Tuesday 13 October 2015
Tuesday 15 September 2015
It's official, I'm a world record holder!
I'll be blogging again very soon. Since I finished the challenge I've done only two things. 1 - I've been organising my evidence to submit to Guinness. 2 - The builders are in. Quick decisions were required on shower enclosures, taps, tiles, mirrors, lights etc. (Dave W you'll be delighted. New railings on the balcony!)
Sunday 23 August 2015
Day 30. Last day
Last day. 115 miles done today, 4010 miles in total. In metric world that's 186 km and 6455 km.
The record has to be verified by Guinness World Records. This may take a while, because I have to submit thousands of photos, videos, my daily logs, my signed log books, my gps files, and much more. It'll take me days to organise all of this evidence. It'll keep me busy.
At the start of Day 30 I was still focussed on the cycling, and not was not thinking about what I was going to do at the end of the day. I wasn't under any pressure with time, because I'd decided to reach a target of 4000 miles. I only needed to do at least 105 miles, and planned to finish by about 5:30pm.
It all seemed like it was going to be an easy day. However, the weather forecast was for heavy rain in the morning. We set off wearing rain jackets and shoe covers, expecting to get soaked. Thankfully it was warm. We headed towards Audlem (no surprises there!), and were very lucky that It stayed dry all the way, with only some light drizzle at Audlem. We saw the ever helpful, friendly and enthusiastic Tim at Audlem Cyclesport to have my log book signed.
We headed back home for lunch, and the weather got better and better. Jackets were removed, and it was one of the few times in the last month that I've cycled wearing just one layer. At lunch we'd done 77 miles. Only 28 miles to go.
The afternoon was excellent, with the sun shining, it was warm, and it wasn't windy. It made me realise how awful the weather has been for the previous 29 days. There have been few times when the cycling has been really enjoyable and almost effortless in good weather. We stopped at Goostrey News (a great little shop) and thanks to Charlotte who was the last person to sign my log book. Here's a picture of me outside the shop in hot, bright sunshine.
We then headed home, with one short stop for me to take yet another picture of the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank.
With a couple of miles to go Super Domestique Steve went ahead to get back to our house, and I did a short loop to make sure that I was well over the 4000 mile total. I then started to get worried, because our road is a nightmare of pot holes and gravel, and I could envisage myself falling off at the last moment whilst being on video. I survived OK, phew!
I had a warm welcome by neighbours, Paul and Jane from Rick Green Cycles, my brother and sister-in-law Pete and Ann, and, of course, Super Domestique. Celebrations then started. In the evening there was a very heavy and noisy thunderstorm, but I don't care about the weather any more!
Huge thanks to my neighbours Collette and Stuart, and their baby Charlotte. The main thanks is to Charlotte, who has ensured that they get up early every morning, and photograph and video me when I set off. They've also recorded when I return each day and keep track of how many miles I've done. Collette is one of my independent witnesses, who must make a statement to Guinness about witnessing my challenge. They kindly presented me with a cake:
Also, huge thanks to Paul (my other independent witness), and the rest of the Green family at Rick Green Cycles in Handforth. I've visited there nearly every day except Sundays, and have always felt assured that if anything was wrong with my bike it would be sorted out very quickly.
This is starting to sound like an Oscar speech!
Of course, my biggest thanks goes to Super Domestique. He has been my slave for 30 days. He's been cooking, baking, washing, route planning, puncture fixing, and much more. He's also been working. I'm now worried about what the payback is.
I'll be writing more blogs over the next few weeks, so please keep looking for new posts. I'm sure you're all eager to find out how many times I crossed the M6, or how many times I passed through the lights in Middlewich.
Happy shorts and happy bottom. I can't believe how comfortable I've been on the bike. I've never reached the end of the day being desperate to get off the bike.
The record has to be verified by Guinness World Records. This may take a while, because I have to submit thousands of photos, videos, my daily logs, my signed log books, my gps files, and much more. It'll take me days to organise all of this evidence. It'll keep me busy.
At the start of Day 30 I was still focussed on the cycling, and not was not thinking about what I was going to do at the end of the day. I wasn't under any pressure with time, because I'd decided to reach a target of 4000 miles. I only needed to do at least 105 miles, and planned to finish by about 5:30pm.
It all seemed like it was going to be an easy day. However, the weather forecast was for heavy rain in the morning. We set off wearing rain jackets and shoe covers, expecting to get soaked. Thankfully it was warm. We headed towards Audlem (no surprises there!), and were very lucky that It stayed dry all the way, with only some light drizzle at Audlem. We saw the ever helpful, friendly and enthusiastic Tim at Audlem Cyclesport to have my log book signed.
We headed back home for lunch, and the weather got better and better. Jackets were removed, and it was one of the few times in the last month that I've cycled wearing just one layer. At lunch we'd done 77 miles. Only 28 miles to go.
The afternoon was excellent, with the sun shining, it was warm, and it wasn't windy. It made me realise how awful the weather has been for the previous 29 days. There have been few times when the cycling has been really enjoyable and almost effortless in good weather. We stopped at Goostrey News (a great little shop) and thanks to Charlotte who was the last person to sign my log book. Here's a picture of me outside the shop in hot, bright sunshine.
We then headed home, with one short stop for me to take yet another picture of the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank.
With a couple of miles to go Super Domestique Steve went ahead to get back to our house, and I did a short loop to make sure that I was well over the 4000 mile total. I then started to get worried, because our road is a nightmare of pot holes and gravel, and I could envisage myself falling off at the last moment whilst being on video. I survived OK, phew!
I had a warm welcome by neighbours, Paul and Jane from Rick Green Cycles, my brother and sister-in-law Pete and Ann, and, of course, Super Domestique. Celebrations then started. In the evening there was a very heavy and noisy thunderstorm, but I don't care about the weather any more!
Huge thanks to my neighbours Collette and Stuart, and their baby Charlotte. The main thanks is to Charlotte, who has ensured that they get up early every morning, and photograph and video me when I set off. They've also recorded when I return each day and keep track of how many miles I've done. Collette is one of my independent witnesses, who must make a statement to Guinness about witnessing my challenge. They kindly presented me with a cake:
Also, huge thanks to Paul (my other independent witness), and the rest of the Green family at Rick Green Cycles in Handforth. I've visited there nearly every day except Sundays, and have always felt assured that if anything was wrong with my bike it would be sorted out very quickly.
This is starting to sound like an Oscar speech!
Of course, my biggest thanks goes to Super Domestique. He has been my slave for 30 days. He's been cooking, baking, washing, route planning, puncture fixing, and much more. He's also been working. I'm now worried about what the payback is.
I'll be writing more blogs over the next few weeks, so please keep looking for new posts. I'm sure you're all eager to find out how many times I crossed the M6, or how many times I passed through the lights in Middlewich.
I would be very pleased if you can contribute to Alzheimer's Research UK on my fundraising page:
Buttock News
Issue 13
Happy shorts and happy bottom. I can't believe how comfortable I've been on the bike. I've never reached the end of the day being desperate to get off the bike.
I'm sorry, but this is the last edition of Buttock News. Bye!
End of Buttock News
Friday 21 August 2015
Day 29
145 miles done
today (233km). Total of 3895 miles (6269km).
At the start of today I was feeling very positive. I'm sure you've all worked out that my plan is to reach a total of 4000 miles. After yesterday's 152 miles, the plan was to do another 150 miles today, then I'd only have 100 miles to do on the last day. Easy! However, the weather made today the hardest day that I've had. For those who have read the Harry Potter books, think about what the Dementors do to the human soul. This is what a headwind does to a cyclist. It drains all happiness, hope and positive feelings from the cyclist. I had tired legs, battling into a 15mph headwind. Super Domestique is cycling behind me, and can do nothing. I can hear his freewheel going when I'm toiling. It was raining as well. We finished after 8pm, in the gloom. Back to being positive, only 105 miles to do tomorrow to reach my target. Forecast is heavy rain :(
Thanks to my log book signers today; Rick in Twelve50 Bikes in Frodsham, Paul in Rick Green Cycles, and Ryan in the Sainsbury's local in Alsager.
Any ideas about what this is?
Black shorts today. I changed into my other black shorts at lunchtime, for no reason apart from the fact that I could.
Today I had a discomfort level of 2 out of 10, which is totally acceptable.
Happy shorts tomorrow. The weather forecast is heavy rain in the morning, so they may be removed at lunchtime if they're soaking. Will my black shorts be dry by then?
At the start of today I was feeling very positive. I'm sure you've all worked out that my plan is to reach a total of 4000 miles. After yesterday's 152 miles, the plan was to do another 150 miles today, then I'd only have 100 miles to do on the last day. Easy! However, the weather made today the hardest day that I've had. For those who have read the Harry Potter books, think about what the Dementors do to the human soul. This is what a headwind does to a cyclist. It drains all happiness, hope and positive feelings from the cyclist. I had tired legs, battling into a 15mph headwind. Super Domestique is cycling behind me, and can do nothing. I can hear his freewheel going when I'm toiling. It was raining as well. We finished after 8pm, in the gloom. Back to being positive, only 105 miles to do tomorrow to reach my target. Forecast is heavy rain :(
Thanks to my log book signers today; Rick in Twelve50 Bikes in Frodsham, Paul in Rick Green Cycles, and Ryan in the Sainsbury's local in Alsager.
I would be very pleased if you can contribute to Alzheimer's Research UK on my fundraising page:
Any ideas about what this is?
Buttock News
Issue 12
Black shorts today. I changed into my other black shorts at lunchtime, for no reason apart from the fact that I could.
Today I had a discomfort level of 2 out of 10, which is totally acceptable.
Happy shorts tomorrow. The weather forecast is heavy rain in the morning, so they may be removed at lunchtime if they're soaking. Will my black shorts be dry by then?
End of Buttock News
Thursday 20 August 2015
Day 28, Longest day so far
152 miles done today (that's 245km for metric people). Total of 3750 miles (6036km). This is the longest day I've ever done. My previous longest day was only half a mile less than this. At the end of today I did a loop around local roads so that I would beat my maximum.
I was on my own for most of the day today. Super Domestique joined me for the last 35 miles. I was a bit daunted this morning when I was about to set off, thinking about the hours I was going to be on my own. Then I remembered that the last Ashes test match started today. Hurrah! I love listening to the cricket commentary. I always make a guess as to how many minutes it takes before Geoff Boycott says "stick of rhubarb". The cricket didn't start until 11am, so beforehand I had to endure another item for the "doesn't work on radio" collection. This time on Radio 5 they (apparently) had lots of cute, cuddly animals. Had to take their word for it.
Thanks to my log book signers today; Mike in Cycle Junction in Wheelock/Sandbach, Alistair in Rick Green Cycles, and Nigel in Goostrey News.
I would be very pleased if you can contribute to Alzheimer's Research UK on my fundraising page:
Thank you very much to the extremely generous and thoughtful people who have already contributed.
Sorry, no photo today. I've run out of time. Must eat, must sleep.
Buttock News
Issue 11
Happy shorts today, and a happy bottom. Discomfort level of 1 out of 10. I'm surprised.
Now that I'm thinking of burning my shorts when this challenge is complete, I'm puzzled about something. My shorts are now so impregnated with Vaseline, will they burn?.
End of Buttock News
Wednesday 19 August 2015
Day 27
221 km ridden today. 5791 km done in total (3598 miles). That's 791km more than the distance required for the record.
Another day on my own. I won't bore you with what I listened to on the radio, apart from having to hear Radio 5 presenters trying Laughter Yoga. Enough said.
This morning was a trip to Audlem. I was into the wind to get there, but had a great ride back with wind behind. Audlem have a beer festival starting at the end of next week. I think I should go and stay there that weekend. Thanks again to Tim at Audlem Cyclesport for signing my log book.
I set off at 2pm for the afternoon ride, and it started raining. I don't mind the rain, but when it's windy too I'm really slowed down. At the end of the day I went down and up the Alderley Edge bypass. To show the effect of the wind; I averaged 11mph in one direction, and 17 mph in the other.
For those who aren't local, the Alderley Edge bypass was opened about 5 years ago. It has separate cycling/pedestrian lanes on both sides. Unlike most cycle lanes, the surface of the lane is from heaven; very smooth and a joy to ride on. At the end of the day, if I want to add on a few miles, I do a loop of the bypass which is 6 miles. There's not much to see other than traffic, but it's an easy way to increase mileage. If I really wanted to maximise the number of miles for my record, I would go up and down the bypass all day, but you'd have to remove part of my brain beforehand.
Another day on my own. I won't bore you with what I listened to on the radio, apart from having to hear Radio 5 presenters trying Laughter Yoga. Enough said.
This morning was a trip to Audlem. I was into the wind to get there, but had a great ride back with wind behind. Audlem have a beer festival starting at the end of next week. I think I should go and stay there that weekend. Thanks again to Tim at Audlem Cyclesport for signing my log book.
I set off at 2pm for the afternoon ride, and it started raining. I don't mind the rain, but when it's windy too I'm really slowed down. At the end of the day I went down and up the Alderley Edge bypass. To show the effect of the wind; I averaged 11mph in one direction, and 17 mph in the other.
For those who aren't local, the Alderley Edge bypass was opened about 5 years ago. It has separate cycling/pedestrian lanes on both sides. Unlike most cycle lanes, the surface of the lane is from heaven; very smooth and a joy to ride on. At the end of the day, if I want to add on a few miles, I do a loop of the bypass which is 6 miles. There's not much to see other than traffic, but it's an easy way to increase mileage. If I really wanted to maximise the number of miles for my record, I would go up and down the bypass all day, but you'd have to remove part of my brain beforehand.
Thanks to my log book signer Nigel in Goostrey News. Nigel's mother has Alzheimer's and is in a home, the same as my mother. It's good to talk to someone who appreciates the effect of the disease on the family.
I would be very pleased if you can contribute to Alzheimer's Research UK on my fundraising page:
Buttock News
Issue 10
Black shorts today. Discomfort level of 2 out of 10 in the morning and 1 out of 10 in the afternoon. My mind was concentrating more on staying upright in the wind and rain. 3 days to go. Contemplating burning my shorts.
End of Buttock News
Tuesday 18 August 2015
Day 26
I would be very pleased if you can contribute to Alzheimer's Research UK on my fundraising page:
A good day today. A bit windy, but dry and warm, so no complaints. I was on my own today, and I will be for the next couple of days. I've run out of mates!
I had to rely on my radio today for company. I had a very big decision to make. Usually at 9am I swap from Radio 5 to Radio 4. This is because on Radio 5 at 9am they have Your Call, which involves listeners with nothing else to do, who ring in and voice their opinions on the day's topic. If I want to hear random opinions I'd rather do it in a pub with a pint in my hand. Today, however, they were talking about the Rugby World Cup, which I'm very interested in. I didn't know what was on Radio 4. I was only going to stop the bike once to change channel. What to do? Because it's still a month to the World Cup, I assumed that if I learnt anything interesting, I'd either forget it by then, or it wouldn't be relevant. Switch to Radio 4.
Result!!!!!! On Radio 4 it was Stephen Fry talking about the weather. More precisely, he was talking about how we talk about the weather. The weather is currently my favourite subject. I now know that "since records began" means 1854, and so much more.
Sorry, bit of a ramble, but that's my world at the moment!
I finished my day with my routine trip to see physio Glen. My body can last for the next 4 days with no intervention. Plans to get my Achilles tendon back to the shape it should be are being put in place.
Thanks to my log book signers Ewan in Twelve50 Bikes in Frodsham, Paul in Rick Green Cycles in Handforth, and Janice at PhysioFit in Alderley Edge.
212 km today. 5570 km done in total (3461 miles).
Today's picture is Frodsham bridge.
Buttock News
Issue 9
Not much to report here, which is a good thing. Happy shorts today. Discomfort level of 2 out of 10. More soreness from left buttock now. My bottom really would like to sit on a comfy chair all day.
End of Buttock News
Monday 17 August 2015
Day 25
I really didn't know how my brain was going to manage the days of cycling after reaching the world record distance. So far I have been focussed on reaching the target, and nothing else. When I set off on my bike this morning, I immediately thought "yeah! this is a great thing to be doing!". It helped that the sun was shining. I'm a bit concerned if I get up and it's raining. My focus now is on doing my best. I know that afterwards, when I look back at what I've done, I'll be disappointed in myself if I don't continue getting the most number of miles out of my legs.
I had a very very painful experience this morning. No, not my ankle/arm/backside. This was Radio 5, on which they were doing an article on how good singing is for you. I agree totally: singing is great. I've had reports that my mum is enjoying participating in singing sessions at her nursing home. An article on how singing rekindles memories for Alzheimers sufferers would have been interesting. That is not what we got. Instead, we had two presenters doing singing warm up exercises, then they were singing. For ages. I had to remove my earpiece. Was there no news to report on? A bit more with people moaning about Jose Mourinho would have been acceptable.
Otherwise, a great day with good weather. My physio Glen from PhysioFit came cycling with me this afternoon. He chats a lot, and the time flies by. Fortunately he didn't have to tape up bits of me beforehand.
Thanks to log book signers Tim at Sideways Cycles in Alsager, Paul at Rick Green Cycles in Handforth, and Glen.
138 miles today. 5358 km (3329 miles) done in total.
Here's today's picture of Jodrell Bank in the evening sunshine.
I would be very pleased if you can contribute to Alzheimer's Research UK on my fundraising page:
Issue 8
Black shorts today, but no problems. Discomfort level of 3 out of 10 in the morning and 1 out of 10 in the afternoon.
I think that all readers of Buttock News now have full knowledge of my collection of shorts, my buttocks, and my requirement for large volumes of pure petroleum jelly. There is one other vital component which is just as important. My saddle. I have a Specialized Lithia. I bought this saddle when I purchased my Specialized bike over 3 years ago. I liked the saddle so much I bought another one! The second saddle went onto my touring bike. I think that part of the reason why I can sit on my bike for so many hours each day is that this saddle obviously suits my bottom. Many other saddles didn't.
End of Buttock News
Sunday 16 August 2015
Day 24: World Record Distance Reached
I have mentioned in a previous post that whilst I've been doing my challenge, my mother has been moved into a nursing home. She has Alzheimer's. I know that we can't help to cure her condition, but I'd like to raise awareness of the charity Alzheimer's Research UK. It would be worthwhile if we can contribute to trying to remove or delay the onset of this disease. I have set up a fundraising page:
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JanetDavison
Details of the charity are on their website www.alzheimersresearchuk.org
Heartfelt thanks from me if you can contribute.
A great day today. I reached the target Guinness World Records gave me to set the world record. The target was 5000km, and I have now done 5135km. I've still got another 6 days to add to my total, hopefully making it more difficult for people to break my record. I did 136 miles today.
It was a perfect day. I had the company of Super Domestique all day. The weather was sunny but not too warm. The funny creaking noises from my rear cassette have disappeared. My ankle is not painful any more. The tendon in my left arm is still sore, but that doesn't really matter.
I reached the target distance just outside the small village of Huxley in Cheshire at about 11:56am. I was hoping I'd reach the target whilst we were in Huxley, because the little chapel there would have been a good background for some photos. Not to be. We stopped, took a few pictures, then flagged down an unsuspecting passing cyclist. A lovely gentleman called Peter signed my log book to prove where I was, and at what time.
Thanks also to Amanda in the One Stop shop in Helsby, and M Naveed in the Shell garage in Chelford for signing my log book.
At the end of the day we have a great reception from our neighbours Collette, Stuart and smiley baby Charlotte.
Buttock News
Issue 7
Happy shorts worn, but not the perfect bottom today. Discomfort level of 3 out of 10 in the morning and 2 out of 10 in the afternoon. Right buttock is recovering, but left buttock is complaining a little.
End of Buttock News
Buttock News Sunday Colour Supplement
Saturday 15 August 2015
How does this compare to a one day sportive?
Many cyclists will be doing sportives over the summer, so I
thought I would try to explain the difference between what I am doing and what
I would do in a typical sportive.
The obvious answer is that my world record attempt is nothing
like a sportive. Sportives generally last
a day, are typically around 100 miles, and often have lots of climbing (the
ones that I do are like this). For most
people the main aim is to complete the ride in as short a time as possible to
get a gold or silver medal. Obviously
this requires quite a lot of training, with some tapering before, coupled with
carbohydrate loading to be properly fuelled.
After the event you can celebrate and replenish some of the calories
burned, although in reality it takes a few days to replenish the calories
properly and recover from the exertions of the event. During the ride you will be measuring effort
based around your heart rate, keeping it to below your target which optimises
your power output for the 4 to 8 hours duration of the ride.
My record attempt is completely different to a sportive. Firstly, the preparation is based around
making long periods of time on the bike as comfortable as possible without
building up tiredness. There is no
tapering except before the first day, and you are carrying any tiredness and
discomfort from one day to the next.
Obviously nutrition becomes important (see separate blog) and this is
all about having a balanced diet and one which also balances energy expended
with energy consumed. The main
difference between a sportive and an endurance challenge like this is the
approach to the cycling. In a sportive
you have a fixed distance to be covered in the shortest time. I am trying to cover as many miles as
possible without building up tiredness from one day to the next. This is really about managing effort. I could cycle at 17mph for 6 hours at a heart
rate of about 160 and this would mean I covered 102 miles, but would end the
day with tired legs. Instead I aim to
cycle at about 14mph for 10 hours at an average heart rate of no more than 130
covering 140 miles, but crucially no tired legs. On good days I may even stay out for even
longer meaning I will cover more miles.
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