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Sunday 29 May 2011

Roundup

South Parade Pier (late night training)

We've been raising cash at ASDA over the last couple of weekends.  Last week at the Gosport store and did very well, especially when you consider the relatively small size of this branch. Shoppers were extremely generous and supportive, and the staff really looked after us well. This weekend we have been collecting at the Havant 'superstore'. We set up outside each entrance and enlisted some extra help from Sharon, Alasdair, Emma and Emily.

ASDA, Gosport 21/5/11
ASDA, Havant 28/5/11
ASDA, Havant 28/5/11
ASDA, Havant 28/5/11
ASDA, Havant 29/5/11
ASDA, Havant 29/5/11
Once again this proved highly successful, and we have made significant progress towards our £10,000 target. So a big thank you to all those ASDA customers for their support. We really appreciate it.

We've been out on another Thursday night ride (this is developing into a habit). This time we were to be joined by Rickie in Cosham and the plan was to head off on another 30+ miles. However we had to modify our plan when Rickie picked up a puncture on his way to meet us. We caught up with him at Hilsea and after sorting his bike out, time was pressing and as we all had to work the next day we elected to just do the Portsea Island circuit (approximately 16 miles).

Puncture, Hilsea
Puncture, Hilsea
Spice Island, just after 11pm


In other news...accommodation is sorted, courtesy of the T.A. Will will be staying at a number of T.A. centres across the country on our travels - result! 

Next, we have a fund raising event coming up at the Grosvenor Casino which should be fun, and we are collecting at more ASDA stores in the coming weeks. Oh, and there is the small matter of training. Seven weeks to go...







Monday 16 May 2011

Gaining Support


Went on another team ride yesterday, this time supported by our colleagues, Rob and Louise (proper cyclists). We met up in Cowplain a little after 6 am and cycled a route that Rob had devised, taking in HMS Mercury, Old Winchester Hill, along the A32 to Droxford and on to Denmead, via Hambledon. Rob and Louise offered a few tips along the way, concerning climbing technique, the importance of warming up properly and some ideas about food intake. Very useful stuff.






This was my first time out with my new 'spd' clipless pedals and cleats. I only fell of the once, a soft landing onto the grass verge when I stopped to shoot some pictures. Rather embarrassing so planning a repeat performance, anytime soon.

My tumble aside (and Andy's chain coming off ) we had an very enjoyable and trouble free 30+ miles in superb conditions.

In other news, Andy was at the Meridian Centre in Havant on Saturday and collected a bucket full of cash (well done mate). We will be promoting and collecting at a number of ASDA stores in the area over the next few weeks, including Gosport this coming weekend. So don't be shy, come and say hello...



Post Script : We are also very pleased to announce that our employers, South Downs College, are now officially sponsoring us.



DS



Monday 2 May 2011

2011 Randonnee

As promised in the previous post,  Mike and myself (Duncan) have just completed the Isle of Wight Wayfarer Cycletouring Club's 'Randonnee' 2011 event.



Having caught the 8am ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, we checked in at  Wooton. From there we set off  for Cowes, which we reached fairly quickly, then a really good and fast (for us) run to Yarmouth. So far so good.

7:37 Wightlink Ferry Terminal
8:47 Disembarking at Fishbourne
8:57 Kitehill Farm Campsite, Wooton
9:48 Waiting for the chain ferry, Cowes
11:30 Yarmouth

The next stage proved a little more challenging. The ride along the cycle track to Freshwater was pleasant enough but then we encountered the climb out of Freshwater Bay, a relentless incline that seemed to go on for ever. This was followed by a series of dips and climbs that really challenged us. We were still doing well and on course for our target (catching the 6pm ferry), but around the 30-35 mile mark, I started to flag. A rest with tea and snacks at Chale seemed to sort me out, then we pressed on, making reasonable progress.

12:10 Mike at the top of the Freshwater climb
12:12 Cliffs, Freshwater bay
14:16 Chale

Near Ventnor we missed a turning and ended up in the town itself. After a while we managed to find are way back to the route with the aid of the GPS, adding an extra climb as a consequence.

The remainder of the route, whilst nothing like as challenging as the Freshwater road, still featured somewhat undulating terrain and by the finish we were pretty tired.

15:57 Alverstone
16:30 Approaching Bembridge
17:47 Kitehill Farm Campsite, Wooton


This ride has been our most ambitious to date. True, there were a lot of cyclist who completed this run more quickly than we did, although we feel that we held our own for the majority of the event. The point is we did it! The Randonnee is longer than any of our planned stages, and probable as grueling as any single day is likely to be. Bring it on...



Post Script: The Mile by Mile team are especially proud of Mike. Completing this event is a real achievement, given that he has been a cyclist for less than 2 months.