Training update - Frinton

"Poor" would be a fair summary of of my training schedule over the last 10 days. There are mitigating circumstances...

Bt first a reminder that I am cycling to support the expansion of Spencer CC's outreach work - donations can be made by clicking here.

The training schedule on our fridge says I should have cycled 235km over the last 10 days (plus 1 hour intense hill climbing); I have managed 90km (plus no intense hill climbing).

I have, however, averaged 15,000 steps plus per day thanks to my work at the Frinton Festival and Spencer CC half term camp. Both were hard work, but rewarding, so no complaints at all, although it does mean th next 7 days are going to see some pretty intense cycling (by my standards at least).

The visit to Frinton did involve some statistically low key rides. What Komoot does not show is the 30mph wind coming from the North East. This meant I thought I was going backwards when faced by the Tendring Tornado, but hurled me back to Frinton past these beach huts in Walton on the Naze..

Frinton has certain reputation; its first pub opened in 2000; the sale of ice cream along the front s banned; you probably get the idea.

So, my day was almost complete by 8am last Saturday, when I was hurtling south along the esplanade from Walton only to be stopped very suddenly by big letters on the ground pronouncing "NO CYCLING". They left out "Welcome to Frinton".

My day was only truly complete later in the day when, having blacked out the windows in Great Holland Church (shades of Walmington on Sea), the village's chief bell ringer wandered in to set the bells in the up position. He also offered to take us up the Great Holland tower, which was simply fantastic. My photos are marred by the sticky sheen that had somehow covered my phone lens; what no photograph could capture was the tranquility up there, and the stillness of the air in direct contrast to the still blowing Tendring Tornado. However, as Mum would have said, "Don't go near the edge".

One up, one down