The reality of the project.... It's all about logistics!

You might think (or hope) I would be busy training with 1 week to go but it seems I am even more busy doing final planning and camp site bookings! Plus sorting flights and transfers for the 3 drivers. Oh plus all the insurance head aches with having 3 drivers on the motorhome! The list goes on! Had some interviews with Netherlands and Norway TV today, plus cycling weekly magazine so the interest is starting to grow in the project!

 

I hope to get out on my bike 1 day this week, promise!

Bad news comes in 3's.....

Ok have to admit last week was one I'd rather not repeat. Had to cancel my Lake District 5 day climbing camp due to contracting food poisoning from rice, only now starting to feel human again. My long term right sided lower back injury reared its ugly head again, with consequent knee pain. This is being urgently attended to, thanks to Mo, sports injury therapist, Martin, masseur, and Dave Wordsworth, physio. Lastly, the driver for the motorhome very sadly had to pull out, leaving a mad dash to find a replacement driver, just two weeks out. The whole week has been spent either on the phone or on the treatment bed getting my back fixed. Good news is.... Knee and back improving, stomach is now almost back to normal, plus

I'm only 2lbs off my target weight, and I now have 3 drivers for the trip! Result!!!!

Training camp!

This Sunday I plan to start a 5 training camp in the Lake District, using some of the lake districts famous climbs like Whinlatter and kirkstone pass. Although they are much shorter climbs than those I will be encountering in France I plan to simply (!) do hill reps on each. Over a 80 mile course in the lakes it's fairly easy to knock up ascent totals of 3000m, so I'm pretty confident that 5 days of this will really boost my climbing strength. Of course.... I'm still going to suffer like a dog in the Pyrenees, but that's the tour for you :)

June update

Having realised not everyone following me uses social media i plan to keep a blog each day leading upto and during the event itself!

So we're in June. Things just for serious! Huge focus on climbing for next 3 weeks. Huge focus on core and flexibility. The latter being essential for handling a chopper bike up and down hills. The bike is very unforgiving on corners and even in a straight line at speed. Improving on my core conditioning has been a priority this year, but it's really been stepped up this last few weeks..... And happy to say already feeling the benefits. Far less high speed wobbles! 

Below is a pic of me enjoying the sun at top of Clieves hill, my local hill with a massive 29 metres of ascent. I know. Mind blowing climb ha ha