Friday 17th October 2008 The sun had been shining all day and the Grandchildren had gone home and Geoff had finished work. We went out to my ‘shed’ to enjoy the last of the sun and a bottle of wine. Geoff was reading his new book ‘50 Quirky Bike Rides’ while I was just enjoying relaxing and hearing some of the rides mentioned in Geoff’s book. After half a bottle of wine (on an empty stomach) I was feeling very relaxed and when Geoff mentioned the Lands End to John O’Groats cycle ride, I said we should do it. Geoff couldn’t believe what he was hearing as I do not cycle, nor am I as fit as he is. However, seizing the moment, he said “am I sure” and at that particular moment it seemed like a very good idea. We decided it would be good to have a group of us doing it so I immediately text family and friends. Many of the responses we got are unprintable but ranged from Claras simple NO to hysterical laughter from Helen. Saturday 18th October 2008 I woke to the reality of what I had agreed to yesterday and decided I should have gone for the second bottle of wine and a hangover! However, after reading the replies from yesterday again, where everyone had the same opinion that we were mad and I had no chance, I made up my mind to prove them wrong. So it was today that our planning started. Monday 20th October 2008 Our first cycle started with a gentle 7 mile ride to Hengistbury Head, with no hills and I felt that was enough!! As I don’t even own a bike I had to borrow one every time I did some training. November 2008 Due to the bad weather we did as many cycle rides as we could with the longest being 28 miles. In-between we used our rowing machine, and cross trainer (borrowed from Tina) to get the fitness levels up. We also started to look at possible routes. I favoured the Auto Route version that took us on every ferry possible and actual cycling distance was just 500 miles. Due to me being nervous on the roads, we decided it was actually best if we did the CTC recommended route on B roads. This meant an extra 188 miles added to the journey (840 miles is route for ladies record breaking attempt) but would be through the countryside and away from A roads as much as possible. As this was our ‘holiday’ for this year we felt it would be the most enjoyable and we had just over 2 weeks to complete it so the decision was made. Next step was to get me a bike as all the ones I was using were too big and were not really suitable for me. We went into several local shops and told them our plans and how I am a nervous cyclist who needed a ladies bike. They all tried to sell me top-of-the-range mens bikes with drop handle bars and wheels that were so thin I would have wobbled at the first bit of dust I hit. Finally we were recommended a shop at Fourways in Ferndown. They were extremely helpful and helped me choose a bike that I actually felt I could cycle for a long distance. Maybe not your typical long distance tourer, but one that I was happy with. Got my new bike on the 13th and the difference it made, having a bike that was the right size, was amazing. I felt the most confident I had ever been that it just might be possible. Geoff decided he will keep his old bike. December 2008 Again, it was a mixture of cycling (maximum distance 42 miles), rowing, cross trainer and swimming. My bike had started to play-up and I was having trouble with left hand shifter from 2 - 3. Was not worried as it was due to have its 1st free service in January so would mention it then. January 2009 Took my bike in for its service and the gear cable had stretched so they adjusted it and all seemed fine. Decided to cycle to Southampton, 63 mile round trip, and on the way home I hit the wall. I felt completely deflated that I was so exhausted and I would have to do this sort of distance every day for 17 days. Geoff gave me the option of getting a lift home from David but I refused to give in and after an energy bar I got back on the bike and completed the last 15 miles of journey. Felt low after the ride as the enormity of it all had really sunk in. February 2009 Had lots of short journeys this month, with the longest being 35 miles. Bike was beginning to play up again with the same problem with changing left hand gear from 2 – 3. Still doing other training to keep fitness levels up as the weather not so good for cycling. Visited my friend Beverley as her husband Baz had done the trip with his daughter, so went along to get some valuable advice. It was after this visit that we decided we would definitely camp and also fly home as Geoff had some friends who could transport the bikes back from Wick. We had intended to use the train but the cost, and after being told there was no guarantee that our bikes would get on! plus a 15 hour journey with a cycle trip across London, had made the decision easy for us. Had our ‘New Year’ celebrations on the 21st as first time everyone could get together. Paul had a little too much to drink and agreed to drop us off at Redruth, hoping to combine it with a long weekend with Helen ;-) March 2009 Longest ride this month was 50 miles but also started to do some off-road cycling as David gave me an old mountain bike he no longer needed. My bike was taken into bike shop again to have problem fixed. They were very helpful and fixed it again without any quibble. However, I was getting nervous as I felt I needed to be able to rely on it and didn’t want it to start playing up on the LeJog trip. April 2009 Longest ride this month was 58 miles to Southampton and back. Using the panniers now with added weight to get used to them before the actual ride. Sent an email to the bike shop, giving them details of the problem I am having with the gear change from 2 – 3. Got a call straight back and asked to bring it in again. I am getting a bit worried it will not be sorted in time for our trip. May 2009 Gone a whole month without any problems with the gears on my bike. Dare I hope that they have finally been sorted? Longest ride this month was 64 miles around the forest. Have started to do two long rides in a row of approx 50 miles each. Geoff did the Coast to Coast route with some friends at the end of the month. I was back-up (in the car) and it gave me an insight into what to expect on OUR trip. Gulp!! June 2009 Can’t believe that we have finally reached the month that the trip will start. It seemed like such a long time away when we first thought about it. Managed to get 3 consecutive cycling days in of about 30 miles each. Feeling fit now and cant wait for the trip to start... Click here to start the cycle diary