Up to date info on memory map.

I have some company on the ride, another rider is coming along and he has taken up the offer from Memory Map and i've used the software to create the route.

It's good, if you're getting a number of maps throughout the country I'd advise you to consider Memory Map, you can not only trace a route along paths aand rights-of-way but it can also give you an elevation profile which can be handy if you're limited in what you can do or want a specific type of ride.

The other bonus is that you can print the bit you want rather than having to use two maps which I'd done sometimes in the High Peak and in the Lakes.

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Had some trouble with my training plan. I started it four weeks ago, which is fine, but I set it out to do some in the morning and some at night. Basically I was trying to train for two events simultaneously. Big mistake. If there is one thing I'm not (apart from sane) it's a morning person.

So, I've restructured my training plan, take a look at the table below, see my life for the next eight weeks. (I had to put it as a picture, the table was just too big for this layout):

The hill running is up the side of a pub called the Grouse in Birch Vale (if anyone lives locally) and is a run up the hill for two or three minutes as the plan states and then a slow jog down for 45 seconds to get the heart rate back down to at least 140 bpm.

The hill and sprints for the bike are on the same hill but there is a flat road in front of the hill that I try (and the word try is very appropriate) to sprint up and down before doing a hill climb, descending and then doing another pairs of sprints and a climb again.

I did my first full days ride, with the new back pack,on Saturday (24th March). It was OK, I broke my saddle. I had it positioned too far back, I sat on it suddenly at the bottom of a roller and snapped the support tube that clamps to the seat post. It was still clamped so I road home on the road but I'd done 50km all off-road from New Mills to Fairholmes at Derwent Reservoir, so not bad, and good time, I averaged 10.5 km/hr and an all off-road route.

The pack is comfy and there really is loads of room, this weekend I'm going to try it fully laden, we'll see how I go.

STUMBLE

One more thing, I've added a stumble button to the page, give it a click and register the page, if you haven't joined stumble do so, it'll absorb all of your free time and devour your soul, but other than that it's quite good really.

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I had a go at packing my bag today to see if I have enough room in it for everything.

Just...

Here's what Ive packed already:

Cycling Clothes

• 3 pairs cycling shorts
• 3 cycling shirts
• 2 pairs cycling socks
• 1 cycling coat (although I'm getting another one to take as well)
• 1 Pair leg-ins (just in case we get hit by bad weather)

Evening Wear

• 3 pairs boxers
• 2 pairs shorts
• 2 t-Shirts
• 1 fleece (this can be used when cycling as well if it gets really cold and wet)
• 1 pair sandals

Bike Equipment

• Compass
• Compact tool kit
• Long nose pliers
• Chain splitter
• 2 spare inner tubes
• Puncture repair kit
• First aid kit
• Pump
• Bike lock
• 4ltrs water (2 X 2ltrs)

I need to get:

• Spare chain
• Spare gear cables
• Lots of zip ties (bikers best friend)
• Vaseline (8 days of riding is going to chafe)
• Toiletries (deodourant, toothpaste, toothbrush, shower gel-doubles as shampoo)

I also need to figure out what I'm doing for dinner as any sandwiches are going to get well and truly squashed and bananas will end up totally black.

Things to think about, but the pack weight is 10kg, which isn't too bad and the bag feels great on the shoulders walking around the house.

Got a trial quest tomorrow, the last one of the season, next weekend I'll do Edale and see how a full pack feels when riding over difficult terrain for a long time.

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Generosity

I've received a generous offer today, as you can imagine I've a lot of stuff to carry and finding the right type of backpak isn't easy. There is one that everyone raves about, the Deuter Trans Alpine 30 ltr Backpack and outdoorgb (www.outdoorgb.com) have kindly offered me one today at a discounted price to help with the fundraising effort.

Needless to say, hands were bitten and I've taken this offer up.

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Well the route is almost planned now, it won't take much more I'm just sorting out the last three places to stay.

The 12 week training program was due to start this week but I had a bit of a problem last Friday, I forgot I wasn't a teenager any more. I went to an 80s fancy dress, nelly the elephant came on, when I woke the next morning my neck was trashed and my back got worse after I went riding on the Sunday, and I'm aiming to do eight days and 325 miles.......oops.

I'll post the training plan soon, this is me saying bye-bye to any free time over the next 12 weeks.

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