Celebrating the solstice

[Subtle_badger]

Look away, southern hemisphere, this is not for you.

The night of the 21st is the shortest of the year. I intend to mark it with a fast and a bike ride. The bike ride would be either:

Climb a London hill and watch the sunset, cycle through the night, timing it to be back on the same hill to watch it rise again.

OR

Catch a train to Winchester to arrive around midnight, cycle to Stonehenge in time for dawn with all the hippies and pagans, and back to Winchester and the train home after the morning peak.

So I would fast for a day or two before that, and break my fast a full english breakfast (well, partial english, I guess, without the beans and bread).

Anyone else have any plans?

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20]

I am hoping to celebrate the end of CoViD lockdown.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to S11m]

Going clubbing?

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20 in reply to Subtle_badger]

We have a family gathering - rescheduled from before Christmas.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to S11m]

🤞

[Cosmo501]

Loving the sound of the Stonehenge, hippies and pagans plan! Just very belated winter solstice birthday celebrations for us... planned for the summer solstice instead. -- I really really hope you go for the Stonehenge plan!

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

Well, as the solstice is 3:32 GMT Monday, I have kicked off my fast. I think I am serious this time, as I when my friend offered me a coffee, I had an Americano! 60 hours starting after a late supper yesterday, finishing Monday mid morning. I plan to walk or cycle overnight tomorrow.

Will carry snacks in case my plans aren't compatible with no food.

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs]

Hi Subtle_badger , good luck with your fast and bike ride. I have been struggling to fast for more than 24hrs recently. I just don’t seem to be in the mind set. I am at work on Monday morning, my alarm will be set for 0330hrs as normal so will be thinking of you😊

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Pink4eva]

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I am about 23 hours in and doing OK. I will count the fast as successful if I make it 36 hours, so anything after breakfast time tomorrow is bonus. Hopefully I can manage another 24 hours after that. Bit hungry now, so try to offset that with a green tea.

We will be at our closest to the sun an hour after your alarm on Monday.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

Around 36 hours and feeling good. Let's see what the day holds in store for me.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

I guess I am doing this thing! Currently on a train to Winchester, then cycling 45 km to Stonehenge, 50 hours fasted. Don't worry, I have water and snacks (if needed)

If anyone is awake, you can follow my journey. Link should work, battery willing, until about the time I am due to break my fast.

maps.app.goo.gl/SdKHNjkSENu...

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Subtle_badger]

I pushed myself a little too far this morning. Seems as if not eating for 57 hours, having an hours sleep and riding through the night in the rain is harsh on the body. When I started to feel nauseous a few km outside Salisbury, I have in and tucked into my snacks. Nausea was always a sign of low blood sugar for me, so I guess gluconeogenesis wasn't keeping up with demand. The first 15km and the last 12 or so were quite bad, but 40 I just had flow. The pedals kept turning and I felt good. Unfortunately that first 15km was so slow, that the sun came up as I rode through Wiltshire country side as I couldn't make up the lost time.

I won't do exactly this ride again, it was not smart, but I am still pleased at how much I was capable of that deep into a fast. A flat 60km in daylight would be a diddle. 😏

Route from Winchester to Salisbury via Stonehenge.

[Cosmo501 in reply to Subtle_badger]

I'm in awe of you!... that sounds like serious fun, and just a bit bonkers too. Hope you're feeling good and recovered quickly from pushing your boundaries. The lack of sleep can't have helped! -- sorry I missed tracking you along the way... a funeral 'popped' up. Would love to hear how you're getting on after this fast and expedition

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Cosmo501]

When it was good, it was very very good, when it was bad, it was horrid 😂

I feel OK today. I now know I can break my fast with literally anything. Sitting on the edge of a road with cars spinning past at 50+ MPH literally a metre away, I scoffed the salami bites and Port Salut cheese I had packed for just such, then a couple of hours later sat down to a low carb version of the full english healthunlocked.com/healthye... with no ill-effects whatsoever. Got home, ate chicken, avocado, tomato and mayonnaise with a couple of glasses of wine, then fell into bed.

I feel tired, and I don't want to get on my cycle, but otherwise fine.

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs]

Hi Subtle_badger , I am full of admiration for your fasting and the bike ride. Unfortunately I ended up binge eating yesterday and today. Looking on the bright side, I will be going to the gym tomorrow to start WK8 of C25K. 😊

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Pink4eva]

I wish I could offer you some respite from these binges 😢

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs in reply to Subtle_badger]

Subtle_badger thank you, that was a lovely thing to say. I did my W8R1 at the gym today, I was aiming for 28 mins, but amazed myself as when I checked the time I had run for 33 mins. I really enjoyed the run as well😊How are you recovering after your bike ride?

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs in reply to Subtle_badger]

Subtle_badger sorry, just seen your reply to Cosmo. Sounds like you ‘recovered’ in style😊