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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Day 168

Computer Games night ;-)

Was going to have 30 mins on the turbo trainer but I got home a little late and by the time I had tea it was time to start playing games so I didnt....

Monday, September 29, 2008

Day 167

Took another night off, I am concerned about the tendon....

I will take it slowly....Perhaps Turbo trainer tomorrow and a short 20 on Wed with low gradient hills.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Day 166 (Sunday)

Well today as planned I went for my first cycle ride in a week :-)

First problem was what to wear? It was cold and foggy - so I opted for my new cold weather top, zip up jacket, cycling trousers, warm winter sock's and high vis jacket. And in the first 3 miles I was happy as the wind chill was biting.

Then I cycled up 'Old Derry Hill' and out of the fog and into bright sunshine, I instantly overheated and had to stop and take the High vis and zip up jacket off, I actually started to feel quite sick - cold air and I was so hot. I then cycled along for about another mile or two and I started to descend back into the cloud - I had to stop again and put the high vis jacket back on as the wind chill started to bite again!

At about 10 miles I started to notice my right tendon again :-( however It did not cause pain this time, perhaps I should have taken an easier ride for my first time back in a week!

I completed my 30 mile 'normal' ride as planned in a respectable 1 hour 49 minutes with an AVS of 16 mph. (Actually 29.21 miles)

I am a little concerned about the tendon issue! I had adjusted the cleat to my 'perfect' natural position. I am wondering - when I cycle my knees tend to cycle outwards slightly on the upstroke this could in theory be putting undue stress on the outside of my knee as I the put effort into the down stroke. I think I will have to seek professional advise now. I intend to contact a sports physiotherapist and have a consultation.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Day 165 (Saturday)

Got up early

Boiled up fruit for cider fruit cake, then went for a long walk in west woods with wifey and Rosie ;-)

When we got back I finished making the cake then we had lunch, I then spent a couple of hours taking the Dawes to pieces and cleaning it up, last weekend's 200 miles left it in as bad a state as my tendon's!

Both wheels were removed and cleaned, the chain was cleaned, the rear cassette,front and rear derailers were degreased then lightly oiled, The frame was washed, cables lightly oiled and finally the chain was re-oiled. The bike looks nice and clean and has an element of bling back ;-)

Plan is to get back on the bike tomorrow for a nice short 30 mile ride. (Hopefully the bike wont get dirty straight away!)

Friday, September 26, 2008

Day 164

Went to work on Motor Bike today ;-)

Had puncture on way home :-(

Didn't get home until 8.

No cycling as I am having a week off..

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Day 163

Got home late ;-(

Cooked myself poached eggs n ham on toast......Wifey has gone out on her night out.....

Still staying off the bike.........

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Day 162

WFH day ;-)

I didn't go out on bike..as planned (Taking the week of ;-)
I did take Rosie (Dog) for a walk at lunch, and at 5:15 I cooked Roast Pork tenderloin with honey mustard sauce, sweet and normal potato wedges, peas and carrots for seven.

Now i'm stuffed ;-) (And missing going out on bike!) my knees and tendons appear to have stopped aching completely now.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Day 161

Taking the week off ;-)

Played computer games...

On the plus side the major pain has now all but gone, investigations all point towards incorrect cleat alignment or to high a load. I will modify the cleat alignment slightly before my next ride.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Day 160

As planned taking the week off ;-)

I am however sorting out my winter Turbo Training plan and understanding best how I can overcome/negate the Tendon pain I have got!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Day 159 (Sunday)

Got up at a reasonable time and went on an immediate hunt (Well almost I did shower and get dressed first!) for some oversize Allan keys, and amazingly enough the two sizes I needed were in first reserve gash tool kit ;-) So Bike was fixed in 5 minutes flat and the two Allan keys have now been made a part of my mobile handlebar travel kit ;-)

Today's ride was planned as 108 miles with the first half VERY familiar to me as I travel it EVERY day to work, with the second half being a new experience until I made it back to the Cotswold Water Park then on to home.. The planned route was Chippenham > Malmesbury > Cirencester > Northleach > Burton on the Water > Stow on the Wold > Chipping Norton > Burford > Aldsworth > Poulton > Down Ampney > Asten Keynes > Brinkworth > Dauntsey > Chippenham (Planned Route here...)

But as what normally happens to my wonderful planning I couldn't find many of the little roads that we planned and I ended up doing 112.51 miles! (Actual Route here...)

After yesterdays high temp ride I opted for shorts today instead of cycling trousers.

The start was not as foggy as yesterday but the wind chill was still biting, at 3 miles I climbed up Bremhill and again as yesterday the sun was bright and very warming.

When I cycled past Kemble (Former home to the Red Arrows, then home to A10 servicing by the USAF and now a industrial park with active airfield) I stopped to take a picture of the current aircraft being disassembled, somebody has a contract to scrap Aircraft and there is always something being dismantled ;-)



I was both looking forward and dreading cycling the Fosse Way, looking forward because I drive it everyday and wanted to know what it was like to cycle it, and dreading because I know there are some b*stard hills on it.


Now on the face of it a 14% downhill looks nice but if you open the picture and look into the distance you will see a 14% hill going up the other side and the hill carries on at a lesser incline for 3-4 miles! The Fosse Way has 3 like hills on it!

It was quite pleasant climbing into Stow on the Wold even though it is a steep hill as all of the traffic was stationary and I cycled up the outside lane to the front of the queue and turned right to Chipping Norton

Going into Chipping Norton I noticed a very funny looking building on the right....I must research it and find out what it is...



From about this point onwards things started to get problematic for me! The tendons in my right leg and my hands started to get painful. Now I am not sure if the Tendons are due to the back to back rides or the massive climbs of today's ride. But I am certain that my hand difficulties are the sign of the cumulative ride, hopefully that will be resolved by the new bike!

The normal void I find at 60 -80 miles was so much worse... and at 100 miles I knew that I still had at least 10 more miles to go!

If it wasn't for the tendon problem I think I could have ignored the hand pain, but the Tendon was forcing me to stay in low gears and spin away, the moment the load started increasing the stabbing pain started ;-(

When I finally got home I initially found it quite difficult to walk, but after having a shower and relaxing a bit, everything appears to have freed up a little.

This weekend has been a success ;-)
I have managed to get my planned 200 miles in even after a mechanical failure.
I have proven to myself that I can endure back to back endurance rides.
I now know what my Achilles heel is! I must understand how to avoid tendon pain (What exercises I should perform)

This is the last 100 miles ride I do this year, I just cannot afford to take out 7 hours plus to jolly around the countryside, from now on I will focus on Turbo Trainer to build up strength and cadence and do shorter 30 mile rides just to keep the real world in focus.

So today's stats are.
112.51 miles in 7 hours 42 minutes (The Pain!) with an AVS of 14.6 mph

This gives a weekend total of 93.75 + 112.51 = 206.26 miles! (No wonder it hurt!)

Ohhh and my total mileage since day1 is now over 3000! if you'd told me 6 months ago that I will have cycled over 3000 miles by Christmas I would have thought you were mad!

Adendum.....Just found this....

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Day 158 (Saturday)

Well I had plans for today...

Plan was to cycle a 113 miles, Chippenham > Sutton Benger > Abingdon > Benson > Wallingford > Didcot > Wantage > Ashbury > Wroughton > Wootten Basset (Planned trip here...)

I set of in the fog at 9:15 and got very cold very quickly! after 3 miles I climbed up Bremhill and emerged from the fog into bright sunshine ;-) When I descended back towards Tytherton the fog did not seem quite as dense and I was lovely and warm from the climb and sunshine.

I started to get worried when I reached the Cotswold Water park as my expected mileage and actual mileage was a about 3 miles out (I was expecting a roundabout at 30 miles I actually came to the roundabout at 33 miles!) , I was having issues finding some of the roads I was supposed to be following and ended up going the long way round!.

When I got to Abingdon I was at 65 miles, and knowing the road's in the area quite well I realised that going on to Benson and Wallingford would push the days distance into 120-130 miles so I opted for cutting straight across to Didcot

Following the road from Abingdon to Didcot I came across a cycleway signed to Didcot to I chanced going down it ;-)


Now Didcot has some very fond memories for us and I was pleasantly surprised to find a network of cycleways criss-crossing the town.

Something about the Didcot cooling towers always appeals to me, for many years it was a sign that we were close to home.



On leaving Didcot I headed back on the planned route to Wantage and Ashbury.

The weather was perfect and the scenery was awesome ;-)

On the homeward stretch at 90 miles the Laws of Murphy reared there ugly head, I noticed that the left hand crank had worked loose and the dust cab was all but hanging off, I spoke a few pleasant words and stopped, Not really being sure of the mechanical fit of the crank I simply did the dust cover up (I only carry a meagre tool kit) and set on my merry way...

At 93 miles after obviously taking another duff turn I ended up at a rather busy roundabout and I decided to call it an end as the risk of the crank falling off was extreme and I didn't fancy bouncing along the road. (I dont bounce well!)

So wifey was called and she did an emergency pick up.

I have now accessed the crank and have tightened it up with an oversize screwdriver ;-) Tomorrow I will rummage around my tool kits and find a suitable large Allen key to do the job properly ;-)

So today I ended up cycling 93.75 miles and was rescued by wifey (Actual route here.....) bit of a shame but close enough to the planned 100 for tomorrows ride.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Day 157

No cycling today, taking an evening of ;-)

I have some plans for 2 big rides over the weekend ;-)

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Day 156

30 Minutes on the Turbo Trainer (or should I call it my personal sauna!)

I think it is actually making a difference, I notice that when I am doing a 'real' ride my cadence is a lot higher and I think there is a noticeable power difference on my hill climbing.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Day 155

It was to dark to go out safely this morning :-(

So I switched to the winter midweek plan today.
The plan is I start work early and finish late and take an extra half hour before and after lunch and go for a mid-day ride.

So I stopped work at 11:30 and did my 'normal' 30, and I must say it was bloody hard work! I was fighting a head wind all the way to Avebury, the good thing was I was blown home the last 10 miles ;-)

It all fitted in rather well! I stopped work at 11:30 and was back at work at 13:30 having showered and changed ;-)

So today I cycled 29.15 miles in 1 hour 46 minutes with an avs of 16.3.

If the wind is any stronger than today then I will have to shorten the ride to fit it into the time I have available. But with luck I should be able to get out for 'Real' rides 3 times a week and restrict myself to Turbo training on the remaining evenings and if the weather is bad...

And thank you to work for allowing me the flexibility to work AND slot the cycling in.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Day 154

I took today of work..

It wasn't all happy I went to a funeral :-(

We all got back home a little earlier than expected and I went out on a 30 mile ride...

29.13 miles in 1 hour 41 minutes with an AVS of 17.1 mph

Although the weather was very pleasant, the chill factor when cycling is now very noticeable.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Day 153

30 minutes on the turbo trainer whilst head banging to Iron Maiden ;-)

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Day 152 (Sunday)

As predicted I woke up this morning with NO aches or pains and could indeed have done another mammoth ride!

Instead we did the 'normal' Sunday morning house tidy :-) I then put 2 ham joints in a large pot and filled it with Cider ready to boil for tea.. (I am cooking Cider boiled honey roast ham for tea) .

Then Wifey, Rosie (Dog) and me cycled to Lacock, we had some lunch and cycle back home (9.6 miles). On return I made a Sherry - Cherry trifle (Using two Victoria sponges I made in the morning)

So today has been more of a tidy and cooking day than a cycle day.....But it was a realy nice ride with wifey and Rosie ;-)

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Day 151 (Saturday)

Well today I did my third 100 mile ride and my first out of England ;-)

A couple of weeks ago I found out that there is a cycle way crossing the old Severn Bridge now the M48 and I was determined to have a cycle to Wales.

So I set off Chippenham > Castle Coombe > Yate > Alveston > Aust > Chepstow > Gloucester (Where I got lost ;-() > Stroud > Nailsworth > Tetbury > Malmsbury > Sutton Benger > Chippenham .... Route here...

I took some nice photies of the Old and New Severn bridge...






It was quite interesting for somebody as scared as heights as I am to cross the bridge so slowly and so close to the edge! When I stopped to take the photies you could actually feel the bridge move when large trucks were on the M48.



I had to stop to take a photy of the "Welcome to Wales" sign



Interestingly there was NOT a Welcome sign on the Cycle way?????

Just after Chepstow I had to take a photo of my return to England (I had only been in Wales for less than 10 miles)


I was overtaken by another cyclist when I took the picture, I rapidly caught up and overtook, then about 10 miles further on as I was changing down gears the chain fell off and I stopped to refit it and take my day glow jacket off as the sun had come out and I was starting to sweat a lot!

As I was stopped the guy overtook me again... Interesting I thought...as the A48 isn't exactly a nice place to cycle along unless you are heading from the Severn bridge to Gloucester. About 5 miles on I caught the guy up again and struck up a conversation, It was his first ride out and he had cycled from Cheltenham to The Severn Crossing and was on his return journey a round trip of about 70 miles, he had 1 500 ml water bottle that was empty and no food! I gave him the contents of one of my 500 ml bottle and suggested that he may want to carry a lot more water and some food to keep him going!

OMG I actually sound like I know what I am doing now!!!!!!

Problem was although I had 2 * 750 ml bottles and the Camel Back I was sweating a lot and Stroud has some very big hills, I ran out of fluid's myself and had to buy some Lucozade from a garage (2 * 750 ml Bottles)

When I got back home I would like to say it was an easy ride, but it was NOT! the side of my right leg has stiffened up (I think my right calf muscle is tight) Although I could continue further it would NOT be easy, I am very sleepy, tired and VERY hungry!

The amazing thing is that I know tomorrow the aches and pains will be gone and I will say I could do it again, I wonder what the cumulative affects will be over the 12 planned days of JOGLE?

Ohhh today I cycled 106.89 miles in 6 hours 41 min (Ride time) 7 hours (Elapsed) with an AVS of 15.9 mph

Friday, September 12, 2008

Day 150

Taking a night off, I have a big ride planned for tomorrow.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Day 149

Left work late....got home late :-(

I had intentions of doing nothing...its wifey's night out and after I tidied up I started feeling like I should do something so I changed into shorts and t-shirt and did 45 minutes on the turbo trainer, being a glutton for punishment I turned it to maximum resistance and continued the cycle of easy/tough that I have done previously.

This weekend I shall sit down and read Dave's turbo training doc's and sort out a proper training schedule - I did try the heart rate monitor tonight only to find the battery is flat, either that or I dont have a heart rate!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Day 148

Part 1.....

Got up at 6:15 and out on bike at 6:30, did my normal Wednesday morning 20

22.06 miles in 1 hour 14 min with an avs 17.8 mph.

I think the hour I have spent on the turbo trainer is already showing a real world benefit, I found it a lot easier to maintain a high cadence and I noticed a real difference in hill climbing.

Part 2...

Got out on the bike again at 4:30 and did the normal reverse 20

21.62 miles in 1 hour 15 with an avs of 17.1 mph and it was darned hard work! Devizes met office had it rated as a 16 mph southerly gusting to 35 mph.

It was good to get out twice today again, my winter gloom feels to have lifted a bit...

I also had a really nice long chat with Dave at lunchtime and he has sent me some fantastic training materials for the turbo trainer :-)

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Day 147

Got home and the sky's darkened, so I had another 30 minute session on the turbo trainer.

Did a 10 minute easy spin followed by alternating 2 minute hard then easy, then did 5 minutes hard then did some one foot pedaling 1 minute each foot (Trying to get used to pushing AND pulling the pedals)
Then finished of with a 5 minute easy spin.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Day 146

Today was a swimming day. When I got home I didn't feel like swimming and both children were out, so instead we went for a cycle ride to Lacock (With Rosie) had food in a pub and cycled back in the dark! (I carried Rosie back in the doggy backpack)

So it was a leisurely 8 miles and a really nice meal.

It did feel interesting cycling in my boots, jeans and work shirt, I appear to have got used to wearing shorts and t-shirt whilst cycling now...

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Day 145 (Sunday)

I woke up early ad wifey said I could go for a cycle ride ;-)

I set of on the same route as yesterday, Chippenham -> Devizes -> Avebury -> Calne -> Chippenham (Route here...)

29.2 miles in 1 Hour 47 Minutes, Over the coming months I will be unable to get out Wednesday morning and night due to it being dark, cold, wet and dangerous! I have agreed with work that I would take an extended lunch but start earlier and finish later (So I would still work the allotted hours) I think this route may well be the route I will be doing, although short it has one hell of a workout!

I cooked cottage pie for tea and whilst it was in the oven I gave the Turbo Trainer its first use! OMG I am knackered!

I think it could get VERY boring just spinning away on it - I think it will be essential to divide the turbo time into smaller manageable tasks. Today I spent 10 Minutes spinning away in the easiest gear to warm up, then I slammed everything into the highest gear and worked hard for 2 minutes then back to the easiest gear for 2 minutes - I repeated the cycle 5 times the finished of spinning away for 10 minutes to cool down.

I sweated a gallon! my t-shirt was ringing wet as were my socks and everything in between, the bike was wet and the floor had a damp patch! I had to jump straight in a shower! I found the 30 minute session very hard work! and interestingly my shoulders are aching now?

I think the Turbo time may well be a valuable training tool but will be NO substitute for actualy going out on the road

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Day 144 (Saturday)

Got up, made porridge for wifey 'n me then went for a shortish ride.

Chippenham -> Devizes -> Avebury -> Calne -> Chippenham (Route here...)

The total route although only 29.24 miles has some massive climbs in it (according to Bikely 1405 ft).

The thought of going up Dunkirk Hill with SPD-SL pedals actually made me choose alternative routes - but today I have climbed Old Derry Hill and Dunkirk Hill with hardly a second thought.

I stopped in peddlers on my way back through Calne to talk about bikes, It appears that I may be able to get a Merida 905 within my Budget, this will include an Ultegra group set, so even better than the 105 I was thinking of.

I have also set up the Turbo Trainer and had a little go ;-)....It is slightly different than I expected! The first problem is getting on the bike! it stands about half a foot higher and wont lean. I will probably have 30 minutes on it tommorow instead of going out for a real cycle ride.

The plan is to not spend as much time on the bike this weekend as it took over last week!

I am now busy my self cooking tea, we are having visitors....

Friday, September 5, 2008

Day 143

Got home, New dishwasher had arrived as had the Turbo Trainer ;-)

Removed old broken dishwasher, plumbed in new one then un-boxed Turbo Trainer.

Went out to pub for tea - 2 pints of Black rat and steak and I am in no shape for anything now.....

Might try the Turbo Trainer on Sunday..........

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Day 142

I have been feeling really depressed all week....

I have gotten used to going out cycling and I really enjoy it, now I see my cycle time getting reduced by the weather and darker evening's.

I have also been getting concerned about my cycle times and the amount of traffic on the road, when its sunny and bright I feel confident but as it gets darker I get a bit concerned.

But this evening I feel a lot happier, wifey and I have looked and planed a whole lot of country road rides that keep me away from the traffic, all a little shorter than I am used to but still very challenging ;-)

Tonight I went out on one of the shiny new 10 mile routes and it was fun ;-)

I covered 9.89 miles in 38 min - The route has a massively steep hill on it that gets the legs working ;-)

So it looks like I will have some real evening cycle routes for the immediate future ;-)

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Day 141

Part 1...
Woke up at 6 and it was dark ;-( Got up and was out on bike at 6:30 still poor light ;-(

Did my 'Normal' Wed morning 20 , Well actually 22.05 in a rather poor 1 hour 19 min, I am wondering if the lower temperature and wetter conditions are making a difference?

I did find the increased amount of traffic this morning a bit of a concern.

Ohhhhh Just noticed I have now done over 2500 miles since day 1!!!!!!!!

Part 2....

Well there is no part 2...I am tired, the weather is bad and I am cooking tea instead....

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Day 140

Got home at an OK time for a change! so got changed into more winter'ish cycling gear and went out for my normal 20 ;-)

Picy of me modelling my winter cycle kit (Thanks Dave ;-)



It was darned hard work (According to Bristol met office it was a 20 mph wsw wind) ! I did 21.45 miles in 1 Hour 20 min with an AVS of 15.9 mph I got back home just as it was getting dark. I think I only have a couple of week's of safe evening cycle time :-(

Wifey bought me a 'Elite Volare Mag Lite Trainer' today ;-) so I think when it arrives I will swap from real cycling on a Tuesday and Thursday to an indoor session. But keep going in the outside world on a Wednesday and Weekends (if it is safe to do so!)

Monday, September 1, 2008

Day 139

Got home late, cold and wet on the motorbike.

Don't fancy swimming and its to dark, wet and windy to go out safely on the bike so I am having a well earned rest and recovery session ;-)