Worked from home today :-)
I managed to get out at lunchtime for a 'proper' ride (The last couple of weeks I have had to do errands - like picking up and dropping of cars).
I headed out on my 'Normal' 20 route, I haven't done it for a long while, I was managing an average of just over 20 mph at the 15 mile point, then I changed my mind about the route and turned right at Christian Malford and headed home across country. The end result was a 23.58 mile ride (instead of a 21.28 mile ride) in 1 hour 16 minutes with an average speed of 18.5 mph, the route can be found here...
I then spent ALL afternoon reviewing a document...... :-(
At 6 I downed tools, ate tea, then at 6:30 I headed out for a short indirect ride to the cycle club.
At the club I bought a Chippenham Wheelers cycle top and a set of arm warmers, so I have a club top to wear on the sportives and audaxes.
The evening ride was 18.07 miles in 1 hour 6 minutes with an average speed of 16.4 mph, route here...
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
13th October 2009
Got home VERY late from work :-(
I decided I was going to go out for a cycle ride anyway! But I had to eat first!
I made it out on the bike at 7:54pm, intention was to go for an hour ride.....and a miracle, I made it back home in about an hour!
It felt like a 360 degree mammoth head wind, it felt freezing, it felt like I was wading through treacle, I was shocked to see the Lyneham weather observation.
I was hoping that the ride would wake me up, unfortunately I am now more tired!
The Garmin had the ride as 16.05 miles in 1 hour 1 minutes with an average speed of 15.5 mph, the route is here...
I decided I was going to go out for a cycle ride anyway! But I had to eat first!
I made it out on the bike at 7:54pm, intention was to go for an hour ride.....and a miracle, I made it back home in about an hour!
It felt like a 360 degree mammoth head wind, it felt freezing, it felt like I was wading through treacle, I was shocked to see the Lyneham weather observation.
| 2000 |  | 10.6 °C | NNW | 5 mph | 25 km | 1030 hPa, Rising |
The Garmin had the ride as 16.05 miles in 1 hour 1 minutes with an average speed of 15.5 mph, the route is here...
Monday, October 12, 2009
12th October 2009
Left work late...got home late :-(
Contemplated going out on the bike, contemplated going on the turbo trainer, then realised that I should actually rest!
The results have been published for the sportive....UKCENewForestSportiveResults2009.pdf, It is in alphabetical order, me being very compettitive had to sort it in time order :-)
I finished 37th out of 127 people that did the Epic route with a time of 5 hours 59 minutes and 25 seconds, not bad for somebody that struggled to do 3 miles in April 2008!
My partner in crime (David Else) finished 10th with 5 hours 29 minutes 51 seconds - I like to think I dragged him along for the first 50 miles :-)
The slowest rider finished in 7 hours 58 minutes and 55 seconds, with the fastest finishing in an impossible 5 hours 48 seconds.
I will finish with an official picture of me smiling whilst descending a 'nice' hill :-)
I didn't look to bad considering I had done 90 miles at that point, I was dressed for the Arctic conditions! (The overshoes were to stop my feet freezing!)
Normal 'mad' riding resumes tomorrow :-)
Contemplated going out on the bike, contemplated going on the turbo trainer, then realised that I should actually rest!
The results have been published for the sportive....UKCENewForestSportiveResults2009.pdf, It is in alphabetical order, me being very compettitive had to sort it in time order :-)
I finished 37th out of 127 people that did the Epic route with a time of 5 hours 59 minutes and 25 seconds, not bad for somebody that struggled to do 3 miles in April 2008!
My partner in crime (David Else) finished 10th with 5 hours 29 minutes 51 seconds - I like to think I dragged him along for the first 50 miles :-)
The slowest rider finished in 7 hours 58 minutes and 55 seconds, with the fastest finishing in an impossible 5 hours 48 seconds.
I will finish with an official picture of me smiling whilst descending a 'nice' hill :-)
I didn't look to bad considering I had done 90 miles at that point, I was dressed for the Arctic conditions! (The overshoes were to stop my feet freezing!)
Normal 'mad' riding resumes tomorrow :-)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
11th October 2009
I got up at my normal work time :-(
Had breakfast, packed all the goodies in a goody bag, and wheeled the bike out of the house and across the road and waited for David Else to pick me up...I didn't have to wait long...
I took the front and rear wheel out of the bike and laid the frame down in the boot of his car, then we were off :-)
We got to Brokenhurst College at 7:30...Apparently according to the pre event newsletter, the event wasn't open until 7:45....It lied!
The we had to sign in...they said signing it would start until 8:15...They lied! (I went to the registration area at 8:am and was able to queue and sign in at 8) - Interestingly there was no queue for people signing in on the day!!!
After signing in we trundled over to the start line...and then we were off! (At 8:10....they said the rides started at 8:30....hmmmm perhaps the event timings were a bit of?)
Much to our amazement (and slight concern) we were in the first group to set off...The initial pace was reasonably moderate, with Dave and myself hanging onto the rear wheel at the back of the pack, just ticking over :-)
At 5 miles or so two guys picked up the pace, slotted in front, then slowed down (Must have been the head wind?)
At 7 miles or so we dropped a few, and a single guy in a red was storming off, I mentioned to Dave that I could catch him without sprinting, so I did :-) and Dave sat comfortably on my back wheel...
Eventually the guy got a bit peeved at towing us along :-( and I found myself in front...
For the next 40 miles it continued like this.....on the flat and downhill I towed Dave and the guy in red along (At a bloody good pace I must add), and on the inclines they gave me a wheel to chase! (It turned out that I just about caught them back up again after the hill then they allowed me to take the lead again!)
At 50 miles (ish) we were joined by another group of 3 or 4? That were stonking along at 1 to 2 mph faster, Dave wanted to tag along with them, but I obviously would have died on the hills!
I said to him I was happy to plod along by myself so the group split...well I started on my own!
The pace for me obviously slowed a little (I wasn't going to blat along and struggle to keep up on hills) So I dropped back to trying to maintain a 17-18 mph speed (I wanted to finish in under 6 hours).
I had been munching a Jaffa Cake every 10 miles, but I did feel a little depleted by the first 50 miles, so at 60 miles I glugged a Torq energy gel.
I was expecting to find the 3rd food stop at 60 miles...but there it wasn't! They had moved it to the 75 mile point..By then I had ran out of fluids so I stopped and topped up!
I was a little surprised when I took a swig a couple of miles down the road to find that it was just plain water.....
At 80 miles I glugged a second Torq energy gel.... And I started to speed up again :-)
Then 100 miles came...and went! (I thought the ride was 100 miles????) at 103.42 miles I arrived back at the start/finish, according to the Garmin the ride time was 5 hours 56 minutes and 20 seconds....The official time was 5 hours 59 minutes :-) Under 6 hours :-) The route can be found here...
The head winds on the return stretches where VERY bad! I was on the drops overtaking people at a little over 12 mph.
It was a good day out (Thanks Dave) The event was well organised, even if the timings were a bit bizarre, the food stations were at strange distances (But the 75 miles worked out ok for me!). It was strange that there was no free food at the end (That IS the most important time to eat)
I am looking forwards to seeing the event photos...I didn't have the time or the inclination to take my own photos today.
Had breakfast, packed all the goodies in a goody bag, and wheeled the bike out of the house and across the road and waited for David Else to pick me up...I didn't have to wait long...
I took the front and rear wheel out of the bike and laid the frame down in the boot of his car, then we were off :-)
We got to Brokenhurst College at 7:30...Apparently according to the pre event newsletter, the event wasn't open until 7:45....It lied!
The we had to sign in...they said signing it would start until 8:15...They lied! (I went to the registration area at 8:am and was able to queue and sign in at 8) - Interestingly there was no queue for people signing in on the day!!!
After signing in we trundled over to the start line...and then we were off! (At 8:10....they said the rides started at 8:30....hmmmm perhaps the event timings were a bit of?)
Much to our amazement (and slight concern) we were in the first group to set off...The initial pace was reasonably moderate, with Dave and myself hanging onto the rear wheel at the back of the pack, just ticking over :-)
At 5 miles or so two guys picked up the pace, slotted in front, then slowed down (Must have been the head wind?)
At 7 miles or so we dropped a few, and a single guy in a red was storming off, I mentioned to Dave that I could catch him without sprinting, so I did :-) and Dave sat comfortably on my back wheel...
Eventually the guy got a bit peeved at towing us along :-( and I found myself in front...
For the next 40 miles it continued like this.....on the flat and downhill I towed Dave and the guy in red along (At a bloody good pace I must add), and on the inclines they gave me a wheel to chase! (It turned out that I just about caught them back up again after the hill then they allowed me to take the lead again!)
At 50 miles (ish) we were joined by another group of 3 or 4? That were stonking along at 1 to 2 mph faster, Dave wanted to tag along with them, but I obviously would have died on the hills!
I said to him I was happy to plod along by myself so the group split...well I started on my own!
The pace for me obviously slowed a little (I wasn't going to blat along and struggle to keep up on hills) So I dropped back to trying to maintain a 17-18 mph speed (I wanted to finish in under 6 hours).
I had been munching a Jaffa Cake every 10 miles, but I did feel a little depleted by the first 50 miles, so at 60 miles I glugged a Torq energy gel.
I was expecting to find the 3rd food stop at 60 miles...but there it wasn't! They had moved it to the 75 mile point..By then I had ran out of fluids so I stopped and topped up!
I was a little surprised when I took a swig a couple of miles down the road to find that it was just plain water.....
At 80 miles I glugged a second Torq energy gel.... And I started to speed up again :-)
Then 100 miles came...and went! (I thought the ride was 100 miles????) at 103.42 miles I arrived back at the start/finish, according to the Garmin the ride time was 5 hours 56 minutes and 20 seconds....The official time was 5 hours 59 minutes :-) Under 6 hours :-) The route can be found here...
The head winds on the return stretches where VERY bad! I was on the drops overtaking people at a little over 12 mph.
It was a good day out (Thanks Dave) The event was well organised, even if the timings were a bit bizarre, the food stations were at strange distances (But the 75 miles worked out ok for me!). It was strange that there was no free food at the end (That IS the most important time to eat)
I am looking forwards to seeing the event photos...I didn't have the time or the inclination to take my own photos today.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
10th October 2009
Got up early and changed straight into cycling gear....it was cold out so long legs,long sleeves, hat, gloves and cycle over-shoes - as I am getting thinner I am feeling the cold a lot more!
I gave the bike chain a little clean with WD40 and a rag and gave it a fresh oiling - intention was always to give the bike a good clean, but I didn't think another 40 miles on such a manky chain was a good idea, I also put a few more PSI in the back tyre - the micro pump is good, but I stopped at 90 psi and I like the back tyre pumped up! I also replaced the tube in the saddle bag (I actually put 2 in)
At 9:15 I set of to the Chippenham cemetery for the Chain Gang, I was contemplating taking the Peugeot, but as the Merida was already minging, and I didn't know how I would cope with the Peugeot, I ended up on the Merida, as it was I need not have worried a lot of other people had their winter bikes out..
For some reason I got to the front of the gang on an uphill again! and I got moaned at for going too fast...So I relinquished the lead position.
We dropped a fair few people along the way, when we got to Yatton Kennel we were down to 7, after Biddeston the pace picked up, all of the racing whippets passed me going up the inclines, I gained again on the descents (So if I am that strong how come when the pace quickens the hills drop me?)
The Garmin had the ride as 40.75 miles in 2 hours 8 minutes with an average speed of 19 mph, route here...
When I got back home I took the chain of and soaked it in white spirit (It was disgusting!).
The Bike was a mess!
I had been contemplating replacing the slick tyres for the winter tyres for a while now, there have been a number of occasions where I have wanted to stop and the bike didn't! As I was washing the bike I re-found the flint gash from last night!
I have been told that a suitable repair for a gash like this is super glue! but as I need the bike tomorrow and I don't want to risk a tyre incident I opted for a tyre swap to the winter treads (Continental Grand Prix 4 Season), I decided to stick with 23 mm but wanted a bit of sticky tread .
Lets hope the rolling resistance isn't to much!
I finished washing, fettling and lubing the bike some hours later (These jobs can't be rushed!) and now the bike has bling again!
The Bike and me are now all ready for the 100 mile New Forest sportive tomorrow :-) - Only issue is getting up at 5:30 am on a Sunday! (I already get up at that time 5 days a week).
I gave the bike chain a little clean with WD40 and a rag and gave it a fresh oiling - intention was always to give the bike a good clean, but I didn't think another 40 miles on such a manky chain was a good idea, I also put a few more PSI in the back tyre - the micro pump is good, but I stopped at 90 psi and I like the back tyre pumped up! I also replaced the tube in the saddle bag (I actually put 2 in)
At 9:15 I set of to the Chippenham cemetery for the Chain Gang, I was contemplating taking the Peugeot, but as the Merida was already minging, and I didn't know how I would cope with the Peugeot, I ended up on the Merida, as it was I need not have worried a lot of other people had their winter bikes out..
For some reason I got to the front of the gang on an uphill again! and I got moaned at for going too fast...So I relinquished the lead position.
We dropped a fair few people along the way, when we got to Yatton Kennel we were down to 7, after Biddeston the pace picked up, all of the racing whippets passed me going up the inclines, I gained again on the descents (So if I am that strong how come when the pace quickens the hills drop me?)
The Garmin had the ride as 40.75 miles in 2 hours 8 minutes with an average speed of 19 mph, route here...
When I got back home I took the chain of and soaked it in white spirit (It was disgusting!).
The Bike was a mess!
I had been contemplating replacing the slick tyres for the winter tyres for a while now, there have been a number of occasions where I have wanted to stop and the bike didn't! As I was washing the bike I re-found the flint gash from last night!
I have been told that a suitable repair for a gash like this is super glue! but as I need the bike tomorrow and I don't want to risk a tyre incident I opted for a tyre swap to the winter treads (Continental Grand Prix 4 Season), I decided to stick with 23 mm but wanted a bit of sticky tread .
Lets hope the rolling resistance isn't to much!
I finished washing, fettling and lubing the bike some hours later (These jobs can't be rushed!) and now the bike has bling again!
The Bike and me are now all ready for the 100 mile New Forest sportive tomorrow :-) - Only issue is getting up at 5:30 am on a Sunday! (I already get up at that time 5 days a week).
Friday, October 9, 2009
9th October 2009
Got home early :-) Got changed and went straight out on the bike...
I set of at 5 and was allowed 2 hours...I planned to do a nice 35 miles, It started of well.
Then 15 miles in as I was holding a good speed then the back wheel started to bounce....damn a flat!
The reason for the puncture was found instantly, a gash and a lump of flint hanging out of it. The flint was removed and the tube replaced....
Once it was fixed I was off again....But it had taken a while to fix the puncture, I also had to set the pump up for Presta valves...It was set for Shrader....Guess I should have tested it before I rode around for 1000's of miles.
I ended up doing 29.17 miles in 1 hour 42 minutes (Elapsed was 2 hours) with an average speed of 17.1 mph, route here...
I didn't get around to washing and oiling the bike tonight...I will do it tomorrow...
I set of at 5 and was allowed 2 hours...I planned to do a nice 35 miles, It started of well.
Then 15 miles in as I was holding a good speed then the back wheel started to bounce....damn a flat!
The reason for the puncture was found instantly, a gash and a lump of flint hanging out of it. The flint was removed and the tube replaced....
Once it was fixed I was off again....But it had taken a while to fix the puncture, I also had to set the pump up for Presta valves...It was set for Shrader....Guess I should have tested it before I rode around for 1000's of miles.
I ended up doing 29.17 miles in 1 hour 42 minutes (Elapsed was 2 hours) with an average speed of 17.1 mph, route here...
I didn't get around to washing and oiling the bike tonight...I will do it tomorrow...
Thursday, October 8, 2009
8th October 2009
Got home from work late'ish....got changed for cycling...had evening meal then set off...
I wasn't sure how far I should go, it was bloody cold!
As I got going I warmed up and started to enjoy myself.....so I went further...and further....Then I realised I wasn't going to get back home until 9pm.
About 10 minutes from home the main light battery flattened....good job I have the LED backup :-)
Tonight's ride was 25.5 miles in 1 hour 27 mins (Its strating to get really hard work now its getting colder!) with an average speed of 17.4 mph, GPS track here... (The Garmin site is down again!!! I will upload it to connect tomorrow)
Plan for tomorrow is to work...then clean the bike ready for the weekend...
I wasn't sure how far I should go, it was bloody cold!
As I got going I warmed up and started to enjoy myself.....so I went further...and further....Then I realised I wasn't going to get back home until 9pm.
About 10 minutes from home the main light battery flattened....good job I have the LED backup :-)
Tonight's ride was 25.5 miles in 1 hour 27 mins (Its strating to get really hard work now its getting colder!) with an average speed of 17.4 mph, GPS track here... (The Garmin site is down again!!! I will upload it to connect tomorrow)
Plan for tomorrow is to work...then clean the bike ready for the weekend...
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