Etape Hibernia and other things

Well, the closure of the PFO didn't happen. I got bumped for a child who came through A and E apparently (They always tell you that so you don't kick off)! I have a new date toward the end of October. It can't happen soon enough, as I am slowly grinding to a halt. I look forward to the re-envigorated energy levels, and resurgent zest for life.

Since my last update, the Enness brothers have successfully completed the Etape Hibernia, 84 miles around the West coast of Ireland. Jeez, it was knackering! I don't recommend trying it on minimal sleep, training of hydration. All of these thing we were woefully lacking in! mostly our own fault. Rather than get a room in Dublin after landing at 00:30, we decided to drive to Ennis ac cross Ireland with a cycle sat nav(Stupido). 4 and a half hours later we reached our destination (Christ knows how), we took a gamble and headed for limerick. A good move as it turned out as Limerick was only 30 KM from Ennis. we got to bed by 05:30, got up at 12:00 wandered (cycled) into Ennis to register for the race, failed to find a greasy spoon for breakfast, so returned to our country hotel for an all day breakfast washed down by 3 or 4 Guinness's! went back to bed, got up for 19:00, walked approx 100 yd with the intention of going into town for dinner. Decided better of it, and plumped for the hotel restaurant with a large steak and chips washed down by Guinness. Back to bed by 22:00 to rise at 05:00 in final prep for the race which started at 07:00.

Well the ride started great we were bombing along averaging approx 17 mph until the 30 mile mark when the wind and hills hit us. OMG it was relentless, and really sapped our limited energy reserves. I don't know how many energy gells I swallowed, but it wasn't nearly enough! We stopped at every feed station for replenishment and a token stretch, and a few more between, but it was tough going. It was made easier by the amazing reception we were given by the locals who were dotted along the route at silly 'o' clock in the morning cheering us on. Our final stop was about 10 miles from the end, and after a final gel and energy bar we fairly bombed along into the finish in the centre of Ennis. In all the ride too us 6 hrs 15'. this is a long time to be sat on such a tiny saddle. We were fairly sensible at the end, and rather that go straight for a Guinness, we sank a bottle of water each before heading back to the hotel for another large steak (and of course a Guinness).

Ferry timings dictated that we rise at 04:00 to travel across Ireland to get to Dublin for our Ferry back to Holyhead at 07:30. In the end we made it with time to spare. I took on navigational duties, and we took the northern route as opposed to the non-existant (on sat nav anyway) roads we attempted going south on the way out. Once back on terra firma, the British roads were terrible, sooo busy all the way to Stoke. Still we got back safely, albeit tired.

Would we do it again. You betcha! I think we'd both agree to train more, though to be fair this was out of our control what with my collapse, and Chris busting his soft ribs 3 weeks before. We might visit for longer and see more of our host town. Perhaps combining this with more sleep. Now that would be novel?

So what's on the horizon. Since then, I have completed the Southern Sportive out of Petersfield. Another hilly ride through lovely Southdowns countryside. We (erstwhile sportive partner brother Chris) are planning to complete the Cat and Fiddle 55 mile challenge again in October, which we did 4 days before I suffered my stroke last year. We feel better prepared, and hopefully the weather will be better (wet, wet, wet last year)!

By the end of October my PFO should have been closed, and after a short period of rehabilitation (rest), there should be a couple of Autumnal Sportives to compete in before winter really does set it. Then I really must concentrate on expanding my Physiotherapy business (http://www.pro-physio.co.uk/). I will focus a little more on cycling related physiotherapy and biomechanics as I now have a lot more experience in the field.