First training ride.

Had a bit of a wake up call on Easter Monday when I went on my first real training ride. I cycled from Taunton to Budleigh Salterton then back over the Blackdown Hills. I was a zombie when I returned back to Taunton and was so spaced out on Tuesday that I bought a family tent - what sane person would want to spend a wet Wednesday in the Lakes in a tent with two young children ?
Despite using my new cycle computer for the first time, I managed to get lost. What I can however tell you with confidence is that I cycled 83.14 miles, ascended 1925 meters and used over 6k calories of energy.  It took about 7 hours to do the ride.

That ride was probably harder than what I will do on any single day on the e2e because I don't expect to be doing so much climbing and won't be fighting a 25mph wind for half of the journey. I will however be carrying more weight. Thankfully there were no major physical issues although I did start to feel my right knee becoming twitchy and a tendon on my left elbow was stretching.

In summary, there's a lot of work to be done between now and August if I'm to enjoy the ride. To prove it, the picture shows me at Budleigh Salterton - must remember to ask for the next jacket size up! Wife and children will need to be tolerant!

On another subject, my bicycle frame should be with me by end April. I've decided to visit a "bike-fit" specialist so that I can get it set up perfectly for my riding style. By doing this, I should avoid aggravating any dormant physical ailments that could jeopardise the ride.

Paul Doherty
paulsdoherty@gmail.com
Tel: 07941 240416