9 MAY - THE DAY OF THE CHALLENGE

The day dawned cool, with some drizzle and a breezy NE'ly wind, but that didn't daunt some 350 individuals who tackled the tri-hospice challenge. It was a great day for all levels of cyclist. I left from Pilgrims Hospice Ashford in the company of Jamie Staff, Richard Davis and David Jones. Jamie gave me some good tips which helped me conserve energy and get up the hills. We made the Canterbury Hospice in reasonable time and Jamie and I scattered the first set of Forget-Me-Nots in memory of loved ones departed. We pressed on to the Thanet Hospice into the head wind. We met and chatted with some other cyclists who were friends of Dr Bill Crawley, a member of Team Pilgrims. The ride near Manston Airport was somewhat exposed to the wind but we made the hospice and tucked into some splendid sandwiches and then scattered the second set of Forget-Me-Nots. Jamie and the faster cyclists left early, and we were surprised when they passed us en route to Sandwich. I don't think they had ever been to Margate and Ramsgate! We were even more surprised when they passed us again after Elham. Rumour has it they by-passed Sandwich and went on to Deal before doubling back. I think they managed to turn a 74 miles ride into a 90 Miler! After a brief stop at Rhodes Minnis village hall we made the Ashford Hospice at around 1630 to scatter the final Forget-Me-Nots and receive our medals.

I would like to say a big thank you to all who organised the event, to the generous sponsors and to those who rode it. Without such generosity we wouldn't be able to continue to provide free of charge the tender and loving care from the hospices which is why we all do what we do. Thank you. Ohby the way, shall we do it again next year?

1 MAY - THE FINAL TRAINING SESSION

Started out from home with the first climb up Longage Hill on me immediately. Didn't feel too good for some reason but pushed on to the Ashford Hospice which I reached in 1 hour. There were some beautiful goldfinches flying around as well as the odd weasel! I didn't stay too long and set out to tackle my bete noire - the hill from Bulltown to the top of the Downs. I started to feel better having probably warmed up, although the weather was decidedly mixed. I paid attention to my senses and started to climb in the lowest possible gear early on and it paid dividends as I made it to the top - hurrah. I was beginning to think that I would never make it. I carried on towards Canterbury, managing to get soaked in a shower as I was going up the Nackington Road. I sought refuge in the Canterbury Hospice whilst an even bigger shower passed over. A quick cup of tea and then it was time to head for home via St Martin's Hill, Bekesbourne, Patrixbourne, Bridge, Barham and Elham. 44 miles in about 4 hours cycling.

It has been good to read David Jones' comments. David - I will e-mail you in the next few days but if you read this BLOG we are aiming to set off on the day at 0900 from the Ashford Hospice. I will be there well before this time. Looking forward to riding some of the way with you before you leave me behind.

No more rides this week and not much drinking. Time to load up with carbohydrates

24 APRIL - SIXTY MILES

Set off at 0815 to cycle up the Elham Valley to the Canterbury Hospice. It was an uneventful run which took exactly one hour. I spent 15 minutes refuelling with a breakfast bar and water before leaving on the route for the Thanet Hospice. On reaching the turn near Downland Cycles I was passed swiftly by the keen Saturday morning bunch including Ian Ashton and John Morgan from my Rotary Club. I really must get a more moderm bike when I hand back the Marin to Richard Davis. I wound my way through Stodmarsh and Stourmouth. There were lots of Deal Tri riders out heading in the opposite direction. I made the Thanet Hospice in 1 hour 30 minutes where I stopped for a welcome cup of tea, another beakfast bar and a chat with the volunteers. Heading off it was getting warm, and I probably had to much gear on but I pushed on to Sandwich where I stopped to talk to Kaye and Martin who are volunteers who manage our charity shop in the town. It was buzzing with customers and looked fantastic, with quality goods beautifully displayed. It is well worth a visit as are all our other shops. Continued on to Nonington where I stopped for some water and then pushed on over the A2 and up the hill at the end of Gravel Castle Road. Made it up safely but began to feel that my legs were running out of steam; the last 5 miles to home were tough, pushing a lower gear than normal into a slight head wind. I am not sure why the last few miles were so hard; maybe doing the ride last evening meant that my body hadn't recovered enough. I also had too many clothes on;it is time to ditch the jacket and the track suit bottoms. I will certainly do nothing after next weekend. The whole ride took 5 hours and 45 minutes, including the stops so I guess I averaged around 12 miles per hour. That might also explain why I was tired near the end!

23 APRIL - EVENING SHORT RIDE

Took advantage of a beautiful evening to do just under 15 miles from Lyminge to Barham and back. You can tell that spring has arrived from the number of bugs that kept hitting my face! I was nearly taken out by a land rover and trailer which was clearly not being driven by someone who knew what he was doing. I was also passed by a keen road cyclist who overtook me and disappeared into the distance. I guess I have a long way to go to improve my speed. I did adopt the low gear approach to hills which seemed to work very well. I will try it again tomorrow when I do the 50miles which will take in the Canterbury and Thanet hospices.

Names and money from the Forget-me-Not appeal have started to come in which is really good news as I will definitely have names in addition to my parents to remember at each hospice. This is as important to me as getting round the course.

21 APRIL - MORE LESSONS

I forgot to mention my encounter with horses on Sunday. I was cycling down Watery Lane, Petham, when I came face to face with 2 riders on horseback. I am always very careful in the proximity of horses which was just as well when one decided to about turn, bump into the one behind and become out of control Fortunately the rider re-gained control and all was well, but it just goes to show that cyclists need to be careful of all sorts of animals. Richard Davis was nearly felled by a pheasant a few weeks ago.

I bought some summer gloves and socks today so I hope the weather is going to remain warm My aim is to do another 40 or 50 miler on Saturday.

19 APRIL - THE REST DAY

It was good to hear from David Jones that he was about yesterday doing a 50 miler with sticking gears. It is funny but my bike has a similar problem despite lubrication. I intend to do no cycling today but have managed to gain another £20 in sponsorship. I also had an interesting chat at lunchtime with Dr Bill Crawley of Team Pilgrims (he rides a Bianchi so is seriously good)who set me straight on food intake - gel bars - and drinking. Apparently I also need to go uphill in low gear from an earlier time on the climb - it might not be pretty (legs going round very fast) but it will enable me to get to the top!

18 APRIL - THE WHOLE ROUTE

Started the day with "Oats so Simple" to set me up on the food front. Cycled from home in Lyminge to the Ashford Hospice in 1hour 10mins. Had a cup of tea with the volunteers and chewed the fat about an author who writes books on cycling journeys. We will try to get him to do the ride. Pushed on after about 30 mins and had to tackle the hill out of Bulltown up onto the Downs. It is really steep and as it was early in the ride and I was concerned about my knee and my energy levels I got off and walked the last bit (what a wimp I here you say!). Made the Canterbury Hospice in 1 hour 30 mins. Had huge amounts of water and an energy bar befor striking out for Margate. It was quite warm and I was still in winter gear. Looks like another trip to the cycle shop to spend more money! Made good progess toward Preston when I was passed in the opposite direction by Team Pilgrims member Ian Ashton who was out with his Downland Cycle Team mates. He makes me feel pedestrian which I am. After seeing Ian I entered a part of the route I haven't done before, passing through Pluck's Gutter, Monckton and Minster befor heading for Manston. Passed-by Bell-Davies Avenue which reminded me of the Navy. I used to serve with Richard Bell-Davies, and this road (and many others) are named after his grandfather who was the first man to land an aircraft on a ship. I made the Thanet Hospice after about 1 hour 30 mins and again had more tea and energy bars. Spoke to Team Pilgrims member, Theresa Alcock, who was nursing our patients. She has been doing 40 milers but I was able to tell her that she needs to step it uo to avoid "hitting the wall". I also bumped into a visitor called Paul who is doing the ride. He seems a seasoned rider having done London to Paris a few years ago. We had a great chat about speed and I was able to tell him about our forget-me-not appeal. Having got the directions from our volunteers I set off on what turned out to be a 2 hour 30 mins ride home via Sandwich where I had yet another energy bar. All went reasonably well until about the last 2 miles when fatigue began to set in. I guess I still haven't quite worked out the food and fluid intake but I am almost there. So what lessons were learnt apart from fluid and food. Well there is a need to get the pace right and not set off too fast. I also need to practise climbing hills because there are 2or 3 that are testing in the southern part of the route up onto the Downs. And finally, it will be easier on the days with lots of other riders!