For those of you who didn't read the Guardian this week, and missed yet another feature on my bike ride (thanks to Shaun O'Neill for his interest in this venture) I was much encouraged by a donation from my good friend Dessie Marshall, which came all the way from Tanzania! Yes. Tanzania.
This morning, Saturday 31st March I decided to head out on my now usual route. Just before setting off the postman delivered a letter from my friends, Jim and Margaret Crawford in Hamilton, New Zealand. Apart from the lovely Easter Card, there was an even more lovely Bank of England £20 note. So sorry Dessie you've been out-miled by the Crawfords!
My boss was so right when he said (from his own experience) that I would be suprised by the generosity of some, and disappointed by others. Still, the fundraising is going well.
Today, I took my aunt Sylvia's suggestion and headed over the crossroads at the Dreen Road, Cullybackey and on to the Garvaghy Road. Didn't see a concerned resident anywhere!
Knowing that a hill climb awaited me I took refuge in Portglenone Forest for a pit stop and to take a few minutes in the glorious sunshine. Never before has a toilet block been so welcome! Suitably refreshed it was up the hill, which proved rather tame, once the correct gear was found and I kept my rythm. The headwind however was anything but tame as I headed towards Ahoghill.
Both sets of relations being absent from their abodes I headed tealess into Ballymena where some numpty in a black Volkswagen decided that he had no need to check his blindspot as he drove round a parked car at the Protestant Hall, opposite the police station. He became aware of me, who had taken to the offside lane (as there was a large queue of cars in the inside lane) as I drew alongside his driver's door. I must say that I didn't catch his answer to my query as to the extent of his blindness!
It was an incident free ride out past Eaton Park.
From Ahoghill to Broughshane I counted six drivers using their mobile phones, one who was entering a roundabout. Clever girl. And guess what....all six where female. Multi-tasking. Bless them.
Stats: Distance - 56.87km : Time 2.50.32 : Max speed 49 kph : Avg speed 19.9 kph
Saturday, 31 March 2007
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Sore on Sunday
Hello chums!
Well I'm very excited as you'll all know from my emails....I've crossed the £3000 threshold in my fundraising, and I don't even care if threshold is misspelled or not! Sam McAfee & Son of Railway Street carry the honour for helping me cross into the £3-£4000 lane. Thanks to them and everyone else who has generously donated thus far.
On Sunday I decided it was a good idea to get back on the saddle to try cycling for a second day. This is my main concern for the ride in South Africa. Fifty miles doesn't overly concern me. Fifty miles on day two, day three etc concerns me.
Well all I'm going to say, to spare readers of a delicate disposition is that I've had to invest in a gel saddle! The first leg was up to my parents which was tough enough, especially with a headwind, sore legs and .... you know! After lunch it was up to Ballygelly which didn't prove too difficult. Bit of a leisurely cycle with my friends up the Douglas Road, and then it was a chilly cycle downhill into Broughshane, complete with watering eyes with the strong, cold wind.
But hey. No pain no gain.
Well I'm very excited as you'll all know from my emails....I've crossed the £3000 threshold in my fundraising, and I don't even care if threshold is misspelled or not! Sam McAfee & Son of Railway Street carry the honour for helping me cross into the £3-£4000 lane. Thanks to them and everyone else who has generously donated thus far.
On Sunday I decided it was a good idea to get back on the saddle to try cycling for a second day. This is my main concern for the ride in South Africa. Fifty miles doesn't overly concern me. Fifty miles on day two, day three etc concerns me.
Well all I'm going to say, to spare readers of a delicate disposition is that I've had to invest in a gel saddle! The first leg was up to my parents which was tough enough, especially with a headwind, sore legs and .... you know! After lunch it was up to Ballygelly which didn't prove too difficult. Bit of a leisurely cycle with my friends up the Douglas Road, and then it was a chilly cycle downhill into Broughshane, complete with watering eyes with the strong, cold wind.
But hey. No pain no gain.
ups and downs
Variety, they say is the spice of life. Or in my case variety is the stuff of sore legs and bottom!
Yes I've had to vary my cycling route to include more inclines. There's really no point in cycling a flat route and then face a 1500 metre climb over 10 miles on the first morning of the bike ride in South Africa. Have you googled "Swartberg Pass" yet? When you do you'll see what I'm talking about.
These past two Saturdays I've taken on the hills of Clough. The route takes me up the Knockan Road, to Mervyn Turtle's (the advertising these people get! Honestly!), then up to Clough. Then it's over to Glarryford, dicing with death on the dual carriageway, and turning left heading for Cullybackey.
There are some seriously nice, classy, old, period houses around the Ballywatermoy/Craigs area. If you're in the car you just won't notice them. Cycling on a mountain bike gives you the time and the riding position to take in your surroundings.
This past week I continued out of Cullybackey and up the Dreen Road, turning left and then right onto the Glenhugh Road. After refreshments at auntie Sylvia's it was home via the town.
Stats for last Saturday: Time: 2.00.52 - max speed: 50.6km - avg speed: 21.2 kph - distance: 42.85km.
Next week aunt Sylvia has told me I have to head on to Portglenone and into Ahoghill that way. Nice of her to think of me!
Yes I've had to vary my cycling route to include more inclines. There's really no point in cycling a flat route and then face a 1500 metre climb over 10 miles on the first morning of the bike ride in South Africa. Have you googled "Swartberg Pass" yet? When you do you'll see what I'm talking about.
These past two Saturdays I've taken on the hills of Clough. The route takes me up the Knockan Road, to Mervyn Turtle's (the advertising these people get! Honestly!), then up to Clough. Then it's over to Glarryford, dicing with death on the dual carriageway, and turning left heading for Cullybackey.
There are some seriously nice, classy, old, period houses around the Ballywatermoy/Craigs area. If you're in the car you just won't notice them. Cycling on a mountain bike gives you the time and the riding position to take in your surroundings.
This past week I continued out of Cullybackey and up the Dreen Road, turning left and then right onto the Glenhugh Road. After refreshments at auntie Sylvia's it was home via the town.
Stats for last Saturday: Time: 2.00.52 - max speed: 50.6km - avg speed: 21.2 kph - distance: 42.85km.
Next week aunt Sylvia has told me I have to head on to Portglenone and into Ahoghill that way. Nice of her to think of me!
Sunday, 11 March 2007
Further and faster than before...
Yes friends, you find me feeling the effects of pushing the boundaries of speed and distance on two wheels.
I headed out yesterday, Saturday 10th, with no definite route or distance in mind, other than a plan to tackle the occasional hill or two. So over it was to the Woodside Road (the one up the side of Michelin - more advertising for those guys). Yes there was a bit of a headwind, but I thought nothing of it. I'm the guy who has a head wind going out on the bike and a head wind coming back - even if I come back the same direction I headed out. Go figure that one!
The Woodside Road isn't so bad until near the top when the incline takes a turn for the worse. Much puffing and panting later...not to mention slipping down the gears...I made it to the Lisnahilt Road. It was a much more pleasant excursion along to Ballygelly and a cup of tea at Gavin and Hiliary's pad.
Refreshed I headed down the Ballygelly Road, still with no plan in mind. Maybe head up towards the Kilnacolpagh Road (if you're not from these parts, think middle of nowhere, and you're close). When I got to the Burnside Road (gets you to the Kilnacolpagh Road) I decided to tackle the hills leading to Carnalbanagh. My boss had mentioned this route before, so why not? The cunning plan was to turn left at Carnalbanagh Church and down to, yes, you've guessed it, the Kilnacolpagh Road. Or turn right and come back across the Drumcrow Road to the Shilnavogie Road.
As it turned out, I just kept going. Bit like Forrest Gump I suppose! At the very end of the Carnalbanagh Road, I headed right with perhaps the chance of turning left onto the Munie Road and back to the Carnlough Line. But, oh no! Why not have a go at Glenarm/Carnlough/home. It turned out a capital idea: wonderful views, free wheeling for ages and sea air in Glenarm. Everything was most pleasant until I rounded the corner out of Glenarm and wham! A gust of wind that almost stopped me in my tracks. The gears were knocked down and I pedalled just to keep moving...certainly not for speed in the gusting wind.
I made it round to Carnlough harbour for a break. After a banana (I didn't have any money for a fish supper. What? It good stuff out of The Galley) I headed along to the Carnlough Road/Ballymena Road only to find the wind wanted to push me back into Carnlough. It was fierce! And that was the story all the way home, but particularly heading up out of Carnlough. The plan of attack wasn't so much thought out as forced on me. Ride about 100 metres, be blown almost to a stop, then actually stop, wait for a lull in the wind and ride another 100 metres....and repeat.
The thought did cross my mind a couple of times to ring my folks and give up. But I was determined not to give in. Finally battling the wind and increasing hunger I made to 96 Buckna Road (the folks) and a plate of stew. Mmmmm. Food! The old legs were certainly feeling the strain on the final leg to Broughshane but the knowledge that I had beaten the wind, and dramatically increased the distance riden made it all worthwhile.
In South Africa it will be approximately 80 kilometres a day for five days. Hmm!!
The stats for the ride: Distance: 60.05km - Riding time: 3h 18m 40s - Max speed: 61.7 kph -Avg speed: 18.1 kph
And to date I've ridden 234.9 kilometres. Thanks again to everyone who has made a donation. The rest of you....come on. It's a great cause and you get rid of me for two weeks. What more do you want?!!
I headed out yesterday, Saturday 10th, with no definite route or distance in mind, other than a plan to tackle the occasional hill or two. So over it was to the Woodside Road (the one up the side of Michelin - more advertising for those guys). Yes there was a bit of a headwind, but I thought nothing of it. I'm the guy who has a head wind going out on the bike and a head wind coming back - even if I come back the same direction I headed out. Go figure that one!
The Woodside Road isn't so bad until near the top when the incline takes a turn for the worse. Much puffing and panting later...not to mention slipping down the gears...I made it to the Lisnahilt Road. It was a much more pleasant excursion along to Ballygelly and a cup of tea at Gavin and Hiliary's pad.
Refreshed I headed down the Ballygelly Road, still with no plan in mind. Maybe head up towards the Kilnacolpagh Road (if you're not from these parts, think middle of nowhere, and you're close). When I got to the Burnside Road (gets you to the Kilnacolpagh Road) I decided to tackle the hills leading to Carnalbanagh. My boss had mentioned this route before, so why not? The cunning plan was to turn left at Carnalbanagh Church and down to, yes, you've guessed it, the Kilnacolpagh Road. Or turn right and come back across the Drumcrow Road to the Shilnavogie Road.
As it turned out, I just kept going. Bit like Forrest Gump I suppose! At the very end of the Carnalbanagh Road, I headed right with perhaps the chance of turning left onto the Munie Road and back to the Carnlough Line. But, oh no! Why not have a go at Glenarm/Carnlough/home. It turned out a capital idea: wonderful views, free wheeling for ages and sea air in Glenarm. Everything was most pleasant until I rounded the corner out of Glenarm and wham! A gust of wind that almost stopped me in my tracks. The gears were knocked down and I pedalled just to keep moving...certainly not for speed in the gusting wind.
I made it round to Carnlough harbour for a break. After a banana (I didn't have any money for a fish supper. What? It good stuff out of The Galley) I headed along to the Carnlough Road/Ballymena Road only to find the wind wanted to push me back into Carnlough. It was fierce! And that was the story all the way home, but particularly heading up out of Carnlough. The plan of attack wasn't so much thought out as forced on me. Ride about 100 metres, be blown almost to a stop, then actually stop, wait for a lull in the wind and ride another 100 metres....and repeat.
The thought did cross my mind a couple of times to ring my folks and give up. But I was determined not to give in. Finally battling the wind and increasing hunger I made to 96 Buckna Road (the folks) and a plate of stew. Mmmmm. Food! The old legs were certainly feeling the strain on the final leg to Broughshane but the knowledge that I had beaten the wind, and dramatically increased the distance riden made it all worthwhile.
In South Africa it will be approximately 80 kilometres a day for five days. Hmm!!
The stats for the ride: Distance: 60.05km - Riding time: 3h 18m 40s - Max speed: 61.7 kph -Avg speed: 18.1 kph
And to date I've ridden 234.9 kilometres. Thanks again to everyone who has made a donation. The rest of you....come on. It's a great cause and you get rid of me for two weeks. What more do you want?!!
Saturday, 3 March 2007
Back on the road
After a two week absence owing to feeling a bit crook, I'm back on two wheels! Having become accustomed to 20 miles on an outing I decided it was time to up the distance. So today saw me head into Broughshane, into Ballymena past Michelin (no fee for the advertising folks) and out the Galgorm Road to Ahoghill. After a cup of tea and some toast at my uncle and aunt's it was on to Cullybackey.
What a glorious day it is today. You see so much more on a bike, and have the time to appreciate God's creation. I also appreciate the consideration shown by Ballymena drivers. Thus far in my training I have not had any bad experiences with car/lorry/van drivers. Everyone has given me a wide berth, and stayed behind when they couldn't safely overtake. Thank you. Some bike lanes would be good (Ballymena Council take note). That excuse for a bike lane between Sourhill Roundabout and Galgorm barely counts even as a token gesture. If you're serious about the environment and people's fitness provide safe bike lanes and encourage the folks back onto two wheels.
Hill training has to play a large part in my training so passing through Cullybackey I hooked a left on to Station Road dropping down the gears just a wee bit, and crossed over up the two hills of Fenagh Road. Taking my life in my hands I headed over the Ballymoney Line - I swear those people sped up when they saw me cross in front of them - and continued on the Fenagh Road. Then it was the Loughmegarry Road, Drumfin Road, Doury Road, Devenagh Road, Cloughwater Road (stopping off at no.173) to Clough.
Thankfully the downhills gave my legs a break, before Mervyn Turtle's hoved into view, and more importantly that hill at the start of the Knockan Road. You'll be impressed to learn that I didn't get off the bike, although I did have to take shelter at the top from a hail shower. Finally, finally it was down into sunny Broughshane and Woodlands.
The stats: 42.54 km - 1h59m50s - max speed 45.5kph - avg speed 21.2 kph.
What a glorious day it is today. You see so much more on a bike, and have the time to appreciate God's creation. I also appreciate the consideration shown by Ballymena drivers. Thus far in my training I have not had any bad experiences with car/lorry/van drivers. Everyone has given me a wide berth, and stayed behind when they couldn't safely overtake. Thank you. Some bike lanes would be good (Ballymena Council take note). That excuse for a bike lane between Sourhill Roundabout and Galgorm barely counts even as a token gesture. If you're serious about the environment and people's fitness provide safe bike lanes and encourage the folks back onto two wheels.
Hill training has to play a large part in my training so passing through Cullybackey I hooked a left on to Station Road dropping down the gears just a wee bit, and crossed over up the two hills of Fenagh Road. Taking my life in my hands I headed over the Ballymoney Line - I swear those people sped up when they saw me cross in front of them - and continued on the Fenagh Road. Then it was the Loughmegarry Road, Drumfin Road, Doury Road, Devenagh Road, Cloughwater Road (stopping off at no.173) to Clough.
Thankfully the downhills gave my legs a break, before Mervyn Turtle's hoved into view, and more importantly that hill at the start of the Knockan Road. You'll be impressed to learn that I didn't get off the bike, although I did have to take shelter at the top from a hail shower. Finally, finally it was down into sunny Broughshane and Woodlands.
The stats: 42.54 km - 1h59m50s - max speed 45.5kph - avg speed 21.2 kph.
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