For anybody wondering what this is all about I have copied the first ever post of this blog below. This was written on 8th November 2011. In those days I had the stamina to write something almost every day but nothing like the stamina of the unfortunate ones who read it. More recently I have tried to be kind by only writing about interesting things but that is debatable.
"How did this all start?
Years of playing football Saturday and Sunday, together with a family history, left me with mild arthritis in both knees. The left is worse than the right, or should I say, the right is better than the left - more positive. I couldn't walk up hills in The Lakes, certainly couldn't jog, so I took up cycling. This happened about 4 years ago.
We have a small apartment in Turkey in the lovely little resort of Calis Beach near the town of Fethiye. We spend many holidays there and some family members also have apartments there.
It was at the last holiday in front of a number of witnesses, I jokingly announced that I was going to cycle over next time.
I later (sober) gave it some thought and it gradually dawned on me that I could actually do this and the more I thought about it the more I realised that it would be quite an adventure.So I'm going to do it. Training is under way. Other arrangements are being made."
We have a small apartment in Turkey in the lovely little resort of Calis Beach near the town of Fethiye. We spend many holidays there and some family members also have apartments there.
It was at the last holiday in front of a number of witnesses, I jokingly announced that I was going to cycle over next time.
I later (sober) gave it some thought and it gradually dawned on me that I could actually do this and the more I thought about it the more I realised that it would be quite an adventure.So I'm going to do it. Training is under way. Other arrangements are being made."
That is the past, this is the future. I have just about finished my bike training now with a blustery 25 miles up to near Preston and back. Other physical matters however need to be addressed. At my weight and speed I will be using approximately 600 calories per hour for 5 or 6 hours, a total of 3000 to 3600 calories per day. I will do my best but I doubt if I will be able to take in that amount of energy on the ride so I will spend the next few days increasing the size of my camel's hump which I have been cultivating on the front of my stomach since the end of last year's ride.
The first opportunity for this most important "exercise" will take place tonight. I told my Thursday night pals last week that I wouldn't be able to make it this week and they decided to change their night out to Wednesday just so I would not miss out. I feel humble and hope to do them justice. It will not be a normal Thursday night despite the fact that it is a Wednesday. The event will take the form of a home brew tasting session at Darran's pop-up pub, The Elderberry Arms, ie his garage.
The reason I couldn't be with the boys tomorrow is that I am off to Leeds on Thursday afternoon for the Test Match which starts on Friday. There will be a bit of drinking and eating involved and this should just put me straight. The sacrifices some people have to make! You just do not understand what I have to go through!
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