Thanks to Rachael for putting it together.
Wednesday, 29 June 2016
Tuesday, 28 June 2016
Training time is almost over. Tapering is the phrase for next week ie short (10 mile rides) only. Then we are off. The local paper is covering us. Its really happening !!!
http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/14582171.Abicare_staff_saddle_up_for_five_day_cycle_challenge/?ref=mr&lp=8
http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/14582171.Abicare_staff_saddle_up_for_five_day_cycle_challenge/?ref=mr&lp=8
Monday, 20 June 2016
About Dementia
We are delighted to be doing the ride for Dementia UK.
Dementia knows no social, economic, ethnic or geographical boundaries and is
likely to affect us all either directly or through a loved one. The care of
those with dementia is of paramount importance and is a key focus for Abicare.
Dementia UK and Abicare's aim is to make specialist care available to all
families affected by dementia.
Click on the link below for more information regarding Dementia.
https://www.dementiauk.org/understanding-dementia/about-dementia/
It would be great if you could support us by sponsoring us on out just giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Abicare500
Sunday, 12 June 2016
Fish and Chips in Swanage
With a month to go we took a day off work to stretch our legs and do a 100 mile ride. Riding the century is a landmark for any cyclist and as none of us had done it yet it was time to go past 100 miles especially as we have to do it for 5 days in a row in July.
The plan was to cycle down to Swanage for a fish and chip lunch and then head back to Salisbury.
We met at 6.30 with the first part of the trip into the New Forest.
The New Forest is a fantastic place to ride quiet roads with lovely scenery. To get into the forest you need to head out of Downton on a testing climb but once in the forest its a joy to ride and take in the views.
Jason is very insistent on proper breaks and regular stops for food. As we were cycling all day these breaks were very important and welcome.
Even the locals came to see what we were up to...
The roads in the forest are quiet and this allowed Anne-Marie the opportunity for a selfie.
The New Forest is vast and you really appreciate it as you pass through it on a bike. At 40 miles we left the forest and headed to the coast arriving at the sea at Hengistbury Head.
We cycled for 6.5 miles on the promenade alongside a continous sandy beach to Sandbanks and the houses of the rich and famous to catch the ferry across to Studland.
It was then only a steep climb until we were rolling into Swanage. 60 miles in and it was time for lunch. Swanage is a a traditional seaside town and Fish and Chip shops were in plentiful supply so we parked up and got lunch.
Apart from the seagulls taking a liking to Jason's fish, lunch was uneventful but a great break. Someone saw us in our Dementia UK shirts and asked why we were out. Jason explained and the lady said her friend had just been diagnosed wirg dementia and kindly offred to sponsor us.
Over too quickly we were soon off again.
We knew the rough route for the day. Through the forest, hit the sea, head right and then North to go home but for more details we relied on Google Maps on the mobile and early on it didn't let us down but it had a brain fade getting us out of Poole and at the same time it started to rain! Just as our humour was being tested to the limit a cycle route all the way to Wimborne Minster appeared as if by magic.
Back off and running we got back just after 6pm a little sore but with 100 miles under our belt (108.7 miles to be exact). Another milestone done as we get nearer to July 11th and the start of the Abicare500 ride for Dementia UK.
Postscript - We rode again on Saturday and Sunday clocking up another 50 miles
The plan was to cycle down to Swanage for a fish and chip lunch and then head back to Salisbury.
We met at 6.30 with the first part of the trip into the New Forest.
The New Forest is a fantastic place to ride quiet roads with lovely scenery. To get into the forest you need to head out of Downton on a testing climb but once in the forest its a joy to ride and take in the views.
Jason is very insistent on proper breaks and regular stops for food. As we were cycling all day these breaks were very important and welcome.
Even the locals came to see what we were up to...
The roads in the forest are quiet and this allowed Anne-Marie the opportunity for a selfie.
The New Forest is vast and you really appreciate it as you pass through it on a bike. At 40 miles we left the forest and headed to the coast arriving at the sea at Hengistbury Head.
We cycled for 6.5 miles on the promenade alongside a continous sandy beach to Sandbanks and the houses of the rich and famous to catch the ferry across to Studland.
It was then only a steep climb until we were rolling into Swanage. 60 miles in and it was time for lunch. Swanage is a a traditional seaside town and Fish and Chip shops were in plentiful supply so we parked up and got lunch.
Apart from the seagulls taking a liking to Jason's fish, lunch was uneventful but a great break. Someone saw us in our Dementia UK shirts and asked why we were out. Jason explained and the lady said her friend had just been diagnosed wirg dementia and kindly offred to sponsor us.
Over too quickly we were soon off again.
We knew the rough route for the day. Through the forest, hit the sea, head right and then North to go home but for more details we relied on Google Maps on the mobile and early on it didn't let us down but it had a brain fade getting us out of Poole and at the same time it started to rain! Just as our humour was being tested to the limit a cycle route all the way to Wimborne Minster appeared as if by magic.
Back off and running we got back just after 6pm a little sore but with 100 miles under our belt (108.7 miles to be exact). Another milestone done as we get nearer to July 11th and the start of the Abicare500 ride for Dementia UK.
Postscript - We rode again on Saturday and Sunday clocking up another 50 miles
Monday, 2 May 2016
Day 5 - Wickham - Wimborne Minster - Salisbury
Day 5 - Jul 15th - 100.1 miles 4,653 ft gained. Winding route back to Salisbury through the New Forest via Wimborne Minster. Once back its time for a beer!
Full Details on: https://www.strava.com/routes/4238907
Full Details on: https://www.strava.com/routes/4238907
Sunday, 24 April 2016
West Wiltshire Animal Rescue
Saturday 24th April
A lovely sunny morming saw Jason, Anne-Marie and I off on another training ride. Joined by Simon the four of us met up at 7:30 with the intention of exploring West Wiltshire for a 50 mile ride.
We headed out of Salisbury along the Wylye valley following the route we will take on our first day
(11th July).
Once Church Bottom was behind us we had lovely, quiet flat roads. Quiet that is until with much squaking and flapping we saw two Buzzards. One flew away as we approached, the other however was trapped on a barbed wire fence by it's wing and no amount of flapping would allow it to free itself.
Straight away Anne-Marie with the assistance of Jason took control.
Its big talons and beak were held still and it's wing unhooked. It flew off with no obvious problems and the other buzzard flew in and off they went. They are really majestic birds and I didn't appreciate the size until up close.
You would assume that with such a good deed Anne-Marie's karma would be set fair but 25 miles in at Warminster she had a puncture. Its not our first and won't be our last but surely given her Animal Rescue act it shouldn't have happened today.
All sorted it was time to head back, it is always a bit demoralising coming back the way you came so off we headed to the Deveralls because we had a vague notion that that way would lead home.
After some missteps, the A303 is a very busy road and should be avoided by cyclists, with the use of Google maps we came back to Salisbury via Wilton.
57.5 miles done on a very plesant Saturday morning.
Full Details on: https://www.strava.com/activities/554159242
A lovely sunny morming saw Jason, Anne-Marie and I off on another training ride. Joined by Simon the four of us met up at 7:30 with the intention of exploring West Wiltshire for a 50 mile ride.
We headed out of Salisbury along the Wylye valley following the route we will take on our first day
(11th July).
Once Church Bottom was behind us we had lovely, quiet flat roads. Quiet that is until with much squaking and flapping we saw two Buzzards. One flew away as we approached, the other however was trapped on a barbed wire fence by it's wing and no amount of flapping would allow it to free itself.
Straight away Anne-Marie with the assistance of Jason took control.
Its big talons and beak were held still and it's wing unhooked. It flew off with no obvious problems and the other buzzard flew in and off they went. They are really majestic birds and I didn't appreciate the size until up close.
You would assume that with such a good deed Anne-Marie's karma would be set fair but 25 miles in at Warminster she had a puncture. Its not our first and won't be our last but surely given her Animal Rescue act it shouldn't have happened today.
All sorted it was time to head back, it is always a bit demoralising coming back the way you came so off we headed to the Deveralls because we had a vague notion that that way would lead home.
After some missteps, the A303 is a very busy road and should be avoided by cyclists, with the use of Google maps we came back to Salisbury via Wilton.
57.5 miles done on a very plesant Saturday morning.
Full Details on: https://www.strava.com/activities/554159242
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