Jusqu'à ici, tout va bien! (or so far, so good!)

Bring the noise?

Inspiration strikes today at the ungodly hour of 5.30 am. I suppose you could say I awoke from a dream. How romantic. I suppose you could also say I was abruptly awoken by the bass. Good vibrations, I think not. Nonetheless, I will make the best of a situation and write this already slightly late blog! (sorry!)

Top Gear

When I signed up for this challenge, I anticipated having to spend the preceding weeks and months training to build my speed, strength and stamina. What I didn't anticipate was having to learn how to cycle all over again! In the past, whilst I cycled a lot, it was generally for fun rather than fitness. Having cycled the same route several times now, I have realized just how bad my technique was. The route I take is between Cottingham, just outside Hull, to Beverley. Around 10 miles. Not an overly challenging route on a nice day, and it makes use of (if you know Hull) the only hills between here and The Peak District. It would seem that burning yourself out in high gear at the base of a hill is not the way forward. (sorry, couldn't resist!)

An uphill struggle

The only other issue of note is wind. As I may have mentioned, Hull is a rather flat place (incidentally for the same reason as The Netherlands, my eventual goal) and as such, can get quite windy. When combined with the few, rather exposed hills on my route the result is a very slow pace and many expletives! Ahh well. All in the name of charity!

Who are you and why are you on the internet!?

Here Goes Nothing...

Given that I gave up English several years ago, when the opportunity first presented itself, even I am a little confused as to my reasons for starting a blog. So, Who am I and why am I here?

Who?

I am Dom Waters, 19 years old and first year Geography student at Hull Uni.
That was easy...

Why?

Why I am here takes a little more explaining.

The easy answer is I now have something interesting to talk about. I don't consider myself a boring person, but i'm not a good enough writer to organize my (for the most part) mundane life into something readable and interesting! So, somewhat unexpectedly I have decided to cycle from Leeds to Amsterdam, all in aid of Dementia UK. The reason I started the blog is that through putting my ideas, moans, toils and most importantly training into the public domain (where my unfortunate friends can see it), I can to an extent coerce myself into training properly... 

What to expect...

The intention is to keep this blog positive and full of delighted reports of circuit times improving and feeling wonderfully fit and well (not to mention smug!). In reality however I will end up cursing hills, raging about mechanical gremlins and swearing at head winds. For this, I apologize. But who knows, with any luck someone who actually knows what they are doing may stumble across this blog and set me straight.  

I am hoping to update this blog at least once a week (Alex, Emily and all the rest, hold me to it! ;) ) and I will undoubtedly add in some ramblings about being a student in general  

And finally...

Thanks for sticking it out to the bitter end of this somewhat disjointed post. Surprisingly I have really enjoyed writing it so I hope you enjoy reading it. (Brace for shameless plug) Given that I am doing this ride for charity I will end with a link to my Virgin Money Giving site. If you see me around please throw your spare change at me! (not to hard... please!)     www.virginmoneygiving.com/dominicwaters

Many Thanks,

Dom.

PS: Happy Valentines day one and all :) <3