CLOSE UP ATLAS

Have just bought 2 copies of this enormous mapbook so that we can do detailed planning. We managed to get them very cheaply in a bargain bookshop! Pat is now beginning to do more serious training. He did almost 30 miles last week end but had a bit too much squash this week end to fit in serious cycling. However we had a good chat to Steve Luke at church and Pat received some good advice as Steve has done LEJOG.The official date for the start of LEJOG is 21 May and we should be on the road for about two and a half weeks.

Pat Buys a New Bike

This morning I drove Pat down to the Village Cycle shop in Cobham so that he could take delivery of his brand new machine. Dressed in appropriate gear for the cold, he cycled back to Oxshott, very happy with his purchase - much lighter and an easier ride than the old mountain bike! Now training starts in earnest. As well as an attempt (thus far not successful) to feed up the man so he has reserves for the long journey.

Setting up the blog

We are beginning to tell friends about Pet's(Pat's) plans to cycle from Lands End to John O Groats (LE-JOG) starting in the second half of May. He will get sponsorship for the Garden Route Children's Trust (http://www.grct.org.uk/) and I shall be his back-up team at the same time exploring England and Scotland and keeping you informed of his progress. Serious training has not begun yet because of his pressing squash commitments but he is getting together the gear and starting to investigate the route. No doubt the cold snap is not an incentive to begin cycling long distances but he will have to brave the chill soon.