In the past week I have ridden the South Downs Way from Steyning (near Brighton) to Eastbourne (45 miles) and from Winchester to Brighton (70 miles), finishing both rides within the times that I believe will be required to complete the100 mile British Heart Foundation South Downs Way Randonnee on the 20th of May.

 

The Randonnee is the bench test for each of the participants in the LEJOG Offroad event. The expectation is that we all complete the 65 mile distance as a minimum, and the 100 mile as an ideal. So the training continues in earnest, each rider knowing that the LEJOG adventure requires of us that we make it to one of the two finishing lines, come what may!

 

Later this week Paul and I will be riding two of the welsh 50 mile sections of the LEJOG Offroad route. This will be our first real test of what it feels like to ride long distances offroad on consecutive days. We have opted for the hilly bits around Brecon.

 

Stuart is doing well on the LEJOG route planning and accommodation side of things. We have 17 out of 23 nights sorted out in terms of where to stay, etc. A number of friends and acquaintances have volunteered family members living along the route as potential hosts for a night, and in many cases we have taken up the offer.

 

Martyn managed his first 50 mile ride on the same day I rode the 65 miles to Brighton. It was a tiring venture , but has given him an idea of what each day of the LEJOG adventure will hold in store. At least he has had a chance to see the terrain and knows what it will have to offer on the day of the Randonnee.

 

Don't forget that you can sponsor us by visiting www.justgiving.com/lejog-offroad 

 

Gavin

 

It's April, and the good news is that my knee is now fully functional and has already coped with a number of four hour rides including some decent uphills in and around the Queen Elizabeth Country Park area. I have also recently overhauled my bike replacing most of the working components so that they will be properly worn in by the time the event takes place in August. We have raised around £1000 thus far, money specifically earmarked for covering the costs of the ride itself. There is much to pay for, food, drinks, spares, diesel for the campervan, campsite fees, etc. Our estimated costs are going to be around £2500 so there is still a long way to go. That said, I remain confident that we will meet our target - and you can help us do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/lejog-offroad

 

Paul, one of my two co-riders reports that he is now managing to get out for decent rides and I believe the same is true for my other companion, Martyn. Personally I am working hard at my fitness levels, and have spent good deals of time on the indoor rower and spinning bike to get the aerobic processes functioning at optimum level. The pressure to get fit lies with the fact that on the 20th of May I will be riding in the 2007 BHF South Downs Way Randonnee - 100 miles in a day. It will be a benchmark ride, and my intention is to finish the ride comfortably - well perhaps not quite comfortably - you don't ride 100 miles offroad comfortably!

 

Sponsorship forms will be on the streets within the next few weeks, and I am looking to make it into the national papers (methodist recorder and anglican equivalent for a start).

 

Gavin