From the Training Diary of Team Captain....Trevor Aslan

"At the start of the month I splashed out on a carry case and some wheel bags for my bike – not only to look flash but also in order to take my bike on the Eurostar and then onwards to the Netherlands. I’ve been visiting my girlfriend but couldn’t bear to be without “The Bike” for nearly a month. Of course the Netherlands and Belgium (she’s on a year abroad at Maastricht University on the border of the two countries) are famed for their cycling. 


But what I didn’t realise that the cycle lanes, shops and general attitude to cyclists would be so different from the U.K. The major difference being that “strict liability” is enforced by law, making car drivers always at fault if they crash into bike riders, and of course the two countries are as flat as a pancake which makes a nice change from the hills where I usually ride. Simply, the place is simply a dream for cyclists!

I’ve done a number of mid-distance rides to explore the country since being here (about 2-3 hours each), one longer one (nearer to 80 miles) and, as ever, riding my bike for all my shorter trips around town (I’ve never been a fan of paying for buses!). On the long ride, from Maastricht to Lommel, I had a chance to test out the carbohydrate and electrolyte ‘Shots’ supplied to us by our nutrition sponsor Clif Bar. I’ve used them for long distance running before but they proved themselves for cycling too, and the team will be glad to have them on the challenge itself fuelling us for mile after mile. 

I’ve been riding for long enough now that my body is used to such distances in the saddle and I don’t have to hobble everywhere the next day (which some of the novices in our team will be going through, read about Hannah’s experience below) but I have found, much to my annoyance, that a spare battery for my speedometer is yet another necessity in my saddle pouch for long rides. Hopefully these discoveries will mean that when it comes to the competition, we have everything we could possibly need to beat our rivals!"

Why we are doing the Challenge.

The ABF is the driving force for this challenge, both Oxford and Cambridge are seeking to raise considerable funds for the charity through fund and awareness raising. Please look to the links on the right of this post for the links to CUOTC's JustGiving page and donate generously.


Thank You. 

Hannah McInroy Naylor's Training Diary

Hannah McInroy Naylor gives us a short account of her recent training experiences:

I have to admit that I was slightly pensive about cycling more than ten miles for the first time in about two years when I set out to begin my training. As a novice on a road bike, the first few miles were a bit wobbly, and discovering an irrational fear of roundabouts was another minor problem. I soon settled into the saddle, and became quickly comfortable on the bike. Comfortable probably isn’t the best word to use; sitting down was a bit awkward for a few days after!

As part of my training since, I have cycled from Brandon to Norwich – about 40 miles. The cycling itself wasn’t too hard, but as I had been home for the weekend, I had a 10kg day sack on my back. My legs and bum – the things that I thought would hurt – were fine, whereas my shoulders and back ached from the weight of the bag. I have also cycled to the Norfolk coast, starting at 7am, and arriving at the beach just in time for breakfast.

Not the longest ride I have done, but perhaps the hardest (on the way back anyway), was a 30 mile ride, with a half marathon sandwiched in the middle. As the race was in South Walsham, Tom and I thought it would be a brilliant idea to cycle there. The journey there was fine, as was the run, but the cycle on the way back proved less than fun, especially when faced with a head wind for the majority of the way. It felt good when we got back though, and I hope to do a few more ‘duathlon’ type things in the future! 

Keep following for more training diaries and updates from the riders and the fund raising team. 

Upcoming Posts

What's up and coming...

As the riders prepare for the challenge, we will follow them through their training diaries, practice rides and other aspects of their training. Already members of the team have completed such rides as riding Cambridge to Norwich and Chelmsford to Folkestone. 

Rich, Alex and Katie on their Norwich to Cambridge Ride

Riders Alex Yorke, Katie Rellis and Richard McLellan rode from Norwich to Cambridge for a VTCC meeting, a smooth ride that was relatively uneventful. It was only when they had arrived safely at CUOTC's TA Centre and Katie left her bike only to find after a loud bang that the tire had burst! Only a small inconvenience, it is through these practice rides that the team can begin to see what needs to be worked on, be it their cycling kit or physical skills. 

Other significant rides have been completed by Alex Yorke, when he cycled from Chelmsford to Folkestone for the CUOTC's annual Shooting Camp. As the rest of the contingent for the camp 'rode' down in minibuses Alex managed to cycle approximately 112 miles and only arrived about 2 hours later then the rest. He seemed on pretty good form, with the only minor issue being the rather interesting sunburn on his legs! Well done Alex for both the ride and the marksmanship badge he achieved by the end of the week! 

Upcoming next...

Training diaries of the riders, more accounts of their longer practice rides as well as some information about sponsorship and the charity itself.