Training Rides

Week 11: Almost there

Monday 28 July – Sunday 3 August. T-minus 1 week to Ride London.
Total Team Sheep Miles: 2910; Total raised for Friendship Works: £1200

Just a very quick round-up this time, there will be more posts throughout the coming week as we make our final preparations.

This week’s rides

Short and fast was the main target as we continue to reduce our mileage ahead of the big day. Tuesday was a quick blast around Richmond Park, on Thursday Audrey did a hill session on Wimbledon Hill (9 times up, 675ft total gain), and on Friday I did my hill session in Richmond Park (3x Broomfield Hill, 3x Dark Hill, 1375ft total gain).

On Sunday we did our final long ride – a gentle 41 mile ride out through central London, enjoying the quiet roads of a Sunday morning. Our planned route was rather broken by the Embankment being closed for the British Triathlon, but no matter – it’s our turn for the closed roads next weekend!

Fundraising Update

It’s been an amazing week for our fundraising total, now standing at £1200 raised, which, after my employer matches it, will mean Friendship Works receiving £2400 in total. We’re really touched by all of your generosity over the last few months, and thank you all for putting up with our constant nagging to donate! Any final stragglers, you can still sponsor us here.

Looking ahead

Next week, the last week before the big day, we’ll be doing lots of sleeping and a couple of very short hard rides to keep our muscles ready without using too much energy. We’ll also be finalising our food plans for the day (another post coming up about that soon, it takes a surprising amount of planning!) and generally fussing about being worried that we’ve forgotten things.

Almost there…

The boring stats:

  • Weekly distance: 80 miles (Mark), 66 miles (Audrey).
  • Average moving speed (long ride): 12.8mph
  • Moving time (long ride): 3h11m
  • Total punctures to date – Mark: 0, Audrey: 2
  • Total zero-speed falling-over-due-to-cleat-issues – Mark: 9,  Audrey: n/a.
  • Total training miles to date (including cycling to work) – Mark: 1580 miles, Audrey: 1329 miles + 6 hours spinning.