Fancied some hills today, so set off for a bit of adventure into Surrey - no real plan just cycle around finding the roads on the map which have the steep hill marks.
Had a great time out in the sunshine and rode over 1 1 in 8, 2 1 in 7, a 18% and a 24% hill, over a distance of 56 miles. There were also plenty other hills but with no road signs detailing the gradient. I managed to avoid defeat, although I did think my legs might fall off on the 24% hill.
Total height gain today was 3400ft, which is quite a lot for Surrey I think!!
Completed the ride in 3hrs and 43mins.
I am really happy with todays ride, as hills have always been something I have hated and been rubbish at, but it is now looking like all the training is paying off with regards to endurance and strength. I'm not quite king (or should that be queen?) of the mountain material yet, but everything does seem to be moving in the right direction.
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Day 57 - Saturday 23rd August
Had a bit of an accident with the xbox and some cider last night, so did not get away early this morning as planned- oops!
Headed off in the afternoon for a 35 miles ride, which I covered in 2hrs and 3 minutes which was nice
Headed off in the afternoon for a 35 miles ride, which I covered in 2hrs and 3 minutes which was nice
Friday, 22 August 2008
Day 56 - Friday 22nd August
Have cycled to work today and am assuming I will cycle home again - not staying here for the weekend.
No training planned tonight - Beryl needs a wee wash so will do that instead.
No training planned tonight - Beryl needs a wee wash so will do that instead.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Day 54 - Wednesday 21st August
Cycled to work and back today.
Went out on a new route tonight, covered the 25.1 miles in 1 hr and 30 mins. This is now my longest weeknight ride.
Went out on a new route tonight, covered the 25.1 miles in 1 hr and 30 mins. This is now my longest weeknight ride.
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Day 53 - Tuesday 19th August
Not much time today so did a quick 12.5 miles on the turbo tonight in 42 mins and 20 secs, so an average of 17.7 mph. Felt nice to push a bit harder after all the easier distance work I have been doing lately.
Day 51 - Sunday 17th August
Felt fine today after yesterday, legs a little bit stiff but no pain anywhere.
Took the day off as there were a few things around the house needing doing, including the greenhouse which seems to be feeling a little neglected.
Took the day off as there were a few things around the house needing doing, including the greenhouse which seems to be feeling a little neglected.
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Day 50 - Saturday 16th August - Ton Up
Right back on the bike again and back on track.
After last Fridays rather abrupt end to my ride, I decided today to try try again.
I set off early this morning determined to complete the entire route.
I headed up through Lightwater to Chertsey and finding for the second time that the road I planned to take was not where the map said it was.
From there it was up to Windsor, liz wasn't in again, Eton and up to Marlow.
I arrived in Henley at the halfway point feeling good headed in the direction of Reading.
This week I passed 57 miles with no incident, staying on the bike!!
From there I turned for home, glad to have the wind on my back as I headed back towards Windsor, the route then saw me skirting round Bracknell and heading back to Farnborough via Hartley Whitney.
The route can be found here http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Henley
The total distance was 102.4 miles and I covered it in 7hrs 15 mins.
No crashes today which was a plus, also no long lasting effects from last weeks either.
In all a happy day and I have now ridden 100 miles + in 1 day which is great.
Now off to eat BBQ food and catch up on the Olympics.
After last Fridays rather abrupt end to my ride, I decided today to try try again.
I set off early this morning determined to complete the entire route.
I headed up through Lightwater to Chertsey and finding for the second time that the road I planned to take was not where the map said it was.
From there it was up to Windsor, liz wasn't in again, Eton and up to Marlow.
I arrived in Henley at the halfway point feeling good headed in the direction of Reading.
This week I passed 57 miles with no incident, staying on the bike!!
From there I turned for home, glad to have the wind on my back as I headed back towards Windsor, the route then saw me skirting round Bracknell and heading back to Farnborough via Hartley Whitney.
The route can be found here http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Henley
The total distance was 102.4 miles and I covered it in 7hrs 15 mins.
No crashes today which was a plus, also no long lasting effects from last weeks either.
In all a happy day and I have now ridden 100 miles + in 1 day which is great.
Now off to eat BBQ food and catch up on the Olympics.
Friday, 15 August 2008
Days 43 -48 Saturday 9th - Thursday 14th August
No training in this period I'm afraid.
Was very stiff and sore last weekend after coming off the bike, so rested up.
Felt much better on Monday but decided to have a final rest day before getting back in the saddle.
Have been unwell Tuesday, Wednesday and today - is either a bug or my body reacting to the crash.
Feeling much better today though, so should be able to get out on the bike over the weekend - in the rain - nice!!
Was very stiff and sore last weekend after coming off the bike, so rested up.
Felt much better on Monday but decided to have a final rest day before getting back in the saddle.
Have been unwell Tuesday, Wednesday and today - is either a bug or my body reacting to the crash.
Feeling much better today though, so should be able to get out on the bike over the weekend - in the rain - nice!!
Friday, 8 August 2008
Day 42, Friday 8th August - Crash Bang Wallop
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Thursday, 7 August 2008
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Day 40 Wednesday 6th August
Went out tonight for a 20 mile ride (it was 20 miles exactly).
Covered the distance in 1hr 15mins an average of 15.8mph - felt very easy and I'm really loving the tri-bars when cycling into the wind.
Covered the distance in 1hr 15mins an average of 15.8mph - felt very easy and I'm really loving the tri-bars when cycling into the wind.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Day 38 - Mon 4th August
Cycled to work and back today.
Tonight, I headed out on a road I had never been on before which was nice, I got lost in Fleet(again) before heading over to Yateley and Sandhurst, then back home again. In total 23.3 miles and a nice ride, I think this is also my longest evening ride.
Tonight, I headed out on a road I had never been on before which was nice, I got lost in Fleet(again) before heading over to Yateley and Sandhurst, then back home again. In total 23.3 miles and a nice ride, I think this is also my longest evening ride.
Monday, 4 August 2008
Days 35, 36 and 37
After a long week at work, mik whisked me away for a romantic weekends' camping, the reasons behind it being that we have just bought a new tent and also as a belated wedding anniversary trip. We couldn't be bothered to travel that far so just headed for Devizes.
We came here 2 years ago and cycled to Bath and back along the Kennet and Avon canal, and the plan was to do the same this time. So we set off on Saturday morning and headed for Bath, stopping only to shelter from the worst of the rain. On arrival in Bath, the rain stopped and the sun came out and we enjoyed a cider or two at a city centre pub. Due to us and the bikes being covered in mud we were very glad of the sunshine as we were sitting outside.
The journey back was always going to take longer than the journey there, as we planned to stop for lunch and also to visit a few hostelries. We stopped at Avoncliff to enjoy a Black Rat and lunch - lemon sole for mik and steak for me before contiuing back to the campsite.
I remember this route 2 years ago being quite a day out, but this time it was nothing - no sore knees, bum, neck etc and no wishing the end of the ride to occur.
Sunday saw us get up and pack everything away (before the rain came on) and head home where I had the great job of removing half of Wiltshire from both mountain bikes whilst mik dried the tent out.
In all a really nice weekend
We came here 2 years ago and cycled to Bath and back along the Kennet and Avon canal, and the plan was to do the same this time. So we set off on Saturday morning and headed for Bath, stopping only to shelter from the worst of the rain. On arrival in Bath, the rain stopped and the sun came out and we enjoyed a cider or two at a city centre pub. Due to us and the bikes being covered in mud we were very glad of the sunshine as we were sitting outside.
The journey back was always going to take longer than the journey there, as we planned to stop for lunch and also to visit a few hostelries. We stopped at Avoncliff to enjoy a Black Rat and lunch - lemon sole for mik and steak for me before contiuing back to the campsite.
I remember this route 2 years ago being quite a day out, but this time it was nothing - no sore knees, bum, neck etc and no wishing the end of the ride to occur.
Sunday saw us get up and pack everything away (before the rain came on) and head home where I had the great job of removing half of Wiltshire from both mountain bikes whilst mik dried the tent out.
In all a really nice weekend
Days 32, 33 and 34
Been a bit of a washout this week and not just talking about the weather.
Lots of things been going on which have gotten in the way of cycling.
did cycle to work one day though!!
Lots of things been going on which have gotten in the way of cycling.
did cycle to work one day though!!
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