Having set myself targets and trained for months what do you do when it is all over?
well what I'm NOT doing is going back to being a couch potato! :)
So I have signed up for a 100 mile ride on the 1st Sept. That will help to keep me motivated though I do genuinely enjoy being on the bike now. I'm supposed to be moving house shortly and with that and a summer of weddings to photograph I'm going to be busy! But having said that I can always find time for an hour on the turbo at night if I have not managed to fit a ride in. It's getting the time for the 60 milers that is going to be properly tricky.
and hills....I want to lose a few lbs now I've done the way of the roses and go play on hills, lord knows there are plenty of them around here! Perhaps one day I will be able to do them properly :)
Thursday 20 June 2013
Wednesday 29 May 2013
Way of the Roses
Friday morning, Morecambe, off we go.
Running a little late we meet up with Hilly en route just as we set off and he is going to come with us to Settle. The first few miles pass as we warm up along the cycle track through Lancaster and into the hills at the Crook O Lune. The first hill is affectionately known as the Hill of Doom at Caton. It is a nasty little one because it rises, levels and rises again, on a bend. But we have a strategy for the Hill of Doom, for we have practiced it! Ha! If we have a quick breather at the bend we can make it up. So off we go up the hill. Except Zoe has not got the hang of her cleats yet and tumbles into a patch of nettles instead of stopping!
The age old cure of Doc leaves and off we go again, up the hill and off through Wray, which is a delightful little village and through the rolling countryside to Austwick for lunch. A longer than planned lunch break ensued as Gary had to take Zoe's bike to bits thanks to a bent chainring. We managed a temporary fix and headed off to Settle where the bike shop effected a permanent repair with an upgrade to a Shimano 105 chainring :) Highly recommend the bike shop in Settle who now keep a Friday free for those of us who break things in the first 35 miles :)
Now the route coming out of Settle takes on quite a different character as we head into the hills and onto moorland. And it is not an easy ride. If I were to do this again I would make sure I was leaving Settle a lot earlier than we did. The reason is that the terrain really does slow you down now. It's all high and hilly moorland and the average speed really does drop over this section. On a three day schedule I would recommend either an earlier start and faster first section or an earlier stop over at Cracoe or Grassington. As it was the summit at Greenhow up on Bewerley Moor was getting a bit much so late into the evening. We pushed on to Pateley Bridge as the barn owls came out to hunt!
We woke on Saturday morning to the most dreadful weather. That was the reason we had pushed on so late on the Friday night. Given the choice of a late night or a wet morning we had chosen a late night! So it was three hours late when we set off from Pately Bridge. OK so we didn't have to do the bit over from Cracoe/Grassington but we still had 55 miles to get through. Fuelled by a late breakfast we set off into the rain with the forecast predicting it should clear as we headed to Ripon. Indeed it did!
We were only an hour in before the rain cleared and that was the last we saw of it for the trip. :)
The landscape changes as you descend from Pateley Bridge and the change from open moorland into lush, green agricultural landscape is very noticeable on the bike. Not only does it look different, it smells different! The wild garlic this time of year is incredible :) Onto Ripon and a coffee stop...turned into lunch lol so again we were running late and still had 37 miles to do to our next overnight at Dunnington, East of York so we still had to go through York which was going to slow us down again. So it was time to up the pace a little and we did a good hour at 14 mph which at least put a dent in the miles left. Good job too, the bike path leading into York is an obstcacle course! it is rough in places but the control gates (six or seven) have to be navigated at snails pace and even dismounted to get over so there is no real speed to me made over the 5 mile section of the route. York itself was negotiated with relative ease and off out to Dunninton we went. In time for a pretty hearty evening meal too.
The next morning was fine if a little chilly and we set off to do the last 55 miles through the Yorkshire Wolds and onto Bridlington. Again we faced a challenge, that of basically two fields to cross on muddy paths! Not ideal on the road bikes and we slid and slipped across them, walking in places while the pedals, brakes and wheels got full of mud! Free of the mud we could have done with a hosepipe to get the mud off the braking surfaces and it proved to be a problem when the mud on Zoes cleats set like concrete effectively binding her feet to the bike! We had to cycle ahead, jump off the bikes and catch her as she came to a halt, removing her feet from her shoes and pulling them off the bike.
The sun was out now, the shorts were on and onward we pedalled through the Wolds, a gorgeous single track road that snaked over the valleys and hills. Nothing lung bursting, just gorgeous countryside, birds singing sun shining. Next stop was Driffield and again we were later than was ideal. Never mind, not long to Bridlington, only 19 miles and should be able to get in, grab a snack, drop the bikes at the B&B and be back on the front to welcome the boys doing it in one day home.......time to get a bit of a scoot on :) Pedalling over the higher hills towards Bridlington was harder work thanks to the headwind!
But the sun was shining, my legs were turning after the slow stuff and all is right in the world so long as everyone makes it to the finish. Which we all did. :)
Running a little late we meet up with Hilly en route just as we set off and he is going to come with us to Settle. The first few miles pass as we warm up along the cycle track through Lancaster and into the hills at the Crook O Lune. The first hill is affectionately known as the Hill of Doom at Caton. It is a nasty little one because it rises, levels and rises again, on a bend. But we have a strategy for the Hill of Doom, for we have practiced it! Ha! If we have a quick breather at the bend we can make it up. So off we go up the hill. Except Zoe has not got the hang of her cleats yet and tumbles into a patch of nettles instead of stopping!
The age old cure of Doc leaves and off we go again, up the hill and off through Wray, which is a delightful little village and through the rolling countryside to Austwick for lunch. A longer than planned lunch break ensued as Gary had to take Zoe's bike to bits thanks to a bent chainring. We managed a temporary fix and headed off to Settle where the bike shop effected a permanent repair with an upgrade to a Shimano 105 chainring :) Highly recommend the bike shop in Settle who now keep a Friday free for those of us who break things in the first 35 miles :)
Now the route coming out of Settle takes on quite a different character as we head into the hills and onto moorland. And it is not an easy ride. If I were to do this again I would make sure I was leaving Settle a lot earlier than we did. The reason is that the terrain really does slow you down now. It's all high and hilly moorland and the average speed really does drop over this section. On a three day schedule I would recommend either an earlier start and faster first section or an earlier stop over at Cracoe or Grassington. As it was the summit at Greenhow up on Bewerley Moor was getting a bit much so late into the evening. We pushed on to Pateley Bridge as the barn owls came out to hunt!
We woke on Saturday morning to the most dreadful weather. That was the reason we had pushed on so late on the Friday night. Given the choice of a late night or a wet morning we had chosen a late night! So it was three hours late when we set off from Pately Bridge. OK so we didn't have to do the bit over from Cracoe/Grassington but we still had 55 miles to get through. Fuelled by a late breakfast we set off into the rain with the forecast predicting it should clear as we headed to Ripon. Indeed it did!
We were only an hour in before the rain cleared and that was the last we saw of it for the trip. :)
The landscape changes as you descend from Pateley Bridge and the change from open moorland into lush, green agricultural landscape is very noticeable on the bike. Not only does it look different, it smells different! The wild garlic this time of year is incredible :) Onto Ripon and a coffee stop...turned into lunch lol so again we were running late and still had 37 miles to do to our next overnight at Dunnington, East of York so we still had to go through York which was going to slow us down again. So it was time to up the pace a little and we did a good hour at 14 mph which at least put a dent in the miles left. Good job too, the bike path leading into York is an obstcacle course! it is rough in places but the control gates (six or seven) have to be navigated at snails pace and even dismounted to get over so there is no real speed to me made over the 5 mile section of the route. York itself was negotiated with relative ease and off out to Dunninton we went. In time for a pretty hearty evening meal too.
The next morning was fine if a little chilly and we set off to do the last 55 miles through the Yorkshire Wolds and onto Bridlington. Again we faced a challenge, that of basically two fields to cross on muddy paths! Not ideal on the road bikes and we slid and slipped across them, walking in places while the pedals, brakes and wheels got full of mud! Free of the mud we could have done with a hosepipe to get the mud off the braking surfaces and it proved to be a problem when the mud on Zoes cleats set like concrete effectively binding her feet to the bike! We had to cycle ahead, jump off the bikes and catch her as she came to a halt, removing her feet from her shoes and pulling them off the bike.
The sun was out now, the shorts were on and onward we pedalled through the Wolds, a gorgeous single track road that snaked over the valleys and hills. Nothing lung bursting, just gorgeous countryside, birds singing sun shining. Next stop was Driffield and again we were later than was ideal. Never mind, not long to Bridlington, only 19 miles and should be able to get in, grab a snack, drop the bikes at the B&B and be back on the front to welcome the boys doing it in one day home.......time to get a bit of a scoot on :) Pedalling over the higher hills towards Bridlington was harder work thanks to the headwind!
But the sun was shining, my legs were turning after the slow stuff and all is right in the world so long as everyone makes it to the finish. Which we all did. :)
The week between
The cycletta is done and safely negotiated, I've had the most wonderful sports massage....which I highly recommend by the way.....it gets the built up lactic acid out of your muscles and leaves your legs feeling really fresh :)
All my stuff prepared, enough snacks for a small army......clean clothes, loads of gear for the different conditions forecast and ready for 17 miles.......
All my stuff prepared, enough snacks for a small army......clean clothes, loads of gear for the different conditions forecast and ready for 17 miles.......
cycletta time
What a cracking day!
I started my day with the lovely Victoria Pendleton :)
Yes, I got to have breakfast with the lady herself :) Had a good chat about what she likes doing now she has retired from competition and the rigours of training for an olympic event.
And off we went.....50K 32.5 miles...and it flew by in two hours dead. A reasonable time for me in the conditions.
Perhaps I'll go and do the Bedforshire one too and try to beat it ;)
and we managed to beat the rain!
and I got my shirt signed.....and did I say, I met VP?
did I?
And together we raised over £60K for Macmillan, and that is the best result of the day :)
A collection of all sorts of ladies, on all sorts of steeds travelling round the lanes of Cheshire with one aim. Brilliant work ladies!
I started my day with the lovely Victoria Pendleton :)
Yes, I got to have breakfast with the lady herself :) Had a good chat about what she likes doing now she has retired from competition and the rigours of training for an olympic event.
And off we went.....50K 32.5 miles...and it flew by in two hours dead. A reasonable time for me in the conditions.
Perhaps I'll go and do the Bedforshire one too and try to beat it ;)
and we managed to beat the rain!
and I got my shirt signed.....and did I say, I met VP?
did I?
And together we raised over £60K for Macmillan, and that is the best result of the day :)
A collection of all sorts of ladies, on all sorts of steeds travelling round the lanes of Cheshire with one aim. Brilliant work ladies!
Friday 3 May 2013
Finding the way....
I'm useless at navigating. With a map I'm fine, I can even triangulate bearings and follow compass bearings but without them I'm hopeless.
So I have a map of the Way of the Roses and it has mile markers on it so from the mileage on the bike I should be able to tell where we are.....but it has very little detail on it and I'm not relying on it.
I have bought a GPS.
Not only have I got the route for the Way of the Roses on it, I can plot my own routes to follow and hopefully stay more off the main roads. We have some lovely lanes in Cheshire to explore but they can be a bit of a rabbit warren and at least I now have confidence thatI can find my way around.
So armed with my new toy and no route planned I set off to explore. I had the vague idea that I would head to Alderley Edge and head off into the lanes and just see where I ended up :) I would never have done that without my little unit nestling in my back pocket! And so I pedalled, and pedalled. At no great pace but it was a beautiful day and I was taking in my surroundings.
I saw rabbits, hawks, swallows, red painted doors, ducks and duck ponds, red pillar boxes in chocolate box villages. Mums out with children, farmers in fields, other cyclists out enjoying the same sights, sounds and smells....The birds were singing. The city link driver who stopped briefly to say hello.....and I found myself in Plumley. Stopped at the garden centre for lunch before setting off back home. And I took a different route back through the lanes. I had no idea where I was or where I was heading but it was gorgeous and I didn't care :) So I waited till I got to the next junction and consulted my gadget....it told me where I was and from the on board map I knew where I had to go, follow the compass bearing and back on track with no difficulty at all.
Now I'm going to try out some routes so I have found out how to create my own gpx routes to follow and my little gadget should keep me on course :)
And if I get a bit lost, no matter, I'll enjoy it anyway :)
So I have a map of the Way of the Roses and it has mile markers on it so from the mileage on the bike I should be able to tell where we are.....but it has very little detail on it and I'm not relying on it.
I have bought a GPS.
Not only have I got the route for the Way of the Roses on it, I can plot my own routes to follow and hopefully stay more off the main roads. We have some lovely lanes in Cheshire to explore but they can be a bit of a rabbit warren and at least I now have confidence thatI can find my way around.
So armed with my new toy and no route planned I set off to explore. I had the vague idea that I would head to Alderley Edge and head off into the lanes and just see where I ended up :) I would never have done that without my little unit nestling in my back pocket! And so I pedalled, and pedalled. At no great pace but it was a beautiful day and I was taking in my surroundings.
I saw rabbits, hawks, swallows, red painted doors, ducks and duck ponds, red pillar boxes in chocolate box villages. Mums out with children, farmers in fields, other cyclists out enjoying the same sights, sounds and smells....The birds were singing. The city link driver who stopped briefly to say hello.....and I found myself in Plumley. Stopped at the garden centre for lunch before setting off back home. And I took a different route back through the lanes. I had no idea where I was or where I was heading but it was gorgeous and I didn't care :) So I waited till I got to the next junction and consulted my gadget....it told me where I was and from the on board map I knew where I had to go, follow the compass bearing and back on track with no difficulty at all.
Now I'm going to try out some routes so I have found out how to create my own gpx routes to follow and my little gadget should keep me on course :)
And if I get a bit lost, no matter, I'll enjoy it anyway :)
Stepping it up
Into the last few weeks now, it's Friday 3rd May and we are into the month where it all happens.
The 50 mile cycletta is on the 12th, that is a week on Sunday! It's getting close now.
And that means two weeks till the BIG ride.
So what have I been up to in preparation?
Well, thankfully the weather has finally decided to play ball and we have had some nice dry sunny weather. Temperatures have peaked at 15deg here but that is absolutely fine with me! I actually don't want any warmer right now, I don't know how to hydrate properly at anything higher since I've never been there! lol
I've even bought shorts!
and the forecast changes back to rain.......lol
But this week has been a good one training wise. Much needed miles have been pedalled :)
Monday saw me with Gary, Zoe and Rob taking in the first 20 miles of the Way of the Roses. I rode the 10 miles from Caton to Morecambe with Gary and met Zoe and Rob there. We rode the first 20 miles together before cycling the very windy 12 miles back to Caton where we parted company once more.
That ride was worth every minute. We got to tackle the first of the bigger hills, just outside Caton and both Zoe and I managed it just fine :) So it gave us a huge boost to know that we can indeed manage the hills and although we may take it steady, we may have to have a breather but we will get there!
And.....since Monday I have completed 120 miles. That is the kind of mileage I have been needing. Finally the weather played ball and I grabbed that one with both hands.
Busy weekend of working means no more miles for a few days but I'm happy with where I am at the moment. I know I will be sore and stiff but I can live with that :)
The 50 mile cycletta is on the 12th, that is a week on Sunday! It's getting close now.
And that means two weeks till the BIG ride.
So what have I been up to in preparation?
Well, thankfully the weather has finally decided to play ball and we have had some nice dry sunny weather. Temperatures have peaked at 15deg here but that is absolutely fine with me! I actually don't want any warmer right now, I don't know how to hydrate properly at anything higher since I've never been there! lol
I've even bought shorts!
and the forecast changes back to rain.......lol
But this week has been a good one training wise. Much needed miles have been pedalled :)
Monday saw me with Gary, Zoe and Rob taking in the first 20 miles of the Way of the Roses. I rode the 10 miles from Caton to Morecambe with Gary and met Zoe and Rob there. We rode the first 20 miles together before cycling the very windy 12 miles back to Caton where we parted company once more.
That ride was worth every minute. We got to tackle the first of the bigger hills, just outside Caton and both Zoe and I managed it just fine :) So it gave us a huge boost to know that we can indeed manage the hills and although we may take it steady, we may have to have a breather but we will get there!
And.....since Monday I have completed 120 miles. That is the kind of mileage I have been needing. Finally the weather played ball and I grabbed that one with both hands.
Busy weekend of working means no more miles for a few days but I'm happy with where I am at the moment. I know I will be sore and stiff but I can live with that :)
Friday 26 April 2013
26th April 2013
and it is still 6 degC and hailstones!
I went to a farm the other day to check out a wedding venue....gorgeous it is too...and they have 50 ewes still to lamb.
Spring is late and I wish it would hurry up and arrive.
Although I won't know what to wear! I've only managed one ride over 11 miles in temperatures that hit double figures. I'm cycling in a fridge, no wonder my knees hurt, they are probably frozen!
Oh well, back on the turbo it is. Busy weekend with a full day in the studio tomorrow and just finished editing last weekend's fabbie wedding so not much chance to get out on the bike just need to grab turbo time when I can. That's why it was such a good idea getting in some organised rides. The Cheshire Sportive and the Macmillan Cycletta went in the diary so nothing got in the way.
I think I need more organised rides.....goes off to look up the Sportive calendar for the year...... and find my thermals..
I went to a farm the other day to check out a wedding venue....gorgeous it is too...and they have 50 ewes still to lamb.
Spring is late and I wish it would hurry up and arrive.
Although I won't know what to wear! I've only managed one ride over 11 miles in temperatures that hit double figures. I'm cycling in a fridge, no wonder my knees hurt, they are probably frozen!
Oh well, back on the turbo it is. Busy weekend with a full day in the studio tomorrow and just finished editing last weekend's fabbie wedding so not much chance to get out on the bike just need to grab turbo time when I can. That's why it was such a good idea getting in some organised rides. The Cheshire Sportive and the Macmillan Cycletta went in the diary so nothing got in the way.
I think I need more organised rides.....goes off to look up the Sportive calendar for the year...... and find my thermals..
Wednesday 24 April 2013
Into the final 4 weeks we go.....
Before the 170 mile coast to coast that is.
And I should be just about hitting peak fitness and maintaining that for the last two weeks......and I feel nothing like fit at the moment!
I've taken a couple of days with no alarm clock to try to get a little rest.
I'm tired thanks to trying to cram a heck of a lot into just about every day. I have a couple of big weddings to attend to so a lot of planning goes into them, going to look over the venues, checking mileages and timings and just looking things over so I can plan exactly what we are going to do on the day itself. Then there was the 14 hour marathon wedding on Sunday, lovley couple, great families, loved the day but boy am I tired afterwards! I also have the small matter of a big studio campaign in May for family photography so a box of 5000 leaflets is not going to distibute itself......off out to visit shops and businesses with piles of those on my way to a meeting with a wedding coordinator...
And I am still trying to sell my house. Sold it twice but the chains keep collapsing. It's good that I am still getting interest in the house but preparing it for a viewing takes between 2 and 6 hours and three in a week is a serious amount of time to be doing housework. That's all time that is utterly wasted if the viewer ends up not biting. And time is a rather precious commodity right now.
Add to that the weather. We have had a few nice days in April, here and there, generally when I have been busy elsewhere but generally, cold, grey and when I have had time on my side, wet. Almost into May and I'm only just cutting the grass and the daffodils are still just flowering, trees are not yet in leaf. That tells a story.
So in the last ten days I have managed 25 miles with Kate at Northwich, a spin over to Alderley which is another 25, 20 very hilly miles with Tony and Glen around Rivington which nearly killed me and trust me, does not fill me with optimism about the hills on the coast to coast. And 11 miles over to New Mills just to spin my legs out after the hills. 81 miles in the last ten days is not helping me hit the fitness levels I need.
It's going to be back on the turbo tonight. The weather forecast for the end of the week when I can get some time to go out is rubbish again, cold, wintery and wet with the chance of sleet.
By now we should have had a bunch of nice days where I can get out and do the 50 and 60 mile rides that I need and Im strugglng to get 20 in. It's not helping at all and it is going to make the 170 very hard work indeed.
And I should be just about hitting peak fitness and maintaining that for the last two weeks......and I feel nothing like fit at the moment!
I've taken a couple of days with no alarm clock to try to get a little rest.
I'm tired thanks to trying to cram a heck of a lot into just about every day. I have a couple of big weddings to attend to so a lot of planning goes into them, going to look over the venues, checking mileages and timings and just looking things over so I can plan exactly what we are going to do on the day itself. Then there was the 14 hour marathon wedding on Sunday, lovley couple, great families, loved the day but boy am I tired afterwards! I also have the small matter of a big studio campaign in May for family photography so a box of 5000 leaflets is not going to distibute itself......off out to visit shops and businesses with piles of those on my way to a meeting with a wedding coordinator...
And I am still trying to sell my house. Sold it twice but the chains keep collapsing. It's good that I am still getting interest in the house but preparing it for a viewing takes between 2 and 6 hours and three in a week is a serious amount of time to be doing housework. That's all time that is utterly wasted if the viewer ends up not biting. And time is a rather precious commodity right now.
Add to that the weather. We have had a few nice days in April, here and there, generally when I have been busy elsewhere but generally, cold, grey and when I have had time on my side, wet. Almost into May and I'm only just cutting the grass and the daffodils are still just flowering, trees are not yet in leaf. That tells a story.
So in the last ten days I have managed 25 miles with Kate at Northwich, a spin over to Alderley which is another 25, 20 very hilly miles with Tony and Glen around Rivington which nearly killed me and trust me, does not fill me with optimism about the hills on the coast to coast. And 11 miles over to New Mills just to spin my legs out after the hills. 81 miles in the last ten days is not helping me hit the fitness levels I need.
It's going to be back on the turbo tonight. The weather forecast for the end of the week when I can get some time to go out is rubbish again, cold, wintery and wet with the chance of sleet.
By now we should have had a bunch of nice days where I can get out and do the 50 and 60 mile rides that I need and Im strugglng to get 20 in. It's not helping at all and it is going to make the 170 very hard work indeed.
Saturday 20 April 2013
wheeee
Some on bike footage from our ride out at Rivington yesterday. The climb up is a horror but this is the reward at the end. We came into this piece of footage at a rate of knots and it's basically 40mph all the way. :) Gave my poor lungs time to recover!
Tuesday 9 April 2013
Shake that booty!
Body fat and weight stuff..........
So far I have been pretty much guided by my bathroom scales but I shall pay less attention to them now. With doing the coast to coast I had a rough idea of what I thought my ideal weight might be. And I'm still half a stone heavier than that.
I'll share the figures with you, no point in beating around the bush and being obtuse. I'm 5'4" and 11st. And I wanted to get to around 10 1/2. But I stopped losing weight. I had come down from 12st and just stopped. So I was chatting with my good friend Kate yesterday after a lovely 20 mile ride and I said that I wanted to lose another half a stone and I was going to have to watch my diet in the next four weeks to see how much I could reasonably shift while still training. Kate shook her head. Now I know what happens when Kate does that.......You get the explanation!
Off she went and came back with a body fat analysis gizmo........and we both did it several times to make sure we got a consistent result. My body fat % is 19%. So I am already in the athlete range of 14-20%. The ideal range for my age is around 25-28%.....and I wanted to lose another half a stone!
I've obviously put on some muscle then :) But from now on I shall be a lot less concerned about what the bathroom scales are telling me and don't get me started on BMI ;) My BMI is 26.4 which puts me at overweight.
So I'm 5'4" and 11st. Overweight according to BMI but 19% body fat, a size 12 with a resting heart rate of 65 and perfect blood pressure at 110/60 :) Not bad for a 48 year old!
So I shall shake my booty and not worry about that half a stone.....would be nice to not have to haul it up hills though ;)
So far I have been pretty much guided by my bathroom scales but I shall pay less attention to them now. With doing the coast to coast I had a rough idea of what I thought my ideal weight might be. And I'm still half a stone heavier than that.
I'll share the figures with you, no point in beating around the bush and being obtuse. I'm 5'4" and 11st. And I wanted to get to around 10 1/2. But I stopped losing weight. I had come down from 12st and just stopped. So I was chatting with my good friend Kate yesterday after a lovely 20 mile ride and I said that I wanted to lose another half a stone and I was going to have to watch my diet in the next four weeks to see how much I could reasonably shift while still training. Kate shook her head. Now I know what happens when Kate does that.......You get the explanation!
Off she went and came back with a body fat analysis gizmo........and we both did it several times to make sure we got a consistent result. My body fat % is 19%. So I am already in the athlete range of 14-20%. The ideal range for my age is around 25-28%.....and I wanted to lose another half a stone!
I've obviously put on some muscle then :) But from now on I shall be a lot less concerned about what the bathroom scales are telling me and don't get me started on BMI ;) My BMI is 26.4 which puts me at overweight.
So I'm 5'4" and 11st. Overweight according to BMI but 19% body fat, a size 12 with a resting heart rate of 65 and perfect blood pressure at 110/60 :) Not bad for a 48 year old!
So I shall shake my booty and not worry about that half a stone.....would be nice to not have to haul it up hills though ;)
The adventures of......
a cyclist in traffic......
Had two incidents in the last week which were not good.
One was a little old lady in a Nissan Micra who turned across my path as I was coming downhill at 25 mph. Thankfully I recognised her as a hazard, covered my brakes and managed to control the bike sliding downhill and missed hitting her....I would not have given much for my chances of slamming into the side of her at 25mph.
So I looked back at the scene on my way home and tried to figure out if there is anything else I could do to avoid not being seen. My jacket is black and bright aqua so it does stand out against various backgrounds but not as much as my "nuclear" pink one! And with it being the middle of the day I didn't have any lights on the bike. So more high vis and constant blinking lights might be in order. However I think I could have dressed up like a lighthouse and she would not have seen me. I was not car shaped.
Then I fell off! On a junction going uphill and I had a 4x4 with a trailer in front of me. We both set off when the lights changed and my left foot stays clipped in to the pedal, as the right one comes over the top the aim is to catch it and clip in. Sometimes (especially on the new bike with new pedals) it takes me a couple of efforts to clip in. Sadly not this time, I got it first time. I say sadly because the guy driving the 4x4 stopped, dead, in the middle of the road and I had just set off, was clipped in and didn't have time to adjust, I braked to avoid cycling into the back of the trailer and promptly fell over! I could not get my right foot out the pedal quickly enough. And an oncoming car clipped my helmet on the way past. The poor lady was horrified, she heard the bang and thought for one dreadful moment that she had run over my head! I had to give her a hug and tell her it was honestly not her fault. Thankfully she was not going too fast but I have a nice streak of Nissan black on my helmet and my vision was somewhat impaired for a few hours. I got myself checked out remotely by my ophthalmologist friend who described perfectly what I was seeing and it seems like I had an ocular migraine which can be caused by a blow to the head.
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-migraine.htm
Obviously everything is fine now of I would not be writing this blog :)
I think I may have to save some pennies and invest in a satnav and route plan off the busier routes. More cycling round leafy Cheshire lanes required and less of the A6!
Oh and more high Vis!
and an on board missile system for those who don't even look! ;)
Had two incidents in the last week which were not good.
One was a little old lady in a Nissan Micra who turned across my path as I was coming downhill at 25 mph. Thankfully I recognised her as a hazard, covered my brakes and managed to control the bike sliding downhill and missed hitting her....I would not have given much for my chances of slamming into the side of her at 25mph.
So I looked back at the scene on my way home and tried to figure out if there is anything else I could do to avoid not being seen. My jacket is black and bright aqua so it does stand out against various backgrounds but not as much as my "nuclear" pink one! And with it being the middle of the day I didn't have any lights on the bike. So more high vis and constant blinking lights might be in order. However I think I could have dressed up like a lighthouse and she would not have seen me. I was not car shaped.
Then I fell off! On a junction going uphill and I had a 4x4 with a trailer in front of me. We both set off when the lights changed and my left foot stays clipped in to the pedal, as the right one comes over the top the aim is to catch it and clip in. Sometimes (especially on the new bike with new pedals) it takes me a couple of efforts to clip in. Sadly not this time, I got it first time. I say sadly because the guy driving the 4x4 stopped, dead, in the middle of the road and I had just set off, was clipped in and didn't have time to adjust, I braked to avoid cycling into the back of the trailer and promptly fell over! I could not get my right foot out the pedal quickly enough. And an oncoming car clipped my helmet on the way past. The poor lady was horrified, she heard the bang and thought for one dreadful moment that she had run over my head! I had to give her a hug and tell her it was honestly not her fault. Thankfully she was not going too fast but I have a nice streak of Nissan black on my helmet and my vision was somewhat impaired for a few hours. I got myself checked out remotely by my ophthalmologist friend who described perfectly what I was seeing and it seems like I had an ocular migraine which can be caused by a blow to the head.
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-migraine.htm
Obviously everything is fine now of I would not be writing this blog :)
I think I may have to save some pennies and invest in a satnav and route plan off the busier routes. More cycling round leafy Cheshire lanes required and less of the A6!
Oh and more high Vis!
and an on board missile system for those who don't even look! ;)
Lil Ribble has arrived!
I picked up my new bike last Thursday :)
Has been called Lil Ribble, coz it's still tiny :)
Still getting to grips with Lil Ribble, first job was to put the saddle off le Velocipede onto Lil Ribble. That way I am working on the setup without the added complication of a new saddle being less than comfortable. So far so good. Did 25, 23 and 20 mile rides over the last four days and it's not quite right yet, but I don't think it is too far off. I'm going to pop it onto the turbo on Thursday for a spin and the best way for me to check my setup is to put one of my cameras on a tripod and video myself pedalling. I can see on the playback of I am over extending, it is ever so obvious because the muscles literally jump out at you! and you don't want to be doing that. That is caused by having the saddle too high. Equally though, you can get some chronic knee pain form it being too low and 1/4 inch can make a huge amount of difference. So a little fine tuning required.
I have to say though, the build on the bike is superb. Ribble Bikes were spot on with their build date and I've not found a thing wrong with it. 10/10
April update
Well, it's official! March was one of the coldest on record.......no s*** Sherlock! I'm lucky I still have digits!
It is now the 9th April 2013 and I was cycling up around Buxton just a couple of days ago and there are still banks of snow up there. The blast of cold coming off them was none too pleasant!
So March saw more work on the turbo than I had planned. I had planned that mid March to mid April was the time to go to work on the hills. I can now do my allotted 60 miles in a day with not too much difficulty but doing 60 miles on the flats of the Cheshire Plains is quite a different proposition to the first day of the coast to coast.
This is what the elevation profile for the coast to coast looks like
Lots of hills, mainly on the first day which is why I need to be cycling on the hills near home.
It is now the 9th April 2013 and I was cycling up around Buxton just a couple of days ago and there are still banks of snow up there. The blast of cold coming off them was none too pleasant!
So March saw more work on the turbo than I had planned. I had planned that mid March to mid April was the time to go to work on the hills. I can now do my allotted 60 miles in a day with not too much difficulty but doing 60 miles on the flats of the Cheshire Plains is quite a different proposition to the first day of the coast to coast.
This is what the elevation profile for the coast to coast looks like
Lots of hills, mainly on the first day which is why I need to be cycling on the hills near home.
Tuesday 12 March 2013
Happy birthday to meeeeeeee!
Apologies for the borrowed image from bikeradar.com.....least I can do is point you to their very nice website http://www.bikeradar.com/
The reason for the borrowed image is that I don't have one yet!
But I will do :)
Oh yes, it shall be mine :)
Thanks to the boys at Ribble I got some really good advice on bike fit and I measured my Specialized, counted teeth on chainrings and cassettes and took it all to see them today.
Yes they can. They can build it with the same gear ratios for me, the same frame geometry, the same width bars, the same steering, the same crank length.....and yes I can have a decent ladies saddle and the pedals and wheels of my choice too :)
So in two to three weeks I will have a new arrival in the house. According to Zoe, I need to let it sleep in my bedroom the first night so it feels at home before introducing it to the other bikes ;)
And, it's not pink :) I was very tempted by what I can only describe as their "stealth bike"
The Ribble R782.....in the flesh is just the most awesome bike to look at http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road-track-bike/ribble-r872-shimano-equipped?part=SE13RIBR872SHIM&sub=conf_SERC With the Di2 shifters on the demo bike it just looks mean, menacing and I want one for the wall :)
So, a new addition to the family in a few weeks. I was very reluctant to buy such an expensive and quite frankly smart machine when I started out. I would have been embarrased to be seen wheezing around my neighbourhood on such a capable steed. But now I have that first 60 under my belt and felt so good I am not too concerned about looking like an idiot on it. I shall train hard over the next six weeks and I shall ride my Ribble with pride.......I'm still not wearing pink though! Not unless I have to ;)
Monday 11 March 2013
It's my birthday....
so I am allowed to be indulgent and ask for money :)
Today I am spreading the word that I am raising money for Macmillan Nurses.
Did you know..For many people affected by cancer, Macmillan nurses are a valued and trusted source of expert information, advice and support - free of charge. As of December 2011, there were 3,707 Macmillan nurse posts across the UK, both in hospitals and in the community.
Macmillan nurses are usually employed by the NHS and their posts are funded by Macmillan for a set time, often for the first three years.
All Macmillan nurses are registered nurses with at least five years' experience, including two or more years in cancer or palliative care. They complete specialist courses in managing pain and other symptoms, and in psychological support.
Macmillan nurses are funded almost entirely through the generous voluntary donations of our supporters..........so it is really important to keep raising money so the number of available nurses is maintained and hopefully increased.
The reason I am raising money for Macmillan is that I benefited hugely from their support when my hubby was diagnosed as terminally ill with pancreatic cancer. Life changed that day. We went from a blissfully happy couple living our dream of moving to Devon to not knowing what the hell we were facing. Macmillan were there. And they were there for me in Noel's final few days, watching over him through the night so I could get some sleep. I honestly don't know what I would have done without their support in those final few days. They were honest with me and kept me informed of how he was during those nights and together we made sure that Noel got his wish and he passed away peacefully at home with me by his side. I could not have done that for him without the support from the Macmillan nurses.
That is why I understand how much they bring to our community. You don't need them there all the time (thankfully) but trust me, when you do they are absolutely vital. I sincerely hope that nobody reading this ever requires their services but someone, somewhere out there will today receive the most devastating news and will need the services that Macmillan provide.
I asked the question...."why us?" Noel replied..."why not, it happens to people and that is all we are"
Text BALI50 to 70070 to give £5 on my justgiving page. (That is bali50 not bal150 grrr)
Today I am spreading the word that I am raising money for Macmillan Nurses.
Did you know..For many people affected by cancer, Macmillan nurses are a valued and trusted source of expert information, advice and support - free of charge. As of December 2011, there were 3,707 Macmillan nurse posts across the UK, both in hospitals and in the community.
Macmillan nurses are usually employed by the NHS and their posts are funded by Macmillan for a set time, often for the first three years.
All Macmillan nurses are registered nurses with at least five years' experience, including two or more years in cancer or palliative care. They complete specialist courses in managing pain and other symptoms, and in psychological support.
Macmillan nurses are funded almost entirely through the generous voluntary donations of our supporters..........so it is really important to keep raising money so the number of available nurses is maintained and hopefully increased.
The reason I am raising money for Macmillan is that I benefited hugely from their support when my hubby was diagnosed as terminally ill with pancreatic cancer. Life changed that day. We went from a blissfully happy couple living our dream of moving to Devon to not knowing what the hell we were facing. Macmillan were there. And they were there for me in Noel's final few days, watching over him through the night so I could get some sleep. I honestly don't know what I would have done without their support in those final few days. They were honest with me and kept me informed of how he was during those nights and together we made sure that Noel got his wish and he passed away peacefully at home with me by his side. I could not have done that for him without the support from the Macmillan nurses.
That is why I understand how much they bring to our community. You don't need them there all the time (thankfully) but trust me, when you do they are absolutely vital. I sincerely hope that nobody reading this ever requires their services but someone, somewhere out there will today receive the most devastating news and will need the services that Macmillan provide.
I asked the question...."why us?" Noel replied..."why not, it happens to people and that is all we are"
Text BALI50 to 70070 to give £5 on my justgiving page. (That is bali50 not bal150 grrr)
Wednesday 27 February 2013
Hills!
If you look closely you can still see snow on the tops of the ones in the distance :) The valley far below is where I had just come from.
The reason I had come from there is due to the idiot writing this blog not checking the map before deciding tojust go for a ride...
I had a few hours on the Sunday and decided that although cold 3-4 deg..it was dry and therefore it qualified as cycling weather, so a ride out is in order. Now, having completed 60 miles the previous week I decided that a shorter ride was in order but that since the 60 was fairly flat that this one should at least start to involve some hills. Where can I find some hills to start practicing on? Oh I know there are plenty up around Buxton, lets head off up that way, if they are too steep I can always just come back :) So without so much as a glance at a map, off I trundled into the chill.
Marple to New Mills, all good. Slight hills coming into New Mills that once outdid me were put to the sword that is my middle chainring. Ha! Onto the A6 and off towards Buxton.....oh look Whaley Bridge, lets take that turn.....Whaley Bridge, all fine, feeling good........hmmmm signpost for Macclesfield.....oh that's a nice run home from there that will make a nice loop.......and off I went up the Macclesfield road........except........it goes through the Peak District Park, up past Pott Shrigley and takes in 2 cat 5 climbs! oops!
So here are some very fit looking young men in team colours taking in some winter hill training and me, 47 year old idiot who didn't look at the map before she left home! "Bit lumpy up here chaps!" lol
I hit 38.5mph coming down the other side and damn near froze to death! All the effort of getting up there had got me a bit warm and coming down was Baltic! Be a nice run in the summer but it was still snowing up at the top.
So that, dear reader, was my "introduction" to hills. Bit of a cock up on the planning front and by the time I had got into it there was no real point in going back. But you know what?
I did it :)
60 miles.......oh yes!
The end of the very first 60 mile ride.
Yes, we made it! 60 miles :)
We started bright and early if a little chilly from Poynton, topped up with carbs and for the very first time I was able to ride in only two layers of clothing rather than the three I have been cocooned in over the winter months. We got a positively balmy 8 deg for our ride out and a lovely sunny day. Can't complain about getting that in Feb in the UK!
So at 9am with timing tags afixed Gary and I set off along with over 500 other riders for the Cheshire Sportive. The route took us out from Poynton through the outskirts of Alderley Edge where we hit out one and only real "bump" on the route. Up that in one piece we headed off to our halfway refuelling stop.
We got there on target for the time we were trying for. I say trying rather than aiming because doing something like this for the first time, my aim was simply to get round it! So 30 miles in and I'm feeling surprisingly fresh. My legs feel good, no real niggles or pains and we have averaged 15.5 mph over the first 30 miles. Now I know the route in places and I know that the last 10 miles back to Poynton we are both capable of winding up the pace on the relatively flat last stretch. We have done it before on shorter rides, covering the last 6 miles of a hilly 35 miles at 17.5mph. So all we have to do is get through the next 20 miles at a decent pace and by golly, I think we can do this ;)
Except that is not what happened.....poor Gary got cramp in his quads and was really suffering, so we slowed right down. It became a case of just getting to the finish and forget the time, there will be other days. :) And then coming into Prestbury we both hit a pothole. I say pothole but this thing was the cycling equivalent of the Mariana Trench! ironically we hit it trying to avoid the two others on the exit of a roundabout. In taking the inside supposedly safer route we hit this huge hole. It immediately blew out Gary's back tyre making a dent in the rim that pushed a chunk of metal 3cm long, 8mm into where the tyre should be. Had to be straightened out with pliers! One new tube later and off we went.....for 250 yards when my front tyre went down......I managed to just blow it up again and it got me back but I got up the next morning to two flat tyres as did Gary.
Really, we should not be going out for a ride and all four tyres get wrecked like that. The state of our roads are appauling and if you try to navigate to the right of these holes you run the risk of being taken out by the next Range Rover driving way too close.
But make it we did, fairly respectable ride out for my first ever 60 mile ride. And it won't be my last. Although I am afraid to say that in the week and a half since my training has been aweful! I took a couple of days off, did a session on the turbo and only been out once on the road. But I did go and play with some hills :) More turbo time required. Next week. ;)
Thursday 14 February 2013
Ladies cycling.....what is wrong?
I was in Manchester yesterday for a client meeting and quite delighted to find their offices very close to the Pinarallo store.....once I stopped licking the windows I popped in. It was quiet, 5 staff and me. So I did not feel too bad about having a chat knowing I was not going to be buying one today....it would not fit in my bag.
So I asked about a ladies specific geometry......errrmmm nope, we can change the stem and you can put the seat down. Oh here we go again........"Yes but the top tubes are usually different lengths on ladies frames and how about the crank length and what gears is it running?" errrrmmmmm. So one of the top cycle manufacturers in the world and a shop with 50 bikes in it and there is not one that is made for us ladies. Do we not deserve a top bike then? Will we not spend that kind of money on a one off purchase? I beg to differ.
Sir Chris Hoy launched a range of new road bikes today.......none for the ladies.
Ah but Victoria Pendleton has a range.....if you want a kitten in a basket that is, no road bikes there either.
And I also popped into Evans to see what they had......not a single ladies road bike in the store.
So two stores, over 70 bikes and not a single one a ladies fit road bike. Two product launches from our former Olympians....same thing.
Now I do understand that there are certain market economics at play here and manfacturers and retailers are unlikey to want to end up with redundant stock if these things don't sell. But how the hell can we buy them if they either don't exist or you don't stock them?
So we are meant to buy online and not have the same opportunity to sit on the bike or even test ride it? Thank heavens for the few places around that DO recognise that us ladies would actually like to part with some cash and stock more than one model.
After all we are supposed to be very good at shopping, just give us a chance to buy!
So I asked about a ladies specific geometry......errrmmm nope, we can change the stem and you can put the seat down. Oh here we go again........"Yes but the top tubes are usually different lengths on ladies frames and how about the crank length and what gears is it running?" errrrmmmmm. So one of the top cycle manufacturers in the world and a shop with 50 bikes in it and there is not one that is made for us ladies. Do we not deserve a top bike then? Will we not spend that kind of money on a one off purchase? I beg to differ.
Sir Chris Hoy launched a range of new road bikes today.......none for the ladies.
Ah but Victoria Pendleton has a range.....if you want a kitten in a basket that is, no road bikes there either.
And I also popped into Evans to see what they had......not a single ladies road bike in the store.
So two stores, over 70 bikes and not a single one a ladies fit road bike. Two product launches from our former Olympians....same thing.
Now I do understand that there are certain market economics at play here and manfacturers and retailers are unlikey to want to end up with redundant stock if these things don't sell. But how the hell can we buy them if they either don't exist or you don't stock them?
So we are meant to buy online and not have the same opportunity to sit on the bike or even test ride it? Thank heavens for the few places around that DO recognise that us ladies would actually like to part with some cash and stock more than one model.
After all we are supposed to be very good at shopping, just give us a chance to buy!
Tuesday 12 February 2013
Slightly nervous
It does not matter how many hours I have put in on the hamster wheel that is the turbo over the last couple of months, I get nervous making such a big step up in distance as I am doing this weekend.
Up till now the furthest I have ventured is 43 miles....slowly.....and Sunday I do my first 50+ mile ride. It's 60 miles around Cheshire. A reasonably flat route compared to day one of the C2C in May but this will be the first time I hit my target distance of 60 miles in a day. Now all I need to do is add hills......oh and do it three times in a row! Three months of training to add those other bits.
Just had a very nervous look at the weather forecast for the weekend, we have had 2 deg and sleet and snow for the last week.........8 eg, partly sunny and only 8mph winds.....Oh I do hope that is accurate!
Back on the hamster wheel tonight........
Up till now the furthest I have ventured is 43 miles....slowly.....and Sunday I do my first 50+ mile ride. It's 60 miles around Cheshire. A reasonably flat route compared to day one of the C2C in May but this will be the first time I hit my target distance of 60 miles in a day. Now all I need to do is add hills......oh and do it three times in a row! Three months of training to add those other bits.
Just had a very nervous look at the weather forecast for the weekend, we have had 2 deg and sleet and snow for the last week.........8 eg, partly sunny and only 8mph winds.....Oh I do hope that is accurate!
Back on the hamster wheel tonight........
Tuesday 5 February 2013
Feb update
Been a little while since I had the chance to update but here I am, still alive, not in a ditch somewhere...
So how has the training been going? Not too shabby is the answer, most of it has been on the turbo which is dull but it just works! I have now lost a stone in weight in just under three months and the legs are getting stronger each passing week. I am managing approx 75 miles a week on the turbo, topped up with the occasional 25 mile at the weekends over to Alderley Edge and back.
I did the 25 mile route again on Saturday and outward I was at 16.5mph and 15 on the way back though I did deliberately scale it back on the way home. It's still only 25 miles but if that is all I have time for then at least attacking it means I am getting some training benefit from it rather than just using it as a spin out. I'd love to be getting the longer rides in but time and weather are conspiring against me right now. Not for too long though, got a 60 mile ride in two weeks! eep! Not been that far yet! It's not too hilly so not a bad ride to do my first real distance. Hills will be added after I hit the target distance :)
Now, you know I was saying about the weather conspiring against us trying to train at this time of year (NOW I know why Team SKY bugger off to sunny climes this time of year!) I went out on the mountain bike today because the conditions were too bad for the road bike...
That middle photo, that is a solid lump of ice forming on the gears. I had to downshift because the chain was skipping on it, and it got bigger and bigger until it covered the top three gears and I was pedalling rather quickly and going rather slowly! I stopped at the coal merchants at the end of the track who kindly boiled a kettle to melt the ice off so I could cycle home!
Back on the turbo it is! and for my cycling friends, Rule 5 was applied!
So how has the training been going? Not too shabby is the answer, most of it has been on the turbo which is dull but it just works! I have now lost a stone in weight in just under three months and the legs are getting stronger each passing week. I am managing approx 75 miles a week on the turbo, topped up with the occasional 25 mile at the weekends over to Alderley Edge and back.
I did the 25 mile route again on Saturday and outward I was at 16.5mph and 15 on the way back though I did deliberately scale it back on the way home. It's still only 25 miles but if that is all I have time for then at least attacking it means I am getting some training benefit from it rather than just using it as a spin out. I'd love to be getting the longer rides in but time and weather are conspiring against me right now. Not for too long though, got a 60 mile ride in two weeks! eep! Not been that far yet! It's not too hilly so not a bad ride to do my first real distance. Hills will be added after I hit the target distance :)
Now, you know I was saying about the weather conspiring against us trying to train at this time of year (NOW I know why Team SKY bugger off to sunny climes this time of year!) I went out on the mountain bike today because the conditions were too bad for the road bike...
Back on the turbo it is! and for my cycling friends, Rule 5 was applied!
Wednesday 16 January 2013
Had a lovely ride on Sunday. Marple over to Alderley Edge for a coffee and back again. New tyres and they are a dream! Continental GP4000s and without pushing, my average speed was 2-3mph quicker. I like these! :)
Went with my friend Kate to collect her new bike on Monday. A Cannondale carbon road bike and it is a bit yummy! I picked up a new saddlebag, a new Cateye rear light and some chain lube. (exciting eh?)
Went with my friend Kate to collect her new bike on Monday. A Cannondale carbon road bike and it is a bit yummy! I picked up a new saddlebag, a new Cateye rear light and some chain lube. (exciting eh?)
Unfortunately on the way home had rather a nasty car accident. Got pushed into the central reservation by a wandering tanker. So the car is off the road for a while to get it repaired and the suspension and steering checked out. I was lucky to walk away from it without a scratch although typing is a bit painful because my wrists took a hammering. When I hit the central reservation it blew out both offside tyres and thankfully I had both hands on the wheel so I managed to control the car, but both wrists got wrenched quite a bit.
Anyway, back to the bike...... I'll be off the bike for most of this week thanks to the above incident and letting my wrists and neck settle down so I spent some time yesterday doing some bike maintainance. Both of them cleaned top to bottom, chains scrubbed and freshly lubed.....almost a shame to go out and get them dirty...........nahhhhh! Can't wait to get back out there. :)
This is Tank, my old mountain bike. He gets used for local running around and riding Middlewood Way :)
Anyway, back to the bike...... I'll be off the bike for most of this week thanks to the above incident and letting my wrists and neck settle down so I spent some time yesterday doing some bike maintainance. Both of them cleaned top to bottom, chains scrubbed and freshly lubed.....almost a shame to go out and get them dirty...........nahhhhh! Can't wait to get back out there. :)
This is Tank, my old mountain bike. He gets used for local running around and riding Middlewood Way :)
Wednesday 9 January 2013
Back in the saddle
36.5 miles on Sunday. Was quite a slow ride with a new rider but you go as slow as the slowest rider. We ride out together and ride in together, that's just how we work :)
Had my first close call on Sunday, I honestly thought I was coming off. Not going too quickly at around 10-12 mph on a country lane and riding behind Gary I hit a pothole, nasty deep pothole.......and another straight after. The first one was bad enough but it threw my front wheel at such an angle it meant I didn't hit the second one straight. I thought that was it and prepared to hit the deck.....but somehow I managed to stay upright, all over the place but upright. Got the bike back on line and everything seemed ok.
Until I got up on the pedals to put some power down and I could feel the front wheel hit the rims. Puncture time. Blew it up and it held ok but was flat as a pancake again the next morning. new inner tube time.
Just ordered two new tyres for her. GP4000's with new tubes. Should transform how she rides with a much lower rolling resistance. Got them in Wiggles sale at £27 each so well worth picking a couple up even if I wait till March time to fit them. May as well get the last of the miles out the current tyres over the last of the winter months.
Other significant thing to report is the saddle setup :) it was set to about 2 deg backward tilt and it was not comfortable at all. So thanks to the advice from the boys on how to adjust it, I got out the spirit level and with the bike clamped on the turbo set about adjusting the tilt to 1 deg forwards.
I spent 4 1/2 hours in the saddle on Sunday and........ohhhhhh that's better! ;)
Had my first close call on Sunday, I honestly thought I was coming off. Not going too quickly at around 10-12 mph on a country lane and riding behind Gary I hit a pothole, nasty deep pothole.......and another straight after. The first one was bad enough but it threw my front wheel at such an angle it meant I didn't hit the second one straight. I thought that was it and prepared to hit the deck.....but somehow I managed to stay upright, all over the place but upright. Got the bike back on line and everything seemed ok.
Until I got up on the pedals to put some power down and I could feel the front wheel hit the rims. Puncture time. Blew it up and it held ok but was flat as a pancake again the next morning. new inner tube time.
Just ordered two new tyres for her. GP4000's with new tubes. Should transform how she rides with a much lower rolling resistance. Got them in Wiggles sale at £27 each so well worth picking a couple up even if I wait till March time to fit them. May as well get the last of the miles out the current tyres over the last of the winter months.
Other significant thing to report is the saddle setup :) it was set to about 2 deg backward tilt and it was not comfortable at all. So thanks to the advice from the boys on how to adjust it, I got out the spirit level and with the bike clamped on the turbo set about adjusting the tilt to 1 deg forwards.
I spent 4 1/2 hours in the saddle on Sunday and........ohhhhhh that's better! ;)
Tuesday 1 January 2013
Happy New Year!
Ok, I'm not one for New Year resolutions. I figure if you are going to change something in your life you need to get on and change it regardless of the date!
But I had already set the start of January as "lets address the diet" date so my task for the next few days is to research some top tips for shedding almost a stone while maintaining the energy levels required to so some quite intensive training.
It's a rest day for me today having completed a rather punishing 2 hour session on the turbo yesterday. Averaged 13.5 mph over a 2 hour session and with the resistance alternating between 4 and 5 on the turbo. A setting of 4 gives me what I feel on a flat section of road and 5 feels like either pushing into a headwind or cranking uphill. In other words....hard work and I feel it where it counts!
These are still quite basic workouts at this stage. I still have 4 months of work ahead of me but some basic muscle building at this stage is fine. I'll alternate that with road riding and MTB riding where i can. January is not the most forgiving time to ride in the UK.
My other piece of research will be to see if I can find a reasonably priced week abroad, around the end of March so i can go and get a load of miles in a week, somewhere warm. That would be awesome, just need to sell the camper first!
But I had already set the start of January as "lets address the diet" date so my task for the next few days is to research some top tips for shedding almost a stone while maintaining the energy levels required to so some quite intensive training.
It's a rest day for me today having completed a rather punishing 2 hour session on the turbo yesterday. Averaged 13.5 mph over a 2 hour session and with the resistance alternating between 4 and 5 on the turbo. A setting of 4 gives me what I feel on a flat section of road and 5 feels like either pushing into a headwind or cranking uphill. In other words....hard work and I feel it where it counts!
These are still quite basic workouts at this stage. I still have 4 months of work ahead of me but some basic muscle building at this stage is fine. I'll alternate that with road riding and MTB riding where i can. January is not the most forgiving time to ride in the UK.
My other piece of research will be to see if I can find a reasonably priced week abroad, around the end of March so i can go and get a load of miles in a week, somewhere warm. That would be awesome, just need to sell the camper first!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)