Training Regime

Hi everyone !

Since yesterday I've had a number of emails about the Training Regime for Riding with Ric.

First of all, I'm absolutely delighted to announce that Jeff Dobson has agreed to become Tour Coach and Matt Cook has agreed to become Tour Physio.
   Both will be warming up for the Hastings to Tunbridge Wells ride by doing the London to Brighton British Heart Foundation ride  ... earlier on the same day !!


Jeff has now completed the Training Schedule, which as you will see is "arduous"
https://skydrive.live.com/view.aspx/.Documents/Riding%20with%20Ric%20-%20Points%20of%20Interest.doc?cid=3127d65a3a4ea866&Bsrc=SkyMail&Bpub=SDX.SkyDrive

As you may know, I am No Alcohol as from 1 January 2012  until the day of the ride.

I feel it is only right to tell you the view of a correspondent of mine:
Why are you spending six months of your life, which you will never have back, denying yourself something that gives you so much pleasure?  
I've racked my brains and cannot come up with anything much more pointless. 
And from a practical point of view, you need to build up your stamina if you are going to cope with a drink at each of the pubs en route. 




So many great pubs along the route; here's just one we will definitely be stopping at :

The Greyhound at Wadhurst is a MUST STOP AT pub.

My Mum & Dad called in for a celebratory drink on Saturday 23 June 1951.

Dad had a pint of beer that evening  - & when we stop there on Sunday 17 June 2012, some 61 years on, I will be having a pint too !!

Keep pedalling, Ric 

Donations to Rainbow Trust:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/RidingWithRic

Recce of Ric's Ride

Hi everyone !

Jeff Dobson * very kindly accompanied me yesterday on a Recce of Ric's Ride.


* Jeff will be doing the London to Brighton British Heart Foundation bike ride earlier on the same day,immediately before my little ride 


On a wonderfully warm and sunny Sunday we drove down to Hastings to begin at St Leonards Warrior Square station.

A very good start : there are two pubs within sight of the station !

We were soon driving round Warrior Square and pausing outside of No. 66, where I first lived !

Off along the Front and there was our first stopping point: the White Rock Hotel.

On 17th June will we ever remount our bikes ?
       Or will be spend the rest of the day in the Pub ?

Jeff & I were soon in Hastings Old Town, passing the Blue Dolphin ( "Best fish & chips in the world" : Probably) and turning left into Old London Road for the long, long climb up to the Fairlight Hills.
   
    Let's be honest, this is a hill for pushing your bike up quite a bit of the way !!!

On through Battery Hill, we were soon at Pett Level and driving along the Winchelsea sea wall & on into Rye.

Parking in the cricket ground car park & walking up Landgate brought back so many memories of childhood walks with my cousin Pat & my Aunt Ivy's chocolate cake ( "Best in the world": Definitely).

And then were outside The George.

The first pub I ever went to; aged 3 weeks !
     This Sunday 13 July it will be 60 years to the day since that first visit with Dad.

Jeff and I walked up West Street and through the Church gardens and the Gun Garden to the Ypres Castle pub.

As for the scallops... " Best in the world !".

After lunch it was off to Peasmarsh and Newenden and on through the Hursts: Sandhurst, Hawkhurst, Ticehurst & Wadhurst.

We briefly stopped at the Oak & Ivy. The plan is to stop there for re-fuelling on the bike ride

And finally it was  down Warwick Park in to the Pantiles at Tunbridge Wells.

Our final stop, the Duke of York.

The 50th pub we had  passed since starting in Warrior Square !!

----

This is going to be a hell of a challenge for me.
   Some 45 miles.
  Not to mention all the pubs !!!

I hope you will be able to come along to help me on my way.

As my old history teacher, Brigadier P F "Foxy" Wells, used to say:
   Boys, in this life you get an E for Effort.
   You only get an A for Achievement.

Onward, Ric

Donations to Rainbow Trust:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/RidingWithRic