Coast to Coast

23rd February 2012

So Rob and I have entered a Coast to Coast mountain bike challenge in June. I am both hugely excited and absolutely terrified in equal measures! The thought of being part of it, completing the 150 miles and finishing is brilliant – however the thought of getting back on my bike on the first afternoon for the second 25 miles of the day fills me with terror!! (not to mention getting back on the next day and the day after to do it all over again!!) We have begun our training – which needs to be fitted in around kids, work and family life. We have drawn up a big calendar on a large white board to keep track of when we are getting out on rides and when we have babysitters that allow us to get out on rides together. Rob is able to get out more often on his bike, so I am going for the multi training approach, which involves running, swimming and biking – let’s hope it works or I’m stuffed!! My problem with getting out for training on my own (while the kids are at school) is that my bike maintenance skills are not as good as they should be - once when my crank/pedal dropped off, I had to phone Rob to come & help me (he had to load all the kids in the car & come to rescue me!!) Also, I am not that brilliant at changing a punctured tyre on my own – and although Rob has been giving me lessons at home, I’m not sure how I’d get on at the side of a muddy track! The ride itself is 150 miles over three days; we stay in Youth Hostels on the Friday and Saturday evening and then a spa hotel for the end of ride celebration on the Sunday night. I am so looking forward to that Sunday night!! The Purple Mountain team (who organise it) crew the weekend, they take your bags to the next youth hotel and sort out meals. I am really looking forward to doing the ride, but I just hope that, by then, my fitness levels (particularly my ability to do that many miles on a bike without my muscles going into agony) are up to it!

Also, I am trying not to feel too guilty about how much doing this challenge involves asking family & friends to have the kids for us. I know everyone is only too happy to help us out, but I am always mindful of what a big ask it is to expect people to take on four young children. I know that (usually) for other people, they are well behaved but it’s still hard work having them & a lot to expect people to take on.

Right...better get half an hour on that exercise bike......!!