Getting scalped

Looking in the mirror at the hairdresser's, with Alan Hoy behind. Many thanks to Headway, in Ipswich, for this free '10-week' haircut, Alan's contribution to the funds.

Anyone for tea and scone?

Suffolk is renowned for the quality and ambience of its tea rooms; Teacups in Woolpit and Tickled Pink in Lavenham spring to mind. But Mildenhall? Who would have thought that this town, more renowned for its proximity to the American airbase, would be able to spring a surprise such as this:

I can honestly say this was (by far) the best hot fruit scone I've ever tasted. And look at the presentation! That strawberry just sets it off. Well done Emily's Tea Room in Market Place!

This was the halfway point on a 30-mile circuit this afternoon that took in the airbase, as well as Icklingham, Eriswell, Kentford and Gazeley.

Photoshoot and a sprint

This morning I went to the Stroke Association's offices in Bury St Edmunds for a photoshoot. They plan to send out a press release next week, encouraging local media to turn up for the big send-off on 30 April. Here's the photo of me, resplendent in a cap - not my preferred style but hey, anything for a bit more sponsorship.

Then this afternoon a change to my usual training routine. I decided to do a 'sprint'. Well, a timed run over a known short distance. The circuit from home to Wickhambrook, via Hargrave, Ousden and back via Chevington keeps mainly to little-used roads and is 16½ miles long. One day I promise myself that I'll do it within the hour, but today it took 65 minutes. That works out at just over 15 mph, so I'm happy with that. On my old bike with its wide stippled tyres, I only managed to complete this route last year in an hour and twenty minutes.

Back home, I weighed myself to find that I've lost nearly half a stone since the turn of the year; in fact, since I started proper training at the beginning of March. So who needs a diet, when cycling can lose you pounds?!

Many thanks to Cotswold!

On Saturday I went to the local Cotswold Outdoor store to collect the items they had generously donated.

In addition to a top-of-the-range Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus sleeping mat (£95), they also supplied a Trangia 27 cooking stove (£60) and a Rab Mummy silk sleeping bag liner (£36). The photo shows Cotswold's Dave North presenting me with the items.

I would recommend Cotswold to anyone looking for camping equipment or outdoor clothing for any activity. They have very helpful and courteous staff, who are prepared to give you plenty of their time.

70 miles on a beautiful day

Yesterday was time for the 'big one' - a 70-miler to prove that I'm capable of riding such a distance. It was a beautiful morning and I set out at 09.30, heading for East Harling and Redgrave in a big circuit.

Cottages in Half Moon Lane, Redgrave

Called in on friends in Redgrave, but they were out, so moved on to Wyverstone, where Sally Ruthen provided a welcome cup of coffee.
The whole trip took 6¼ hours (on the road), so I'm averaging about 11 miles per hour.
But I've got to do this every day!

Cranking up the training

This morning's ride was 42 miles, a circuit from home taking in Clare, Cavendish and Glemsford.  It took just under four hours; I was pleased with this time as it included a number of stops for drinks of water and for map-reading. 

This photo of Clare Church was taken just before 10.30, as can be seen on the clock, having left home at 08.35.

And who says there are no hills in Suffolk!  Some of those around Hawkedon were quite demanding.

No after-effects either.  No sore bum, just a bit tired.  This sort of ride gives me confidence for the big one.  If I can cycle 42 miles and get back for lunch, I know I can complete 60, 80 or even 100 miles in a day.  Day 4 of my ride will be the longest at 105 miles, but it's almost all on flat Lincolnshire lands.  By then the days will be much longer; I can start earlier and finish late if necessary.

I'm still working on the detailed route maps for each stage (for the Coastrider website).  By tomorrow I expect they will be complete.  Not only will you be able to see the route I'll be taking, at various mapping scales, but you will also see the location of all the 650+ ports and harbours I'll be visiting.  If you click on one of the lifebelt icons, you will be taken to the relevant page of my ports and harbours website.

It's back to the gym on Tuesday, to build up my general strength (and hopefully to lose some weight!)

Training for the big ride

The sun shone on Tuesday, so it was out for a short ride on the new bike; tomorrow it's back to the Gym. Yes, I'm slowly getting into shape for the 6,000 mile cycle ride around Britain's coastline, starting at the end of April.

The bike felt good, quite a change from the knobbly tyred all-surface bicycle I've been using before. The tyres are reinforced, but fairly narrow, making riding on the tarmac surface much easier - and faster.

Donations are rolling in; over £3,300 so far, well over 50% of the target of £6,000. The two charities, The Stroke Association and The Meningitis Research Foundation, receive the donations as soon as they are made. If donors are taxpayers, Gift Aid (at 28%) is added.

I've recently added route maps to the website for each of the 98 daily stages. These can be viewed at various scales by rolling the mouse over the map. The map can also be dragged using the left mouse button.

This Blog is now linked from the website, so I hope friends and supporters will visit often!