#2012milesin2012

Did a short (13 miles) recovery ride today. Leg still feel sore and seemingly little strength in the legs, but had to be disciplined not to push it too hard. In terms of my 2012 miles in 2012 challenge, today's ride with the 72 covered on Sunday, takes me to 445.25 miles covered this year, with 1566.8 miles to go. I'm just shy of the run rate but the London Revolution should put me firmly back on track, along with the necessary training runs I have to do before then, so I am not too worried. There's loads of people doing 2012 miles in 2012 and you can find them on twitter by hashtagging #2012milesin2012 Anyway, run today was tracked by the Garmin and is below.

A very large part of my motivation to do 2012 miles in 2012, apart from the moral mid life panic of hitting 40 and the bulgwaistlines oil to accompany it, was the inspiration I got from an 11 year old girls called Vanessa Riddle. Vanessa is suffering from a rare cancer called Neuroblastoma. She has been fighting it for many years. In fact about 14 months ago she was given the all clear, but the cancer came back about 6 months go. Shockingly the NHS policy on the return of Neuroblastoma is not to treat. I essence saying there's no more they can do for her. How could you EVER say that to a child?? The US does have treatment and this is where Vanessa and her family aimed their sights, but first needed to raise £500,000 to cover the cost of treatment. I found out about Vanessa's fight and challenge and was inspired to try and help in any way I could. The courage with which Vanessa is facing her fight, and the support of her family, is so very inspirational and gave me some much needed focus for my minor middle aged insecurities. So every day I am now forced to think about Vanessa, about the miles I must cycle, and the money I need to raise (£2012 seemed fitting). So far I have cycled about 23% of my total and raised about 10% of my total. So off track slightly on bother, but I will persevere. As an aside, the Vanessa Riddle fundraising total now stands at 3/4 million pounds which is FANTASTIC news. As you can expect, Vanessa has taken the opportunity of the momentum of her campaign to keep raising much needed funds to support herself, but also the Neuroblastoma charity who is supporting her, so that others might benefit in the same way. An amazing 11 year old indeed!! If you are inspired by this and would like to support me in my endeavours to help the please visit http://www.justgiving.com/RupertRiding4Vanessa Thank you!!

Nice ride out today incorporating some of the route of the Sring Southern Classic last weekend. Basically the bit from Tilford, through Thursley up to the Devils Punchbowl. Then had a lovely decent from Hindhead down to Frensham and home.

Managed to get a swift 16.74 mile outing today during lunchtime. Felt good to get out again and feeling stronger again after the Sportive really took it out of me 2 weekends ago. Need to build on this and my strength to prep me for the London Revolution which is only 5 weeks away.... GULP. Takes me to 24% of my 2012 mile target for 2012.

Managed to get out today for a lovely ride. Most of the route was one I did last week, but added a few extra miles on at the end instead of going straight back home. Took a photo of my bike before going out. Unfortunately picked up a puncture (first one in ages) but need to say thanks very much to a fellow (touring) cyclist who took her time to make sure I was OK and had everything in hand. Most kind. Didn't gas to inflate which meant I was running a bit soft for the last part, and due to various obstructions and badly timed moments it meant I didn't get much momentum on some of the downhill parts which meant I was pushing hard all the way for the last 5 or so miles. Anyhow - it's all good for the legs, and having managed to keep the ride to the big ring, I am hoping I am building strength up for the London Revolution in 5 weeks time. My 2012 miles in 2012 stats now sit at 25% completed, 509.33 miles done with 1502.7 miles to go. So 1/4 of the way there and just over 1/4 of the year gone. Not too bad and the 180 miles next month should have me well on track if not over-achieving.

Profile of day 2

Glad to get out again today. Beautiful morning. Was a little worried about negotiating the school run traffic but I seemed to have timed it quite well and missed the main rush at the school hotspots. Good to add a few miles, and with the car going in for a new windscreen tomorrow (which takes 2 hours), I wonder what I am going to do in the meantime.... Only trouble is that it's booked in for 8am so early start for me. Still, minor inconvenience. As for my 2012 miles in 2012 challenge, it takes my total for the year to 526.57 miles with 1485.4 miles to go. So broadly on track at 26% completed.

OK. So the title is a bit lame. Had to take the car in to get a new windscreen fitted and it needed 2 hours to allow the glue to set, and the work to be done, so I took the opportunity to get out on my bike. I created a course on the Garmin website, and sent it to my device and then effectively cycled blind, following the Garmin 800 directions. It worked a treat. I guess my only 2 gripes with the Garmin 800 are:- 1) Directions. You have to follow a blue line, which in sunlight can be difficult to see. Would much rather have BIG arrows pointing the right direction, or better still - Voice guidance like a car sat nav. 2) Rounabouts - For some reason the Garmin is insistent on sending me the wrong way round a roundabout. Not usually noticeable, but on the bigger rouandabouts I get a screetching that I have gone off course. Still, minor gripes. Today took me 22.5 miles to add to my 2012 miles in 2012 total, so pleased with that little addition.