http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.html times health forum thread - 1,000 miles on a bike from Dover to Durness June 2008 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:59:12 +0000 http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_1.htmlQuoting: ronsSaturday 21 June: Edinburgh to Pitlochry via Forth Road Bridge/Perth 72 miles Ron, I'd love to come through to Edinburgh and meet you, but I'm going to a friend's wedding in Glasgow that day. We'll be thinking of you on Saturday! http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_1.htmlTue, 10 Jun 2008 22:59:12 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_1.htmlJust bringing this thread back to the top ready for the big bike ride on Friday. I saw the rare sight of a cyclist overtaking another one going up a hill today, before I overtook them both (in car). I didn't feel very smug though, would much prefer to be on my bike but too many places to get kids, too little time ...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_1.htmlTue, 10 Jun 2008 22:36:59 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_1.htmlBy the way Ron, have you had many comments about your article? An old uni friend emailed me this weekend and some people in my church saw it, but not been into work yet which is a school. Wonder if anyone will comment!http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_1.htmlMon, 05 May 2008 21:12:18 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlWell done on the weight loss Ron - you must be so pleased with yourself. Losing 6" off the waist is marvellous. I've started recording waist measurement every fortnight and have lost 1.1" in a month, so not bad at all. Thanks for the advice on the hills. I must admit I'm very unfit and put it into bottom gear and have to stand up for some inclines (not very steep, in which case I walk). Sometimes the pedals slip/click but chain doesn't come off and I have to push ...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlMon, 05 May 2008 21:10:40 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlThank you both, Jaki and Jackie, for your comments, and well done to you Jaki on also being one of the members of the month. What I particularly liked about this month's selection of members was the very different approaches people were taking. Home at last! I finally got back from my trip late (very late) last night. By the time I got into Central London I had covered 112 miles and it was 9pm. I really didn't feel like doing another 30 miles through suburbia to get home so the trai...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlMon, 05 May 2008 12:33:58 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlEnjoyed reading about your practice session cum mini marathon. Will you be able to post logs of your real marathon from Dover to Durness? Actually, I keep seeing it referred to as Dover to Durness but according to this there is another 122 miles to Wick via Thurso and Duncansby Head. Congratulations on being one of the May THC Members of the Month. You have really earnt your break at Champneys - something to look forward to as you cycle!...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlSun, 04 May 2008 11:45:09 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlFantastic article in the Times today! We all guessed it was you... Very interesting to read of your practice session. I am so impressed with your stamina, I struggle with slight inclines - realise I must try harder to improve. Good luck with the journey home and hope the weather is kinder to you....http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlSat, 03 May 2008 19:25:28 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlWell, the practice session has turned into a mini-marathon of its own. After four days I've cycled over 350 miles from Woking to South Norfolk via Stafford., passing through Surrey, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire, Northants, Warwickshire, West Mids, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk! We set out on Tuesday just as the rain started and within an hour we were soaked through, but a coffee stop at Marlow gave us a chance to dr...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlSat, 03 May 2008 19:18:51 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlOff tomorrow morning for a quick practice ride: Woking-Banbury-Stafford-Stamford-Diss-London Not in one day of course. If the technology holds up I'll put progress reports on this thread as the week goes by.http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlMon, 28 Apr 2008 23:33:32 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlIf anybody's interested in the bike sizing session, find the article on http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/he alth/traineo/exercise/article3814642.ecehttp://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlMon, 28 Apr 2008 12:59:22 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: jackieathetimeshealthcoukSame thing happened to me Ron, and it hurts. It was a pheasant that took me out though. I ended up with a broken hand, cracked jaw complete with split chin and broken teeth, and badly bruised ribs. I was a total mess, a few hours in A&E getting patched up, and a years worth of dental work on my mouth. Ouch! Compared to that, I came off very lightly. Just an egg-sized bump on my head, a dislocated finger, lots of road rash, and copious blood....http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlMon, 28 Apr 2008 12:18:36 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: Roger888I have pieces of cushion flooring taped round my handlebars and together with wearing cycle gloves this seems to minimise problems with my hands, but I do find myself changing position quite frequently. The cushion flooring idea looks worth a try. I do wear cycling gloves but in the past I have found that they can make the problem worse. Specifically, where they pulled down between my first and second fingers they caused those two fingers to become totally numb and devoid of ...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlMon, 28 Apr 2008 12:15:30 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: ronsOn helmets, I never used to wear one until (a) I came off my bike doing 25-30mph Same thing happened to me Ron, and it hurts. It was a pheasant that took me out though. I ended up with a broken hand, cracked jaw complete with split chin and broken teeth, and badly bruised ribs. I was a total mess, a few hours in A&E getting patched up, and a years worth of dental work on my mouth....http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlMon, 28 Apr 2008 06:35:16 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlI have worked in a couple of bike shops overthe years so can offer some advice about buying a bike saddle. Firstly if you are new to cycling or if you only ride ocasionally you probably will find you bike seat uncomfortable. Asnwer is ride more often and for longer. If you ride regularly and just cant get used to your saddle. Have a look at the offending saddle and decide what it is you dont like about it. Then go to a good local bike shop and have a look at what they have to offer. Once you&#03...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlSun, 27 Apr 2008 18:06:20 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlRon, Re: numb hands I have pieces of cushion flooring taped round my handlebars and together with wearing cycle gloves this seems to minimise problems with my hands, but I do find myself changing position quite frequently.http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlSat, 26 Apr 2008 21:29:53 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlThanks for all the answers to my questions on helmets etc, Ron. Most interesting. I persuaded my hubby to cycle with me into town today as I had to get a few bits of shopping and it was a sunny day. We went so far along the seafront cycle path and then he led me through town (arrrgggh). I'm not a very confident cyclist on the roads but I'm definitely getting better now. He sat on a wall looking after our bikes, armed with a flask of coffee and his copy of Money from the Times, s...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlSat, 26 Apr 2008 21:13:49 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: ronsno one saddle shape is going to suit everyone. and sometimes the right one does take a bit of finding. Thanks Ron Ihave never relised what pain and sffering cyclists go through you must really enjoy it though. good Luck with your triphttp://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlSat, 26 Apr 2008 11:06:43 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: fionacatriona... you should get in touch with Simon Draine and Ruth Loftus - I'm sure they'd be delighted to offer you sustenance and a soft seat for a while! Much as I would welcome meeting up with Simon and Ruth, my parents live in deepest Norfolk, so food, shelter, and a bed is never a problem in East Anglia thankfully - hence the reason that I'm heading that way next week....http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlFri, 25 Apr 2008 21:30:57 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: jakiRon, there have been letters to our local paper recently discussing the merits of a helmet. Some car drivers are very anti cyclists who are on the local dual carriageway but the point people are trying to make is that car drivers will give you more space if you don't have a helmet on than if you do. I always wear my helmet (as do the kids) but we don't go on the main roads very much. You do see quite a lot of people cycling on wide pavements - that says a lot about how ...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlFri, 25 Apr 2008 21:12:59 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: ronsWhich probably explains why I get numb Gosh - you had me waiting with bated breath for that last word - phew - hands!http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlFri, 25 Apr 2008 21:02:58 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: GhI wondered if anyone could explain to me the reason why saddles on bikes have to be so uncomfortable is it some kind of sadistic rite that you have to go through. Precisely my point - saddles shouldn't be uncomfortable. However, since the shape (and size) of people's posteriors varies enormously, no one saddle shape is going to suit everyone. and sometimes the right one does take a bit of finding. The idea of having a seat that is shaped to the rear end might seem fine...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlFri, 25 Apr 2008 19:48:46 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlRon, there have been letters to our local paper recently discussing the merits of a helmet. Some car drivers are very anti cyclists who are on the local dual carriageway but the point people are trying to make is that car drivers will give you more space if you don't have a helmet on than if you do. I always wear my helmet (as do the kids) but we don't go on the main roads very much. You do see quite a lot of people cycling on wide pavements - that says a lot about how safe it i...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlFri, 25 Apr 2008 19:13:30 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: rons saddle on which you feel comfortabl I wondered if anyone could explain to me the reason why saddles on bikes have to be so uncomfortable is it some kind of saddistic rite that you have to go through. I'm sure it would be much better for any newcomer to cycling to be able to sit on a normal seat that is actually shaped to the rear end. Would you buy a car that had a seat that does unmentionable things to your butt?? I think not...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlFri, 25 Apr 2008 17:05:59 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: ronsthen turning east across to Norfolk ... you should get in touch with Simon Draine and Ruth Loftus - I'm sure they'd be delighted to offer you sustenance and a soft seat for a while! http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlFri, 25 Apr 2008 14:04:22 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: fionacatrionaAre you training for this, or have you done it so many times before that it's a dawdle now? I wish it was so easy! Unfortunately, no matter how often you do it, it doesn't seem to get any easier. I'm not convinced that training helps either. For my first Lands End to John O'Groats I trained by riding 30 miles to work and 30 miles home three times a week for a few months. The actual thing was still very hard work. The main thing I'm doing this ...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlFri, 25 Apr 2008 13:59:08 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: ronsI use one with a slot cut in the middle to relieve the pressure on the most sensitive bits Too much information, Ron! Are you training for this, or have you done it so many times before that it's a dawdle now?http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlWed, 23 Apr 2008 21:40:34 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: jackieathetimeshealthcoukHow do you avoid the numb bum syndrome Ron. I find that if I cycle for a long time it hurts when I get off my bike. It puts me off a bit. Basically, the more you cycle the more your backside gets used to it, so it ceases to be a problem. It's a phase you have to go through. The padding in good quality cycling shorts helps too - if you don't like lycra you can get padded undershorts to use with conventional trousers or shorts. The final part of the e...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlWed, 23 Apr 2008 15:36:41 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlHow do you avoid the numb bum syndrome Ron. I find that if I cycle for a long time it hurts when I get off my bike. It puts me off a bit.http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlWed, 23 Apr 2008 13:04:52 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlQuoting: Roger888Enjoy your ride. If you can find someone to go with it may be better. Hope it doesn't rain. I did my first two LE to JOG rides on my own. It's quite an interesting experience in that you have a massive amount of time to do little but think (something that few of us get these days) and the pain helps to concentrate the mind! The third time I went with a girlfriend, which is perhaps not the best choice of companion. Relationships do get put under stress in those c...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlWed, 23 Apr 2008 12:15:18 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlEnjoy your ride. If you can find someone to go with it may be better. Hope it doesn't rain. http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlTue, 22 Apr 2008 21:52:15 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlHi Ron, Read this post a few days ago, then lost it and could not remember where i saw it. ( They say that the mind is the second thing to go.......can't remember what the first is!!) Truly inspirational mate!! We will definitely try to get out to the Sleaford area to cheer you on. It's the closest that your route comes to where we live in Norfolk. Assume you will be on the A15?? I have just bought a bike and started riding, but only a few miles at a time. Frankly, what...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlTue, 15 Apr 2008 22:50:36 +0000http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlIt's only two months now before I set off on my 1,000-mile cycle ride from Dover to Durness, from the south-easternmost point in Britain to the far north-west. (It'll make a change from Lands End to John O'Groats, which I've already done three times.) Everything seems to be falling into place - thanks to this site I'm carrying over two stones less weight than before (which will make the task a lot easier), I've had lots of practice, and even the technology seems...http://www.timeshealth.co.uk/105_818_0.htmlSat, 12 Apr 2008 16:06:17 +0000