Despite my hopes of a quick recovery I had to bite the bullet and pull out of my planned 100 mile sportif this weekend, there was just no way I had recovered enough for such a long ride. I did try the turbo on Tuesday evening but it was soon obvious that I wasn't going to be fit for the weekend as my shoulders and groin were just too stiff and painful.
I had a pleasant weekend though; on Saturday I went to see Northampton Saints V Gloucester with my Dad and my son Matt plus his mate Lewis, also a mad keen cyclist. The weather was beautiful plus it was an easy win for the Saints which is always a bonus.
On Sunday I finally got back in the saddle, I did a gentle test for 6 miles of so with Matt and despite the odd wince as I hit a bump or two things felt pretty good, I was also able to check the bike wasn't damaged. We had our first BBQ of the year and Zoe's Mum and Dad , who had been victim of the volcano, came over and tried to make the best of a semi warm Raunds as opposed to a fortnight in Florida.
This week will be a recovery week, I intend to get out as much as I can, probably concentrate on hill work, and try to get back to fitness ready for the Shires and Spires 80 mile Sportif on 2 May.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Recuperative Duties
After last Sunday’s fall I have been forced to take a week off; I still have bruises like I have never had before. I am continuing to pop pills and as soon as I sit down for any length of time I stiffen up, despite which I feel as if I am in the home straight as each day that passes it eases a little.
I have not wasted my time though taking the opportunity to engage in some retail therapy, replacing my hat, adding a frame bag for those all so important sweets etc and then a trip to Milton Keynes where I hobbled around and in the course of doing so managed to blow a few quid on a number of shirts and jumpers that I clearly could not exist any longer without.
Hopefully, I will attempt an hour or so on the turbo Monday evening to test the shoulder and elbow out. I am a little concerned that unless I am pain free by about Thursday then at next Sundays 100 mile ride I may have to take the 100km option and hope to get through it with the help of the local pharmacist.
I am fairly happy with my current fitness though and I don’t think a week or so off the road post accident will make a huge difference. I am certainly glad it happened now and not later in the year as there is no way I could have continued on the TDC in the state I was in Monday morning. I have plenty of time to make up the missed miles and even with a week off in May for a trip to the sun in Turkey there are loads of chances to get a couple of weekend back to backs sorted.
Onwards and upwards….74 sleeps to take off.
I have not wasted my time though taking the opportunity to engage in some retail therapy, replacing my hat, adding a frame bag for those all so important sweets etc and then a trip to Milton Keynes where I hobbled around and in the course of doing so managed to blow a few quid on a number of shirts and jumpers that I clearly could not exist any longer without.Hopefully, I will attempt an hour or so on the turbo Monday evening to test the shoulder and elbow out. I am a little concerned that unless I am pain free by about Thursday then at next Sundays 100 mile ride I may have to take the 100km option and hope to get through it with the help of the local pharmacist.
I am fairly happy with my current fitness though and I don’t think a week or so off the road post accident will make a huge difference. I am certainly glad it happened now and not later in the year as there is no way I could have continued on the TDC in the state I was in Monday morning. I have plenty of time to make up the missed miles and even with a week off in May for a trip to the sun in Turkey there are loads of chances to get a couple of weekend back to backs sorted.
Onwards and upwards….74 sleeps to take off.
Monday, 5 April 2010
The Quatro, Crash Bang Wallop
This week has been mixed. I had a relatively lazy week with only one turbo session as I tapered for the Quatro Sportif on Sunday.
The Sportif was my longest planned ride yet at 82 miles. I was a little nervous even before I got to the start and was confronted by 200 or so seemingly serious cyclists with all the gear etc, some of the local cycle clubs had teams out so for some it was actually a training run rather than a sportif.
I set off in a group of 20 with a few colleagues from work but less than a minute in one of them had a chain come off so I slowed up to wait for him and never saw the other 17 or so again.
The route was pleasant enough, having started in Wollaston we headed across Northamptonshire and down towards Olney, Milton Keynes and then turned back toward Bedford. Initially I was OK on the flat but kept getting left behind on the hills. It was fairly clear where the fitter riders strengths were; I just had to stick to my plan and rather than getting carried away and trying to stay with the others just use the lower gears to make sure I didn’t blow out too early on the trip and let them go on ahead.
As we got towards Milton Keynes I was enjoying the ride but I was feeling a bit out of rhythm, I was cycling with another rider and I think he was just a little too slow for me so I just eased away and found my normal cadence. I found this much more comfortable and my breathing was much more stable.
After 30 miles or so we had our first food break, a nice set up with a service tent and loads of food. I had about 10 minutes and caught up with a couple of colleagues who had left me behind about 10 miles back. The restart wasn’t as bad as I feared and I was soon back into my rhythm, and the next 20 odd miles soon went by.
As we got to 55 miles or so I started to have a few shoulder issues and some pins and needles in my hands. This was the first time I had experienced this and I put it down to particularly bad roads with lots of rough tarmac and pot holes, but it does tell me I need to do some work on my shoulder strength.
The second food stop was at Kimbolton at about 60 miles; I was really comfortable and was quietly confident that with the exception of my shoulders I would have a strong last 20 miles. However as I pulled out of the station the wind was right into my face and it was a really tough pull along the valley back towards Rushden.
After about 5 miles I came a right cropper, I’m not exactly sure what happened but I think I was doing some arm stretches and at some point lost control of the front wheel which turned hard right and I went straight out the front door at about 15mph.
I hit the ground really hard and it took me about 2 minutes to get up and back to my feet, even then I had double vision, something I’ve never had before, I actually thought that my sunglasses were scratched and effecting my vision but I took them off and it made no difference! Another cyclist came to my rescue and stayed with me until I was able to remount. I have to say I was very sore and it took some time before I was able to get back in the saddle.
The last 15 miles were tough, the fall had banged me up pretty bad and my left shoulder and hip were very sore, but my friendly co-rider stayed with me, gave me pain killers and between us we managed to get home, not an easy feat when it seemed to be head on into the wind all the way.
The finish couldn’t come quickly enough but I’m really pleased I did it, not only because it’s the furthest I’ve been so far but also because I have proved I can get back on even when in pain which is what I will have to do In Canada as there is no way out.
After the ride I noticed my helmet had cracked and there were some stone sized holes in the side, I must have hit my head quite hard so it goes to show the value of wearing a helmet. I’ll need to get new one.
The trip home was interesting; by the time I arrived on the front drive I had stiffened up and was really sore. The family were all at the house and helped me unload the car, run a cold bath, get me changed whilst I just tried to keep mobile, fed up on a great roast dinner and took drugs to help with the pain.
As I write this on Monday morning I am still a tad stiff, my thigh has a large bump on it and walking is to say the least a challenge but my back and shoulder have eased a little. Overall though, despite the fall, I am really pleased with yesterdays ride, I felt strong and was comfortable and with a few shoulder exercises 100 miles shouldn’t be too much of a problem. And as Zoë reminded me this morning at least I wasn’t sleeping on a pad in a tent last night!
The Sportif was my longest planned ride yet at 82 miles. I was a little nervous even before I got to the start and was confronted by 200 or so seemingly serious cyclists with all the gear etc, some of the local cycle clubs had teams out so for some it was actually a training run rather than a sportif.
I set off in a group of 20 with a few colleagues from work but less than a minute in one of them had a chain come off so I slowed up to wait for him and never saw the other 17 or so again.
The route was pleasant enough, having started in Wollaston we headed across Northamptonshire and down towards Olney, Milton Keynes and then turned back toward Bedford. Initially I was OK on the flat but kept getting left behind on the hills. It was fairly clear where the fitter riders strengths were; I just had to stick to my plan and rather than getting carried away and trying to stay with the others just use the lower gears to make sure I didn’t blow out too early on the trip and let them go on ahead.
As we got towards Milton Keynes I was enjoying the ride but I was feeling a bit out of rhythm, I was cycling with another rider and I think he was just a little too slow for me so I just eased away and found my normal cadence. I found this much more comfortable and my breathing was much more stable.
After 30 miles or so we had our first food break, a nice set up with a service tent and loads of food. I had about 10 minutes and caught up with a couple of colleagues who had left me behind about 10 miles back. The restart wasn’t as bad as I feared and I was soon back into my rhythm, and the next 20 odd miles soon went by.
As we got to 55 miles or so I started to have a few shoulder issues and some pins and needles in my hands. This was the first time I had experienced this and I put it down to particularly bad roads with lots of rough tarmac and pot holes, but it does tell me I need to do some work on my shoulder strength.
The second food stop was at Kimbolton at about 60 miles; I was really comfortable and was quietly confident that with the exception of my shoulders I would have a strong last 20 miles. However as I pulled out of the station the wind was right into my face and it was a really tough pull along the valley back towards Rushden.
After about 5 miles I came a right cropper, I’m not exactly sure what happened but I think I was doing some arm stretches and at some point lost control of the front wheel which turned hard right and I went straight out the front door at about 15mph.
I hit the ground really hard and it took me about 2 minutes to get up and back to my feet, even then I had double vision, something I’ve never had before, I actually thought that my sunglasses were scratched and effecting my vision but I took them off and it made no difference! Another cyclist came to my rescue and stayed with me until I was able to remount. I have to say I was very sore and it took some time before I was able to get back in the saddle.
The last 15 miles were tough, the fall had banged me up pretty bad and my left shoulder and hip were very sore, but my friendly co-rider stayed with me, gave me pain killers and between us we managed to get home, not an easy feat when it seemed to be head on into the wind all the way.
The finish couldn’t come quickly enough but I’m really pleased I did it, not only because it’s the furthest I’ve been so far but also because I have proved I can get back on even when in pain which is what I will have to do In Canada as there is no way out.
After the ride I noticed my helmet had cracked and there were some stone sized holes in the side, I must have hit my head quite hard so it goes to show the value of wearing a helmet. I’ll need to get new one.
The trip home was interesting; by the time I arrived on the front drive I had stiffened up and was really sore. The family were all at the house and helped me unload the car, run a cold bath, get me changed whilst I just tried to keep mobile, fed up on a great roast dinner and took drugs to help with the pain.
As I write this on Monday morning I am still a tad stiff, my thigh has a large bump on it and walking is to say the least a challenge but my back and shoulder have eased a little. Overall though, despite the fall, I am really pleased with yesterdays ride, I felt strong and was comfortable and with a few shoulder exercises 100 miles shouldn’t be too much of a problem. And as Zoë reminded me this morning at least I wasn’t sleeping on a pad in a tent last night!
Sunday, 28 March 2010
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.
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.
Monday, 22 March 2010
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.
Onwards and upwards….only 94 sleeps until Canada
Sunday, 14 March 2010
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!!
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!!
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
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
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
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