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..
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