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?!!