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Wednesday 14 March 2012

Bake with Jake

Jake has had a brainwave.  He wants to hold a 'bake with Jake' for bikewithJake day.  He's planning to do this at his school after Easter; a big flapjack and cake day.  Well done Jake it'll be great fun and has a really good 'ring' to it.  Now we go in search of healthy, yummy recipes.

On the exercise front,  Nic has been pedalling to school (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) and back again (Tuesday excepted) and is quite weary. So, Nic had a very warm and friendly telephone conversation from Philip on Tuesday, "I'll be in Evesham, would you like me to pick up you and the bike and drive you home?"  Naturally, the reply was positive.  The next comment is typical Philip, "Then we can go to the gym later!" Giving with one hand, taking with the other.

Wednesday, a very similar situation: Philip via text message,"...do you want collecting...?"  Nic phoned back to discover Philip was busy watching The Cheltenham Festival racing. "Why don't you cycle...." Giving with one hand, taking with the other.

Outcome - Nic is presumably getting fitter thanks to her team-mates.

Monday 12 March 2012

Beware rash statements!

Last Friday, Nic had a bit of a 'mad moment'.  She told her colleagues at work that, from Monday, she would cycle into work.  Hmm, that's why this blog is being typed at 8.20 p.m, just before she goes to bed!

To heap on the pressure she triggered the Endomondo to track her there and back, so the whole world can see how unfit she is.

Click here to see the morning's effort.  Click here to see the slog that was the afternoon's home run.  Let's hope improvement comes swiftly!

Sunday 11 March 2012

More weekend

Sunday was rugby day in more ways than one.  Jake was playing and so were England and there the similarities end!

Another glorious day that meant Nic & Philip really didn't mind spending several hours on a touchline in Chipping Norton.  Evesham Rugby Club under 12s are a work in progress, their season has been marked by some quite big scores - always against them.  Imagine then, arriving at Chipping Norton to find that it was actually a 3-way mini tournament and the third team were Stow on the Wold, previous 77 - 0 victors against ERC.

The sun was shining, often a good sign for ERC under 12s.  Parents were buoyed by the excellent, and large, cups of coffee on offer in the clubhouse and there was a good vibe.  Yes, the boys did lose their match against Chipping Norton but there was a definite feeling that they had had the ability to beat them.  So, bring on Stow and their black and white hoops.  Nic went for a coffee and returned to find ERC a try and conversion ahead (typical!)  They played fantastically well even if, for a few strange minutes, Jake found himself playing out on the wing and a little bit lost.  Returned to the front row he even came in contact with the ball a couple of times and ERC continued to play well, running out 21 - 5 winners to a huge, collective cheer from their supporters.

The coaches awarded the whole team the 'Man of the Match' Award and lucky Jake was given the opportunity to have the trophy for the week on behalf of the team.  This meant 'lucky' Jake was carried off the pitch by his team mates and then doused with water - a great ERC tradition (on a warm, sunny day!)

Very, very happy!

Very, very wet!

A full weekend

A full weekend.

We had a great start to this weekend with a very encouraging text from Access Sport regarding a possible outing to the National Cycling Centre - keep following to find out more.  We also had some very enthusiastic support from 2 schools that will be joining our bikewithJake '6 wheel challenge'.

After Jake's hockey session on Friday we chugged wearily to Tesco's for the obligatory weekend shop and bumped into a friend of the team - Joan who thrust £10.00 into Jake's hand as a donation for the ride.  Thank you very much!

Saturday came, a day Nic was sort of dreading - back on the bike after the dreaded lurg and vertigo.  It was a glorious day so off we went for a low level 20 mile spin.  The average speed was pretty good for two-thirds of the ride but Nic began to flag and the boys found themselves waiting..... waiting again ... and again .... and then finally abandoning (on Nic's advice) as steaming home for the last 2 miles.  Nic kept pedalling but muscles had allegedly been replaced by some form of mush and the average speed dropped.

Still, you'll be pleased to know that if you click here you'll be able to see a map of our ride through the Endomondo website.  Be patient, it can sometimes be reluctant to load.

On Saturday evening Jake went on a late night hike with scouts to return, in theory, at midnight.  An opportunity for an adults evening out with Nic, Philip, Philip's eldest daughter and her boyfriend.  Which bikewithJake team member hadn't booked a table?  Hmmmm - let's just say, it wasn't Nic!  The foursome duly decamped from the pub to the Indian Restaurant across the road and sat down to order at 9.30 p.m.  Not to worry, Jake will be out until midnight.  The phone rang at 10.08, about 5 mouthfuls into the maincourse (the only course).  Guess which member of the team left to pick up Jake?   Hmmmm - let's just say, it wasn't Philip!