Monday 30 April 2012
Motors L'Etape
Really looking forward to our first team outing tomorrow, will be good to ride in a big group for the first time. Lets hope the sun shines on us and we get a rain free ride!
not much training this weekend
Absolutely awful weather this weekend. Went out with Jared Saturday morning, the wind and rain were relentless up on the ridge so decided to head for the flats but was so cold at that point that we called it a day and headed home. Instead of a 45 mile hill climbing route only managed to cover about 20 miles with less than half the intended climbs. Disappointed but can't be helped, pleased we did actually get out there and at least cover a few miles.
Monday 23 April 2012
training on course
Another good weekend and pleased with my schedule so far.
Thanks to Jared for insisting we strike off a 50 miler, I may well have kept to some local hills otherwise. Thanks also to Dave for introducing me to Streatley Hill, not likely to go at it again but glad to strike that one off to be honest.
Plan for next weekend is to introduce Jared to a few hills.
Thanks to Jared for insisting we strike off a 50 miler, I may well have kept to some local hills otherwise. Thanks also to Dave for introducing me to Streatley Hill, not likely to go at it again but glad to strike that one off to be honest.
Plan for next weekend is to introduce Jared to a few hills.
Saturday 21 April 2012
Nemesis? What nemesis?
I joined Gary and Jared at the bottom of Streatley Hill, 15 miles into their 50-miler this morning...
I'd been worrying about the hill all week, and was feeling the fear as we started the ascent, but I made it to the top! Almost fell over when I got off my bike as my legs had gone, but Streatley Hill is no longer my nemesis - I ate it for breakfast!! :-D
We continued together for about 23 enjoyable miles before we went our separate ways - me to return home for a 45 mile round trip, them to finish off their 50.
As I cruised down the B4494 to Hamstead Norreys, I began to get concerned that my next destination was not mentioned on the signs, which all told me I was heading for Newbury... well as it happened, after 38 miles I did turn up in Newbury, 15 miles from home - I needed a turn-off I wasn't even looking for to follow my planned route! D'oh!!
I felt fine though (just the usual sore knee and foot), so set off for home in positive frame of mind, though admittedly wondering how I'd cope... I needn't have worried! I felt fine all the way, and when the torrential rain started 5 miles from home, I put my head down and upped the effort, loving every second! I made it home in one piece (despite coming down Streatley Hill in the rain, almost blind from the water and at 20mph despite having the brakes full on all the way!!!), very happy and very tired after 53 miles today, and 134 miles in the week!
This cycling lark is getting to be fun!
I'd been worrying about the hill all week, and was feeling the fear as we started the ascent, but I made it to the top! Almost fell over when I got off my bike as my legs had gone, but Streatley Hill is no longer my nemesis - I ate it for breakfast!! :-D
We continued together for about 23 enjoyable miles before we went our separate ways - me to return home for a 45 mile round trip, them to finish off their 50.
As I cruised down the B4494 to Hamstead Norreys, I began to get concerned that my next destination was not mentioned on the signs, which all told me I was heading for Newbury... well as it happened, after 38 miles I did turn up in Newbury, 15 miles from home - I needed a turn-off I wasn't even looking for to follow my planned route! D'oh!!
I felt fine though (just the usual sore knee and foot), so set off for home in positive frame of mind, though admittedly wondering how I'd cope... I needn't have worried! I felt fine all the way, and when the torrential rain started 5 miles from home, I put my head down and upped the effort, loving every second! I made it home in one piece (despite coming down Streatley Hill in the rain, almost blind from the water and at 20mph despite having the brakes full on all the way!!!), very happy and very tired after 53 miles today, and 134 miles in the week!
This cycling lark is getting to be fun!
Thursday 19 April 2012
Getting ready for 50....
I'm strangely really looking forward to hitting the 50 mile mark this weekend, Gary has a ride planned in that not only covers 50 miles but also has 3 CAT 5 climbs!
Lets hope the rain lets up and allows us to have a really good morning riding,
Jared
Lets hope the rain lets up and allows us to have a really good morning riding,
Jared
Wednesday 18 April 2012
what's all the fuss about road bikes
After hearing to all the jibber jabber about how much better road bikes are, i thought i'd give Karens' road bike a trip into work today.
Admittedly the weather was particularly rubbish, but yesterday was as well so I believe I can make a comparison.
Overall it wasn't that much quicker although it is easier to swap down on to the drops for the hard slogs. The steering is no where near as responsive, the brakes are rubbish, the pedals are far too slippery and too reliant on the straps, there's nowhere for my luggage, the handlebars may have more positional options but due to the shape there's no comfort and the extra weight on the hands and arms due to the body position adds even more points against.
In summary, a lot of these niggles can be tweaked to improve the comfort of the ride, and it's only a matter of time to get used to the different riding styles, but to be honest, I prefer my mtb. I know where I am with that, the brakes work when I want them to (I'm sorry but there's no excuse for old caliper style brakes these days!), oh and I've kind of got used to my mtb gear range.....
Admittedly the weather was particularly rubbish, but yesterday was as well so I believe I can make a comparison.
Overall it wasn't that much quicker although it is easier to swap down on to the drops for the hard slogs. The steering is no where near as responsive, the brakes are rubbish, the pedals are far too slippery and too reliant on the straps, there's nowhere for my luggage, the handlebars may have more positional options but due to the shape there's no comfort and the extra weight on the hands and arms due to the body position adds even more points against.
In summary, a lot of these niggles can be tweaked to improve the comfort of the ride, and it's only a matter of time to get used to the different riding styles, but to be honest, I prefer my mtb. I know where I am with that, the brakes work when I want them to (I'm sorry but there's no excuse for old caliper style brakes these days!), oh and I've kind of got used to my mtb gear range.....
Monday 16 April 2012
More miles.....
Went for a good ride on Saturday with Rob and Chris, tackled a fun hill coming out of Botley which i rode up twice for the fun of it!
In total i managed another 40 miles so feel on course with my training plan.
In total i managed another 40 miles so feel on course with my training plan.
Thursday 12 April 2012
Wet ride home
Last nights commute home was a fun journey! it rained all the way back to Abingdon and i must of looked a right state, absolutely drenched!
People must of looked at me oddly as i was smiling and laughing my way home.... better than crying i guess!
Anyway, i'm off to the shops for some mudguards to prevent another wet arse like last night!
People must of looked at me oddly as i was smiling and laughing my way home.... better than crying i guess!
Anyway, i'm off to the shops for some mudguards to prevent another wet arse like last night!
Tuesday 10 April 2012
Managed to do my first 40 mile ride at the weekend, there was a couple of hills but mainly a very flat ride. I could of done without the wind and rain which at one point had me sheltering in a bus stop!
Took me two and a half hours to complete minus food stops so pretty good going... looking forward to getting the 50 miles complete now...
Took me two and a half hours to complete minus food stops so pretty good going... looking forward to getting the 50 miles complete now...
Saturday 7 April 2012
100 mile week!
Well, that was my first 100 mile week - 104 to be precise.
Commuted to work Monday and Tuesday, and had a very leisurely 13 on/off road miles with the kids yesterday, and today tackled 41 miles in quite cold, grey and occasionally slightly wet weather including two cat 5 and one cat 4 climbs - the latter coming at the 30 mile point which didn't make it any easier!! It took 2h 41m (counting only riding time - had to stop to look at the map a few times too!)
Feeling quite tired now - so I'm off out painting the town red until 2am tonight!!!!
Next week is gentler before I look to push on again the following week.
So far, so good - training going extremely well.
Commuted to work Monday and Tuesday, and had a very leisurely 13 on/off road miles with the kids yesterday, and today tackled 41 miles in quite cold, grey and occasionally slightly wet weather including two cat 5 and one cat 4 climbs - the latter coming at the 30 mile point which didn't make it any easier!! It took 2h 41m (counting only riding time - had to stop to look at the map a few times too!)
Feeling quite tired now - so I'm off out painting the town red until 2am tonight!!!!
Next week is gentler before I look to push on again the following week.
So far, so good - training going extremely well.
Thursday 5 April 2012
Monday 2 April 2012
My trusty steed
Following on from Gary's show and tell, here's my mount for the challenges ahead:
It's a Trek Pilot 2.0 - a "sportive" bike designed as a cross between racing and touring bikes, and ideal for long all-day events (we shall see!).
I've added a rack, clipless pedals and switched from the standard racy but vicious 23mm tyres to more a comfortable 28mm to cope with the shocking state of the roads between home and work. What I lose in efficiency, I more than make up in comfort, and with 1500 miles of riding still ahead before we set off from Morecambe, comfort is all!!
It's a Trek Pilot 2.0 - a "sportive" bike designed as a cross between racing and touring bikes, and ideal for long all-day events (we shall see!).
I've added a rack, clipless pedals and switched from the standard racy but vicious 23mm tyres to more a comfortable 28mm to cope with the shocking state of the roads between home and work. What I lose in efficiency, I more than make up in comfort, and with 1500 miles of riding still ahead before we set off from Morecambe, comfort is all!!
So many miles, so little time...
Just 60 miles last week, I had my kids at the weekend and as they had a race on Sunday morning I couldn't wear them out with cycling, so a weekend rest.
Next week I have them again for a few days over Easter, so if I cycle to work both days I'm in and add 40 miles at the weekend that'll be 90 for the week... then I have them again the following weekend, so again I'm restricted to commuting!
Somewhere within all this I have to find time for pre-season tennis training with my doubles partner (and then of course, tennis matches)... and a bit of dating too!!
Looks like I need to be commuting three times a week, and combining that with evening activities too if I am going to have any chance of hitting my targets. Busy, busy times!!!
Next week I have them again for a few days over Easter, so if I cycle to work both days I'm in and add 40 miles at the weekend that'll be 90 for the week... then I have them again the following weekend, so again I'm restricted to commuting!
Somewhere within all this I have to find time for pre-season tennis training with my doubles partner (and then of course, tennis matches)... and a bit of dating too!!
Looks like I need to be commuting three times a week, and combining that with evening activities too if I am going to have any chance of hitting my targets. Busy, busy times!!!
Sunday 1 April 2012
tough day
A really tough day today, managed another hilly route which was about 3 hours 45 mins, bum's sore, back's sore, legs are sore, legs are really sore, and I'm shattered. Glad I didn't bottle out of the last hill, the brain wasn't really functioning properly at that point so forgot to stop and reconsider it.
Tried out a cold bath when I got back and it seems to be doing the job, happy days!
Tried out a cold bath when I got back and it seems to be doing the job, happy days!
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