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As part of Barton Willmore's 75th Birthday Celebrations we are doing a relay cycle ride connecting all 10 of our regional offices - snappily titled Barton Wheelmore!

On 9 September I'll be cycling the leg from my office at Ebbsfleet up to the office in Cambridge - a little over 70 miles, excluding the short ride on the ferry.  Oh, and two days later I'll be racing against the clock, cycling around 20 miles as part of a team at the Reading Triathlon!!!

So I deserve your support, which you can express by sponsoring me.  I'm raising money for Maggies Cancer centres, who do a great job of offering vital support to people with/recovering from cancer and their families.  So many of us are touched by cancer at some point in our lives, so this is a great cause to support.

I'm in training for the ride, slowing building up the distance.  I'm used to cycling 20-25 miles quickly and haven't got used to cycling more slowly over a longer distance yet.  I'm hoping I can slipstream some other cyclists on the way and save some energy, but don't tell them that!!  See below for training updates.

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So please dig deep and donate now.

If you'd like to seem more about Barton Wheelmore or sponsor other riders too, you can have a look at the team page at www.justgiving.com/teams/bartonwheelmore 

Just want to say a quick THANKYOU!! To all those who have donated so far - you are brilliant!

TRAINING UPDATES...

Thursday 28 July...  cycled home from work.  Normally about 24 miles, but added some loops (mainly up and down steep hills) and did 33 miles.  Very satifying.  Went quicker than I intended - not sure I can keep that pace up for 70+ miles!

Monday 1 August... did a couple of loops around a favorite local route.  Did about 30 miles in lovely sunshine.  Enjoyed it, but mainly because I went faster still...average 19mph... how do I slow down?  Perhaps go cycling with Huw?  For those who don't know, Huw is my boss!

Sunday 7 August... did three loops (don't want to be too far from home when Rachel calls to say she is in labour!), so about 42 miles - my bike computer and Sanoodi app on my Blackberry can't agree.  Slightly slower, but not much and that may have been down to the wind and rain.  Finished with a sprint up a short but steep climb and had trouble walking for a little while after.  Getting there, but over 70 miles still feels like a long way.

Sunday 14 August... nice to have a training partner for a change - thanks Ned!!  About 30 miles on the North Downs, nice and hilly.  Note to self - fit lights if you are going to be out until nearly 9pm!!

A big thanks goes to Rachel - for letting me go out training even the day before our son is due to be born, althought it looks like he is in no hurry!

Arrival of baby Leo Flintoft on Saturday 20 August has caused a brief pause in training.  Hope to get out again soon!

26 August.  Back out on the North Downs, this time alone.  Windy.  Hilly.  Quite hard work.  Not the best 30 miles of my training.  Is it due to tiredness (aka new baby)?

31 August.  Cycling with Dave and Huw - both doing Ebbsfleet-Cambridge with me.  23 miles around north Kent, guided by Dave.  Really enjoyable, including having Huw plead with me to slow down - bodes well for keeping up with the pack on the day!

4 September.  Last significant ride before the big event on Friday.  One the Downs with Dave for 30 miles.  Felt my better than when I did it on my own.  Worried by how fast Dave is on the long, steep hills.  Fortunately there aren't too many of those on the route for Friday!

That's it.  All that's left is to eat pasta all week and rest my legs!