The final countdown:

Although Manfred won't be able to make it, and in mind of Graham's miscalculated timeline countdown, I would like to suggest a post spinning pizza at Santaniellas this Thursday.

We need to discuss the support vehicles and crew, who else is coming and when (team's partners and from the Club generally), and logistics for the trip down and back - bike carriage etc.

Hopefuly all can make this, and I shall invite Tim along also as he is likely to coordinate the rest of the Club - although he struggles in this respect sartorially.

I have Lous and Howie also away, but think that an earlier rather than later meet is needed to stop the arangements drifting.

I accept all crtciism of paranoia at this early stage, but have seen these countdown calamities before!

Fish:

Just to while away the time, I've introduced a little executive stress-busting game to the blog.
Click your mouse on the fish screen to drop food, and the 10 cyclists, sorry fish, will swim to feed! If you notice, each has been given a cyclist's name - spot the greedy ones!

Return travel:

Graham Brown's miscalculated comments that the event is only 16 weeks away turned my mind to return travel arrangements.

Browsing the Ryanair site, prompted by Dave Chandler's email, I was surprised to see that, indeed, the corporate logo of Ryanair had been updated to more accurately reflect the customer services ethic of the budget airline. This is to be heralded with the new banner line to the website - 'Ryanair, we don't care!'.

Further onboard costs have been announced that might impact our group, including a 'technical drivel' limit of 3.2Gb - undoubtedly to be exceeded by Brown in mounting the steps, and an 'ogling' surcharge on glances at stewardesses' breasts / backsides / legs surely to be levied on Brookes and Eales.

On training, various cycle websites advise a training regime equal to 4 times the overall event duration, with recommended endurance comfort level of 50% beyond maximum.

This equates to an average of 192 miles a week training from now, and at least one run of 178.5 miles!

Help!!!!!

Oakers oestrogen levels soar!

Following on from his residency in the 'instructor's saddle' at spinning, there have been alarming developments.

Following a cold but enjoyable ride around Bedfordshire last Sunday, we retired to the privacy of the Slippery's kitchen.

Refusing the offer of a hearty bacon sandwich, opting instead for a rindless rasher on a gluten free rye base, Oakley proceeded to discuss his new crotch protecting cycle shorts. Barely pausing for breath, he alarmingly dropped his Ron Hills to unveil a distinctly feminine pattern to his shorts.

Open mouthed and aghast, our cycling Celts calmly advised the toupee-topped pre-op transsexual to re-hoist his trousers before the Eales family returned home - little expecting such deviant behaviour in the previously secure sanctity of their own breakfast room!

Moving on -

Likely to be a full house this week at spinning:

McNulty

Morris

(no Charles)

Brown

Cocksedge

Eales

Oakley

Kav

Howie

Louse (either one!)

Tommo

Let me know if I'm missing anyone?

Training downside:

Alarming evidence is emerging of the unwanted effects of strenuous exercise.

Testosterone levels rise rapidly. In normal people, this can be viewed in more aggressive posturing, and a predominance of unwanted body hair.

Where there is a lack of follicular presence, secretion within the sebaceous glands can have disastrous consequences on surfaces in osmotic membrane contact with this oily substance.

Pictured here - a preening Oakley hairpiece in a vulgar mating display, captured opposite the Litten Tree in the High street last night, it's testicular gigantis a sad testimony to the perils of genetic modification.

Sport for All!

After the surprise metamorphosis of Simon into Sue Lousada last night, the group have decided to be more inclusive - inviting all creed, sex and ethnicity to future classes.

There was heated debate as to whether this new found esprit de corps would extend to Rashid, our own resident camel-hopper, but it was finally unanimously agreed that he be allowed to oil our gears beforehand. Being the swarthy chap he is, he has offered to use his own bodily secretions - confirmed as 20/50 grade by the boffins at Castrol.

In the meantime, I've accepted a request from the pictured pair - emigrant Rotarians looking to join a local Club.

This week:

I've tried to get a celebrity pair of cyclists to join us this week, but also expect:

McNulty
Morris
Brown
Rose (before his trip to see James Blunt in Switzerland)
Howie
Tommo
Eales
Cocksedge
Kav??
Louse

That's 10 altogether - so let me know if you aren't, or shouldn't be on the list of attendees.
I won't be at breakfast tomoorow, so I'll see you at spinning or Charter, or both!!

Update:

Only Oakley's wildlife hairpiece is joining Pags and Flame tomorrow.

Worried about other nut-hoarding rodents, the meet is now 9.45 at Oaklands Road for any late deciders!

Training:

Training starts here!

Weather forecast is dry at least, and not -quite - so cold. Any fellow idiots can join Pags and I Sunday morning: meet at my house at 9.30.

Route is out through Cranfield, Astwood, Hardmead, Turvey, Carlton, Sharnbook (almost), Felmersham and back via Oakley to wherever!

See you there or text if you think you might be a bit late.

I have 4 'guest' cyclists joining us, as you can see.

Bren

This week!!

Spinning this week:

Rose
Morris
McNulty
Brown

Eales
Oakley
Louse
Tommo

Missing -
Kav, Manfred, Cocksedge and Howie

I assume that's right and will see if there are any other takers at breakfast tomorrow.

Test:

Just to test email notifications of blogging! Let me know if you get automatic notification?

Graham - can you confirm the route so I can post this for ease of access?

Weather:

Disruption from the weather has only affected the less determined.

Pictured right is the intrepid Ole MacDonald cycling to check on Bullers - his affectionately named Blond d'Aquitaine prize bull in the foothills of the Marston Vale.

In the background can be seen his trusty farmer's wife packing a healthy lunch of Perry and Lasagne.

Others have not been so adventurous, with Oakers confining his exercise to adding weights to the bedding, as he repeatedly hauls the duvet over Mrs Oakers's head in an adaption of the Dutch Ovens party game.

Early turkey fuelled enthusiasm has waned: after last week's full house, the excuses have been rolling in to miss this week's spinning class. Tommo's saddle having been kept warm by the Kaiser is being prepared.

Spinning:

Last Thursday saw a good turnout with Nas having to prance around whilst Oakley squirmed uncomfortably on her saddle.
Can people let me know if there are any dropouts this week - with Kav not back I'll give Tommo first option on the saddle this week.
I've put a feed to the weather and looking at putting a log for training for everyone up as well.
Time to meet up for a pizza after the next ride when Kav is back - that's be the day before Charter?
Bren

Back on line!!

CAST 2010 kicked off in the New Year with a full house at the spinning class last night.
Oakers took the class, with the Kaiser making a guest appearance having been awarded a pass out from Mrs Saenger: his story of being abroad just didn't pass the rumours of just not being allowed out with the boys!
More to come.