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.