The Preparation

I've already touched on the training we've been doing, but there's more to getting ready for a multi day grueller than you might imagine..........at least, according to Alix's lists there is anyway!

For anyone thinking of undertaking a similar challenge, pre-warn your bank manager or remortgage your house or get on first name terms with your local pay day loan gangster..........or don't be married to Alix................(Alix: Or Paul!)

Who knew you needed to take whey protein recovery powder, 2 different kinds of energy gels, a box of pro level yoghurt coated energy bars, electrolyte drinks tablets, Aldi cherry and cranberry fruit bars, oh and porridge! That's what you've got to get inside you.....as for clothing on the outside, don't get me started!

Alix likes a list (no, really?), so we've got one for 1. Sunny and hot 2. Freezing and snowy 3. Wet and rainy 4. Windy 5. Wet, rainy and windy. 6. Non of the above. So, Wiggle, Rapha, JE James (other cycling retailers are available) have been hit and hit hard. New gilets, jerseys (several), arm/leg warmers, bib knicks, helmet, rain jacket, sunglasses, socks, mitts, base layers..........even Team Sky doesn't have the clothing budget that we've burned through! That's before we even get onto the 'precautionary spares' that may be required.....

Then there's our lotions and potions: sun cream, selection of (one of us is fair, ok gingery (Alix: Er, think you mean grey, don't you?) and one of us is dark; chamois cream, selection of (2 kinds - I like minty (Alix: bit weird for me that one!); Sudocrem (good for babies and long distance cyclists so it seems); magnesium sulphate cream (don't ask, but if you need it, you need it!); 'Purple Harry' helmet spray (OK, minds out of the gutter please)...required to keep your 'lid' fragrant and hygienic!

Then there's the new super sized hold-all we've had to buy.....for obvious reasons. Travel light?  Pah!

Did I mention that Alix also decided to replace her entire groupset (for those who don't know, that's everything on a bike that makes it go or stop)? Oh go on then, so did I! But I only did it so I could get a couple of extra climbing sprockets put on, not because my current one "needs a bit of adjustment" (Alix: Yes...adjusting to Dura-Ace :-))

I think we've ticked off most things on the lists.......hope there's enough room for the bikes!