Shaving off some grams...every little one should help

This is a photo of my new saddle bag. It only weighs 80 grams. It's just big enough to carry a couple of inner tubes, tyre levers, a key, a £5 note and a mobile phone. The zip is waterproof and I like the streamlined wedgie shape. The other feature which I really like is the clever clip which attaches it to the underside of the saddle. It's easy to attach, and if you're going for a spin without it, you can quickly unclip it, and not leave any heavy unsightly plastic on the underside of the seat. It's made by Scott.

Obviously nobody wants to be dragging any extra weight up the Pyrenees in July so we all spend more to get less. I haven't weighed my bike yet, but I will soon. I also ride a very tasty motorbike, a 2003 Honda Fireblade. The manafacturers go to great lengths to reduce the weight of the machines, and every new model inevitably shaves off a fair few more kg. So, my RR3 Blade weighs 168kg and the 954cc engine delivers 137bhp. Ultimately, it's the power to weight ratio which matters in the sportsbike market, and of course we cyclists are in the same game. I'm expecting to slowly lose weight over the next three months as I get fitter and train for endurance. I also starting to think about what I eat (and drink).

Seeing as I'm on the subject of endurance, fellow blogger and blog reader Mark has gently pointed out to me that I'm a long way behind in the miles-on-the-bike ladder and at this rate I'm just not going to make it in July. There's nothing quite like a short sharp attack of stark terror to bring on the indigestion and ruin a comfy Sunday evening after too much spaghetti carbonara, whilst nursing my post-footy deadleg. Mark is right. The 5 Etape climbs are going to be hellish and I've got to really pick it up in the next 6 weeks or so if I'm to have any chance of completing this ride. It's the final two.... the Port de Balès and the Col de Peyresourde that really give me the willies. I don't think I've been complacent to date, but thanks to Mark's cleverly worded Cloughie-esque pep talk, I feel I'm suffused with a new feeling of determination.

Getting back to power to weight ratios, from what I know of cycling most of the top climbers are small and lean, without too much upper body muscle. None of us wants to be dragging our bellies up those hills and along 130 miles. (Having said that, one smart Alec at work has pointed out that it's only a ride of about 65 miles because I'll be rolling downhill for half the distance). That's a nice way of thinking.

So, I did 17 miles yesterday to loosen up the muscles, and this week heading into the Easter weekend, I'm going to get up to at least 80. By the way, when I ride, I don't stop for tea and biccies, snacks etc.. Is that what other people do? Or should I schedule some 15 minute recuperation breaks. Maybe I'll experiment.