One month on from the start and still feeling great

It is amazing to think it is over a month ago Brian and I had started the race from Panorama

in fact we would have been just about to start day two. It amazes me how time flies. I have added the link to the excellent photos taken on the ride by the official photographer have a look some of them are just incredible. I have got back in to the routine still clocking up the miles in the saddle. Hopefully ready for a race at the end of September. The Cheddar Challenge or something like that.

Just click the link below

http://www.transrockies.com/transrockies/media/photos.html

Full route layout to see

Due to technical difficutlies which I will not go in to very kindly someone logged the complete route on their GPS if you following the link below and in the search box put pedalmagazine http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/network/digest/view.mb you will be able to see the full 7 stages route either via google earth or motion based own software. Please note times and heart rates (some of which are quite long and high are NOT MINE. Enjoy!!

Transrockies Invermere section

Check this out: Transrockies stage 2

Give you an idea of the route and elevation

We made it

What a brilliant experience with just over 35 hours in the saddle a large tub of butt cream, 552km and nearly 12,000 meters of serious uphill climbing - we came 26th in our category out of 83 that started. We are very pleased with that result. We actually came 2nd from the teams from the UK in our class 80+ and overall 7th from all the teams from the UK in all categories. Not bad for a couple of old gits.

Brian and I worked extremely well together as a team each having good and bad days. Luckily, neither of us had any serious crashes apart from a small fall on the rocks for Brian and a slight misjudge of a sharp corner for me we both came through smiling. How fantastic it was to see Natalie and Olivia at the finish line. How good that cold beer tasted as well.

I will put some more info and photos up over the next few days. I just want to let you all know we were back safe and sound.

Last week of training is here!!!

Yes the last week of training has now arrived. Nearly 18months in the planning and 8 months in the training and preparation, getting very anxious now, making sure we have all the right equipment and back up items to take. Taking great care on all the rides not taking too many risks! Spent nearly all of last week in the saddle clocking up over 215 miles and 6,200 plus metres of climbing, that's only half the Rockies ride length and half the vertical.

I have nearly been killing all my colleagues in my spinning classes that I have been taking this year so far. I think they will be glad when I eventually go!!

This week will be pretty much it on the training front, if we are not ready now we will never be.

I have found a couple of pictures that give you an idea of the views and the terrain that we will be up against. We will bring plenty more pictures back with us.

Bring it on!!! as quoted by that awful girl in 'Big Brother' called Tracey.

A big big thanks to all of you that have been so generous with your support leading up to this event, through your kind sponsorship and help. It means so much to me and my family.

Milo would have been so proud of you all!!!

Nearly there....... Training up to next level

Wow, what a week! Brian and I have been training pretty much up at the limits now, on the bike everyday for the last week, come rain and shine. Clocking up some 250 miles and about 18,000 feet of vertical.

Getting the last bits together to take on the trip, the list seems endless. The fun bit will be getting everything we need for the week in to the issued kit bags which are only 36" x 16" x 16" big decisions are going to have to be made. Do we pack the make up bag or that extra pair of waterproof gloves??

The weather could be the big question, looking at previous years on the Challenge it seems the weather can vary from plus 35 to -2 in a matter of hours, one minute its glorious baking sun the next rain then it could be pouring with snow and sleet. Being prepared for these extremes is going to be very hard.

In the kit bags we have to fit sleeping bag and ground sheet, all the clothes for both the race and the evenings, towels, washing gear, bike spares and food for the week plus back up batteries first aid kit - the list just goes on and on.

I am having a day off today being Tuesday 24th July. Going out with some friend tonight for a curry and a beer, which I am looking forward to. Relax those poor old legs... Back to the grind tomorrow though!!

Have a good week........................

Team MILO Is Official

Yes we are now officially on the start list of the Transrockies Challenge 2007

Team 'MILO'

Team Leader: Antony Gray

Team Mate: Brain Trill

From:United Kingdom
Package Type: EPIC
(Thats no RV is you want to know.)

Catergory Men 80+
(Gosh really showing our age there!!)



Have a good weekend

Stages are announced for Transrockies

Transrockies Stages etc. 2007

Day 1 – Panorama to Invermere 51.2 kms
Paved Roads 7.9 kms, Gravel Roads 18.4 kms, Double/Single-track 24.85 kms
1345 metres climbing 1649 metres descending

Day 2 – Invermere to Nipika 63.8 kms
Paved Roads 17.41 kms, Gravel Roads 20.62 kms, Double/Single-track 25.77 kms
1439 metres climbing 1119 metres descending

Day 3 – Nipika to Whiteswan Lake 107.5 kms
Paved Roads 0 kms, Gravel Roads 68.5 kms, Double/Single-track 39 kms
1302 metres climbing 1285 metres descending

Day 4 – Whiteswan Lake to Elkford 94.48 kms
Paved Roads 1.6 kms, Gravel Roads 49.29 kms, Double/Single-track 43.60 kms
1528 metres climbing 1368 metres descending (Including the rock garden)

Day 5 – Elkford to Blairmore (Crowsnest Pass) 109 kms
Paved Roads 7 kms, Gravel Roads 62 kms, Double/Single-track 40 kms
2600 metres climbing 2612 metres descending

Day 6 – Blairmore (Crowsnest Pass) to Sparwood 77 kms
Paved Roads 10 kms, Gravel Roads 27 kms, Double/Single-track 40 kms
2000 metres climbing 2140 metres descending

Day 7 – Sparwood to Fernie 61 kms
Paved Roads 6 kms, Gravel Roads 15 kms, Double/Single-track 40 kms
1100 metres climbing 1225 metres descending

Then the beer and wine

Less then a month to go now!!! Big gulp!! 29 days to be exact. Getting the last minute preparations under way Insurance, spares, food energy drinks, what clothing to take the list seems endless.....

Cramming as much training in as possible, it seems I am spending my life on the saddle of the bike. I must admit I did take the weekend off what with Olivia's sports day, speech day and the Caterham School ball on Saturday. I even had two glasses of red wine on Saturday night....... admittedly I did go for a run and a quick visit to the gym on Sunday but not for long though.

The British Airways saga continues we have been told we will get a refund of £116 for the tax and charges, the rest of the fare will hopefully come from the insurance policy Markie took out. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly. Admittedly to get that far I did spend over 2 hours on the phone to their call centre listening to tacky Spanish on hold music and some announcer going on how wonderful BA. What a load of C**P !"£?"$?

Lots of training coming up over the next week when Brian gets back for Scotland. I will update you all on that front in my next entry.

Have a good week. Enjoy the weather......

Markie's Back and pretty in good form........

Markie joined in Saturdays ride this week, he covered about 22 miles from Reigate Hill across to Denbies and back, he found it fairly tough with lots of jarring on the descents. The ascents were especially difficult on the more technical parts especially when he can not really pull with his left arm that well yet. Great to see him back and in good form though. Looking forward to lots more rides over the coming weeks getting his training back in to full swing. I spoke to him on Sunday and he felt tired but good with it - Which is encouraging!!! Hopefully its Trans Rockies here we come!!!!!!!!!!

I joined the ride at 8am after leaving home at about 6am and got an extra 10 miles plus before the start. Later, I met Natalie with the dog and managed to top up a tough 46.8 miles in just under 5 hours in the saddle - I slept well that night.

Training for the week topped 160 miles in total. Finding it tough to fit it all in and get any extra distance along with the busy schedule of work and other commitments. I will have to try harder next week.

Take care............

Trans Rockies Challenge 12th August - 18th August 2007

In its short history, the TransRockies Challenge has quickly earned a reputation as one of the most rugged and wild of the multi-day mountain bike epics in the world. With fantastic singletrack, unpredictable weather and wilderness camping, the TransRockies is a unique experience which has drawn and inspired riders from all over the World.
A new chapter in the TransRockies story will open next August 2007 when participants in the fifth edition of the TransRockies Challenge roll away from the start line in Panorama to face a new route and a new set of challenges. During their seven days of World Class epic riding, they will traverse through the high peaks of the Kootenay Rockies in South-eastern British Columbia on their way to the finish line at Fernie. While much of the route is new, the TransRockies will offer the same two-person team format, and wilderness camping that makes it such a unique event.

The seven days of the TransRockies Challenge is one of the hardest that a mountain biker can find over 600km of riding and over 12,000 meters of climbs. Thats higher than Mount Everest! There is a mental and physical struggle for everyone from first to last. In that struggle, riders can find the best in themselves discovering a mind and body that they are stronger than they ever guessed; they will learn the true meaning of teamwork and sportsmanship; and they can forever earn the honour of being called “Finisher”.

The event will take place in August 2007. Donations and sponsorships will be donated to the ‘Children’s Trust’ in Tadworth, Surrey for their brain injury unit, in the memory of my little son ‘Milo’ - aged just 6. He very sadly died on the 2nd December 2005, very suddenly from a giant brain aneurysm, a very rare type of aneurysm, affecting only a handful of children in the world. My family are trying to come to terms with this unbelievable tragic loss.

I am therefore looking for any contributions to help raise money for this very worth-while charity, from this event. It is for this reason I am hoping you might be able to help me in any way, either in the form of a sponsor, a product or service that you could offer for me to use at the actually race or anything that I might be able to auction at one of our future planned charity events that we are holding before we go. Alternatively, I could help you by advertising your company during this event in exchange for any support or products you might be willing to give or lend to me.

Any contribution no matter how small will go along way to helping others less fortunate then all of us.

Thank you so much for your support.