Cycle touring in Britain can be a challenge with the busy roads and sometimes bad weather, but can you imagine what it would be like cycling with major health problems?. Alan Negus and Alan Parker both have problems with their legs, and find it harder than most to ride their bikes.
Both lived in North Liverpool about the time of the second world war. They started cycle touring back in the times when the roads were quiet and cycling was more popular on Merseyside than it is now. Many of us understand about bypass heart surgery and the reasons why coronary arteries block. But how often do you hear of blockage in the leg arteries?
Back in 1991 Alan Negus suspected there was something not right with his legs when walking, and later when he tried cycling again following a long lay-off the bike, he knew there was a problem. During many tests in 1994 - 5, including an arteriogram, the specialist found full blockage in Alan's left leg, and partial blockage in right leg. Blocked arteries to the heart are replaced with arteries taken from the leg. Alan had major surgery in April 1995 to replace both arteries with Goretex tubes. Since the surgery Alan has built up his fitness by walking and cycling regular at home and abroad.
For Alan Parker it was not blocked arteries, but Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that was the problem. Following two very successful years, cycling the length of the Appalachian Mountains, USA in 1991, and good racing results in 1992 (Winner of Mersey Roads Club Best All Round Trophy), Alan had vision problems, chronic fatigue, and both legs numb from the waist to his toes. During 1993 he had Eye field tests, Head C.T. Scan, and Blood tests. In 1994 Alan was sent by his doctor for an E.C.G. test to check his heart, that was clear. In 1995 the feeling in the legs and feet came back, bringing with it lots of pain. January 1996, and he was admitted into Walton Neuro Center, Liverpool for more tests. 'Yes', the specialist said," you have MS and could be in a wheel chair soon".
Knowing the benifits that cycling can give, they gradually built up their leg muscles to the "Double Challenge" Double Challenge - To ride the 204 kilometre Cheshire Cycleway on 22nd June, and the Four Counties 100 Mile Open Tourist Trial on 10th August 2003. They planned their training around guidelines given in Cycle Coaching. This itself was a challenge, and meant riding at a faster pace than usual, building on the time actually spent on the bike. The advice given in the guidelines - keep to a steady pace, and only increase duration by 10% every fourteen days. This they did by using heart rate monitors, setting and keeping too their personal zone. ie 120 to 145 beats per minute.
The duration - this they did by going on longer rides, but riding for at least two hours before stopping for food. During the Double Challenge they knew they would be riding for nine to twelve hours including stops. The heart rate monitors ; Alan Negus uses the Polar S series specific to cycling. This model gives heart rate, along with built-in Altimeter and Thermometer, and with additional sensors Alan could see his pedal revs and power output in watts. Alan Parker uses the Cardiosport Ultima which gives heart rate and training zones. Both have chest straps to pick-up heart beat, called transmitters. And receivers with built-in memories which are up-loaded through an inter-face into a personal computer for analysis. One of the other important factors in cycle sport is body weight (yes, I can hear you saying). We know that muscle is heavier than fat, but how do we know if we are a healthy weight. Some of us (not many) are dangerously underweight. Alan Parker has just the thing to measure your body fat; a Maltron Body Fat Analyser.
In certain weight bearing sports, notably distance running, any excess body fat poses a problem in terms of power to weight ratio, and thus performance. However in cycling, as the body is supported by the saddle and handlebars, the need for absolute leaness is much less important. The ideal body fat levels for a cyclist thus falls within much wider bands than that for distance runners; 8-18% for men. 18-25% for women. The Maltron Body Fat Analyser will also give Target Body Fat Range and your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which is the measure of the minimal amount of energy (Kcal) needed to maintain basic and essential physiological funtion. To measure all this, he has to know your weight and height in metric, along with age, gender and activity level.
204 Kilometre Cheshire Cycleway. Alan Parker had cycled this in 1990 when Bob Clift was organiser. His account of the ride; " The day started dry and we were soon into our steady pace riding. Although we both had route cards, it was decided that Alan Negus would be the leader on both rides. He had attached a clip to his handlebars to hold the cards which he had enlarged and put in a clear CD case. The route cards had INFO CONTROL points where we stopped and noted what was asked for on our riders log sheets. This system helped reduce the number of marshalls needed on the day.
Leaving Christleton HQ at 8am, we headed through Delamere and Acton Bridge to the first CONTROL point at Great Budworth where Ann Taylor, the event organiser was waiting to sign our cards. After a welcome drink and snack, (by this time it was getting hot in the sun) we continued east through Knutsford to the first of many climbs which took us over Alderley Edge and down to Prestbury. Bollington was next, and our second CONTROL point, and lunch stop, this time in a large garage. It hadn't changed since my last visit in 1990. The owners were busy selling food and drink along with lots of secondhand cycle parts. Money raised went to the Dave Rainer Fund. During the next section which took us through great scenery, we found it imposible to keep our pulse rates in the fat burning zone. Over Kerridge Hill we went, sometimes into a head wind, then a large loop taking in the Cat and Fiddle road to a really nice lane through Wildboarclough. A lane which I have used many times when riding with the Runcorn CTC back in the 1980's. They were the days when I lived by the Ferry Inn in Penketh.
After Wildboarclough we found the INFO CONTROL point, a large stone pillar standing high on a hill top. We noted the markings and continued down to Sutton. (Does anyone remember the old Oakenclough Youth Hostel?). The next part of the route took us by Gawsworth Hall and Somerford Hall to Hassall Green Canal Side Cafe where we had our cards signed and had a well earned rest. The cafe had changed a lot since my last visit. Moving on we passed by Alsager College and continued to the next INFO CONTROL point at Audlem Church. There is a very nice cafe opposite the church, but we were too late, it was closed.
It was now after 5pm, and we would normally be home getting the evening meal ready. We had cycled 144 kms to Audlem, but still had a long way to go back to Christleton. After Wrenbury came No Mans Heath, then another INFO CONTROL point at an old black and white farm by Tilston. The weather had been kind to us until now. Yes, you guessed it, rain for the rest of the ride. We were on very familar roads, and we did want to complete the ride within the time limit of 13 hours 28 minutes, so it was head down and dig-in. It was now very tempting to join the A41 road, and head back, but we thought no, continue on route.
After crossing the A41 there was still a long climb over to Bickerton Church, then a shorter climb up Gallantry Bank. Then one of my favourite lanes through Peckforton to Beeston Castle, and the final INFO CONTROL point at the Shady Oak Inn. Not far now, through Huxley, then Waverton to the finish at Christleton by Chester. Ann and husband Colin were waiting patiently for us to arrive, we were the last to finish, it was 9pm".
Alan Negus at Melverley Church.
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Alan Parker 2005. This content is intellectual property. No part may be
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