The Route

Some people have asked me what the planned route is, so here it is:

Leckhampton Hill

This is some hill- rising from the flooplain up to 260-300 metres, it starts off at 10/15%. It was hard enough in my fiesta a few years ago. Part of the training involves climbing hills without standing out of the saddle, as that will be virtually impossible with the extra weight of bags on the back wheel. So, I climbed up there sat in the saddle. I've probably climbed more metres in the last four days than I did in two years in Essex, so this is definitely the right place to train for the Alps.

Steep hills

Thanks to all who have donated so far to Kalayaan. We're up to £100, only £1900 to go to reach the stratospheric target!

Started training this week. Brother Alex came up from London on Sunday and we went off finding some hills. I had forgotten just how steep Chalford hill was.




It was about 1 kilometre long, 25% gradient in some stretches, with a total climb of about 160 metres. Painful, very painful. Much harder than the Alps, I'm guessing.