Up until 3months ago my experience on a bicycle was minimal. Possibly even more surprisingly, considering the adventure we are about to embark on, i wasn’t all that interested in cycling either. I have no recollection of my first bike and don’t think a childhood photo exists of me sitting on one.
Things have certainly changed. I, like an increasing number of men and women, have just spent ALOT of money on a bike, cycling shoes, cycling clothing and dare i say it – cream/lubricant for where the sun don’t shine. Whether cycling is the “new golf” or not it is certainly on a popularity rocket ship and is only going one way and I fear I may be well and truly hooked
I catch myself peering wistfully into the Condor shop window on Gray’s Inn Road, spending far too long trawling the pages of wiggle.com. If the house was burning down I think it would have to be the Pinarello that would have me rushing back into the blaze (after I had heroically rescued the wife and kids of course).
What started as an idea over a beer as I was mulling challanges to set myself has now turned into reality. I sit here with 5 days to go – petrified. What awaits is 8 days of proper cycling. Over 1,200 kilometres from London to Monte Carlo. To say it’s a long way does not do justice to the biggest challenge, the climbs.
Although I have trained – I fear not enough miles have gone into the legs. What i hoped would be a lean Jonny Wright dancing on the peddles up the Alpe d’Huez may now be a disaster of horrific and painful proportions. Either way you can follow my progress along with other bike ramblings here at The Novice Cyclist
Good luck mate
Thanks buddy. You really should come along…..
Would love to but don’t think the old legs could take it. I’ll do it by reading your blog of the trip.