Day 1 Lands End Ride

We set off around 9.15 in cool cloudy weather with a slight headwind. I'd made a last minute change to my luggage, swapping my little saddlebag for a rack top bag which has more space and a handy handle.

We stopped at Great Kimble after 10 miles for coffee and buns on a playground bench. The sun broke through as we carried on to Wallington and Wallingford, where we bought some sandwiches for lunch by the Thames. We  followed the Thames to Pangbourne, then crossed over the M4 and took a minor road through Bradfield, where we stopped at a pub.

Carried on along a pleasant wooded road and stopped for an ice cream before arriving at Thatcham and Newbury at around 3:30. Neither of us felt particularly tired and could have managed another 20 miles.

After tea and toast we went for a 4 mile walk though Newbury and along the canal with our friend Anne.

Total miles cycling 55. Average speed 11.6 mph

Day 0: Lands End Ride - Final Preparations

I've done most of my packing now and fitted everything into two panniers (as has Nicky). The final weight of my panniers is about 9 kg consisting roughly as follows:

• 1 bag cycling clothes
• 1 bag casual clothes
• 1 pair casual shoes (cycling in SPD shoes)
• full waterproofs
• sunglasses and gloves
• toilet bag (no towels)
• swim suit (for Cornwall - ever hopefull!)
• small vacuum flask for morning coffees
• map (road atlas of SW)
• iPhone & charger (with Kindle for reading books)
• bike locks

Also in our small wedge saddle bags we'll be carrying spare inner tubes, puncture kit and tools.

I decided to go for a low tech navigation approach with printed out itineries in my handlebar mounted iPhone case, although I do have the map and Satnav if I need it. I can't really see the maps properly on my phone anyway without reading glasses, although the Satnav app is pretty clear. I'm planning on using single carriageway A roads most of the time too, so it should be quite straight forward, apart from a few deviations to avoid busy dual carriageways. We might take alternative back roads if we get tired of busy A roads, but A roads tend to be straighter and flatter.

The weather forecast is looking ok: mostly dry with sunny intervals apart from showers on Tues and Weds, with light NW winds and temperatures around 15 C at midday.

Last Training Ride before Lands End Trip

Nicky and I set off at about 10 am in fine weather in our shorts and matching high-vis jerseys. We stopped for our first coffee at Wingrave, then cycled on to Stewkley and Soulbury. We returned home via Wing and Mentmore, where we had another coffee. Nicky seems faster for some reason. I'd adjusted her gears, but maybe her engine is improving too!

I plan to clean and lubricate both bikes this afternoon. I spent some time last week checking Nicky's gears and bought a chain wear tool, which has shown that both our chains are fine. Even so I plan to take my small chain repair tool when we set off on Saturday just in case.

Newbury Training Weekend Day 2

We had a full English breakfast with our friends in Newbury, which helped counter the effects of the previous night's wine. At 10 am we set off in clear blue skies, so it was shorts and t-shirts from the start. We decided on forging a new route avoiding Streatley Hill, so headed east to Thatcham then north east on a nice B road though woodlands to Bradfield then on to Pangbourne where we had coffee by the Thames. The alternative route had much gentler slopes although added an extra 7 miles.
We followed a fairly busy A road along the west bank of the Thames to Wallingford where we bought some sandwiches and sunbathed watching boats pass. One boat pictured was operating a remote control battleship as it travelled. We then headed back on our usual route via Chinnor, where we had tea and cakes at the garden centre. Arrived home about 4:30pm. A great trip. Mileage 56.

Newbury Training Weekend Day 1

Nicky and I set off at about 9 am in dry fairly warm weather and stopped in Watlington for coffee from our flask at the local playground. It turned out they had the type of equipment we're raising money for on our Lands End trip. (See pic).
We then stopped for our pack lunch on the banks of the Thames at Wallingford. At Streatley I'd planned to take a nice B road to Newbury, but I hadn't bargained for Streatley Hill over 1 km long and up to 16%. We only managed half way before pushing, but we did have loaded panniers. We've decided on an alternative route via Pangbourne next time.
Once at the top the road was very pleasant and we stopped in a pub beer garden for a well deserved pint. We made it to our friends in Newbury just before 4 pm. 49 miles.

Commuting in the Sun

This week has been dry and sunny every day, so my car's not moved from my drive and I've cycled in every day - making a weekly total of 80 miles. It's been pretty cold first thing when I set off around 7.45 so I've been cycling in in long trousers and an extra layer on top, then cycling back at 5.30pm in shorts and less on top. It hasn't been quite warm enough for just a t-shirt on top, although I've noticed some hardy/foolish types cycling in shorts and t-shirts in the early mornings just after the frost has melted! I cycled once on my road bike, which has a luggage rack for my panniers, but decided that my hybrid is better on bumpy roads, and I prefer straight handlebars and easier gear and brake levers in traffic.
Over the bank holiday Sunday and Monday Nicky and I are cycling to Newbury and back, so I'm looking forward to that as the forecast is good.

Ashridge

Nicky and I went for a 15 mile round trip up and over Ashridge today in sun, rain and hail showers. There's no sign of bluebells yet.
Nicky and I both commuted our 8 miles to work this week on the sunny warm Tuesday, but in different directions, Nicky to Hemel and me to Aylesbury. I normally cycle 2 or 3 times a week, but it was the first time for Nicky.

Little Horwood

Nicky and I did a 41 mile ride today to the north of here. The weather was fine and sunny, with temperatures not as high as last Sunday, but it felt much more pleasant as there was hardly any wind. We stopped for our picnic at Little Horwood, then had tea and cake at a cafe in Winslow.

Training Ride

It's 6 weeks till we set off for Lands End, so we did a 33 mile ride today in Bucks in warm but windy weather.
Nicky is also planning next year's summer ride which will retrace a 500 mile walk her father did when he was 18 in 1933 from Dieppe to the Massif Central.

Sponsorship Site

Nicky has created the following site for our Lands End ride next month http://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/landsendforcollett

We haven't been doing any cycling lately as we've spent a week skiing in the Dolomites. We were lucky to have sunny weather and deep snow.