It's nearly time!

It's time to get excited as I've now only got 4 working days until we fly off to Egypt!
I truly can't get over the fact that over 12 months ago I went into work with the flyer for this challenge and announced that I'd be taking part.
I worked out today exactly how much training I've done this year:
1077 miles of cycling
57 exercise classes
Now to me, it doesn't sound like a huge amount, however I only joined the gym in February this year, so it averages as over 1 class a week and I did get my bike in October last year so there are a few more miles to add to that.
I'm pretty certain that I'll be able to manage the ride, although I have no doubt that it will be hard work and I'll want to give up at some point! But the people I'm going with appear to be a decent bunch and I'm sure we'll all push each other forward.
In the meantime, this weekend I'm in Cheltenham with my chorus, Amersham Acappella, at our annual competition so all of my attention and focus is on that this week, I can start thinking about Egypt again on Monday.
The sponsorship is still open, so feel free to head to the link below if you wish to contribute. Thanks xxxxxxxxxx

Probably should up my game............

But it's not easy. Ever since the training weekend at the end of September I've taken a bit of a backward step from what I should be doing. I could blame this on all the chorus rehearsals and concerts we've had recently (www.amershamacappella.com) or on the fact I've been desperately fighting a cold for well over a week now or on the suddenly cold weather we are now experiencing, but a small part of me just doesn't want to train anymore!!!
I was really hoping that at this point throughout this journey I would be enjoying the cycling, but I'm not totally convinced.
I did, however, go to the gym this morning and enjoyed my Body Combat class, which is something I haven't done in ages as I've been spinning or out cycling. So, I do think that I will continue with the exercise once I'm back from Egypt, just probably not on my bike!
Preparations are going well - I now have a rucksack, Egyptian pounds, pjamas (something which was really troubling me!) - in fact I think the only thing I now need is some clip on sunglasses to go over my normal specs - very sexy indeed!!!
So then - the plan for this week is.................spin on Thursday and Friday, plus 3 hours on Sat morning and as long as possible on Sunday. That'll be the last day I have to cycle probably before we go to Egypt as I'll be singing the weekend after in Cheltenham, so need to make it a long one. Just got to pray for sunshine!

Rain, rain - go away!!!

I hate cycling in the rain - official!
This morning Alex and I set off at half 9 whilst it was still dry and the BBC had promised me that it wasn't going to rain - turns out that the BBC weather people lie.
We had done about 15 miles of the planned 50 in the nice, dry weather before I commented 'it just can't decide if the sun should come out or if it should rain'. It then decided to rain. But it was that kind of rain that gets you absolutely soaked even though it's not raining that hard.
Also, I wear specs so it was like driving a car without windscreen wipers. Not pleasant.
We decided that instead of stopping for lunch we'd just get home via the quickest route possible. Saying that though, we still managed 38 miles so not too bad for a morning ride.
As we've only got 4 weeks now I can't be too choosy about the weather I cycle in, but I don't want to go in the rain again!!
Enough of that wingeing.
I think I now have everything I need for this challenge. I have a full toiletries bag, first aid kit and hopefully as many clothes as I'll need for a week.
Arriving at the airport now can't come quickly enough but I know the next few weeks will fly by and that we'll have a fantastic time, if sore legs and bum!!

5 weeks to go!

Not that I'm counting down or anything!!!
I decided this week that I really should cycle to work. It's a grand total of 3.5 mile round trip so I have no excuses. I did it on Thursday and Friday last week and intend to continue this theme for the next 5 weeks.
Alex and I went out this afternoon for a ride. We've become quite stuck in our ways and what routes we do so I thought I'd shake it up a little bit. We went more towards the Chilterns and that means more hills! We did a grand total of 26.5 miles in approx 2 hours, so not too shabby. I really has become cold recently though, could barely feel my toes when I got home.
This week I've taken Thursday afternoon off work so I can head to Milton Keynes, in the car, to get all my bits and bobs for the challenge. There's not too much I need, but things like a head torch, cap and lightweight tops/shorts are all required. I think that shopping trip will really bring home the fact that we'll be off to Egypt very, very soon!
I think this whole trip is only starting to become a reality now. Despite having read the itinery many times, today it really gave me goosebumps. Everyone has been telling me that I'm mad but I'm now starting to believe them!!
The sponsorship is still open so if you want to add to my total just head to the link below. Thanks xxx