Medway Messenger Monday Edition
22 Jun 2009
Monday, 22 June 2009
Monday, 4 May 2009
Russ & Bike
Here is Russ ready to go - New bike & panniers. The bike is a touring bike with front & rear panniers. At present the plan is not to use the front panniers and has everything packed at the rear. You will notice that Russ is sporting a very expensive pair of Oakley shorts (good for letting the air in) Proof will be in the pudding when we get to Gib - Panniers or trailers, i think the pyrenees may have a big say in the matter!!!!! See you in 28 days.............................Monday, 16 March 2009
The Team minus one (Russ)
Trailer Boys setting out on a windy day - Double Click on Image to View
Ray, Olly & Matt 
The 3 trailer boys prepare for a short 30 miler and hoping to find out more about the trailers and how they react. The course we took was a steady state across to Sittingbourne (30 mins) and then up & over the North Downs and a drop into Maidstone. Then back over Blue Bell Hill into Chatham.What did we learn?
Dont travel downhill over 30 mph - the trailer becomes unstable
Dont overload your trailer.
Have I got the right Bike?????
Stay tuned for more updates
Friday, 20 February 2009
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Preperation & Planning
The new bike
Specialized Tri Cross, bought it from Geoff Wiles Cycle centre in Strood and couldnt wait to get it on the road with the trailer. Bike is lighter than my mountain bike but not as light as my Madone. The bike handles very well, oversize handle bars give you a comfortable riding position with room for a bag to be mounted if required. I am leaning more towards the trailer option - time will tell.
The Kit
Today I prepared what kit i would need off the attached kit list and set about a packing plan and more importantly weighing it. With the trailer you can afford to be a bit more lax when packing however still stringent with the weight. My initail weigh in came at 20kg - need to break that down more. I am using Embo's Bergan and her 2 man tent as it weighed in at 2kg. The heaviest part of the load is tools and rations. I think we need to share the tools out. But over all it has given me an idea as to the weight I need to train with.
Double Click on image to view
Thursday, 5 February 2009
The Route with Profiles
Double click on image to view
Cheeky!
A rest day is factored in after Stage 5 - Bordeaux to Oloron Sainte Marie, however this could be used as a catch up day or a 40 mile pass over the Pyrenees. Given the terrain, distance & climate this route is an outline and probably subject to change en route. The ride will be arduous and unsupported, however will be fun.
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Saturday, 31 January 2009
The Trailer Option
Please double click on images to view
Here it is! After riding for 2.5 hours covering 35 miles and several big hills I came to the following conclusions:
The trial was a TW Bents trailer off ebay @ £89 brand new http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/ and my Trek 6500. The reason I used my Trek was purely for the triple gearing. I bought Specialised urban tyres to replace the Mountain tread and lessen the drag and increase the speed. Once on the road you really do forget it is there! its only when you get off do you feel the weight. Purely for this trial I didn't want to overload until I was happy with how the bike & trailer would react, cornering, braking etc. Initial thoughts as I rode up Dock Road were mmmmmmmmmmmmmm need to train with this all the time as the Pyrenees are not going to be fun! Once through the initial shock & doubt confidence was restored I just had to stay in lower gears and maintain a high cadence on the approach to a climb.
The longer the ride went the more I grew in confidence and the idea of Panniers slipped away. I still have to lose another stone and get the kit weighed and packed. The Trek is quite a heavy bike compared to my road bike but gives me the triple (of which I didn't need) however, Day 5 and a category 1 climb in 25 degrees heat I might be grateful for the 3rd cog! I will be buying a Specialised Tri Cross to pull the trailer: See details at the bottom of this blog
1. It is lighter than my Trek 6500.
2. Triple Mountain/Road cross gearing
3. More robust than my Trek Madone
4. Can take panniers if the trailer fails its trials.
Conclusion
It has passed its initial trial and first impressions are good. A lot of hard work is required, trailer or Panniers, 150 miles a day will mean long days in the saddle. The addition of weight is a definate wake up call, I am glad it is the start of February and have 4 months to get this right. Recommended kit list at bottom of this blog
Matt feeling quite proud of himself!!
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Chatham to Gibraltar June 2009
Schedule of events
2nd June 2009 6.00am - Departure point TBC
Arrive Dover to sail on P&O Ferry - 11.00am (1 x Adult/Bicycle ticket £14)
10 x Stages (See Route)
Arrive Gibraltar 12 June 2009 time TBC.
What you need:
To be able to cover up to 150 miles per day averaging 15mph and to have a bike that is fit for purpose c/w panniers/trailer for the journey. (See links)
Having sought professional advice, it is suggested that your bike should have a Triple drive train, preferably a mountain bike setup which will give you the ratio required for the terrain we are going to cover and the weight you will be carrying.
Panniers (see Links) http://www.evanscycles.com/
Suggested Items for kit list (see attached)
UK Contact information.
Bike Medical/holiday insurance (Any specific needs)
To purchase Ferry Ticket Dover to Calais for self and Bike for 11.00hrs am crossing 02/06/2009. more info at http://www.poferries.com/
We have researched over night stops at budget hotels and campsites. Twin rooms costing between £30-£50 Campsites approximately 12 Euros. (NB Formula 1 may not be suitable due to reception opening times) Also as last resort if absolutely no other choice there is also “camping wild.”
On this ride I am not seeking enabling funds so therefore the purchase of overnight accommodation, food and refreshments is the riders own responsibility. To facilitate this each party member needs to have the means to pay for these. No accommodation will be pre-booked as some days we may exceed our destination - as learnt with LEJOG.
We will be arriving in Gibraltar on 12th June 2009.
If family members /friends wish to join us http://www.mygibraltar.co.uk/ offers excellent rates for hotels and flights to the Rock. Otherwise Easy jet flies www.easyjet.com/ from Gatwick and Manchester. Be sure to book for the return of your bike & Pannier/Trailer too! Also looking forward to a celebration get together at a local restaurant.
This is a great opportunity to raise money for a fantastic charity which is very close to our hearts.
Sponsorship money/ fundraising would be gratefully received by CLIC Sargent. I am able to customise and provide sponsorship forms/Posters if you need them.
If you are planning an event please let us know as we can get support in the form of T- Shirts, Banners & Balloons etc, as well as press coverage. All funds raised can be put straight onto the Justgiving site and a cheque made payable to CLIC Sargent (Please annotate on the back of the cheque that the money is for the Emily Rose Fund)
All other information provided on www.Justgiving.com/mattloughrey or our Blog or facebook. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=538542262
As and when more information comes to light I will post it on this site.
Add this as a favourite & check in regularly for updates.
Schedule of events
2nd June 2009 6.00am - Departure point TBC
Arrive Dover to sail on P&O Ferry - 11.00am (1 x Adult/Bicycle ticket £14)
10 x Stages (See Route)
Arrive Gibraltar 12 June 2009 time TBC.
What you need:
To be able to cover up to 150 miles per day averaging 15mph and to have a bike that is fit for purpose c/w panniers/trailer for the journey. (See links)
Having sought professional advice, it is suggested that your bike should have a Triple drive train, preferably a mountain bike setup which will give you the ratio required for the terrain we are going to cover and the weight you will be carrying.
Panniers (see Links) http://www.evanscycles.com/
Suggested Items for kit list (see attached)
UK Contact information.
Bike Medical/holiday insurance (Any specific needs)
To purchase Ferry Ticket Dover to Calais for self and Bike for 11.00hrs am crossing 02/06/2009. more info at http://www.poferries.com/
We have researched over night stops at budget hotels and campsites. Twin rooms costing between £30-£50 Campsites approximately 12 Euros. (NB Formula 1 may not be suitable due to reception opening times) Also as last resort if absolutely no other choice there is also “camping wild.”
On this ride I am not seeking enabling funds so therefore the purchase of overnight accommodation, food and refreshments is the riders own responsibility. To facilitate this each party member needs to have the means to pay for these. No accommodation will be pre-booked as some days we may exceed our destination - as learnt with LEJOG.
We will be arriving in Gibraltar on 12th June 2009.
If family members /friends wish to join us http://www.mygibraltar.co.uk/ offers excellent rates for hotels and flights to the Rock. Otherwise Easy jet flies www.easyjet.com/ from Gatwick and Manchester. Be sure to book for the return of your bike & Pannier/Trailer too! Also looking forward to a celebration get together at a local restaurant.
This is a great opportunity to raise money for a fantastic charity which is very close to our hearts.
Sponsorship money/ fundraising would be gratefully received by CLIC Sargent. I am able to customise and provide sponsorship forms/Posters if you need them.
If you are planning an event please let us know as we can get support in the form of T- Shirts, Banners & Balloons etc, as well as press coverage. All funds raised can be put straight onto the Justgiving site and a cheque made payable to CLIC Sargent (Please annotate on the back of the cheque that the money is for the Emily Rose Fund)
All other information provided on www.Justgiving.com/mattloughrey or our Blog or facebook. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=538542262
As and when more information comes to light I will post it on this site.
Add this as a favourite & check in regularly for updates.
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