Yes, we have trained. From not very auspicious beginnings (I can’t get my f f f f foot to clip into this pedal), we are now finely honed athletes. Well at least we can get up hills without getting off and walking. How embarrassing is that! We knew we had some way to go when after 60 miles round the New Forest, on approach to Lyndhurst, Gary and I were puffing mightily and Al; ex-soldier and proper cyclist was cruising behind and rather annoyingly, humming.
In the hope of hardening our backsides we have, between us, clocked over 5000 miles. I can tell you that after a few hours my arse still hurts like hell and I still get off and walk like a recently leased Brighton rent boy.
London is interesting to ride in and Brixton, for some reason, seemed to require an extra turn of speed. The Isle of Wight circuit is quite hilly and the roads are pretty poor, but nowhere near as shocking as the Surrey Hills which have fantastically expensive properties and third- world road surfaces. We think we know most of the by-ways of Sussex, quite a few in Hampshire and several in Surrey and have decided that it is a beautiful area to bike in. We are looking forward to other pretty places: Cornwall, The Lake District, Spittal of Glenshee, Preston…
We have also trained for eating by visiting cafes, burger vans, pubs and tea rooms and I seem to have developed a taste for cake and the occasional greasy burger. Apparently calories are important to keep up the energy level; Oh well we’ll do our best.
Our training has also covered falling off. The current score is Gary 2, Chris 1. Mine was medium speed, wheel caught in a rut, sort of spill requiring a parachute roll across a busy Chichester pavement. Gary did a very special type of fall where at no speed at all he managed to accidentally clip his foot back into the pedal and tumble in front of the Café, full of customers; we had just had tea and cakes in. We are not going back to Rowlands Castle.
We hope we have done enough. We will soon find out. Watch this space!
