Total Distance: 114.75 Miles
Total time moving: 13 hours 28 minutes and 20 seconds
Total vertical feet climbed: 13380 feet
Average Speed: 8.5 mph
calories burned approx: 6698
calories eaten in hummus: ooh, at least a million….
What I’ve learned.
That I’m actually fitter than I think. When I first dreamed up this madness I thought that after day two or three I was going to be in trouble. Truth be told the first day it hit me was the sixth and the only really hard ride was on the final day.
That even short rides can be a real time sink. Not so much the ride but all the associated routine that comes along too, filling camelbaks, gathering kit beer/petrol money etc.. it soon all gather up.
What I really think of the bike.
It’s brilliant. It really is. The XT kit is superb, the fox shocks are amazing (but nowhere near worth the cost when they are not OEM equipped). The bike is a phenomenal mile muncher and the shocks really made the difference for my back. But, and it’s a big but. The wheels, unless you’re a whippet, are shocking. Three broken spokes now. Some new wheels for Spring me thinks.
What I’ve loved
Spending a week doing nothing but eating, drinking, sleeping, dreaming and rising bikes.
Not having to watch too closely what I’ve been eating 🙂
So much daylight riding at this dark time of year.
What I’ve not loved.
The time sink element of it all. Either preparing for a ride, the aftermath of a ride or driving to and back. It meant I didn’t get as much non-bike stuff done as I would have liked with a week away from my workbench.
Trying to stay hydrated, despite having no problems staying calorie neutral getting enough H2) on board was a struggle I’ll admit.
Despite having a lot of riding gear, I don’t have quite enough that now fits so I’ve had the washing machine on near constantly.
Essentials
KIT
Buffs: 
I have a real fetish for the old microfibre, that’s not even all of them… They really are superb, keep the sweat from the brow and the chill from my ears. Every rider should have at least one!
Merino Base Layers, superb. Look them up. I have two Howies ones and one Embers one. Expensive but worth every penny.
FOOD
The follwing foodstuffs made my life bearable this week: Haribo sweeties, Malt Loaf, Mars Drink, Tortilla Chips and my own bodyweight in Hummus.
Here in old Blighty we are blessed with such good trails so very close to home.I have an awesome group of friends who happily came at very short notice to ride with the chunky monkey. I truly am fecking humbled.
Finally, although she’s been away, I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wife. It was her idea, and via the means of long distance communication she has spurred me on and kept me pedalling.
On return from her week away I was presented with many treats below is a few:
So I suppose the question is, Will I do it again?
Yeah, I’m daft enough to.
Fat Lad
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