THE CHAMPS

Day 4

Well they are off, lovely sunny day and shorter ride today. There was positive talk this morning of actually completing the 8 days so things are looking up. Lots of faffing around in the morning and by the time they are gone the girls are glad to get rid of them so they can get on the road. We are always the last to leave everyday - not down to girls lack of organisation - I might add!

So we're all feelling positive and looking forward to Italy - good food, wine and coffee for the girls. For the boys more big mountains and single track!!! (we're trying to learn some of the cycling lingo but failing miserably)

Thanks for all the supportive texts they are really appreciated

Aram getting annoyed building bikes

The support team!

At the start at Fussen

more bike building

At Ischgl finish line with our mascot - Tommy

DAY 2

We're on day 2 and team car has arrived in Ischgl, Austria. The first riders are home after 3hours 26mins. Our boys we think haven't made it to the top of the mountain - boy they look high. We're expecting them here in another couple of hours.
Its been fun so far - went to the pasta party last night, in pissing rain to carb load (although the girls could have done without it!!). The storm went on all night and woke this morning still cloudy and cold.
The knees seemed to have held up on both boys, they are sore but doing ok. However today is the real test as it's going to be tough!
We'll report back again at the pasta party! to let you know how they got on for nowenjoy our photos

First day

78 km, 1939 m of climbing, 2500 calories. 4 sore knees and two sense of humours lost. A team car stuck in traffic jam for 3 hours!!!! Raining heavily and in Mc Donalds for free WiFi
Nervous for tomorrow!

T-3

The big day is nearly upon us. Almost there. One day of work left!

T-5

Did some packing yesterday and wrestled with the Garmin for a while. Did some foam rolling in the gym - its all glamour! Knees are OK I suppose......as long as you dont need to do a very long mountain bike ride on them then they would be fine! Work has pretty much nailed this week for me and I have to go to Norwich now until Wednesday evening! Better get my people to get some last minute supplies for me!

heads, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes...

Well the rest of it seems to be ok just the knees. still icing rubbing and praying. As stevie says if all else fails we can walk up those hills and roll down the other side!

checked the weather out yesterday. looks like a warm 28 degrees at the bottom but a chilly 10 degrees at the top of most of the mountains. will have to pack the thermals.

Lance Armstrong's Tour is effectively over after a disasterous day yesterday. poor Lance - he knows how I feel.

T-6

Team lunch yesterday was a useful session. Then spent some more money for a change in a bike shop. Just when I thought we had everything too! Now I'm trying to load some maps onto the Garmin for the race. Might at least keep us going in the right direction even if we are walking!

More ice!!!

In exactly the same position as Stevie. Went to physio again last night who scanned knee and diagnosed some swelling in quads tendon. Not too bad but not too great. No magic injection to sort that just complete rest from teh bike no climbing stairs, lots of ice, ibuprofen gel and crossed fingers.

On the upside I did have this earlier in the year and it can clear up fairly quickly with complete rest but is 8 days enough? He also said it will get sore then won't get any worse!

Things looking tough...

T-8

8 days to go to "blast" off. This is now a typical evening scene for me and no doubt Aram too. The joy of icing. The only thing missing from this photo is a physio in the background somewhere

T-9

The beast is back and in fine working order....new brake pads installed...changed handle bars for other ones....free hub has been replaced. Its another tick in the box.

9 Days to go!

Update

My knees also sore. Popped out for a couple of laps of the park last night to keep things moving and got sore quads tendon as a result

Stretching

Throwing some shapes last night on the bench. Knees still sore - bike still bust!

Twitter - they're nearly there

Hi everyone - well the boys have nearly made it to Germany, can you believe the time has past so quickly, well quicker for some than others!!!!
Any in preparation for us getting on the road, I have added a link to Aram and Stevie's Twitter page - http://twitter.com/TransAlpChamps will be updated reguarly so that you can keep up to date either here or on twitter.

See you when we get back
Charlie

Bike in Sick Bay

I knew last weekend there was an issue.......gears should not change on their own!

My centre lock out has blown up in the bike and its not looking good. Tried to ride on Sunday and could barely get out of the drive way. Luckily the bike shop have been extremely helpful and will try and fix it for me today!

The good news of the weekend is the knee which seems to be making a rapid recovery after plenty of icing. Thanks be to my support team at Balance Physiotherapy whos finances I will improve again tonight with another massage!

This biking is making me broke!

sympathy pain of the knee!!!!

i havent been able to blog since getting my sore knee in majorca - too depressed. i just hope it will get better before the event. even so really shouldnt be going into an event like this with any form of injury. seen 2 physios and had two different diagnoses. only one thing is certain - another £65. i'm doing loads of stretching and strengthening and gonna try a south downs ride and pray it holds together.

i cant believe stevie's suffering with the same thing. we peaked 4 weeks ago!

Knee gate

Now its my turn to have hurty knees and boy do they hurt. The right knee has developed fairly acute bruising. Emergency physio session tomorrow has been booked. Guess this means more massage........

And so it goes on

Aram and I had some good riding on Saturday. Nothing heavy just about 40 miles on the ridgeway which was very enjoyable. Aram has some knee issues which appear to be clearing up. My knee issues appear to be starting! Painful right knee - physio tomorrow it is then.

Majorca photos....

First days riding - thats why were smiling!

Majorca - the chaff ease lesson

Majorca was a chammy time and got some good riding in. Scores on the doors were:

Ride time - 22.5hrs
Miles ridden - 257
Altitude gain - 9773

Some photos are going to follow shortly. Chaff ease is gona be a highly important part of my ride strategy! All that sweating in the heat dosent bear thinking of!

Nature loving on the Downs

did a couple of 90 minute interval sessions in the Park on Thursday and Friday but it is driving me insane and I'm not that sure it is really accomplishing much other than giving me a false sense of security and tiring me out!!!!

Got a couple of really good long rides in over the last weekend just to prove that I can still do it - great weather so spent 6 hrs on saturday covering 60 miles and 6000ft of climbing. Went out for a 'short' 4 hour 40mile spin on sunday and managed to catch a couple of chaps 'd*gging on the downs'. You shold have seen the look on their faces as they dived for cover while pulling up their trousers. i've never been so offended in my life. Shocking. Terrible. Anti-social.

Mary Whitehouse

Ridgeway

Blasted from my Mum and Dads down the Ridgeway this weekend to a campsite. Got some good miles in. Not many hills but a chammy ride none the less. Didn't get pissed on either which was delightful! Knocked out about 100 miles....plenty more to come

Sickness and Imsomnia

I have both of the above and am feeling the affects of it quite badly! Ive had two nights this week without sleep and its wearing me down. Hope it fades soon!

Boring but necessary

Stevie not well today so plans for Afan called off. Spent 4 hours (7 laps and 55 miles) in Richmond Park today very boring and not many hills but better than nothing. New bike was a dream and had a few races with roadies.

A new baby is christened...

After a very painful 3 weeklong labour I finally produced a new born bike this week! But so worth the pain and effort - rides like a dream and must be 2 pounds lighter than my last anthem. Had a quick spin around the park on friday (2 1/2 hours intervals) followed by a proper 4 hour christening today with Stevie around Marlow.

DOMS

Badly over did it with a weights session on Monday. My legs were so sore the next day I could hardly stand up yesterday. People asked me if I was disabled. I think the weights sessions for the legs are done now. Its better today but prob can't ride bike again until Friday

Everest x 3

According to the garmin we have climbed Everest 3 times in training! Night off tonight - shattered.

TransAlp Monster - new bike

New bike nearly built up - these are photos from earlier. Brakes (R1s in blue to match forks) have now been added. Tyres and tubes on tomorrow then need to canibalise old bike for component and ready to go. Its looking really good - excited!

back in the saddle

gym on Monday and wedneasday and a 2 hour easy ride tonight. Been to see Sherit the bike whisperer today to get my sidi's sorted. Appears to have done the trick!

My piriformis

Tight 'piriformis' caused problems at the weekend. Physio spent an hour massaging my left buttock - soooo painful.

Massage

Non horrific sports massage yesterday has helped ease some of those tired muscles. Didn't get too deep into the muscle after a hard weekend and the muscles now in repair mode. Looking forward to some personal training tonight

Congratulations James and Stevie

Was looking forward to the SDW ride this weekend - and massive thanks to charlie for carting the team around and cooking - but I got cramp just after the start line which I couldn't get rid of!!!!!! Can't believe it, started in the right thigh, went into the left buttock and down the back of the hamstring completely ruined the ride, had to pull out after 30 miles on saturday. Started again on Sunday and felt better but deep down pain around the hip joint so thought better of it and ducked out at ditching beacon after riding first 20 miles with Stevie. What a distaster absolutely gutted. On the positive side I did feel much stronger than last year for the bits that I did ride.

james had an outstanding ride. He won both days and the whole event in a blistering time over both days. Stevie also did really well coming in 3rd on the second day (first day was spent waiting for me).

South Downs Race weekend

Getting all excited about the SDW 110 mile 2 day race this saturday and sunday. Entered with Stevie and James - be a good opportunity to see how our training has been going and if we are fitter than last year. Early start though...

Intervals

Got some hard hills in last night around Frieth. Sprinting up and down some steep stuff. Don't take my word for it - Check out the garmin profile of heart rate! Getting stronger.

Intervals

long ride on friday (5 hrs) and intervals on sunday, monday and tuesday for 90 mins each session. nearly sick on a couple of times!! weights tonight. feeling stronger and looking forward to a long weekend of riding.

Park life

I am fairly confident that we both have the base endurance and we are just starting the 'build phase' of the programme which involves interval training. We should see a fairly quick improvement - after all we havent been training that part so far - in our strength and anaerobic capacity if we maintain the structure of those sessions mid week. We also need to keep the long rides up at the weekend of course.

In Park yesterday trying my best to keep with with Stevie doing intervals - he's defo on track but I feel like I'm playing catch-up at this stage. Went out again tonight for another session of 'telekom forties'. Went well and knee not playing up.

Park Action

Aram and I met earlier for a bit of Richmond Park Action. Were still on track - I think!

No turning back...

Half way through the 'shaving' process. Does't look good but it feels sooo nice...

no pain no gain

just finished 2nd of my 2 hr mid week rides in the park. Lovely weather if a bit chilly. Knees sore on first ride but saw physio on wednesday and much less pain tonight - so hopefully medial plica is the root cause of y problems. Going to do some serious mileage over weekend.

Trains, planes and automobiles...revenge of the volcano

Spent most of the last week in Spain - trapped by the fall out of the Icelandic volcano. Complete mayhem and everyman for themselves. Complete lack of information and advice resulting in 72 hours on the phone and computer trying to work out how to get home. A week for a train from madrid, no eurostar, buses full and all hire cars booked. Only saving grace was that I got a rest from riding (although very little sleep!).

Exhausted and skint.

Gonna shave legs tonight for 'rub and a tug' and will report back later

Support Dog

Introducing the latest member of the team showing off her new hat!!

Saturday - had a massage (not very good) and a bike fit session. Some minor adjustments to be made and a lot more stretching required. I'm all tight which is affecting the knee.

Today did a London - Frieth return run. No problems it all went very well. Did a few hills at the other end too.

Some gym work tomorrow and physio Tuesday

Painful elbow + knees

Its all hurting now. Elbows got torn up a bit yesterday doing core work in the gym. Knee is anyones guess - must try and make a physio appointment to get that looked at.

Painful Arm + knee

Good sunny ride on Sunday with crap signings for the Hell of the North. Plenty of getting lost but still a good day. I am struggling with my knees though and a painful arm as shown. The arm is just scratched but the knee is now bad. By the time I finished Sundays ride uncomfortable had turned into painful and very painful by the time I got off. Need to get this looked at soonest.

Digging out the sun cream and chaff ease...

Another evening spent in Richmond Park (90 mins, 20 miles). Although nothing special it is just so much nicer now the evenings are light and sunny. Gym later on this afternoon followed by a session on the SDW tomorrow (I plan to do some serious hill loops to up the level of training) then on for the 100k 'Hell of the North' ride on Sunday. Best thing is that the weather forecast for the weekend looks dry and sunny - better get the sun cream and chaff ease out!

Sports massage on Sunday to ease those tired muscles and hopefully keep me flexible enough to stop the knee getting sore. 

Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend was a big one and lots of riding with Aram. It was as Aram says below very very wet and pretty miserable riding on Friday.

Easter Monday rode from my flat to my Parents and back which was a good ride. About an 80 mile round trip. Going to do another good ride this evening hopefully and make use of the nice weather. Might try and ride to my parents house again if time permits

half way through the programme

Now 3 months from the event and half way through our training programme. Still a long way to go and the hardest part starts now as the rides get more frequent, intense and the overall time in the saddle increases. Still feeling motivated and confident we can do this if we keep progressing.
Been in the gym again tonight...

Easter weekend - energy drink sickness

Most intense period of riding for a long time over easter. 90 mins around the park on Thursday, 4 3/4 hours around a VERY wet Marlow on Friday with Stevie - soaked through - followed by a hard 4 1/2  hours around the south downs on  saturday. Absolutely exhausted but great riding - tested the leg with some sprints and all seemed well. Keep the fingers crossed! However, had consumed so many energy products (drink, bars and recovery shakes) that my digestive system went into melt down. Gym on Monday for weights and another 90 min ride this evening. Things are getting serious.

Leith Hill training ride

Up early for a ride around Surrey Hills yesterday with James Crask. An excellent 4 hour session with loads of hills and singletrack. Heart rate up for most of the day - a few more of these and I'll be on track for July!

Gym session with jackie tonight and another ride in the park tomorrow. Easter weekend coming up so loads more riding.
  

Thumb Update

The physio has now seen the thumb and thought I must have been very brave! There is defo nothing broken but the ligament has been weakened so much the bones are now super mobile which is what hurts as I ride along. Thus they have strapped the thumb as attached and I have to try and ride strapped up! Also my tendon hurts......

first mid week ride!!

Dug deep and ventured out on my first mid week ride this evening. Managed a quick lap of the Park (11/2 hrs) which is strange in the dark with no lights. Slight twinge from the left knee for a few moments but nothing like usual - so far so good. Rained on the way home.

Been plotting my new bike.

Keeping up with the Detsiny's...

Great bike - that is going up a league! But you can't ride something like that without matching team tops, serious lycra and shaved leg action. I'm jealous and gonna have to get something new myself now.

We should talk pedals and saddles.

Just need to book the travel arrangements and get the razor out!

New Wheels!!!

The big news is I am the proud new owner of a new Rocky Mountain Bike - and its looking fabulous. Unfortunately I didn't get to pick it up in time to ride it but its gona get a thrashing soon enough.

My knees are sore this week after putting in some miles yesterday. I think my pedals are a bit off. When I tried to adjust it I broke it so I gave up! Next time I'll leave that to Aram.... The saddle is also dreadful and I think that contributed to the misery!

one step forward two steps back

All been going well with the neck and back but a v bad 'stomach complaint' has meant only able to get out for a 1.45hr ride this morning. Still looking on the bright side I seem to have lost about 2 pounds of weight - down to 69kg on parents digital scales which would mean I have lost about a stone since Christmas!

Went to se the Bike Whisperer on Tuesaday for a bike fit as part of trying to get to the bottom of my sore left knee. It was a bit odd - he knew his stuff but basicall works out of his living room (image below). We swapped to some new pedals (from some very worn Bonty RE 1s) and plenty of grease to keep the float free and went out today and haven't felt any knee pain. Long way to go but fingers crossed. 

Going to start riding mid week this week...

Day of Rest

Monday was a day off after the busy weekend. Tonight I intend to hit the weights section! Bring it on.

Bikes & my Birthday

Thanks to all those who have been so generous with Birthday presents this year. Its much appreciated. Anything bike related is good! Have got lots of bike vouchers and bike stuff in general - excellent.

Saturday - Aram and I hammered the local lanes and hills around my parents - excellent ride and not chucking down with rain either. Found some new routes that will be good for Summer.

Sunday - rode from my parents to Reading to trial some new bikes at a big shop. Had a ride on a very nice Trek 2010 bike and a very nice Rocky Mountain 2009 bike too - which is in the sale. Ah descisions descisions! Luckily this time I didn't smash the bike like the last one I took to Wales which came back destroyed and totally unsaleable.

Now to get some campervan hire action going!

Just give!!!

I've set up a just giving site for Aram for Macmillan cancer support, please log on a dig deep - http://www.justgiving.com/Aram-Wood - Charlie xxx

Tiring weekend

Followed the rides as set out in the training schedule this weekend - they look easier on paper than they do in real life!

Did a 4 hour hill session with Stevie on Saturday around Marlow. Excellent workout - 40 miles, 1200m of climbing, burned 2500 calories - but completely exhausted by the end of it. Went past the windmill from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang but Caractarus Potts not at home. Went out again this morning but only managed 2 hrs 20 mins - 1300 calories - which was shame as nice and sunny but just too tired to stay out longer. Met Nick and did a lap of the Park together. Will do another heavy weekend of rides next week then have a rest week.

Booked flights to Mallorca for the final push in mid June.

Stan Laurel

At last a weekend with sun and without rain. The training programme also turned up! Feeling like back in control. Managed a couple of rides - a 3 hour jaunt on the south downs with James C on Saturday morning and a 2 hour spin around the Park (in HR zone 1 and 2 - the training programme starting to have an impact) on my jack jones this morning. 

Been sorting out travel arrangements to Italy (going to milan on Thrsday 15th July) and a week training in Mallorca in /3 week of June.

Bumped into Tough Guy at a Ce Roc themed birthday party. Cycled all the way from Blackheath tp Shepherds Bush then back to Blackheath at 1am in the freezing cold. Now that's tough!

Also wondering whether I am starting to look a bit like Stan Laurel.

The hamsters wheel

Back in the gym last night on weights and tonight on CV. Good progress but can't wait until light & weather changes so that I can get out of the gym and cycling during the week. 

Filthy weather

No riding today - weather awful - an hour of CV intervals at the gym followed by core work and stretching.

Wet Riding!

We did a training ride together today. Lots of mud and rain. Knocked out 25 miles and climbed 470m. Feeling good - its all go go go. Arams neck is OK, no one appears to have any colds or coughs for once - bring it on!

Night off

No exercise today today but looking forward to a good ride tomorrow - fingers crossed that it doesn't rain.

gggrrrrrrrr!!!!

Another successful visit to the gym without my neck giving up on me. Sun's forecast to be out on Saturday and we may make it out for a proper ride.   

Heart Rates

Getting myself some interval training in the gym - check my heart rate meter out!

As Cheryl Cole says...

"...there's no going back".

Been in the gym again tonight. Only a 45min CV session but feels great to string two consecutive days together doing some exercise. Roll on the weekend. All we need now is some sunshine and warmth! Next step will be lycra bodysuits and leg shaving. It's got to be worth the pain and the cost for that alone.

Freezing cold

Had a ride with swanks on Sunday and nearly froze to death. Dreadful hail whipping into my face for half an hour. Still ride was fun! I might need to get specialist contact lenses though as my trial ones have not worked. Needless to say they cost hundreds of pounds...the costs keep rising!

Back in the gym

Went back to the gym tonight for the first time in over a week to do my weights programme. Took it carefully but glad to report that nothing fell off or broke! Hopefully bit of CV tomorrow and I'll be feeling more positive about progress. 

Back in the saddle

Had expected to get in a couple of long rides - was home alone - with Stevie and Swanks this weekend but both been under the weathr with some form of virus. Did manage two short rides (2 hrs) around the park but worrying this is that these are starting to feel long! We both need a good run without an interuptions to get our base levels back up - but good news is that we should have a training plan soon and the plan will save us! Starting to feel better so hopefully at the gym tomorrow for weights and core stability, CV on Tuesday and weights again at the end of the week. Bike on Saturday and Sunday if all well.

Richmond Park

Aram and I had a team ride today around the park. As neither of us are at 100% we took it quite slowly. Using my new Edge 705 GPS unit is alot of fun. Have dragged the blue bike out of Chiara's house for use round London - weighs a ton and the brakes are a bit loose

Shiny things

Bought myself a new cassette and chain today - got a great deal and will fit those in a couple of months. Avoided the gym as neck not yet back to normal and I want to make sure I can get out on the bike over the weekend.

Rub and a tug

Neck was still painful on Monday so another trip to the osteopath for a rub and a tug. Felt much better afterwards but pain returned over the day. No weights on Monday night but did do an easy 45 minutes CV on the nordic ski machine and took an opportunity to do some reading for work. Followed this up with a good stretch and some core stability work. Had the night off tonight but hopefully back to some light weights tomorrow. 

Had another night trying to work out what to spend my limited funds on bike wise - one of the main reasons for doing this afterall - my main dilemma is whether to go for a new groupset (SRAM XX) or a new frame (Giant anthem X). Alternatively I could just try and keep my money in the bank and do the event with what I've got. mmm...

Feeling rotten

Woke up this morning and blew the fuses in the downstairs of the flat! Feel rotten - no training for me today

Numb fingers and chattering teeth

Neck felt a lot better this morning and managed a short ride in the driving snow of Sussex. My return to training was cut short by a thorn puncture (hawthorns being trimmed along the side of the road). This proved my downfall and although it should've taken 5 minutes to fix, a wet innertube and freezing temperatures made the patching process impossible. After 2 attempts and 40 minutes standing by the side of a B-road in the snow my fingers were completely numb and core body temp had dropped to the point I had chattering teeth. This resulted in me calling in the cavalry to get a lift home. Pathetic.  Made all the worse by the fact that just before leaving the house I thought shall i take a spare tube? No, won't need it.     

Even more freezing

I was so cold today I couldn't feel my hands. It snowed non stop for about 3 hours, the routes turned into freezing mud the roads were like ice. When I got home I was messing about with pedals and manged to get one of them stuck on my shoe. Used the pedal spanner attached to shift it.......

Freeezing ride + contact lenses

I had some contact lenses fitted this morning to hopefully finally be able to see where I am going on a ride. Just takes a couple hundred attempts to get them in and out.

Then I made it out on the bike for a couple of hours but had to retreat when it hailed in my face for half an hour. Freezing - could hardly feel my hands. Not that we actually have a schedule but if we did I'd say both of us were well behind. This is gona be tough.

Falling apart part 2 - Return of the Cybermen

Had to call off my end of 'base 1' ride today. Was at the gym on Thursday doing my new programme and singing Mysterious Girl to myself when I put my neck out again! I was doing 'flys' and went to get up from the bench and heard a terrifying crunch from my neck followed by spasms down my back - it was like a scene from a comedy movie... I've been shoving ibuprofen down my neck and trying to ice the offending vertabrae but still ended up walking around like a Cyberman from Dr Who. Basically that put the mockers on any riding today. I'll try again tomorrow but don't hold out much hope. I may have to start riding during the week (in the cold and rain!) at this rate. Only good news is that I spent this morning buying new biking kit in the sales - skin tight and aerodynamic.

Thumb Gate

The thumb is much better but still not 100% mended and it still sometimes makes me go ouch. I hope that its up to speed very soon....

Falling apart...

30 mins CV and then stretching last night but nothing today but did have a follow up appointment with claire (osteo) for a sore neck. She is also going to try to identify an expert in biomechanics to see if I can sort my knee out - Claire suggested taking the wedges out of my cycling shoes as this could tighten my IT band. Planning for a long ride on Saturday and will give it a try. 

Pete Andre

Managed another hour at the gym tonight on weights and core stability. I plan to be pulling off a few Peter Andre style moves this summer. Picture on the left is me celerating finishing the transalp race by having a dip in Lake Garda.

I have heard that Swanks packed in a SEVEN hour ride yesterday on the North Downs!

Cruisin' the Park

Chasing fit young men around Richmond Park again this morning! I'll catch him one day then he's in for it. Felt much better than yesterday - more energy and no sore knee. Three laps, 2hr 39min, 36 miles.

Cow tastic

On a training ride today but no energy..................however saw this calf - fresh out of the oven!

Getting back to normal

Feeling much better - cold definitely on the way out. Had an hour in the gym last night on my new upper body strength and core stability programme and 2 hours or so (28 miles) in the park this morning. Need to start extending the rides now into 'base 2' to continue progressing. Good to see Stevie starting to blog.

My Rear Jockeys Broken!

I was out and about on a ride today when I discovered a problem with the bike. Luckily I wasn't too far from my local bike shop and Bryn was able to fix it for me on the spot. Thanks to Bryn for his fast work. Back on the road I got home just before dark. The thumb is OK but not 100%. my buddy Holly was meant to come with me but filled her car with petrol and not diesel on the way so had to call RAC rescue!

Thumbs UP!

Glad to report the thumb is on the off road to recovery!! (see what I did there?). Made it to the gym tonight and did some cardio training. Now being pressured to buy some running shoes and pound the tarmac with Chiara. According to John Metcalfe "bikers should incorporate running in their yearly training programme" so better get out there. Ate a pizza for dinner and can confirm John Metcalfe wound not approve.

On the mend but behind the curve

Starting to feel a bit better so hopefully gym tomorrow and easy ride on Saturday & Sunday. Stevie's swelling also starting to respond to TLC. Feeling a little behind the 'training curve' as this was supposed to be the end of our first month of 'base endurance' which should have been marked by two 4 hour rides!

No action tonight

Cold worse than yesterday so no gym for me tonight. Not sure how Stevie's hand is but I am sure he will update shortly (Stevie did you get the passoword for the site?)

Jesus that's swollen...

...Charlie's words not mine! Stevie's hand looks bad as well. My cold also continues - hopefully neither ailment is going to keep us out of the saddle for too long. I tried the gym tonight to get my new programme but defo not firing on all cylinders

Sick, lame and lazy...

No 'Brassmonkeys' race today for 3 of us. I developed a stinking cold overnight (sick), Stevie fell off yesterday on black ice and bust his hand (lame), and was Toby uncontactable (lazy). James Crask rode it alone for 4 hours and came 21st. Good going!

training...

...been out enjoying the frost and light snow in Richmond Park for a couple of hours this morning with Mr Crask. Not exactly alp like but an important part of the base programme. Hopefully laps of the park will pay off by July.

Friday nights

Neck feels a bit less tender today. Pumped iron at the gym for an hour followed by supermarket. Weekends just keep getting better!

Bone cruncher

Owww! Been to the osteo today to get some treatment for my neck. Still painful so missed my weights session this evening. hopefull back in the gym tomorrow before heading out on the bike on saturday and sunday.

Our first post

Ok so Charlie has managed to set up a blog for us. Now its over to us do 6 months of training and ride for 600km!!!