Friday, 2 September 2011
Next Year ?
The obvious question isn't it ?
The instant answer is "No."
the more considered answer from the comfort of my desk is "Still No."
Riding the Etape is a big deal. It takes a lot of training, a lot of time and ultimately a lot of money.
The experience was good, but I can think of better things to spend the money on. With a bit of sponsorship I raised about £750 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, so that is something to he proud of. But on the other hand, if I had just sat at home and watched TV for 4 days and not spent money on hotels or fuel or Tolls or food etc.... then I could have donated twice that.
One of the first pieces of advice I got was to go and get a place on an organised tour. They seemd very pricey, but Mick assured me they were the best way to do it. As the family wanted to come it was not really an option, but he was right, there is no easy way to do this on the cheap. I guess travelling down in one go, avoiding the Peage and camping down there for a couple of days would be better. Making it into the family summer holiday would have been the best option, but it didn't fall in with school holidays, so not really an option.
I can see why people think the etape is amazing, but it is not for me. I love the mountains and I love my bike and I would love to go back and ride the big mountain passes again, but just for the fun of it.
Looking back at the Etape.
It has been a couple of months since the Etape and I'm back home, back at work and back to "normal" life. Looking back, I still have some very mixed feelings about the Etape. There were some good times, but the overriding feeling is of failure. It never occurred to me that I wouldn't finish, so elimination came as a big surprise. I expected to be near the back of the field, not that far back. I still don't quite know where all the time went, and annoyingly I don't have any data logging to study to see what I did. the race video and timing gates don't tell me anything; as I didn't finish they don't display any times.
I think I probably spent too long stationary, at feed stations and water stops, and then at every bit of shade I could find going up the last climb. Wile I was moving I was still climbing at the 10+ kph I had budgeted for. I think I was probably much slower than I wanted on the decents. Partly because the tops were much narrower and scarier than I expected and partly because when I got down to the long wide bits I was on my own.
I was feeling pretty good coming over the Galibier. Yes, it was hurting, but I was hydrated and fuelled, and moving along in a reasonable bunch at a reasonable speed. Ultimately, by the time I got to bottom of the Alpe d'Huez climb, I was getting too hot and that is was killed me off. I was starting to have all sorts of weird thoughts: I was obsessing about needing a towel to dry my face, I was worrying about the hotel on the way back running out of food, and was convinced that the crack in the car windscreen was going to stop Jo getting to Bourg, even though I had just seen them at the bottom. Finally when the time-car came past showing "15:15" on its big roof-top clock I had no idea what that meant, until someone said "it is quarter past three !" So, a big dose of heat stroke I think.
After elimination I tried to continue, but just couldn't do it. I struggled to get up off the hair-pin wall I was sitting on and get back on the bike. Couldn’t lift the leg over the saddle. As I started to move up the road the cramp just hit me and the legs stopped altogether. I tried to walk a little, but that was even harder than riding, and the only option was to go back down.
The following story may help anybody else who is heading for a future Etape:
Getting there
The drive down was much easier than I had imagined. We left Leicestershire at about 6am on Friday and got to the Eurotunnel at about 9am. Roadworks on the M1 slowed things down and the M25 wasn't great, but nothing too bad. Stopped for a bit of breakfast in the Euotunnel services and then onto the train. I love the tunnel - so much less hassle than the ferry, and less potential for sea-sickness.
The French Péage were fast and smooth as always, and we arrived in Beaune for our overnight stop feeling pretty good. The food in the hotel was brilliant. Very frustrating to stay in a great wine region and be tea-total.
The Saturday morning trip down to Modane passed with similar ease. A bit of a hold-up around the toll booths near Lyon, but again nothing to worry about.
All-in-all a lot less hassle than I had expected. Taking 7 and 10 year old boys in a 800+mile trip had the potential for disaster, but they were great. With a selection of audio books and a big comfy car the time passed without incident.
Picked up the race number from the Village and had a spot of lunch in Modane. Lots of nice bikes on show, but tried hard not to look and managed not to buy anything. Getting the number and race pack was really straight forward. no queues, no hassle. Joined the crowd watching the tour stage on the big screen.
Apartment in Lanslebourg was nice. Complex was deserted apart from Etape riders.
Sunday
Got the bike together and went for a spin. Only did about 30 miles, along a selection of local roads and up the pass behind the apartment. Really nice to be out in the mountains. Happy with the gearing and gradients, so all feeling good.
Race Day
An early start. Up at 5am. Packed. cleaned apartment and off we went. Modane was heaving and the diversions was making the traffic a problem. Quite a few people were riding to the start from a long way out. We parked easily in the middle of town and get to the start in plenty of time.
A nice mix of people in the pen. Rich Americans with every possible electronic device on their handlebars, cameras on their helmets and stupidly expensive bikes. ( Not sure the Zip 1080s on one guy's bike where really the right thing to have on an etape bike ??) Down to locals with ageing 5 speed steel Motobecane with a 2lt bottle of coke wedged into the frame. A few mountain bikes and a few touring bikes with luggage.
The Race
From Pen 8 we started at about 8am. (Pen 1 at 7am) There were obviously a lot of faster guys who hurtled past down the wide roads out of the start. I was able to join a train rolling along at a good 25mph.
The bottom of the first climb bunched everybody back up, and we climbed at a comfortable pace of about 15mph. There were faster guys moving up the left and slower guys sliding back down the right of the bunch. Being in a bunch of 1000s of people was amazing. I could hop on a faster wheel and start to move up, gain 50 or 100 places, but not see the front of the bunch. It felt like it just went on and on.
I stopped to take off my shell jacket about 3k from the top of the Telegraph, only to realise I didn't have anywhere to put it. Pockets were stuffed with food, gels, drinks powders etc. shoved it down my shirt front and got going again.
At the top of the Telegraph I texted Jo and helped someone with a puncture. I probably stopped for longer than I should have.
Down the short descent and though Vallorie things spread out again. People in the town were great, clapping and cheering, but the cobbles were a bit of a shock (look nice on your fancy pedestrianised town centre, not much fun on a bike :o/ )
The first feed station was rammed. I followed the advice from the veterans and dumped my bike in a bit of space and walked to the tables, grabbed the water and food and walked back to the bike to sort myself out. Again probably spent too long faffing with stuff : jacket, bottles, gels. I then rode up the road only to realise I had left my glasses and helmet on the bench and had to ride back to get them !!
Numbers started to spread out on the Galibier. I was still climbing at a comfortable pace and eating and drinking in line with the schedule. I stopped to take a couple of pictures at the bottom of the 10% section of the climb ( the classic view from the little bridge before the road bends back to the right and climbs the valley wall). From here you can see a long way up the road, and there was just a procession of little soles crawling up. It was probably at this point that I started to loose the feeling of how long a kilometre is. In a car it is nothing, in a time trial they flash past quite quickly too, but those little yellow and white road side market stones take an age to get past! The climb hurt, but I was surprised that I didn't feel the need to use the lowest gear ( 39x27) and was able to push on with 39x24.
Going past the entrance to the tunnel is a mental test. At one point you can just about see straight through to the riders descending on the other side. then you look up and realise you still have 1km of road and 100m of altitude to get up. On the last section I admit to having to stop to drink a couple of times. The breathing was struggling and the heart was pounding, and I just couldn't drink and ride at the same time. Obviously I had to ride past the video camera and photographers looking good !!
Finally reached the top and looked around. Stopped for a minute just to take in the view, and soak up the atmosphere. The first section of the descent is narrow and steep, no barriers, with brand new tarmac on an open hillside. It was pretty scary, and I obviously wasn't going very fast. the bike was shaking in the corners. It may have been me shaking or it may have been the loose headset, probably both. The next water point was at the cafe just below at the tunnel exit, so stopped there and filled up. At this point I started to realise that there were not as many people about. Time was about 11:45.
The long descent to Bourg was lonely. There were other riders around, some going very slowly, some stopped, others flying past that I tried to latch on to. At this point I was feeling the cold and shivering badly. Tried to keep eating and drinking ready for AdH. Got to the next feed station and decided to skip it. I had enough water and food. There seemed to be a lot of people around, so I felt like I was gaining a few places.
Finally came to the last feed station in Bourg d'Oisans. Again it was heaving, so it didn't feel like I was at the back. Again I probably spent too long faffing. I tried to call Jo and realised she was just around the corner, so nipped a bit further up the road to see them. It was good to see them, but felt guilty that they had been stood there for quite some time. It was about 1:15 I think. Temperature was rising and the spectators were hiding in the limited shade, but all still cheering and shouting encouragement. I did note that the shouts had changed from "go faster" and "allez" to "keep going" and "courage" as I passed - probably a reflection of my speed and appearance.
As I set off up to final climb, again, the gradient didn't bother me as much as I though. I was still able to push on in a reasonable pace in 39x24 (ish) but I was starting to feel the heat more and more. at every hair-pin there were people crammed into the shade of the cliff, people squashed under trees and people pouring water over themselves from the little streams. As I counted down the hair-pin numbers I started to try to pace myself. I had stop to drink, and decided that I would stop at every left hand hair-pin (because there was some shade). After about turn 15 it became stopping at every turn, and then at every piece of shade.
As I reached the cafe at La Garde, there was a man with a hosepipe. I just looked at him longingly and he new exactly what I meant and soaked me from head to toe. I stood for a minute to get my bearings, and overheard the riders sat at the cafe tables, having a beer and discussing how they were feeling better than last year, and where was fast, where was slow. From then on I was fighting a loosing battle, and every rider that came flying down the road from the finish took a little more out of my legs. As before, when moving I was able to climb ok, but the rests got more frequent, and the weird thoughts got weirder. I was in my own little world, not really aware of what was going on around me.
When the broom-wagon finally reached me I was properly cooked. In hindsight, it was probably good that they were there as I would have just carried plodding on until I expired. They probably saved me from ending up in a properly poorly state.
In my little world I didn't really know what was happening. First the time-car came past. Then some motorbike police and marshals. then a few official cars. At turn 11 someone jumped off a motorbike and tried to stop everybody. As she stopped to talk to someone and most people just rode past her, so I followed. At the next turn the same thing happened. This time she made it quite clear that we were not going to ride past her this time !
As we sat on the hair-pin wall, she explained that we had been eliminated and that we had 3 choices : 1. Stick our bikes on the lorry and get on the broom wagon bus. 2. Wait for the convoy you pass and ride up. 3. Wait for the convoy to pass and ride down.
I chose option 2.
The convoy was long and I guess they were opening the road up behind it as there seemed to be a lot of cars. I tried to get going again but struggled to lift my leg over the saddle. I pushed on and stated to make progress, but it didn't last long. I just about reached hair-pin #9 when my legs locked up and I just couldn't move. I don't think I made a conscious decision to go down, or to think about that I was doing. I freewheeled back down to #10 and texted Jo. At this point I just wanted to go somewhere cool, go somewhere to get clean. To go home.
Going Home
By the time I got back to the bottom 30 minutes later I felt much better. By the time I had ridden round the ring- road to where Jo had parked I was feeling almost normal.
A quick change of clothes in the car park and I was good to go.
Within a few minutes of sitting in the car's air-con and getting back to reality, I was starting to realise what I had just done (or rather not done) . The disappointment started to grow and the feeling that I had let people down, wasted their time, and spent a lot of money, all for nothing.
By the time we got back to the hotel a few hours later I was feeling better than I do a couple of hours after a 10mile TT. A couple of beers and I was fine. The following day was the next stage of the long drive home and again, 6 hour in the car on French Peage flew past without problems. Just that empty feeling of failure lingering in my stomach.
I think I probably spent too long stationary, at feed stations and water stops, and then at every bit of shade I could find going up the last climb. Wile I was moving I was still climbing at the 10+ kph I had budgeted for. I think I was probably much slower than I wanted on the decents. Partly because the tops were much narrower and scarier than I expected and partly because when I got down to the long wide bits I was on my own.
I was feeling pretty good coming over the Galibier. Yes, it was hurting, but I was hydrated and fuelled, and moving along in a reasonable bunch at a reasonable speed. Ultimately, by the time I got to bottom of the Alpe d'Huez climb, I was getting too hot and that is was killed me off. I was starting to have all sorts of weird thoughts: I was obsessing about needing a towel to dry my face, I was worrying about the hotel on the way back running out of food, and was convinced that the crack in the car windscreen was going to stop Jo getting to Bourg, even though I had just seen them at the bottom. Finally when the time-car came past showing "15:15" on its big roof-top clock I had no idea what that meant, until someone said "it is quarter past three !" So, a big dose of heat stroke I think.
After elimination I tried to continue, but just couldn't do it. I struggled to get up off the hair-pin wall I was sitting on and get back on the bike. Couldn’t lift the leg over the saddle. As I started to move up the road the cramp just hit me and the legs stopped altogether. I tried to walk a little, but that was even harder than riding, and the only option was to go back down.
***
The following story may help anybody else who is heading for a future Etape:
Getting there
The drive down was much easier than I had imagined. We left Leicestershire at about 6am on Friday and got to the Eurotunnel at about 9am. Roadworks on the M1 slowed things down and the M25 wasn't great, but nothing too bad. Stopped for a bit of breakfast in the Euotunnel services and then onto the train. I love the tunnel - so much less hassle than the ferry, and less potential for sea-sickness.
The French Péage were fast and smooth as always, and we arrived in Beaune for our overnight stop feeling pretty good. The food in the hotel was brilliant. Very frustrating to stay in a great wine region and be tea-total.
The Saturday morning trip down to Modane passed with similar ease. A bit of a hold-up around the toll booths near Lyon, but again nothing to worry about.
All-in-all a lot less hassle than I had expected. Taking 7 and 10 year old boys in a 800+mile trip had the potential for disaster, but they were great. With a selection of audio books and a big comfy car the time passed without incident.
Picked up the race number from the Village and had a spot of lunch in Modane. Lots of nice bikes on show, but tried hard not to look and managed not to buy anything. Getting the number and race pack was really straight forward. no queues, no hassle. Joined the crowd watching the tour stage on the big screen.
Apartment in Lanslebourg was nice. Complex was deserted apart from Etape riders.
Sunday
Got the bike together and went for a spin. Only did about 30 miles, along a selection of local roads and up the pass behind the apartment. Really nice to be out in the mountains. Happy with the gearing and gradients, so all feeling good.
Race Day
An early start. Up at 5am. Packed. cleaned apartment and off we went. Modane was heaving and the diversions was making the traffic a problem. Quite a few people were riding to the start from a long way out. We parked easily in the middle of town and get to the start in plenty of time.
A nice mix of people in the pen. Rich Americans with every possible electronic device on their handlebars, cameras on their helmets and stupidly expensive bikes. ( Not sure the Zip 1080s on one guy's bike where really the right thing to have on an etape bike ??) Down to locals with ageing 5 speed steel Motobecane with a 2lt bottle of coke wedged into the frame. A few mountain bikes and a few touring bikes with luggage.
The Race
From Pen 8 we started at about 8am. (Pen 1 at 7am) There were obviously a lot of faster guys who hurtled past down the wide roads out of the start. I was able to join a train rolling along at a good 25mph.
The bottom of the first climb bunched everybody back up, and we climbed at a comfortable pace of about 15mph. There were faster guys moving up the left and slower guys sliding back down the right of the bunch. Being in a bunch of 1000s of people was amazing. I could hop on a faster wheel and start to move up, gain 50 or 100 places, but not see the front of the bunch. It felt like it just went on and on.
I stopped to take off my shell jacket about 3k from the top of the Telegraph, only to realise I didn't have anywhere to put it. Pockets were stuffed with food, gels, drinks powders etc. shoved it down my shirt front and got going again.
At the top of the Telegraph I texted Jo and helped someone with a puncture. I probably stopped for longer than I should have.
Down the short descent and though Vallorie things spread out again. People in the town were great, clapping and cheering, but the cobbles were a bit of a shock (look nice on your fancy pedestrianised town centre, not much fun on a bike :o/ )
The first feed station was rammed. I followed the advice from the veterans and dumped my bike in a bit of space and walked to the tables, grabbed the water and food and walked back to the bike to sort myself out. Again probably spent too long faffing with stuff : jacket, bottles, gels. I then rode up the road only to realise I had left my glasses and helmet on the bench and had to ride back to get them !!
Numbers started to spread out on the Galibier. I was still climbing at a comfortable pace and eating and drinking in line with the schedule. I stopped to take a couple of pictures at the bottom of the 10% section of the climb ( the classic view from the little bridge before the road bends back to the right and climbs the valley wall). From here you can see a long way up the road, and there was just a procession of little soles crawling up. It was probably at this point that I started to loose the feeling of how long a kilometre is. In a car it is nothing, in a time trial they flash past quite quickly too, but those little yellow and white road side market stones take an age to get past! The climb hurt, but I was surprised that I didn't feel the need to use the lowest gear ( 39x27) and was able to push on with 39x24.
Going past the entrance to the tunnel is a mental test. At one point you can just about see straight through to the riders descending on the other side. then you look up and realise you still have 1km of road and 100m of altitude to get up. On the last section I admit to having to stop to drink a couple of times. The breathing was struggling and the heart was pounding, and I just couldn't drink and ride at the same time. Obviously I had to ride past the video camera and photographers looking good !!
Finally reached the top and looked around. Stopped for a minute just to take in the view, and soak up the atmosphere. The first section of the descent is narrow and steep, no barriers, with brand new tarmac on an open hillside. It was pretty scary, and I obviously wasn't going very fast. the bike was shaking in the corners. It may have been me shaking or it may have been the loose headset, probably both. The next water point was at the cafe just below at the tunnel exit, so stopped there and filled up. At this point I started to realise that there were not as many people about. Time was about 11:45.
The long descent to Bourg was lonely. There were other riders around, some going very slowly, some stopped, others flying past that I tried to latch on to. At this point I was feeling the cold and shivering badly. Tried to keep eating and drinking ready for AdH. Got to the next feed station and decided to skip it. I had enough water and food. There seemed to be a lot of people around, so I felt like I was gaining a few places.
Finally came to the last feed station in Bourg d'Oisans. Again it was heaving, so it didn't feel like I was at the back. Again I probably spent too long faffing. I tried to call Jo and realised she was just around the corner, so nipped a bit further up the road to see them. It was good to see them, but felt guilty that they had been stood there for quite some time. It was about 1:15 I think. Temperature was rising and the spectators were hiding in the limited shade, but all still cheering and shouting encouragement. I did note that the shouts had changed from "go faster" and "allez" to "keep going" and "courage" as I passed - probably a reflection of my speed and appearance.
As I set off up to final climb, again, the gradient didn't bother me as much as I though. I was still able to push on in a reasonable pace in 39x24 (ish) but I was starting to feel the heat more and more. at every hair-pin there were people crammed into the shade of the cliff, people squashed under trees and people pouring water over themselves from the little streams. As I counted down the hair-pin numbers I started to try to pace myself. I had stop to drink, and decided that I would stop at every left hand hair-pin (because there was some shade). After about turn 15 it became stopping at every turn, and then at every piece of shade.
As I reached the cafe at La Garde, there was a man with a hosepipe. I just looked at him longingly and he new exactly what I meant and soaked me from head to toe. I stood for a minute to get my bearings, and overheard the riders sat at the cafe tables, having a beer and discussing how they were feeling better than last year, and where was fast, where was slow. From then on I was fighting a loosing battle, and every rider that came flying down the road from the finish took a little more out of my legs. As before, when moving I was able to climb ok, but the rests got more frequent, and the weird thoughts got weirder. I was in my own little world, not really aware of what was going on around me.
When the broom-wagon finally reached me I was properly cooked. In hindsight, it was probably good that they were there as I would have just carried plodding on until I expired. They probably saved me from ending up in a properly poorly state.
In my little world I didn't really know what was happening. First the time-car came past. Then some motorbike police and marshals. then a few official cars. At turn 11 someone jumped off a motorbike and tried to stop everybody. As she stopped to talk to someone and most people just rode past her, so I followed. At the next turn the same thing happened. This time she made it quite clear that we were not going to ride past her this time !
As we sat on the hair-pin wall, she explained that we had been eliminated and that we had 3 choices : 1. Stick our bikes on the lorry and get on the broom wagon bus. 2. Wait for the convoy you pass and ride up. 3. Wait for the convoy to pass and ride down.
I chose option 2.
The convoy was long and I guess they were opening the road up behind it as there seemed to be a lot of cars. I tried to get going again but struggled to lift my leg over the saddle. I pushed on and stated to make progress, but it didn't last long. I just about reached hair-pin #9 when my legs locked up and I just couldn't move. I don't think I made a conscious decision to go down, or to think about that I was doing. I freewheeled back down to #10 and texted Jo. At this point I just wanted to go somewhere cool, go somewhere to get clean. To go home.
Going Home
By the time I got back to the bottom 30 minutes later I felt much better. By the time I had ridden round the ring- road to where Jo had parked I was feeling almost normal.
A quick change of clothes in the car park and I was good to go.
Within a few minutes of sitting in the car's air-con and getting back to reality, I was starting to realise what I had just done (or rather not done) . The disappointment started to grow and the feeling that I had let people down, wasted their time, and spent a lot of money, all for nothing.
By the time we got back to the hotel a few hours later I was feeling better than I do a couple of hours after a 10mile TT. A couple of beers and I was fine. The following day was the next stage of the long drive home and again, 6 hour in the car on French Peage flew past without problems. Just that empty feeling of failure lingering in my stomach.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Failed :o(
This is the end of the big adventure : 10 hairpins from the top of Alpe d'Huez
I got here at about 3:15pm and was eliminated from the race.
Once the timing car reaches you, you are eliminated. At this point you have a couple of choices; Get on the broom waggon (bus) for a lift to the top, wait for the cavalcade to pass you and carry on, or go down.
I wasn't going to get on the bus !!
I sat and watched the convoy pass and tried to start off again for the top, but it just wasn't going to happen. The heat had got to me. The legs had gone. The reason for being there had passed.
I made it about 100 yds further up from the hairpin and the legs locked up with cramp. Time to go home.
***
I'm now safely home, and I am trying to look back and asses what happened. What went wrong? Lots of things come to mind - the last months training for a start ? The heat on the day? Was my fueling right? Did I drink enough water? Where did the time go ?
I have been lucky enough to have a lot of nice comments from people on the day and since the race. Many saying I should be proud of what I have achieved. Currently it doesn't feel like that. Currently I just feel like I've failed.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Tuesday ( 6 days to go )
A better day.
I managed to get out on the bike this evening. :o)
I didn’t race the regular Tuesday 10, but did ride down to the start to say “hello” to people and cheer as they flew down the course. Not something I usually do. If I’m available then I will race, just turning up to spectate is a novelty. Zig-zagged my way down the lanes either side of the course, popping up at cross-roads to cheer as the guys charged along. All quite enjoyable and just what I needed – riding the bike for pleasure for a change. Bumped into a guy who needed a pump, so helped him out and chatted for a while as we watched. He was obviously keen to have a go, but didn’t feel brave enough to actually make the step and sign on. Think I’ve talked him into having a go. I hope so, we are a friendly bunch and everbody is welcome. I rode back with him towards Brinklow and chatted happily about random stuff, stopping a couple of time to pump his rear tyre. As the light was fading, we gave the tyre one last blast, and I headed back to the race HQ.
Started raining by the time I got there, so picked up the results sheet and headed off.
As a shake-down test it was mixed. Gears were jumping, so good to get that sorted, but also got soaking wet. Now have to clean the bike and dry out all the kit!
Time on bike : 90min, 20 miles
Monday, 4 July 2011
Monday ( 7 Days to go )
We are into the final countdown to the Etape now, only 1 week to go.
I swing between serene calm and blind panic. You come to a point where you know there is nothing more you can do to your body to get you throughthe task ahead: the time for training has passed. This is the time for making the best of what you have and making sure you arrive at the start rested and ready.
...all good in theory !
Work dragged on today. Can’t claim to have done anything useful all day. Still feeling a dodgy from the weekend.
Having been slimming down a bit over the last 6 months ( 90+kg to below 80 kg) I am permanently hungry. This week I am now relishing allowing myself to eat-for-England.
Intended to go out and check the bike over. Adjust the saddle height and generally calm down. Not to be, as I came into the kitchen all kitted up to go out Jo announced that she was off to a School Association meeting, so going out was not an option. Not what I needed in my fragile mental state. Went upstairs to put the boys to bed and sulk instead.
I did manage to drag my self out to the garage for a spin on the turbo, but not really helping.
Time on bike : 30min
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Sunday ( 8 days to go )
Another trip down to the in-law’s house for a bit of gardening and wallpapering. Feeling rubbish by the time we came home. Maybe this is the bodies reaction to the lack of exercise. Had a fitfull few minutes sleep in the car and then struggled to sleep when I got to bed.
Also didn't really eat much. Not good prep.
Time on bike : Zero
Also didn't really eat much. Not good prep.
Time on bike : Zero
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Saturday ( 9 days to go )
Intended to go out for a leisurely long ride, but woke up feeling really rubbish. The prospect of 4 hours in the saddle with a dodgy stomach was not appealing, so I fumbled around the house feeling sorry for myself. Managed to get some of the dull practical things done instead : haircut, buy energy gels, start assembling things to take. Also got a new pair of mitts as the old ones are a real mess (falling apart with no padding left and big holes in the backing).
Also had a trial fitting of the bike in the car. Didn’t want to stick it on the roof-rack, in the hope that we can run a bit quicker on the way down. I know that the TT bike fits in the boot ok if it is lying down, but that takes up all the space. I had hoped that the road bike would fit in standing up (obviously without wheels) and leave enough space for general family baggage. Looks OK. Removed the wheels and saddle and it fits snugly across the back of the boot ( BMW 5 series estate ).
While the seat post was off I impulsively decided to swap the saddle with the one on the TT bike (Selle Italia Turbomatic Gel Flow Team Edition). The totally contradicts the “make sure you have testing all the kit before-hand – never race on anything new” rule. The saddle is probably the worst things to change, but I know this one is much nicer just from turbo sessions. Need to make sure I get it set at the right height on the day.
Time on the bike : zero
Friday, 1 July 2011
It's just a logistical problem....
I think I'm all sorted for the trip to the Etape. Forget the riding-the-bike bit, just getting there and back will be a nightmare.
Having the family there has mixed blessings. It will be nice to have them around, and, hopefully, we can enjoy some of the weekend together. From a logistical point of view, it will be helpful to have Jo dump me at the start and scrape me up off the tarmac at the finish. If I was going on my own this would be difficult, and I would end up with the shuttle bus, or a tour operator. If I was going on my own I would have liked to have gone down for a few day before and after to enjoy the mountains, ride a bit more, have a bit of a break, but as the boys are still in school term time, we have to get back pretty quickly. Getting down and back with everybody is a big trek and will subject the boys to 4 days in the car, with very little opportunity to play or enjoy themselves.
So, the plan is :
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Friday :
Burbage to Folkstone 3 hours
Eurotunnel 35min
Calais to Beaune 6 hours.
( just south of Dijon )
Friday night hotel in Beaune ( Kyriad )
Saturday
Beaune to Modane 4 hours
Visit the Etape village, get number etc.
Modane to Lanslebourg Mont Cenis, 30 min
Apartment 2 nights ( Les Valmonts )
Sunday
Rest, play, swim in pool. Watch F1. Eat.
Monday
Ride the 20k downhill to the etape start at 6:30 am
Ride over a couple of mountains !?!
Ride down from the finish.
Meet Jo and the boys in Bourg d'Oisans ( just below Alpe d'Huez )
Drive up to Beaune.
Tuesday
As before, but in reverse:
Beaune, Calais, Eurotunnel, home.
The travelling is going to be a killer. The boys are pretty good in the car, and don't usually make a fuss, but I'm guessing this is going to push them to the limit.
Having the family there has mixed blessings. It will be nice to have them around, and, hopefully, we can enjoy some of the weekend together. From a logistical point of view, it will be helpful to have Jo dump me at the start and scrape me up off the tarmac at the finish. If I was going on my own this would be difficult, and I would end up with the shuttle bus, or a tour operator. If I was going on my own I would have liked to have gone down for a few day before and after to enjoy the mountains, ride a bit more, have a bit of a break, but as the boys are still in school term time, we have to get back pretty quickly. Getting down and back with everybody is a big trek and will subject the boys to 4 days in the car, with very little opportunity to play or enjoy themselves.
So, the plan is :
Friday :
Burbage to Folkstone 3 hours
Eurotunnel 35min
Calais to Beaune 6 hours.
( just south of Dijon )
Friday night hotel in Beaune ( Kyriad )
Saturday
Beaune to Modane 4 hours
Visit the Etape village, get number etc.
Modane to Lanslebourg Mont Cenis, 30 min
Apartment 2 nights ( Les Valmonts )
Sunday
Rest, play, swim in pool. Watch F1. Eat.
Monday
Ride the 20k downhill to the etape start at 6:30 am
Ride over a couple of mountains !?!
Ride down from the finish.
Meet Jo and the boys in Bourg d'Oisans ( just below Alpe d'Huez )
Drive up to Beaune.
Tuesday
As before, but in reverse:
Beaune, Calais, Eurotunnel, home.
The travelling is going to be a killer. The boys are pretty good in the car, and don't usually make a fuss, but I'm guessing this is going to push them to the limit.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Hinckley Challenge Weekend
Feeling a little calmer now. Probably just resigned to the fact that there is nothing I can do about my level of fitness now. Just have to go with what I've got.
I've managed a couple of turbo sessions since the last post, with some pleasing numbers (managing to keep 320watts for 10 minute intervals), so that is good.
Also went out for an evening blast and did 40 miles in 2hours 20min. Again, feeling good.
Last weekend was the annual "Challenge Weekend" : a 10 mile tt on Saturday afternoon and a 25 mile tt on Sunday morning. Good results for me : 25min 18sec for the 10. Just 8 seconds off my PB, and a Class win ( with a cash prize of £10 :o) and finishing 28th overall. Happy with that !
The 25 time was also a PB : 1hr 5min 41sec, 29th overall. Only 4 seconds behind Rich Gamble, my 2-up partner. So again, very happy with the result.
This weeks Tuesday 10, was another quick one. A new PB by 1 second ( 25:09 ).
So, to state the obvious, a bit of training and you go faster!
Let's just hope this is enough to get me up to Alpe d'Huez.
I've managed a couple of turbo sessions since the last post, with some pleasing numbers (managing to keep 320watts for 10 minute intervals), so that is good.
Also went out for an evening blast and did 40 miles in 2hours 20min. Again, feeling good.
Last weekend was the annual "Challenge Weekend" : a 10 mile tt on Saturday afternoon and a 25 mile tt on Sunday morning. Good results for me : 25min 18sec for the 10. Just 8 seconds off my PB, and a Class win ( with a cash prize of £10 :o) and finishing 28th overall. Happy with that !
The 25 time was also a PB : 1hr 5min 41sec, 29th overall. Only 4 seconds behind Rich Gamble, my 2-up partner. So again, very happy with the result.
This weeks Tuesday 10, was another quick one. A new PB by 1 second ( 25:09 ).
So, to state the obvious, a bit of training and you go faster!
Let's just hope this is enough to get me up to Alpe d'Huez.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
3 Weeks to go... and no training.
Once again there has been a total lack of riding over the last couple of weeks. Not Good.
The Hinckley 25 on 12th June went well. A really windy day, but I finished with a time of 1hr 7min 2sec. Pretty close to my 2-Up team time trial last month, and faster than most of my closest rivals. All very good.
On the down side, I have failed to get my long ride in again this weekend. Family stuff has got in the way, specifically get the houses on the market. 18th and 19th June was going to be my big mileage weekend, but instead I spent the weekend clearing the garden at the in-law's old house. No riding at all.
Also haven't ridden the regular Tuesday TT for a couple of weeks. Last week Josh broke his arm, so I was looking after Fin while Jo took Josh off to A&E. Really annoying as conditions were perfect for a good time. (Obviously upset the the little chap has hurt himself) This week I was down to marshal, so, again, didn't ride. Did think about doing my pushing-off duty and then riding at the end, but got messed about by some Cock who was also supposed to be marshaling. Ended up with him riding and other picking up the slack. Not happy.
So I'm not into the last 3 weeks before the Etape, and my training has disappeared. Not happy, but some things in life out-rank riding my bike.
The Hinckley 25 on 12th June went well. A really windy day, but I finished with a time of 1hr 7min 2sec. Pretty close to my 2-Up team time trial last month, and faster than most of my closest rivals. All very good.
On the down side, I have failed to get my long ride in again this weekend. Family stuff has got in the way, specifically get the houses on the market. 18th and 19th June was going to be my big mileage weekend, but instead I spent the weekend clearing the garden at the in-law's old house. No riding at all.
Also haven't ridden the regular Tuesday TT for a couple of weeks. Last week Josh broke his arm, so I was looking after Fin while Jo took Josh off to A&E. Really annoying as conditions were perfect for a good time. (Obviously upset the the little chap has hurt himself) This week I was down to marshal, so, again, didn't ride. Did think about doing my pushing-off duty and then riding at the end, but got messed about by some Cock who was also supposed to be marshaling. Ended up with him riding and other picking up the slack. Not happy.
So I'm not into the last 3 weeks before the Etape, and my training has disappeared. Not happy, but some things in life out-rank riding my bike.
Friday, 10 June 2011
JFDI #2
If I keep going like this I'm going to be in trouble.
Training has been a bit hit and miss again this week. Some good intervals in the turbo on Thursday and Friday, followed by a fun weekend away in Oxford. Good to see Matt & Niki and the boys again, and good to relax with a beer or two, but not good from a training point of view.
The main down side is that there was no long ride again this weekend. My good intentions of another turbo session when I got home on Sunday soon faded and we tried to get an early night. Monday was a gray day and I just couldn't summon the enthusiasm for training. A slightly randon 30 minutes on the turbo, followed by a couple of hours battling with the internal cable routing on my TT bike handlebars instead.
Tuesday Night 10 round #10 this week was an interesting night. The new base bar on the time trial bike had moved the position of the aero bars - just a little closer together. I'm not exactly Martin Johnson, but I think I've got quite wide shoulders and chest. The new position was a bit uncomfortable, and also made steering a bit difficult.
Wind was really blustery, from the side. No real help in either direction, but did bouncy me sideways a couple of times. Once, at about 9.5 miles, the quickest part of the course for me, I lurched onto the wrong side of the road. It scared the **** out of me, but no harm done.
Per formance was good. Didn't feel smooth, and was fighting the bike a bit, but came out on top. time : 25:11 just 1 sec of my PB from a couple of weeks ago. Quite a few people struggled, and many were significantly slower - so a net gain then !?!
The rest of the week again lacked motivation and energy. No more training at all. This weekend is also filling up. Saturday we will be off to see my brother-in-law to discus house stuff and the evening is the MIRA 65th celebration party. Sunday is the HCRC 25 mile TT championship. Weather is looking wet and windy. Don't think quick times are on the cards.
So, again, no long ride this weekend.
31 days to go.
Just want it to be over now.
Training has been a bit hit and miss again this week. Some good intervals in the turbo on Thursday and Friday, followed by a fun weekend away in Oxford. Good to see Matt & Niki and the boys again, and good to relax with a beer or two, but not good from a training point of view.
The main down side is that there was no long ride again this weekend. My good intentions of another turbo session when I got home on Sunday soon faded and we tried to get an early night. Monday was a gray day and I just couldn't summon the enthusiasm for training. A slightly randon 30 minutes on the turbo, followed by a couple of hours battling with the internal cable routing on my TT bike handlebars instead.
Tuesday Night 10 round #10 this week was an interesting night. The new base bar on the time trial bike had moved the position of the aero bars - just a little closer together. I'm not exactly Martin Johnson, but I think I've got quite wide shoulders and chest. The new position was a bit uncomfortable, and also made steering a bit difficult.
Wind was really blustery, from the side. No real help in either direction, but did bouncy me sideways a couple of times. Once, at about 9.5 miles, the quickest part of the course for me, I lurched onto the wrong side of the road. It scared the **** out of me, but no harm done.
Per formance was good. Didn't feel smooth, and was fighting the bike a bit, but came out on top. time : 25:11 just 1 sec of my PB from a couple of weeks ago. Quite a few people struggled, and many were significantly slower - so a net gain then !?!
The rest of the week again lacked motivation and energy. No more training at all. This weekend is also filling up. Saturday we will be off to see my brother-in-law to discus house stuff and the evening is the MIRA 65th celebration party. Sunday is the HCRC 25 mile TT championship. Weather is looking wet and windy. Don't think quick times are on the cards.
So, again, no long ride this weekend.
31 days to go.
Just want it to be over now.
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
TNT #8
Round 8 of Hinckley CRC's Tuesday Night 10 (10 mile time trial)
I wasn't looking forward to tonights race. After a lackluster effort on the turbo last night and a dull day at work I just wasn't up-for-it. Jo pushed me out of the door and off I went to Wolvey, trying to think up excuses for not riding. In the back of last week's performance I should have been eager to go again, but no, not interested. I joined the back of the long queue at about 6:30 and picked up number 44. Back of the field again, but I like being back there. Road is quieter and wind usually drops for the later starters.
Weather was a bit better this week. Sky was brighter with lots of blue and a few clouds skidding across. Wind was a bit of a pain. Had been quite strong during the day, but as the evening came it was calming down. Helping on the way out (the longer leg) is usually good for me. And slightly from the right(West) gives you a little shelter from the trees on the way back.
A short warm up and off to the start for 7:44
Was horribly distracted by my heart rate monitor and speedo today.
HR sensor seemed to drop out a lot during my warm up and I wasn't comfortable with it during the race. Should really have been concentrating on riding the bike, rather than pressing buttons on the phone. Heart rate up at 155 was ok and speed was good down to the turn. Tried to push a bit harder on the way home, but didn't quite have it in me.
Crossed the line with another PB of 25:10
It would be nice to catch my 2up partner Richard Gamble one day. Think I've got him worried.
Another Good Day.
I wasn't looking forward to tonights race. After a lackluster effort on the turbo last night and a dull day at work I just wasn't up-for-it. Jo pushed me out of the door and off I went to Wolvey, trying to think up excuses for not riding. In the back of last week's performance I should have been eager to go again, but no, not interested. I joined the back of the long queue at about 6:30 and picked up number 44. Back of the field again, but I like being back there. Road is quieter and wind usually drops for the later starters.
Weather was a bit better this week. Sky was brighter with lots of blue and a few clouds skidding across. Wind was a bit of a pain. Had been quite strong during the day, but as the evening came it was calming down. Helping on the way out (the longer leg) is usually good for me. And slightly from the right(West) gives you a little shelter from the trees on the way back.
A short warm up and off to the start for 7:44
Was horribly distracted by my heart rate monitor and speedo today.
HR sensor seemed to drop out a lot during my warm up and I wasn't comfortable with it during the race. Should really have been concentrating on riding the bike, rather than pressing buttons on the phone. Heart rate up at 155 was ok and speed was good down to the turn. Tried to push a bit harder on the way home, but didn't quite have it in me.
Crossed the line with another PB of 25:10
It would be nice to catch my 2up partner Richard Gamble one day. Think I've got him worried.
Another Good Day.
New Blog Colour
Oh look, I've found the colour templates for the Blog. Got a bit bored with black, so here is a new, easy to read, ligher coloured version.
( really should be working, but...... )
( really should be working, but...... )
Monday, 23 May 2011
JFDI !
I know I have a "motivation problem".
Today was a prime example. Had a dull day at work and really didn't get much done. Dragged my lazy arse out to the garage for a turbo session in the evening with Zero enthusiasm. Faffed about for a while fiddling with the bike and anything else that came into view in the garage. Pedalled for about 30 minutes with a short sprint in the middle then gave up. Not going to happen tonight.
With hindsight I hate myself for this. I need to get the training done, but some days I just don't want to do it.
Today was a prime example. Had a dull day at work and really didn't get much done. Dragged my lazy arse out to the garage for a turbo session in the evening with Zero enthusiasm. Faffed about for a while fiddling with the bike and anything else that came into view in the garage. Pedalled for about 30 minutes with a short sprint in the middle then gave up. Not going to happen tonight.
With hindsight I hate myself for this. I need to get the training done, but some days I just don't want to do it.
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Burbage to Bardon to Beacon and back
I have to face the fact that I need to get some vertical metres as well has horizontal miles in the training. So the Saturday morning route took in Leicestershire's highest point : a not very high Beacon Hill at 220m. A steady climb 6%- 10% from Quorn up to the top:
Just for a quick reality check, this is what it looks like on the Etape profile scale :
I think I'm in trouble!
May try to get out and about a bit more over the next month. I'll ask around and see where I can go. Probably just stick the bike in the car and drive to the bottom of some thing hilly, do an evening of hill repeats and drive home again.
I quite like the simplicity of a training ride that has the same metres climbed as the etape. Obviously not on a single climb, but 10 repeats of Beacon hill would be a start. 10 x 15 minutes (up) + 8 min (down) = about 4 hours of the same bit of road. Not much fun. Total climbing in the Etape is 3600m.
One of the other thoughts to come out of this ride was that I need to think more about my fueling. Felt pretty rubbish after an hour and really struggled at 2 hours. I think I need to try to eat more real food (bananas, fig rolls, flapjack for a start) rather than just Go Bars and PSP drink. ( Not having a nice bottle of Red wine the night before may also help ;o)
Now only 50 days to go.
Tim.
Just for a quick reality check, this is what it looks like on the Etape profile scale :
I think I'm in trouble!
May try to get out and about a bit more over the next month. I'll ask around and see where I can go. Probably just stick the bike in the car and drive to the bottom of some thing hilly, do an evening of hill repeats and drive home again.
I quite like the simplicity of a training ride that has the same metres climbed as the etape. Obviously not on a single climb, but 10 repeats of Beacon hill would be a start. 10 x 15 minutes (up) + 8 min (down) = about 4 hours of the same bit of road. Not much fun. Total climbing in the Etape is 3600m.
One of the other thoughts to come out of this ride was that I need to think more about my fueling. Felt pretty rubbish after an hour and really struggled at 2 hours. I think I need to try to eat more real food (bananas, fig rolls, flapjack for a start) rather than just Go Bars and PSP drink. ( Not having a nice bottle of Red wine the night before may also help ;o)
Now only 50 days to go.
Tim.
Friday, 20 May 2011
Power to Weight Ratio
One of the many essential measures of a riders ability is their power to weight ratio. (Actually a lot of this sort of stuff is meaningless, but I like it !?!)
In the kit car world people like to aim for 400 BHP per metric tonne. My Westfield is probably about 320 to 340.
In the bike world, a good figure is 4 Watts per kg. This is what I am aiming for.
A riders power output is a very variable thing. I can peak at over 600watts, just for a very short time, but 350ish for a couple of minutes and can only hold 270ish for an hour (my Functional Threshold Power).
Generally people quote their 5min wattage for the power to weight ratio figures. These figures are all a bit vague and I'm can't really claim that I've given it an all-out effort to measure them at any point. They are just taken from various turbo sessions.
On the other side of the equation, my weight is falling. From the rugby friendly 92kg last November to 83kg now. This gives my current power to weight ratio as about 3.8 watts/Kg
Pretty happy with that, but I'm going to continue with the salads and hope to hit 80kg and 350+ watts. by Etape time.
In the kit car world people like to aim for 400 BHP per metric tonne. My Westfield is probably about 320 to 340.
In the bike world, a good figure is 4 Watts per kg. This is what I am aiming for.
A riders power output is a very variable thing. I can peak at over 600watts, just for a very short time, but 350ish for a couple of minutes and can only hold 270ish for an hour (my Functional Threshold Power).
Generally people quote their 5min wattage for the power to weight ratio figures. These figures are all a bit vague and I'm can't really claim that I've given it an all-out effort to measure them at any point. They are just taken from various turbo sessions.
On the other side of the equation, my weight is falling. From the rugby friendly 92kg last November to 83kg now. This gives my current power to weight ratio as about 3.8 watts/Kg
Pretty happy with that, but I'm going to continue with the salads and hope to hit 80kg and 350+ watts. by Etape time.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Donations
Started advertising the event today. Nothing too agressive, but a well worded note on our email news boards. Started seeing a few £s coming in. All good.
Some people are very generous. I'm very grateful.
Some people are very generous. I'm very grateful.
Etape Medical Certificate
Another job ticked off the list today: got my Etape Medical Certificate signed and stamped.
After a bit of a to-ing and fro-ing with the GP, and talk of £20 and then £100 fees. I'm now sorted. For free, thanks to a kind benefactor, so that's a bit more I can put to the charity.
Also good to know that the blood pressure, heart, etc are looking OK.
After a bit of a to-ing and fro-ing with the GP, and talk of £20 and then £100 fees. I'm now sorted. For free, thanks to a kind benefactor, so that's a bit more I can put to the charity.
Also good to know that the blood pressure, heart, etc are looking OK.
Another of the many blogs
It is not just me that is geeky enough to have a blog of their thoughts on this Etape stuff. Recently found Mr. Patterson Goes to Languedoc . A very nice read from someone experiencing much the same as me:
http://gerrypatt.wordpress.com/
Good Luck Gerry, see you at the top !
http://gerrypatt.wordpress.com/
Good Luck Gerry, see you at the top !
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Training seems to be working !
Round 7 of Hinckley CRC's Tuesday Night 10 series last night. A bit grey and cold with a strong wind and a hint of rain in the air. Not promising.
The usual long queue of people signing on when I arrived, so I assumed my regular place at the back and picked up number 52 out of 53 starters.
By the time 7:52 arrived the wind had dropped and the sky was looking a little bit brighter. A good sign. First couple of miles the pulse was up and down, and speed was all over the place. By the turn things had settled down and I pushed hard for home, feeling pretty good. Pulse rose up to 160+
Crossed the 1 mile to go at a time of 23 minutes. I was a completely confused by this, seemed wrong. Usual fast (downhill) finish went well and when I crossed the line I wasn't too sure of my time, computer didn't seem right.
Actually it was right : 25:20 a good minute faster than I expected.
Really pleased. Not one to overdo it, but really-really-pleased with that.
- getting a beasting on Sunday most have done the trick !?!
The usual long queue of people signing on when I arrived, so I assumed my regular place at the back and picked up number 52 out of 53 starters.
By the time 7:52 arrived the wind had dropped and the sky was looking a little bit brighter. A good sign. First couple of miles the pulse was up and down, and speed was all over the place. By the turn things had settled down and I pushed hard for home, feeling pretty good. Pulse rose up to 160+
Crossed the 1 mile to go at a time of 23 minutes. I was a completely confused by this, seemed wrong. Usual fast (downhill) finish went well and when I crossed the line I wasn't too sure of my time, computer didn't seem right.
Actually it was right : 25:20 a good minute faster than I expected.
Really pleased. Not one to overdo it, but really-really-pleased with that.
- getting a beasting on Sunday most have done the trick !?!
Monday, 16 May 2011
Training Continues - 56 Days to go
Training has been a bit better over the last couple of weeks. Not perfect, and never quite as much as I hope, but getting back on track. The chaos of bank holidays and royal weddings didn't help.
Weekend rides are now pushing up to 50miles. A club run with Kelvin, Ralph, Joules and Marc gave about 35miles, then pushed on to Mum's in Leicester to make a 50 mile morning. The new bike shakedown totalled 35ish, but it was cold and wet, and the crank fell off. This weekend's outings of 55 (very windy) and then 45 with the club were more like it. The "Club Run" was a bit quicker than I really wanted, and a couple of miles pushing 30mph killed me off (then I got stuch behind a van in Mallory, so seeing a chance to escape, I let them go while I peeled off and trundled home), disapointed not to be able to keep up in the later stages, but it was a really good workout. Legs ached in the moring !
Add in a couple of Turbo sessions during the week, and it is looking OK.
Could do with a going a bit further this month. With only about 8 weeks to go I've got to put some work in. The calendar is looking busy though.
Weekend rides are now pushing up to 50miles. A club run with Kelvin, Ralph, Joules and Marc gave about 35miles, then pushed on to Mum's in Leicester to make a 50 mile morning. The new bike shakedown totalled 35ish, but it was cold and wet, and the crank fell off. This weekend's outings of 55 (very windy) and then 45 with the club were more like it. The "Club Run" was a bit quicker than I really wanted, and a couple of miles pushing 30mph killed me off (then I got stuch behind a van in Mallory, so seeing a chance to escape, I let them go while I peeled off and trundled home), disapointed not to be able to keep up in the later stages, but it was a really good workout. Legs ached in the moring !
Add in a couple of Turbo sessions during the week, and it is looking OK.
Could do with a going a bit further this month. With only about 8 weeks to go I've got to put some work in. The calendar is looking busy though.
Saturday, 7 May 2011
The New Toy
I got my old bike in about 1995. It was nice, in a slightly old-fashioned sort of way. Reynolds 531c steel tubing, quill stem, weird sized bottom bracket, 8-speed cassette. It has served me well over the years, but I thought it was time for an upgrade.... fire up the Ebay account !
With a bonus from work and a little bit of saved cash we had a nice little budget of about £1000. The goal: a bike under budget and under 8kg in weight. A brand new off-the-peg bike didn't really fit in the budget, but that didn't stop me trying a few. Some nice stuff about, but as usual, the price starts to rise and I wasn't comfortable spending £1500+ and the stuff I really liked.
2 Weeks later this is what we've got :
Total Price : classified - just in case the boss is looking ;o)
Total Weight : 7.4kg
Most bits are second hand, and some "bargains" such as the frame at £220, so budget was going well. Brake/Shifters are SRam Rival from a classified ad on a cycling forum. Something new to me, but seem OK as I get used to the "double-tap" system for gear change. Chainset is FSA SLK-Light from ebay. Bars, stem seatpost are all Easton, again all from ebay. The last thing on the list was wheels, so as a bit of extravagance, the wheels are brand new Shimano RS80s and the most expensive bit.
Most of the bits and bobs arrived at work (our store's man is a very kind chap) and the office took great pleasure in watching me open the procession of interesting looking boxes. Thanks to Roger for pretending to be (almost) as excited as me every time something new arrived on my desk.
So far riding has been a dream. It is 3+kg lighter that the old bike, the wheels are true and it doesn't squeak - what more could you want ?!? Obviously I was eager to get out and try it. Fitted the tyres (Michelin PRo Race 3) and slotted the wheels in on Friday night. Saturday 7th dawned cold and grey, but that wasn't going to stop me. 3 hours later I was cold and wet, and the left crank had fallen off because I hadn't tightened it up properly, but had 36 miles on-the-clock and was loving it. Then spent the next hour cleaning it!
On the couple of nice days that I've ridden it, it has a humm and buzz to it as it flies along. It may just be the placebo effect, but I feel faster, the speedo says not, but who cares? Sometimes it is just nice to treat yourself to something special. Worth every penny :o)
Sunday, 1 May 2011
2-Up Time Trial
The last couple of weeks have been about the Hinckley CRC 2-Up Team Time Trial.
After a little persuading I entered with Richard Gamble. Rich is a couple of minutes faster tham me on the regular Tuesday night 10, and has entered more 25s than me, so is quite a lot stronger. Despite that he was happy to ride as a pair, and drag me around the course.
A test ride at the Tuesday 10 gave us a 26 minute dead. Frustrating not to be a 25:59, especially after getting stopped by traffic at the turn. This is the fastest I've been on the 10 course, so a good start. (Rich has ridden 23:58 on this course). Another practise on the following Thursday (a couple of laps of the 25 course) gave us some idea of where we would be stronger, and where I would struggle. Rich went away to devise tactics.
Race day.
Pup's Cup the day before had left my knees in a bit of a state, and nerves had kept me awake, so I had to drag myself out of bed on Sunday morning to get there for the 8am sign on. I was not feeling confident, but I do love a bit of team spirit, so got on with it. The race went well. I was feeling good on the first lap and think we worked well together.The second lap showed my lack of training miles and I struggled at about 18miles into the gusty wind. The last leg up the A5, up and down the hills, slowed me quite a lot, but once off the A5 and heading back to the start I managed to push it again, with a bit of encouragement from Rich. Crossing the line in a time of 1:06:58.
At the time I was annopyed with myself for not doing-my-bit on the second lap, but looking back, I am quite pleased with the time. We were beaten by our closed rivals (well done Billo and Belly!) but they didn't catch us on the road. Being realitic and looking at previous form, it would have been difficult to beat them.
Having been the weak partner in this one, has spured me on to push harder. It would be nice to do it again with Rich and I on similar levels just to take an even turn on the front and push all the way (not going to happen - he is always going to be stronger.)
After a little persuading I entered with Richard Gamble. Rich is a couple of minutes faster tham me on the regular Tuesday night 10, and has entered more 25s than me, so is quite a lot stronger. Despite that he was happy to ride as a pair, and drag me around the course.
A test ride at the Tuesday 10 gave us a 26 minute dead. Frustrating not to be a 25:59, especially after getting stopped by traffic at the turn. This is the fastest I've been on the 10 course, so a good start. (Rich has ridden 23:58 on this course). Another practise on the following Thursday (a couple of laps of the 25 course) gave us some idea of where we would be stronger, and where I would struggle. Rich went away to devise tactics.
Race day.
Pup's Cup the day before had left my knees in a bit of a state, and nerves had kept me awake, so I had to drag myself out of bed on Sunday morning to get there for the 8am sign on. I was not feeling confident, but I do love a bit of team spirit, so got on with it. The race went well. I was feeling good on the first lap and think we worked well together.The second lap showed my lack of training miles and I struggled at about 18miles into the gusty wind. The last leg up the A5, up and down the hills, slowed me quite a lot, but once off the A5 and heading back to the start I managed to push it again, with a bit of encouragement from Rich. Crossing the line in a time of 1:06:58.
At the time I was annopyed with myself for not doing-my-bit on the second lap, but looking back, I am quite pleased with the time. We were beaten by our closed rivals (well done Billo and Belly!) but they didn't catch us on the road. Being realitic and looking at previous form, it would have been difficult to beat them.
Having been the weak partner in this one, has spured me on to push harder. It would be nice to do it again with Rich and I on similar levels just to take an even turn on the front and push all the way (not going to happen - he is always going to be stronger.)
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Derbyshire Training
I knew this before, but a couple of days in Derbyshire have just proved it :
I'm rubbish at going up hills.
There are lots of excuses (ridden a lot this week, wrong gearing, etc) but it is quite a realisation. I exploded on anything steeper than about 1:7 As the gradient rose, my speed slowed and my heart-rate went through the roof. I need to be a lot stronger for the Etape.
2 days in Derbyshire has proved "useful", but sole destroying.
I'm rubbish at going up hills.
There are lots of excuses (ridden a lot this week, wrong gearing, etc) but it is quite a realisation. I exploded on anything steeper than about 1:7 As the gradient rose, my speed slowed and my heart-rate went through the roof. I need to be a lot stronger for the Etape.
2 days in Derbyshire has proved "useful", but sole destroying.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
1st TNT done.
95 Days to go.
Last night was my first time trial of the season. A bit of a rush in preparation, so not much warm up, but made it to the start, without forgetting anything essential.
Decided to ride a considered race. Keep the heart rate to around 150 - 155. Seemed to work OK. Outward leg had a bit of a tail wind, and speed was good. After the turn I tried to push rate up a little, but computer (Sports Track Phone app) showed HR as 152..... push a bit harder..... still 152. Harder ...... still 152. Closer look showed the phone had locked up !?! A bit annoying, but nothing to worry about. not had it happen before. Think it may be at the same time as I got a text message from Jo.
Also had phone strapped between tri bars in a ipod arm band thing. That worked surprisingly well too. Thought it may wobble too much or flap in the wind, but was fine.
Came home with a 27:25. Pretty good for me, and about a minute faster than I had expected beforehand. Good start to the season.
Last night was my first time trial of the season. A bit of a rush in preparation, so not much warm up, but made it to the start, without forgetting anything essential.
Decided to ride a considered race. Keep the heart rate to around 150 - 155. Seemed to work OK. Outward leg had a bit of a tail wind, and speed was good. After the turn I tried to push rate up a little, but computer (Sports Track Phone app) showed HR as 152..... push a bit harder..... still 152. Harder ...... still 152. Closer look showed the phone had locked up !?! A bit annoying, but nothing to worry about. not had it happen before. Think it may be at the same time as I got a text message from Jo.
Also had phone strapped between tri bars in a ipod arm band thing. That worked surprisingly well too. Thought it may wobble too much or flap in the wind, but was fine.
Came home with a 27:25. Pretty good for me, and about a minute faster than I had expected beforehand. Good start to the season.
Friday, 8 April 2011
Teenage Cancer Trust
If I'm going to do this, then it would seem a waste not to do it for charity. When Jo ran the London Marathon last year, it felt almost compulsory for the “fun runners” to get sponsored (why else would you do it !?!). Jo Ran for Macmillan Nurses, obviously a cause close to our hearts and raised around £900. I'm not sure if people look upon the Etape in the same way, for some "proper" cyclists this would be one of many similar events. For me this is very definitely a one-off, and a challenge big enough for me to think that sponsorship is appropriate. Just because I ride a couple of 10 mile time-trials (and I’m not very good at them!) doesn’t mean this is going to be easy.
After much deliberation, I have finally picked the charity. There are obviously lot to choose from that have played a part in our lives over the last couple of years, with cancer, strokes and heart problems all up there. In the end I have picked the Teenage Cancer Trust. There is something most upsetting with the idea that kids get cancer too. For those at the age where they understand what is happening to them it must be doubly difficult and scary beyond words. And for parents the feelings must be all consuming. The sense of helplessness as you stand by knowing that there is nothing you can do to fix it. I just can’t contemplate how I would feel if it were Fin or Josh.
In those dark hours when I bitch and moan about work, or money, or training, or not having a shiny new bike, there will always be the voice in the back of my head that tells me it all means nothing. I am healthy. I have 2 healthy boys. Shut up and get on with it.
After much deliberation, I have finally picked the charity. There are obviously lot to choose from that have played a part in our lives over the last couple of years, with cancer, strokes and heart problems all up there. In the end I have picked the Teenage Cancer Trust. There is something most upsetting with the idea that kids get cancer too. For those at the age where they understand what is happening to them it must be doubly difficult and scary beyond words. And for parents the feelings must be all consuming. The sense of helplessness as you stand by knowing that there is nothing you can do to fix it. I just can’t contemplate how I would feel if it were Fin or Josh.
In those dark hours when I bitch and moan about work, or money, or training, or not having a shiny new bike, there will always be the voice in the back of my head that tells me it all means nothing. I am healthy. I have 2 healthy boys. Shut up and get on with it.
Monday, 4 April 2011
99 bottles of beer on the wall... 99 bottles of beer....
99 days to go. and they are ticking off fast.
I need to get some big miles in over the next 8 weeks, but looking at the calendar I can see the next few weekends getting lost in the tangle of family life. Fin's birthday party next Saturday. Nuneaton mini-rugby festival on Sunday. Rugby tour the folloing weekend. then we are into easter, school holidays and the like.
At least the weather is getting warmer and my rugby has come to the end of the season. ( Apart from the possibility of a mid-week Vets' cup, and Pup's cup ) So should be able to get a bit more training in while I'm not feeling so battered!
I need to get some big miles in over the next 8 weeks, but looking at the calendar I can see the next few weekends getting lost in the tangle of family life. Fin's birthday party next Saturday. Nuneaton mini-rugby festival on Sunday. Rugby tour the folloing weekend. then we are into easter, school holidays and the like.
At least the weather is getting warmer and my rugby has come to the end of the season. ( Apart from the possibility of a mid-week Vets' cup, and Pup's cup ) So should be able to get a bit more training in while I'm not feeling so battered!
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
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 thosereasons 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.
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
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.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
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"
... 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"
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Etape : A Family Outing
After a few months of faffing, we have decided that the whole family will be going to the Etape.
The logistics of all of this is a pain in the neck, and is going to cost way more that I had ever imagined, but it will be nice to have the boys and Jo there.
As Monday 11th July is in the last week of the boys' school term, we will have to complete the paperwork for an Authorised absence, and are likely to get it rejected.
On the up side, I have now booked a room for all of us for Saturday and Sunday nights, just north east of Modane. Should be only 20-30 minutes away.
Planning on driving down on Friday and staying 2/3 of the way down on Friday night. Same on way back.
The logistics of all of this is a pain in the neck, and is going to cost way more that I had ever imagined, but it will be nice to have the boys and Jo there.
As Monday 11th July is in the last week of the boys' school term, we will have to complete the paperwork for an Authorised absence, and are likely to get it rejected.
On the up side, I have now booked a room for all of us for Saturday and Sunday nights, just north east of Modane. Should be only 20-30 minutes away.
Planning on driving down on Friday and staying 2/3 of the way down on Friday night. Same on way back.
Lost In Coventry
I should know better really. I lived in coventry for about 10 years, so I should know my way around, but it would seem not.
Went out on the bike on Sunday and headed off into the wind. Out via Wolvey, Bramcote, Bulkington and towards Coventry. I had intended to get to Meridan and then Kenilworth and back via Coombe Abbey, but somehow found myself trudging through Longford and the back of the Ricoh arena and generally getting lost in the suburbs. As it started looking like it was going to get dark early, I cut my losses and headed down the A444 to the airport and out the other side. Not exactly what I had in mind, but it will do. Total 39.6 miles.
Computer was giving dodgy speeds again.
Phone battery died at 27 miles.
New (replacement) gloves feeling good, warm, soft, good fit : Endura Deluge
New shoes felt nice, still not sure if they are a bit too big, but the neoprene overshoes made them feel pretty good. Still getting cramp in my left arch.
Neck also still feeling stiff
Total this week is a bit poor:
Tuesday: 80 min Turbo
( Saturday : Rugby )
Sunday: 39.6 miles
Went out on the bike on Sunday and headed off into the wind. Out via Wolvey, Bramcote, Bulkington and towards Coventry. I had intended to get to Meridan and then Kenilworth and back via Coombe Abbey, but somehow found myself trudging through Longford and the back of the Ricoh arena and generally getting lost in the suburbs. As it started looking like it was going to get dark early, I cut my losses and headed down the A444 to the airport and out the other side. Not exactly what I had in mind, but it will do. Total 39.6 miles.
Computer was giving dodgy speeds again.
Phone battery died at 27 miles.
New (replacement) gloves feeling good, warm, soft, good fit : Endura Deluge
New shoes felt nice, still not sure if they are a bit too big, but the neoprene overshoes made them feel pretty good. Still getting cramp in my left arch.
Neck also still feeling stiff
Total this week is a bit poor:
Tuesday: 80 min Turbo
( Saturday : Rugby )
Sunday: 39.6 miles
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
New Shoes
The visit to Xscape also allowed a quick visit to Evans Cycles to get some new shoes :
Specialized Road Comp.
I got my current shoes when Matt and I rode Land's End to John o'Groats about 25 years ago. Recently I have been getting cramp in my foot arches, so hope these will help.
Not so convinced by white, but everything on the shelf was the same, so not a lot of choice. Puts me straight into the all-the-gear---no-idea category :o)
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
SiS Fuel
Went to a presentation tonight from SiS (Science in Sport) energy drink people, organized by HCRC.
I would like to think I know the theory of fuelling for racing,training and the etape, (x grams of Carb per Kg of bodyweight per hour, etc etc) but I do need to put it into practice. The slide showing his intake for last years Marmotte was a little scary!
Need to get some samples and start working out what I like / what works for me.
Seemed to get volunteered as the long distance rider example. A little self conscious as almost everybody in the room rides further than me, but nice to see that people are interested and supportive in my etape attempt. I had thought it would just blend into the background as nothing unusual. It is obviously a big-deal for me, but pretty run-of-the-mill for many club riders.
( Had a dodgy stomach on Sunday - may be down to the out of date Block I had on saturday. Or may just be the beer / pizza / general crap I've been eating :o/ )
I would like to think I know the theory of fuelling for racing,training and the etape, (x grams of Carb per Kg of bodyweight per hour, etc etc) but I do need to put it into practice. The slide showing his intake for last years Marmotte was a little scary!
Need to get some samples and start working out what I like / what works for me.
Seemed to get volunteered as the long distance rider example. A little self conscious as almost everybody in the room rides further than me, but nice to see that people are interested and supportive in my etape attempt. I had thought it would just blend into the background as nothing unusual. It is obviously a big-deal for me, but pretty run-of-the-mill for many club riders.
( Had a dodgy stomach on Sunday - may be down to the out of date Block I had on saturday. Or may just be the beer / pizza / general crap I've been eating :o/ )
Monday, 24 January 2011
170 Days to go.
A mixed weekend; the passing of Steff left me feeling a bit lost.
But it was also Josh's 7th birthday on Sunday, with a party in Milton Keynes Xscape climbing zone on Saturday afternoon. Good to see everybody again and an enjoyable time, but I did feel guilty for being happy.
This left me Saturday morning for a bit of training. Managed to drag myself out of bed before dawn (actually about 8:15am !) and got ready to go. Tried my new gloves out. Daylight didn't seem to arrive, and I set off into the gloom at about 9am. Very cold, and after about 15minutes it was obvious that the new gloves were not very warm. Went home and swapped back to the el'cheepo Aldi ones !
A nice run down towards Walton / Bruntingthorpe and back for a total of 40 miles. Felt OK at the end, and could probably have done a few more miles if time had allowed.
Bike compuer was a bit wierd, indicated speed jumping around and often 3x actual values. Need to investigate.
Tried the tube of Cliff Bar shot Blocks . Really nice. Had been lying around in the cupboard since Jo's Marathon, so were well past their sell-by date. :o/ but seemed to do the job. One cube every 20 minutes, and then bites of a zipvit bar for the last hour.
But it was also Josh's 7th birthday on Sunday, with a party in Milton Keynes Xscape climbing zone on Saturday afternoon. Good to see everybody again and an enjoyable time, but I did feel guilty for being happy.
This left me Saturday morning for a bit of training. Managed to drag myself out of bed before dawn (actually about 8:15am !) and got ready to go. Tried my new gloves out. Daylight didn't seem to arrive, and I set off into the gloom at about 9am. Very cold, and after about 15minutes it was obvious that the new gloves were not very warm. Went home and swapped back to the el'cheepo Aldi ones !
A nice run down towards Walton / Bruntingthorpe and back for a total of 40 miles. Felt OK at the end, and could probably have done a few more miles if time had allowed.
Bike compuer was a bit wierd, indicated speed jumping around and often 3x actual values. Need to investigate.
Tried the tube of Cliff Bar shot Blocks . Really nice. Had been lying around in the cupboard since Jo's Marathon, so were well past their sell-by date. :o/ but seemed to do the job. One cube every 20 minutes, and then bites of a zipvit bar for the last hour.
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Steff - R.I.P.
The sudden death of my Rugby Skipper and Friend Steff Kenny on Thursday has left me in a bit of a daze.
Steff was a "rock" in every sense : a physically solid prop, who never went backwards, and also a dependable clubman who has been a significant part of Earlsdon RFC since I joined 20+ years ago. He will leave a big gap in many of our lives.
.
Steff was a "rock" in every sense : a physically solid prop, who never went backwards, and also a dependable clubman who has been a significant part of Earlsdon RFC since I joined 20+ years ago. He will leave a big gap in many of our lives.
.
Thursday, 20 January 2011
January Training Continues...... or not.
I don't know where January is going!
Having missed a load of sessions over Christmas, I'm now two-thirds of the way through January and I don't seem to have done any more. Sunday 9th was good - managed to get out around Bruntingthorpe, Lutterworth for a total of 35 miles (Map). Didn't feel too bad and found a couple of nice hills.
Last week just flew past. Had a trip to Winchester and a load of prep to do for that, so didn't have time to go to the gym, or get out on the bike at all. Another week gone.
A bit better this week. Rugby on Saturday, with a good win over Newbold-on-Avon, also my birthday, so had a couple of beers and a take away for supper. Sunday was spent with the family in Leicester for Sunday lunch (would have been my dad's birthday). Managed to get out on the turbo for an hour when we got back. Tried to do the CTS field test : 2 x 8minutes at 100%. Not a great idea really, feeling the effects of the day out and eating too much, but interesting. Managed to average 288 and 279 watts. Heart rate not as high as I expected at about 155bmp.
Managed a good session on Tuesday. 4 x 6min @ 255 watts, 4min between intervals.
Gym again on Wednesday, and then a quick 45 minutes on the turbo in the evening.
Been to the Gym twice today :o)
Once at lunchtime for the usual session, then back again to receive delivery of our new rowing machine. Played with it for a couple of minutes and pressed all the buttons and experimented with the resistance settings - that does count as training doeasn't it ????
Need to keep pushing myself to go out.
Having missed a load of sessions over Christmas, I'm now two-thirds of the way through January and I don't seem to have done any more. Sunday 9th was good - managed to get out around Bruntingthorpe, Lutterworth for a total of 35 miles (Map). Didn't feel too bad and found a couple of nice hills.
Last week just flew past. Had a trip to Winchester and a load of prep to do for that, so didn't have time to go to the gym, or get out on the bike at all. Another week gone.
A bit better this week. Rugby on Saturday, with a good win over Newbold-on-Avon, also my birthday, so had a couple of beers and a take away for supper. Sunday was spent with the family in Leicester for Sunday lunch (would have been my dad's birthday). Managed to get out on the turbo for an hour when we got back. Tried to do the CTS field test : 2 x 8minutes at 100%. Not a great idea really, feeling the effects of the day out and eating too much, but interesting. Managed to average 288 and 279 watts. Heart rate not as high as I expected at about 155bmp.
Managed a good session on Tuesday. 4 x 6min @ 255 watts, 4min between intervals.
Gym again on Wednesday, and then a quick 45 minutes on the turbo in the evening.
Been to the Gym twice today :o)
Once at lunchtime for the usual session, then back again to receive delivery of our new rowing machine. Played with it for a couple of minutes and pressed all the buttons and experimented with the resistance settings - that does count as training doeasn't it ????
Need to keep pushing myself to go out.
Friday, 7 January 2011
Christmas !
Happy New Year !
I've not been able to trainer much over the last few weeks. The cough I had before Christmas lingered all through the festivities, and is still there now. I'm not sure at what point a cough becomes a chest infection, becomes bronchitis, becomes pneumonia, and at what point you go to the doctors. whatever it is/was it is on it's way out now.... hopefully.
Maganged to get out on the bike again for an easy 20miles to Lutterworth and back on Bank Holiday Monday. Slightly faster than last time, and feeling pretty good. The new Christmas present overshoes from the boys fitted nicely, and helped keep the toes warm.
HRM worked a bit better this time, but the transmitter did detatch itself from the chest strap at one point. I'll have to keep an eye on that, wouldn't want to loose it.
sportstracklive
This week is back to work, so went to the gym on Wednesday and Thursday. Usual rounds of 11peg, but felt quite difficult. Feeling a bit of a strain on both inner thigh / groin, not sure how I've done that. Not good for rugby this weekend (Shipston away)
Need to get back into the routine and start building up the miles.
I've not been able to trainer much over the last few weeks. The cough I had before Christmas lingered all through the festivities, and is still there now. I'm not sure at what point a cough becomes a chest infection, becomes bronchitis, becomes pneumonia, and at what point you go to the doctors. whatever it is/was it is on it's way out now.... hopefully.
Maganged to get out on the bike again for an easy 20miles to Lutterworth and back on Bank Holiday Monday. Slightly faster than last time, and feeling pretty good. The new Christmas present overshoes from the boys fitted nicely, and helped keep the toes warm.
HRM worked a bit better this time, but the transmitter did detatch itself from the chest strap at one point. I'll have to keep an eye on that, wouldn't want to loose it.
sportstracklive
This week is back to work, so went to the gym on Wednesday and Thursday. Usual rounds of 11peg, but felt quite difficult. Feeling a bit of a strain on both inner thigh / groin, not sure how I've done that. Not good for rugby this weekend (Shipston away)
Need to get back into the routine and start building up the miles.
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