Day 1 route map

Well here's the first of 12!

We start at Glencoe on the 23rd of July for day one of the ride after a night at the Clachaig inn and 68.5 miles later will arrive at the bottom of Loch Lomond for a night at Balloch House on the 24th.

Here's the chart depicting the climbs involved on day 1:

and we'll have the map on Google maps soon for those that are interested but here's a screenshot for now.

on-line presence sorted

Now that the route is planned and most of the accommodation is booked we've been concentrating our efforts on setting up some on-line pages so that people can donate on-line, check our training progress, nose at photos or our route - activity on these will be busier the closer we get, but spread the word!!

• Fundraising page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/cmabikeride
• Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/stuartandleesbikeride
• Blog: You're on it!!

Another training ride....but flatter!

Lee made a trip down to Oxfordshire last weekend with his bike on board, he arrived late Saturday morning so we immediately changed into suitable amounts of lycra and headed off into the Oxfordshire countryside.

We'd mapped out a 26 mile loop from home which we started with gusto, the weather was quite chilly but dry thankfully, the only way to keep warm though was with plenty of effort on the pedals.

16 miles and over half way in, we decided upon a refreshment break in Cumnor at the Bear and Ragged Staff. One hastily despatched pint later (wine for Helen) and we were off again to finish off the last 10 miles, feeling very cold after stopping and pedalling like we'd stolen the bikes in order to warm up. We headed down a 5 or so mile gradual decline towards Sunningwell and then home only to arrive in Radley - a mile away from our intended finish - feeling like we had plenty in the tank so added a trip into town to the end of the route. Once in town we had only a couple of miles back to a warm shower and the comfort of baggy clothing so decided on another pint or two at the Anchor to celebrate having almost finished another suitably long ride.

Upon arriving home the cycle computer registered over 29 miles! A training ride record! So onwards and upwards from here, though we're conscious that 30 miles in Oxfordshire will be somewhat different to 30 miles in the Scottish Highlands or Yorkshire Dales. The only comfort I can find in that fact is that if it's hilly, I'll be standing on my pedals more, thus giving my reliably sore rear a break from the saddle.

A new saddle is my next purchase!