dunwich dynamo 2008

weather's looking good!

after a few day's threatening rain the weather looks a whole lot better - forcast of no rain, a tail wind and clearing skies - hurray!

ouch!

I carry Henry down 3 flights of stairs - pretty soon after my left shoulder and neck freeze up - I can only turn my head like a robot


I'll try and get to the Osteopath in the morning - meanwhile it's Deep Heat and a bottle of Newcastle Brown

Wimbledon to Windsor (and back)

Thanks in a large part to the built-in GPS of my shinynew iPhone, I made it to Windsor and back this weekend. All very flat and a fairly pleasant ride (although Feltham is a resolutely depressing place). 50.3 miles in total, done at an average speed of 14.7mph(apparently). So, next Saturday is going to be 8 hours, at the very least, of solid cycling - plus stops... Joy(!)...

weather forcast

the forcast shows a small window of good weather around 19/20th - let's hope it stays that way!
check it here

The contrast couldn't have been more stark. After a week cycling in Galicia I joined the Dynamos for our first team outing. It was a grimly wet morning with an early start but it set the tone for meeting a challenge. The night of the 19th is looming nearer and our dietary plans for the pre Dynamo days are being honed to perfection. Chris prefers the Tracker Bar approach, Tim has similar inclinations but will be supplementing this with Miracle Grow or some such strength enhancing hormone whilst Martin favours the Fry up routine and myself the Turkish vegetarian option supplanted with organic dried apricots etc. etc. You've seen the video in the car park - it could all have been so much easier as these tranquil shots of my own recent travels will show....

30 wet miles

Team Chelsea Dynamo met at 8am this Sunday on Clapham Common and sped off southwards aiming for the coast. The weather started dry but by the time we'd reached Turners Hill the rain was lashing down with little prospect of it improving. So an early train back but a great ride.

52 glorious miles

I set off early to the cycle jumble at Ripley and ride a total of 52 glorious miles, barely a hill and back by 1pm. After lasts weeks struggle to do 26 miles it all starts to seem vaguely possible. 

A Hard Day's Night

here's a great description of the ride in 2006 http://www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=144

26 mile ride

Despite feeling dreadful I force myself out for a 26 mile ride. There's a 20 mph south westerly wind so I head off into the teeth of it and end up in Kingston. Thankfully it's still blowing on the way back which is much easier. Exhausted afterwards.

Team Chelsea Dynamo

Well I have to hand it to the members of Team Chelsea Dynamo - four brave cyclists ready to throw themselves at the challenge of riding 120 miles on a bicycle through the night of Saturday 19th July. From London to Dunwich up on the Suffolk coast. It's an annual event, in 2006 700 mad cyclists set off - I must check how many arrived. Team Chelsea Dynamo currently consists of Jo, Tim, Chris and myself. Anyone else is most welcome to join us.

I'm feeling somewhat dubious about the whole affair even though I did suggest it. Next year being my half century I reckon the only way I can possibly keep up with the youngsters is to put some miles in my legs. So not exactly a traing schedule - more a faint glimmer of hope that I might just complete the Dunwich Dynamo.