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Say "HOW I LOVE YOUR DAFFODILS"
at the till to get a massive 15% discount on a set of Oakleys
It's worth it to hear it said!!
Offer not redeemable against any other 'deal' or sale purchase.
Spring has finally sprung!
Thank heavens for a bit of Spring air, bright sunshine and a garden finally a bloom with daffodils! The house has now warmed up and we are enthused to get back into the rhythm of regular training - It's been a long, long winter.
The time trial season has begun, Triathlon training camps have started and Whinlatter hosted their Mountain BIke Challenge. Phil and his gang are in training for the epic Landsend to John O Groats which is due to start May Bank Holiday and our tri club has a team of athletes training for Ironman Nice.
LANDS END TO JOHN O GROATS
The journey down was long and tedious but lightened with the school boy antics.
We arrived at Lands End at 4.21am as Jon settled into his sleeping bag Arctic sleeping bag OUTSIDE the van! Then came the rain. whilst the children in the van giggled JT slept soundly.
The day didn't start well, the weather was cold and wet with a wind that would have cut you in half but like true hardened norse man we battled on and came out victorious.
The terrain was long and hilly with 4,000 feet of accent but again like true athletes we made it through with the thought of a cold pint and a hot meal in the evening. We finished the 81 mile ride (as planned) feeling tired but relieved that the first section is behind us. We hope for better weather to drive through to Bristol.
Day 2. Another long day in the saddle into a stiff head wind. The rain held off and the sun shone, but the temperature was low. The start in launceston finished off the last few hills of devon before a spell of relatively flat riding. A 90 miles food stop and spirits were high as no body mentioned the Mendip hills on the approach to Bristol. Two massive climbs later and Bristol was in sight. The final straw was when we realise the hotel was not in Bristol but 20 miles further down the road. The team rolled into the hotel at 8.30, back into the van to catch some food and a beer at the local pub. Ride of the day goes to Graham Stewart who was tired after 40 miles but keep going until the 128 was completed. Off to bed now hoping for a change in wind direction all the way to Warrington.
Day 3. A gentle warm up over the suspension bridge before we sent off in earnest for Hereford for early morning coffee and cake. With the hills in and around Hereford and the beautiful Monmouth valley out of the way the terrain levelled out. So whilst the head wind still blew the roads were easier all the way past Shrewsbury and on into Cheshire. With a steady intake of food all day the lads were still feeling strong long after the sun went down. We finally came to a halt at 10.30pm with 140 miles under the belt. Now we are looking forward to a night in our own beds and our fellow riders from Penrith to drag us over shap.
Day 4. Warrington to Penrith. A slow start to the day as we had to pass through Warrington, Wigan and Preston before heading out onto the open road to Lancaster, Carnforth and Milnthorp. The weather improved and we made good time into Kendal. We paused for a while in Morrisons cafe contemplating the climb up Shap fell before we hit the road. As we set off we were met by the first group of Penrith support riders, which swelled to over 20 as we reached the summit. A lovely ride into Penrith being sheltered by our peloton. Finally an early finish to our day. A big thank you to all those who have turned out to ride with us and cheer us on.
 Day 5. A slightly damp start to the day as we made or way through Carlisle meeting a few more supports on the way, including Border city Sammy at kingstown. A full 'Scottish' breakfast at Gretna gateway and we were set for the day. It turned into another epic battle with the head wind. The team eventually landed in Stirling after 135 miles of torture. We had each had a 'moment' during the day battling exhaustion. But we all got there in the end. A quick supper and sleep. Tomorrow we head into the high lands aiming to finish Inverness.
Day 6. The day it all went wrong! It started with cool temperatures and a stiff head wind. We rode hard to get up to Crief for our lunch, but then missed a sign post and rode off in the wrong direction! After a really nice, tail wind assisted 20 miles we realised the loch that appeared should not have been there...........gutted. So we retraced our steps to our error in Crief and tried to raise our spirits. This was not easy as there are some big hills in and around Crief and then to get past Aberfeldy more of the same. By the end of the day we had reached 105 miles and back onto the A9. But well short of our target of Inverness some 60 miles further on. So it was back into the van for the ride to the hotel and a new plan for the remaining miles.
Day 7. The weather this fine Scottish morning is overcast and absolutely freezing cold! So all the lads had full winter gear on as we headed off from Dalwhinnie into another stiff head wind. Swopping between the very busy A9 and the slow and winding cycle track our first stop of the day was in Aviemore for coffee and swapping of support crew as Stuarts dad joined us. From here the weather steadily improved as we approached Inverness. After a quick dinner stop in the usual B+Q carpark, things were starting to improve. The sun was out and the temperature rose. Over the Black Isle and on towards Glen Morangie, the scenery is stunning with the sea on one side and the mountains on the other. Stopping every 20 miles for food as we approached the 100 mile mark, this  soon ceased as we realised we had to be at Helmdale before 8.30 to catch the chip shop. So with 125 miles in our legs we raced the final 10.... we got there just in time for the biggest plate of fish and chips you have ever seen. A quick walk around the harbour watching seals try to catch fish was a wonderful end to our long but rewarding day. 55 miles to the finish. See you tomorrow.
We made it as you can see from our picture above! Please keep checking back for further information on the completion of our amazing trip....
Check out Rich and Jez, some cracking memories were made on their Trans Alp Adventure:
Group Spring Cycling
Road
There are one or two things to tell you here.. in particular the wonderful turn out on a Tuesday night 'Ladies Night'! Over 20 lycra clad women meet outside the shop for a ride together. This is not an organised event, simply a group of friends meeting to cycle together but has proven to be a great way of increasing fitness - stamina and endurance. If you fancy getting involved visit the shop before 6pm any Tuesday.
As usual, Monday and Thursday night is group riding, meet at the shop 17.30 - average pace is 18 mph+ so good for those training for competition.
NEW! Off road
There is now a regular Mountain Bike trip setting out on Thursday night - e-mail us at the shop for details or just turn up at Tourist Information Centre across from the shop for an 18.30 departure.
Leisure
We need some people to come forward for a new cycle ride on Wednesday evening. The ride is aimed purely at social cyclists who want to enjoy a pootle with some company. This is for the leisure cyclist. The plan is to get a regular meet at 18.30 every Wednesday night. Please get in touch if you want to be involved.
New Brands
As we try and evolve to meet our customers needs, we have been actively seeking for new brands to fill the shop - 2XU, OAKLEY, SKINS, CRAFT join some of our brands such as Light In Motion for light solutions and Altura for clothing which have also been extended.
Every good bike shop needs a coffee machine.....
Come and join us for a freshly ground Rijo 42 coffee or speciality tea... and have a browse round our new look easy to navigate shop!
See you soon and until then, happy cycling!
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