Where Did February Go ?

Training was going well in January. Despite not being able to get out for the much needed long rides at weekends, I still felt I was clocking up some good hours on the turbo. Feeling that I was improving. Feeling that the legs were starting to get stronger.

Then, all of a sudden, we are in March.

I don't know why by I seem to have lost a month somewhere. The last time I went out was the 50 miles on Feb 20th, and now it is March 15th. Looking back, I had a bit of a smack playing rugby that knocked me about more than I thought ( probably a bit of concussion, whiplash ) and then a busy week at work before a week away skiing.

The results of all those reasons excuses is that I've taken several steps back. The turbo session on Monday was really hard work, and I wasn't even close to finishing the Intervals I had got scheduled. I struggled to hold 300 watts for more than a minute. Went out again last night and really struggled to get the enthusiasm up to keep turning the pedals. I ended up watching YouTube clips on my phone while spinning for an hour.  That is the first time I've ever had to find some distractions while on the turbo. Usually I'm happy concentrating on the numbers on the computer and getting the intervals done.

I need to find a big chunk of motivation and get back up to speed.

First Tuesday 10 is only a couple of weeks away
Etape is 117 days away.

Oh Bugger - That's Steep !

I've just come back from a family skiing holiday....

    ... in Alpe d'Huez.



The ride up to the hotel on the transfer bus was interesting, and my first real feel for what I've let myself in for. Initial reaction : it's steeper than I thought ! 

By the time we got to the top I was deathly silent and white as a sheet. I am now properly scared.

I have a lot of friends who have ridden the Etape, and plenty who have ridden the Alpe d'Huez climb. To any good club rider it is quite do-able..... I just don't think of myself as a good club rider, more a "normal person" who happens to be a member of a cycling club. Add to that my general inability to climb hills and we've got a problem.

Just need to get on with it. As my friend Kelvin says : "stop being a big fairy"