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!??

Claire's weekend challenge report!

Our ride from the top of Soller mountains back to Portals took us 3 hours, mainly due to the fact, I needed to take a few breaks and water my bits and pieces to calm the pain down, and its was 32.5 degrees in the shade!

Was given the chance to quit 3 times, and I refused each one! (And for the sceptics back in the UK, who think I just write this for fun and don't actually do it, here's the photographic evidence!)

Considering I only got back on a bike 2 weeks ago, I'm so delighted that I didn't give up and I will continue with my training when I get home with my own bike when I go and buy one!

What all this has done is put into perspective what Ben has achieved so far and trains daily to keep on achieving! Remember back in June Ben competed in the 312km Mallorca race? Considering he'd only bought his bike in January and that everyone was telling him he was insane to even attempt (let alone in agony), Ben did the impossible in extreme pain and blistering heat!

We did a tenth of that yesterday and did the first 4km down a mountain, not the first 100km up the Tramuntana mountains!!

We all got back to Mood, totally exhausted and elated! Ben had the biggest grin on his face because his big sis didn't give up! Dan and Dave both had a little soreness of the nether regions too and put me to shame! Woodhouse better look out when we get back, the bikes will be out on a regular basis and training will continue!

D day is this Saturday!

Don't know if I'm brave or the sun's giving me delusions of grandeur, but Saturday afternoon sees three brave souls - Danny Colbert, Dave Mellon and me - setting out from Soller on our first 50Km following Ben!

Do we feel prepared? Nope!
Are we scared? Nope!
Are we mad?
Tell you after the weekend!

Return of the Mack – Dave’s training diary

Not sure if you remember that song, one of my favourites. Now there's two reasons for the title:

1. I've just returned to the island


2. the singer was a bit of a dodgy fella and always pointing guns at people... that's why Mark Morrison wasn't on the music scene for too long!

‘Hold on’, I hear you saying... 'what's this got to do with Ben and his training?' Well, when I was in the UK I recall a telephone conversation with Ben where he was telling me that this Swiss ball is easy: ‘I've been doing hundreds and can't feel it doing a thing!’

Roll on last Monday, our first session back in the gym. What Ben didn't realise was that my stopwatch was in my mind a gun... ‘Oh you bugger... ohhh you bugger... ohhh you bugger – arhhh!’ His face was purple, sweat dripping down his temple, pupils bulging, his bum was twitching (because he had a Swiss ball jammed between his knees!). He was in the firing line and he knew he was in trouble. ‘Now Ben, were you doing a hundred of these?’ I blew the barrel of the smoking gun... I mean stopwatch! We're back on track.

It's currently a tough time for our caped crusader; it is seriously hot and very, very tough to train. Ben is so hard on himself, it's tough for me to keep him pegged back and get him to realise just how far he has come. For me the hardest part is to keep him focused on today, taking small steps towards the ultimate goal - I'm sure if the team hadn't set the dates and built the website he would have quietly just snuck off already on his own!

Please feel for Laura, Ben’s lovely wife, this week. I can't tell you how much Ben was badgering me to go on a ride with him on Saturday – and I just couldn't. So it was poor Laura's turn to feel the pain!

She arrived at the gym on Saturday morning to collect her bike, looking all dainty in nice heeled shoes. I could sense she was a bike virgin... soon to be taken... taken to a beautiful place, ridden hard ‘til exhaustion, yet at the same time to feel exhilarated... to wake up on Sunday morning in the arms of the caped crusader knowing that she was safe... until the next time!

Well the big day is tomorrow – I’m taking part in the Mallorca 312 1st International Cycletourist Tour of Mallorca - and I’m really nervous.

I have my number and everything is ready to go. I’m downloading some more music for my MP3 player tonight and cleaning and checking the bike. I am in a real state though, I have strained my sciatic nerve!! I can hardly walk and driving my car is painful. I’m very worried.

I will start tomorrow but I’m so scared of the pain I know I’m going to feel, I’m also scared if the pain is too much and I quit!

There’s no way I’m going to finish in14 hours so I have Cenk on standby for about 8pm to support me the rest of the way. I don’t want to let anyone down and this is so important to me, I don’t want to let myself down.

I will give it my all tomorrow and hold the pain as long as possible, I just hope I can bear it till the end.

I have spoken to Dave and I am keeping the goals small so I can mentally hold it.

Wish me luck,

Love

Benj...

...the boy from Woodhouse - I feel I have the whole of Mansfield behind me, feels really good, it helps a lot to see the messages!