Beacon blowout learning curve

I think I need to take better care of Rex or at least be more understanding of how far I can stretch him. Having cycled more than 1000 miles in the last 4 months I need to understand that something has to give on poor little Rex and he needs serious TLC under that sort of usage. To put thing in perspective I usually only drive a poultry 2000 thousand miles a year so in 4 months I have cycled half of my average yearly drive projection. CRAZY!

Today’s adventure was not meant to be long but more for exploring roads in my area I haven’t seen and actually only ever circumnavigated and the second part of today's brief was to search out serious hill climbing as that is my current training remit as opposed to the previous distance challenges.

The beast of the beacon challenge beat home hard today but I loved the different challenge of hills. After completing the beacon as a glutton for punishment I took on the Hudnall hill to really test the calves and thighs. After coming through this test I was thinking about more hills, more distance and more cycling in this glorious weather as my spirits and energy were high but the gutter for me is that my tyre “went”.

As I said at the opening to this entry I should have paid more attention to my tools or treat Rex with more TLC as if I would have spotted the wear on the tyre that was about to implode before I even started today I could have been well ahead of the game. Lesson learned indeed as the last 3 miles of todays ride was basically hobbling back to base. The slime in the back tyre allowed me the grace of not trotting home clinking in cleats and at least staying in the saddle to cross the line albeit at a deflated wobbly return.

Having been hindered by the last 3 miles I still maintained a solid rate of 15.2mph for the 33km travelled and importantly over that short distance the elevation was a very decent at 313m for the entire ride.

Immediately looking at Rex on my return I needed to sort him out and make him shine again. A trip down to cycle surgery and this was the outcome with new treads!

LIKE A NEW BOY, ahhhhhh my third child! guuuussshhhh

Bedford and the Gran Fondo 2

My ride on Sunday was the polar opposite of Saturday as the weather forecasted sunshine in Blue cloudless skies and with no shackles I only had me holding myself back. Sunday was also challenge day too. Strava’s February mission was the Gran Fondo 2 and pushed you to go on a 130km adventure. If I had to partake in a big challenge I wanted to go to a new destination with Rex. After spinning the wheel of fortune the arrow landed firmly on Bedford meaning my turn around point was decided. Preparation included attaching a second bottle holder to my bike for more hydration on long trips, filling the Cambelbak to capacity and for the first time making a packed lunch along with stocking up on all the usual energy ingestibles.

Cleats locked in and I was off. The weather was absolutely scintillating and a much needed break from the never ending torrential storms. Sunshine = Happy. My mood was high and I was ready for the challenge with my iPod fully loaded with some new albums for company.

I had a smooth ride up to Dunstable and swung a right in the town centre and headed towards Luton. Sweeping down Hatters Way I cycled past the Luton Town FC stadium and headed on towards the airport. I had always had a fairly negative view of Luton as a town but spinning around it actually opened my eyes to some very nice areas. As I cycled past Wardown Park there were lots of people enjoying the weather playing games, feeding ducks, exercising and generally enjoying life. The park was very pretty and a definitely a place I would consider going in the future.

Around 20 miles in and I hit the A6 for the first time on a road bike. This long road would take me all the way to Bedford and beyond if I wanted. Head down and spinning the pedals for another hour or so got me in to Bedford for my first ever visit. Bedford seemed liked a nice little place from small amount of time I had to analyse it. With the sun beaming down on me I crossed the bridge to enter Bedford town and whilst on the bridge I looked out over the river to see the rowing club out in full force. A spin around the town took me past museums, galleries, churches, parks, open air markets and the stretch of road that is “Paula Radcliffe Way” Bedford’s favourite daughter!

After I felt satisfied with my sightseeing I decided to park up and have a mini lunch break for 10 minutes and get some carbs on board. I sat in a lovely little square just outside St Pauls Church on an old bench and watched the world go by whilst basking in the sun. There was a bustling market happening on one side of me, a group of noisy motor bikers gathered on another and also an appealing looking café with people enjoying the weather directly ahead of me. I wolfed down half a jam sandwich, a banana, energy gels and some liquid before setting off for the return leg.

The journey back was fairly tiresome actually and there were some long and hard inclines that I didn’t really notice when I was coming the other way and the light wind was slightly against me too, which didn’t help. Away with my thoughts having spent at least 4 hours on my bike I was still really appreciating the weather and this still kept my spirits high. Lots of hard work got me back to Luton where after about 60 miles in I had my first fall with my new pedals. It was such a petty fall as well and probably one of the most embarrassing kinds. Feeling tired on the approach to set of traffic lights I pulled up before the big bright circular Red light and just left it too late to release my feet from the pedal cleat and “hey timber” from a standstill position I fell pathetically to the side on the grass verge and laid there for a few seconds before ungracefully bouncing up and back in to the saddle. On a side note I was cycling through Leagrave when I noticed another enormous poster near the railway station for “the Big Mac” and this made me think that on this ride I had seen at least 10 of these sized posters around the county. Big advertising campaign for the golden arches at the moment in the middle of England or the shires.

At 65 miles I was starting to feel weaker than usual and was thinking about the second half of that jam sandwich in the backpack to pick me up but I rode on for a bit. It is amazing what music can do to a mood, even for a temporary amount of time as at the time of feeling that weak a song dropped from my Ministry 2014 Annual which took me back to a time when I was 17 and lets say really enjoying life to the full. So the song that came on was Friend Within by The Renegade but it samples the Renegade Master from 1997. From being a weak soul I was now cycling along at top speed, visualising the past, screaming the repetitive lyrics loud and proud to anyone in vicinity whilst feeling invincible and if I was a part of team sky. I am not sure how this looked or sounded to the outside world but I was certainly enjoying myself to the beat of those infamous lyrics……….. Back once again for the renegade master, D4 damager, power to the people. Back once again for the renegade master, D4 damager, with the ill behaviour………and repeat and repeat and……

About 70 miles in I past the London Gliding Club www.londonglidingclub.co.uk and I must say the skies painted a lovely picture with lots of gliders and hand gliders filling my entire panoramic sight with constant activity and movement.

One last stop off 10 miles before home to finish the other half of that sarnie gave me the energy that got me home. Another huge ride complete and on uploading my efforts to Strava i was elated to see that my February challenge was completed and I was awarded another digital badge for my efforts.

Driving miss daisy or help the aged

I had two very contrasting days of cycling this weekend in terms of weather and challenges. The weather on Saturday was pretty miserable with poor conditions but this didn’t deter me to strap on the helmet and go for a spin. Wanting to unite the Landrovers cycle group I sent out the bat signal and had a response from the member with the most life experience.

Early morning at Hollyhock and Mr Hatt arrived on his shiny new purchase. This is what I envisaged before he turned up…..

I couldn’t have been more wrong though as he was sporting a very fancy, top of the range new road bike - work cycle schemes pay well these days! Not knowing what to expect from our first outing together I thought I would at least try and drive the old fella around a pre-determined route I had marked out on Strava. However, it was obvious after the first few hundred yards I needed to play nice and be gentle as forcing this matter wasn’t going to help any of us. Respect your elders and all that. The route I had mapped out covers 15 miles and should usually take an hour to complete so we had a good barometer to aim for. The scenery on the ride is fantastic as it covers a lot of woodland, old historic buildings and nature is always ever present.

Three stops on the circuit for cramp, banana break and some weird finger action suggest a little more time in the saddle is needed for the soon to be 56 year old. Riding position and set up of his new toy could do with a look at as well. It took nearly an hour and a half to complete whilst I “drove miss daisy” around the loop. It could have been a care in the community or a help the aged charity ride for any onlookers. Having said all that I have a lot admiration for a good friend and I know that more training will build up his stamina and experience. I respect him a lot for saddling up when others would rather be indoors slouching on the sofa. I tip my hat sir.

More to follow on the my second ride of the weekend shortly…….

Finding a window or catching a wave

As we all know in life “timing is everything” and in recent months I have really been paying attention to……………………..the weather.

This is in order to make my cycle life the best and easiest it can possibly be. Cycling, weather watching – what’s next? Train spotting, bird watching maybe a stamp collection?

Unlike the long Oxford run, on last month’s Strava challenge, when I just had to brave it due to no let-up in the storms I have found myself having to find and seek out my windows of opportunity to avoid being punished by the wicked weather. The good news is that these rare opportunities do exist but it is just catching the right time or the right wave.

Unfortunately the storms have returned again to the UK with a vengeance recently bringing more flooding, winds, hail, rain making it very hard to find the motivation to get out in it and train. However, now that I am almost a qualified BBC or Met Office weather man I knew there was a possibility of surviving. You would not believe it but I now have a set of websites, screens and alerts all in place (like CTU in its prime) that would make Jack Bauer proud if he was ever concerned about catching terrorists in the weather.

So after my full extensive analysis and believing or relying in the cyber world things would be alright I took my opportunity. I was out in it where others wouldn’t dare and I kinda like that. I was also one of the only cyclists in my cycle club to be out at the weekend after others were saying how much they used there indoor turbo trainers. There is no substitute for the real thing……..as we all know……

So the ride was glorious and I enjoy my 50k unscathed by any form of weather and even enjoyed some Vitamin D from the big round yellow thing rarely seen in England. The wind was a bit of an issue but you can’t have it all. Ultimately and to sum up I felt very smug actually because as soon as I got back after nearly 2 hours in the great outdoors it started pissing down. Lee 1 vs Weather 0. I have be beaten many times before by the weather but this was my starting point as now "I am competing" with all my weather aids and devices.

With only 72 days to go until the big event I really need to start mid-week training and this will involve training in the dark. I am not looking forward to that but it is a must.