A New Challenge but am I up to it? - Phil Cox

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Despite best intentions my blogging activities have declined over the last couple of months. There are a number of excuses around time spent training, cricket and family holidays etc.; marketing of Point North and Pedal has also taken its toll but that is a good thing!

I have been in discussion with Phil Tynan over the last 6 months or so about his proposal to ride to the Isle of Wight and back in 24 hours, a distance of approximately 250 miles. Happily, this is coming to fruition now due to a lot of hard work by Phil and our fellow rider Mark Popkiss. Our goal is to raise money for a reasonable new charity Delete Blood Cancer

 

www.deletebloodcancer.org.uk

 

Phil has a very personal story attached to this challenge and his motivation to achieve it is boundless. His invite to ride on the challenge was gratefully accepted but with some self-doubt on my part. Once again, I know I have the fitness but I am worried one or more of the worn out bits on me might suddenly fail.

The ride is in 3 sections: Wantage to Lymington, circumnavigate the Isle of White and then reverse the first leg. The total is 241 but there are always the ‘phantom miles’ that seem to attach to long rides however careful the mapping is in the planning stage.  Whatever the total is when we get back, we will ensure it is at least 250 miles. The time margins are very tight on this one as it includes transit time to and from the island.

Phil has lent me his 2nd road bike for the trip. The name of the game is completing the challenge and there are no medals for hauling a heavy mountain bike around the course. I like riding it but I have developed a ligament issue in my left foot, I’m still not sure if this is to do with an unfamiliar bike or an over-training issue.  I’m sure Adam at Revolution Sports Injuries will tell me when I visit him later this week.

I’ll post more about the ride in the coming weeks, in the meantime, please feel free to sponsor us at

 

https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/bibb2013

Further reading…..

If you liked this blog please take a moment to check out my book describing the solo Land’s End to John O’Groats ride in 2012, all profit from sales to www.criduchat.org.uk

Please click the cover image for the Kindle version or click here to order a paperback copy. Thank you!

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