Blunderbuss Posted February 22, 2013 Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 (edited) I've been talked into this. 45 mile cycle ride, on and off road, a 12 mile hike around the Brecon horseshoe including ascents of Pen y Fan (886m), Corn Du (873m) Crybin (794m) and a few more plus a 3km canoe on Pontsticill reservoir. The idea is to complete it between sunrise and sunset, hence 'race the sun'. I am nowhere near fit enough (yet) and this is going to be tough, but it's for a very good cause which together with the desire to get fit is a good motivator. I appreciate that we live in tough times financially, but if anyone would like to support this great charity and sponsor me, they and I will be very grateful My sponsorship page is here Edited February 22, 2013 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted March 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 Cheers to Rob (Ack Ack). Very generous mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 (edited) Nice one J , can you also put this on SOFA so i don't forget Edited March 22, 2013 by jasper3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted March 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 Nice one J , can you also put this on SOFA so i don't forget Sorry Jasper SOFA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan73 Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 I thought about doing that, but couldn't talk my mates in to it. Action Medical put on a good event, I do a 3 or 4 of their 100k Sportives each year and they are well mapped out, signposted and the food they lay on is superb! Good luck, let us know how it goes - I'll sponsor you shortly Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 I looked at doing the one up north on 1st September but can't make it as it clashes with a sportive, this one sounds good though you should enjoy that - even though it will almost certainly be raining. I like the idea of no running or swimming, so will be interested to hear how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted March 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 (edited) I thought about doing that, but couldn't talk my mates in to it. Action Medical put on a good event, I do a 3 or 4 of their 100k Sportives each year and they are well mapped out, signposted and the food they lay on is superb! Good luck, let us know how it goes - I'll sponsor you shortly Danny Thanks Danny, that's good to hear. It's my first event with them though one of the blokes I'm doing it with did the Snowdonia one last year and reckoned it was really well organised. The pack I got off them is very comprehensive and well put together, it certainly has the feel of a very well put together event so far. Cheers for the sponsorship, mucho appreciated Edited March 22, 2013 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted March 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 (edited) I looked at doing the one up north on 1st September but can't make it as it clashes with a sportive, this one sounds good though you should enjoy that - even though it will almost certainly be raining. I like the idea of no running or swimming, so will be interested to hear how you get on. Cheers, will definitely let people know how I get on. I'm not a strong swimmer so although I half fancied the idea, a proper triathlon was never a real option so this is a great alternative for a 'mature gentleman' whose long distance running days are behind him. Although it's a bit daunting, I'm really looking forward to it. I've been to the Brecons many times, but never when its not been chucking it down! Edited March 22, 2013 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted April 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 (edited) Last weekend I walked up Pen Y Fan and Corn Dhu. The weather was atrocious, thick icy snow, and a biting wind which necessitated leaning at 45 degrees to stay upright at times. Most sensible people (not me) had axes and crampons. Hopefully it won't be like that in June, but I've never experienced good weather in the Brecons. Whilst I was there, I recced some of the cycle route and was somewhat sobered by the huge and lengthy gradients. I realised I needed to try to batter my lardy body into some sort of shape if I have any hope of tackling them. The pic is me and my irreverent spawn So...... this afternoon, I have been mostly on my first training cycle ride. I haven't pedalled a push bike for a dozen years or more. I've borrowed a quite decent one and have all the gear, but - you've guessed it, no ******* idea! I have been doing quite a lot of running, so though I was fairly fit but jeez it was tough! I live 600 ft ASL on the Cotswold escarpment, so you can't go far without going steeply down, followed by the inevitable up. I only did about 8 or 9 miles but with some killer hills. If any locals know it, one bit was up Rodborough hill from the Stroud - Nailsworth road to the Bear Inn. I swear my lungs were hanging out of my hoop and I though my heart was going to bust out of my rib cage. I got in and collapsed in a coma on the sofa for a couple of hours. I need to do a LOT more cycle training This is going to be tougher than I thought. Edited April 6, 2013 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 9, 2013 Report Share Posted April 9, 2013 Well done for getting out there, hopefully you will get some better weather between now and then to get out get some miles under your belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted April 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2013 Cheers. I've decided to can the running at the weekends now and concentrate on the cycling. Not this weekend though as I have a mates stag weekend in London! Serious training starts the following weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 10, 2013 Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 Tut tut, weather is set fair for this weekend You could get into a pay and play gym and use a static bike in the cold/wet evenings, but IMO it doesn't replace being out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 My last few training rides: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/198543724 http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/202344348 http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/206326157 No huge distances but some killer hills! The middle one especially with 1700+ feet of ascent I'm also running 5 days a week, 5-7 miles at a time. I'm feeling a lot fitter, and starting to feel a bit more ready for this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 13, 2013 Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 That's good going :thumbs: I have never done anything that hardcore so can't comment, but for the rides and walks I have done I always find I panic slightly and 'over train' if there is such a thing. I then end up enjoying the day much more than those who didn't bother, plus you have the energy left to rip it out of them during the event as well as after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted May 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2013 (edited) That's good going :thumbs: I have never done anything that hardcore so can't comment, but for the rides and walks I have done I always find I panic slightly and 'over train' if there is such a thing. I then end up enjoying the day much more than those who didn't bother, plus you have the energy left to rip it out of them during the event as well as after I know exactly what you mean. In terms of hills and off road, I don't think there will be anything as hard on the actual event as I've done in training which gives you a good metal boost. Our four man team is split geographically and we are keeping an eye on what the others are doing training wise. The other two guys are in Sheffield seem to have been skiving a bit, truth be known, compared to me and my local mate who trains with me. We are looking forward to giving them a right hard time if they don't keep up! Also, on a very positive note which has given me a real boost, I've had about £80 of sponsorship from Pigeon Watch members! Most of that came this weekend as part of the Cotswold gathering, and may have involved a small amount of coercion Cheers guys!! Edited May 13, 2013 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 The training is done, tomorrow is the day! I have relearned to ride a bike and been beasted mercilessly around the Cotswolds by my training partner for months on end. I've lost a few gallons of sweat, some claret and even a few pounds of blubber along the way . We have trained hard so I am feeling well up for this. A huge, huge thank you to all of you from Pigeon Watch who have sponsored me so generously. I've raised nearly £800 for Action Medical Research - I'm quite chuffed with that. Now comes the hard work to justify it Wish me luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad1 Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Best of luck to you and all in aid of a great cause !!!! Good luck ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Best of luck to you and all in aid of a great cause !!!! Good luck ;-) Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 (edited) Nice one Dave, keep at it and let us know how you get on. Would be nice to get it to a G. EDIT: shared on FB . Edited June 28, 2013 by Thunderbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Nice one Dave, keep at it and let us know how you get on. Would be nice to get it to a G. EDIT: shared on FB . Thanks Duncan, you're a star! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Best of luck dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Best of luck, looks like a nice day for it too. Big bowl of pasta and an early night tonight then Let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Thanks guys, in a draughty Brecon leisure centre about to get a briefing. Got to be at thevstart tomorrow for 05:45! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Last weekend I walked up Pen Y Fan and Corn Dhu. The weather was atrocious, thick icy snow, and a biting wind which necessitated leaning at 45 degrees to stay upright at times. Most sensible people (not me) had axes and crampons. Hopefully it won't be like that in June, but I've never experienced good weather in the Brecons. Whilst I was there, I recced some of the cycle route and was somewhat sobered by the huge and lengthy gradients. I realised I needed to try to batter my lardy body into some sort of shape if I have any hope of tackling them. The pic is me and my irreverent spawn So...... this afternoon, I have been mostly on my first training cycle ride. I haven't pedalled a push bike for a dozen years or more. I've borrowed a quite decent one and have all the gear, but - you've guessed it, no ******* idea! I have been doing quite a lot of running, so though I was fairly fit but jeez it was tough! I live 600 ft ASL on the Cotswold escarpment, so you can't go far without going steeply down, followed by the inevitable up. I only did about 8 or 9 miles but with some killer hills. If any locals know it, one bit was up Rodborough hill from the Stroud - Nailsworth road to the Bear Inn. I swear my lungs were hanging out of my hoop and I though my heart was going to bust out of my rib cage. I got in and collapsed in a coma on the sofa for a couple of hours. I need to do a LOT more cycle training This is going to be tougher than I thought. Yup....Lardy..... That's what I thought. Ha Ha !!!!!!!M Good luck M8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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