A 50 Mile Ride!

Patrick cycled 50 miles on Saturday morning - to Westcott and back- and seems to be none the worse for wear! Some stiffness in the legs but otherwise he managed well. His "back-up" slipped up in that he was locked out when he returned. Fortunately the Flaxmans were in their garden and could give him the spare key. He thinks the 60 miles in a day will be manageable.It's "the day after day 60 miles in all weathers for 17 days" that will be hard!

I am practising on the "notebook" acquired for the journey and hope my backing-up and blogging will be up to speed by the 21 May.

Map Reading

We are now into detailed planning-headache inducing stuff-and so far have mapped out the routes for the first few days. As we shall be using the less well known roads travelling through strangely named places, it is all very interesting. Pat plans to do his first 50 mile ride this week end.

Preparation Begins

Above please see some of the wee ones whom your gifts help to feed!


Pat has worked out the general route through the west side of the UK but we need to begin to plan the detail this week. He is also doing more cycling now that the squash season is coming to an end. We have also started to let people know and sponsorship is coming in. Over £600 already after only 3 days. We are thrilled at the generosity of our supporters and friends! Thank you

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.