Well, we’re just back from Training Camp, otherwise known as Center Parcs in the Lake District – great cycling conditions and some spectacular scenery.
It sounds nice but this was no holiday. It was more a tale of blood, sweat and tears; huff, puff and burn; the ‘Twin Peaks Experience’; and a few ‘mechanicals’ thrown in for good measure……!
The majority of the team was there and were joined by Donnie and Kevin from our event organising company, Sport Ecosse, giving them their first opportunity to gauge our readiness and ability to ride as a team. Safe to say, we all have a much better feel for what we have got ourselves into……!
The weekend of training saw the team negotiate a total of 150 miles and 10,000 feet - equivalent to one fifth and one third of the bike4forty distance and climb stats respectively with Day 2 presenting the greatest challenge by some way. Especially planned by our kind-hearted Sport Ecosse coaches, it involved a thigh-burning and energy-sapping 5,300 feet of altitude gain including the now-christened ‘twin peaks’ of Shap and Kirkstone Pass. Great preparation for the main event and a real eye-opener for all……
We are all training hard and ‘aiming big’ and we are very grateful to everyone who gets behind the team, donates and helps to give us the motivation that will get us through what will be - for some at least! - the physical ordeal of a lifetime……!
We hope to not just achieve, but smash, our Forty Thousand Pounds fundraising target in aid of The Archie Foundation, Beaton Cancer Charity & Christie Cancer Charity.
A special mention must go to our event sponsors without whom bike4forty would not be possible – Encon, Burness Paull, Morton Fraser, NHBC, Extended Mind, WA Fairhurst, Future Factory, SMEG UK and Eclipse Planning Services.
Your support is greatly appreciated. Please visit the Virgin Money Giving page
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/StewartMilnebike4forty to watch our fundraising total grow.
Many thanks,
The bike4forty Team