29 Dec 2007: Is this mad?

29 Dec 07: Team Meeting in Guildford

An interesting day ahead! Having been talking about this LEJOG ride for a several weeks, Iain has called a meeting to get the riders together to go for a ride and talk about the challenge.

I'm in Cradley, near Malvern, away from home visiting family for Christmas, the ride is at 11am, and I don't have a bike. Left Cradley about 9:30am for the 140 mile drive (yes - that's less miles than any stage we are going to do). On leaving Cradley, I couldn't help but think about the roads I was driving on, the distance travelled, what it would be like doing this on a bike, this hill is steep, isn't it a long way!

Had a good chat with Jules about the ride and offered the services of my parents for the support team, which was well received - phone my parents just to check they were serious about their offer - they were!

Had a read of the lovely information pack Jules & Iain had put together - training plan, route, fundraising etc. while waiting for the riders to get back from their ride. Six riders turn up, looking happy they had been out for a ride - I wish I had managed to sort out a bike and get their for the ride - still I wasn't the only one not to do the ride...

Good team meeting, sharing of experiences, concerns about the ride, tips on clothing, energy drinks, equipment, etc. Training plan looks manageable for the first couple of months!! Then I'm going to have to seriously think about time management!

Exchanged phone number with Tim to organise a ride before heading back the 140 miles to Cradley, talked about the ride with Clare (my wife) and the in-laws - they all think I'm mad, but are being very supportive!