FOUR WEEKS TO GO!

Not long to go now and I decided it was time to up my training.

Last weekend I made use of the hot weather (30 degrees C?) to get some proper miles in. I was pretty pleased with my route:

Henfield>Partridge Green>Ashington>up the A24, then across to Cowfold>Bolney>Ansty>Burgess Hill>Ditchling>Hassocks>

Hurstpierpoint >Henfield. 

It worked out at just over 46 miles, done in 3 hours with 3 litres of water/lucozade. I was most pleased with my hardwork in the heat and (because I reeeeally fancied an ice cream and I knew an ice cream van would be there) my non stop destruction of Ditching Beacon. It was lovely sitting on top of the Beacon, grabbing 10 minutes or so in the sunshine - check out the great view:

Some other great news too. For the last number of weeks I've been trying to do various things on my bike with the aid of my cycle computer. I have now clocked over 1,000 miles on the bike (which I can scarcely believe!) at an average speed of 16.4 miles per hour. Given that the majority of my trips involve me going over Devil's Dyke each time, I'm pretty pleased with that!

But, because I'm so vain, my favourite record is my all time top speed, which I demolished on Monday. My usual cycle route takes me from either Small Dole or Henfield, Over the Dyke into Hove (where I work). It's a relatively tough ride in as it's marginally uphill until the Dyke and then it goes monstrously steep. So by the time I get there, I'm not feeling as fresh as when I go over it on the journey home. 

On the way back, it's one large hill to the Dyke, then there's a down, an up, a down and an up then, again, it's slightly downhill. It takes around 45 minutes to get in and 40 to get back. But there's just one place where it's long enough and steep enough to get a really good speed on - that's on the homeward trip and the first 'down' from Devil's Dyke, past Waterhall. For top speeds I need: no other traffic (preferably) a tail wind or no wind and a dry road. Well, on Monday I had optimum conditions and I smashed my pervious top speed of 45.9mph by getting 48.5 mph. I know I can get to that magic 50 mph - I just need to pedal harder down the full stretch of the hill (and I also need to be brave/insane enough to do it). Will keep you posted.

For those that are interested, yes I know it's stupid, yes it is scary how my back wheel fishtails at that speed and yes I do know that if I come off it will hurt. Still, I've got to get that 50mph...!

I've also been busy with the more mundane stuff. However, I need your assistance - what on earth shall I wear when I'm over there (when I'm not cycling), what music should go on my ipod, what book shall I take and do you have any other suggestions on what should go into my bag? Seriously, it's time I got organised - so please can you help?!

As ever, thank you so much to all those who have supported and/or sponsored me so far - the fundrasing level is so great - I'm really pleased - thank you.

Rich