'White Horse Inn' - Cilcain

Friday 24th October

Just completed 1st training cycle of any real length - 66 miles (108kms) to Moel Famau and back, with Matt (pictured above)

This is 39 miles more than any previous ride... and the body knows it!

By-passing breakfast in anticipation of a 'full English' at Eureka cafe seemed sensible, until we arrived at Eureka (15miles later) and it was shut... great start

Starved of fuel, the legs start cramping up a few miles further on but we carry on regardless and eventually reach the White Horse pub in Cilcain, high in the Welsh Clwydian hills at 12.30pm. Sun shining and a great spot for lunch and rehydration (2 halfs of Jennings please)

For 35 minutes, all is ok with the world again... but a further 32 miles later, and back home - with legs spasming, knees swollen, organs failing and I am (for the 1st time) slightly concerned about what lies ahead...

Prior to today, 100kms a day seemed straightforward. After today, I feel it will be at least a week before I am medically able to venture onto the saddle again.

1200kms, 12 days, much bigger hills and much higher temperatures?

hmm... no thanks!

Wirral Way

Stepping up the training now - a massive 39 miles this weekend, including this training ride with Tom along the Wirral Way to the disused railway station in Willaston.

I think he really appreciated me cycling through all the mud and horse manure along the Wirral Way so that he got caked in it whilst he was sat on the tag-along, hehheh!