A mission to master 100km

Whilst we'd pottered around East Devon the previous week, we knew we needed to keep upping the mileage if we were going to have any chance of improving our fitness and our stamina levels for our London to Paris ride.

Alongside a 100mile Tri-vets ride in Devon, there was a 100km ride which we hoped would be a bit more achievable for us! On the Thursday we headed to the gym to try and keep our fitness levels going and on the Friday evening we set out on a bike ride. I can't remember where we'd been heading, but once we got to Countess Weir I'd decided I didn't want to go too far or be too late back, so we agreed that instead of a longer ride, we'd go for a flat quick ride to Turf. We couldn't hide our laziness when we got to Turf and bumped into Steph! Oops! Never mind, it was good to see Steph again...and to meet the infamous Warren. Stupidly I didn't think to take a photo as proof - or to try and verify if this was the same 'Warren' that other people had been introduced to previously in a pub!

Heading back from Turf I took the opportunity to try and practice my balancing and signalling skills and amazingly in just that one ride I came on in leaps and bounds, managing to signal strongly with my right hand, although still only very feebly able to let go with my left hand for short periods. This is what I've so desperately needed - just a bit of time out with my new bike, off-road with no pressure just to get used to the different set up. We've been so busy trying to get in the miles and get ready for Brittany that I've just not done the basics.

Back at home and we've got a big task on our hands...getting two bikes into the back of a tiny Citroen C1! We used to be able to do this with our mountain bikes, but Ant's frame is much bigger and we have mudguards and not very quick 'quick release' tyres. At twenty to eleven Ant started taking the mudguards off my bike and I started to lose enthusiasm for the whole idea as we'd have to rebuild our bikes again first thing in the morning when we arrived in Kentisbeare. Not to be disheartened, Ant carried on regardless and finally, with seats pushed as far forward as possible, handlebars sticking through the seats and a few curses under our breath later...the job was done!

Arriving in Kentisbeare Roy came and found us in the car park with our bikes in pieces just half an hour before the event was due to start. Nevertheless, we got to it and re-constructed our bikes again. We missed out on the tea and toast, but just managed to register in time to start with the others. Not that it mattered, as they'd already lost us before we got to the first corner and we didn't see them again until much later on in the day! Ant was riding without helmet, gloves or glasses as we thought we'd forgotten to put them in the car...this made the day particularly tough for him, as it was hot and without a helmet or glasses, the sun really got to him and he also suffered terribly from hayfever.

The first section of the route went relatively smoothly and although we were briefly confused by some directions where I think we'd popped out from a cycle path in the wrong place, we soon found our way again and got back on track. We came across our first 'Road Closed' sign, but decided to chance it and luckily there was no sign of any obstruction on the route. With clear directions, we progressed along steadily, stopping regularly to check the next turnings we needed to be looking out for. I also stopped at one point convinced that my bike was making a funny noise, but I couldn't locate it and decided it was best to carry on. Not long after we came across a lovely little cat who was very friendly, so we stopped to give her a cuddle and took the opportunity to have a snack. Part way through the morning we were joined by Roy who had caught us up and really put us to shame as he had already done the 100mile route the day before! Arriving at the first potential coffee stop, Ant and I decided to push on whilst Roy stopped to meet up with Pippa to sort out some mobile phone issues.

The next section got a bit hillier and as we'd not stopped for a break we started to flag and felt like even though we were pedalling we weren't getting anywhere very fast! With 8 miles to go to Watchet, I felt like we were never going to get there! I desperately wanted to go to the loo and contemplated the 'hedge' option, but never quite found a secluded enough section of hedge! Just as we'd stopped after another of Ant's sneezing fits, we discovered a group of baby moorhens on a pond...oh how cute they were! Luckily Roy caught up with us again at that point and put a stop to our pulling over to admire every bit of wildlife we passed on route! It was great to get to Watchet and as time was marching on, I was glad we hadn't stopped for coffee earlier. We still had a long way to go and it looked like we wouldn't make the afternoon coffee stop before the cafe closed. Boo! Feeling refreshed after sandwiches, watching the steam train come through and eventually finding a toilet, we got back on track again. With Roy leading, we were able to make better progress in the afternoon, but we were both feeling tired and the heat and hayfever were really get Ant down by this stage and by the time we got to the Station Stop, we were out of water and very glad to have a rest.

With tea, sausage rolls and cake on offer, we refuelled whilst Roy tried to track down someone who hadn't signed in at this stop. A couple of phonecalls later and it has been established that he did go through and just forgot to sign in, so with all well again, we were able to head on. Roy had offered to get us a lift if we didn't feel able to complete the route, but we decided to take it easy and push on if we could. As the afternoon turned to early evening, the heat was dying down, making for cooler riding conditions. Roy took us on a brief detour to avoid a steep gravelly downhill road which he thought I wouldn't be too keen on (how did he guess that?!?) and then we were on the final stint to Coldharbour Mill and the finishing point of the event. Another refreshing cup of tea to celebrate our longest ride yet...and then another 3 miles to get back to the starting point and the car.

We were greeted by a very smiley Pippa back at the pub and after putting the bikes back in the car again we went back to wait for the 100milers to arrive shortly after us. It had been a very long hot day and we'd been out on the road for 10 hours...but at least we had made it! Feeling somewhat embarrassed that we looked more exhausted than our elder companions who had cycled much further than us...we snuck off to go an get an early night. Youngsters these days...what's the matter with them?!?