Talk about bad timing to overdo the training ... After hearing about my big brothers dedicated efforts and by the sounds of his E-mails Marco just seems short of a cape, I thought I needed to give a big push to get 'match' ready.
As it turns out "knee says no !!!".
This was a massive blow and it knocked me for six, panic set in - only 3 weeks to go and I am struggling to walk let alone ride a bike.
So damage limitation is the plan of action, strict regime of leg up on sofa, comfort eating jammie dodgers and ice packs should help. Next; Physio appointment to make sure that it is not ligament damage and just a muscle pull.
To my relief my worst fears were quashed and I was told that I had only torn my Medail Patellar Retinaculum (or large muscle that runs down inside of knee from your thigh to you and me).
The Physio, a semi pro road bike racer, gave me some great advice - take it easy, still train, but with low impact and lower the seat on my bike to take load off my knee when extended.
So with 2 weeks remaining I am on the mend and with bit of added trepidation am raring to get to that start line and get on our long road to Paris.
Buggs
Monday 22 March 2010
Tour de Kent
It started with using the Tom Tom to plan a route around Kent for a weekend training session. This soon turned to messing about with the bicycle option to see how long it would take to cycle from Marco's to Edinburgh.
Then we noticed that although it's 70 miles by car from Northwood to Aylesford, the more direct bicycle route took us through the centre of London, therefore reducing the distance to 51 miles door to door. (3hrs 50mins said the Tom Tom!) Being M25 lovers, none of us have ever taken the scenic route to the Garden of England, so we had no idea where we were going. Our only option was to gaffer tape the sat nav to the handlebars and hope the 3hr battery would somehow last the duration!
The only thing that could ruin our trip would be bad weather or punctures, but as it hadn't rained for weeks and equipped with new super solid road tyres, this wasn't really worrying us too much. Saturday morning arrived and a lycra clad Marco emerged from his sister's car like a retired Mr Incredible.
After a quick visit to the local greasy spoon in our padded shorts to stock up on protein, the time had come. Unfortunately, so did the rain! So off we set, sat nav wrapped in cling film and with our supposedly waterproof jackets on. We headed for Wembley which unfortunately took us through Harrow and up the steepest hill on the planet. The rain was coming down and after 25 miles so was Kris's back tyre. Luckily for us, 50 yards from a garage. Out came Marco's puncture repair kit and within half an hour the inner tube was patched and we were back on two wheels.
Unfortunately we were having a Hadsi moment and forgot to take the sharp stone out of the tyre so within 20 seconds we were fixing our second puncture. Half way there and so far, so good. Now the rain and wind were both picking up and the low battery indicator on the sat nav was already flashing. By this point we had lost the cling film, so to conserve the battery and to protect it from the rain it was switched off and put away - we were now using the Force!!
The second half of the trip was by far harder than the first, the wind and rain was now bitter, we were now water logged and had lost the feeling in our hands and feet. You would think travelling down the country would mean downhill but it seemed like it was 80% uphill. 10 miles to go and had just passed Brands hatch, Marco was leading but the sound of Louise’s laughter made him look back to see Kris walking his bike back to the garage we had just passed to fix his third puncture of the day. This was the most miserable part of the trip. We were freezing and hungry and the last thing we wanted to do was stop for 20 mins!
We’d been riding for over 5 hours now and the sat nav was dead but the sign posts were spurring us on. We were head to toe in dirt and scratches but the hills had warmed us up and we knew we were close.
6.5 hours after we left we arrived.
Tired and Proud!
Marco, Louise and Kris.
Then we noticed that although it's 70 miles by car from Northwood to Aylesford, the more direct bicycle route took us through the centre of London, therefore reducing the distance to 51 miles door to door. (3hrs 50mins said the Tom Tom!) Being M25 lovers, none of us have ever taken the scenic route to the Garden of England, so we had no idea where we were going. Our only option was to gaffer tape the sat nav to the handlebars and hope the 3hr battery would somehow last the duration!
The only thing that could ruin our trip would be bad weather or punctures, but as it hadn't rained for weeks and equipped with new super solid road tyres, this wasn't really worrying us too much. Saturday morning arrived and a lycra clad Marco emerged from his sister's car like a retired Mr Incredible.
After a quick visit to the local greasy spoon in our padded shorts to stock up on protein, the time had come. Unfortunately, so did the rain! So off we set, sat nav wrapped in cling film and with our supposedly waterproof jackets on. We headed for Wembley which unfortunately took us through Harrow and up the steepest hill on the planet. The rain was coming down and after 25 miles so was Kris's back tyre. Luckily for us, 50 yards from a garage. Out came Marco's puncture repair kit and within half an hour the inner tube was patched and we were back on two wheels.
Unfortunately we were having a Hadsi moment and forgot to take the sharp stone out of the tyre so within 20 seconds we were fixing our second puncture. Half way there and so far, so good. Now the rain and wind were both picking up and the low battery indicator on the sat nav was already flashing. By this point we had lost the cling film, so to conserve the battery and to protect it from the rain it was switched off and put away - we were now using the Force!!
The second half of the trip was by far harder than the first, the wind and rain was now bitter, we were now water logged and had lost the feeling in our hands and feet. You would think travelling down the country would mean downhill but it seemed like it was 80% uphill. 10 miles to go and had just passed Brands hatch, Marco was leading but the sound of Louise’s laughter made him look back to see Kris walking his bike back to the garage we had just passed to fix his third puncture of the day. This was the most miserable part of the trip. We were freezing and hungry and the last thing we wanted to do was stop for 20 mins!
We’d been riding for over 5 hours now and the sat nav was dead but the sign posts were spurring us on. We were head to toe in dirt and scratches but the hills had warmed us up and we knew we were close.
6.5 hours after we left we arrived.
Tired and Proud!
Marco, Louise and Kris.
Monday 8 February 2010
Cafe Crawl
Saturday 6th February.
After a quick rummage around the garage for gloves, we are off on our second training session. This time we are taking it seriously and going on a road only voyage, complete with long trousers, long socks, hats and gloves (thank you Craig for the Sparco work gloves).
We decided to follow Kris's internal Sat Nav and head straight to the nearest diner! (Starving Marvin's on the A40). Thirteen miles later we arrive at Kris's destination, but the warm fingers motivated us to continue our journey to the Ace Cafe! (A place that will always remind Kris of Bruce and the many cold evenings spent looking at Minis).
After refuelling and heading for home, it became apparent that we did not appreciate how much downhill there was on the outbound journey. All in all we were very pleased with ourselves, although absolutley shattered with legs like jelly. Cycling is not easy!
2 hours, 22 miles. Getting better!
Kris and Louise
After a quick rummage around the garage for gloves, we are off on our second training session. This time we are taking it seriously and going on a road only voyage, complete with long trousers, long socks, hats and gloves (thank you Craig for the Sparco work gloves).
We decided to follow Kris's internal Sat Nav and head straight to the nearest diner! (Starving Marvin's on the A40). Thirteen miles later we arrive at Kris's destination, but the warm fingers motivated us to continue our journey to the Ace Cafe! (A place that will always remind Kris of Bruce and the many cold evenings spent looking at Minis).
After refuelling and heading for home, it became apparent that we did not appreciate how much downhill there was on the outbound journey. All in all we were very pleased with ourselves, although absolutley shattered with legs like jelly. Cycling is not easy!
2 hours, 22 miles. Getting better!
Kris and Louise
Nine frost bitten fingers
Saturday 30th January and it's time to step up the training from 'talking' about going out, to actually physically 'doing' it. No more excuses about it being too cold or icy. The sun is out and from inside it looks like the perfect day for cycling.
The bikes are loaded in the van and after mocking Louise for wearing gloves, (I think it was something along the lines of 'gloves are for Pussies') we are off to Stockley Park. We begin our maiden ride full of energy and enthusiasm. Both keen runners we start off at quite a fast pace, with the assumption that bike riding is easy; after all, bike riders just sit there and any downhill involves no effort whatsoever!
Fifteen minutes and one and a half miles later, Louise gets off to push her bike up the hill, despite Kris's constant and somewhat annoying advice to 'dig in'. Meanwhile Kris is at the top of the hill collapsed, not just from the pain of the incline but from the pain of nine frost bitten fingers. 'It feels like somebody is chewing them off..I need some gloves'.
1 hour, 5.5 miles. Not good enough!
Kris and Louise
The bikes are loaded in the van and after mocking Louise for wearing gloves, (I think it was something along the lines of 'gloves are for Pussies') we are off to Stockley Park. We begin our maiden ride full of energy and enthusiasm. Both keen runners we start off at quite a fast pace, with the assumption that bike riding is easy; after all, bike riders just sit there and any downhill involves no effort whatsoever!
Fifteen minutes and one and a half miles later, Louise gets off to push her bike up the hill, despite Kris's constant and somewhat annoying advice to 'dig in'. Meanwhile Kris is at the top of the hill collapsed, not just from the pain of the incline but from the pain of nine frost bitten fingers. 'It feels like somebody is chewing them off..I need some gloves'.
1 hour, 5.5 miles. Not good enough!
Kris and Louise
Tuesday 2 February 2010
Winter Testing on bikes
Dear Followers
At last my training has started for our London to Paris bike ride, it starts as the Formula One circus coughs back into life in sunny Valencia, Spain. Just when all the big hitters in F1 like Hamilton, the Fonz, and Schummy are tuning their fitness and skills for Bahrain over the next 4 weeks I will be doing the same with my big Winter training scheme.
I will be on the Williams test team night shift over the next month; moving around Spain from circuit to circuit, so the plan is to work all night, sleep a bit, then when Rubens and co are pounding around the track I will be pounding the streets on the bike.
The Shake Down
For all you race fans you may have heard this saying in mags like Autosport, its the term race teams use when we first run new cars, take it nice and slow and gentle making sure all systems are running, nothing will break or fall off, this is the same with me.
Day one – Valencia - 15 degrees. I did 15 miles around the glamorous port and along the beach (better than freezing Hertforshire). Taking my time, not pushing too hard, checking the gears run smooth, the brakes are responsive and that the bike turns in well. Good news, nothing fell off me or the bike but have some localised chafing and a sore ass.
So what's next? In F1 we look at what we can improve - new front wing, we can try maybe new floor with different double decker diffuser (nothing to do with the chocolate bar); so this weekend at the factory all new parts can be made to the updated spec. For me padded short are the first upgrade, then a tweak to my riding position, then comes the big push for that fast time, bring on Jerez (it’s a race circuit!).
F1 Billy
Buggsy Boy
At last my training has started for our London to Paris bike ride, it starts as the Formula One circus coughs back into life in sunny Valencia, Spain. Just when all the big hitters in F1 like Hamilton, the Fonz, and Schummy are tuning their fitness and skills for Bahrain over the next 4 weeks I will be doing the same with my big Winter training scheme.
I will be on the Williams test team night shift over the next month; moving around Spain from circuit to circuit, so the plan is to work all night, sleep a bit, then when Rubens and co are pounding around the track I will be pounding the streets on the bike.
The Shake Down
For all you race fans you may have heard this saying in mags like Autosport, its the term race teams use when we first run new cars, take it nice and slow and gentle making sure all systems are running, nothing will break or fall off, this is the same with me.
Day one – Valencia - 15 degrees. I did 15 miles around the glamorous port and along the beach (better than freezing Hertforshire). Taking my time, not pushing too hard, checking the gears run smooth, the brakes are responsive and that the bike turns in well. Good news, nothing fell off me or the bike but have some localised chafing and a sore ass.
So what's next? In F1 we look at what we can improve - new front wing, we can try maybe new floor with different double decker diffuser (nothing to do with the chocolate bar); so this weekend at the factory all new parts can be made to the updated spec. For me padded short are the first upgrade, then a tweak to my riding position, then comes the big push for that fast time, bring on Jerez (it’s a race circuit!).
F1 Billy
Buggsy Boy
Sunday 31 January 2010
Good and Bad
Just felt I had to write something today. There are 28 fans of the Facebook site and I need to post something now. Why? Does anyone read this? I guess it doesn't matter - perhaps it's just OK that it makes me feel better about my lack of other action.
So the good news first (if anyone is reading this). We have had some more sign ups. Two Dan's (Friend of Craig and friend of mine from work). Two ladies - Liz and Louise (friend of mine from work and girlfreind of Kris who is also riding).
So we are 13.
Mum reckons thats a bad number so we could do with one more of you to sign up. Go on. What else have you got planned for Easter?
The bad news. I just can't complete. Great start to the week with 4 sessions on the excersise bike. All building upto the 25 miles I MUST do this weekend to fit in with the training plan.
No. I found every excuse under the sun (and indeed snow) not do get the real bike out. Snow and cold on Saturday. Busy day and tired on Sunday.
It's either as simple as the homework syndrome; leave it all to the last minute to add to the pressure or something more sinister. It can't still be the homework syndrome I am nearly 36 for christ sake.
Maybe it's that self destruct thing where it is all going so well you feel you have to ruin it slightly, or put more pressure on yourself, or you just cannot make that final commitement.
Whatever it is - I have the same problem on the organisation side. Great start. Two hotels sorted, curry house booked for the first night, DInner booked for the second. But the last push for the final hotel and the Eurostar to England seems like too much hassle. Why?
I don't know. But this whole journey was always going to be a journey of discovery. I just did not expect it to start now and I did not expect this blog to be the conduit of that personal journey.
However tomorrow I will get back on the real and metaphorical bike. Get back to training, book those hotels and write a much better, lighter and funnier piece.
See; I finished this. I can complete...
Darren
So the good news first (if anyone is reading this). We have had some more sign ups. Two Dan's (Friend of Craig and friend of mine from work). Two ladies - Liz and Louise (friend of mine from work and girlfreind of Kris who is also riding).
So we are 13.
Mum reckons thats a bad number so we could do with one more of you to sign up. Go on. What else have you got planned for Easter?
The bad news. I just can't complete. Great start to the week with 4 sessions on the excersise bike. All building upto the 25 miles I MUST do this weekend to fit in with the training plan.
No. I found every excuse under the sun (and indeed snow) not do get the real bike out. Snow and cold on Saturday. Busy day and tired on Sunday.
It's either as simple as the homework syndrome; leave it all to the last minute to add to the pressure or something more sinister. It can't still be the homework syndrome I am nearly 36 for christ sake.
Maybe it's that self destruct thing where it is all going so well you feel you have to ruin it slightly, or put more pressure on yourself, or you just cannot make that final commitement.
Whatever it is - I have the same problem on the organisation side. Great start. Two hotels sorted, curry house booked for the first night, DInner booked for the second. But the last push for the final hotel and the Eurostar to England seems like too much hassle. Why?
I don't know. But this whole journey was always going to be a journey of discovery. I just did not expect it to start now and I did not expect this blog to be the conduit of that personal journey.
However tomorrow I will get back on the real and metaphorical bike. Get back to training, book those hotels and write a much better, lighter and funnier piece.
See; I finished this. I can complete...
Darren
Tuesday 26 January 2010
How many bags of crisps to Paris?
Dom here; the late call up.
Having spent Friday getting my pupils at school to work out how many packets of crisps of energy would be required to cycle from London to Paris it dawned on me I should really get a bike.
Also with 8bags of crisps required per Kg to get to Paris (if the journey was flat and ignoring air resistance and bike efficiency) the lighter the bike seems to be the best option or do I go for the heavier bike just to make it harder for myself ?
Whatever I choose it cannot compete with Hadsi’s bike which must weigh a ton considering it was built before carbon fibres or even Aluminium was used to make bikes, I wonder if the wheels are the same size?
Going to do my first bit of cycling in the gym tonight it will double up as a revision session for my year 11s they will be working out in the gym while I sit on a bike and fire questions at them for an hour, quality teaching.
I’m really looking forward to the challenge and am going to start the fundraising part now for the special cause.
Dom Salmon
Having spent Friday getting my pupils at school to work out how many packets of crisps of energy would be required to cycle from London to Paris it dawned on me I should really get a bike.
Also with 8bags of crisps required per Kg to get to Paris (if the journey was flat and ignoring air resistance and bike efficiency) the lighter the bike seems to be the best option or do I go for the heavier bike just to make it harder for myself ?
Whatever I choose it cannot compete with Hadsi’s bike which must weigh a ton considering it was built before carbon fibres or even Aluminium was used to make bikes, I wonder if the wheels are the same size?
Going to do my first bit of cycling in the gym tonight it will double up as a revision session for my year 11s they will be working out in the gym while I sit on a bike and fire questions at them for an hour, quality teaching.
I’m really looking forward to the challenge and am going to start the fundraising part now for the special cause.
Dom Salmon
Saturday 23 January 2010
Whats this all about then?
"69 Dude." As someone once said.
69 days until I ride 'triumphantly' into Paris with about 10 other people on our bikes. Tour de France this ain't. Indeed it's not even the 'proper' London to Paris people talk about (and indeed may have searched to get to here).
No. This is a group of people who just wanted to do something for the hell of it.
The start of the idea was to do something to raise money for the charity we nominated when our Dad, Husband, Grandad and Friend died last year.
We are all busy of course and we could have just remembered Bruce Cox in our heads, our conversations and our photo's. This was just not enough. As many people pointed out at his funeral - "Bruce always had time for everyone". So we must make time for him. I am sure more of that in the next 69 days. I digress...
So the Sons; Me (Darren) and Craig, thought it would be a good idea to ride from London to where I now live; Paris.
The call went out. First to commit was Fran, a good mate of mine from work. Second was a great family friend Kris. And then in dribs and drabs - long term family friend Marco and Darren's old mates Hadsi, Neil, Paul and belatedly Dom.
All had their reasons for commiting I am sure. Hopefully the main one to raise some money for the make-a-wish foundation but also for some personal reasons too.
A trip to France, a laugh with the lads, a challenge.
For me one of the side reasons was a focus to get fit. When your Dad dies you realise you are not super human, because you thought he was.
I also think it will be a nice trip, a laugh and a challenge. How can it not be?
4 days, 180 miles, tower to tower (of London to Eiffel), 4 hour ferry journey, a night out in Brighton and the unexpected. Oh and Father in law and Mum driving and co-driving the support vehicle!
Even the choice of transport looks to provide some amusement. Some have gone out and bought the latest kit. Others are using the bike they rode to school on 18 years ago.
I hope the other participants will add to this blog over the next 69 days. And I hope it is worth your time reading it. Whoever you are.
Darren Cox
69 days until I ride 'triumphantly' into Paris with about 10 other people on our bikes. Tour de France this ain't. Indeed it's not even the 'proper' London to Paris people talk about (and indeed may have searched to get to here).
No. This is a group of people who just wanted to do something for the hell of it.
The start of the idea was to do something to raise money for the charity we nominated when our Dad, Husband, Grandad and Friend died last year.
We are all busy of course and we could have just remembered Bruce Cox in our heads, our conversations and our photo's. This was just not enough. As many people pointed out at his funeral - "Bruce always had time for everyone". So we must make time for him. I am sure more of that in the next 69 days. I digress...
So the Sons; Me (Darren) and Craig, thought it would be a good idea to ride from London to where I now live; Paris.
The call went out. First to commit was Fran, a good mate of mine from work. Second was a great family friend Kris. And then in dribs and drabs - long term family friend Marco and Darren's old mates Hadsi, Neil, Paul and belatedly Dom.
All had their reasons for commiting I am sure. Hopefully the main one to raise some money for the make-a-wish foundation but also for some personal reasons too.
A trip to France, a laugh with the lads, a challenge.
For me one of the side reasons was a focus to get fit. When your Dad dies you realise you are not super human, because you thought he was.
I also think it will be a nice trip, a laugh and a challenge. How can it not be?
4 days, 180 miles, tower to tower (of London to Eiffel), 4 hour ferry journey, a night out in Brighton and the unexpected. Oh and Father in law and Mum driving and co-driving the support vehicle!
Even the choice of transport looks to provide some amusement. Some have gone out and bought the latest kit. Others are using the bike they rode to school on 18 years ago.
I hope the other participants will add to this blog over the next 69 days. And I hope it is worth your time reading it. Whoever you are.
Darren Cox
Thursday 21 January 2010
Perfect 10?
10 miles. Not far is it? Not when in 2 1/2 months I will have to do that 7 times over in one day. On a bike.
At Christmas I bought a bike. A proper bike. Or so I am told. What do I know about bikes. It's got carbon forks. No carbon spoons.
It's the first 'racing bike' I have ever had. Tomahawk, Grifter (super - I have you know), a string of Mountain bikes. But not a racer. Never needed one.
Now I am cycling from London to Paris I needed one. So I bought it.
That was the only bit of research I have done on this cycling lark. Yeap I was caught up in the 'find it cheaper on-line' culture. Shame I did not get caught up in 'find out about cycling long distances' movement.
Today was the culmination of my lack of knowledge on the subject.
Of course I have been on the exercise bike. And was getting pretty proud of myself. Up to an hour and fifteen minutes at some hard resistances. Big sweating, big aching, big exaggeration of my progress. All of which aided by high BPM by Rage against the machine, the Rocky theme tune and Byron Stingley (pretty mixed eh?).
So back to the 'proper bike'. First point - I look stupid. Helmet makes my head look even bigger. No colour co-ordination. Oh and the shoes. Big feet mean big trainers. Small pedals need small shoes. Racing boots - they'll do. Won't be doing much racing anytime soon. Of course they are blue. Matches the yellow top.
Big helmet, small blue shoes. Nice.
So back to this bike. "I were right about that saddle". Doesn't help when you put the padded shorts on back to front. Mistake 54.
Trying to find some quiet roads. No problem. Problem? They are all downhill.
But this is fun (apart form realising how rough the roads are) - free speed. And the next thing; these bikes have only got brakes on the bottom bars. That's a long way down for a 'tall' lad who is still getting down to his riding weight.
So it's not just the legs that are going to feel it. Back, neck and of course the ar5e.
I did get back up that big hill. I have this vision in my head of me getting up Ditchling Beacon without bailing which spurs me on. Only time will tell if I do of course. Watch this space.
5 hours later I feel the burn but it's a good one. Who needs advice from t'internet? I will make my own mistakes thanks.
At Christmas I bought a bike. A proper bike. Or so I am told. What do I know about bikes. It's got carbon forks. No carbon spoons.
It's the first 'racing bike' I have ever had. Tomahawk, Grifter (super - I have you know), a string of Mountain bikes. But not a racer. Never needed one.
Now I am cycling from London to Paris I needed one. So I bought it.
That was the only bit of research I have done on this cycling lark. Yeap I was caught up in the 'find it cheaper on-line' culture. Shame I did not get caught up in 'find out about cycling long distances' movement.
Today was the culmination of my lack of knowledge on the subject.
Of course I have been on the exercise bike. And was getting pretty proud of myself. Up to an hour and fifteen minutes at some hard resistances. Big sweating, big aching, big exaggeration of my progress. All of which aided by high BPM by Rage against the machine, the Rocky theme tune and Byron Stingley (pretty mixed eh?).
So back to the 'proper bike'. First point - I look stupid. Helmet makes my head look even bigger. No colour co-ordination. Oh and the shoes. Big feet mean big trainers. Small pedals need small shoes. Racing boots - they'll do. Won't be doing much racing anytime soon. Of course they are blue. Matches the yellow top.
Big helmet, small blue shoes. Nice.
So back to this bike. "I were right about that saddle". Doesn't help when you put the padded shorts on back to front. Mistake 54.
Trying to find some quiet roads. No problem. Problem? They are all downhill.
But this is fun (apart form realising how rough the roads are) - free speed. And the next thing; these bikes have only got brakes on the bottom bars. That's a long way down for a 'tall' lad who is still getting down to his riding weight.
So it's not just the legs that are going to feel it. Back, neck and of course the ar5e.
I did get back up that big hill. I have this vision in my head of me getting up Ditchling Beacon without bailing which spurs me on. Only time will tell if I do of course. Watch this space.
5 hours later I feel the burn but it's a good one. Who needs advice from t'internet? I will make my own mistakes thanks.
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