Tuesday 29 March 2011

Monday 28th March

Yesterday was the first time this year I actually felt like a cyclist of mediocre ability rather than just a fat bloke on a bike.  Went out to Hoby on one of my favourite routes, kept a good pace all the way around.  I'm now able to push harder for 3 hours and above and the heart rate is slowly coming down too, so fitness is at last showing signs of improving.

I'm still not going to get hung up on the science of things, that 'fad' ended after my second or third ride of the year, just get out there and do some quality miles is my motto.

It was not the lumpiest of rides but it was my longest of the year so far and definitely my quickest ride over 50 miles.

Route as below apart from I went to Long Lane (Sawley) via Wilne Lane (Draycott)




Distance = 61 miles
Time = 3 hrs 43 mins
Ave Speed = 16.4 mph
Top Speed = 41.6 mph
Hillometer = 32.6 ft/mile
Max H/R = 184 bpm
Ave H/R = 150 bpm

Weather = Sunny, 14c

2011
Road Bike = 489.8
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 553.3

Thursday 24 March 2011

Thursday 24th March

Another glorious day so I decided to get a couple of hours on the bike between shifts in Tescoland.  Went out to West Leake via Draycott for a couple of laps of the @beestoncc 10 TT circuit, got my head down and went as fast as I could for 2 hours, not as quick as I'm capable of when fitter but it certainly blew a few cobwebs away.  Was pleasing to get 17mph ave speed out of the ride.  Must have been inspired by this mornings Jens Voigt facts on Twitter as today I was the man himself, Jens Voigt! (I wish)

Distance = 36.3 miles
Time = 2 hrs 08 mins
Ave Speed = 17 mph
Top Speed = 33 mph
Hillometer = N/A ft/mile

Weather = Sunny, 13c

2011
Road Bike = 428.8
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 492.3

Wednesday 23 March 2011

Weather for a fettle

Nice weather means two things, ride your bike or get all the cleaning gear out and do some maintenance in the back yard.  So it was time for the later today, lovely weather, sun on my back, the road bike got a good clean and the SS had its puncture problems solved (still ongoing from when I brought it and the previous idiot owner not putting the right rim tape on the wheels).  There's nothing like a good fettle, resolving those little issues and getting jobs done really does put a smile on my face.

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Monday 21st March 2011 - Springs here!

At last!  A ride that felt like a ride, legs felt as though they had had a workout by the time I got home.  The mudguards have gone, the shorts were on and the sun was out, this is what its all about.

Did a 'lumpy' route yesterday bringing in a few hills including Heath Lane near Ashby, took my time with it and made it to the top with little trouble, I finally feel as though I'm returning to some kind of fitness.

Time on the bike is still going to be limited for the next few months and if I'm honest this years target is already a no go so I'm just going to enjoy what time I do have as much as I can whilst still making an effort to get out at least once a week.




Distance = 50.8 miles
Time = 3 hrs 27 mins
Ave Speed = 14.7 mph
Top Speed = 36.9 mph
Hillometer = 40.1 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny, 13c

2011
Road Bike = 392.5
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 456

Monday 7 March 2011

Sunday 6th March Beeston CC Social Ride

@beestoncc 's social ride yesterday morning was harder work for me than it should have been, anything bigger than a bridge had me struggling, I just wasn't in the game at all!  As usual it was a pleasant ride in good company with club members, had to feel for Greg M though, withon a couple of miles he suffered a double puncture, he was so close to home he understandably headed home, such bad luck.

The rest of us headed on though and took a very pleasant and steady ride to Staunton Harold tea rooms through north Liecestershire's scenic countryside and then back home to Beeston.




Distance = 46.8 miles
Time = 3 hrs 19 mins
Ave Speed = 14.1 mph
Top Speed = 37.8 mph
Hillometer = 36.1 ft/mile

Weather = Overcast, 3c

2011
Road Bike = 341.7
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 405.2

Saturday 5 March 2011

Busy!

What can I say, the last few weeks have been extremely busy and the bike has been stuck in the shed as I have been working, training for my new career and squeezing in a short trip to Paris.

We booked a cheap day at Disney Land Paris through the Sun newspaper and booked a motel for a couple of nights so we could take in the sights of Paris as well, photo's from our short trip can be found on my Facebook page here.

Work is great if not well paid, but what a relief it is to not have to put up with the shambles that TNT became (I still hear from ex colleagues who inform me it is still getting worse) I am so glad to be out of it all and able to just go to work, do my bit and come home without any stress.

My new career, well now I can actually talk about it now I don't have the Gestapo peering over my shoulder, I am two thirds of the way through qualifying to become a driving instructor, something I part qualified for in 2000 but didn't follow up as at the time we felt it too bigger risk having to wind up my business to set out on a new venture.  I passed my part 2 exam last week and now just have the instructural ability section left to complete.  Being well and truly shafted by TNT actually has played into my hands as it gave me the proverbial kick up the jacksie to go out and do something.  Back in November I set myself a short target of qualifying and starting out by June this year.  A big ask but achievable if things went my way, well so far they are and we are still on for June, maybe even May!

So unfortunately for cycling this year may well be another wipe out, the next 4 weeks are fully booked with either work or driving instructor lessons fitted in between shifts, some long days for me, but it will be worth it once it's done.  The bike will just have to be patient, I will get on it when I can, but that family/personal balance we all struggle with has to be met.

Finally we come to plot 71, with all that is going on I haven't even had time to think about the allotment let alone get up there and tend it.  I have decided to keep it on this year as once I am set up and running my own driving school or franchise a place to go and get away from it all for an hour or two between lessons when there is not enough time for a ride may be a welcome release.  I am also hoping to rope the family into helping up there as well.  It looks as though I will be more of a weekend allotmenteer from now on though rather than my shorter but more regular visits last year.

So after banging on about how busy I am just now I'll sign off by saying I'm off on a club ride tomorrow morning and jetting off  to Spain next Saturday on a 3 night Stag do, I still (for now) manage to find time to play.