Laziness, injury and weather.
Winter training is always going to be patchy and subject to the whims of the weather. From painful experience I always avoid going out on the road when there is a likelihood of ice patches.
The wind is a tricky one to gauge. I set off on a ride earlier in the week amid wind gusts of 25mph and above. On the A roads with large trucks adding to the wind shear the fear factor far outweighs any other considerations. After a mile or so of being buffeted I turned around and headed down a more minor road where I could have the entire width to myself. I managed to put in thirty five km around the country lanes in relative safety before the heavens opened up and I straggled home.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Wotten Under Edge Hill
I set out in fairly blustery conditions with head winds over 20mph and sudden gusts beyond that. The first 20K were very heavy going and I had to grip the bars quite tightly to keep the bike straight.
The route travels through Sherston, along to Leighterton, over the A46 onto a small road up into Tresham. This is at the top of the Severn escarpment and the wind was blowing hard so it was a struggle to keep the bike upright. There follows a steep descent during which I had to brake frequently all the way down as the road was wet and muddy and the wind gusts were quite dangerous. The route goes through Alderley up a medium hill and then down sharply into Wotton Under Edge.
The hill is just over 2K and the average gradient is advertised as 10%. Apart from the bottom section though it was not that bad and I actually enjoyed the ascent. It was certainly not as bruising as Selsley Hill and the wind was not a factor.
Over the top it joins the main A road into Tetbury which is usually a fast ride for 10K or so. Today though there were a few exposed sections where the cross wind was quite fierce and I had to grip the bars tight and try and keep steady. It was especially disconcerting when lorries drove past and I was caught by their wind shear.
Overall a very satisfying ride and one that I could easily knock 15 or 20 minutes off in a few months. - http://app.strava.com/rides/2617850
Key Stats
The route travels through Sherston, along to Leighterton, over the A46 onto a small road up into Tresham. This is at the top of the Severn escarpment and the wind was blowing hard so it was a struggle to keep the bike upright. There follows a steep descent during which I had to brake frequently all the way down as the road was wet and muddy and the wind gusts were quite dangerous. The route goes through Alderley up a medium hill and then down sharply into Wotton Under Edge.
The hill is just over 2K and the average gradient is advertised as 10%. Apart from the bottom section though it was not that bad and I actually enjoyed the ascent. It was certainly not as bruising as Selsley Hill and the wind was not a factor.
Over the top it joins the main A road into Tetbury which is usually a fast ride for 10K or so. Today though there were a few exposed sections where the cross wind was quite fierce and I had to grip the bars tight and try and keep steady. It was especially disconcerting when lorries drove past and I was caught by their wind shear.
Overall a very satisfying ride and one that I could easily knock 15 or 20 minutes off in a few months. - http://app.strava.com/rides/2617850
Key Stats
- 48.9 km
DISTANCE
- 524 m
ELEVATION
- 02:03:53
MOVING TIME
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Weak Excuses
Being of a lazy disposition means that when one part of my brain comes up with a reason to get out and train another part will come up with five reasons why not to.
This Sunday was no exception. The night before was my sister's fortieth birthday party. A more disciplined me would have cut myself off after two drinks and left before midnight. The lazy me however continued on until 3am.
The next morning I blearily informed a training partner that I was begging off due to a sore head. This was valid but if I absolutely had to be out there I could have done it.
That kind of behaviour and excuse making won't wash in three months time but my indolent reasoning was that I still had seven months to make up the difference.
Monday was an unremarkable training ride except for it being the first time I have used Strava - http://app.strava.com/rides/2580969. It looks like a great tool especially with the segments that pit you against yourself and others.
Key stats:
This Sunday was no exception. The night before was my sister's fortieth birthday party. A more disciplined me would have cut myself off after two drinks and left before midnight. The lazy me however continued on until 3am.
The next morning I blearily informed a training partner that I was begging off due to a sore head. This was valid but if I absolutely had to be out there I could have done it.
That kind of behaviour and excuse making won't wash in three months time but my indolent reasoning was that I still had seven months to make up the difference.
Monday was an unremarkable training ride except for it being the first time I have used Strava - http://app.strava.com/rides/2580969. It looks like a great tool especially with the segments that pit you against yourself and others.
Key stats:
- 37.3 km
DISTANCE
- 278 m
ELEVATION
- 01:28:01
MOVING TIME
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Selsley Hill
Living on the edge of the Cotswolds means that there is great access to some serious hills on the Severn Escarpment. Three of my favourites are Frocester Hill, Wotton Under Edge Hill and my personal nemesis Selsley Hill.
Selsley Hill is the shorter but by far the most brutal. I was surprised to discover that it was only one mile long. I could have sworn it was at least five.
This ride is a 35 mile loop starting in Malmesbury and winding through the Tetbury and Avening before descending into Stroud. There is little warning before you are suddenly climbing a 10%+ grade up Selsley Hill. About one third of the way up and every part of your body is in pain when off to the left is a welcoming flat entrance to the Bell pub. That is usually a good place to collapse and think about ditching the bike, having a pint and calling the wife to come pick you up.
The climb continues up steeply to a cattle grid after which it levels out at about 6% for another half mile.
On this occasion I was in extreme agony by the time the pub came into view. As it was only 10am stopping here was not an option so I continued on while begging my heart to pump more blood through those sclerotic arteries furred up by years of chip butties and cheese burgers wrapped in bacon. It would not oblige and I was forced to pull over to the side of the road just short of the cattle grid.
Bent over wheezing and gasping I tried to pretend to passing drivers that I could have made it up but there was something very pressing I had to attend to concerning my wheels.
Trying to ride up Selsley Hill is a great way to get you to question your abilities. Obviously if I could not make it up a one mile hill, steep as it is, I was not going to make it up the Tormalet in the middle of a 200K ride in 35 degree weather. I have been here before though and after 4 months of riding I was able to sail up this hill. Ok, not exactly sail, more pitch and list.
My target is to do hill repeats on Selsley Hill by March.
Ride Stats: 32.43 miles in 2:06:12 - http://runkeeper.com/user/351292518/activity/61694130
Selsley Hill is the shorter but by far the most brutal. I was surprised to discover that it was only one mile long. I could have sworn it was at least five.
This ride is a 35 mile loop starting in Malmesbury and winding through the Tetbury and Avening before descending into Stroud. There is little warning before you are suddenly climbing a 10%+ grade up Selsley Hill. About one third of the way up and every part of your body is in pain when off to the left is a welcoming flat entrance to the Bell pub. That is usually a good place to collapse and think about ditching the bike, having a pint and calling the wife to come pick you up.
The climb continues up steeply to a cattle grid after which it levels out at about 6% for another half mile.
On this occasion I was in extreme agony by the time the pub came into view. As it was only 10am stopping here was not an option so I continued on while begging my heart to pump more blood through those sclerotic arteries furred up by years of chip butties and cheese burgers wrapped in bacon. It would not oblige and I was forced to pull over to the side of the road just short of the cattle grid.
Bent over wheezing and gasping I tried to pretend to passing drivers that I could have made it up but there was something very pressing I had to attend to concerning my wheels.
Trying to ride up Selsley Hill is a great way to get you to question your abilities. Obviously if I could not make it up a one mile hill, steep as it is, I was not going to make it up the Tormalet in the middle of a 200K ride in 35 degree weather. I have been here before though and after 4 months of riding I was able to sail up this hill. Ok, not exactly sail, more pitch and list.
My target is to do hill repeats on Selsley Hill by March.
Ride Stats: 32.43 miles in 2:06:12 - http://runkeeper.com/user/351292518/activity/61694130
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Weather forces indoor pursuits
The bike is now fully winterised. The carbon Dura Ace wheels have been set aside for the spring and more rugged Gator Skin Tyres fitted.
Tuesday morning would have been a go except for the 30 mph wind gusts that had me concerned enough to postpone getting back outside.
Off up Kilimanjaro again, this time managing 26.95K in one hour.
Tuesday morning would have been a go except for the 30 mph wind gusts that had me concerned enough to postpone getting back outside.
Off up Kilimanjaro again, this time managing 26.95K in one hour.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Up Mount Kilimanjaro
While the bike us up on blocks awaiting resupply from Wiggle I took up the challenge to "ride" Mt Kilimanjaro from my wife. This is a woman who has ridden a bike twice in the last twenty years but rides up Kilimanjaro on a stationary bike three times a week at the local leisure centre gym.
I despise stationary exercise machines and usually lose the will to live after ten minutes on one. But, I reasoned, I will have to do a fair amount of stationary cycling through the winter when there is snow or ice on the ground so I might as well get used to it.
After she programmed my bike for a one hour ride up Kilimanjaro we set off together. Me whirring away at 110 RPM on the flat approach while she kept up an annoyingly steady 60 RPM for the entire one hour.
After twenty minutes I had a puddle of sweat on the floor, was feeling quite sick and quite honestly if I was not in a fierce competition with my good wife would have given it up. As I went up the smooth tarmac road of the virtual mountain my rate dropped steadily lower until I was down to 55 RPM and pushing to keep it there.
I went over the summit and managed to hang on to the finish. The pain and boredom of riding stationary bikes is going to be hard to overcome.
As a marker in the sand I managed 25.10K in 60 minutes. Not great but I can only improve on that.
I despise stationary exercise machines and usually lose the will to live after ten minutes on one. But, I reasoned, I will have to do a fair amount of stationary cycling through the winter when there is snow or ice on the ground so I might as well get used to it.
After she programmed my bike for a one hour ride up Kilimanjaro we set off together. Me whirring away at 110 RPM on the flat approach while she kept up an annoyingly steady 60 RPM for the entire one hour.
After twenty minutes I had a puddle of sweat on the floor, was feeling quite sick and quite honestly if I was not in a fierce competition with my good wife would have given it up. As I went up the smooth tarmac road of the virtual mountain my rate dropped steadily lower until I was down to 55 RPM and pushing to keep it there.
I went over the summit and managed to hang on to the finish. The pain and boredom of riding stationary bikes is going to be hard to overcome.
As a marker in the sand I managed 25.10K in 60 minutes. Not great but I can only improve on that.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Training begins
Out at the crack of dawn, my enthusiasm not dampened by the thin layer of frost on the ground and frigid temperatures.
My plan is to start off with two easy 30 mile rides during the week with a 50 miler at the weekend.
There is a great 35 mile route that I can then tackle which also includes a massive 2 mile climb half way in.
In terms of scale it is no more than a bump compared to the Pyrenees but a good place to get the legs adjusted to climbing.
Ten miles in I felt good but with no real hills to climb there was nothing to challenge the legs. Heading for home I put on a bit of a spurt and was happy to discover I could keep it going through minor inclines. At twenty miles a could feel the back wheel getting bumpy and sure enough the tire getting flat.
Being my first ride I am still poorly equipped and had no means to fix the puncture so I had to traipse back two miles in cleats.
Minutes later I was on Wiggle ordering spare tubes, tire levers, winter wheels and anything else I could think of to see me through the winter season.
Try again in a couple of days......
My plan is to start off with two easy 30 mile rides during the week with a 50 miler at the weekend.
There is a great 35 mile route that I can then tackle which also includes a massive 2 mile climb half way in.
In terms of scale it is no more than a bump compared to the Pyrenees but a good place to get the legs adjusted to climbing.
Ten miles in I felt good but with no real hills to climb there was nothing to challenge the legs. Heading for home I put on a bit of a spurt and was happy to discover I could keep it going through minor inclines. At twenty miles a could feel the back wheel getting bumpy and sure enough the tire getting flat.
Being my first ride I am still poorly equipped and had no means to fix the puncture so I had to traipse back two miles in cleats.
Minutes later I was on Wiggle ordering spare tubes, tire levers, winter wheels and anything else I could think of to see me through the winter season.
Try again in a couple of days......
Getting back on the bike
After six months of trying to find the best bike for the least amount of money I finally settled on one that fit all the criteria as a replacement for my recently departed Specialised. I found someone on ebay who had a little used Bianchi road bike that he souped up and then put under covers in favour of mountain biking. His loss was my gain (for £1600).
Carbon frame: check
Really expensive wheels: check
Other really expensive parts: check
Light as a feather and able to carry me up mountains with minimal effort on my part: we'll see!
I have not been regularly riding for over a year and a half. By regular I mean at least once every fortnight. The purchase of a new bike is an incentive to get back out there and keep the flabby gut in check - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-10965608
Now that I have the bike I need some goal to aim for. Something nice and easy like a 80 miler in the Cotswolds or perhaps a little more ambitious and go for the 110K Dragon Ride in the Welsh Valleys.
Wait, screw that, let's just go straight for the hardest and most prestigious sportive on the calendar - Etape Du Tour.
As luck would have it the registration for 2012 just opened on November 20th. I am now signed up (although I checked the insurance clause that allows you to back out for 11 euros) and shitting my pants at the prospect of trying to get up the Tormalet which does not arrive until 85K in - 2012 Act II of Etape
It will be interesting to see if a 45 year old male carrying 15 pounds of excess fat and minimal iron in the legs from the last two years can train from almost a standing start and make it to the finish of one the toughest stages of the Tour.
Carbon frame: check
Really expensive wheels: check
Other really expensive parts: check
Light as a feather and able to carry me up mountains with minimal effort on my part: we'll see!
I have not been regularly riding for over a year and a half. By regular I mean at least once every fortnight. The purchase of a new bike is an incentive to get back out there and keep the flabby gut in check - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-10965608
Now that I have the bike I need some goal to aim for. Something nice and easy like a 80 miler in the Cotswolds or perhaps a little more ambitious and go for the 110K Dragon Ride in the Welsh Valleys.
Wait, screw that, let's just go straight for the hardest and most prestigious sportive on the calendar - Etape Du Tour.
As luck would have it the registration for 2012 just opened on November 20th. I am now signed up (although I checked the insurance clause that allows you to back out for 11 euros) and shitting my pants at the prospect of trying to get up the Tormalet which does not arrive until 85K in - 2012 Act II of Etape
It will be interesting to see if a 45 year old male carrying 15 pounds of excess fat and minimal iron in the legs from the last two years can train from almost a standing start and make it to the finish of one the toughest stages of the Tour.
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