Back in the saddle

Since the Shires and Spires ride I have had a busy time. As planned I was able to get out and start to build up the mileage again, completing a number of 30 mile rides and doing some gym work to build up the thigh strength.

Zoe and I then jetted off to Turkey for a week in the sun. We had a really good week, the weather was perfect with sun every day and warm evenings that allowed us to eat outside as the sun set. The hotel complex was great; we made full use of the facilities, probably over indulging in the food and drink departments but also making good use of the gym and pools every day bar one. Despite a scare concerning the ash cloud and a delay due to a bird strike on the way home, all in all it was a terrific break.

Post holiday I have hit the road hard, covering over 150 miles since May 18^th.

Whilst away I had the bike serviced; I have changed to 25mm tyres to give me a slightly softer ride, changed the rear cassette to a 11-28 which gives me much more flexibility with the climbing and moved my handlebars up a little which allows me to sit is a slightly more comfortable position.

On Sunday I went on a longer ride with a group of work colleagues. We left Kettering at about 9.15am with the temperature at 25c and not a cloud in the sky (my first day with sunscreen) and headed off into the Welland Valley. Once out of Kettering we passed through Pipewell, Wilbarston, Ashley, Weston by Welland and on through the valley over a number of short but sharp climbs to Halliton. Here we sustained our first casualty as one of the guys lost a pedal and shank which couldn’t be mended at the road side, resulting in him pulling out and getting picked up.

Having left our colleague sitting in the sun, on what would turn out to be the hottest day of the year so far, we moved off through Horninghold and then up a tough climb into Uppingham. I had been  really looking forward to the climbs as I wanted to test out the new gearing ratios, I was happy as I got to the top of the climb into Uppingham as I had eased up without too much effort with quite a high cadence. Now I’m more confident I can handle anything the Tour throws at me.

After a quick pit stop at Uppingham to fill water bottles etc, we continued on through Lyddington, Great Easton, over Bringhurst hill and then into Cottingham, up Middleton Hill , again spinning quite comfortably, and back to Kettering through Pipewell.

When I got back to the car we were just short of 50 miles and it was 30 degrees C. I was really chuffed as not only was my new set up comfortable, but my gamble to change the cassette had proved a good one and I finished knowing I could have done more miles with relative ease.

The plan this week is to keep the mileage up, with about 30 miles each evening, then next weekend put in a couple of back to back longer rides with 50 or so on Saturday and a longer ride of about 70 miles on Sunday. The group is thinking of heading out towards Rutland Water which will be a good test as there are some longer climbs in the latter part of the ride.

It’s now only 31 sleeps until I depart for Canada, I have the last few spare parts on order and over the next few weeks will be spent double checking packing lists, practice setting up the tent, and  taking the bike apart to pack it for the flight. Weekends are getting busy with family commitments but as luck would have it I can build a few longer rides in by biking to and from some of them rather than driving.

I have now cycled over 2000miles since October last year and I have achieved all of my training objectives except a 100 mile ride.  I’m relatively happy that subject to disasters I will arrive in Vancouver ready to go.

Onwards and upwards!