Training update #8: Update

So, I made it.





Phew.





It wasn't quite as long as I had thought, it was in fact only 67 miles. I was pretty daunted to be honest though. This was the longest I have ever cycled in my life. What if I broke down in the middle of nowhere and couldn't fix it? Or what if I just ran out of gas?? Well, I had said I'd do it so I had to just get on with it. And you know, I actually kind of liked it! The route was pretty great - after a short spell on the very busy A24, I got onto nice quiet country roads and enjoyed pootling along and enjoying the scenery. Thankfully, Naomi and Robin had picked a route that took me over the South Downs at a point that wasn't too steep although it was a very very long drag up hill. After 4 hours or so of cycling on your own, it is hard not to start talking to yourself to break the silence so if any cars had their windows open driving past me they probably heard snippets of slightly rubbish (and a wee bit sweary if I'm honest) self-motivational chat.


Yet again, the company of a fellow cyclist for the last few miles really helped me keep going especially as my knees were really really starting to hurt! We cycled through Lancing Airport together, which was pretty cool. Lots of wee planes taking off around us. Because of the way I came over the downs, I didn't get a big panoramic view of the sea as I had hoped but I did finally see the sea as I cycled through Lancing:




By the time I arrived at Naomi and Robin's i was pretty cream crackered but they greeted me with tea and biscuits, ran me a bath and then fed me up with lovely rolls and sausage. Splendid.







So....here are the deets:

Distance 67 miles
Time 4 hours 29 minuts
Average speed 15mph
Number of stops 1
Caolries burnt 1,968

Food eaten to get me there: 1 x bowl of muesli and a banana for brecky, 1 x banana en route, 1 1/2 bottles of lucozade sport, handful of jelly babies.
Refuelled with: 2 x digestive biscuits, 1 x cup o tea, 2 x nice sausages in rolls with mustard and onions, 2 x pints of ale, 1 x massive portion of lasange, token amount x salad, 1 x slice cake, 2 x glasses Barolo.
Recovery: 1 x bath and 2 x ibuprofen

I have to say, aside from allowing me to delight you with stats, my new pooter was absolutely invaluable. Without it I would have had no idea how far I had gone or how far I had to go, nor would I have had anything to motivate me to keep going at a decent speed. Hurrah for my pooter.

Obviously I didn't cycle back. London is north from Worthing and that means it is uphill. Right?

So, next up is to top that cycle to the seaside with another cycle to the seaside this weekend - this time to Whitstable. And I will be cycling back.

Not too late to sponsor us of course and to help people experience the joy of reading.

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Lesley (smee junior)