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!
750 miles from Glencoe to Boscombe
750 MILES FROM GLENCOE TO BOSCOMBE
At the age of 50 our dad was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, an incurable degenerative heart disease that can affect people of all ages and one that took the lives of his brothers at the ages of 29 and 34. Sadly, it also claimed the life of our dad in December last year at the age of 64.
The condition can be managed in various ways to improve quality of life for sufferers - the CMA (www.cardiomyopathy.org) is a small charity that receives no government funding but works hard with its limited resources to provide support and information for sufferers and their families.
My brother and I are undertaking a 750-mile cycle ride in memory of our dad and to raise funds for the CMA by way of thanks for the support they provided for him after his diagnosis. We also plan to take Dad's beloved 1956 split screen Morris Minor along as official support vehicle, and we plan to scatter some of his ashes in each of his favourite haunts along the way.
To make a donation go to our fundraising page.
We also have a facebook page where we'll be posting throughout the course of the event, so help us spread the word and get 'liking' us.
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