The Challenge

Dad has been keen to do a big cycle for a long time now and has often talked of Lands end to John o' Groats. Mainly of how he would like to do it reasonably quickly to make it a challenge. Most people do it in around two weeks or just under which seems like enough of a challenge to me! So wanting to get fit and have a challenge to work towards I have agreed to do it with him and we have settled on aiming for 10 days, that's enough of a challenge for a first go I think.

I hunted high and low and couldn't find my road shoes, shows you how long it is since I have been on the road bike... So a quick dash into Exeter and I had picked up some shoes and pedals so I could get started as if I am going to manage it I will need as much training as possible. I dug the bike out the back of the shed looked at the flat worn out tires and rusty chain under a layer of dust and dirt. The perfect steed for my standards! Long story short I had forgotten how weird it was to ride with your feet constantly attached to the bike and with less than a mile covered I found myself trying to start after the chain had fallen off, with no forward momentum and no hope I swiftly fell head first into a bush of nettles perfectly positioned beside me. It was a graceful fall, I hit my head and shoulder off of a fence post in perfect timing whilst the rest of my body found nothing but nettles. With both feet still attached to the bike i had to wiggle about in the nettle bush to free myself and then climb out. By this point I was red raw, stung from top to bottom and still had all of my dignity...

7 miles later I was home, chest infection firmly taking hold and legs tingling like crazy.

Miles covered so far: 8

Falls:1

I don't like Lycra...

Jamie