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Friday, July 31, 2009

31st July 2009

W0000t went swimming today :-)

Got home at a reasonable time, and drove to Corsham pool for a swim, stopped back home to pick Rosie (Dog) up and went out for tea :-) (And a couple of cider's of course)

Ordered some clip on Aero bars from Wiggle today.. Lets see if they really do make a difference!

Thinking about reversing the stem (I have now got used to the reach and the bars so perhaps lowering them a little wont hurt?)

I am also thinking about fitting the new chain and cassette to the bike over the weekend as the cycle club has a hill climb TT at the beginning of September and it would be good to get used to the change of ratios sooner rather than later.

The Garmin stats for July show....
Count: 31 activities
Distance: 829.70 mi
Max Distance: 151.80 mi
Time: 50:29:01 hh:mm:ss
Elevation Gain: 49,493 ft
Max Elevation Gain: 12,012 ft
Avg Speed: 16.4 mph
Max Speed: 46.1 mph
Calories: 61,557 C

Considering the recognised altitude of Everest is 29,028 feet, that means I have cycled up Everest and a bit.....

Thursday, July 30, 2009

30th July 2009

Actually got home at a reasonable time :-)

No computer games tonight as Russ is away...

The weather was good, I was home alone....so I thought I would go for a nice long cycle ride :-)

I headed out of Chippenham towards Corsham, then down Box Hill to Batheaston, hung a right then up Kingsdown Hill, high speed down through fiveways and Atworth to Melksham, country lanes to Lacock up Naish Hill down Derry Hill and back home...

A round trip of 30.15 miles in 1 hour 43 with an average speed of 17.5 mph

The GPS track can be found here...

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

29th July 2009

Worked from home today.....

Needed to pick up a parcel from the post office...waited till the rain stopped 1:37 then got the Peugot bike out...got a minute or so from home then the heavens opened again....I got drenched!

The Garmin track is here... 6.43 miles in 26 minutes 20.

Worked through till 5:30 then changed and set of for the Wednesday night TT, miracle the rain had stopped!

I signed in and was given number 10...Not so many people tonight...I think only 14 riders.

I set off (High-viz jacket flapping and all) The rain started again...Number 11 caught up with me at 6 miles but never really got far ahead of me :-).....The rain started bucketing it down....It was hard work tonight.

I completed the course in 26 minutes 50...(1 minute 10 seconds slower than the last time on this course!)

The TT gps track can be found here...

The totals for today are.....
6.43 miles at lunch time
6.88 miles to the TT
9.98 miles on the TT
6.05 miles home from TT

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

28th July 2009

Got home to late to go for a cycle :-(

Did my fare share of cooking tea and tidying up, then fitted the new gear cable to the Merida, I finished of by putting the Merida on the Turbo trainer and fine tuning the gears.

Its been a bad couple of weeks for work.....

Monday, July 27, 2009

27th July 2009

Didn't make it out for a walk at lunchtime as it was RAINING!

When I got home it was sunny but quite a strong WSW wind was blowing...
1800 Sunny intervals 17.6 °C WSW 17 mph
40 km 1013 hPa, Rising
1900 Sunny intervals 16.9 °C WSW 17 mph
35 km 1014 hPa, Rising

I set off at a stonking pace, getting to 10 miles in just over 30 minutes, with all the major climbing done it should be a nice down hill home....but it was in to wind!

The Garmin had the ride as 21.26 miles in 1 hour 3 minutes and an average speed of 20.1 mph, the GPS track can be found here...

When I got back home I had salad for tea, then took the Peugot bike out for a quick ride to make sure the gears and chain were ok.. GPS track can be found here...

Sunday, July 26, 2009

26th July 2009 (Sunday)

No cycling today :-(

Instead I cleaned the cooker, the house, went weekly shopping and bought a lawn mower, son decided to try and 'help' yesterday by cutting the grass - but didn't put any 2 stroke oil in the petrol and seized the lawnmower!

When we got back from shopping/brunch I cut the grass.

I fitted the new chain/cassette and gear cables to the Peugot. (I learnt all about correct chain length) - The new cassette has a much bigger large cog than the removed one.

I cooked roast pork tenderloin and a sherry sauce for tea, then washed the Merida - It got minging yesterday.

The front gear cable outer housing had become a little mangled.

So I have ordered a new cable set....I have also removed the Cateye computer from the Merdia as the Garmin has proven to be accurate and it seemed a bit strange to cycle everywhere with 2 computers! - I also took the fixed computer of the Peugot - Same reason applies!

So a rest day from cycling...but still spent a couple of hours on the bikes - so to speak!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

25th July 2009 (Saturday)

Got up early and went for the longest cycle ride I have done to date...

I cycled from Chippenham to the top of the Gospel Pass and back, a total of 151.8 miles and 12,012 ft climb with a single climb of 1,820 ft up the pass itself.

This was the first time I have done a there and back ride of such a length.

The weather was perfect.


I held a reasonable speed of over 16 mph until I started climbing the mountain then the average speed plumeted.

I made it to the top of the mountain at about 12:30 stopped for lunch and some photies





The ride down the mountain was very quick :-) I was hoping that the ride home would be quick, but I hadnt banked on the 1:6 climb at Pen-Y-Cae-Mawr.....

I eventualy made it back home at 6:30....A long day!

The cycle computer had the ride as...151.71 miles in 9 hours 53 minutes with an average speed of 15.3.

The GPS track can be found here...

Interestingly it says I used 11,367 calories!!!

Friday, July 24, 2009

24th July 2009

Got home, very tired......

Got changed and went out on my 'Normal 20'.....wasn't expecting any great speed....but as the pedals started turning I started to wake up! I passed the 10 mile point at 30 minutes 30 seconds..so only just off 20 mph....at 45 minutes I was over 15 miles (over 20 mph)

The last 5 miles were tough and in to wind!!!

1800 Medium-level Cloud 17.8 °C W 17 mph 45 km 1012 hPa, Rising
1900 Sunny intervals 17.2 °C W 17 mph 40 km 1013 hPa, Rising

The cycle computer had the ride as 21.22 miles in 1 hour 3 minutes with an average speed of 20 mph, the GPS track can be found here...

Thursday, July 23, 2009

23rd July 2009

Worked late, got home late, spent the evening working.........

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

22nd July 2009

Worked from home today :-)

Stuck a beef and ale stew with dumpling's in the oven at 5, then set of for the Wednesday 10 mile TT at 6.

I wanted to see what real difference it would make if I stripped the weight off the bike, so I removed the massive saddle tool bag, travelling track pump and the front and rear lights before I set off.

This weeks course was the hilly 10 mile that I did 2 weeks ago....so my target was 27 minutes 20

There was a fair wind this time that gave a healthy push on the outward stretch

1900 Medium-level Cloud 16.3 °C SSW 13 mph
50 km 1001 hPa, Falling

Unfortunately the opposite effect was felt on the rest of the course :-(

I gave it my all...I set of 12th, I overtook the 11th at 7 miles, then 2 others at 7.5 miles then 4th then 10th at 8 and 9 miles..

I crossed the finish line at 26 minutes 53....an improvement over last time, but how much is down to weight saving and how much is down to I now know the course and put a lot more effort in! and I had other riders in my sights and its a lot easier to catch somebody than to ride by yourself!

The cycle computer had tonight's entire ride, including cycling to and from the TT as 25.14 miles in 1 hour 30 with an average speed of 16.7.

The GPS track of the TT can be found here... , the 10.1 miles in 26 minutes 53 seconds works out at an average speed of 22.5 mph

When I got back home the stew was perfect to eat :-)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

21st July 2009

Night off......

Monday, July 20, 2009

20th July 2009

Got home, was in two minds about going out on the bike - I was actually thinking about taking an evening off!!! Then I got changed and went out on the bike for my 'Normal 20'


I wasn't expecting to go particularly quickly as I had quite a tough ride yesterday, but I completed the 10 miles in 29 minutes...and it was all down hill from there :-)

At 45 minutes I had completed over 16.2 miles..

I actually had to keep braking going up the Chippenham high street following a car :-(

According to the cycle computer I did the 21.27 mile ride in 1 hour 36 seconds with an average speed of 21.1 mph!!!!!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

19th July 2009 (Sunday)

Got up and dressed at stupid o'clock, had porridge for breaky and set of towards Lynmouth at 7 am!

The roads were not surprisingly empty, but the weather was damp and windy! Unfortunately the wind was strong and in my face!

The met office observations for Lyneham showed...

7:18 AM SW 11 mph

Unfortunately the forecast for the whole day was similar, except more rain and stronger winds!

I was making good time and holding a 17 mph average speed :-) I routed myself cross country to Frome, then on the A361 through Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury. Disaster struck just before the Clarks Outlet Village in Street when the back tyre had a rapid deflation.....

I stopped, rolled the bike onto a large green area and took the back wheel out and stood the bike against a tree, thankfully Dave had instructed on the correct procedure for dealing with a puncture, I levered one side of the tyre off the rim leaving the other bead in place, partially removed the tube from the rim and inflated it, it became instantly clear where the puncture was, and closer investigation showed a sliver of glass was stuck in the tyre. It was removed with some difficulty and the spare tube was installed, the whole job was done in 20 minutes or so....and I set off at about 10:40....

Bridgewater was annoying! A town built on traffic lights! and criss crossing lanes....no fun on a bicycle!

As I passed Cannington I had a genius idea, I would ignore the boring peanut butter and honey sandwich wifey had made for me and I would buy a bacon roll and a can of coke from a roadside tuck wagon that I have always seen parked up in a lay-by about 10 miles further up the road, It was about lunch time 'ish and the thought of a bacon roll was making me feel VERY hungry.....

When I got to the lay-by......it was empty :-(

I stopped in a farm entrance at 70 miles and ate my Peanut Butter and Honey sandwich and downed a Gatorade...

I eventually made it to Minehaed, where I had another good drenching from another heavy rain shower and the winds made a bigger effort to push me home......

Then at 88 miles I was at Porlock......

The plan was to go up the main road, if for any reason I stopped I would turn around and come back down the hill and go up the toll road.

The main road was going well I made it up the first 25% corner and half way up the straight, then I stopped, no more forward speed, and cars were coming up the hill behind me......I didnt fancy zig-zagging up the main road, and I couldn't re-start anyway.....so I turned around and went back down the hill.....a little disapointed but generally happy that I had made it at least half way up the 25% hill - I am now certain that the lower gear the 12-27 cassette will give me is enough for the 25%......

The toll road is a much shallower gradient....longer but shallower Porlock Hill climbs to about 1380 feet, zig-zagging up the steeper portion of the hill.

The views going up the hill were worth the effort:-)

As I was climbing the rain started falling again, when I got near the top it was into a strong headwind again.....VERY tough going!

When I got to the top I was battling against some rather strong side winds, but at least the rain eased up for a while......Then I could see a massive drenching heading my way up the valley, strong wind, heavy rain and another hill.......

Then I was at the top of Countisbury Hill and a slow descent into Lynmouth - I didnt fancy flying down the hill and not being able to stop at the bottom.....Interestingly not all 25% hills are made equal, I would swear that the 25% on Countsibury is not as steep as the 25%'s on Porlock!

I arrived at Lynmouth drenched, and worried about getting cold, wifey was held up in traffic and had not made it to Lynmouth yet...

I was in the process of munching my way through a Mint Chock Chunk ice cream when they arrived.....

I got changed into clean dry clothes....had a cream tea, then went for a walk :-)

The cycle computer had the ride as 101.6 miles in 6 hours 50 minutes (Well over an hour and half was the last 10 miles from Porlock!) with an average speed of 14.8 mph.

The GPS track can be found here...

I did the drive home and we stopped in a local eatery for food......

I am a little disappointed at not making it up Porlock main road, but can make lots of excuses :-)...But I did make it half way up the 25%.....

Saturday, July 18, 2009

18th July 2009 (Saturday)

Got up, tidied the house a little then headed to Melksham to pick up my repaired back wheel :-)

Whilst we were there we took Rosie (Dog) for a walk along the river bank :-)

When we got back home, I planned the afternoon cycle route and had lunch :-)

I wanted to do a couple of hills but not burn myself out as we are going to a concert tonight (Vanessa Mae at Westonbirt), I also have plans to do a big ride tomorrow down to Lynmouth over Porlock :-)

I ended using the Chippenham Wheelers Bratton route but added the climb over Westbury White Horse and a climb over Naish Hill on the way back, turning the 40 mile ride into a 50 mile ride with about 3000 feet of climb :-)

It was quite windy with some tough gusting...
1300 Medium-level Cloud 15.2 °C WSW 16 mph
40 km 1012 hPa, Rising
1400 Medium-level Cloud 15.2 °C SW 10 mph
40 km 1012 hPa, Steady
1500 Medium-level Cloud 17.2 °C SW 13 mph
25 km 1011 hPa, Falling

The route was really good, hardly any main road, this did mean however some of the roads were quite dirty...


I passed the old drunk lock-up at Steeple Ashton, which is apparently now used to store the lawn mower for cutting the Village Green.

The climb up to Bratton Camp seemed a lot easier than the last time I did it :-)

I was flying along on the return loop with a full on tail wind :-) the sun came out to greet me :-)

The ride up Naish Hill starting at 44 miles was a little tougher than normal, but it is definitely a case of mind over matter!

The cycle computer had the ride as 50.49 miles in 3 hours 3 minutes with an average speed of 16.4 mph.

The GPS track can be found here...

I have ordered a 12-27 rear cassette for the Merida today (That will help get up the steep hills as it will give me a lower gear - The Merida currently has an 11-25 fitted)
I have also ordered a new cassette and chain for the Peugot. (I will order a new chain for the Merida before I use the new cassette)

Friday, July 17, 2009

17th July 2009

Wifey decided she didn't fancy going swimming so I opted for a cycle ride :-)

Unfortunately the weather was a tadge damp, I didn't want to take the Merida out and I wanted to do my 'Normal 20', the Dawes just dosn't seem right to do road things on any more..... so I dragged Nathan's old Peugot out of the shed and fitted the Garmin to it....
I didn't fancy fitting it to the handlebars as apparantly the Garmin has a tendancy of rotating upside down, and the stem just didn't have enough space so I fitted it to the frame :-)

The Peugot looks good with its new tyres and a good clean (Plan is to get a new rear cassette, gear cables and chain for the winter)

I set off on the 20 and was pleasantly surprised by the pace, although it definitely was not as fast, I was spinning away and the top speed I could reach on the level was about 25 mph compared to the 27-30 on the Merida.

I did not find any need at all on the whole ride to change off of the outer chain ring!

At the half way point I was only slightly under 20 mph, passing 10 miles at just over 31 minutes.

The home stretch was directly into a head wind and the bike weight/gearing/position all counted against me :-(

I had to stop at Sutton Benger to tighten the saddle clamp up as it had worked loose :-( ....I fitted a new saddle to the bike (A freebie from a cycling magazine subscription)

According to the Garmin I completed the 21.26 miles in 1 hour 5 minutes with an average speed of 19.4 mph, I am certain that I would have done it in 20 mph + on the Merida, my speed was constantly about 1 mph less than usual.

The GPS track can be found here....

It was a good ride, I have a new challenge complete the ride at evens on the Peugot :-). The riding position felt a little strange but it will be a good bike to use over the winter :-)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

16th July 2009

Night Off, Played computer games.....

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

15th July 2009

Worked from home today :-)

Went for a very short cycle at lunch time (on the Dawes), mainly to do some shopping. The cycle computer had the ride as 2.95 miles in 15 minutes :-) Cycled to Halfords to buy some chain cleaner then Tesco to but some mince meat and celery to make Cottage Pie for tea.

At 6pm I headed of for my second time trial TT, I was hoping to take 2 minutes of my Hilly time last week.

Registration for the time trial was until 6:45 so I took the scenic route to Sutton Benger over Bencroft Hill :-) Gps track here...

This week I was Number 18 so had a bit longer to wait for my turn to go...

Again this week I opted to launch myself, but got going very quickly and held a good speed. I completed the 10 mile course with an official time of 25 minutes 40 seconds, I reckon if I take the tool kit, lights and travelling track pump of the bike I could take another minute of my time :-) - but of course if I have a puncture its a long walk home!

The Gps Track of the TT can be found here...

After the TT I cycle directly back to Chippenham and had a well deserved Cider :-)

The Cycle computer had the entire evenings ride as 25.31 miles in 1 hour 27 minutes with an average speed of 17.4 mph.

I have made some changes to blog world, I have migrated the entire content from Johnotolandsend blog into this one....This blog effectively hold ALL of my cycling activities :-)
I have also added some of my cycling links to the Links widget, I have also added an instant reaction tick to all posts.....

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

14th July 2009

Got in from work at a reasonable time, got changed and went straight out on the bike.

The plan was to do the same 'Hilly 20' that I did on Friday ( Chippenham -> Lacock -> Naish Hill -> Bromham -> Lacock -> Bowden Hill -> Chippenham)

I set off towards Lacock and it started raining, I climbed up Naish Hill and the sun came out :-) But the bike had already got dirty :-(

I headed around Bromham and back to Lacock and thought it might be a better idea to go up Naish Hill again as its a bit more challenging :-)

The cycle computer had the ride as 22.11 miles in 1 hour 24 minutes with an average speed of 15.6 mph and a top speed of 47 mph :-)

The GPS track can be found here...

I was looking at gear ratios on the Merida today, it currently has 50/34 front chain rings and 11/25 rear cassette - there is an option of fitting a 12/27 rear cassette that may make the 25% hill's more possible!!! Or perhaps the additional 3-4k miles I have done since the last time I was in Porlock may already be enough?

Monday, July 13, 2009

13th July 2009

Got home to late to go for a cycle..... :-(

Sunday, July 12, 2009

12th July 2009 (Sunday)

Up early and boiled up some fruit in cider to make a cake :-)

It was raining out so put wind/water proof top on, sorted out the clear specs and was thinking about digging out the water proofs and the overshoes, I fitted the Race Blade mudguards to the bike...

It stopped raining and the sun came out when I set of towards Chippenham Rugby club for the 9:30 start. I was in 2 minds to change the clear glasses to sun glasses and leave the top behind, overshoes had been left anyway.

We set of out to Chipping Sodbury and the heavens opened again, I was instantly drenched, and getting soaked from the guy in front, I was about the only one who bothered fitting mudguards :-(

When we got to the tea shop, there was another cycle club there already and it was full :-(

I opted for not hanging around and came straight on home with Simon (Following at least some of the planned route).

On arriving home the first priority was to clean and oil the bike :-)...

After Lunch and shower, I stuck the bike on the Turbo Trainer and re-adjusted the gears (The gears were starting to click and the indexing was slightly out)

The cycle computer had today's ride as 41.79 miles in 2 hours 33 minutes.

The GPS track can be found here...

----Part 2----
I baked the Worcester Cider cake in the afternoon then cooked Cider Roast Chicken with Par Boil roast potatoes, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes etc...etc..etc (There may be a Cider theme going on here...)

After eating the evening meal, the sun was out and I was feeling like a cycle ride so I popped out and did my 'Normal 20'.

The Lyneham met office had the weather as...

1800 Sunny intervals 19.0 °C W 15 mph
40 km 1008 hPa, Rising
1900 Sunny intervals 18.6 °C W 10 mph
40 km 1008 hPa, Rising

So I wasnt expecting to go particularly quickly....

According to the cycle computer I completed the 21.25 mile ride in 1 hour 2 minutes with an average speed of 20.2 mph. (I think racing the virtual me helps as I have somthing to focus on and work at!)

The GPS tarck of the ride can be found here...

Saturday, July 11, 2009

11th July 2009 (Saturday)

Had a late night but still managed to get up reasonably early and go for a walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal in Devizes, we parked at the bottom of the flight of locks and walked up the hill.

We had a nice cup of tea and a toasted tea cake in the tea room on the way back...

We also spotted a Heron - in the words of 'Monty Python' - Trying not to be seen...

When we got back home we had lunch and I got changed for a cycle ride....I planned to do a 'Hilly 60'....

I plotted the route in bikehike and downloaded it to the Garmin as both a gpxx and a tcx file, I wanted to try the gpxx as it uses it as a navigation base instead of a stored route (tcx).

After waiting an age for the gpxx to load, I set of and the Garmin promptly dumped the navigation :-( so I went back the 100 yards to the start and loaded up the tcx file- and followed the route.

I headed out of Chippenham towards Patterdown turned left to Lacock and up Naish Hill :-)


The photo really doesn't do justice to the gradient!, as the road turns round to the left it kicks up steeper (A little over 1:6 I would guess).....However I appear to be getting VERY used to it now, and went up it with no real drama.

At the top I turned right towards Sandy Lane at Bromham I headed right towards Melksham then hung a right at the bottom of the hill back towards Lacock and up Bowden Hill..

Again the photo does not show the gradient well, it goes to about 1:6....

At the top I headed left towards Derry Hill cut across to New Derry Hill and crossed over the main road to Studley, I then turned left and headed downhill to Stanley and up Bencroft Hill.

At the top of Bencroft I headed towards Bremhill then Charlcutt, I realised my route plan had missed out Wick Hill.....What a disaster! - So I hung an unplanned left to Tytherton then up Wick Hill :-)


Interestingly Wick Hill is used by the cycle club in its Hill Climb cup - I may well enter it :-)

At the top of Wick Hill I turned left and rejoined the planned route, at this point I was 3 miles behind the virtual me - and 5 miles further than planned... (The virtual me was doing a constant 15 mph average speed)

The route took me cross country to the next and perhaps the toughest hills, Broad Town and Hackpen Hills.

I didn't take any good photos of Broad Town hill as I was working hard cycling up it!

Hackpen however is very photogenic from a distance....


And close up....

By the time I had reached the top I had emptied what was left in my drink bottle :-( - Hills make me thirsty!

It was a quick run into Marlborough, I stopped at a market stall and bought a can of coke and emptied it into me!!!!! (Must not do that again as I was then burping for the next 10 minutes)

From Marlbourough it was a quick ride along the A4 (Passing West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill)

The it was up Cherhill and down into Calne, from Calne to Chippenham it started raining and it was soooooooo refreshing and nice!!!!

The cycle computer obviously got a bit water logged as it stopped recording on the last stretch :-(

According to the GPS I did bit the virtual me home by over a mile!!!

The GPS had the ride as 67.04 miles in 4 hours 7 minutes with and average speed of 16.3 mph and a climb of 4409 feet!

The cycle computer showed 66.91 miles in 4 Hours 3 minutes with an average speed of 16.4 mph (Didn't lose as much data as I thought :-)

This is the first ride I have done in a very long time where I actually feel tired! (Although could be that I had a late night!)

The GPS track of todays ride can be found here...
Cycled over 5000 miles this year now.........

Friday, July 10, 2009

10th July 2009

Got in, phone rang....had to sort some stuff out...

Eventually got changed and got out on the bike at 7:04 pm :-(

I decided that I need to incorporate some hills back into my riding to help prepare for 'The Beast', plan is to ride either a 20 mile ride incorporating climbs up Naish Hill and Bowden Hill or a 40 mile Naish/Bowden/Bencroft and Wick hills once or twice a week. I also intend to do club rides alternate Sundays with my own more challenging rides every other week. I will do the TT every Wednesday though!

So tonight I did my first regular 'Hilly 20', it was all very uneventful and I was fairly flying up the hills (Must try Porlock again soon????)

The cycle computer had the ride as 21.76 miles in 1 hour 18 minutes with an average speed of 16.5 mph (Interestingly around about the speed and time I used to do the 'Normal 20' but this ride has nearly a 1000 feet of climb in it!)

The GPS Track can be found here...

Thursday, July 9, 2009

9th July 2009

Night off, Played computer games....

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

8th July 2009

Part 1...

Opted to go out for a short 12 mile ride at lunch time, just enough so I don't vedge before tonight's TT but not to much to wear myself out.

I did however go for a hilly 12, intention is to keep doing the local steep hills a couple of times a week to limber up for 'The Beast'

The cycle computer had the ride as 12.14 miles in 44 minutes with an average speed of 16.1 mph.

The GPS track can be found here...

Intention is to eat a little at 5pm then head off for the TT at 6pm for a 6:45 start, then eat some more when I get back home :-) .....Let's see how the plan goes!

Part 2...
Got changed and set of for my first ever cycle event! at 5:49.... People had already started arriving at the check in when I cycled in, a nice warm up 8 mile ride :-)

I signed in and payed my £1.50 and chatted to some people I recocnised from the sunday rides, I was also shown the route on a map, I shouldnt get lost as it was straight on from the start untill a T junction where it was a left turn, up a hill to another T another left turn, down a main road up another hill then down to roundabout and turn Left, a mile down the road the left turn and straight on to the finish :-)

I was given my number '8' and then waited for the start...

I opted to start myself of instead of having a helper hold me upright whilst clipped into the pedals, I accelerated away from the start quite nicely and held a good speed all the way round the course, even overtaking a tractor along one stretch :-)

At about 7.5 miles I was overtaken by number '10' who flew past me as if I was standing still, he did have all the proper gear, and knew what he was doing....

At 8 and 9 miles I flew past number 1 and 0 :-)

I crossed the finish line at 27 min 28 seconds for the 10.1 miles (Details taken from the Garmin...will be confirmed by the actual time recording)

That gives me a rather respectable 22 mph for what was considered a tough course :-)

The GPS track of the TT (Including the cool down at the end) can be found here...

Then it was a 7 mile ride back home.....(Took the short way back through town)

I really enjoyed the TT and look forward to doing another one next week :-) ...If wifey will let me...

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

7th July 2009

Got in late, in the process of getting changed to go out on the bike - then the heavens opened, I opted for making a Worcester Cider cake instead :-)

I registered for the "Exmoor Beast" sportive today...100 miles around Exmoor, slightly hilly round them parts.....Route here... So I have some training to do!!!!

I think I will go for a short ride tomorrow lunchtime - to warm up for the TT tomorrow night.

Monday, July 6, 2009

6th July 2009

Got in from work, changed into cycle gear then went straight out.

I didn't expect to do any wizzy speeds today as it was really windy....no REALLY WINDY!

1800 Sunny intervals 17.8 °C WSW 21 mph 31 mph 40 km 1003 hPa, Rising
1900 Sunny intervals 16.4 °C WSW 15 mph
30 km 1003 hPa, Rising

To my surprise I was at the 10 mile point in 30 minutes! So I pushed myself on around the course....
I then turned into wind and started loosing the fight....But every time my speed started dropping below 19mph I put a bit more effort in :-)

I ended up doing the 21.27 miles in 1 hour 3 minutes with an average speed of 20 mph :-) (What a shocker!)

The GPS track can be found here...

It would be good if I can do the Hilly 10 Time Trial on Wednesday at sub 30 minutes :-) - But I guess I know my 20 route very well so know what gears to be in and when to push hard....

Sunday, July 5, 2009

5th July 2009 (Sunday)

Got up, showered and changed straight into cycling gear ready to go out with the cycling club for the second time :-)

After milling around for a while I set of at 9am to meet up with them all at the 'Herman Miller' roundabout for a 9:30 start. (The Camera broke last week so I havent taken any pictures - A replacement should turn up this week...)

The ride was really enjoyable again....We cycled to Bratton, had a nice cup of tea/coffee and the cycle back, a round trip of 45 miles (For me...including the ride to the start point and the return home after).

The cycle computer had the ride as 45.38 miles in 3 hours with an average speed of 15 mph.

The GPS track can be found here...

I have found the club rides really good as they have been avoiding busy roads, although cycling to Bratton without cycling up the white horse did seem a bit of a let down.....

I have decided to have a go at the cycle club time trial on Wednesday, I was advised against it as it is 'Hilly', but I am used to hills :-)

I have also entered an Audax event.....'West Bay and Back'. If I get on with it I think I may join the Audax UK club and do 1 a month.....I really fancy doing the Dragon ride next June :-)

I am not sure where this is all heading.....I like touring, I want to Time Trial, I want to have a go at Audax/Sportive. What about racing?????

Saturday, July 4, 2009

4th July 2009 (Saturday)

Got up and cut the hedges in the garden, then spent the rest of the morning tidying up the clippings :-(

Eventually made it out on the bike at 1pm'ish, I was very tired and worn out from the gardening, but as I was cycling I started to warm up and felt more energetic?

I stopped at a friend's house at 31 miles and had a cup of tea and a nice chat :-) then headed on home.

The cycle computer had the ride as 39.31 miles in 2 hours 21 minutes with an average speed of 16.7 mph

The GPS track can be found here...

Friday, July 3, 2009

3rd July 2009

Didn't feel like going swimming , so went for a cycle instead :-)

Was just gonna hop on the Dawes and cycle down the Chippenham/Calne cycle way and back, but I changed my mind and went on the Merida for my 'Normal 20'.

I managed to do over 20 mph average speed again and this time there was a noticeable wind...

1800 Sunny 21.3 °C W 14 mph 35 km 1013 hPa, Falling
1900 Sunny 20.5 °C W 14 mph 40 km 1013 hPa, Falling

The cycle computer had the ride as 21.26 miles in 1 hour 1 minute with an average speed of 20.6 mph.

The GPS track can be found here...

Thursday, July 2, 2009

2nd July 2009

Night Off, Played computer games

Went back to playing CSS

L4D has become a bit boring....

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

1st July 2009

We have changed computer games night to Thursday, so when I got home I got changed and we cycled to Lacock for an evening meal.

It was really nice poodling along with wifey and Rosie (dog)

Unfortunately along the way wifey picked up a slow puncture, and I had to stop and pump up the back tyre for her a couple of times along the way...

We opted for calling son up to pick her,Rosie and the bike up from the pub, leaving me to cycle back :-)


The cycle computer had the ride as 9.19 miles in 59 minutes with an average speed of 9.1 mph.
The GPS track can be found here...