This week saw me reach a milestone. This year, I've cycled over 5000km on this beauty. During the same time, I've only driven 500km in this beauty! Strava Stats! Hard to justify keeping the car.......
A Little More Training….
It doesn't feel right to consider my last few rides as training. They have been in beautiful sunshine, with great company, fabulous cake stops and some of the most stunning countryside. I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing. Getting faster and fitter is the added bonus! 1. To The Blue Zucchini in Tetbury … Continue reading A Little More Training….
And Counting……
24 Days A few days rest after The Raid Local and already we need a new challenge. A 'Covid Compliant' Alpine Adventure .......in 24 day's time. 777km Cycling 777km from Lake Geneva to Nice. 13,000 13,000 metres of climbing Six Cols Col du TelegraphieCol du GalibierCol de L'IseranCol d'IzoardCol du Cormet de RoselendCol de la … Continue reading And Counting……
A Sunday Cycle
Great to be out with the Sunday Cycling group again. A lovely route out to The Old Prison at Northleach. The company was great, the rain held off until the last ten minutes and the bacon sandwiches at The Old Prison were fabulous. After two weeks away from my bike, the hills felt hard, so … Continue reading A Sunday Cycle
ABC
Having recovered from the Raid Local challenge, spent some time with my family, caught up with some of the things I had neglected whilst training and taken some time to reflect, it's time to put pen to paper and, of course, it's time to get back in the saddle again. But first, once again, a … Continue reading ABC
A Team Effort
Doing the Raid Local challenge would never have been possible without the support of so many people, so I'd like to say 'thank you' to everyone who trained with me, encouraged me, supported me for months while I prepared for the challenge, supported me on the day, donated to The Cure Parkinson's Trust and to … Continue reading A Team Effort
Not So Easy!
The challenge, in reality, was not nearly as easy as I had dreamt it might be! (See Previous Blog) In reality, it took me a lot longer, it was a lot harder, my average power output was a lot lower and I didn't see Rowan Atkinson at all! My stats came in four parts: Until … Continue reading Not So Easy!
Easy!
Having lived cycling, talked cycling, blogged cycling, thought about nothing but cycling for the past few months, I have now started dreaming cycling. If I believed my dreams, I would be cycling ahead of the rest of the team, they would be shouting 'Slow down! We can't keep up! When did you get so good … Continue reading Easy!
The Peculiarities of Pedalling with Parkinson’s
When I learned that exercise is the only thing that has been shown to slow the progression of Parkinson's, I started cycling, overcoming the numerous obstacles that Parkinson's puts in my way. Amongst many other symptoms, Parkinson's affects my balance and coordination, causes dizziness, muscle cramps, dystonia, rigidity, stiffness, pain, slow movement, tremor, fatigue, poor … Continue reading The Peculiarities of Pedalling with Parkinson’s
Fourth ‘First’
My fourth 'first' for this week was to cycle Sudeley Hill today without stopping. As part of a hilly ride today, after Harp and Ham hills, I finally did it! At 2.5km long, with an average gradient of 8.4%, a maximum gradient of 18% and a total climb of 215m, it was a tough one. … Continue reading Fourth ‘First’
BBC Points West
Humour me.... Available for 24 hours only! https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000k6yz/points-west-evening-news-18062020 From 22 minutes 50 seconds.........
Three ‘Firsts’
Some of The Cure Parkinson's Trust (CPT) team, Will Cook (CEO) and Mike Tindall (Patron) are used to being in front of the camera but for me, as one of CPT's ambassadors, my first 'first' of the day was being filmed by the BBC. The three of us were talking about the exciting Raid Local, … Continue reading Three ‘Firsts’
Mission Accomplished
100 Mile Monday We've often said "If it's not on Strava, it didn't happen' but despite only recording half my ride, my aching limbs are testament to the fact that I did indeed complete a 100 mile ride yesterday. With a ride time of 7.5 hours and an average speed of 21.5km, it was a … Continue reading Mission Accomplished
100 Mile Monday
A 100 mile cycle with friends. What a way to start the week. What a way to 'celebrate' five years since my diagnosis of Parkinson's. What a way to support the relaxing of lockdown requirements. What a way to train for the Raid Local. What a way to enjoy the great outdoors. What a way … Continue reading 100 Mile Monday
Sunday Morning Riders Return
What a joy to cycle with our Sunday morning group again this morning after three months of lockdown.....
Testing, testing……
My mission this week was to cycle a total elevation of 3,700km from the vast range of Cotswold hills that surround us. On the 28th June for The Raid Local, I shall have to do this in one day. I cycled six days out of seven. My training was to test a few things that … Continue reading Testing, testing……
A Day with a Difference
Today's ride was always going to be a little different. I had arranged to meet with Will Cook, the CEO of The Cure Parkinson's Trust, and Mike Tindall, a Patron of The Cure Parkinson's Trust to do some hilly cycle training in preparation of the Raid Local which we are all taking part in. It's … Continue reading A Day with a Difference
An Occasion
On Monday, it will be exactly five years since I was diagnosed with Parkinson's. I'd prefer to let the day pass by without reference to this fact but the day is imprinted on my memory and there is no hope of Monday, coming and going without my acknowledging this. So, how could I mark my … Continue reading An Occasion
Again & Again
Hills, hills and more hills...... I sincerely hoped I'd eventually learn to love them by now but......I'm still waiting for this to happen! Gloucestershire hills can be unforgiving: steep, sharp turns, uneven surfaces, gravel, pot holes, flood water, debris, branches, narrow lanes, to name a few of the hazards. So despite trying, I'm finding it … Continue reading Again & Again
The Shard
The tallest building in the UK, The Shard stands at 310 metres tall. Last night, I cycled up hills totalling twice the height of The Shard, covering 620m of elevation and found it exhausting. On 28th June, for The Raid Local, I need to cycle up twelve times the height of The Shard........ That's a … Continue reading The Shard
Raid Local Challenge
The Raid Local challenge is to cycle 137km and climb 3700m of hills on 28th June 2020, to raise awareness and funding for The Cure Parkinson's Trust. This is a colossal challenge for the fittest of cyclists. 137km is hard enough but add in hills totalling nearly half the height of Everest in a single … Continue reading Raid Local Challenge
A Sociable Cycle
After so many weeks of lockdown, it was truly wonderful to meet up again with some girlfriends for a socially distanced, sociable cycle. These girls can cycle far and fast but today there was an equal emphasis on cycling and socialising and I was reminded of how much I love: The girls!Their friendshipTheir laughter The … Continue reading A Sociable Cycle
Challenging Times
I've grown to love a challenge and I'm so disappointed not to be setting off on our Raid Alpine challenge this year to raise funds for The Cure Parkinson's Trust. So, I am delighted to be invited to do a local challenge on 28th June, the day we would have started The Raid Alpine challenge. … Continue reading Challenging Times
Guidelines and Goals
After weeks of cycling solo, the government guidelines have changed and with the change, I've found a new motivation to clock up those miles. My goal? To cycle 300km this week with friends whilst keeping within the slightly more relaxed Covid exercise guidelines. My first cycle of the week, was a 50km round trip in … Continue reading Guidelines and Goals
Still Pedalling
Despite the inevitable postponement of The Raid Alpine Challenge, cycling has still kept us Cyclopaths busy this year. This year, between us, we have: Cycled 15,306k Climbed 151,629 metres (17 times the height of Everest) Spent 717 hours in the saddle (Don't underestimate the pain & discomfort!) Cycled on 325 occasions Cycled in rain, hail, … Continue reading Still Pedalling
Long Overdue
It's been a long time since I last posted. This blog black hole has been mainly because it was recently confirmed that The Raid Alpine challenge has sadly been postponed and won't happen this year. Given that the majority (in fact, possibly all) of my blogs have been about training for this challenge, there seemed … Continue reading Long Overdue
Walking and Talking
Walking in the park this morning with the dog, I started speaking to a lady I'd never met before. We exchanged pleasantries about the beautiful sunshine and how nice it was to be out. From our two metre social distance, it took me a while to realise this lady was close to tears. She was … Continue reading Walking and Talking
With a Little Help From My Friends
Cycling with friends is so much more fun than cycling alone and There are many wonderful people I cycle with regularly. This post is a shout out and huge ‘thank you’ to the other lovely people who have joined me for the occasional cycle ride over the last couple of years. To Alison, Michael and … Continue reading With a Little Help From My Friends
Cycling ‘Together’
Anyone who cycles with us knows that when we cycle in a group, John and I rarely see each other. My average speed is half John's average speed. He is fiercely competitive and thrives on the challenge of being the fastest, going the furthest and climbing more hills than anyone else. Usually all three together! … Continue reading Cycling ‘Together’
Motivation
For the first time in a very long time, I am finding it hard to motivate myself to keep exercising. The fact that exercise has been proven to slow the progression of Parkinson's is usually a pretty big motivator in itself and exercise is a great coping strategy. Obviously social distancing regulations have played a … Continue reading Motivation
Challenging Times 
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