Llandudno

102 miles. I did it. I cycled all the way to Llandudno, met my friend Mat for some lunch, and then came home again. For good measure I also did a lap of the Great Orme, just to ensure my mileage was over 100 for the day which was a nice landmark to break. It was a beautiful cloudless day, and the route there along the coast was predominantly flat and about 70% off-road, but still I felt a sense of achievement as i ate my fish and chips last night. I particularly enjoyed the morning. Setting off at 7am, the world is very peaceful and there's always a nice feeling of excitement heading towards your destination. Unless i take a wrong turn that's what I anticipate the whole journey will be like on the End to End ride. I shouldn't have to retrace my steps and plod back the same way i came. I'm aware that the terrain i encounter will be tougher and there's a good chance that the weather won't be as kind but i feel confident now i can manage the ride physically. My main concern is the bike's condition. There's some awfully pained noises coming from it at times and it's badly in need of the service it's going to get in a few weeks time.

21 &51 miles. Got my mojo back this morning, a little bit anyway. It was quite sunny when i was expecting it to be raining which was a bonus and i did the first 25 miles out of Chester on the End to End route, so i'll know where i'm going when i do it for real. My bikes making some strange noises, it needs a service, but i have to wait a few weeks until Halfords can fit me in. I've now got a mirror on my bike which i think will be a big help. It makes it alot easier to know whats behind you when trying to avoid those dreaded potholes. Next stop Llandudno and hopefully pass the 100 mile barrier.

Tedious

26, 40 & 32 miles. I have to be honest and say i've found the past week or so a bit of a struggle with regards to motivation. I have been a bit tired from working but can't really blame that, i'm just not as excited as i was a few weeks ago about the ride. I think the learning curve may have stuttered a little, and i've never really liked riding just for the sake of it, I prefer it if i have to get somewhere on my bike. It's a case however at the moment of just getting some miles in my legs and improving my fitness.

There are also times when i question my ability to do the ride, especially on my own and also question why i want to do it, also especially on my own. It does seem a bit selfish and self indulgent at times, but then if i look back to how i was thinking in January then that helps me rationalize my thinking, so it was worth keeping this diary after all. Self doubt, i guess, is all part of the process when doing something like this. In a few weeks i'll be cycling to Llandudno so I'm looking forward to the challenge of getting there. In the meantime i'll just keep on peddling away.

The pothole from the other week, which i saw without a puddle over it this week.