Save yourself, save yourself…

No, that’s not a line from Saving Private Ryan, it’s Ben (but it sounded like Jim Bowen in my ears with that northern accent): “OK, phase 1’s in the bag. That’s safe, save yourself son, that Puig Major’s a bugger, it’s spit me out so many times – I’m pacing myself today”.

Look - no hands!

Within that breath two pro cyclists went spinning past –WHOOSH – WHOOSH – WHOOSH. Hold on what’s Ben doing chasing them?

Imagine Ben & Jerry, oh no that’s an ice cream, I mean Tom & Jerry (Ben being Tom – hold on that’s getting too confusing!).

Anyway he’s off chasing like a maniac, I’m doing 50km and can’t get anywhere near them… he must be up to 65km down that hill. To say Ben’s competitive is an understatement. Well that pretty much sums up his character and determination, that’s why he’s ready for the “ride of his life” in 10 days, and that’s why I’ve enjoyed training him.

Saturday we cycled 135km of mountains, the toughest route in Mallorca, as difficult as Ben will experience on his journey. But we did it with comfort. For the first time Ben enjoyed that route, he’s confident, ready – in fact we stopped off to admire the scenery and have a coffee & sandwich instead of head down pure training!


We started out 12 months ago as complete strangers – trainer & client – and we rode the 135km on Saturday as mates – chatting, laughing and just enjoying each other’s company.

I’m not saying it’s been an easy journey. For both of us, so much has happened but those events have made us both so stubborn & resilient and strong enough to tackle the journey. A great example was Sunday. Ben was due to ride so I wished him luck by text. I could tell by his reply he wanted some downtime to chill with his family. I nagged him (if you can nag by text?!), his reply was “I’m all lycrad up”. I got another text 3 hours later, after getting another 90km under his belt “I hate you”. I laughed out loud – that’s the kind of relationship we have, I’m not his trainer, just a mate who happens to be a fitness trainer.



Bring it on!



Are we ready? Too right we are! This is not just a fitness challenge but a mental challenge. I guess we’re pretty mental to take this on, I mean mental as we’re both quirky characters, quirky but mentally very tough. 

As Ben always says “How do you eat an elephant – a chunk at a time”. That’s how we tackle this, a chunk of road every day until there’s no road left, nothing will get in our way.

Let’s go and eat some road matey!

Feeling HOT, HOT, HOT! – Dave’s training blog

Not sure how it happened but it did… it felt natural and comfortable and I could never have imagined it when we first met – after all it's only been 9 months.

So there we were, all hot and sweaty, naked and exhausted. We couldn't take any more – we got out of the SAUNA and had a shower… Come on, what did you think? You should know what my blogs are like by now!

So here we are, at the end of January and on the last leg of training. Where's the time gone?! Well I do know that we feel right on track and really positive about the challenge. Recently we discussed the route that Cenk had recalculated and feel so confident that we’re prepared.

We had our first ride of the new year a couple of weeks ago – a nice 65km to blow the cobwebs away. It was cold but the sun was shining, and not a cloud in the sky. We stopped half way for some caffeine and we both said how great it felt to be back in the saddle, just enjoying the fresh air and company. We also took some of Ben's mates out the other weekend – even Cenk agreed to go although he was puffing and panting just putting his helmet on! Fair play to him though, he did the 35km through gritted teeth. We had a serious hill climb and he did it.

The thing that touched me was Ben - without realising it, he’s such an inspiration. He comes across all bravado but he’s one of the nicest guys I've met – a real heart of gold. Honestly he literally pushed Cenk up a 750 metre hill climb; his hand on his back just pushing him up the hill. Ben wouldn't take no for an answer – Cenk was going up with him. That's the kind of guy he is and that's why I train with him, because I just love his character and attitude.

We've had a good week training. Ben's put some good sessions in the gym and did a real fast 50km on Tuesday. This weekend’s a biggy for us – we're back out on a 150km this Saturday to put some hard kilometers under our belts and then out again with friends on Sunday for some fun.

We’re back on the road, raring to go and like a coiled spring ready to go for it.

Oh and after that tender moment in the sauna we thought, sod it. We love being on the bike together and want to do something special together. You hear it here first; we're cycling from John O'Groats to Land’s End in late September. Who's up for that one with us!??