Training update #13: The final countdown

Time to departure: 5 days, 22 hours and 15 minutes

Oooh, exciting! And terrifying!

So, to ensure that we were both fully prepared, I got myself up at 5am on Friday morning and took myself and my wee bicycle up to the sunny Borders for our second, and last, joint training weekend!

The aim was to try and cover 200 miles over three days of the weekend. Unfortunately, my elite athlete inspired preparation of late nights, bad diet, wine and lots of work during the week and Frank's quite badly hurt leg, meant that our first day training was a bit of a wash out. Instead of the planned 50 mile ride, we both fell asleep in front of the snooker and only managed 35 miles. Harumph. But, we survived and after inflicting our rather mute company on our parents, early nights were had to get ready for the big Saturday ride.

Saturday morning was a glorious spring morn. My legs felt better than the day before, I'd had a grand sleep and the sun was shining. All good! And it was a brilliant ride, 75 miles of fantastic countryside, taking in some of the finest named Borders towns...Ancrum, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk, Ettrickbridge, Yarrow Valley, Innerliethen, Traquair, Peel, Yair, Selkirk and back to St Boswells.

Frank takes time out from cycling for a Secret Seven style investigation of a potentially illegal animal trap in Ettrick Valley.

After about 35 mmiles I'll be honest, I was starting to wonder if we would manage it. We had picked a really hilly route that took in three valleys, with long relentless climbs between them and by this stage both of us were feeling it. And it was bloomin hot too! Thankfully a banana break, a short amount of stretching and the sight of an old guy flying past us with a laden bike up the hill ahead put some extra wind in our sails and we made it to Innerliethen (after overtaking a car at 35 mph...THE MOST FUN EVER) 20 miles later feeling not too bad and very much looking forward to our icecream from world famous Caldwells icecream shop.

Frank brings class and panache to the occasion as always.

The last leg home was going all rather fine and dandy until it dawned on us that we had one final 4 mile climb up through Selkirk and beyond - which involved us both head down, sweating and swearing for some time until we made it to the top and could enjoy the last 9 miles of speedy-ness

.

The end. Abandoned bikes, shoes, gloves and helmets. Just out of shot - two Smees collapsed on the grass.










To recover, we then ate our own body weight in pasta and garlic bread. I never thought I'd get tired of pasta but it's getting close.

Sunday for me was a day off. I had hoped to do a wee bit of sailing with my dad in his wee saily boat up at St Mary's Loch but the weather wasn't great and I got the fear that I might take a dook in the water - not usually a problem but having been training a lot, I figured my body might get a bit upset with 2 degrees water and i couldn't risk getting a cold. Soft I know. Frank got a few extra miles by cycling over to mum and dad's for tea. Show off.




Dad and his newly painted and very lovely Enterprise at a driech St Mary's Loch

Monday was our last chance to get out together so out we went! The first 10 miles or so were amazing. Averaging 20 mph we were flying along. And then we turned up a different road and came back the opposite way and it became clear why. It was bloody windy. the way out was fine, but good lord the way back in was hard work. After 25 miles, Frank headed back to get ready to drive to Aberdeen and I continued on alone on my tod. Frank had very carefully planned the route so it would avoid that hill back up through Selkirk (or that *insert sweary here* hill as it is also known) but I managed to miss the turning and ended up doing it once more. Goshdarnit. I really started to struggle with the head wind, and cycling alone is so much harder so I crammed Go energy Gel down me throat and gritted my teeth.Thankfully the last leg was with a tail wind so I sped along for the last 9 miles taking my average speed back up to a respectable 15.4mph for 52 miles. Woo hoo!

So, that was it. Our last weekend training. And here are the stats!

Total mileage: 160 miles/256k

Average speed: 15.2 mph/24.3kph

Number of cattle grids crossed (and sworn at): 6/still 6

Number of times the wee dog near Ancrum barked at us: 2 (where was he the third time we passed?!)

Number of times Frank told that sheep to shut up (in not quite as polite language): Countless

Number of swearys utilised by the Smee siblings over the weekend: Inumerable

Calories burnt: 6,500 (ish) each

Weight of pasta eaten: 3.4 tonnes

Cups of tea (free) drunk in 1st class carriage on train back to London: 5

We're both very much on the wind down now. I'm going to have one last ride on Saturday to keep the legs turning and then it is all about eating, sleeping and trying to eek out that last bit of sponsorship!

We're really close to our target of £3,000 now which is really exciting. All our friends and colleagues have been so generous and knowing that we've got so many people supporting us has really made it worth while. Plus we're both stubborn buggers and there is no way we'd pull out! Thanks so much from us, and from Book Aid International too, who will be using the money raised to send books to libraries in sub-Saharan Africa because, all together now, books change lives!

Books change lives from Book Aid International on Vimeo.

Training update #12: Hobbling Smee reports in

Hey there. More rambling from myself....Smee the elder Early April gave way to some rather pants weather but still managed out for some decent rides. Thursday 8th was a decent 90k road ride from St Boswells - Selkrik - St Mary's loch - Innerlethen - Gala - Melrose - Home. Was a really nice route but had to contend with a 20kph head wind all the way out for 25miles which lead to some mutter under my breath. 5km climb over to Inners was interesting but all part of the training. Also start running again in an attempt to get my triathlon Fitness back on track. The weekend 9th/10th was a bit of a right off Liz, Lesley (Smee jnr), Ewan (Middle Smee)/ Gabs and Kids (Trainee Smees) came up for a long weekend for Melrose rugby 7's which involved a few small ales and catching up with old friends, so nil cycling done. 7's was ace splendid weather, great company and plenty of drink. Week after was better with some mountain biking and a couple of runs. Followed by a trip to Ae Forest (part of the 7 stanes mountain bike routes) on Saturday the 17th, awesome weather so set off round the red cross country route 24km, plenty long climbs to test the legs and some fast single track decents, pretty damn good (will defo be back) all went well until the last downhill jump track, took a bit of a recce down to scope out the jumps etc and then back up for a 2nd run at speed, this is where is went a bit wrong, was all going well until one of the bigger jumps which I was out of balance for so decide to just go left round the chicken run only to find someone stopped blocking it so with no option but to take the jump (wouldn;t have managed to stop in time) on landing left foot came out spd (clipless pedal) and jammed against a rock while the pedal tried to force it's way through my calf muscle. result being some nasty cuts up the back of my leg but worse being the damage to calf muscle couldn't put weight on it for 48hrs but beginning to ease now and hoping to be back on bike later this week. New wheels ordered and spares for the trip so all going to plan. Les up this weekend for 3 days of long road rides as final prep! Catch you all later Frank x PS Get with the plan and go to http://www.justgiving.co.uk/pedallingpinders and part with some cash.

Training update #11: Two weeks to go

Howdy

So, last time I wrote I was starting to get the proper fear about the cycle to Paris. Well, now the fear has kind of subsided and has turned into a combination of excitement and nervousness. Two weeks tomorrow, at 6am, Frank and I will be gathering with 100 other cyclists in Crystal Palace and heading off to Paris. That is kinda exciting. And kinda scary. But mainly exciting. The excitement is partly fuelled by two things: 1. SUNSHINE! 2. FOOD!

1. SUNSHINE!

The sun has come out in London. And it is glorious. Over the past couple of weeks I've been out with the chaps and chappesses from Dulwich Paragon a few times and every ride has just got lovelier. On Friday 10th, I joined four of the chaps for a ride out into the Kent and Surrey Lanes. Each time I go out I am doing something that little bit harder than before, which is great but it means
I'm always a bit nervous that I'll hold people up and/or make a fool of myself. As it was, I didn't need to worry as either they were being nice to me that day or I'm getting better! We rode just over 50 miles at about 14.4mph average and it was pretty much fun the whole way round. Apart from Brasted Hill. Ug. A 20% climb (at points 25%) which was quite frankly hideous. The R is definitely in the wrong place in Brasted. I must admit I had to stop half way up for a short rest (and swear). Turns out it isn't that much of a suprise I struggled...as I've got what is apparently referred to as a 'standard double' crankset (GEEK ALERT) which means I basically just don't have enough gearage at times. So while the rest of the chaps got their way up on their triples and compact doubles, I was trying to push much bigger gears. And failing.

The view out into the countryside. This is within the M25!













Anyhoo. That is quite dull. Sorry about that. Where was I? Oh, yes...sunshine! So, last weekend I went out again with DP on Saturday and Sunday. Both fabulous days. On Sunday, excitingly I got to wear short cycling shorts for the first time this year. And fingerless gloves. And normal socks. AND I even wore sun tan lotion! My comedy cycling tan is in early stages of development already which is frightening. Sunday was especially nice as it was quite a relaxed ride, averaging 14.4mph, which was a relief after Saturday when I rode with the medium group which, whilst advertised at an average 15/16mph was much nearer 16.5/17mph average. I was, quite frankly, bu**ered by the end of it! However, I have discovered what I need to do in order to recover from such rides....which is....EAT!


2. FOOD

So, apparently I burn between 1,500 and 2,000 calories out on a ride depending on the length. That's the same as you're meant to eat on a normal day so I did finally realise that I needed to start eating more (and of the right stuff) if I was to recover properly in order to ride the next day. Now, I likes my food, so this isn't too much of a chore! I get to eat all the things all the girl magazines tell you to avoid - especially carbs and fat! I have breakfast, eat and drink throughout the ride, have a post ride lunch, then a second lunch when I get home, then a mid afternoon snack, then dinner (Mainly of pasta), then supper. AMAZING. On Saturday, I managed to eat more than I have done in a long time and that, combined with an early night and no booze, meant that the next day when I went out riding again, my legs felt great whereas previously I would have struggled going out two days in a row. So, the ride out of Sunday was probably the best so far as it combined sunshine, good company, beautiful countryside and great food thanks to Fanny's Farm Shop where we stopped mid ride! http://fannysfarmshop.co.uk A lovely, magical little haven of a place in Surrey which also happens to do possibly the best carrot cake I've ever tasted!

The garden at Fanny's Farm shop.They were slightly taken aback at the sight of 15 people dressed entirely in lycra.













So, although it has been blooming hard work getting to this point, where I feel I may actually manage to cycle 280 miles, it hasn't been all bad! I've seen some glorious scenery where I least expected it (inside and around the M25!), met some great people, enjoyed sunshine (finally - as a pay off for all that ice) had the excuse to eat SHED LOADS and I'm probably fitter than I've ever been. PLUS, we're very nearly at our target of £3,000 thanks to all of our generous and lovely friends, family and colleagues. Hoping that we can reach the target, which will help to send 1,500 books to libraries ini sub-Saharan Africa where they can change lives. Thanks to everyone who has sponsored us so far, it really is hugely appreciated, if you've not done so yet, you can here! www.justgiving.com/pedallingpinders

Off up to Scotland on Friday for a four day training boot camp with Frank. Planning on riding nearly 200 miles over three days. JOY!
More soon!

Lesley

Training update #10 THE FEAR

Okay.

So I've got the fear now. As of today it is only four weeks until the cycle. That leaves three weekends left of training (plus one for light cycling/sleeping/eating a shed load of ccarbs).

HOLY COW

Thus far the furthest I have cycled is 67 miles. Once. Never mind four days in a row.

One of the main problems is cycling on my own. I had planned on cycling to Whitstable with my chums last Saturday but the weather was atrocious. So, I figured that I'd cycle back myself on the Monday instead. But when it came to it I just plain chickened out. It is around a 75 mile cycle and the route included a great deal of wee country lanes and circumnavigating Kent towns like Gillingham and Rochester. Basically too much scope for getting lost. And getting lost when you're knackered and alone is not fun. Instead I got the train home and went on the usual DP Saturday training route. I didn't skip either of the hideous hills which I was a tad proud of but even though I knew the route it did occur to me at one point that I was over 20 miles from home, on my own, on a country lane and no one knew I'd even gone cycling never mind where I was. If somehow I crashed or broke down I was kind of scuppered. I think maybe tiredness brings on the paranoia! Or maybe I'm just making excuses.

Ach, this is all a bit doom and gloom isn't it?! Which is silly because on Saturday I had one of the best rides ever -along the coast from Whitstable and up some wee roads to Canterbury. I arrived in Canterbury at 10am on Easter Sunday morning and the place was pretty much deserted. Cycling up through the cobbled olde streets (slippy!) and past all the lovely buildings was extremely peaceful. It felt slightly like going back in time. Until I noticed the Starbucks right beside the entrance to the Cathedral of course! I grabbed a cuppa and watched the people slowly starting to arrive for Easter service before pottling off on my bike once more. I had considered nipping into the service until I realised I was in my cycling gear, complete with muddy bum and general sweaty-ness so thought I'd spare everyone that pleasure.

On the way back I took a wee detour which took me through Fordwich which claims to be the smallest town in Britain (methinks it may not be the only one). After a pretty long climb I was treated to some lovely sweeping roads which were great fun...at one point shouting out loud "This is amazing!" What a doofus. When I turned round and went back the same way I realised it felt so great as the wind was at my back. The cycle on the homeward leg was not so much fun!

Anyway, back in the house by 12.30pm after:

Distance: 45miles
Time: 3hrs
Ave speed: 15mph
Sites seen: Canterbury Cathedral, Fordiwch, Reculver Church, couple of squirrels (dodged), loveliest road name ever ' Heart in Hand Road'
Number of weekend naps: 2

This weekend I am away to the Borders and have no time to cycle unfortunately so off out with a couple Dulwich Paragon peeps on Friday morn for a 50 odd mile ride before catching the train. The company will be most welcome! Although they may regret inviting me when I hold them back the whole way round!

Anyway, as you will no doubt know, the reason I am putting myself(and my big bro ) through all this bonkers-ness is to raise money for Book Aid International who support literacy and education through book provision and library development in sub-Saharan Africa. Even though my days are taken up working for Book Aid International I've still chosen to do this in my spare time, which I guess shows you quite how much I believe in what we do! Books are amazing things but are very easy to take for granted - imagine what it would be like to have no books at all? And no way to learn or be inspired by them?

If you've not already, please do sponsor us. Your support really will make a difference!

http://www.justgiving.com/pedallingpinders