Training ride to Malvern from Wolves. In a word; Hilly.

So, yesterday myself and the machine that answers to the name James Green, completed a training ride to the rather posh place that is Malvern. Not the sort of place you'd expect to find a street called "Cockshot Road", but it's there. Nice.

The ride there was fairly quick, bang on 2 hours and 8 minutes, according to my trip computer. There had been a few climbs on the way there, but nothing major. So we stopped for food and decided on the route home. The thing about using Google Maps is it's all just a load of lines on a screen, it doesn't say that there's a man eater of a climb on your chosen route. Well there was and it hated me. Stupid hill.

I've since found out that this hill is called Ankerdine Hill (which kinda rhymes with what I was calling it halfway up) and it was part of the Tour of Britain route in 2007. There's a video on youtube of the climb, viewed from the bars of someone taking part in a time trial up the hill. It's here if you want to see what it's like. It made me realise that I need to really up my training on steep stuff like this, as it really sapped all my strength for the rest of the ride home. Every hill seemed like a mountain after that.

So, more training tomorrow night, nothing as challenging as Ankerdine though.

Nice one to Green for waiting at the top for me, I'm pretty sure he got up there in a fraction of the time I did!

Cheers, Chris.

Give us your cash!

We have a page set up to accept your donations here - www.justgiving.com/bike-vs-bus, the pledges are already rolling in, so thanks to those who have already given. As for the rest of you - what are you waiting for?!

Cheers

Chris

Bike Vs Bus

FUNDRAISER TAKES ON BIKE VERSUS BUS CHALLENGE FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK

A Dudley volunteer fundraiser is taking on a John O’Groats to Land’s End challenge with a difference, in a bid to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Alan Peace, 64, will be battling it out against James Green, 23, from Swindon and Chris Soden, 33, from Telford, to see who can arrive at Land’s End first. The twist is that keen racing cyclists James and Chris will be making the 1009 mile journey on their bikes, while Alan will be travelling by bus.

Alan, who is engaged to be married in October to James’ mum, Debbie, said, “The challenge to see who could get to Land’s End first came about from a chance remark at lunch one day when I had just received my bus pass. We were laughing about it and came up with the idea which, as far as we know, has not been done before.

Alan, who is the Senior Warden of Himley Hall and Park, added,"The lads can start riding as early as they like each morning but I will be restricted by the bus routes and timetables and will need to make up to twelve bus changes each day. Whatever happens and whoever wins, it will certainly be a lot of fun!”

Alan and the lads decided to attempt the challenge as part of Alan’s ongoing project to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Alan began fund-raising for the charity in 2004 having lost his wife, Joan, to cancer. Since then, he has raised almost £27,000 for the charity and was presented with both a Cancer Research UK Flame of Hope Award and an Express & Star Local Hero Award last year in recognition of his achievements.

Leonie Hudson, Cancer Research UK’s area volunteer manager for the Black Country said: “We are absolutely delighted that Alan, James and Chris are undertaking this challenge. It’s a terrific idea and quite a departure for Alan, who is usually found climbing high altitude mountains. We are very grateful for their support and wish them the best of luck.”

Leonie added: “Cancer Research has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer and continues to do so. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund our vital research.”

The group will be setting off from John O’Groats on the morning of Wednesday 21^st July and aim to arrive at Land’s End as early as possible on 30^th July. Rotarian Alan will also be finding time along the way to call in on as many Rotary Clubs as he can to talk about his exploits and try to raise some extra sponsorship. For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work to find out how to support the charity, please call 08701 60 20 40 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.uk