Last minute problems sorted !

Things have turned out OK. Rather than leave things to chance or the last minute, I phoned round the Specialized dealers in the area in search of some new shoes. I found Evolution Cycles in Ipswich who had the full Body Geometery range in stock. I rode over (motorcycle !) and picked up a pair of these excellent Sport shoes.

I've also heard back from Wiggle about the energy drink mix up and they've despatched the correct tub today without charge. Excellent service.

I also got first aid bits and pieces today so it should be just a matter of packing and heading off !

Two last minute problems

Arrggghhhh !!!!!

Just when I thought we'd seen the last of any problems, my riding boots have ripped and despite me ordering energy drink in a huge tub, we were sent recovery drink (in a very similar huge tub). To make matters worse, even though we haven't used any, we took the seal off on Saturday to see if there was a scoop inside before we realised it was the wrong one.

The ripped boots is a big problem. We already have a new saddle that I haven't ridden and now I'm faced with the prospect of finding new shoes/boots in the next 5 days and riding them unbroken in when I line up at the start on Saturday. To add to the problem we don't have any local bike stores that are likely to sell SPD shoes. So I'm going to ring round tomorrow (Bank Holiday Monday) and see where the nearest dealer is that can help. Otherwise we'll have to detour to Milton Keynes Evans Cycles on the way down on Friday. I really don't want to leave it that late.

The drink mix up might not be too bad. If Wiggle can't help us out, the recovery drink I purchased intentionally is also an energy drink so we can switch uses but it's not ideal and we wont have enough for the event as we stand.

The build up to this event has been way more stressful, problematic, time consuming and expensive than I every imagined.

Surely nothing else can go wrong ?

Last bits fitted to the bike and the last training session

I fitted the new saddle, mech and cables Saturday morning before heading out for about 3 hours with my team mate Aaron for a last training session and shakedown of the bike. We've got the saddle height and horizontal position sorted for both of us.

Aaron rode the bike we're using and reckoned the saddle was comfortable although after 3 hours he thought it was not as cushioned as some. This is definately true. I had a run round the block with it when we got back and it felt OK. If we don't get on with it, it's going to be a big problem. So I'm taking all the spare saddles I have with us just in case !

Now the rear gears are all XT'd up shifting is faultless which is just how we're going to need it. You really can't fault XT kit for it's performance and price.

We did an easy 25 miles in around 3 hours on Saturday. We wanted a reasonable ride out to check the bike's OK and return confident and injury free. We've got a tick in every box so roll on Friday when we load up and head for the Mendips :o)

Feeling better for a break !

We went away for a week and I did one ride of about 90 minutes and a bit of riding around while we were away. Everything feels OK again. Maybe I was pushing too hard and suffering the tail end of a cold last weekend ?

I ordered a new saddle, a San Marco Ponza as well as a new XT rear mech to replace the 2 1/2 year old and worn Deore currently fitted and an XT cable set.