50 k route nailed!

Friday night was a fairly heavy night at the Rugby Club sportsman's dinner. The speaker was Graham Rowntree and he was excellent and we all had a good night. Managed to get £30 out people at the bar, not too shabby. The boozing meant no training on Saturday so my weekend ride was this morning. 50km through the Cheshire countryside. Very nice it was too and I didn't feel I was struggling anywhere. However now I have been home for a few hours I am totally spent. My legs are tired as hell and I am shattered. Early night for me I think! The route is attached.

Time on bike so far

1150 mins

First long(ish) ride

So, Saturday morning I crawled out of my pit at 630am and was out on the bike by 710am! It was seriously windy, so windy in fact that one long downhill section nr Willington became a virtual climb as I battled into the headwind. Still considering I didn't know the route and had to keep checking my map I managed the 24 miles in 1hr40. I felt I was taking it pretty easy so I'll see how much I can get that down by. I eenjoyed it more than I expected and going out at that time meant the day was left free for other things and more importantly there was no traffic around!
I managed to get a load of flyers out at the Rugby Club but with no result so far in terms of extra sponsorship. They were too busy griping about England's poor showing (apart, of course, from our Welsh contingent).
Had to dig the allotment today, Amanda has wrecked her back. Garlic planted, spud bed prepared. How old do I sound now? It's all to do with reducing our carbon footprint and becoming a bit greener and nothing to do with becoming old before our time, honest!

Generous bunch

Thanks to all you generous people who are donating. I didn't realise I knew so many generous people!

Spread the word and get your friends to sponsor too!

Thanks again everyone, I am blown away by the response so far. www.justgiving.com/eggchaser

This weeks training....

Ok so a "retox" weekend celebrating Peter's 40th in the Lake District doesn't sound much like a good training week but in fact I am still ahead of my training schedule. Not by much but still ahead. Thanks Stan and Michelle for a top weekend. Mal's barrel of "Deva Station" did the majority of the damage to those struggling to stay upright. A marvellous brew! (Spitting Feathers)

This weekend I need to get in another 2 hr ride though as well as watch the rugby, dig the allotment and fly some birds of prey! Should be fun.

The swing crank was returned in double quick time and they have done a superb job again at Highpath. New bike is set up how I want it now and so there are no excuses to get the miles done.

Planning to get some diving in as the weather improves too. Recently picked up a dry suit and tank to complete my kit so those need testing!

New Bike

Well my new bike arrived, a Trek 1200. I can't believe how much lighter it is compared to my old bike! Thanks Ric for the use of his old Raleigh for my rehab!

The Trek's crank is now at Highpath getting modified. Hopefully it will be back soon. They are normally super speedy so I think I will be out on it sooner rather than later.

On the training front, I had planned a 2 hr ride in the lovely Cheshire countryside at the weekend but when I opened the curtain at 0645 on Saturday morning the light drizzle didn't look too welcoming so I went back to bed. I spent 2 hours on Saturday night on the turbo trainer whilst watching the Director's cut of Donnie Darko on DVD. I was expecting to wake up in agony on Sunday but there were no really bad effects. I even got a 4o minute session in on Monday morning!

Work is interfering with my schedule this week so I am having to sneak in a bit of swimming to make up for it.

Looking forward to my first spin out on the roads on the Trek. Any ideas for names for it will be considered. JT (as in Captain James T. Kirk) is top of the list so far! Corny and obvious I know.

Also Chester 1sts and 3rds won so things improving there but Sale were battered by an improving Sarries team by all reports. I didn't listen to it on the radio but I hear it was grim from our point of view. Never mind, as long as they keep battling!