Farewell to the Devon Hills

Time trial went ok last night. I managed a 25minute 55 seconds which was my quickest this year but still 15 seconds slower than my p.b. Long distance training doesn't seem to do much for short distance time trialling.

We're off to the west coast of France tomorrow where it's flat as a pancake so I decided to make the most of our wonderful North Devon hills this morning. Started with Georgeham cemetry climb, then Potter's Hill out of Woolacombe, out of Ilfracombe past the recycling centre and the climb out of Combe Martin past the dinosaur park. 45 miles at a pretty good speed!

Felt really tired this morning and didn't want to get out of bed but it's amazing how full of life you feel when your hearts pumping and lungs are fit to burst. Then the body fills full of naturally produced drugs like endorphines and adrenalin and you feel happy and chilled out for the rest of the day! Must try harder to cycle to school each day next term, maybe I'll be a happier headteacher! :)

16 days to go! Try and visit the end2endin10 site if you can and see how the other guys are getting on with their training.

http://www.end2endin10.com/

Time trial practice

Just a short ride this morning but worked hard. Rode out to Bishop's Tawton again to practise the 10 mile time trial. I really should be riding further but Thursday night is probably the last time I'll get the chance to ride the time trial so I want to have fresh legs and do well. Then I can forget about races and get time in the saddle.

It was windy today so I was pleased with a 26 minute 14 seconds. Still not as fast as my personal best (p.b.) last year but fingers crossed for tomorrow...maybe the legs will be stronger then !

Crash !

What to do when it's drizzly and misty? Headed for Exmoor with my windsurfing and mountain biking mate Stewart. We had a great ride from Watersmeet over Brendan Common and down the Doone Valley getting some great air time along side the river. Overcooked one corner on a fast descent and lost some skin! Stung like mad later in the shower. Ouch!

Great ride, nice to get off the roads and get muddy for a change!

Punctures!

Trying to ride every day now, even just for a few miles to try to get time in the saddle.With more miles come more punctures and with all the rain we've been having lots of glass and thorns get washed onto the roads and tracks. It's annoying when you're looking forward to an early morning ride and the first thing you have to do is mend a flat that you discover from the day before!








Early morning ten miles out to Bishop's Tawton on Monday where I rode the North Devon Wheelers 10 mile time trial course and then home for breakfast. 30 miles short ride but the budleia smelt lovely on the Tarka Trail on the way home.

Lazy training

I had to take Samantha my daughter to a pony event at Blackmore Gate today, so didn't have time to cycle! :(

So a 'rest day' today instead, feet up on the coffee table, glass of wine in hand and watched British cyclist Mark Cavendish win the final stage of the Tour de France in Paris. Fantastic... wish I could go that fast!

Team training

I met up with four of the End2Endin10 team this morning for a training ride. We rode 60 miles from Bishop's Tawton out to Morchard Bishop, Winkleigh and back. It was great riding with Andy, Tony, Colin and Adam, nice and fast with an average speed of 19.2 miles per hour. I don't think we'll manage to go quite that fast on the End to End.

I watched the Tour de France afterwards and fell asleep on the sofa. I love holidays! :)

A Soggy Start !

What happened to the sunshine? I wonder how many Ashleigh children are still sitting in their pyjamas on the sofa watching CBBC? OOglies was good today! Well I don't blame you...what a horrible start to a summer holiday, I hope the rain stops soon.

Cycled to school this morning and then carried on for a rather wet and soggy 40 miles with my son Sean. We went up to Goodleigh and Gunn and had a rather nice tea cake at the North Gate Inn at South Molton before going through Filleigh, Swimbridge,Landkey, Barnstaple and home to Braunton.

Not suprised I didn't see any children as we cycled up Bear Street... you'd have to be mad to be out in this! Mmmm?

End 2 End Assembly Monday 19th July

On Monday I introduced the children to my challenge and asked them to try and support the team by asking friends and family to sponsor our 1050 mile ride from John O'Groats to Land's End. Lots of them remembered the visit to Ashleigh by The Children's Hospice South West earlier this year and were very touched by the sad stories of children affected by cancer. Our Year 5 & 6 had decided to support The North Devon Hospice on their sponsored cycle ride this year which was unfortunately cancelled and I would be very happy to ride on their behalf. Otherwise why not try the Barnstaple Station to Fremington ride on Tuesday 24th August instead!

In the assembly I showed the children some of the route and where we start in Scotland, introduced the other local cyclists and showed them some of the clothing and equipment we would be using for the ride. They all came up with some great questions and Charlie and Reagan did a great job of demonstrating how a turbo trainer is used.

Charlie worked hard to hit a top speed of 20 miles per hour and worked off quite a bit of energy!

Shame about the wind and rain !

As many of you already know the Ashleigh Primary Year 5 & 6 sponsored bike ride to Instow was cancelled last Friday due to the strong wind and forecast rain. It was a real shame as the children were really looking forward to the ride but it would have been a pretty miserable lunch on the beach with soggy sandwiches! Here's how it should have been , going back to 2008 I think !

Welcome to my End 2 End in 10 blog !

Hi there and welcome to anyone who has found their way to my End to End in 10 blog! With the school summer holidays only two days away now I thought I'd have a go at writing a blog, something I've never done before. This way you can check if I'm really going to make it from John O'Groats to Land's End and with August the 16th fast approaching if I'm doing enough training to get me there!

I'm also hoping to add updates about when we will be arriving at Barnstaple so you can join us on the Tarka Trail on Tuesday 24th August for the second to last day of the ride.