Sunday 20 October 2013

This is it!

I have Cuban music playing and the bed is covered with piles of clothes, cycling gear, swimwear, travel books, waterproofs, toiletries and footballs*.  It's packing time!

*these were kindly donated by the Umbro equipment team.  Women v Cancer were hoping to be able to donate some of the funds raised by this event to a cancer charity in Cuba, but this has not been possible.  Instead they have arranged for us to visit a couple of schools, so we are all taking gifts.

They are also going to act as space savers for any purchases I (might) make in Cuba!

We have been advised to pack a days supply of clothes in our hand luggage, including cycle helmet, just in case our luggage doesn't make it, so that at least we can start the cycle.  Good idea, but not inspiring me with a lot of confidence about the rest of my stuff arriving safely!  Needless to say, the posh shorts are with me in my hand luggage.

After over a year and a half of training, fundraising and planning, Cycle Cuba is here.  It's a quick pasta, glass of red and early to bed as I need to be at the airport just after 4.  Ouch!

Apparently internet access can be a bit unreliable in Cuba, so I am going to keep a written diary and update the blog when I get back, so fear not avid readers - all the details will follow eventually - you just have to be patient!!!!!






Monday 14 October 2013

Layering up

Sunday was a typical autumnal day - cold wind, leaden skies and wet, wet rain.  Gone were the warm days of last week's indian summer.

It was so tempting to stay in bed listening to the wind shredding the trees and covering our lawn with a carpet of leaves, but instead Chris and I agreed to head out together for 3 laps of our 'training loop' which equates to about 20 miles.

After sticking my head out of the bedroom window to asses the temperature, I decided to pull out the full length cycling leggings for the first time in a long while, along with 2 pairs of socks, base layer, t shirt, head band and shower jacket.  Cosy.

We had an undulating route to get to the lapping point, so we were nicely warmed up.  Then we hit a fantastic section of smooth tarmac road which winds slightly downhill through farm fields for a couple of miles before offering a couple of long straight stretches.  I call this the power section because you can hit a high gear, get up a bit of speed, and feel the burn in your glutes!

Then you hit the hill section - a gentle climb of a couple of miles up the A6 (usually into the wind!).  No chance to feel the cold - just the burn as we try to increase our speed up the hill each time.

At the top we turn into Windlehurst Lane which presents a series of descents and ascents of varying  gradients with a cheeky last climb to take you over the canal and up to Marple Ridge, where you are rewarded with a stunning view across the Goyt Valley whatever the weather.

It is then an exhilarating descent back home for a hot shower and a bowl of soup.


Saturday 12 October 2013

Gearing up

Last Saturday I was down in London visiting friends for the day, so decided to take the opportunity to visit the Rapha store in Soho - the epitome of cycling cool.  What was I thinking??!!

http://www.rapha.cc/london?locale=UK

A friend had recently bought a pair of Rapha shorts for a 300 mile cycle and found them comfortable, so I thought if they were comfy after that distance then they were the shorts for me!

I had to exercise a considerable amount of discipline not to spend insane amounts of money as Rapha product is very beautiful, but I stuck to my plan and came out with just the shorts, beautifully packaged in a bag that I enjoyed flouncing around London with for the rest of the day.

Sunday morning found me back in Marple, clad in my new purchase and ready for the off.  I was not disappointed - 55 miles later and no chafing or soreness.  Sometimes it pays to splash out.  These shorts will be my (second) best friend on Cycle Cuba - Gillian still takes the top spot!  :D

Fast forward to today - Chris and I have been shopping for last minute Cuba gear.  I sit writing wearing my new lightweight Salomon shoes - ready for all-terrain action.  I have also invested in a new lightweight pair of fingerless gloves much more suitable for the tropics than my warm pair that are acceptable for the Manchester climate.

At the time of publishing, Gillian is somewhere over the Atlantic, on her way to Cuba as she is having a holiday with her husband for a week before we set off.  I will meet up with her a week on Monday at Havana airport.

It felt pretty good to say goodbye on our phone call yesterday with the words "see you in Havana"!