Actual training!

Rather alarmed by Pedalling Paula's email midweek to say she'd just done 15 miles, I headed for the heinous exercise bike and did 10k at a steady 25k per hour.  It was HOT.  And also very boring - I entertained myself by counting the sweaty drips falling off the end of my nose.  Lovely.

And then this morning I thought I'd better actually cycle on a proper bike...  After a late night dancing at a wedding where the Melodeon Master was playing, we weren't up quite so early as we'd thought, and then we sat and looked at the drizzle...  When it stopped we decided to get going and by the time we'd got the bikes out it had started again.  Only light tropical drizzle - just fine...

We set out past the Tradesman's Arms, and before long the Melodeon Master decided he really didn't want to go as far as I was planning so he turned back.  I carried on past the Rhiwderin, the Friendly Fox, the Ruperra, passed near the Cefn Mably, then the Hollybush, the Maenllwyd, the Goodfellow, the Fisherman's Rest and the Ty-yn-y-Pwll...  Sadly it was still quite early so they were all closed.  Was thinking it would make a good pub crawl route though!

Being Caerphilly, the route was nice and flat...

Somewhere between the Hollybush and the Maenllwyd the rain got heavier, the puddles got deeper and the road got slippery.  Still didn't stop me shouting 'WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE' as I whooshed down the hills.  I've not heard them doing it in the Tour de France, but they should really try it...

I was VERY soggy by the time I got home...

Pedalling Paula has organised red T shirts for us for the bike ride, so I was practising wearing red.  In my Oblivion 2013 T shirt which I didn't earn...  And it clashes nicely with my pink helmet.  The number 401 on my saddle post must be from the last triathlon - must remember to take it off...

Altogether it was 30km.  Or 18.6 miles.  At an average speed of 10 miles per hour.  HOORAY!  I now feel more confident that I'll manage the relatively flat 35 miles next week.  I do, however, still need your sponsorship please!  Click HERE to go to my JustGiving page...  Thank you!

And some predictions for next week:

1.  Pedalling Paula will look more glamorous at the start than me.

2.  Pedalling Paula will look more glamorous at the end than me.

3.  We will look fab in our red T shirts.

4.  We will stop at all the available watering stations for suitable refreshments.

5.  I will follow my usual pre-race (OK it's not a race) preparations - I'll paint my toenails and make a picnic.