Dateline: 22 July 2007 Final Preparations Last week I sat at 7am Monday morning, in economy seat 25D heading back out to Zurich for one more week, the extra legroom was a real bonus – as was the lack of a neighbour. The legs were a little tired after the 59 mile ride the day before, but I think it was actually very good training as the day before that had been a rather long one – that great British tradition Henley. Champagne and Pimms while pottering up and down the river on a glorious (really!) summers day. What a wonderful outing it was, as this year it also coincided with an annual black tie ball that went on, and on, and on, until the wee small hours. I think there’s a slight chance that there will be a ride after some over indulgence on at least one of the four days on our way to Paris, so hopefully this has convinced my body I can do it. That last long ride was really good, although following the main road west from Maidenhead, so into an almost constant headwind and with the traffic a little heavier than ideal, but at least the roads were well made up, with no debris on them, and no punctures. Stark contrast then to our training outing two weeks ago when we spent 6 hours struggling against the absolute worst of the British summer weather on our first team event. In that rain soaked 6 hours, our team managed an amazing 7 punctures between them, with me contributing 2 of those. Changing tubes in little country lanes with no shelter and the rain coming down – not good news. During my training I have been very fortuitous and only once have I really needed any real weather protection. Being an optimist, I was hoping I could do all my training in the dry. However, as the forecast for our team outing was so bad I though it best to get at least some protection. So on Saturday I dash to my local bike shop and find that there are a lot of people out riding the next day and they’ve all been in before me so they are all out of XL rain tops. The selection wasn’t very wide, and consisted of one brand and one size, so I had little option but to get it, even though it’s a touch too small. It’s also in a lightly opaque, and slightly stretch fabric - putting it on is a bit like zipping myself into a condom and I’m sure it makes be look a complete prick. Looking back over the last 15 days of my training, I see my mileages were 30-80-28-34-44-22-59. That in itself is almost the exact distance of the ride to Paris. Checking my diary, I see it took me 3 months to do that in the early training days, and I clearly remember stopping after 12 miles on the first ride and thinking what have I got myself into! Now, the benefits are clear – a lighter me, more energy, better endurance, more resilience, and a substantial sum raised for AMR. The downsides? Losing my weekends and a big hole in my bank balance, but at least I do get to keep the bike! I really can’t tell you how much it has changed things. Karen, darling that she is, also took the opportunity to show me some pictures of me late last year, before I started the training. There is a very noticeable difference, even if the pounds refuse to budge any further, at least the inches are still receding. Now, there are only a few more days to go to the ride itself, and this is one last request from me to anyone that would still like to contribute to AMR. Please go to http://www.action.org.uk/~davidyoung and click on the “Sponsor Redbourn Postal” banner above my picture. It’s also another opportunity to thank those that have helped take my total to over £2,000. I will, internet permitting, be providing updates to you all during the ride next week. I have one additional, sad, piece of news – Great Auntie Vi, one of my sponsors, and one of my inspirations in life, sadly passed away last week. I will be dedicating this ride to her memory. Keep Pedalling!

Our sponsors

Date	Name	Amount	Message
07/08/2007	Mark Harrison	£35.00	Better late than never. David Watts is alive and well living in Redbourn!
07/08/2007	Symon Vegro	£55.74	Bring it all on. All of it. Now.
06/08/2007	Eileen Roche	£25.00	You go Dave!!! well done, for a good cause!
06/08/2007	David (The 1st 10 Ar Young	£10.00	Kiwi Wonga - just as good as any other
02/08/2007	Henry Johnson	£200.00	Congratulations you 'Crazy Canuck'....
31/07/2007	Clare Anderson	£30.00	Better late than never!
30/07/2007	Fiona Williams	£30.00	Go Tim!
26/07/2007	Olusesan Adebanjo	£20.00
26/07/2007	Paul Parrish	£20.00	Chris Will you get to take as many drugs as the real professionals? Good luck and a great cause. Paul
25/07/2007	Vladmira Mance	£30.00	Good luck David, we'll be thinking of you. Keep on pedalling.
25/07/2007	Libby Hallows	£20.00
25/07/2007	Anonymous	£50.00
24/07/2007	Andrea Ernest	£25.00	Good luck!
24/07/2007	Vincent Martin	£10.00
24/07/2007	Brian & Jaccee Withnell/Dallyn	£100.00	Way to go Mark...we're all thinking of you! Brian, Jaccee, Lauryn & Renee