Hills Week

This week I have gone to town on hill work. I wanted to make sure I could get up some testing slopes with my current gearing and so after a couple of hill rep sessions mid week on Sunday I heading into the Welland Valley where I could find some lengthy 8-12% grade hills.

Although bright and dry it was very windy and sods law was that the wind was also right against me on the major climb making them even more challenging. I started in Great Easton and headed out toward Eyebrook Reservoir, which incidentally, was used as a practice venue for the Dambusters during WWII. As I got to the bottom of Medbourne Hill I dropped into bottom gear and just tried to spin my way up. It just happens there was a time trial coming the other way so every minute or so a proper cyclist would come whipping down the hill towards me, they were really travelling and some were using tri-bars which must have taken some bottle at that sort of speed.

Thankfully the spinning in a low gear was appearing to work and once I got my breathing into sync it was a lot comfier than I thought. Although hard work I was able to keep the cadence quite steady and even during the steepest bits was able to remain in the saddle, I was quite chuffed.

I did 3 5 mile circuits each with a mile climb and then after the third climb I decided to go straight back down and up again. As I turned at the top the wind was right behind me and I flew down the hill breaking 42mph, my fastest ever. I have to say it was a little worrying when some idiot overtook coming up the hill which presented me with the brief thought that I was gong to end up on his bonnet but he got back onto the right side of the road in time. At the bottom I turned around and headed straight back up again.

After 4 climbs I decided that was enough and headed off towards Medbourne but this was almost head on into the wind so hard work, I even had to peddle hard when going down hill into the village which is a weird experience. I was feeling quite good so I decided to head back via Nevil Holt for a real tough, although short, climb. I did most of it in the saddle but also tried a little out of saddle going up the gears each time and found it relatively comfortable and much more stable with the smaller rack and bag. Having shot down Nevil Holt hill I made my way back to the car, pausing only briefly when a pedestrian stepped out in front of me, but I managed to shout and he pulled back, from then on it was an easy ride, wind assisted back to the car.

Next week will be a little easier as I taper to get ready for “The Quatro” next Sunday, an organised 82-mile sportif and the next step up in mileage for me, lets hope the weather holds.

Onwards and upwards.

Increasing the mileage

Didn’t need to worry too much about the rack and bag, Pitsford Cycles didn’t quibble at all and just swapped it for a smaller road bike specific bag, a little smaller in volume but having tested it out this weekend I am happy it is big enough for Canada.

The Trek complete with new rack and bag

On Sunday I cycled to Nuneaton. Now that might not mean much to you, but it represents a significant step to me as it’s far enough on a map for me to think “that’s quite a long way”. I have done that sort of mileage before but it’s a little different when you don’t do a circuit, I felt as if I’d actually gone somewhere and you get to see some new scenery.

What was a little frightening was that as I got off after 53 miles I thought that in about 4 weeks I would still have 47 miles to go to finish the Peterborough 100!

Over all though I was really pleased with the ride, the bike was comfy and even after 3 ½ hours I wasn’t suffering. The added bonus was that mother in Law had a roast dinner ready!

Tonight I have learned an important lesson, don’t take your chain off to clean it, it’s incredibly messy and fiddly and even in a garage under good lights things ping off and get lost….I will just clean it on the bike next time.

The rest of this week is about hills. A couple of hour long rides after work and then next weekend I’m off into the Welland Valley to spend a couple of hours climbing, I know it’s going to hurt but I need to test myself on some serious hills, not only to see how hard it is but also to learn about the gearing and ensure I have confidence in my kit.

Onwards and upwards….only 94 sleeps until Canada

Back on the road again!!

After a frustrating 3-week break I have finally got my TREK back and have managed to get back out on the road.

The fault with the front gear shifter has been fixed and they have fitted a double shifter now so the problem should not reoccur. It feels much better as there is no dead ground as you shift up and down.

The objective today was to test all the bike rack. I managed to get a comfy 45 miles done but it was clear very early that the seat post based bike rack was going to be an issue. The quick release mechanism is too large and my inner thighs were catching it, plus the bag is so high above the rear wheel that it rubs on my bum and it really badly effects the balance of the bike, when I got out of the saddle going up hill I nearly lost control and it was a little unnerving on the down hills as it just felt a little light at the front

Having done some research it looks like they’ve sold me the wrong style of rack and bag, one suited for a Mountain Bike rather than a Road Bike, but I will take it back and try to swap it. I’m hoping that as I’ve only used it once and it is still clean they will agree to swap or part exchange for the new kit. Whatever happens I need to get a new rack and bag as this set-up just isn’t workable.

The next few weeks will be interesting, the mileage is starting to ramp up and I have entered three Sportives which vary from about 80 miles up to 100, my first century. I am planning to start commuting to work as the light is good enough now, but with all the trips to HQ it might prove difficult. I intend to cycle up the to the in-laws in Nuneaton next weekend which is about 60 miles so lets hope for good weather.

Onwards and upwards!!

Change of weather but no still no road bike

A frustrating week or so as my road bike is still with the manufacturers being assessed. Whilst that is a source frustration on its own it is heightened by the long awaited change in the weather, which has allowed the temperatures to rise to well above freezing and make riding a more pleasurable activity. Having said that the dark evenings have kept me on the turbo so I’ve been concentration on strength sessions.

It wont be long now before the light will be good enough for me to start commuting daily which will add a few miles to my training so providing I get my bike back soon I will remain on schedule.

Onwards and upwards