Crises with Cows and wiggly wheels

 Winter's almost gone, and the miles and hills have to be totting up to show I'm serious about this 950 mile endeavour I've signed up for. Five days in the New Forest has given me a chance to chase the last Easterly breezes away. I don't like headwinds; I realise how much they slow me on my Garmin route maker secured to my handlebars. The Lycra is getting an airing, but I need the layers on top still to lessen the chill. So 30 miles yesterday and 40 today without too many steep inclines.

And the cows? In the New Forest, when you've dismounted for a cattle grid, you look out for free-living livestock. Today it was the cows that wandered purposefully into my path. One found me more terrifying in appearance than the juggernaut beside me. Naomi snatched a picture of a bovine reversing away from my fluorescent attire!

Reality hits on Saturday when I have a weekend of endurance on the peaks around Sheffield. 65 miles followed by 35 on the Sunday and back at work for Monday. Some of those others doing a Peak Tours  End-to-End in the next months have a chance to see how their training is going. I will know know how much more I need by the weekend's finish.

Meanwhile the first repairs are necessary. The rear wheel is getting re-dished, so I hope it will ride true and not catch the brake pads in free-wheel mode. I'm not into bike maintenance, so I'm on a steep learning curve there too.

April 30th heralds my last day at work, and then I've got ten days to limber up in final preparations, before catching the train to Penzance on 11th May. We get billeted at St Just, and then we will set off from that well-known signpost in Cornwall. I plan to update daily from that day until 26th May. Thanks for travelling with me.

Rest & Recuperation:

The bike's had a rear lift, and I've had a rest day. Six miles in the rain back from the cycle shop with a rear light to fit and wing mirror to fix. Interesting observation on the cycleshop - they don't reinflate the tyres to the pressure I've been told is safer. 75 psi is what my tyres states is maximum, and that is where I like to keep them, free of punctures. I've been told that soft tyres are more likely to get punctures.

Forecast for tomorrow morning is OK. A ride to the beach before breakfast appeals. Then back to Eaton Bray to celebrate Omi's 22nd birthday on Thursday. Up to Sheffield for the TEST on Friday - actually Saturday & Sunday will prove my mettle or lack thereof! The menus have been ordered for Friday and Saturday restaurants. You can see the order of priorities.

Michael