Peter: Now two sessions in a day .. is that good? who knows but my body hurts!! first real bike ride on my own machine in the garage last night wow ! Had to tone it down a bit this morning as the legs are suffering, building up the miles/Km though – I do though need a good reward breakfast I think !

Peter: Does British Rail understand that I have a detailed training routine – broken down trains do NOT help when I need to be cycling – get a bloody move on ! One very p++++d off customer

Peter: Tough start to this week, very tired, must have worked harder than normal yesterday. Still tough managed to complete my early morning bike ride 18.3K in the 35 minutes how an earth I did 20K in the same time last Friday I must have been on something. Anyway another week nearer the event already starting to get nervous ? How much more training do I need to do ? When will it end ? Am I doing the right training ? Questions I cannot answer, only time will tell I suppose.

Peter: Finished the week by breaking through the 20K barrier on the bike in the time allowed – feeling great ready to take on the world – bring it on !!

Peter: For some reason Tuesdays are not the same as other days when it comes to training output – not sure if its me or the set up of the bike in the gym being different but for certain looking back through my records my km drop quite a bit. Most days in the 35 minutes I have to train on the bike I average 17-18k today it was only 12k must be me I’m sure though I worked just as hard as normal – so feeling a bit flat as I catch the train with the prospect of a day on the phone finding new business … not totally motivated

Out on the “Black Beauty” (my bike) today. Headed south out of London through Richmond and Bushy park before making it to Surrey where I was greeted with quiet roads. Distinct lack of B roads in the big smoke!

Peter: pushed myself really hard today on the bike  still only managed 18.6K in the 35 minutes I have available,  better than nothing I suppose – on the way to work the smell of bacon cooking is so attractive…what to do!

Sometimes a family has an interest in scrabble, maybe train spotting, possibly Mediaeval Re-enactments. I think we’d all agree it would probably be a great idea from one member… lets go camping….. Mum and Dad and kids, then kids reluctant or enthusiastic who cares… Then Kids get older and may not be quite so keen? …. The tales of endless summer holidays trekking the countryside and pitching tents in the pouring rain or preparing sandwiches for a day by the river in waders and a bucket hat or railway siding?

But perhaps less common is three brothers finding a common interest- post mid life crisis risk zone, that is, not only is it a big deal for the average city professional, but also sets revive all the delights of sibling rivalry.

Add to the mix one brother’s offspring and a mate, just to pitch the youth against the experienced, and the merry gang prepares to defying human norms.

So In order of age, showing due deference for experience… in something..

Team Russell

• Tony “Ironman Senior” Russell, 56 of Harpenden,
• Peter “middle child” Russell, 54 of Harpenden,
• David “baby bro” Russell 48 of … yup, Harpenden,
• Dan “Ironman Junior” Russell 25 originally of Harpenden now of Dubai!
• and  Andy “honorary Russell” Brown  also formerly of Harpenden

Do they put something in the water?