My wonderful mum, Wendy Parker was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010 and the Alzheimer’s society has been so fantastic at supporting her and Dad that in a rush of enthusiasm I signed up to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society by doing the London to Paris bike ride.What heve I let myself in for?

Eeek!I now find myself committed to raising £1,400, and cycling 470 kilometres in four days.  At the moment the fundraising is scarier than the ride so please send encouragement by donating and helping out a worthy cause.

JustGiving have now brought in a new update feature so to make sense of my blog you will have to click on Read More here then read the updates below from the bottom. 

Training Blog

1 Jan: Have decided to try to bring the ride forward to 16 May if I can raise the funds in time, which means reaching my fundraising target by 7 March. I’m sure I can get fit in time and I’m hoping to be working in June so wont want to take time off.

8 Jan: Had a lovely ride over the Aranillas hill and started a training diary. The odometer on my silver machine reads 1717km.

13 Jan: Flew into UK in clear weather and looked down on the White Cliffs of Dover and London,  I must say it looked an awfully long way to cycle and that’s just day one!

15 Jan: I did a couple of tests at the Cycle Show and was pleased to see my pedal stroke was quite round, I know in Spinning I used to be a terrible stamper but all the road training must have payed off. Was surprised to see my so called bad knee is putting out more power than the “good” one and encouraged in my VO2 Max test to find I have 125% of the predicted fitness for a woman my age. That is in spite of being officially obese!

16 Jan: Took my UK bike out for a spin in Cheshire. Really hope it warms up by May!

18 Jan: Sooo happy to be back in Spain and on the silver machine in the sunshine, did a quick 14k round Sotogrande to celebrate.

22 Jan: A smashing ride!  I found a new route and did 70km. Feeling good but I think I only got up the hill to my house because I stopped in the port and somebody bought me a glass of red. Going for a hot bath now.

29 Jan: Another great ride, the weather is so beautiful, cold but sunny. I cycled to Estacion Jimena then cutting across to the Guadiaro I climbed an unexpected hill. Looking back from the top I was amazed to find myself looking down on Jimena, a place I always considered to high to cycle to. I was so impressed I took a picture which is now added to my gallery.

31Jan:Total kilometers for January 300. Hmmm qute a way to go yet.

10 Feb: Busy organising the fundraising show we are putting on in Bollington. Date now set, 24 March, tickets available from my dad.

19 Feb: Went up Guadiaro vally and ended up on wrong side of river. I then failed to succesfully ford it and had to cycle 25k home with wet feet. 

24 Feb: Turning into my gate I swerved at the last moment to avoid hitting the gate post with my brand new rear view mirror and hit my shoulder on my own mailbox. Ouch!

26 Feb: A slightly more intrepid ride than I had planned today. Stopping for a breather at the top of a massive hill after a long climb against a stiff breeze, I unclipped my right foot then a gust blew me over to the left so I ended up in the gutter in an undignified pile under the bike with my foot still clipped to the pedal. I then got lost in the campo and not wanting to retrace my steps over said hill I had to dismantle the Silver Machine to get it round a locked gate.  I now as well as looking like I have dragged a bike through a hedge backwards have a bruise on my left shoulder to match the one on my right.

5 March: I have been busy and not doing so much riding but am making up for it by Spinning which is more intensive. It seems to be working out OK and I’m finally loosing some weight. 

13 March: Went into the mountains and Natural Parks north of here for three days and had a brilliant ride. It was only 175km but 3350 meters of ascent. Quite pleased with that as I think I've got over my fear of hills. I've learnt to pace myself instead of attacking them to get it over with. I did fall over again though, no damage done except to my rear view mirror as I seem to be specializing on falling off the bike when it’s stationary.

 

20 March: Taking advantage of being on a mountain bike for a change in UK I set of along a bridle way I haven't been on since I was on a horse at 16. After a few miles wobbling along in the mud I was very happy to be on a nice smooth road again. Until speeding down a hill a nostril sized piece of mud flew off the tyre and went straight up my nose!

Think I might stick to roads if future.

21 March: Ticket sales for the show and cash donations sent me over the target. Thanks so much to every one of you.

 

 

Dont forget to claim for Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer it's 25% on top of what you donate and really mounts up. 

 

 

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So please dig deep and donate now.