The latest

I managed 300 miles on the road in February plus another 3 hours on the rollers. So although a drop in miles from January, many of those miles have been on routes into the peak district and I've managed 17000ft of climbing over the course of the month.

My longest ride to date is 63 miles into the peaks. Everything was going great, I was following the route I'd plotted on my garmin and was all set to be back in Timperley at 3 to get the kids from school. At about 1.45pm, I realised that I was in Marton, miles off course and with only just over an hour to cover somewhere approaching 20 miles! How I flew! It's amazing that when you have to do it, zone 2 becomes much more comfortable and the speed can really go up.

I continue to lose weight and have now lost 9kg in total - current weight is 84kg. I feel that I'm starting to think differently about food. I think I enjoy feeling virtuous! I've been to a couple of social events recently where food has been plentiful - buffets full of sausage rolls and Victoria sponge!! I have taken the healthy options and just allowed myself a small treat. It seems to be working and I'm feeling really good.

March didn't start well as I took a week off with illness but I'm back into full training and really looking forward to the Cheshire Cat Sportive on the 29th. I'm doing the 102 mile route - it's a big jump in distance and time and I'm a little nervous but excited nonetheless. I'm more worried about Colin as he's struggling to fit in the hours on the bike. He's doing the 66mile option and I think he's in for a painful day. I hope it spurs him on to fit more training in so that he stands a better chance of finishing the Etape.