Torturous Hills

6 of us cycled to Stratford on Sunday over 40 miles of flattish ground. The day was warm and the ride was fairly easy.

But Graham had an evil idea on Bank Holiday Monday! He took us over torturous hills covering 42 miles. (Graham is our excellent coach & sage.) We started with a full 7 man crew, but Steve left us after 21 miles. His excuse was 'I got a rendezvous', but maybe he just couldn't hack it?! (Sorry Steve.)

Liz's chain came off going up those steep hills. Brian was a hero succeeding where 3 other male cyclists failed and got her chain on. (There's a joke there somewhere.) Liz cycled past me at the start of a steep hill saying 'girl power', but I was gracious when I cycled passed her walking at the top of the same hill!

Hugh, Liz, Vanessa, Brian & Graham

We were joined at The Norman Knight & brewery by Sarah & Rosemary. We had a delicious hot soup & warm bread to warm us up. The day was cold & difficult.

Evening cycle

5 of us cycled last night for 22 miles. Nick joined us, he usually goes cycling on his own, because he lives in a village that's 5 miles away. He is very apologetic, but he can’t make the Land’s End to Oxhill charity cycle ride because of his work commitments. Nick will be sorely missed.

Nick, Brian, Vanessa & Lycra Liz

Liz's mirror was coming loose and drooping down. Brian tried to be a hero and fix it, but his 'functional multi tool' was not working....that's his excuse.

Brian & Lycra Liz

I would like to thank: Graham & Steve for getting the route sorted; Steve for organising the railway tickets; Vanessa for arranging the b&b’s & hotels along the way and editing my inane waffling.

Cycling alone

I've cycled every day this week, Sunday to Wednesday, which amounts to 105 miles!

Yesterday I cycled 40 miles alone - I've got to build up my stamina. In the first 5 miles I was not enjoying it, but over the next 18 miles I was like a pig in muck! I ate a lovely warm spinach & sesame seed pie half way round. Things went down hill at 23 miles and I wanted to cancel the whole trip. But by 26 miles, with 14 miles remaining, I got over the hurt and concentrated on going home to a relaxing bath.

My strokes paralysed my right side, so shifting the gears with my right thumb is difficult. I also tore the ligaments on my thumb when I was dry slope skiing at the tender age of 16 - a common injury called Dendix thumb.

My haemoglobin is increasing since I had blood pumped of me last week. Touch wood everything is splendid and I don't have to go to hospital again! I will go cycling tonight.

6 turns into 7

On Sunday we cycled the same 42 miles of last week, but in the reverse direction. 6 of us started and we met a lonely Hugh going the other way on the Greenway, he turned round to join us.

We did a photo shoot in the morning for my old school magazine, before Hugh joined us.

Graham, Brian, Liz, Me, Steve & Vanessa

'Lycra' Liz looking sharp with her new racer. But a couple of miles later she ended up cutting off the rear mudguard with first aid scissors.

We briefly stopped at the Stratford-Upon-Avon Dragon Boat Race: 2 boats overflowing with oarsmen and a coxswain, racing each other to the sound of a solitary drummer. On land the ‘Sambassadors of Groove’ played in the band stand. There was a great festival ambience. Steve and I could have stayed there all afternoon, drinking beer and soaking up the atmosphere but the others had different idea – On your bikes!

I cycled 103 miles last week!! & I feel fine as one could.

The Rollright Stones

We cycled to The Rollright Stones today (26 miles). We were disappointed & dumbfounded by what we saw...

6 stones round a campfire!

We met a couple of American tourists who had driven far to see the stones. They said ‘Is this it?’ and left disappointed. 

We went back to our bikes and saw a small sign and path leading to the main stones. Poor tourists! Have a look at the King's Men and Vanessa:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzdZNEwvFJA

King's Men

A bit of good news: My blood iron levels are correct and I no longer have to go to hospital to get a pint of blood removed....Hallelujah!

5 go cycling

5 of us cycled 41 miles today – the most yet! We picked a relatively flat scenic route which included the Stratford Greenway, going along the Avon, Walton Hall and some spectacular countryside.

The Stratford Avon

We tried to dump Steve, but couldn't away with it! Brian has a new touring/racing bike so he was hardly out of breath. Graham's sure and steady cycling goes on and on like a Duracell, and true to form he was the first one to reach the pub.

Graham, Brian, Steve & me on tea break

I got my cleats stuck in the pedal, fell off my bike and bloodied my knee. Déjà vu. I’ve now taken off the left cleat.

The last 5 miles were difficult because 4 days ago I had a pint of blood pumped out (left over issues from chemo treatment). Must keep training!

Cycling in Île de Ré

Île de Ré boasts over 100km of cycle paths, though the island is only 30km in length.

We experienced a head wind which almost stopped us in our tracks when we were going to the light house, but on the way back we hardly had to pedal. We cycled over 50 miles today and it was truly the best cycle day I've ever had.

Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Île de Ré is a truly magnificent island. Life is laid back and appealing, I wouldn’t mind retiring here. I also recommend our hotel, Le Peu Breton, where the patron was most cordial & good humoured.