Tinman!

Pre Race, Breathing in

 My training plan for the USA was to complete a middle distance triathlon, i.e. half of an ironman triathlon……or a Tinman!  The theory is if I can race a 1900m swim, an 86km bike and a 20km run, then I am fit enough to average 100km a day in the States.  Time will tell if my theory works!

My training was completed on Sunday as I did the Marlow middle distance triathlon!

The race was good fun.  After a tussle for position, the swim went well.  The course was up and back a section of the river Thames; the downstream section was fast being carried along by the river the upstream section was slightly harder work!

Out the water, struggling with my zip

Bike in!  Just a 20km run to go.

The bike was on 86km of wet and windy roads.  I made the mistake of cleaning my bike prior to the triathlon.  My road bike is white, so every time I hit a puddle my heart sank a little bit knowing the state I was getting my previously spotless bike into……..and I hit a lot of puddles! 

Owwwwwww.  But I'm finished!!

The run was challenging, and painful.  The 20km was done by running four laps of a 5km course, the flat course followed a tow path before turning back through residential housing.  Unfortunately due to the rain the night before, the tow path had got a bit muddy, making part of the path more suitable for skating than running!  This guy came off a bit worse than me…….

I finished the triathlon in a time of 5hrs 12mins.  Pretty chuffed with my time as I know I got the best out of myself on the day, although my toilet stop did waste a few seconds.

So now I am fully fit for the states.  For the next month I will be putting on a bit of weight and getting out on the bike for long rides (when our great British summer allows*)!

Mud during Glastonbury weekend, there is no escape!

I look happy, but I wasn't; that beer they gave me was warm.

* I realise I may have rain in the states; but if going out in it is optional, I'll probably stay on the sofa!

Key Date Schedule

With my departure rapidly approaching, my plans are becoming concrete.  So here are a list of when I think I’ll be hitting my milestones.

The Corner to Corner key dates are:

Marlow Middle Distance Triathlon – 24^th June 2012

My training for the bike ride has been centred around this triathlon.  The triathlon is Half Ironman distance (or Tinman) and is the longest race I have ever competed in.  The triathlon involves a 1.9km river swim, 86km (55mile) bike ride followed by a 20km (13.1mile) run.  I am a little scared it may hurt.

Corner to Corner Quiz Night – 20^th July 2012

Everyone loves a quiz...... don't they?  Well I hope so, as there will be a Corner to Corner Quiz Night in The Richmond, Bristol.  

Last Day at Work! – 27^th July 2012

The Journey Begins: Helston, Cornwall – 1^st August 2012

I intend starting the cycling in the UK and where better to start than ShelterBox HQ in Helston.   Myself and my mate Paul will then make our way back towards Bristol.

Bristol to Reading Bike Ride - 4/5^th August 2012

Fancy joining me for a bike ride?  Drop me a line at richard@richardonabike.com.

Reading to Gatwick - 6^th August 2012

My last day in the UK, eeek!

Flight to Vancouver – 7^th August 2012

From here on in, a bit of guesswork has been applied……….

Cross the border into the USA – 10^th August 2012

The Corner to Corner journey commences, Neah Bay, WA – 12^th August 2012

Turn East (Florence) – 16^th August 2012

Enter Yellowstone National Park – 8^th September 2012

Cross the Continental Divide – 20^th September 2012

Turn South (Cape Girardeau) – 28^th September 2012

Arrival at Miami Beach, Florida – 29^th October

Key West, Florida – 31^st October 2012

…….and Relax!

Some thoughts before I leave.....

I will be completing a few guest blogs for Taunton Leisure, read my first post with some of my thoughts on the challenge ahead here.


As a preview, my terror vs time graph is shown below.........................


 

Everybody Has Their Baggage

With six weeks to go, I have virtually all the kit I intend to take to the USA.  So for those of you interested in what I will be carrying with me on my trip, I have prepared an inventory.  This has proved a useful exercise and also it has highlighted some things I still need to get!!! (marked with an *).

You if you think of anything I may have forgot, please drop me a line!

Bike

Thorn Raven Tour

Ortlieb Pannier Bags (x5)

Waterproof Bag* - For my tent

600ml Water Bottles (x3)
Katadyn Water Filter Bottle
Bike Lock*

Bike Spares

-  Inner Tubes (x2)

-  Puncture Repair Kit

-  Bike Repair Kit (i.e. tools)

-  Pump

-  Spare Spokes (x3)

-  Spare tyre (folding)

Camping

Easton Kilo 2P Tent – Lightweight Tent (<1kg!!!) with carbon poles

Primas EtaPower Camping Stove – This baby runs liquid or gas fuel

Eating Stuff – Ration Tin (x2), Fork/Knife/Spoon Utensil, Silicone Mug, Camping Mug

Sleeping Bag – Vango Ultralight 200

Sleeping bag liner - for the cold nights in the Rockies, I will ditch this when I am back to warmth!

Self-Inflating Roll Mat

Ortlieb water bladder (4ltr)

Spice Box – The greatest purchase I have ever made!  The three spices I will start with are salt, cumin and cayenne pepper.

Clothing

Cycling Kit

Shoes - Shimano SPD*

2 x Bib Shorts

3 x cycling tops

3 x socks

Helmet*

Sunglasses

Overshoes

Rain Jacket

Gloves* - I will try and find some tan through gloves to avoid looking like this!

Evening Wear

Trousers

Shorts

Underwear (x3)

Socks (x3)

t-shirt (x3)

Jacket*

Electrical Goods

Computer (Acer Aspire Netbook) - for writing/communicating/entertainment/Battery Charging

Mobile phone* (x2) – one with my UK SIM Card to pick up messages, one US SIM Card* for day to day use.

Camera

Garmin GPS - Tracks progress and does directions

Spare GPS tracker

MP3 Player

USB Hub*

Nice Things

Coffee Pot

Book(s) – Any recommendations!?

  

Food

I will be buying all my food in the Canada/ USA to save weight for the flight.

Misc

Passport

Wallet

Maps – I currently have maps to get me to Missouri, I’ll sort the rest on the road

Emergency Info Sheet

Diary

Microfibre Towel

Shower Gel

Travel Wash* - I will be doing my laundry by hand (or smelling bad!)

First Aid Kit* - I have been told chamois cream is best for saddle sores....