1,000 Miles Training Milestone

A "short" 21 miles round trip this morning now completes 1,000 miles this year (2011) so far to train for the Ghana Cycle Challenge. Only 250 more miles to go to achieve my target of 1,250 by end of September.

The weather was windy, wet but warm(ish). Hopefully we will have a summer soon to get used to cycling in the heat, although I haven't seen a long range forecast for 34+ degrees which it will be in Ghana.

Setting off on round trip to complete 1,000 miles in 2011 so far

Exhausting 100 Mile Training Weekend

Wow, a very tough weekend cycling 50 miles each day in the rain and driving wind.  On Saturday I cycled from our house to our friends (Karen, Nick, Georgia, Holly and Rhianna) in Desford for lunch.  Before arriving I took  a 10 mile detour around Thornton reservoir when the heavens opened and I was soaked to the skin.  That was a mistake!

Preparing to leave home for the first 50 miles 

We had a great lunch and it was excellent catching up before setting off for the short 5 miles to Mum and Dad's in Groby, north west Leicestershire.  

A hot bath was a great relief (but don't think there will be any of those in Ghana!) before dinner at a new Italian restaurant in Anstey which has excellent and good refuelling - especially after burning over  3,000 calories on the ride.

Slept like a log and after a great home made breakfast set off on the return journey.

Leaving Mum and Dad's on Sunday Morning

Stopped at Meriden (middle of England) for a short lunch break and a bite to eat with Jill and Elise in the recovery vehicle.   Took some pictures of the cross marking the middle of England and the monument to the cyclists who lost their likes in the second world war.

Monument to World War II Cyclists

 Centre of England information on the cross marking the middle of England

The cross marking the middle of England.

Took another detour on the way home to ensure I did 50 miles but not so picturesque this time travelling on main roads.

A great ride and training session with thankfully no punctures or problems and all kit worked well.

Thanks to the Turner Family, Mum and Dad and Jill and Elise for their kind hospitality and support!!!

Amazing £2,000 donations now received - Huge Thanks!

Many thanks to everyone who has donated an amazing £2,000 to provide clean drinking water for the town of Kwahu-Tafo in Ghana for my charity cycle challenge.

This is an incredible amount of money and I now only have a few weeks left before the deadline and I am hoping to raise £3,000 which excludes my own donation of £1,500 to cover the costs.

If you are thinking of donating, I would very much appreciate if you could do this as soon as possible given the deadline.

My Virgin Just Giving site is:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NeilHollins

Thank you again for all your support and it makes the 800 training miles I have cycled so far this year so worthwhile!!!

Neil.