hill about 5 miles from the end.

Whether I am wrong or not doesn't matter but I do not understand why someone cannot do a ride --just for the ride. Why does he have to blast the thing in the shortest time possible and if he can't do it in that manner- just not bother.

I know this other rider is competitive but IF I ever get to the state where I cannot enjoy a ride-for a ride- then I will just give up.