This weekend I've enjoyed two long training rides, following a good midweek one with Neil.
The weather has been perfect, even if it was quite hot riding in the middle of the day. It's good practice as I expect the conditions to be similar for the actual ride next month - at least I hope it is!
Of the many benefits of riding my bike in the countryside, my main one is the chance to view the various wildlife, many of which are in full breeding mode.
Make no mistake, the ride will be tough but I'm looking forward to it, particularly if the donations reach my target of £1,000.
I suspect I'll be giving a bit of fitness, as well as about 15 years, up to my team members Neil and Pads, but I'm sure they'll be happy to go at my pace.
It's good to have at least one major challenge a year, although there might be more than this one to tackle as the months role on.
The feeling when you complete a major physical event is something that strives me on. I can only imagine how people feel when they win world titles, as a team or individual, except for those where money means more than triumph, despite the denials.
As a mountain biker I'm ruling out the Lands End to John o' Groats ride, but I have great admiration for people who have tackled it. A few old friends of mine took that challenge a few years ago for charity and it provided me with some of the inspiration to do the C2C bike ride.
Road bikes are not really my thing, I prefer the rugged feel of going off road and the tests that provides, rather than the mainly flat tarmac surfaces.
So this weekend I've travelled about 26 miles over two days, at an average speed of about 9.5 mph, which is about 2mph above what I expect to be our average time during the challenge.
So this week as the temperatures fall to about average, I know training will be difficult. That means the later part of this week and four day weekend will mean about 100 miles in the saddle.
BRING IT ON.
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Saturday, 12 May 2012
SERVICING BIKE AND WARDROBE
My bike has gone in for a service to prepare it for the ride next month and will receive a few extra parts to help with long distance cycling.
I'll get my bike back, fully prepared, in less than a week, which is much less time than the person riding it will require to be ready and 'serviced' for the journey.
I'd like to thank Twelve50Bikes for servicing my bike and advising me on various items on my bike.
The countdown to the start date is well underway and one team member is preparing by riding 100 miles this weekend along the South Downs.
Hats of to Neil for doing this ride, but unfortunately he'll have to lower his standards when he teams up with me. Can't say for certain if Pads will hold anyone's standards up.
I must recommend a new shop I've found, courtesy of Pads, which, having visited today, is a brilliant place to get all sorts of fitness and hobbyist items.
Decathlon has a store near me, but if you can get there you won't be disappointed.
The fitness regime is still on, even without my bike, so the running, badminton and football are taking up the slack.
I'll get my bike back, fully prepared, in less than a week, which is much less time than the person riding it will require to be ready and 'serviced' for the journey.
I'd like to thank Twelve50Bikes for servicing my bike and advising me on various items on my bike.
The countdown to the start date is well underway and one team member is preparing by riding 100 miles this weekend along the South Downs.
Hats of to Neil for doing this ride, but unfortunately he'll have to lower his standards when he teams up with me. Can't say for certain if Pads will hold anyone's standards up.
I must recommend a new shop I've found, courtesy of Pads, which, having visited today, is a brilliant place to get all sorts of fitness and hobbyist items.
Decathlon has a store near me, but if you can get there you won't be disappointed.
The fitness regime is still on, even without my bike, so the running, badminton and football are taking up the slack.
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
RIDING THE YORKSHIRE WAY
The bank holiday weekend delivered some great conditions for training, particularly on the bike.
Enjoyed a 20+ mile trek up and down the hills and flatter sections north of Leeds with a member of the team, Sarah's brother Pads.
A very tough incline was followed by an enjoyable and thoroughly great workout to help us get ready for the C2C next month.
The only downside was a slow puncture after 15 miles, which required four stops to pump up the tyre to enable us to ride the full distance. A lesson learnt, which is better than finding out during the actual ride.
Further training will take place this week, despite me being away for the end of the week, which will help build up core fitness.
Although we only covered about 40 per cent of the daily target, it was achieved in less than three hours, which hopefully shows the daily distances we've set ourselves are realistic.
There's even more hard work to go, but I'm looking forward to it.
As usual if you can donate to Cancer Research UK here http://bit.ly/LGWl4H
Enjoyed a 20+ mile trek up and down the hills and flatter sections north of Leeds with a member of the team, Sarah's brother Pads.
A very tough incline was followed by an enjoyable and thoroughly great workout to help us get ready for the C2C next month.
The only downside was a slow puncture after 15 miles, which required four stops to pump up the tyre to enable us to ride the full distance. A lesson learnt, which is better than finding out during the actual ride.
Further training will take place this week, despite me being away for the end of the week, which will help build up core fitness.
Although we only covered about 40 per cent of the daily target, it was achieved in less than three hours, which hopefully shows the daily distances we've set ourselves are realistic.
There's even more hard work to go, but I'm looking forward to it.
As usual if you can donate to Cancer Research UK here http://bit.ly/LGWl4H
Thursday, 3 May 2012
FITNESS & TEAM UPDATE
So the fitness regime hasn't got off to the best of starts for the C2C, as I missed training on Wednesday.
At least I managed badminton tonight with Jonny, who has sadly pulled out of riding in the event due to moving house and spending money on that.
He'll still be supporting the team of me, Neil and Pads so hopefully it'll push us all to keep up the fitness and be ready for the ride.
The finer logistics of the ride are still to be confirmed but at least I have the overnight destinations sorted.
This weekend I'm planning at least two rides and one run, as the bank holiday allows extra time to build up fitness.
Don't forget any donations will be welcome, just go to www.justgiving.co.uk/mydadgrahamknowles
At least I managed badminton tonight with Jonny, who has sadly pulled out of riding in the event due to moving house and spending money on that.
He'll still be supporting the team of me, Neil and Pads so hopefully it'll push us all to keep up the fitness and be ready for the ride.
The finer logistics of the ride are still to be confirmed but at least I have the overnight destinations sorted.
This weekend I'm planning at least two rides and one run, as the bank holiday allows extra time to build up fitness.
Don't forget any donations will be welcome, just go to www.justgiving.co.uk/mydadgrahamknowles
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
THE BEGINNING
This year it's time to challenge myself again and hopefully raise money for a charity close to my heart, Cancer Research UK.
Two years after the nine month fundraising stint following the FA Cup from start to finish, this time the challenge will be a little more physical.
On June 22nd I will be joined by Sarah's brother, Pads, and our neighbours Jonny and Neil, to ride the C2C from Whitehaven to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
We hope to complete the 140 or so miles in three days, camping for the two nights either side of a night in our start point, Whitehaven, and finish in Newcastle.
If you wish to donate please got to www.justgiving.com/mydadgrahamknowles
The training regime has started today and will include a variety of exercises with football, running, badminton and of course cycling taking up regular weekly action.
The plan for me is as follows:
Monday - football
Tuesday - 15 miles on bike
Wednesday - 5k running
Thursday - badminton
Friday - rest
Weekend - 25 miles on bike (going up by 5 miles per week)
I'll be updating this blog regularly with how the regime is going and update the money raised.
Finally here's the motley crew in the team.
Two years after the nine month fundraising stint following the FA Cup from start to finish, this time the challenge will be a little more physical.
On June 22nd I will be joined by Sarah's brother, Pads, and our neighbours Jonny and Neil, to ride the C2C from Whitehaven to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
We hope to complete the 140 or so miles in three days, camping for the two nights either side of a night in our start point, Whitehaven, and finish in Newcastle.
If you wish to donate please got to www.justgiving.com/mydadgrahamknowles
The training regime has started today and will include a variety of exercises with football, running, badminton and of course cycling taking up regular weekly action.
The plan for me is as follows:
Monday - football
Tuesday - 15 miles on bike
Wednesday - 5k running
Thursday - badminton
Friday - rest
Weekend - 25 miles on bike (going up by 5 miles per week)
I'll be updating this blog regularly with how the regime is going and update the money raised.
Finally here's the motley crew in the team.
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