OMG!

Wow!

No really, Wow!

We knew that this year was going to be good- we had prepared it that way. Lots and lots of painstaking detail was planed out- clarity was a big focus this year.

But last Sunday surpassed everything we could have hoped for.

It’s great to see how much the ride has evolved- from the first year with 4 of us, and stopping in lay-bys- to the great memories I have of over 130 cyclists sat at Libbatton Golf Club drinking coffee and applying suncream .

Ironic that the one thing- the weather- we can not plan for (as the 2007 ride shows!), is the one thing which went in to making the ride what it has been this year. I don’t think that I will ever forget cycling away from Libbatton, with a big group of cyclists in front of me, thinking wow!, but then turning around and seeing a group just as big behind me! Superb!

So many people to thank, so excuse me if I forget anyone; Edd’s Fruit and Veg, Southforks Cycles (AKA The Smurfs), John Smales Estate Agents, Hugh and Neil form The North Devon Hospice, Steve from Teignmouth Town Council, Alan from The North Devon Festival, Salad Design, Dynamica Solutions… the list goes on.

BUT my personal thanks to the team who have created this ride. I nearly laid the Coast-Coast as it was known then to rest, and if it had not been for Mark and Sean nagging, it would still be dead. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and love of 2 wheels have brought the ride an amazingly long way- we have created something which no one could do on their own. This ride is as much theirs as it is mine, and I thank them.

Ian and Mike also play key roles- their tireless work on the day facilitates our fun; also their companionship and thoughts throughout the year help me to keep thinking bigger. Thank you.

Finally, our newest member, Emma. Emma came to us as a link from The North Devon Hospice, and has become a friend. Her event knowledge, passion and more importantly female qualities has meant that she has become such an important member of the squad that I just can’t imagine the ride without her.

Thank you all of you!

One last mention to those who have come back to us since the event and said thank you- through email or the guest book- Thank you! You have lifted us all, and ensured that next years ride is starting to be planned today- we want to give you more- more experience, more challenge, more fun!

It’s the day after tomorrow? WHAT!

And all of a sudden, it was here- I don’t know if I should be excited or scared!

The ride, this end of the weekend, looks brilliant. We have some great twists and features, and the route is great. I spent five hours marking out the D route today from Bishops Tawton to Bovey Tracey; I had forgotten what a challenge it is going to be! In all the organizing and lost sleep, I have just remembered- with a jolt- I myself am riding the 65 miles on Sunday.

Training has gone a bit too well- I have kept it very light and simple, with a couple 40 mile ride thrown in, and I do feel very strong; my cadence is off the scale! Yes there are questions about if I can ride for that length of time, but this year, I really am going to chat, ride, and have fun.

There are a couple things that I wish I could have made happen for Sunday, but that will come for next year. Ah next year. Such big ideas….

On behalf of myself (Simon), Mark, Sean, Mike, Ian and now Emma, we really do hope that love Sunday as much as we think you will, and look forwards to seeing you there!

We want NONE of this on the day, right?

LOVING the sun!

What a great, hot, sunny week it has been! I have took the opportunity to do over 100 miles on the bike this week- which is great preparation for the rides ahead.

Last Sunday I went for a 30 mile ride, around the circuit known as the extended Muddiford Circuit- that is, Barnstaple, Lynton Cross, Mullacott Cross, Georgeham, Croyde, Saunton, Braunton and home again.Average of 14 mph, so pleased with that. Truth is, just glad I enjoyed the ride.

Managed to squeeze 20 miles in then on Thursday- down to Bideford and back. Average 15mph, but rode a bit silly- that is, have been trying to ride smoothly and gently- giving me chance to look around and enjoy myself. Instead I rode head down, and about as smooth as a bucket of sand. Oh well.

With the sun still shining yesterday, I went out on the Coast to Coast route, cycling from Barnstaple down to Winkleigh and back, average 15 mph. It was great- the sun was shining, and I was riding roads which (other than the first 7 miles) I had never rode before. There was a vicious head wind going out, which turned lovely to push me home again.

Another thing I learnt- the climb into Atherington is STEEP! On a 39×23, I was standing and it was hard work to keep going forwards.

You have been warned!

99 Riders and turbo training

99 riders! C’mon we need 100 before the end of the month! Have you signed up yet? If not, do it now! PLEASE!

Gentle session on the turbo tonight- 10 miles. Forgot how much I sweat on that thing! Also feeling the effects of lack of hours in the saddle. But it will come- it has to, 5 1/2 weeks to go!

Sun and Stupidity

After 2 months, and a heavy bout of man flu, the sun shone yesterday, which inspired me to ride.

Still a lot of cobwebs in my lungs, but went to Torrington along the cyclepath. It was a head wind all the way down, which was fine, as I knew that I would have an easier leg on the way back- just when I needed it. Something good to come out of spending a week in bed not eating is that I have lost about 7 pounds in weight; mainly from my chin, it seems.

After spluttering the first 5 miles or so, I got into my rhythm. First time that I have ever rode my road bike on the tarka trail- I have been worried about the surfaces ripping the tyres to shreds.

Got to Torrington; my computer said that I had done 14 miles. Felt OK, so kept going a bit, on another 2 miles up to the next ‘junction’ on the cycle path. Rough surfaces, but lovely woods- also like the wooden people on the benches.If you have not rode this bit, recommend it- it really is a lovely section of the trial.

So I turned, and now had the wind behind me. Soon got back to Torrington, where I switched to the road, and cycled back to Bideford. I have always like this section of the road, and got my head down in a workman like fashion- starting to feel a bit tired though.

From Bideford, across the new bridge, and along the road through Instow and Fremington. Got burnt off by a tall bloke on a Carrera, which did my ego nothing. Sometimes, it is hard to remember where you have been; especially when you are looking at the arse of someone else’s cycle shorts.

Stiff as a board when I got home, but chuffed; 32 miles, average 14 mph.

Not bad, considering.

Those ‘Other’ rides

I have had a couple people contact me and express their surprise about the other rides which are doing what we have been doing for the last 8 years- that is, organising a ride across Devon with Coast-Coast in the title!

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I wish all charity events the best of luck- it’s a hard world out there, and if they can vary what I have created, and raise some funds for various charities, then great.

I know what we have planned for this year, and next year, will grow our reputation- that of being a great social ride which raises funds for a specific charity each year.

The numbers this year are growing again, and as I have said many times, one of the great things for me is that people do come back each year. This says to me that the ride is doing the right things!

I know that we have never claimed to be a race- we offer a no pressure environment to ride, enjoy the countryside, and makes friends. That’s what we do.

So I look forward to seeing you all- again!- on the 8th, at the original- and I believe the best- Devon Coast-Coast Challenge.

The Next 2 stops

I really do think that the stops this year will help define the ride. We are lucky enough to have some great locations for the riders to stop and refil; the first is at Libbaton Golf Club, Libbaton.

Libbaton Golf Club is right up on top of High Bickington, with some amazing views. Here coffe and tea is provided and it is a great chance to refill your bottles.

We will be stopping here from 10.45- 11.15. If you get there earlier, that’s fine- you will have a longer break. The timings on the 2 routes will enable you have approx a half hour stop if you stick to the average speeds.

After being refreshed, we set off again on the next part of the route, on the the dinner stop at North Tawton Rugby Club. This can be found just down the road from the Cremery, and is in the town where the Jennifer Saunders sitcom ‘Jam and Jerselem’ is filmed.

The town itself is a lovely little place, but the rugby club will enable the riders and their friends/ family can sit, rest and enjoy the sunshine. Found at the suitably named Taw Meadows, the grounds will give the riders a well deserved break.Lunch for the riders consists of soup and hotdogs.

Once again, the dinner is being served at 12.45, and we will be setting off at 1.30. Get there quicker? You get a longer break! Slower? A shorter one (I think you get the idea!).

Check back for details of the afternoon stop, and then, onto Teignmouth!

Ugh! Just when I was about to make a start with training, along comes….man flu. I think I have caught it off Mark- he had a real stinker a couple weeks ago, and now I have it. Sore throat, no voice, coughing… real manly stuff.

Still, I am not going to moan.

Lighter evenings

And this means, you can get out on your bike a bit! Got in 15 miles tonight, which is pleasing- average 15mph as well, which is great- seeing I have not rode my road bike for about 5 weeks.

I know that I have said it before, but I am very excited about this years ride. There are lots of aspects to the ride- the start, the stops, and the finish; I will be covering each of these in separate blog entries over the coming weeks.

So let’s start with, funnily enough, the start. This year we move from the cold and the loneliness of Ilfracombe harbor to the cultural center of the town, The Landmark Theatre. Controversial in it’s design, it is now a distinct iconic image of the seaside town.

What it will do is provide somewhere warm and dry to change and ‘freshen up’. I know that this will soon become part of the rides history, and something which it is known for. We could not wish for a better location to start from. Why not check out their website?

Look out next time on this blog for more details of the 3 stops for the ride.