Category: #TPTsolo
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A week on wheels
It’s been over three weeks now since I rode into Hull after six days on the saddle. I’d spent the past 250+ miles wondering how I might feel at the sight of the Humber bridge, and at no point did I expect the tide of emotion that welled my eyes at this point. Neither did…
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Day 6: 4th Sep
This morning I had the great privilege of spending time in Richard Smith’s workshop, getting to know more about Smith-Watkins, the instruments, Richard’s scientific research and of Derek’s part in the company. Most intriguing were Richard’s experiments into brass instrument performance, especially the revelation to me that it was not necessary for any air to…
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Day 5: 3rd Sep
I tried to wake up early to get underway on what I knew would be a long day, but my body was beginning to protest against the treatment I was giving it. This was going to be the most gruelling day in terms of mileage, although it was largely on the flat and without any…
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Day 4: 2nd Sep
If yesterday was a lesson in contingency, today was a lesson in complacency. Still sore from 50 miles up, down and over the Pennines, I began to treat this as a rest day. 30 miles along the flat was nothing compared to yesterday’s ordeal, but it was still a 30 mile bike ride! I also…
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Day 3: 1st Sep
I always knew this would be a day of ups and downs, but I probably didn’t expect the emotional rollercoaster as well. It was to be a lesson in planning, in having contingency plan A, plan B, plan C, and knowing when to put them in to action! When I mentioned at Faireys which bands…
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Day 2
Well there’s a day I won’t forget. Everyone loves a twist in the tale don’t they? Just as you think things are reaching a happy ending there’s dramatic cliffhanger to send the story in a whole different direction. Downton Abbey has nothing on this! This comes to you all a day late, since I disappeared…
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Day 1
Getting soaked for charity seems to be a bit of a craze at the moment so it’s appropriate that I began my ride riding into driving rain coming in off the Irish Sea. The pictures I took at the start were just before this deluge hit. No sooner had I packed my phone away I…
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Equipment
Whilst I’m on board the 0940 to Crewe, travelling first class (for some reason cheaper when booked far enough in advance, or Virgin trains must be feeling charitable), with a table and complimentary wifi, let me tell you about the ordeal which I have been faced with for the past 48 hours – packing. Apart…
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Checkpoints
Riding a long trail presents all kinds of challenges; of weather, fitness, equipment, nutrition, navigation, and no doubt more I shall discover along the way. But to add the challenge, I’ve set myself a tight schedule of visits along route. These visits will be checkpoints for the ride. You may wish to sponsor me based…
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#TPTsolo – training
“It’s not training if it’s not raining”. I heard that once somewhere, it seems fairly appropriate today. Some well timed Northern weather has descended on London to give me a go in the wet. No doubt I’ll be facing similar conditions along the way – I’ll be going past Manchester after all. I have no…