TRAINING ENTERS THE FINAL STRETCH

The weather has been kind for most of the last week and I’ve managed to get some good practice rides completed.

I’ve been out four times, covering about 50 miles, each time increasing my average speed. I know this because I’m doing the same route each time.

The main aim at the moment is to build up fitness levels and increase my leg muscle strength, while bedding in the new tyres and inner tubes on my bike.

Next week I hope to cover about 40 miles in midweek, followed by 45-50 miles next weekend. The ride itself is split into specific sections to ensure that we finish each day in good time, even if the weather is poor or we encounter fitness or bike problems.

I’ll be writing just two more blog posts before the ride itself, so if you would like to wish the team (Pads, Neil, Ian and me) good luck just add your comment below – it will be much appreciated.

I have three major concerns for the ride, although I’m sure all will be fine in the end. The weather is something we just can’t control, my ‘tennis elbow injury is not getting any better so will have to be controlled with ibuprofen and my fitness is probably not as good as the others.

But as we’re a team we’ll be riding together and if I continue to increase my fitness that should be at a faster rate than last year. I’m hoping to average 8mph on day one, 5mph on days two and three, with 12mph on day four.

Tune in to my Coast to Coast bike ride post-event post on this blog to see if we achieved these targets!

As mentioned previously we’re riding the Coast to Coast for Cancer Research UK, so if you would like to donate please go to http://www.justgiving.com/mydadgrahamknowles

Any donation is very much appreciated and will go to an excellent charity that has helped millions of people and will hopefully help many millions in the future.

A new appeal has helped boost the total and it’s now at almost £600, so the £1,000 target is well in sight.