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.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)