Still Training!

When most people set themselves on a challenge like this, its because they already have an idea of what its going to be like and feel they have a good shot at completing it.

Me being me, decided on Gibraltar to Yorkshire before I had even managed to cycle 100km in one day. Nevermind doing 100km for 25 days straight and having to camp!
Truth is, when I embarked on this challenge, I had never done any sort of camping before, and have never managed to figure out how to pitch a tent.

Now I have 99% of the equipment needed for the charity ride, I decided it was about time to give it a go. This weekend I set off to Ubrique and Ronda. a 250km round trip over some tough mountain terrain under some incredible heat. Part of this trip involved a wild camp. A wild camp is where you literally pitch the tent whereever you can find rather than at a designated camp site. Obviously you have to be careful not to trespass on land etc. But as long as youre out of site, respect the environment and dont leave any mess then its generally OK. For those interested in reading more about the trip, I posted some pictures and details here: http://www.cyclechat.net/topic/65843-did-my-first-overnight-cycle-tour-in-the-spanish-andalucian-mountains/

All in all it was successful! 85km on Day 1 and 160km on day 2. Temperatures scaled into the 40s. I could have brewed a cup of tea in the water bottles!! It was imense! It wasn't easy, but stretching myself should really help build my ability up ready for the big one. Which is fast approaching.

In the meantime, local coverage in Gibraltar is stepping up as well as coverage in Yorkshire with various news vendors interested in reporting my story. All details for sponsoring me through Gibraltar Cancer Relief are now up on the site. There is also a planned cyclathon evening outside of B Beautiful in Ocean Village on my birthday of August 27th from 6pm. More details about that to follow.

The route is planned and knowledge of this epic ride is starting to spread! Spread the word too and please help me to support these charities by donating. The links are to the left.

Wind Power!

These days, people are more concerned about the environment.

We all know that cycling is a very green method of getting from A to B. However any cyclist will tell you, that one of their biggest hates is a head wind whilst cycling. It makes cycling on a flat level feel as hard as having to cycle up a hill. Its like cycling with the breaks on whilst beeing blasted in the face with wind!

However, for me, a head wind won't be the end of the world. The bike is fitted with two wind powered eco chargers from hymini. As I cycle along, the batteries in these chargers will charge up as they capture the passing wind. This will then allow me to charge up all my gadgets, such as the SatNav, the Phone, the mp3 player and the cameras. Extremely useful when you dont know where the next plug is. And of course, extremely environmentally friendly. I will be using renewable energy to keep online and to keep on track!

Training and Media Coverage!

Wow what a crazy two weeks it has been! The bike that I'll be riding to Yorkshire is here, and I've been training with it. What a difference carrying a load on the back makes, it really does! Previously I had been cycling without a load. Pulling up hills is definately harder!





Media coverage of the forthcoming event has also shot through the roof, with doing an interview for Radio Gibraltar today and have been working very closely with the Gibraltar Society for Cancer Relief who are pulling out all the stops to get local covereage here to raise awarness for what I'm doing, which will ultimately encourage more people to sponsor and raise more money for this great cause!

The charity ride has also been mentioned today on the local South Yorkshire radio station, Hallam FM.

With all this going on, getting time to train has been tough! But I've been managing some, and getting out into the mountains in Spain in hot July temperatures. It read 42c on the cycle computer the other day whilst cycling up to Gaucin. It was tough work - very little shade, but I made it and I'm getting myself fitter and fitter and ready to take on this imense challenge!