70 mile sportive - Done!

I was far too tired to update after the ride on Sunday! Dad and I set off from Aylesbury to Witney at 7am on Sunday morning to take part in Circuit of the Cotswolds. We had signed up to do the 'short' ride of 70 miles. I had decided a few months ago, in my infinite wisdom, that it would be good to put some rides in my diary which would test my fitness. As the Tour de Vale was postponed (now rescheduled for 12th July) this one came along without us having done too much practice!
Anyway, we turned up and were greeted by lots of racing cyclists. They were all in a completely different league to us. We decided that it was the getting around the course that mattered and not the time we did it in, although it didn't always feel like that, especially when we turned up at the 1st food stop to no food and as all the 'long' route riders were passing us after lunch!
We, somehow, kept each other going through all the pretty villages and up all the hills, of which there were many, and completed the ride in 7 hours and 2 minutes. I, personally, don't think that's too bad. I couldn't have got on my bike on Monday though, as my knees were too sore, so I now know that I need to practice riding on a daily basis. I did managed to walk the 3 mile round trip to work 3 days this week and I got back on my bike on Wednesday, so my recovery was quite quick.
Enough of that - on the sponsorship front, I have made my minimum target!! I am so pleased that I'm actually going to Egypt. I now have to think about getting all the bits I need together, it's just a shame I'm currently planning our wedding and need all the spare cash I can get. I'll just have to beg and borrow items for the ride, I can't imagine I'll be getting back on the bike after November so won't need to keep them!
So, thank you everyone that has supported me and the fantastic charities. Please sponsor me, at the link below, if you haven't yet - the more money raised, the better! THANKS xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Time for a quick update....

Was I gutted that the Tour de Vale was postponed on Sunday?! Not exactly!! When I woke up on Sunday morning all I could hear was the sound of the rain outside. As I was due to meet someone at the ride, I headed out in the rain to the meeting point only to be told that it was being postponed. So far we don't have another date. I did do a detour home of about 7 miles, but the rest of the day didn't go so well as the food and wine came out!
On the plus side, since Dad and I went out the other week I have done a 26 mile ride with Alex and a 38 mile round trip to Amersham for a chorus rehearsal. I've also been going to the gym classes.
I'm still not doing continuous days cycling, but there's still plenty of time for that. I'm just enjoying exercising at the moment and I'm hoping that being fit will help get me round the desert.
On the sponsorship front, I'm only about £125 away from the minimum required! I am very pleased and grateful, but don't let that stop you from sponsoring me, if you haven't already - every bit helps!
I'm out again this Friday with Alex and then the next BIG ride is the Cotwold 70 mile. Fingers crossed that the weather will be good and that we get round unscathed.
Thanks again xxx