from off piste to piste off. Preston to carlisle

Fabulous days riding today covering 102miles with a top speed of 52.4 (legal).with the wind at our backs we sped through Lancaster and Kendal sampling the local cake. Great ascent of shap fell at 1400'and then down to penrith on the A6. Too busy for a few of us so agreed with organisers to go off piste taking in the fabulous mungrisdale in the lake district. Amazing views to skiddaw, helvellyn and blencathra. Sped into carlisle where we we're given a dressing down for disrupting the group dynamic by going off piste despite it being agreed. All in the name of quieter, safer and more scenic roads. I'll take the dressing down any day of the week but needless to say we weren't overly happy. Let's hope for better stuff tomorrow. 2263 calories yesterday and 3035 today. Keep on pedalling......HARD! Martin

hell of the north

First 2 hours was great as we zipped along flat Shropshire and Cheshire roads in fine weather. Then the fun started as the ride turned into a commute through warrington, wigan, chorley' Preston et Al. Passed haydock park which was very busy as a meet was on. St trinians girls entertained us in wigan as did scarecrow fest in church something or the other. Looking forward now to the lakes as nearly half way there. Bum, legs and foot all holding up. Hal says hello to all. Keep on pedalling. Martin

good things come to those who wait

Today started well, dipped off and then ended on a real high. The wye valley was great as we zipped along at 18mph again. Monmouth to Hereford through the land that time forgot was a bit of a chore though as roads were rough and scenery bland. Aching bums and shoulders for all. Did manage top speed to date though of 48.6 mph. After lunch we entered Shropshire which was fabulous. Endless dairy farms in scenery not too disimilar to the quantocks. A spot of a red kite was a real thrill. Fast descent through the hope valley and on to shrewsbury. 95 miles today with 2677 calories burned. Not looking forward to the long commute tomorrow through the north west. Keep on pedalling, Martin

staring out over the bridge

Fabulous day today that I reckon topped the wonders of Dartmoor, but then I was in my home county. Zipped along from tiverton to taunton at a steady 18mph with the 9 in the ,faster, peleton.then took them on a detour past Kingston and up the 15 prevent to the pines café for coffee and crusha. Fast descent to bridgwate and the long stop for bike mainstenance at another bike shop befor zipping across the levels to wedmore and cheddar. I could get used to this pro cycling lark! Except I was almost taken out by a lorry as I tried to ride continental style on the right! Climbed shipham Gill on the mendips for lunch in the village before through to Churchill, congresbury, tatton and clevedon. Then a lane following the M5 north from where I spotted a peregrine. Onto the drinks stop, ovee the Avon bridge, throug avonmouth at 21mph and then onto the PLD Severn bridge. Great weather and fine views. Crossed to chepstow to me some of the Bristol family who had kindly brought fresh clothes!drank and showed dad the bike stable. Horses in there are worth over 6k you know! Wasted on us mamils!
Great day. We now leave the south west and go due north. Was it only 2 days ago I was at lands end?
88 miles and 3425 calories for you sweepstake junkies. Keep on pedalling!
Martin
Ps Tom's snoring to radio 4. LOUDLY!

at home in my playground

Oh what a perfect day! Fine and dry though the easterly wind kept blowing. Obligatory phote as we left Cornwall and entered Devon. Met Ben at the drinks stop in tavy and he towed is up to rundlestone with more photos route. I then led a group of 9 at a brisk pace over the moors to lunch north of mortonhampstead. Brisk descent to Exeter at 45mph and then diversion to bike shop to have a team members chainset hit with a big hammer! Fast run at 18mph into tiverton for an early finish. Only 66 miles today but 6000ft of climbing. Best western in tiverton tonight before riding onto chepstow tomorrow. A little stiff but legs and foot ok to date. 3063 calories today and a good tea tonight to compensate! Keep on pedalling. Martin

lands end to liskeard

A good first day with fine weather though strong easterly winds. Found a pal in Al the copper who used to live in Ivybridge and then later with David, Andrew and ivor who were all a similar pace. Undulating roads and at times heavy and fast traffic made it more like a long distance commute rather than a regular long ride for me though fun to see some fresh roads at last. Looking forward to exercising local knowledge tomorrow as we cross the moors. Great organisation from DA with breaks every 25 miles or so. Last 3 miles on a38 particularly hairy with evil crosswinds. 75 or so miles with the all important calorie count of 2860. Leg and foot ok to date. Must keep 'spinning,.
Keep on pedalling.
Martin

Out damn ouch!

Went out for a spin today out to Meavy, Burrator and home, about 25 miles. Two reasons, firstly to ensure the bike was alright and secondly to see how the buttock was. First 10 miles painful but then warmed up and despite niggling felt ok. Get home however and it's a numbing pain. Looks like this ride's gonna hurt more than I ever planned. Too late to duck out now but ibuprofen sales will be on the up. Fingers crossed it doesn't stiffen tomorrow. Went to Tesco for more Voltarol just in case.

This will be the last post from home now as off to Cornwall to stay with Ruth's parents tomorrow. Posts from now on will be from the blackberry so likely brief. Will keep notes and write up when home. Hopefully in 2 weeks and no sooner!

Calorie count will definitely be posted each day as there's a sweepstake running on the total at work. Good luck to all the entrants and thanks for the near £100 that this initiative will raise. Well done Ben.

Painful pedalling! JOG here I come!