tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76430960142842675462024-02-21T00:56:51.716-08:00LEJOG Blogcal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-8188070643815343942014-01-15T07:27:00.001-08:002014-01-15T07:27:36.852-08:00New challenge: new blog!Time for a long-overdue update!<div>
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As I alluded to in my last post, the experience of training for and then completing LEJOG rekindled my interest in mountain biking. Mountain biking was my first proper introduction to cycling of any sort, and provided me with many happy days spent building and riding trails with friends. </div>
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Now, over two years after our LEJOG adventure came to a successful conclusion, I find myself well and truly bitten by the MTB bug once again. I also find myself looking for a new challenge - to provide structure and motivation for regular training, and to give me something to aim for. With this in mind, I have decided to enter a couple of mountain biking events in the summer of 2014. Rather than continuing with this blog I've decided its more appropriate to start again, so have recently started <a href="http://enduringenduro.blogspot.co.uk/">Enduring Enduro - A MTB Training Diary</a>. I hope you'll join me there!</div>
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For now, I'd like to thank those of you who have taken the time to read this blog. I hope it has been of interest, and even of use to some of you. I will continue to check in from time to time, so please continue to comment and provide feedback.</div>
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Thanks again, and happy riding.</div>
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- Cal </div>
cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-15041182395133092842011-09-14T05:09:00.000-07:002011-09-14T05:09:31.151-07:00Epilogue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hello!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It is rather sheepishly that I return to this blog, having not posted a single word since before the beginning of our trip, over two and a half months ago. I realise that there were a dedicated few who checked the blog regularly for updates throughout the two weeks of the trip, so many apologies for keeping you in the dark!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I suppose I should first confirm that WE DID IT! After 14 tough days and about 1003 gruelling miles we rolled into John O'Groats at 3pm on Saturday the 9th of July to be met by a small group of friends and family who had made the trek up north to greet us.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been wondering how best to go about summing up our trip, and put into words just how amazing the experience was. But having left it so long and not updated you as I went along, the task of writing a blow by blow account seems a bit daunting! And besides, I doubt I'd be able to convey all the emotion as well as I'd like, or share even half of the stories we picked up along the way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So I've decided to let some of our photos tell the story....</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal7LgFoFxtZ5RSbBOf2baXiMwd_xConJ-4pTaGQkirSC6Z-hNSxCpVqe68Cmz5rv5e1Vy7bjRvKmlzN_XVXU_Xp6-RGAER5DY9IWalL7XGZp-cR2PrD6Iqruj-COoLr7_9XMcb_-LJHU/s1600/SN200069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal7LgFoFxtZ5RSbBOf2baXiMwd_xConJ-4pTaGQkirSC6Z-hNSxCpVqe68Cmz5rv5e1Vy7bjRvKmlzN_XVXU_Xp6-RGAER5DY9IWalL7XGZp-cR2PrD6Iqruj-COoLr7_9XMcb_-LJHU/s400/SN200069.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Day 1 - Malc (left) and I at the start at Land's End.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hHH-aKHLkXk4Ec3fYREo68q11znDp6_rf8WZrMdfcd6fG4e9lsr7MUGE6QqtIVAeKpZK2xUmzasjR1_FIJAN5ybjeBPuTSwMmKLUko2gSurQ4wEnerVNjjAHCqru4hbvfOLaHsiyrqs/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hHH-aKHLkXk4Ec3fYREo68q11znDp6_rf8WZrMdfcd6fG4e9lsr7MUGE6QqtIVAeKpZK2xUmzasjR1_FIJAN5ybjeBPuTSwMmKLUko2gSurQ4wEnerVNjjAHCqru4hbvfOLaHsiyrqs/s400/IMG_0267.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Day 1 - Rolling across the START line.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WLqCQ257jfHBDjbziRSXtQrauuTCtg2WwG8RfFkcL8PAiy-ylisKt_LSlgZ6Cq4Bl7xr0sse96x1Ts7cpsxU8uyUH93Af2pC5eaQgqZmNhPn_mTx06FJuPyayGoEMrk8u9gP6P6GivA/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WLqCQ257jfHBDjbziRSXtQrauuTCtg2WwG8RfFkcL8PAiy-ylisKt_LSlgZ6Cq4Bl7xr0sse96x1Ts7cpsxU8uyUH93Af2pC5eaQgqZmNhPn_mTx06FJuPyayGoEMrk8u9gP6P6GivA/s400/IMG_0270.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 - Entering Devon, home to yet more hills.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZPdpAT3keqiz999pgTYLkAiYw8HUhR_xFSMZ_1w1UJOsT8iFWYVsiY2qWhn6AxfileXr__8NA8RodFC1SKeQi95Og3h7eW4sd8ct5szHNzT-yYSlObSOZjGClng44jsqKF-yb_2y6jY/s1600/IMG_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZPdpAT3keqiz999pgTYLkAiYw8HUhR_xFSMZ_1w1UJOsT8iFWYVsiY2qWhn6AxfileXr__8NA8RodFC1SKeQi95Og3h7eW4sd8ct5szHNzT-yYSlObSOZjGClng44jsqKF-yb_2y6jY/s400/IMG_0271.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 - Up and over Dartmoor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwL5eZhyqgKPlvRDdI2l1zyGmAgtPEXbrY68vOo6KFFGPNz6pQWKupfL0q_ghfNMDHjN5lwR6fCUtftji3-3Bv0YKh3-Iq2pJ1yTW0p-qdVZPJvB53f5jOlxQE4JbjRbeAqB6vwidMfo/s1600/day+2+dartmoor+no+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwL5eZhyqgKPlvRDdI2l1zyGmAgtPEXbrY68vOo6KFFGPNz6pQWKupfL0q_ghfNMDHjN5lwR6fCUtftji3-3Bv0YKh3-Iq2pJ1yTW0p-qdVZPJvB53f5jOlxQE4JbjRbeAqB6vwidMfo/s400/day+2+dartmoor+no+hands.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 - Dartmoor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTG2nOa5yn0tXdJ3cdqgrNGKZDQS8E2b4eh94HplKfkzyYhX6cLPqy8abbwmOmit4Gf6vLAwXOAJcopyyTTx_CLuf04dxBshEx8RfxuzWVjgR98EzhgaH_FN2-vQqt4x_CAeXstDKy-4/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTG2nOa5yn0tXdJ3cdqgrNGKZDQS8E2b4eh94HplKfkzyYhX6cLPqy8abbwmOmit4Gf6vLAwXOAJcopyyTTx_CLuf04dxBshEx8RfxuzWVjgR98EzhgaH_FN2-vQqt4x_CAeXstDKy-4/s400/IMG_0275.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 - Our well deserved feast in Exeter, after finally finding somewhere to eat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH6u7gyJTH8tg2hjucm-mIiTH3acbZRDcfIFVb3cpKgxu3nMYzBokShTv73riAqTLBk0Gopl1HtuT1kRRQOK-uMyTNFNG_26ElHvSfCzen2W0DMUZ3mqm1sh0j5I0ZsW4PGjG0GCM_ic/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH6u7gyJTH8tg2hjucm-mIiTH3acbZRDcfIFVb3cpKgxu3nMYzBokShTv73riAqTLBk0Gopl1HtuT1kRRQOK-uMyTNFNG_26ElHvSfCzen2W0DMUZ3mqm1sh0j5I0ZsW4PGjG0GCM_ic/s400/IMG_0279.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 4 - Crossing the Severn into Wales.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbe6xFJ9uXHwD1WkFwIABx5u_LlwMwBBWbjyMucLY410eFmsUm3ZV2eH5M2eKTppSD_gURyZ1_ONAWfRSxaewHxzIu1E0TqDYcHDqMBSrbawNutJek16BXih2eJxEYciVJiA-SUHAPS8/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbe6xFJ9uXHwD1WkFwIABx5u_LlwMwBBWbjyMucLY410eFmsUm3ZV2eH5M2eKTppSD_gURyZ1_ONAWfRSxaewHxzIu1E0TqDYcHDqMBSrbawNutJek16BXih2eJxEYciVJiA-SUHAPS8/s400/IMG_0286.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 5 - Malc stops for a roadside peanut butter sandwich or 6.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATc3qCL8QdQACbNCCo4odcUJ9rKD8amk4ZfprGC5_0-g3-dVfhQVoHNH0JA1_I6tnC7OSxFdAVdGvonmIKHEXTiuqh2dxwo8ca69AnlHifrsIgZW8klkPJlwmW0E2RlKgWlBB3Vyc_E8/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATc3qCL8QdQACbNCCo4odcUJ9rKD8amk4ZfprGC5_0-g3-dVfhQVoHNH0JA1_I6tnC7OSxFdAVdGvonmIKHEXTiuqh2dxwo8ca69AnlHifrsIgZW8klkPJlwmW0E2RlKgWlBB3Vyc_E8/s400/IMG_0289.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 6 - Rolling into Blackpool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi4_8Jxu1aqVQ8WBMDQkLbw1HSs25akQNR0-RfYHmgUU8Or6d2xQlh4HMsdlM588LVyZ1bR-KCvc6bRnZJQZohMdmlRpf77h9eToreSl0XWWYfvlu7fgvn1TaDjciOollulJR3DDbrEg/s1600/IMG_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi4_8Jxu1aqVQ8WBMDQkLbw1HSs25akQNR0-RfYHmgUU8Or6d2xQlh4HMsdlM588LVyZ1bR-KCvc6bRnZJQZohMdmlRpf77h9eToreSl0XWWYfvlu7fgvn1TaDjciOollulJR3DDbrEg/s400/IMG_0302.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 7 - The top of Shap, a brutal climb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarKUWq4fj6ohhVB7HRy6sOmmhmWZuwak1YJ-TW1V5R6dOfv3vAMxk0uwgwePHe6aI5oM5Vx05JspIwb0MLGC7WUGMzphNnVLaH5qy_Hz68RckICLdc0zx6Hclo509z44LKcJCEz24_HI/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarKUWq4fj6ohhVB7HRy6sOmmhmWZuwak1YJ-TW1V5R6dOfv3vAMxk0uwgwePHe6aI5oM5Vx05JspIwb0MLGC7WUGMzphNnVLaH5qy_Hz68RckICLdc0zx6Hclo509z44LKcJCEz24_HI/s400/IMG_0308.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 8 - Triumphant return to the motherland!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0UBCCKkZn4s9vrOKtaHYPYhroW_5aOjK2gDUEXgma-dpIkBbpICB8Ja4vPyoe2ycIWBYbAdYg1PpVV0swk7Dr65l_-a1DHMB-XbuygvA28czMIIbxlLC7q3jtjMOcwfW3OY0V1kxBKs/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0UBCCKkZn4s9vrOKtaHYPYhroW_5aOjK2gDUEXgma-dpIkBbpICB8Ja4vPyoe2ycIWBYbAdYg1PpVV0swk7Dr65l_-a1DHMB-XbuygvA28czMIIbxlLC7q3jtjMOcwfW3OY0V1kxBKs/s400/IMG_0313.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 8/9 - We ended up staying here last minute after deciding to ditch the hippy commune where we'd booked. Best decision of the whole trip!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47aZf2ALnOzhelVlseHFO5WdYA-2HJPAjSmjg8HZQkp4xP34z288pcleb-FFxXDTzTr_ycJMA-kZx2772Cel6ZpBG6FMguVrb1TmBumNormOjUowVogoXrky_9JCY4Gc5NtQgXy3C9HI/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47aZf2ALnOzhelVlseHFO5WdYA-2HJPAjSmjg8HZQkp4xP34z288pcleb-FFxXDTzTr_ycJMA-kZx2772Cel6ZpBG6FMguVrb1TmBumNormOjUowVogoXrky_9JCY4Gc5NtQgXy3C9HI/s400/IMG_0315.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 9 - Malc feeling the burn on our 83 mile monster day from Dumfries to Glasgow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rTTGZc8_DESPwfrivMFOmscy0AV1xG2t20mJjnubt7WAok7xJDj1VzXmIJ-6XS-qNaa3KuVkCtegqT8xx1io6u8eYP1OyY0Hl8M1mblW5LZ6kzQgV0Nh06M4FQDCtC7ASOqXiYupHwo/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rTTGZc8_DESPwfrivMFOmscy0AV1xG2t20mJjnubt7WAok7xJDj1VzXmIJ-6XS-qNaa3KuVkCtegqT8xx1io6u8eYP1OyY0Hl8M1mblW5LZ6kzQgV0Nh06M4FQDCtC7ASOqXiYupHwo/s400/IMG_0319.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 11 - A soggy roadside stop near Fort William. We got soaked for a few days.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsb8eUZcoIpmy7bAX7YKouD4NFe24RRsXBfd46752-hRBXzCr5j83XwpKaUriIAqYtIGBwbnMMHM3-35GxTKvlaDDCzHWcH06jv_z2El1LFglIyMzyOZu1rlMwEuHkehIhW3Dwp4h-o0/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsb8eUZcoIpmy7bAX7YKouD4NFe24RRsXBfd46752-hRBXzCr5j83XwpKaUriIAqYtIGBwbnMMHM3-35GxTKvlaDDCzHWcH06jv_z2El1LFglIyMzyOZu1rlMwEuHkehIhW3Dwp4h-o0/s400/IMG_0323.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 12 - Malc admiring the view of Ben Nevis, near Spean Bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQilu_mH3fzgUZxSNm_1MaWC_hQkeNuo9pffj5W24qZECvwNg7j2cDjFCKXDRI2H91XRfYBkIIa9vPXJpwmZ3-3gdfscpa7juG7mN84imwWp9woxwnK2e4f7CN8neuiuveIWOSM5wykzM/s1600/SN200089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQilu_mH3fzgUZxSNm_1MaWC_hQkeNuo9pffj5W24qZECvwNg7j2cDjFCKXDRI2H91XRfYBkIIa9vPXJpwmZ3-3gdfscpa7juG7mN84imwWp9woxwnK2e4f7CN8neuiuveIWOSM5wykzM/s400/SN200089.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 12 - Getting ready for a cracking descent, near Errogie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8irEZanwJlpjhD0sUcddKrh3tRG68v_pnRAIC1to8UltD9I-l40Gr-1borswaKomv9U85VzVKAe7uM2N6cT4pHViYyNoDXlCJKW42ny3MHSN4mdk_JtlApPI3lMsDrWk9r9Y6dyeVyXE/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8irEZanwJlpjhD0sUcddKrh3tRG68v_pnRAIC1to8UltD9I-l40Gr-1borswaKomv9U85VzVKAe7uM2N6cT4pHViYyNoDXlCJKW42ny3MHSN4mdk_JtlApPI3lMsDrWk9r9Y6dyeVyXE/s400/IMG_0332.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 13 - Crossing the Dornoch Firth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0i0gdr-vUaSURgD8GASmgXf_2X9zaEHAzUUL6OkcqbXNXat6qfuxdl46N6ogMUBXUCIGAYe2dguCwKULOjWsFgjYpHT3AgEt4EEu-DIpBtgfl0-x3hOUYK1GCaRyTvF7aQEZKWimKJhY/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0i0gdr-vUaSURgD8GASmgXf_2X9zaEHAzUUL6OkcqbXNXat6qfuxdl46N6ogMUBXUCIGAYe2dguCwKULOjWsFgjYpHT3AgEt4EEu-DIpBtgfl0-x3hOUYK1GCaRyTvF7aQEZKWimKJhY/s400/IMG_0335.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 13 - The always difficult 'on the move' shot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAch5bIHnK6coTYKPn9Do1LNQ5N6NLjLsKPZp15NNQD8-dcL1J_Aq1pgf1pBkezHnUhc4lvzWQfjamaMrFvx437XxJQEwz5tZjtBAY-KVp8T-ZezeL25udmGdxfhfICP0Di8q_C4Yxf0/s1600/IMG_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAch5bIHnK6coTYKPn9Do1LNQ5N6NLjLsKPZp15NNQD8-dcL1J_Aq1pgf1pBkezHnUhc4lvzWQfjamaMrFvx437XxJQEwz5tZjtBAY-KVp8T-ZezeL25udmGdxfhfICP0Di8q_C4Yxf0/s400/IMG_0341.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 13 - Arriving our last overnight stop, Helmsdale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNSC1p4SsrqUZfs87luEOsa5cB5lTJ-0RDn1_C21MfT0KUqEJrGgPgdtL5uc5aQv2v1mmyPcrF8HkYMz2TEpMvSa0LVdhoeV8wrnmxvB9Fz1a0hzMFemoR2HgBhn6uXO09AWSc-1Z4RM/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNSC1p4SsrqUZfs87luEOsa5cB5lTJ-0RDn1_C21MfT0KUqEJrGgPgdtL5uc5aQv2v1mmyPcrF8HkYMz2TEpMvSa0LVdhoeV8wrnmxvB9Fz1a0hzMFemoR2HgBhn6uXO09AWSc-1Z4RM/s400/IMG_0344.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 14 - Catching our breath at the top of the Berridale Braes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hC9H-u2OO11sLHxgaRoc1efDUjvb-7zz7e_JkbKguR3-UsEahginzVkq3w0uNNjPPKPl2L9sou_5ucd9PLP946MrC2omfU5rqDIWp3mRlN8gh9O9AofoN-YmdvKT3P_yxS37Ecm8aW8/s1600/rolling+into+JOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hC9H-u2OO11sLHxgaRoc1efDUjvb-7zz7e_JkbKguR3-UsEahginzVkq3w0uNNjPPKPl2L9sou_5ucd9PLP946MrC2omfU5rqDIWp3mRlN8gh9O9AofoN-YmdvKT3P_yxS37Ecm8aW8/s400/rolling+into+JOG.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 14 - Nearing John O'Groats with the steam rising off the road.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2wdgB0Ii7E2kDdxLW34Ljch64Jpci4Pnv1GBEAyhOmAZVbE-0S1weH9UFsH4JJ_VI2PCWwCT9jpFi_1a7QbXL_wwcU7tpOwM2v6tHXLhbvd2BMftkSIeEnuFHVB6MlpprT13fuDDINg/s1600/DSC_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2wdgB0Ii7E2kDdxLW34Ljch64Jpci4Pnv1GBEAyhOmAZVbE-0S1weH9UFsH4JJ_VI2PCWwCT9jpFi_1a7QbXL_wwcU7tpOwM2v6tHXLhbvd2BMftkSIeEnuFHVB6MlpprT13fuDDINg/s400/DSC_0135.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 14 - Rolling into John O'Groats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_9qARI-h4LXhcFqVVC7WmB4bYzIVAGimJ51QGRbnQGcrfI0AtFLBiMrFDLLGoCs8kL5Yjhj6RoCz-52K-eVB4qYOxUWar01MGscuy_aWPdst_h6YQCIuWb_JANMF0kvcj9T7EfCUxlc/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_9qARI-h4LXhcFqVVC7WmB4bYzIVAGimJ51QGRbnQGcrfI0AtFLBiMrFDLLGoCs8kL5Yjhj6RoCz-52K-eVB4qYOxUWar01MGscuy_aWPdst_h6YQCIuWb_JANMF0kvcj9T7EfCUxlc/s400/IMG_0348.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 14 - The finish line, 1003 miles down the road from Land's End!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiED8gOpBbft7a1zfmNDDeIAKP2vG6sXvfRUEdhBWnOQEmm3T9UhpQ8Ww8PVMpbN7XWOQAH0GOj4vR-_S6SGAUIbTqYvMG8pq56n2r-Uj9tc-Ihg4FKuGGMgHuF0-MF8tL64jXJASg7PM8/s1600/champagne+finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiED8gOpBbft7a1zfmNDDeIAKP2vG6sXvfRUEdhBWnOQEmm3T9UhpQ8Ww8PVMpbN7XWOQAH0GOj4vR-_S6SGAUIbTqYvMG8pq56n2r-Uj9tc-Ihg4FKuGGMgHuF0-MF8tL64jXJASg7PM8/s400/champagne+finish.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 14 - Enjoying some celebratory champers at the finish.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD77e3PcyIb95JXL8cCo20K68zBoWbMsvHJoZFdGj-OnmkhaOedsPhMuZ7DJcvWgS6XuYwZlU108UdqWGBu0tG9TuRauGq51XWLZsi3d1BpQLN-3za2kpNCJcXLIG1g-_GLn_W4AQX-1o/s1600/DSC_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD77e3PcyIb95JXL8cCo20K68zBoWbMsvHJoZFdGj-OnmkhaOedsPhMuZ7DJcvWgS6XuYwZlU108UdqWGBu0tG9TuRauGq51XWLZsi3d1BpQLN-3za2kpNCJcXLIG1g-_GLn_W4AQX-1o/s400/DSC_0169.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 14 - Posing by the (absent) John O'Groats signpost.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I hope this tells at least some of the story. We both had the time of our lives on the trip, and it is something I already look back on with an immense sense of pride and accomplishment. Doing the trip with Malc was great, and those incredible two weeks have given us memories and stories that we'll cherish for a lifetime.<br />
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Since completing the trip I have been back on the bike for a few weekend rides (though just over 30ish miles, rather than the 70 we were churning out during the trip) and fully intend to keep at it. As I mentioned at the very beginning, both Malcolm and I had been avid mountain bikers at school, but I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed road cycling. It really is a brilliant way to exercise and see the country. It has also rekindled my interest in mountain biking, and last weekend I dusted off the old full-suspension steed and took a trip down to Glentress. Malc has stuck with it too, and just last weekend completed a 100 mile sportive in just over 6hrs, a mammoth effort! Given the enjoyment we both took from doing LEJOG, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of the pair of us attempting more charity expeditions in the coming years, so watch this space.....<br />
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Many thanks to all of you for checking out the blog over the past year or so. I would have liked to have kept you more up to date around the time of the trip itself but it sadly wasn't to be. I hope it has informed and encouraged some of you to undertake the 'LEJOG' challenge, and my final word of advice would be:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GO FOR IT!!! </span>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-38402884172470643312011-06-21T07:01:00.000-07:002011-06-21T07:02:56.647-07:00Testing...Given that we're now counting down the number of 'sleeps' to go until we set off for Land's End (it's 4 by the way), I thought it was about time I figured out how to post from my mobile.<p>So if you're reading this, it works!<p>In other news, it looks like our trip will be featured in the Highland News next week, photo and all! More news when I get it.<p>Normal blogging service will be resumed at some stage later this week, when I'll give you a proper update.<p>Cheers for now.cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-5387539995450516932011-06-13T14:35:00.000-07:002011-06-13T14:35:42.515-07:002 Weeks To Go!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seems 'LEJOG season' is upon us - I've enjoyed reading the blogs/tweets of those of you who have already started/finished. And all of a sudden it's less than two weeks till the start of our trip, so I thought it was just about time for an update. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I'm honest, the training hasn't been quite as good as hoped, although this may be down to unrealisticly high expectations.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I think I had an unrealistic mental image of what my training would be like in the weeks leading up to the trip. Like something out of a Rocky film, only better looking and with lycra!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The quality and duration of my training rides is fine and I'm feeling fitter than ever, but I haven't had the time required to get enough long rides in. After the training weekend in the Lakes, I decided it was probably better to focus on training on consecutive days. A good idea I think, seeing as I'm now capable of the sort of mileages we're aiming for on the trip itself. This has meant more sessions inside on the turbo trainer. Normally these are quite boring, but my <a href="http://www.thesufferfest.com/">Sufferfest</a> training video ensures I get a proper workout, and the legs are always screaming afterwords. The main reason for my lack of training time has been the arrival of more full-time employment, which I suppose I can't be too upset about (all those protein shakes and bike parts don't pay for themselves!). The new job means I'm away from home for a few nights a week, which isn't ideal, but I'm still getting my long weekend rides in (when I'm not away boozing, which I have been two weekends out of the last 4!) I also have my lovely lady-friend living with me now, which I'm determined to use as an (admittedly fairly lame) excuse for skipping out on training... But despite all this the legs feel great and I'm confident they're up to the job!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Besides the training itself, all other aspects of the planning and preparation are going really well. The route is finalised, the accommodation is booked and the train tickets have been ordered. We've also ordered some rather fetching jerseys for the trip, from <a href="http://www.impsport.com/">IMPsport</a>, which I can't wait to get my hands on. I'll post pictures when they arrive.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've picked up a few more essential pieces of kit over the past few weeks too. Despite my optimistic expectations for two weeks of glorious British sunshine, I'm beginning to realise that we might well get rained on quite a lot. This harsh reality was driven home to me in typically poetic style recently, when the heavens opened less than a mile into a 60 mile training ride, forcing me to huddle under a tree and tie shopping bags round my feet in a pretty poor attempt to keep them dry. Curiously enough, this was also the exact moment that I discovered that my 'shower-proof' jacket probably wasn't going to cut the mustard. Anyway, 60 soggy miles later I decided it was time to give in and shell out for some <a href="http://www.sealskinz.com/">Seal Skinz</a> socks and a <a href="http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-minima-jacket/">proper waterproof jacket</a>. I've also picked up a cheap set of <a href="http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_570361_langId_-1_categoryId_165636">lights</a> for emergencies, but I reckon I'm all set as far as kit is concerned.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fundraising is going strong, but we're still way off our target so if you haven't already, please help us support a fantastic cause by clicking on the 'Sponsor Us!' tab at the top of the page. As always, HUGE thanks to everyone who has chipped in and sponsored us, it is very much appreciated and provides great motivation for training!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's it for now, more updates to follow as we approach D-day. Everyone get praying for sunshine and fierce Southwesterly's....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Cal</span>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-45754777761046667482011-05-16T06:29:00.000-07:002011-05-16T06:32:54.884-07:00Training Weekend - Day 3: Slow and Steady...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCvSDZ29s2WZfeDSLP_mEHoIYxmtOzpqdJ_YSrgsXZnUQVVLBPzkrgWbz8wvttaP9Voi9McE2isZ9jqw4AgFBzs9I7ZGCtlNeRJgGOv8O9DNsx3Ey_P3aihLupUB9tN8yvOkCotOjGMc/s1600/Day+3+ROUTE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCvSDZ29s2WZfeDSLP_mEHoIYxmtOzpqdJ_YSrgsXZnUQVVLBPzkrgWbz8wvttaP9Voi9McE2isZ9jqw4AgFBzs9I7ZGCtlNeRJgGOv8O9DNsx3Ey_P3aihLupUB9tN8yvOkCotOjGMc/s1600/Day+3+ROUTE.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got up on the third day of our trip feeling a little exhausted. This would be the first time I'd ridden 3 days in a row and my legs were screaming in protest after the heroics of the previous day! But we set off in decent time and stopped in Keswick for a hearty Greggs breakfast, which gave us the kick-start we needed.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the moment we turned South we were cycling straight into a vicious headwind. It seems the change in wind direction we'd spent the last two days praying for had showed up a day late, and the thought of spending yet another day fighting against the wind was a definite low point for me. This wasn't helped by the fact that we spent much of the morning climbing uphill towards Thirlmere. It was really tough going, and our pace slowed considerably. What goes up however, must come down, and as we coasted down through Grasmere at 40+mph my spirits picked up and I began to enjoy myself again. The rest of the morning turned out to be really enjoyable, and we cruised into Windemere for a hard-earned pub lunch at about 12:30. Having covered just 25 miles that morning, it began to dawn on us that while our 'slow and steady' mantra was ideal for 50 mile days, it might not hold up during an 80 mile day on the LEJOG trip itself. We decided that pub lunches should be restricted to special occasions (a decision that also makes financial sense, given that I spent about £200 on the weekend trip!).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The afternoon saw us take to the quieter country roads as we headed back towards Kendal. This started out fine, and we made great time as far as Crosthwaite, where we decided to cut straight over to Kendal via Underbarrow in order to give us plenty time to get showered and have some dinner before I drove back up the road...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mistake. By choosing the more direct (read: lazy) route to Kendal, we had unwittingly signed ourselves up for another brutal climb, that took us up over 600 lung-busting feet in under 3 miles. Nightmare! A slice of particularly cruel and ironic justice from the cycling Gods, but our suffering and repentance was rewarded with ice-cream at the top! Result.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwpNToZD86DN4IsYK2-PMynrH5LI15yKA-ei-7N6JJQb5v7rCuIEazICK71pQ2GcWf1I30VQXd6CU5XkwvYCPesT9ibHnrrGsyvMxCqYvSEpkUA5AqjOpfH_VeHP6BgqGnTT7Lj7LwZE/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwpNToZD86DN4IsYK2-PMynrH5LI15yKA-ei-7N6JJQb5v7rCuIEazICK71pQ2GcWf1I30VQXd6CU5XkwvYCPesT9ibHnrrGsyvMxCqYvSEpkUA5AqjOpfH_VeHP6BgqGnTT7Lj7LwZE/s400/IMG_0203.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo op can be a great excuse for a break on a tough climb...</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All that was left was a gentle coast down the other side into Kendal, where I left to cycle back to Oxenholme station to pick up my car, before getting a shower at the local swimming pool and heading back into town to meet Malc for some food.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the stats for the day:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all I think we both thoroughly enjoyed our weekend and found it to be a really worthwhile exercise. I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed it as I was expecting the physical demands to overshadow pretty much all other aspects of the weekend, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that this wasn't the case. I think we learned a few crucial lessons that will stand us in good stead for the LEJOG trip itself, and if anything I'm looking forward to it even more now.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BRING ON LAND'S END - JUNE 26th!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Cal</span>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-59468929051846045222011-05-10T04:04:00.000-07:002011-05-16T06:34:24.103-07:00Training Weekend - Day 2: 'The Struggle'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiTNtWlvvFDiRkJx_k2VgfANIPxL9p_GyoEM-ExKUNFRsMVTzWz_JB5aInYEq72446f5mD0vPj6hQciqmOWqH75UYSmnBuQgT3eIxwjqzOIProIwupCUQBvc6rV5ltxqWf_vaILcULMU/s1600/Day+2+ROUTE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiTNtWlvvFDiRkJx_k2VgfANIPxL9p_GyoEM-ExKUNFRsMVTzWz_JB5aInYEq72446f5mD0vPj6hQciqmOWqH75UYSmnBuQgT3eIxwjqzOIProIwupCUQBvc6rV5ltxqWf_vaILcULMU/s1600/Day+2+ROUTE.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever since the Lake District was agreed upon for this trip, I had been eyeing up the area's notorious climbs with a view to conquering one or two while we were there. Looking back on it now I've no idea what possessed me, but having talked ourselves into it we set off from Ambleside and headed straight for <a href="http://www.sportivecentral.com/index.php?p=climbs&rid=87&page=5">The Struggle</a>, an infamous climb that is widely regarded as the toughest in the country. From Ambleside it winds its way up over 1300 ft over 3 excruciating miles, with gradients of 20% in places!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNIrPO2iXhBzjPefXR6NjmClG2lW8RmV6fxnJ4c1jYkc5aBR1Exw0Z1JFYYpxrfnej0PKiEN17FHCePb8hpfOioC5Bft7liIOOOo_3z_ovYkx_j0cgGmUv81y238F4T8XJ-pNfTwc9AQ/s1600/Struggle2_compo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNIrPO2iXhBzjPefXR6NjmClG2lW8RmV6fxnJ4c1jYkc5aBR1Exw0Z1JFYYpxrfnej0PKiEN17FHCePb8hpfOioC5Bft7liIOOOo_3z_ovYkx_j0cgGmUv81y238F4T8XJ-pNfTwc9AQ/s400/Struggle2_compo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final stretch up to The Kirkstone Inn. Brutal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVVvbMIk5B7hBV_LL1PaTKUlWCytuaJrbJFlURCGLiIpOI783bytrbwtgBYP9RGeJPeG_AttyXuEz6mCvfNcngBNCNwz0rBLw80dUmWX6sdbtLON-REVSxsf8RATLlKHEhqpZlIFtQSE/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVVvbMIk5B7hBV_LL1PaTKUlWCytuaJrbJFlURCGLiIpOI783bytrbwtgBYP9RGeJPeG_AttyXuEz6mCvfNcngBNCNwz0rBLw80dUmWX6sdbtLON-REVSxsf8RATLlKHEhqpZlIFtQSE/s400/IMG_0190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malc at the top.... the Inn was shut.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It took us the better part of an hour to slog our way up to the Kirkstone Inn, which included 2 rest stops. We were absolutely battered by the time we reached the top, and I rounded off the misery with an exhausted yet elegant dismount/fall in the general direction of a picnic table upon reaching the Inn car park (see the above pic, featuring my bike in a crumpled heap. I came up just short of the picnic bench, but I think I carried it off quite well...)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We set off down the other side towards Ullswater praying for a let up in the headwind and for flatter terrain. After an un-planned but much-appreciated stop for bacon rolls and ice cream (don't knock it 'till you've tried it!) our prayers were answered and we meandered our way along the water's edge. Rather than take the busy main road along to Keswick we decided to add some extra distance to the day and take the back roads to Bassenthwaite. This turned out to be a great shout, and after a pub lunch at the Clickham Inn in Pallethill we spent the afternoon cruising along deserted and mostly flat roads, lapping up the scenery and sunshine. This took us past an array of radio/telephone masts, which strangely managed to fry both of our wireless bike computers. Something to watch out for on LEJOG - we don't want to be screwed out of hard-earned miles!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-GWhL0NCjCOIMySFQihyR6-LK1unXk5FURluW0tn-JEmRm7R-JyTy_ju-w8oSm2GwdDLxfPkgK8gfR0zwSjeLRqQihI7Gl0ZwxY_JelHnNSX6QSmpsxfqMVMzz2tYpCSPIzMPUczA-k/s1600/DSCN1498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-GWhL0NCjCOIMySFQihyR6-LK1unXk5FURluW0tn-JEmRm7R-JyTy_ju-w8oSm2GwdDLxfPkgK8gfR0zwSjeLRqQihI7Gl0ZwxY_JelHnNSX6QSmpsxfqMVMzz2tYpCSPIzMPUczA-k/s400/DSCN1498.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'publicity' shot, taken by a kindly old man.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After stopping for a quick photo op, we breezed down the hill to Bassenthwaite before heading through a packed Keswick to our hostel at Derwentwater. We couldn't get over how busy Keswick was, we must have passed a good 3 miles of tailbacks on our way out of town! Turns out we weren't the only bright sparks who fancied a trip to the Lake District on the weekend of the Royal wedding...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived at the hostel just in time to order a good hearty dinner. It's just as well, as it's miles from anywhere, and there was no way we were getting back on the bikes! I think we ended up calling it a day by 10 o'clock. A tough day, but still a few miles short of the shortest LEJOG day we have planned. However I took a great deal of comfort and satisfaction from the fact that we are unlikely to face as many hills on the big trip, and that we managed to conquer the mighty Struggle!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Derwentwater Hostel.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately I decided against using the Cyclemeter app on my phone due to it's shoddy battery life (which I'm hoping to remedy on the LEJOG trip with a battery pack thingymajig) so I don't have the usual plethora of stats for you to pour over, so you'll just have to try and contain your diappointment...</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Syncopate; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Syncopate; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Distance cycled: 55 miles</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Syncopate; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ascent: 4700 ft</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Syncopate; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Descent: 4600 ft</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Syncopate; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Total weekend distance: 103 miles.</span></b></span></span></div></div><div style="color: #2a1a2a; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-86164025561760604092011-05-04T06:41:00.000-07:002011-05-04T06:41:02.290-07:00Training Weekend - Day 1: Passed without a 'hitch'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">So the dust has settled after our training weekend in the Lake District, and it's about time I got you up to date. I think we both felt that generally the weekend went really well, and we learned a few useful lessons relating to kit, navigation, planning and riding as a pair.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Day 1 started with a drive down the road to Oxenholme station on the edge of Kendal, where I met Malc off the train. After we'd agreed on a route for the day and fuelled up at Greggs (God knows how we'll cope without them in the deep South) we set off towards Lake Windemere. Almost immediately we were cursing ourselves for picking one of the hilliest regions in the country as the location for this trip! But the sun was shining and it felt good to finally be on the road.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">We made good time down the side of Lake Windemere, but faced a pretty gruesome climb across Kirkby Moor that warranted a breather at the top. Luckily for us we lost all the altitude we had gained almost immediately, and we were rewarded with an epic 2 mile descent that saw us reach eye-watering speeds (Malc hit 48 mph, while the best I could manage was a lowly 44 mph) that left us buzzing! The fun came to an abrupt halt when we turned North at Broughton-in-Furness, and began a long slog over to Coniston Water. The wind had been ferocious at points throughout the day, and we climbed up to the more exposed areas it really dented out progress. Not appreciated! But by the time we made it down to Coniston we were nearing the finish line, and we coasted in to picturesque Ambleside at the back of 6pm.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">We found the Youth Hostel in Ambleside to be ideally located, well equipped and the staff were friendly and helpful enough. Admittedly we do have limited experience of hostels in the UK, having spent most of our hostelling days in Eastern Europe, so any comparison was perhaps bound to be favourable. After a much-needed shower and a stretch, we headed out for some pub grub and a medicinal pint. We decided a 2 pint limit was probably sensible given the next day we had planned, but it took some will power to resist the array of ales on show.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Here's the stats for the day. Stand-outs include max speed and the total ascent for the day, which is nearly double that of my previous best effort (even with the 500 ft glitch at the 15 mile mark, as shown in the elevation profile)</span></span><br />
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</div>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-42062313590719308872011-04-27T05:30:00.000-07:002011-04-27T05:30:34.323-07:00Training Weekend Plans<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Ever since we agreed to do our LEJOG, the plan has always been to meet up for a long weekend's training, the idea being that it would allow us to get used to cycling together, staying in hostels, riding with panniers etc, and give us an indication of how our individual fitness levels were coming along.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Well, this weekend we'll be in the (hopefully) sunny Lake District doing just that. The plan is to meet on Friday lunchtime, ride Friday afternoon to our first hostel, ride all day Saturday to our second hostel, then another ride on Sunday before I head back up the road (Malc is staying another night and riding another 60miles to Preston on the Monday!).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">As yet we've no concrete routes planned out, we're just going to see how we feel once we get down there. The main aim is to get used to riding together, but we should cover a good few miles while we're at it. Fingers crossed for decent weather!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I'm hoping to be able to update the blog at the end of each day, so I'll try and keep you posted on our progress.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">- Cal</span></span>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-21700209109612155812011-04-22T11:48:00.000-07:002011-04-22T11:48:58.017-07:00The Arran Circular<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Earlier this week I decided to take advantage of the fantastic weather (and the fact that I'm only partially employed these days) and set off for a wee day trip around Arran. I fancied a change of scenery from the usual neck of the woods where I do most of my training rides, and also wanted to do a route that felt like more of an achievement. A bit of web research showed that the 55 mile 'Arran circular' is a popular route with cyclists thanks to the island's rolling hills, cracking scenery and, best of all, quiet roads. Ideal...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just arrived in Brodick.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NqUp_ZTPQNpk2Xb1royJBZaUG_grMtwg8eKXI6uipRUPYtG7hn6QD7Fei9BwBd4t9lCmjkceIAkr1xtypP0CPlCvO707pVHr6qYqsHhCXL1AI0PbWabR5ccCnh3M3P9ZeH-157Pp41M/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NqUp_ZTPQNpk2Xb1royJBZaUG_grMtwg8eKXI6uipRUPYtG7hn6QD7Fei9BwBd4t9lCmjkceIAkr1xtypP0CPlCvO707pVHr6qYqsHhCXL1AI0PbWabR5ccCnh3M3P9ZeH-157Pp41M/s400/IMG_0170.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch in Blackwaterfoot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I stopped for lunch in Blackwaterfoot after about 25 gently undulating, traffic-free miles. It made such a change to be able to enjoy the ride without the fear of mentalist bus drivers, neds in suped-up Corsa's and the partially sighted elderly taking me out (might be something to bear in mind when route-planning for the LEJOG itself). The West coast road was particularly quiet, and I flew the 22 wind-assisted miles up the coast to Lochranza, where I stopped and sat in a sunny beer garden and psyched myself up for the only big climb of the day, which took me up to about 600ft and across to Sannox. The climb was murder in the heat, but the leisurely coast down the other side was great, and carried me over the 50 mile mark for the first time since I started training. I was knackered by the time I made it back to Brodick, and promptly slept like a baby on the ferry back over to Ardrossan. I must've been quite a sight slumped in the corner, lycra-clad and drooling onto my own shoulder.... </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Here's the stats:</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3vUgCdXmVxoTv8A_m5dUwuCy5Oxi50_aYKej3r5M_FYbtVnkfBm_pLeQGieJNKLH8Q1IbWXQD-5ycYb1Ovc0MPKSb30yvewQbZoHsgX0YehkIa8E9iIDObVdjihfnhidiPGQIl5JrE0/s1600/Arran+Circular.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3vUgCdXmVxoTv8A_m5dUwuCy5Oxi50_aYKej3r5M_FYbtVnkfBm_pLeQGieJNKLH8Q1IbWXQD-5ycYb1Ovc0MPKSb30yvewQbZoHsgX0YehkIa8E9iIDObVdjihfnhidiPGQIl5JrE0/s1600/Arran+Circular.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrXN8q4FnIMuC36dVjcnr_RzsTopjn1T8oayy9-8KZ0ovF4FoPV0r1VvzFjLGWS2k5_AIYRQXOITEBizW2yK9ykgxNGaIT8Jx9Rdh7cbFUTvOS1elbzhCM3fltlsz02B9FrL0sPDda_M/s1600/Arran+Circular+Stats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrXN8q4FnIMuC36dVjcnr_RzsTopjn1T8oayy9-8KZ0ovF4FoPV0r1VvzFjLGWS2k5_AIYRQXOITEBizW2yK9ykgxNGaIT8Jx9Rdh7cbFUTvOS1elbzhCM3fltlsz02B9FrL0sPDda_M/s1600/Arran+Circular+Stats.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">My total distance for the day was just over 58 miles - by far the furthest I've gone to date. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">My legs took a few days to recover (not helped by playing 5-a-side on the days before and after) so I've been looking into ways of boosting my recovery. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Arran itself was great, I would thoroughly recommend it as a day trip. Hard to believe it's only 2 hours from the centre of Glasgow.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a1a2a; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">- Cheers.</span>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-53692423474117445842011-03-28T06:56:00.000-07:002011-03-28T06:56:51.024-07:00My first 'back-to-back' weekend<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the more observant among you may have realised, my promise of on-the-road updates over the weekend failed to materialise. I did try, but it must have got lost somewhere in the technosphere. I'm planning on updating via my phone on the trip itself, so I'll need to iron these issues out sooner rather than later...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Both weekend rides went well, and I'm delighted to report that I managed to get through a total of 68 miles without injuring myself, wimping out or vowing never to ride a bike again. Progress indeed! The clocks going forward made getting out of bed on Sunday morning all the more excruciating, but once I got out on the road I actually felt pretty pleased with myself! The promise of Scotland vs Brazil and a Sunday roast always helps too (especially when you can smell it wafting out of pubs and restaurants as you cycle past).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm planning a slightly longer 46 mile ride this coming Saturday. The plan is to continue building up the distances as the training weekend approaches (1 month to go!). I also get paid this week, which will enable me to purchase the rest of the kit I'll need. My only quandary is my choice of pannier bags, so any reviews/suggestions are welcomed as always.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll leave you with the photos that were meant to be in the on-the-road update yesterday.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheers for now!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on Lennoxtown from the Crow Road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHHi0HcmYcX3xewWi-guXgbXmwiBBuFrPzKZ0vYSRVzh8Y2WRBkI3F1HoEQZNFS-FmD-8tycUr48BdqON8oklEfy4POWJeNPQL2OdNWiDd7cyHyK53wY-1F2Yv3LeFGXkxJtq9ZDrMuk/s1600/IMG_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHHi0HcmYcX3xewWi-guXgbXmwiBBuFrPzKZ0vYSRVzh8Y2WRBkI3F1HoEQZNFS-FmD-8tycUr48BdqON8oklEfy4POWJeNPQL2OdNWiDd7cyHyK53wY-1F2Yv3LeFGXkxJtq9ZDrMuk/s400/IMG_0155.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking West towards the hills around Loch Lomond (I think).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-6339295482870990202011-03-25T04:44:00.000-07:002011-03-25T04:50:32.279-07:00Spring Has Sprung!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just know I'm going to regret that blog title when the weather reverts to p**sing it down tomorrow.... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But for today at least we do seem to be clear of all the crap weather that has kept me off the roads all winter. The season for shorts, beer gardens and t-shirt sun tans is upon us, exactly 3 months from the start of our LEJOG!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That brings me to the first order of business for today's post: training. This weekend will be the first time I've attempted back-to-back rides on Saturday and Sunday, and I'm starting off with a double-header of the 34 mile route I mentioned in the last blog. I don't anticipate the mileages being an issue, it's how my back and derriere will cope with two consecutive days in the saddle that has me worried. My lower back in particular has been giving me a bit of grief towards the end of my last few training rides, leading me to wonder if my riding position is maybe a bit off (answers/suggestions on a postcard). I'll also be experimenting with posting blog entries from my phone this weekend. Good luck everyone...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As some of you will be aware, myself and Malc 'officially' launched our fundraising push earlier this week. The support we've had so far has been great, and we'd both like to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated so far. It feels good to finally get going with the fundraising element of the trip, and I think the fact that people have actually put their hands in their pockets has made it all a bit more real for both of us. It should help propel me up the Crow Road this weekend, so thanks! Check out our <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/cal-and-malcsLEJOG">Just Giving</a> page, where you can sponsor us and find out more about our chosen charity, the Highland Hospice. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next step for us is to find some jersey sponsors. We will begin the search by approaching various Inverness based companies next week, but if you know of any organisations or businesses anywhere in the UK that may be interested please do get in touch!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's it for now folks. Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine... while it lasts!</span>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-51395309764350378452011-03-07T13:08:00.000-08:002011-03-15T12:33:32.302-07:00Progress.... finally<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having well and truly shaken off the winter cobwebs, I feel a blog update is long overdue. I'm delighted to report that I've been back on the road for a few weeks now, and that my training is well and truly back on track. It's still not exactly balmy out there, but the purchase of a pair of tights has helped get me back outdoors and away from the dreaded turbo trainer. It's a sad day indeed when a grown man buys himself a pair of tights, but needs must! The last two Saturday mornings have been great, I'm surprised at how much I've enjoyed them. A lot of that is down to a cracking wee route I've found, details of which are below:</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsWksUITa7dRuhVUILNVW7qkn-4NMFaPMBIqf2R4LdC0S7qUZ_-kZYuYoYOuaYUu8VK24MGv7fv0D0AOXu1yvWFTBsiABAXDco43WtGpwvxlQX4i8thRX-LvIBtQaxftj9UOwdsX9jA0/s1600/Carron+reservoir+info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsWksUITa7dRuhVUILNVW7qkn-4NMFaPMBIqf2R4LdC0S7qUZ_-kZYuYoYOuaYUu8VK24MGv7fv0D0AOXu1yvWFTBsiABAXDco43WtGpwvxlQX4i8thRX-LvIBtQaxftj9UOwdsX9jA0/s1600/Carron+reservoir+info.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This route has everything a decent training run needs: decent road surfaces, the right amount of hills, great scenery and minimal traffic. Most importantly it's restored my appetite for training, so it's now just a case of building up the mileage.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Progress has also been made on the sponsorship front. I'll post details as soon as they're available, but I'm delighted to announce that we'll be raising funds for the <a href="http://www.highlandhospice.org/">Highland Hospice</a>. It's a great cause that means a great deal to both of us, so fingers crossed we can raise a fair amount of cash to help support the fantastic work they do.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the mean time, preparations will continue for our training weekend, which will be taking place in the Lake District during the last weekend in April. The aim is to do three days at just under our intended LEJOG pace, which will hopefully give us a pretty good idea of where we stand. It'll also give the two of us a chance to get used to cycling together after going at our own pace whilst training. Fingers crossed the weather holds, and that the Lake District climbs don't destroy me! Again, I'll post details once everything's finalised.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll leave you with a view of the <a href="http://www.sportivecentral.com/index.php?p=climbs&rid=25&page=3">Crow Road</a>, which has come right at the start of my last two training rides. Despite being 2 miles of nausea inducing misery, I can't help but include it in most of my route plans.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First the tights, now an appetite for gruelling climbs: the 'roady' mentality is really taking hold...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheers for now. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQwL4YOzwr0wcXB_rVmQHc8-EXW45yxS3OZQLuQaunBFA65-RyteD4B_D3SJiPevxqTLg6iwzFDZSiyJwDK1fxDL5USq3jVvHmurQZLAzSzGooLMN7LNvjH74bsBb9qETKdakVy-u_As/s1600/the-crow-road-lennoxtown-157806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQwL4YOzwr0wcXB_rVmQHc8-EXW45yxS3OZQLuQaunBFA65-RyteD4B_D3SJiPevxqTLg6iwzFDZSiyJwDK1fxDL5USq3jVvHmurQZLAzSzGooLMN7LNvjH74bsBb9qETKdakVy-u_As/s400/the-crow-road-lennoxtown-157806.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crow Road - it's my Alpe D'Huez!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-5340151938723857602010-12-30T05:51:00.000-08:002011-02-04T11:23:54.613-08:00A Festive Update<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;">"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle."</span> </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Ernest Hemingway</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Given that it's the time of year when people tend to relax and put their everyday routine aside, I thought I'd mix things up a little. So here's a more general update of how things are going...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I suppose the most important recent development in terms of the trip itself is that we have finally decided on dates. We will set off from Land's End on Saturday the 25th of June 2011 and, if all goes well, arrive in John O'Groats two weeks later on the 9th of July. As we have never ridden together on the road before, we have also decided to spend the weekend of the royal wedding (end of April) on a 3-day trip around the Lake District. These dates were agreed over a few festive pints with Malc recently, and have brought an increased sense of realism to my attitude towards training! The training weekend will also give us the chance to try out various bits of kit, get to grips with navigation, packing etc. It should also give us a pretty good idea of how we'll cope on the actual trip itself.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the past weeks and months I've also come across various bits and pieces, which have motivated, inspired and informed me about all things cycling:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) <a href="http://vimeo.com/groups/6916/videos/11154268">http://vimeo.com/groups/6916/videos/11154268</a> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A lecture by Rob Lilwall on his epic 3-year cycle from Siberia back to the UK. He also wrote a book about it, called "Cycling Home From Siberia". I was also very excited to get Christopher J A Smith's book "Why Don't You Fly?" for Christmas, and can't wait to read it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) <a href="http://www.markbeaumontonline.com/">http://www.markbeaumontonline.com/</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a similar vein, I've found Mark Beaumont's book "The Man Who Cycled The World" and his corresponding TV series' absolutely fascinating. He places a different emphasis on his expeditions to people like Rob Lilwall, choosing to focus on physical achievement rather than spiritual/cultural adventure, but I find both aspects make for great reading/viewing and the contrast between the two is really interesting.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/">http://www.chainreactioncycles.com</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as they were when I was spending all my pocket money on MTB bits, Chain Reaction seem to be the best one stop shop for bike bits, clothing etc.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t6ylx">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t6ylx</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A BBC show in which author Rob Penn goes round the world gathering components with which to build his 'dream bike'. Also looks at the history and evolution of bikes in general. A great watch.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Right, that's it for now. I'm off for a quick spin on the turbo trainer to gauge the damage caused by the festive feasting!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;">When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man's convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man's brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle."</span> </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"> ~Elizabeth West,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000;"><i>Hovel in the Hills.</i></span></span></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-65911465550591411332010-12-06T08:27:00.000-08:002011-02-04T11:22:39.363-08:00Training - November 2010<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And so another month passes, bringing with it less daylight, lower temperatures and - as of last week - increasing amounts of snow. Still, training must go on! Here's a run-down of my progress in November...</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you may well imagine, the inclement weather has made 'proper' outdoor training pretty difficult over the past few weeks. All but the die-hard, tight-wearing members of the cycling community seem to have packed up their hi-vis clobber and retreated indoors of late, and I'm no different. I had hoped to be able to continue with my outdoor rides until the end of November at least, but you'd have to be mental to go out in this! I did manage one short outdoor ride of about 6 miles during the first few days of the month, but even that was a fairly miserable experience.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The purchase of a turbo trainer, however, has turned out to be a decent investment, so despite the weather I have been able not only to maintain my fitness levels, but actually build on them. I am conscious of the fact that the trainer is no substitute for proper road riding (not to mention more boring and far less rewarding), so I have tried to keep the trainer sessions as varied as possible by varying their duration and intensity. For example, sessions have ranged from 2-3 hr stamina sessions (spent spinning away in front of countless iplayer/4OD repeats) to shorter, more intense sprint/recovery sessions which usually last between half an hour and an hour, depending on energy levels, my will to live, etc.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all I reckon I've done about 8.5 hrs of stamina stuff (broken down into rides of 2hrs, 2.5hrs and 3hrs) and about 2 hrs of sprint training (in 30-60min sessions). This is still way below the level of work that I'll need to put in when the new year comes around, but I'm fairly pleased with what I've managed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apologies again for the lack of decent stats this month, but it's just been a case of putting in hard time on the trainer and waiting for the snow to disappear.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Roll on 2011....</span></div>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-28529633733959779392010-11-03T04:25:00.000-07:002011-02-04T11:22:52.996-08:00Training - October 2010<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be perfectly honest, my training this month has been rubbish. However, like any under-achieving athlete, I have a list of pre-prepared excuses....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Firstly, I have been hampered by a dodgy knee that I twisted playing football. This really only kept me off the bike for a week or so, but during that time I wasn't able to do any exercise at all, so it probably cost me pretty dear.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next up: a rant. As I've mentioned before, I did quite a lot of mountain biking during my teenage years, and as such I like to think that I'm already aware of a number of biking's unavoidable truths:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) A repair will take at least 3 times longer than you expect, no matter how simple.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) "One last run" will always end in a crash.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) A lost part/tool will always be the exact tool you need for your next repair/alteration.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) Flashy equipment is no substitute for fitness.</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and finally...</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5) Mini-pumps are a waste of time and money, and don't work!</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was cruelly reminded of this recently, when I decided my tyres could use a little top-up. First, I tried a SKS Piccolo mini pump, which only succeeded in deflating my tyres even more. Next, I thought I'd go old-school with a trusty Halfords pump. Nope, leaked before I reached the pressures I was after. Finally, after a recommendation from Malc (who had actually remembered rule no. 5) I bought a Topeak Morph Mini pump, which was up to the task. This debacle cost me the best part of a week, spent twiddling my thumbs with flat tyres waiting for pumps to be delivered. Nightmare.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly (and probably quite predictably) I would like to blame the good old Scottish weather! It's been properly rubbish over the last few weeks. However, this got me thinking: if it's this bad in October, how am I going to cope through December/January?!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This leads me to the one piece of good news I have on the training front this month - the purchase of my lovely turbo trainer! Luckily, my old man was kind enough to spring for a Cycle Ops Magneto, which I have used a couple of times since I got it about a fortnight ago (pics to follow in updated Kit List).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am more than aware that the above reads like the feeble excuses of a lazy so-and-so. Rest assured that this will be remedied in the month of November! I'll leave you with my stats from October:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Distance cycled: 38.6 miles</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Total distance cycled: 114 miles)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No. of outdoor training rides: 2</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No. of indoor training rides: 1</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Average ride length: 18.7 miles</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time in saddle: 4hrs 40mins</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNiSxx0FzUfgHaZ6l4ULNzm3JAqdZMp5EcuWETXHrW_cf9ALsyXz-wjOqWtMiMbxxs5tZOPhThzXfgN4M0N6-TCCtcXcdT_m9nNP-e1ykOSFZmDZa8h8AJ1WO-r2NX8ZEjoSD02oGn8c/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNiSxx0FzUfgHaZ6l4ULNzm3JAqdZMp5EcuWETXHrW_cf9ALsyXz-wjOqWtMiMbxxs5tZOPhThzXfgN4M0N6-TCCtcXcdT_m9nNP-e1ykOSFZmDZa8h8AJ1WO-r2NX8ZEjoSD02oGn8c/s400/IMG_0063.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View North from Old Military Rd, near Drymen.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-11512789218364636562010-10-04T18:12:00.000-07:002011-02-04T11:23:13.677-08:00Kit List<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was researching the trip I had a few questions that seemed particularly difficult to answer, namely:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1) What type of bike should I be using?</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2) How much money should I be spending?</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 3) What other kit will I need?</span></b></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disclaimer: Given that I'm only a month or so into this process, I'm hardly an expert. The best thing I did was to phone up a bike shop and ask the experts! But here's how I went about answering these questions...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1) What type of bike should I be using?</span></b></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b></b></i>The main dilemma I faced here was the Road Bike v Touring Bike debate. Whilst a road bike would undoubtedly be faster and more suited to eating up the miles, I did wonder if a more comfortable touring work-horse might be more appropriate. In the end, we both plumped for something of a compromise, in the form of a Specialized Secteur (below). This leans slightly towards the road bike side of things, but with a geometry and gearing setup aimed at longer days in the saddle.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nlx8AitX1vurqpzfuEwV4BCgip-CdyVijDCN_louQzOLMyaw3BnMtcP1ZenIg-oJIdGr1l20jDzwwXeDm5ucjr1eXX7avFgUQTrMQOu9s61IPB6A__I3p2U-PisiMWG3PVhsrjnCxFk/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nlx8AitX1vurqpzfuEwV4BCgip-CdyVijDCN_louQzOLMyaw3BnMtcP1ZenIg-oJIdGr1l20jDzwwXeDm5ucjr1eXX7avFgUQTrMQOu9s61IPB6A__I3p2U-PisiMWG3PVhsrjnCxFk/s320/IMG_0062.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My trusty steed.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have had Specialized bikes before, and happened to know a bike company I trusted (<a href="http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/">http://www.edinburghbicycle.com</a>) that supplied them. When it comes down to it, most of the main manufacturers seem to make something fairly similar, so I went with what I knew.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I should also point out that there are a huge range of ways to do lejog. In many ways, doing the lejog/jogle is a lot like the London marathon, in that the range of participants involved is so huge. Everyone from the super-fit athlete to the guy in the chicken suit. We're opting for the more conventional approach. If you're after a more surreal/adventurous expedition, I've seen everything from single-speed bikes to 7-seater "conference bike" (see <a href="http://cobiuk.blogspot.com/">http://cobiuk.blogspot.com</a>) so go nuts!</span><br />
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2) How much money should I be spending?</span></b></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No easy answer here really. I spent as much as I felt I could afford, in order to ensure I had a bike that I was comfortable with (after all, that saddle and my derriere are going to be spending an awful lot of time together in the next few months) and one that I felt was reliable.</span><br />
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 3) What other kit will I need?</span></b></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Basics, and what I's consider essentials, include:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Padded shorts</i> - (see above comments re: derriere)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Fingerless gloves</i> - to stop some of the road buzz and for protection should I decide to fall off</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Helmet</i> - for keeping my brains in</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd say once you have that lot, you're away. However, I found that the following additions made for more comfortable, rewarding and generally enjoyable training rides:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Ipod</i> - much better than listening to my legs screaming in agony...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Wind jacket</i> - I started out using my everyday outdoor jacket, but found that the baggy fit created a wind-sock effect. I have since splashed out on a rather fetching yellow (or rather, YELLOW!) hi-vis cycling jacket.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Eyewear</i> - not that I'm breaking any land speed records, but I found it far better to shield my eyes from the breeze/flies.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">S<i>addle bag</i> - a small bag to carry my phone, some spares/tools and a Mars bar.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Cycle Computer </i>- as I mentioned before, I found that getting some feedback really adds to the enjoyment of training. If you happen to have an iPhone (sorry non iPhoners) then I'd highly recommend an app called 'Cyclemeter' - it does everything my £30 bike computer does and more, for just £3! Additional handy features include automatic social networking updates (great for boring your family and friends!) and altitude info, which is useful too.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope that's of some use. I'll update the Kit List as and when. Cheers for now</span>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-61568395202181190582010-10-04T17:18:00.000-07:002011-02-04T11:23:28.713-08:00Training - September 2010<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Throughout this process I'm aiming to keep track of all the training I do, with the hope that I can chart and monitor my progress as I go along. Also - and this is probably a 'guy thing' - I've found that a bit of info and some data to analyse adds a bit of enjoyment, and helps motivate me too e.g. aiming to beat previous times/distances etc.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So then; September was my first (almost) full month of training. September was also the month that I bought the bike I'll be using, along with most of the kit I need to train. Here's the main stats:</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Total distance cycled: 75.4 miles</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No of training rides: 4</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Average ride distance: 18.9 miles</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time in the saddle: 6hrs 5mins</span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I suppose stats like that seem a little dry, but they do tell a story and hopefully they'll paint a picture of how I'm getting on.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been disappointed with the latter half of the month, in that I didn't manage to do nearly as much training as I'd hoped. I think the 'honeymoon period' of the first few weeks, which was aided by some really enjoyable rides, has just about worn off. But I guess that's part of an undertaking like this - making time to put the hours in.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll leave you with some pictures, taken on some of the more scenic rides I've done so far.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbsFsV4wvXhPON83qWOCk_zlam_Z5tD0rW2NThtcxWRVZi58YuhdNo9GJ3kEosBEX2ZTbKW4XptDgDM_2JzUdv9HYQHxs7o9kuWnhBRKkzq3dk-T2-W3s9-cPxXk9se9h49DuhGmAMdQ/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbsFsV4wvXhPON83qWOCk_zlam_Z5tD0rW2NThtcxWRVZi58YuhdNo9GJ3kEosBEX2ZTbKW4XptDgDM_2JzUdv9HYQHxs7o9kuWnhBRKkzq3dk-T2-W3s9-cPxXk9se9h49DuhGmAMdQ/s400/IMG_0059.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Taken on Crow Road, between Lennoxtown and Fintry.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1eUz5k5yGdUAryWJRGUBXksOC0OcRKbZQcNik3QMWU7hOOZAwNZNaR770b7yEk3ICEihHxffI8KQ4VxB4t6llTUs_5-T-s4HSmqzAQVPJUSPATmWKuxQ_eJaoprZ4_OV2U95ULmB130/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1eUz5k5yGdUAryWJRGUBXksOC0OcRKbZQcNik3QMWU7hOOZAwNZNaR770b7yEk3ICEihHxffI8KQ4VxB4t6llTUs_5-T-s4HSmqzAQVPJUSPATmWKuxQ_eJaoprZ4_OV2U95ULmB130/s400/IMG_0056.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Beauly Firth from the Kessock Bridge, Inverness.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643096014284267546.post-79100201411612108912010-09-29T10:07:00.000-07:002011-02-04T11:23:41.457-08:00Intro<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Itchy feet. That's how it started. A feeling that it was about time that I got out and did something a bit more fulfilling and demanding than the odd game of 5-a-side. Something that I could look back on with a sense of achievement when I'm old and grey....</span><br />
<div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few months later, and having ruled out everything from marathon running (too much like hard work) to climbing Everest (too expensive.... and too much like hard work) I decided that I wanted to complete "LEJOG" or Land's End to John O'Groats on a bicycle.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This would need planning, lots of training and at least one willing <s>sucker</s> volunteer to come along for the ride. Malc was the obvious candidate. Not only have I known him for years, but we misspent most of our teenage years chucking our mountain bikes off anything and everything we could find, so I knew he would bring the required enthusiasm and dedication. When I pitched the idea to him earlier this year he considered it for all of a millisecond before emphatically declaring himself 'in'.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So that's how this whole thing got started. Having come across various Lejog/Jogle blogs and found them helpful and insightful training/motivational aides, I thought I'd start my own. It's now late September, and myself and Malc have both started training on newly purchased steeds (more kit info to follow at a later date). The plan is to update this periodically and share my experiences as I go along.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheers for now!</span></div>cal_raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115922727490353533noreply@blogger.com0