He's bloomin mad I tell you!

The outside temperature was just about zero degrees last night, whilst I was in my garage I heard the sound of a cycle being pushed in the driveway next door. I thought 'surely not, not tonight', but Pete was readying himself for a 30 mile icy blast. As much as I love cycling, and I have been out in all weathers this winter, the lure of a warm sofa and a nice cuppa was too much for me! All I can say is Chapeau mate, total dedication!

The donations have been going so well that we have raised the original target from £1000 to £2000 now. Everyone has been so generous and kind. THANK YOU ALL!!

On Saturday Pete and I went into Cycles UK in Norwich on 'the scrounge' for a bit of sponsorship. Rob came up trumps with the promise of some team jerseys, free chain lube and some sound advice for the journey. I have been using the shop for 3 years or so now and the guys in the shop are always very helpful and very enthusiastic about cycling, whether you are buying a new bike or just popping in for a chat, I can personally recommend them.

Ruby and Phoebe have both been poorly with chicken pox over the last week or so, something I can recall from my 2 lads days as youngsters, but by all accounts the girls are on the mend and are getting back to their cheeky selves again!
The mercury is supposed to be rising towards the end of the week, thank god, hopefully within my few days off work I am going to get a few miles in on the bike. Lets hope we can all get out and about and enjoy the rest of half term!

Shaun .

On the open road at last!

Ok so for nearly 2 weeks I've intended to get out on the bike and all my plans have been stopped for one reason or another.  Sunday looked like the day to get out at last. Sunday came and Ruby started running a temperature so Laura and Ruby spent most of Sunday at the hospital to which they confirmed the spots are chicken pox thus the high temperature and her not feeling to well.

On Tuesday the CF trust posted a link on Facebook to An article in the Guardian about a guy called Tim Wooton with CF, take a little time out to read the link he is an inspiration to us all.
http://m.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/feb/15/how-have-i-cheated-death-cystic-fibrosis?cat=lifeandstyle&type=article

It's now Wednesday and Phoebe has now got a few spots GREAT! But I still ventured out on the bike with a 2 hour window between getting back from work and tea at 9:00, how good was that 28miles @ 16.5 mph. It felt like i could have just kept on going (forest)

At the weekend Shaun and I should be able to get a few photos at last, also we are going to a local cycle store to try our luck at 2 free or greatly reduced cycle jersey's of which we will be able to get printed up for the ride.

Wow £864.57 on Justgiving, Thank you everyone.

Pete.

Spring?

I recieved a phone call from Pete whilst I was at work last night, "I'll meet you outside when you leave off at 10pm". Sure enough he was there, having already done a quick zip around Norwich City centre, he then escorted me on my way home!
Not wanting to be outdone, I managed to do a 35mile trip around today, on my day off, and the weather was beautiful. Snowdrops and crocus flowers decorating the hedgeside and the sun beaming down, the day had a real feeling of spring about it.We are really fortunate where we live, the area is stunning and I would not want to live any where else in the country (we could do with some proper hills though).
A stark contrast to the scenery that the peloton are blasting through in the tour of Qatar at the moment! The riders are obviously 'testing' themselves in readiness for the spring classics, with breakaways within the first 5km of the race. It's hard to judge the speed they are riding as there are few points of reference along the way, just pure desert, but the peloton was travelling at 43mph for a good period of the race!
Here's hoping that we enjoy a few more days like today, the sun on my back and clean, dry roads. LOVE IT!!!
Shaun.

Blowing the cobwebs out

Well not such an early start today! after a lovely evening out with friends and cooking the girls the obligatory bacon and eggs i didn't get out the door until 11.
This gave me an hour of cycling which i think was enough in the wind sporting a mild hangover i only covered about 16 to 17 miles, This however was the day to get my highest speed on the flat I topped out at 31.6mph, (tail wind)

Ruby is now asking when i will finnish my book on her!! she still doesn't understand what the blog is, Bless.

Pete

Who Said Norfolk is FLAT

Out on my efforts session last night started down then up Mousehold then down & up Ketts hill, but for the third time in a row that i've tried to climb gas hill I failed! I just don't seem to have the energy after a day of work. Good effort by Chris ( training for Lands End to Jon O'Groats ) he completed Gas hill twice.
For anyone who saw three blokes getting out of my work van togged up in cycling gear, we know it looks wrong! but funny!!

Pete.

It's a wee bit chilly!

Morning everyone!

Well, the last two mornings have been cool to say the very least! My commute at 5.30 am each day has left me with very cold fingers! Frost on the ground making it decidely slippery on the bike. I am determined to carry on though, especially after just looking on the Justgiving web page; we are at £339.57 already. Thanks again to everyone for the donations.

This link made interesting reading today, hopefully we will not need one!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12334486

I had a wonderful weekend at a friends wedding, congratulations to Mike and Julee on tying the knot (20 years is the longest  engagement I have heard of !). Oh, the present Mrs. Nicholas is fine now thank you!
 I am well and truly back into my routine of gym,squash and cycling to try and rid me of  the weekends excesses, I would just like it to warm up a little!!

Shaun.