Me and the McCracken

Had arranged to meet up with Ross for a bit of a ride today and was pootling over to Hassocks singing I Want You Back from the Jackson 5 (I haven't a clue, just was), when I realised that if I picked up from the 10 days of cycling I had done recently, after a rest day, today was the 13th day and would be the day when I rolled into John O'Groats.

Totting up the miles done in those 13 days, about 620. On the ride, it would be about the 1,000, so over 60% at the first attempt doesn't seem too bad an effort. More encouragingly, whilst the legs do feel a tad tired, there certainly are more miles in them. With another 10 days planned for May, it will be interesting to see if we can stretch the 620 to say 750.

Today's ride, met up at Proper Coffee and Cycling with Ross and we set off on the lap that they had used for their 24 hour cycle back in August last year. This heads out through Hurstpierpoint then brushes past Albourne, drops down and round by Ginger Fox and Singing Hills before heading back towards Bug Hill. Ross said Bug Hill wasn't a great ride, so I suggested a quick deviation via Buncton and Pickwell lanes. Route agreed and off we set.

After the hills, conversation on gearing ensued as I had about 3 gears left to drop whereas Ross was on a more sporty setting and had to drop into bottom and stand up, not something that he wanted to do slightly hung over. There may well be some days on the ride, where even my more gentle gearing will struggle and as the object is not to set King of the Mountains times going uphill, but to survive, a spare wheel with a climbing cassette mounted was discussed, must say it sounds like a very good idea and I am sure will be used on day 1 in Cornwall!

Shoes, bike fits, cleats, services, parts etc. all under discussion as we are in the period where I have to be getting my stuff together and certainly the next 10 day rotation needs to be how I will be set up for the ride.

61 days to go.....