Back with a bang, PB’s, very jelly legs and walking like John Wayne

Having had more than two weeks on the side-lines with international work travel preventing me from saddling up I knew I had to try and make up for lost ground this weekend. Arriving home late Thursday evening from Germany and about to settle down I had a gentle reminder from a friend about 8pm that night as he knocked on my door in the dark fully booted in all the night riding attire (if only he was as tall as the Hoff!) to let me know he was still committed to the cause and the eventual 1000 mile ride in the near future. This was great motivation for me as I knew I could not let my great start to road biking slip even in the gloomy months ahead…

So Saturday morning arrived and that demon in my head started making rumblings of whether I should actually go today or save it for tomorrow. Once I beat him up I kitted up, filled the camelback to the limit and set off to try and get to Leighton Buzzard as I had never been there before on the bike. It was a pretty cold first 20 miles, with average temperatures of 3oc, and took a while to warm up and keep the circulation going in the hands and feet. I started my route sun glasses on to protect from the rays but ended the route with them still on helping to prevent the rain going in my eyes so truly multipurpose. As I got to Leighton Buzzard my first thought was to turn around and come back as the legs were tired and this was my first outing for some time. However, the competitive spirit that burns inside me won and I was off to Chalk Hill. On the way through to Dunstable over some very bobbly roads and just when I was flagging the most……….I lost my bottle. No, I literally lost my bottle. At the 30 mile stage said bottle decided it had had enough and off it popped on to the road spinning aggressively. It took me a few moments to actually take in what had happened as I only caught this out of my periphery vision. I had also been doing close to 30mph at the time as well. Then the glance down and seeing the bottle holder bare was I very annoying feeling especially when you are going that speed and your near to completion for ride. I did have the thought for at least 5 seconds to leave it as it meant I would get home quicker and it is a long turnaround to get it. I did the right thing though and like a pilot never leaves his wing man I wasn’t, as a cyclist, prepared to leave my trusted bottle. I turned around like a very slow pantomime horse and trundled back to collect. Once mounted up again I proceeded to try and get to magical land of 40 miles banked, which is a place I hadn’t been before for consistent cycling. With this 40 mile target set in my mind I needed to take a diversion on the way home to be able to achieve the target as the normal route would not see me get to 40. This again had its consequences. On the diverted route I knew I would encounter a set of laborious traffic lights that would bring me to a standstill and no cyclist likes any potential stoppages but a set of traffic lights that is set on a 3 to 4 minute loop is the worst of all! Anyway, once I got to the lights I thought I would be clever and dismount and run the bike around the lights before crossing a few roads and then jumping back on and setting off on my merry way. The problem always occurs when I try to be “clever”. So when I came to a complete standstill at the lights 36 miles in I just couldn’t get me foot out of the pedal clips and hey, timber. A massive thud, cut on the arm to break the fall, a big bruise and most importantly completely shattered pride with ultimate embarrassment. I tried to style it out and bounce straight back up and run across the road with my bike pretending like there was nothing to see but all the cars parked at every side of the junction at the lights were surely entertained by this epic fail. I made my 40 miles in the end once I returned home and felt an enormous sense of achievement especially after so long without a ride.

Here is the route for anyone interested http://www.strava.com/activities/96621130 but top line stats are:-

Distance – 64.6km

Time – 2.31.23

Having completed my longest ride so far on Saturday I thought it might be an idea to continue playing catch up training and go for a second ride this morning. However, once I finally shook the Sunday morning cobwebs out and came to my sense I realised that one part of my body felt like it had been hit by a sledgehammer multiple times for many hours. This feeling also coincided with a slightly funny walk I was doing. So when I was done doing my best Jayne Wayne walk I bullied myself into going out for second ride.

Different direction to ever before this time and I thought I would visit Aylesbury today. It takes some time now just preparing for a ride with all the stuff I have to do. It is actually pretty hard work getting going before you have even done one revolution. I told myself today it would be about training and not seeing the sights so I headed for the massively long, monotonous, undulating and large vehicle plagued A41. This would take me all the way to Aylesbury without much scenery so I took Mr Marshall Mathers second with me to keep me company (never thought I would hear him yodel but I love it!). The only notable thing of interest after 15 miles was the huge manufacturing plant of Arla who have been a client of mine. 5 miles later and wait for it another big revelation. I had been wondering for a long time what ever happened to the well-respected Pratts bananas company who used to have a headquarters in Hemel Hempstead at pretty much the exact location where I fell off the bike yesterday. Well mystery solved. A huge lorry whooshed past me with the lots of bananas, a big Pratts logo and a new address in Luton for the company. What a thrilling day this was turning out to be.

On arrival to Aylesbury I noted how nice the new recently built theatre looked. I think that could be used in the future. Now the plan was to get to Aylesbury and turn back but as always the little lets “push it harder button” emerged and I wanted to at least beat yesterday’s mileage so button pushed. I headed on towards Waddesdon, which took about another 30 minutes. Now I am not sure how to describe Waddesdon it seemed a funny little place. I think I had the film Hot Fuzz running through my head as this place absolutely screamed of that setup. A very small community where everyone knew each other but also could be a potential alien race, zombies, crazy possessed locals etc so the mpg were raised through here to keep myself breathing (oh the little things that go through your head when it is only you and the road). After coming to sign that said 60 miles to Birmingham I thought it was best to turn around and head for home. The overall ride was pretty gargantuan for me and I broke the next 2 records that I set myself. Being on a bike for more than 3 hours and breaking 50 miles continuously pedalling.

Here is the route for any interested http://www.strava.com/activities/96820124 but top line stats are:-

Distance – 80.8km

Time – 3.14.24

Total weekend combined stats are as follows:-

Distance – 145.4km

Time – 5.45.47

Also, a MAJOR stat – 7000 calories burned for the combination of both rides!

Lastly, I finished 3^rd in my cycling group this week (love the fact that it calls me an “athlete” below)

Rank	Athlete	Distance	Goal	Rides	Longest	Avg. Speed	Elev. Gain
1	Ben Munden	207.9 km	--	9	49.4 km	22.3 kph	1,331 m
2	Rik Stevens	172.1 km	--	6	61.0 km	20.9 kph	1,375 m
3	Chris Lee	145.4 km	--	2	80.8 km	25.2 kph	876 m
4	marco 839	143.5 km	--	2	91.9 km	21.8 kph	599 m
5	Darren Rockett (Rocky)	79.7 km	--	6	13.7 km	25.7 kph	275 m
6	Jade Williams	75.2 km	--	1	75.2 km	14.4 kph	355 m
7	Shane Moores	53.8 km	--	2	37.5 km	21.1 kph	297 m
8	David McTeague	38.5 km	--	4	10.5 km	19.7 kph	162 m
9	Joe Charleson	24.7 km	--	1	24.7 km	21.8 kph	134 m

I well-earned rest now for the next few days awaits. Cant bare to think about what tomorrow morning may feel like…….

Big milestone

I have just reached a huge milestone in my charity fundraising campaign. I have reached ONE THOUSAND English pounds and I am completely overwhelmed by peoples support and kindness with their donations. I never thought I would get to this point as quickly as I have and it just goes to show how many people will still support such a deserving cause.

There are so many areas that the charity Mind (www.mind.org.uk) support including abuse, anger, bereavement, community care, loneliness, parenting in a crisis, sleep problems, stress and suicidal feelings to name only a few. A scary fact states that every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. I really want the money that we make from this event to make a difference to a lot of lives.

I cannot thank everyone enough for their support on this journey.

The pressure is starting to build now as I know I cannot let everyone down. I want to try and get a 50 mile ride in this weekend if I can to up the training ante.

Punctures, tyre replacements, lightening, thunder and pedaling under water!

I had been looking forward to a decent long ride all week and when yesterday arrived I couldn’t wait to get out on the road and start clocking up some serious miles.

So after getting the full kit on and just about ready to ride I went to the garage and once I pulled the bike in to the daylight I realised the tyre wasn’t in the best shape. Should I chance it, could I get it looked at or did I want a drama……

Sod it mentality, so I set out on my way for a new extended route, I had in my head, to Tring. I had a lovely ride and the conditions were fairly nice. I also passed many other cyclists on this route and I think things seems to be getting better for me with the cycle community with many now actually acknowledging my existence (but this is another blog entry for later in the week). Towards the end of my route and about 25 miles in to my ride two heavily “team Sky” kitted folk whizzed by on their bikes when I was halted at a cross-roads. Always up for a challenge I thought lets test how far I have come on my bike journey and with the training I have been putting in. So the chase was on now down Nettleden road. I seemed to be making ground quite progressively and at the same time my Achilles heel was approaching with the long stretching hill in sight. This turned out to be my crowning moment so far though in my “yet to get started” cycling career. Once on the hill I caught the back marker (sounds so glam, right) and passed him but at the same time pulled up alongside him tilted my head, gave him a "good afternoon" and off I popped. (please read earlier blog posts to see why this may have irritated / made me feel better). Now, Mr Team Sky himself posed a different problem. He had seen me pass his mate and knew exactly what I wanted. I managed to keep the same distance on his tail all the way up the hill but could not pass those wiggling hips as he was standing and pumping his way to the top. Next time Mr Team Sky man!

On returning my beloved cycle for a sleep in the garage at the end of my ride the tyre looked in pretty bad shape but at least it held up for me to complete the 32 miles. Here are the ride details - http://www.strava.com/activities/89981287

Sunday morning arrived and I felt I wanted to complete two rides back to back in two days for training for the big ride as this would give me more experience and banked miles.

Before i even opened the garage door I knew I needed to give the bike a bit of TLC so I was ready to take her down to the cycle shop for some grooming and definitely a new shoe. Well, once out the garage it was hard to miss the damage that had been done 

Feeling privileged and lucky that my bike got me home the previous day I bundled her in to the car quickly and took it to nearest bike A&E. The final cry for help from the bike came about 10 minutes in to me driving to the bike shop. An almighty bang went off in my boot and I had realised the tyre had gone pop. Very strange that this happened as there was no pressure being applied to the tyre at the time?! Ticking time bomb?

Whilst waiting for the bike doctor to fit my new tyre and inner tube I browsed the shop and eventually indulged in a new waterproof jacket to replace my old manky one that was on the way out. This could be one of the best decisions and purchases I have made for some time.

So new tyres, inner tube and jacket on I was back at the house and ready start albeit a little later than I had imagined. The weather was reasonable I was contemplating not wearing the new jacket but I thought at the last minute to take it in case the wind got up. 10 miles in to the ride I was regretting taking the jacket as the sun was starting to come through and all the other cyclists on the road were only wearing their lycra t-shirts and I was hot and sticking out like a sore thumb. My new route today took me to Dunstable which was a great ride actually, well right up until I left Dunstable after about 16 miles. Heading for Aston Clinton I had a decision to make on whether I cut today short because I had a big ride yesterday or whether I try to beat yesterday’s distance and time in the saddle. Well as always I went for the challenge. It was at this point the weather went horribly wrong. Persistent drizzle turned in to heavy rain very quickly, lightening reared its ugly head and thunder decided to turn up for dramatic effect. I did wonder why I had pushed myself for the challenge at this point as it became very challenging when a heavy wind picked up around the Invinghoe area on top of all the other elements. The only positive thing at this point was that my new waterproof had a real chance to perform and it did not let me down. It was the perfect shield from the appalling conditions. The worst was still in store and saved for the finale. 33 miles and heading out of Berkhamsted I could see the cars stopping ahead of me with the rain thundering down. As I approached the stationary cars I could see that there was a huge flood under a bridge and the cars could not pass this and many were turning round and going back the way they came.

Well there was no other way home for me so it was hold your nose time and brave it. Floods on roads are often very deceptive and perspective is often very deceiving (just a reminder, the road I was on was a frequently used road and by no means a country lane) so I went for my gap when all cars seemed to be dithering. The first section wasn’t as bad as anticipated and only splashed excessively around my trainers, which were already soaked. Next part of this three part assault course presented something completely different. Another huge flood in the road and cars were actually trying to make their way through this one. Hold the nose time again and I just went for it on my turn but however this time I found myself fully immersed in the water completing revolutions in and out of the water which felt very strange and additionally very uncomfortable. I must have been underwater for about 30 seconds of cycling and when I came out the other side I just looked at my lovely White socks which appeared filthy and that dirty Grey colour they go when sodden. So the last stretch and just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water one last extreme-water experience. I turned in to the Fishery road after passing the train station and noticed every car was halted with some struggling, almost floating away in the flood. I had to go through this excessive pool of water as it was the only option. Having walked this road every day to get the train station to get work I thought I knew the limits of how this road could possibly flood but how I was mistaken. At the deepest point in the flood / river / lake my water bottle attached to my bike was covered in water, my knees were covered in water and I felt like a cartoon character pedaling away under water. No more re-hydration for me then until I got home.

Here is the route from today - http://www.strava.com/activities/90224468

Trials and tribulations aside I am delighted to have nailed two rides back to back as it will take a lot more miles than this when I compete in the real thing. However, this is great start and I feel like I am improving which is the most important thing.

Drenched, punished but committed

So I was asking myself this morning "how committed am I to this" as there is a long time until April (Paris ride) and do I really need to go out today in this awful weather as it's nice, cosey and warm sitting with my cup of tea looking out at the rain lashing down. The point is the question shouldn't be asked. Cycling is not about fair weather folk enjoying the sun on their backs wearing "all the gear" this is serious and there is a job to complete and at the back of my mind I can already picture myself raising aloft my bicycle in front of the Eiffel tower posing for a picture to eventually put on my social networks and most importantly achieving my targeted revenue for the charity Mind.

With the decision made I unwillingly dragged on my cycling attire and lumbered out to the garage to prepare my beloved road bike for action. I got pretty wet just stepping between the house and the garage to do this and feared the worse.

All mounted and ready to go the only decision to be made was how far to pedal. I hit start on the Garmin and thought let’s see how bad it gets before making that decision. Before leaving the end of the road I think I was completely drenched and maybe this was a good thing as you would naturally think it couldn't get worse.......well.......

About 3 miles in I decided to take the long road to Leighton Buzzard and on reflection it was probably not the best idea.

The roads and lanes were waterlogged and you occasionally had to cycle in the middle of the road to avoid puddles and what started to look like small rivers forming. The Leighton Buzzard road is one that is used quite frequently by traffic and often used by larger vehicles when transferring goods around the country. So when I said earlier it couldn't get much worse this is when it did. Over a 5 minute period I think at least 4 very large artic lorries took their turns it giving me a very comprehensive shower at intermittent times.

With the rain beating down all the way of the ride I eventually got back to Hollyhock having achieved 17 miles in 62 minutes and the pleasure of cycling on a road bike in brand new conditions for me.

All that was left to do was lock the bike away and pile up my soaking wet clothes that now felt about 15 times heavier than they ever had due to the amount of water absorbed and then run, squelching to a very very hot shower!

Training complete for this week.

Ashridge

A beautiful early morning ride today took in an easy, enjoyable and picturesque route. The route was only 11.72 miles and I completed it in 43.05.

The cycle took me through the beautiful Hatfield House.........

.......and through the lovely woodland area surrounding the house

The wildlife is also amazing around this area and I was lucky enough to see a herd of deer running freely.

Here is the exact route

I need to either get creative now with the next route or challenge one of the times I have now with a current route.

New record

I tried a new route today for the first time and it was an excellent circuit of 26 miles which I blasted round in just over 90 minutes. Two new personal records achieved as well.

1. Fastest 40km achieved in 1:29:09
2. Elevation gain of 866 ft

Here is the route

Almost scared to play football now tomorrow morning in fear of injury and not being able to get back on the bike in the short term. I think I am becoming slightly obsessed with cycling now!

Charity - the start.

Well I have had an overwhelming start to my fundraising for Mind. In 4 days I have raised nearly 20% of my target and nearly £300 pounds. I am so grateful to all that have sponsored so far and really hoping to make a big dent in the overall target in the next few weeks.

The page is here to keep an eye on the running total - http://www.doitforcharity.com/christopherlee

Thank you again so much to the 14 sponsors that have currently supported me and my chosen charity. It really means a lot.