More changes - page 8

7 May 2009

Over the last couple of weeks I have managed to get in a decent mileage. Nearly averaged 65 miles per week, which I am very pleased with. If I can keep that sort of mileage up each week I know I will make some good progress with improving my fitness and strength for using the handcycle.

There is one problem I find though when out riding my local lanes - horses. I can only remember one horse that did not get affected seeing me in the handcycle. It cannot be the bright yellow shirt I often wear, as this I used to wear on my bicycle without any problems. I think the low position of the handcycle might be what spooks the horses. The end result is having to wait while the rider tries to manoeuvre the horse past me!

25 May 2009

On Sunday 7th June I take part in the Mix 96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride. This is a sponsored ride on behalf of WheelPower which helps provide wheelchairs for sport in the United Kingdom. Please have a look at the link below and sponsor me. You can make a BIG difference to disabled peoples' lives.

12 July 2009

After being posponed on 7th June due to the roads being flooded because of heavy overnight rain, today I rode the Mix 96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride. I had chosen the 30 mile ride as I thought it would be a reasonable challenge for me. What I did not realise was there was 2 miles of climbing uphill. This came after about 5 miles of steady riding. The uphill section seemed to go on and on!! It was so bad I actually had to stop part way up to have a rest. Once that was over there were no nasty surprises, just undulating roads. I thing the hardest part of the ride is getting all my sponsorship money.

18 July 2009

Only 6 days after my sponsored ride I have taken part in my first handcycle race. It was at Fowlmead in Kent and was the 2009 National Disability Circuit Championship (I did not enter the Time Trial). For my first ever race I was pleased to come 10th out of 13. Particularly as the best racers included a Paralympic champion. It has shown me the area I need to improve on for the next race at Warwick on 6th September.