Wind and male pride

What is it with wind, it's always a headwind making cycling doubly difficult! This morning the trees were hardly moving but around four foot above ground there was a strong wind blowing directly at me whichever direction I was going in. And I bet you it won't be a tail wind helping me on the way home.......

I passed a guy on a bike today, it wasn't as if I was being competitive, he was just going slower than me. Next thing I hear this creaking sound and he passes me saying "sorry I just can't have that" - shortly after he turned off. Why!?

Anyway my new bike is fab - really fast compared to my mountain bike with nobbly tyres. I made it in 10 minds quicker. Thank you Evans for sorting it out eventually, I think this new one is better than the original.

Here's hoping the rain holds off for the ride home......

Some good news....

At last today I spoke to someone at Evans Cycles who was actually helpful! I have chosen a substitute for my dented Dew Deluxe and all being well it will be with me on Wednesday - keep your fingers crossed.

Meanwhile I did ride in today along the canal on my trusty knobbly tyred steed. It's a lovely afternoon so the ride home should be very pleasant.

Welcome to the Blog Katherine, I'm glad you worked it all out :-)

I'm here!

Took me while I know but I've finally made it on here! Just to add my thoughts/share the pain/kepp you all updated. Been getting a fair few miles going now plus the general fitness training, countdown to the start is looming ever closer! Motivation's wavering I must admit: as soon as the padded shorts go on my body seems to know what's coming next...ouch! :-) Thank you Jason for the pep talk this afternoon. To fill the rest of you in, he's threatened to chase me with a big stick to keep my sprits up (the mental image which that coveys is enough to make anyone pedal faster!) Sorry lovely! :-)

Looking forward to the middle of May to the prelim team ride tho. Be lovely to get together for a trial one-day ride.

Nice to be on here. Nicky - am praying for you that Pedro listens and delivers your bike soon, loving mine currently! Off out for a long ride on my day off tomorrow tho, hope the rain stays away. x

Heavy legs

Rode home the long way yesterday and had a little spin through Ashridge in the sunshine - very nice. My legs took some persuading this morning but once we were out they seemed to work ok, a little slower than yesterday though! Have come to the conclusion that mtb tyres are not good for riding on the road. Hurry up Pedro and get my bike sorted out!

Brrrrrrr!

There was a light scattering of snow again this morning but not enough to use as an excuse not to ride in to work! Once we were off and going actually it was quite nice, except for loony car drivers. Hopefully it will dry out a bit and the canal will be a much better option - I'm avoiding it while it's wet and muddy, wet mud is not a good look to wear in the office!

Nicky "I woke up late this morning" Birkin

I work in the web team here at the Butlins head office in Hemel and love riding my bike so this is a great excuse to get out and help a good cause at the same time. I generally prefer off-road riding and have found riding to work on the road a little scary at times! OK I admit I've actually only ridden to work twice so far but I have a plan, just need to make sure I set the alarm clock to the right time ;-)

I'm looking forward to the challenge of riding 50 - 70 miles every day for 6 days - ouch! I've done plenty of endurance cycling events, even ridden across Mexico for Macmillan cancer relief but this is going to be tough. Thankfully we have a very organised support team who are planning the details of where we are going and when. All we need to do is ride our bikes and get fit.

So have read about the Princes Trust for Carers in the first post, they do a fantastic job and deserve all the support they can get. Your support would be greatfully received so please make a donation, however small and help us to raise a fabulous £20,000 for them.

Meet the intrepid team....

So who are the mad 5 who have signed up then? Come on over guys and introduce yourselves, add pictures, tell us how your training's going.......

Welcome to the official Blog for the Tour de Butlins

5 intrepid explorers from Butlins will be travelling over 450 miles in 6 days on a “Tour de Butlins” for the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. The idea is that we will cycle between the three Butlins Resorts starting at Skegness, then on to Minehead with the finish at Bognor Regis.

This is our blog, follow our training ups and downs and find out how our fund raising is going - we're aiming to raise £20,000 for a fantastic cause.

So who are The Princess Royal Trust for Carers?
The largest provider of comprehensive carers support services in the UK. Through its unique network of 133 independently managed Carers' Centres , 83 young carers services and interactive websites, Carers.org and YC Net, The Trust currently provides quality information, advice and support services to almost 310,000 carers, including over 15,500 young carers.

In addition, The Trust also acts independently in the interests of carers through:

• Research, development and consultation
• Influence on national, regional and local policy
• Partnerships with other national organisations
• Information through our interactive websites, providing advice and access to support groups

Can you imagine, and the chances are some of you can, being 9 years old and being the sole carer of your parents? This is the tough reality of daily life and we want to make everything they do easier, more fund and find time to do things together with other children their own age.

Would you like to help? I'll be posting details of how to sponsor us in more detail shortly but in the meantime you can donate via justgiving at http://www.justgiving.com/jasonhorn