I’m still slightly struggling to wonder how I signed myself up to cycle around 85 miles a day from Lucerne to London in mid-summer. Like many I enjoy a bit of sport – I’ve had a go at a few charity rides and runs and swim a bit, but this one is “the big one” for me. A whole week on a bike, day in day out with some pretty massive climbs thrown in for fun. Am I scared? Yes terrified. But determined to do it too.

My inspiration came from watching the riders who set out from Canterbury Cathedral five years ago to cycle to Rome. I was working at the cathedral at the time and followed their progress with awe. Not long after I invested in my first bike and got into the saddle. I came out of it several times too as I became accustomed to cycle shoes that clip into your pedals and don’t release before you hit the ground. It’s often more than your pride that is wounded.

I was welcomed into the Canterbury Velo Club who’ve all shown remarkable patience with their newer members who struggle to keep up on our long Saturday rides around the east Kent countryside throughout the year. I’m still slower than most but the great camaraderie and the promise of beans on toast at a cafe mid-way round keep your legs turning.

I now think nothing of cracking in 50 miles on a Saturday although I still wince at the sight of a hill (not a strong point) so the mountains are going to be tough.
My training has increased this year. Regular trips out on the bike, circuits at Fowlmead, spinning classes and sessions with the wonderful Denise at the gym who berates me for having weak legs! I always feel that I should be doing more but with a full time job at Canterbury City Council and a young family, life is generally pretty busy. But with just a few weeks more until D-day (departure day) the pressure is on.

There’s still plenty to do, stuff to buy and maps to pore over. I just wish there were more than 24 hours in a day.

Riding in the heat is going to be our biggest problem. The last few days of hot sun have given us a taste, or a forewarning! On Saturday most of the riders went out for 85 miles training. In Greece the temperatures could easily reach 40 or more in the shade. We’re planning to start as early as we can in order to get some miles in before the sun starts to burn. Drinking water is key. You can easily use 2 litres an hour. But riding in the sun is also glorious. Everything feels smooth and strong. If you are cycling at 20mph then in effect you have a 20mph wind cooling you down.

Cliff has raised £620 for the O2O’s sponsorship funds by organising a curry night in a local pub near where he lives in Teynham. He even had an Elvis impersonator!

Two special people are doing the whole trip from Olympia the hard way. Barbara and Robin will be flying out several days before the rest of us with their bikes and their luggage. They will then set off from Olympia without the benefit of support a support vehicle carrying food, water, luggage and spares. They will be able to do fewer miles per day as a result. They plan that we will catch them up in Lucerne in Switzerland when we are joined by the 15 Corinthian Casuals. Barbara and Robin have named themselves the Spartan Lites, but what they are doing will be hard. Long days in the saddle carrying all your food and equipment in panniers will be tough going.

The 12 riders who are setting off from Olympia are faced with a Herculean task. The heat and the long distances repeated day after day will take their toll. This will be a Spartan trip with long days in the saddle and basic accommodation. We will be joined in Lucerne, Switzerland, by 15 more friends. We have teasingly named them the Corinthian Casuals, but in reality they will still be joining us in averaging 85 miles for the second week which is tough going for any cyclist. And we will all be raising funds for the Kent Air Ambulance.

Kings School Canterbury has promised us half of the proceeds from their summer fete. That should be about £1000. Marvellous. Less than six weeks to go before the twelve of us leave for Athens.

It’s really good to be raising money for the Air Ambulance (KSSAAT). Everyone recognises that it’s a great community charity. So many people have a personal story of the impact of the Air Ambulance Helicopter in responding to an emergency. With traffic so bad in the south east and with the importance of getting ill and injured to A&E within an hour everyone can see how effective KSSAAT is in dealing with emergencies. A great cause.

Training continues. On Saturday a beautiful ride through the sharply hilly and wood flanked Kent lanes. 10 of us did a swift 25 miles out through Grove Ferry and Upstreet to the north coast. Then back through Whitstable for coffee and fruit cake at Ed’s house, before joining up with another dozen or so for a fifty mile circuit south. Alastair and Maggie joined us for the first time. Suddenly we crested a ridge and there before us was a field of golden rape with the sea beyond. Down into Folkestone and along to the Prom to Hythe for beans on toast and mugs of tea. Looks as thoguh all this training is having an effect – definitely some slimmer figures, and as a result some faster riders, especially up the hills. Stowting Hill still sorts everyone out and then a harum scarum full pelt lung bursting ride past Burstead to Bridge to celebrate and end a great day’s ride.

Exciting to see the Olympic Flame being lit at Olympia. That’s exactly where our ride will start on June 30th. We will be slightly less elegantly dressed – in lycra. Paul is deisigning the shirts ready for printing soon. Meanwhile exciting also to think that Jerome will be carrying that Olympic torch when it comes through Kent on July 18th which will be after we get back.

We are all very saddened at the death yesterday of our good friend Paul. Paul was out cycling with some of our Olympian riders on the Pilgrim’s Hospice ride when he seems tragically to have had a heart attack. Big Paul was the original solid citizen, strong, dependable, generous and with a good sense of humour. The Air Ambulance Crew flew in from their base but sadly could do nothing.