It was a repair-free day in the bike for life camp.
No one suffered a puncture or any problem at all with their bike which was a pleasant feeling.
The problems faced were related to our own components. Specifically our knees. Myself, George and James were all suffering so combined with Tom we were the later group setting off from the campsite.
Ed and Louis set of first. Setting the standard with Bustard, Alex, Phil and Simon following soon after as a foursome.
After a stop in Westbury for Tom to relieve himself before soiling the cycling shorts I had lent him due to a washing machine/human error with his own shorts. As well as screwing over his own shorts we also managed to ruin half the teams gear, confusing rinse and spin with spin. After Tom lost a couple of pounds I headed to the chemists to pick up a knee support and we headed out at an indifferent pace towards Shaftesbury were we stopped for lunch.
After being revitalised by Tom Hext's advice the pace after Shaftesbury was good and we made it to the campsite via some nice scenery until Tom had a fight with a wasp and lost. We were flying down a hill and with his shirt slightly unzipped a wasp fancied a bit of Tom's chest. And no man points for screaming like a girl.
Meanwhile, Simon was shouted at for asking to put his rubbish in a mans bin. I suppose that is better than littering so I don't see what the mans problem was and I'm sure that Phil wouldn't approve of littering.
After all meeting at the campsite some of the guys took an icey cool dip in the pool. And we revitalised and we all headed to Poole down the road for fish and chips, bar Tom and Louis.
After waiting a very long time for fish and chips Bustard decided to out wit a seagull by putting a fork in a chip. Don't worry, we have reported to him to the RSPCA.
We then proceeded to have a couple of chilled beers and headed back to the campsite. Sore knees and all.
Bike for life out.
Day 4 Stats
Distance - 49 miles
Time on the saddle - 4 hrs 33 mins
Saddle soreness - 4 out of 10
Knee soreness - 6 out of 10
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Day 3 Stats
Distance - 60 miles
Time on the saddle - 4hrs 34mins
Saddle Sorness - 4 out of 10
Knee Soreness - 7 out of 10
Time on the saddle - 4hrs 34mins
Saddle Sorness - 4 out of 10
Knee Soreness - 7 out of 10
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Day 3 - Pannier Problems, Punctures and Pissing in Private Places
The day started off well. George and James warmed up their tender knees. And we made good speed and made it to Cirencester with no problems.
We met up with the others and after stocking up on Boots meal deals I started to mock the Halfords across the road with Tom. How I was so wrong to do so.
We set off as a strong group of 10 and our peleton was going strong but after around 6 miles Louis decided to do the disco shuffle on his bike. Nearly ending in disaster. After recovering we journeyed on for another few hundred yards disaster really struck.
After falling to spot the mother of all potholes at the back of the peleton my pannier rack decided to fall backwards with the screws becoming loose. I stopped the back and called George and Bustard back to help me out to attach the pannier rack back on.
After some awkward fixing we managed to reattach the pannier rack and I took a couple of pedals only to realise that my front tyre had punctured. A true double whammy.
To add to insult the spare inner tubes I carried seemed to be too large for my wheels. Ending in a folded inner tube to be used.
Due to the amount of time wasted. A fivesome of Alex, George, James, Simon and Bustard headed out to scout ahead whilst the others stayed with me.
After hitting the road again we made good progress until my pannier rack refused to stay together and the insulation tape came out.
Meanwhile, the others stopped off for a light refreshment and Bustard stood in the wrong place to relieve himself and a fierce gentleman questioned his location to empty his bladder. The gentleman didn't take kindly to Bustard's wit and he swiftly moved on.
In my group we made more good progress until after a brief stop at Morrisons I suffered another puncture but luckily there was a Halfords a few miles away so Tom volunteered to come with me to Halfords. Scott at Halfords was happy enough to help me with my problems and I can't give him enough credit for it.
Elsewhere, George decided to taste some of the grass on the side of the road. Removing his panniers at the same time. Whilst recovering the others moved onto a shopping centre for some grub. George made it to the shopping centre but was asked to move his bike. Down four flights of stairs. George wasn't overly impressed.
Due to our detour to Halfords myself and Tom arrived to Brokerswood County Park later than the others. Just before we arrived Bustard decided to punch his tray of food out his hand trying to hit a bee. Adding gravel to his meal. He proceeded to finish his meal. Gravel and all.
The team at the campsite were kind enough to offer free accommodation and charge up our phones! Very kind of them.
Fun at the campsite involved cricket. Which was shortlived by Louis hitting a six out of the campsite. Not off my bowling I'm happy to say!
We later visited the Kicking Donkey pub down the road were Phil decided to have a sing song to himself. It capped off a good bad day.
Bike for Life out.
P.S. Knees are not made for cycling!
We met up with the others and after stocking up on Boots meal deals I started to mock the Halfords across the road with Tom. How I was so wrong to do so.
We set off as a strong group of 10 and our peleton was going strong but after around 6 miles Louis decided to do the disco shuffle on his bike. Nearly ending in disaster. After recovering we journeyed on for another few hundred yards disaster really struck.
After falling to spot the mother of all potholes at the back of the peleton my pannier rack decided to fall backwards with the screws becoming loose. I stopped the back and called George and Bustard back to help me out to attach the pannier rack back on.
After some awkward fixing we managed to reattach the pannier rack and I took a couple of pedals only to realise that my front tyre had punctured. A true double whammy.
To add to insult the spare inner tubes I carried seemed to be too large for my wheels. Ending in a folded inner tube to be used.
Due to the amount of time wasted. A fivesome of Alex, George, James, Simon and Bustard headed out to scout ahead whilst the others stayed with me.
After hitting the road again we made good progress until my pannier rack refused to stay together and the insulation tape came out.
Meanwhile, the others stopped off for a light refreshment and Bustard stood in the wrong place to relieve himself and a fierce gentleman questioned his location to empty his bladder. The gentleman didn't take kindly to Bustard's wit and he swiftly moved on.
In my group we made more good progress until after a brief stop at Morrisons I suffered another puncture but luckily there was a Halfords a few miles away so Tom volunteered to come with me to Halfords. Scott at Halfords was happy enough to help me with my problems and I can't give him enough credit for it.
Elsewhere, George decided to taste some of the grass on the side of the road. Removing his panniers at the same time. Whilst recovering the others moved onto a shopping centre for some grub. George made it to the shopping centre but was asked to move his bike. Down four flights of stairs. George wasn't overly impressed.
Due to our detour to Halfords myself and Tom arrived to Brokerswood County Park later than the others. Just before we arrived Bustard decided to punch his tray of food out his hand trying to hit a bee. Adding gravel to his meal. He proceeded to finish his meal. Gravel and all.
The team at the campsite were kind enough to offer free accommodation and charge up our phones! Very kind of them.
Fun at the campsite involved cricket. Which was shortlived by Louis hitting a six out of the campsite. Not off my bowling I'm happy to say!
We later visited the Kicking Donkey pub down the road were Phil decided to have a sing song to himself. It capped off a good bad day.
Bike for Life out.
P.S. Knees are not made for cycling!
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Day 2 - Niggley Knees, A Strong Breeze and No Camping Fees
What an extremely difficult day.
It started off with Phil managing to fall of his bike 1 min 25 seconds into the day. Luckily he was ok. Just a gentle taste of gravel.
Tom, Bustard and George headed to Nuneaton in order to pick up Tom's brand new spanker from Halfords. Luckily the Halfords team had managed to construct Tom's bike in record time. Maybe this hindered the bikes performance as Tom found changing gears rather difficult.
The other group headed down Fosse way with good speed and the guys thought it would be a great day but that wasn't the case.
After stopping at Glebe farm cafe we had a banging all day breakfast and after some deliberation about waiting for the other three, James and Simon decided to wait for them whilst the others headed out.
But only a mile and half down the road from Glebe farm disaster struck! Tom Hext had a complication changing gear and his knee popped out causing him sheer agony. We phoned an ambulance and the hospital confirmed his fate and he is out of the bike ride.
Were all gutted for him and hope for him to have a good recovery.
After the ambulance left because of the amount of time lost we waited for James, Simon and Bustard. With Tom and George trailing due to poor navigation.
With time handy, Myself, Ed, Alex, Louis and Phil devised a fun rock game to kill time. Very entertaining. This was not before I was at one with nature and left my mark in a Warwickshire field.
After setting out. The main group made some good speed but I kept falling behind due to the constant hills and the bulkiness of my bike. Eventually, in the approach to Stow, which is one hell of a hill, the foursome of Alex, Bustard, Simon and Phil powered through. Leaving Myself, Ed, Louis and Rudi in Stow pondering which step to take next.
After resting for a while, George appeared out of the mist. Doing his best Lance Armstrong impression. Happy to see us. Soon after Tom appeared and we were reunited at last. After hearing the other four were making good progress we decided to go to Folly Farm campsite, 6 miles away as we all felt it was too far to Cirencester. We set off and after a winding hill we made it to the campsite.
The owner was kind enough not to charge us and even gave us a lift to a store for supplies.
The other four made is to Cirencester and managed to talk their way into free pizza.
Hopefully there are not too many days that are eventful as that.
The morale in the camp is ok, let's hope today is an improvement.
Day 2 Stats:
50 miles/68 miles (For Tom, George and Bustard)
Saddle Time - 4 hours 25 mins
Campsite - Folly Farm Campsite
Saddle Soreness - 4 out of 10
It started off with Phil managing to fall of his bike 1 min 25 seconds into the day. Luckily he was ok. Just a gentle taste of gravel.
Tom, Bustard and George headed to Nuneaton in order to pick up Tom's brand new spanker from Halfords. Luckily the Halfords team had managed to construct Tom's bike in record time. Maybe this hindered the bikes performance as Tom found changing gears rather difficult.
The other group headed down Fosse way with good speed and the guys thought it would be a great day but that wasn't the case.
After stopping at Glebe farm cafe we had a banging all day breakfast and after some deliberation about waiting for the other three, James and Simon decided to wait for them whilst the others headed out.
But only a mile and half down the road from Glebe farm disaster struck! Tom Hext had a complication changing gear and his knee popped out causing him sheer agony. We phoned an ambulance and the hospital confirmed his fate and he is out of the bike ride.
Were all gutted for him and hope for him to have a good recovery.
After the ambulance left because of the amount of time lost we waited for James, Simon and Bustard. With Tom and George trailing due to poor navigation.
With time handy, Myself, Ed, Alex, Louis and Phil devised a fun rock game to kill time. Very entertaining. This was not before I was at one with nature and left my mark in a Warwickshire field.
After setting out. The main group made some good speed but I kept falling behind due to the constant hills and the bulkiness of my bike. Eventually, in the approach to Stow, which is one hell of a hill, the foursome of Alex, Bustard, Simon and Phil powered through. Leaving Myself, Ed, Louis and Rudi in Stow pondering which step to take next.
After resting for a while, George appeared out of the mist. Doing his best Lance Armstrong impression. Happy to see us. Soon after Tom appeared and we were reunited at last. After hearing the other four were making good progress we decided to go to Folly Farm campsite, 6 miles away as we all felt it was too far to Cirencester. We set off and after a winding hill we made it to the campsite.
The owner was kind enough not to charge us and even gave us a lift to a store for supplies.
The other four made is to Cirencester and managed to talk their way into free pizza.
Hopefully there are not too many days that are eventful as that.
The morale in the camp is ok, let's hope today is an improvement.
Day 2 Stats:
50 miles/68 miles (For Tom, George and Bustard)
Saddle Time - 4 hours 25 mins
Campsite - Folly Farm Campsite
Saddle Soreness - 4 out of 10
Monday, 2 August 2010
Day 1 Stats
Distance Travelled - 75.6 miles
Saddle Time - 6hrs 9mins 24secs
Campsite - Wolvey Camp Site
Saddle Soreness - 3 out of 10.
Missed info. People at the cavery donated 19.50.
Saddle Time - 6hrs 9mins 24secs
Campsite - Wolvey Camp Site
Saddle Soreness - 3 out of 10.
Missed info. People at the cavery donated 19.50.
Day 1 - Buckled Wheels, Blowouts and Brand New Bikes
It was a truly eventful day.
The morning started well. The house was buzzing with activity and everything seemed to be going smoothly. Then 2 minutes before setting out for the photo at the childrens hospital Ed's eagle eyes spotted that Alex's back wheel wasn't quite right. Seemed there was a bearing problem. Alex was not a happy chappy.
Myself, Ed, Louis and Tom Hext set off as a four whilst the others visited JE James to sort Alex's life out.
Whilst on the exit to Sheffield I spotted that my wheel was slightly buckled, then very buckled. Knowing it was a problem to sort later on in the day.
After a brief tour of Chesterfield industrial estate, with Tom Hext's bottle being a casualty of the road we felt the breeze of lorries of on the dual carriageway we battled through Chesterfield with some help from Mick a local cyclist and went on to Derby and stopped for a cavery. And what a carvery it was.
After refuelling we trudged our way to Hinckley tesco to stock up for the campsite.
At this point we contacted the others to discover Thomas Bustard had suffered a blowout and Tom Arnold was considering buying a new bike.
Hearing that a Halfords was nearby and my bike of need its wheel being straightened I managed to get to Halfords just in time for a sound guy to sort my wheel out, bought a new tyre and inner tube for Bustard and Tom Arnold ordered a new bike to be picked up tomorrow. After experiencing the sluggishness of his current bike.
After joining up again we headed to the campsite where George's dad, Tim, was a hero and supplied us with fish and chips.
What a day. More to come tomorrow.
The morning started well. The house was buzzing with activity and everything seemed to be going smoothly. Then 2 minutes before setting out for the photo at the childrens hospital Ed's eagle eyes spotted that Alex's back wheel wasn't quite right. Seemed there was a bearing problem. Alex was not a happy chappy.
Myself, Ed, Louis and Tom Hext set off as a four whilst the others visited JE James to sort Alex's life out.
Whilst on the exit to Sheffield I spotted that my wheel was slightly buckled, then very buckled. Knowing it was a problem to sort later on in the day.
After a brief tour of Chesterfield industrial estate, with Tom Hext's bottle being a casualty of the road we felt the breeze of lorries of on the dual carriageway we battled through Chesterfield with some help from Mick a local cyclist and went on to Derby and stopped for a cavery. And what a carvery it was.
After refuelling we trudged our way to Hinckley tesco to stock up for the campsite.
At this point we contacted the others to discover Thomas Bustard had suffered a blowout and Tom Arnold was considering buying a new bike.
Hearing that a Halfords was nearby and my bike of need its wheel being straightened I managed to get to Halfords just in time for a sound guy to sort my wheel out, bought a new tyre and inner tube for Bustard and Tom Arnold ordered a new bike to be picked up tomorrow. After experiencing the sluggishness of his current bike.
After joining up again we headed to the campsite where George's dad, Tim, was a hero and supplied us with fish and chips.
What a day. More to come tomorrow.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Panic Sunday
Its been a slightly stressful day at the camp today.
10 of the 11 riders are in Sheffield at the moment with only Thomas Bustard to join us tomorrow morning (hopefully his alarm doesn't fail).
Equipment wise, a couple of riders are still short of an inner tube or two so it will involve a couple of early morning purchases. Surprise, surprise James falls into this category.
Talking about James, Louis decided to have a food related bet with him. A fiver that James couldn't finish a 400g block of Cathedral mature cheddar. Consequently, Louis won the bet. James is currently lying on the floor passed out. Not the best start to the bike ride. Especially as we have discovered that some of the side effects of eating too much cheese is the shits and nausea. Special times for him and his bike seat I think.
I shall let you know how the first day goes tomorrow and how James' bowels react to the cheese.
Bike for Life out.
10 of the 11 riders are in Sheffield at the moment with only Thomas Bustard to join us tomorrow morning (hopefully his alarm doesn't fail).
Equipment wise, a couple of riders are still short of an inner tube or two so it will involve a couple of early morning purchases. Surprise, surprise James falls into this category.
Talking about James, Louis decided to have a food related bet with him. A fiver that James couldn't finish a 400g block of Cathedral mature cheddar. Consequently, Louis won the bet. James is currently lying on the floor passed out. Not the best start to the bike ride. Especially as we have discovered that some of the side effects of eating too much cheese is the shits and nausea. Special times for him and his bike seat I think.
I shall let you know how the first day goes tomorrow and how James' bowels react to the cheese.
Bike for Life out.
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