35 weeks to go.....

Weight 104kg (loss of 1.5kg last week)

Target 106kg (making room for Christmas)

Miles last week 164 (now 213 miles behind target)

A big week last week, two 25 mile turbo sessions, a day out with the family round Carsington Water (their website doesn't mention the short but nasty 1 in 4 hills), and the Cheshire Safari Audax on Sunday.

That's the biggest weekly total for a long time, and unlikely to be matched this week as real life is scheduled to get in the way of training.

35 weeks still doesn't sound very much, but at least I was able to cycle well for most of the Audax route on Sunday, including holding onto my mate Mark's rear wheel up all but one of the climbs. 106 miles at an average of 16.4 mph (excluding the inevitable cafe stops) was pleasing, especially since the intention was not to slipstream one another. More on that tomorrow.

Cheerful members of the local cycling club have discovered that I'm doing next years Etape and are helping out with useful anecdotes such as "My left leg fell off on the Hautacam it's that steep" and "Its the worst climb in the Pyrennees, you'll need lots left after the Tourmalet". Time will tell, but thanks guys.

Next Audax will be a big 200km effort in December starting and finishing about 1km from home, so when I finish in the dark I won't be too far away from a hot bath. Note to Bank Account "prepare to buy better lights".