Now I have relieved myself of official duties I am concentrating on a few goals which mean me actually riding my bike and not wasting time arguing about bike clubs...
So what's in store, short term I have set my sights on the Autumn Epic this October, a well renowned sportive set in the Welsh hills. This event is know to be tough and only the toughest or bloody minded cyclists finish it, I probably fit in the latter of those characters.
No such feat planned for 2012 yet as it will mostly be training for 2013 and the London - Edinburgh - London ride, another ride of monster proportions. It's as it labelled, London to Edinburgh and back again, in one go, within 5 days, a self reliant 'race' against the distance and conditions, a true test of endurance cycling!
One thing that will hopefully take place next year is a record attempt of a relay ride of John O Groats to Lands End and back again! I have offered to cycle one of the 45 mile legs.... more to follow.
To achieve these goals I aim to use my Audax UK membership more effectively than I have done in the past and get some rides done!
Friday 15 July 2011
Stepping down from @beestoncc duties
I have decided to stand down from my duties of Membership Sec and 'Web Official' for Beeston CC.
I feel that it is in the best interest of the club and my state of mind that I stand back from official duties. It has been a pleasure to serve the club. I have never asked for anything in return, never claimed expenses for the stationary, postage stamps and fuel used in my duties, I have spent hours and hours sat in front of a PC working on the website after a very turbulent time for the club. I am very grateful for the support and kind comments from the majority of the membership.
However there is one very small minority who it appears will never be happy until they regain some kind of control over the direction of the club. Whilst I strongly disagree with this direction and oppose the suggested changes I feel that it would be even more divisive if I continue in my positions.
I am already working on a new project for Beeston CC, getting us recognised by Audax UK is just the start of this. But for now I just look forward to spending more of my spare time on my bike.
I feel that it is in the best interest of the club and my state of mind that I stand back from official duties. It has been a pleasure to serve the club. I have never asked for anything in return, never claimed expenses for the stationary, postage stamps and fuel used in my duties, I have spent hours and hours sat in front of a PC working on the website after a very turbulent time for the club. I am very grateful for the support and kind comments from the majority of the membership.
However there is one very small minority who it appears will never be happy until they regain some kind of control over the direction of the club. Whilst I strongly disagree with this direction and oppose the suggested changes I feel that it would be even more divisive if I continue in my positions.
I am already working on a new project for Beeston CC, getting us recognised by Audax UK is just the start of this. But for now I just look forward to spending more of my spare time on my bike.
Tuesday 12 July 2011
Johnny Hoogerland - NAILS
Pro cycling has a new hard man to take over form big Jens Voigt when he finally step off his bike for the last time.
Hoogerland was catapulted into a barbed wire fence after hitting another ride who had unbelievably been hit by a car! This is the results of that incident.
Amazingly Hoogerland rode on 20 miles to finish the stage and take his King Of the Mountains jersey which he had earned that day. He then went to hospital to have 40 stitches to his wounds. Today, 2 days later he rides on the the Tour de France!
Hoogerland was catapulted into a barbed wire fence after hitting another ride who had unbelievably been hit by a car! This is the results of that incident.
Amazingly Hoogerland rode on 20 miles to finish the stage and take his King Of the Mountains jersey which he had earned that day. He then went to hospital to have 40 stitches to his wounds. Today, 2 days later he rides on the the Tour de France!
Monday 11 July - Epic Training begins....
Seeing as I have targeted the Epic as a ride I want to do this October I had better get some practice in with longer hilly rides, so yesterday I headed out into the Peak for just some of that.
It was a fantastic ride, staring out on the familiar slopes of No Mans Lane, Cloves and Spanker Lane, I then headed UP into Chrich and it's Tramway Museum . After all that climbing I enjoyed the descent into Cromford before the long grind up Via Gelia and onwards to the A515, thats a tough slog! From the top of there I was Carsington bound. The legs were feeling good, I was really enjoying this!
Once round Carsington the going got much quicker, it was flatter and predominantly down hill and the wind was on my back, I was taking it reasonably easy and still knocking along at 20+mph.
Then came Drum Hill at after 57 tough miles, at this point I was still over 100 ft/mile of climbing and Drum was more of a challenge than normal, still I ground it out and pushed on once at the top!
Really enjoyed this up and down ride, very little in the way of flat roads as the profile shows. That long climb up Via Gelia although not too steep is one to get the legs going, it just goes on and on all the way to the A515 and up to almost 1200 ft.
So, plenty more to do but this was a good start, I felt great when I got home, legs tired but a feeling of joy, it was a stunning day to be out in the Peak, Sunny but not too hot, coasting around country lanes, this is whats its all about!
Distance = 71.1 miles
Time = 5 hrs 1 mins
Ave Speed = 14.1 mph
Top Speed = 38.9 mph
Hillometer = 88.3 ft/mile
Max H/R = 183
Ave H/R = 153
Weather = Sunny, 22c
2011
Road Bike = 1295.3
Single Speed = 63.5
Fixed = 16
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 1419.2
 |
| Screen Shot of the ride and profile |
Once round Carsington the going got much quicker, it was flatter and predominantly down hill and the wind was on my back, I was taking it reasonably easy and still knocking along at 20+mph.
Then came Drum Hill at after 57 tough miles, at this point I was still over 100 ft/mile of climbing and Drum was more of a challenge than normal, still I ground it out and pushed on once at the top!
Really enjoyed this up and down ride, very little in the way of flat roads as the profile shows. That long climb up Via Gelia although not too steep is one to get the legs going, it just goes on and on all the way to the A515 and up to almost 1200 ft.
So, plenty more to do but this was a good start, I felt great when I got home, legs tired but a feeling of joy, it was a stunning day to be out in the Peak, Sunny but not too hot, coasting around country lanes, this is whats its all about!
Distance = 71.1 miles
Time = 5 hrs 1 mins
Ave Speed = 14.1 mph
Top Speed = 38.9 mph
Hillometer = 88.3 ft/mile
Max H/R = 183
Ave H/R = 153
Weather = Sunny, 22c
2011
Road Bike = 1295.3
Single Speed = 63.5
Fixed = 16
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 1419.2
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Tuesday 5 July
Took the single speed out on @beestoncc postal duties this morning, rode into Chilwell, then onto Attenborough, cutting through to the Trent, then along the Trent banks to Trent Lock, up into Sawley and then back home through Long Eaton.
I had forgotten how nice it is to ride along the Trent to the Locks at Sawley, it was great fun actually getting out on a ride on the single speed!
Distance = 15.2 miles
Time = 1 hrs 2 mins
Ave Speed = 14.7 mph
Top Speed = 25.8 mph
Hillometer = N/A
Max H/R = N/A
Ave H/R = N/A
Weather = Sunny, 21c
2011
Road Bike = 1224.2
Single Speed = 63.5
Fixed = 16
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 1348.1
I had forgotten how nice it is to ride along the Trent to the Locks at Sawley, it was great fun actually getting out on a ride on the single speed!
Distance = 15.2 miles
Time = 1 hrs 2 mins
Ave Speed = 14.7 mph
Top Speed = 25.8 mph
Hillometer = N/A
Max H/R = N/A
Ave H/R = N/A
Weather = Sunny, 21c
2011
Road Bike = 1224.2
Single Speed = 63.5
Fixed = 16
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 1348.1
Monday 4 July
Not been feeling anything like my best on the bike lately so yesterday I headed out on one of my 50 mile TT routes to see how far behind I actually am. Once I got going I didn't feel as bad as I though I might, and only finished up 5 minutes slower over 50 miles, not bad considering I'm down on last years mileage so far. Felt a lot better when I got home as well, pushing it harder seems more achievable than I thought.
So with big rides in mind and the Epic in October I need to start some form of training, nothing scientific and the base of any training will just be lots of miles and hours on the bike, with a big hard effort over 50 miles every two or three weeks.
Distance = 51.9 miles
Time = 3 hrs 0 mins
Ave Speed = 17.3 mph
Top Speed = 35.9 mph
Hillometer = 29.3 ft/mile
Max H/R = 192
Ave H/R = 165
Weather = Overcast/Sunny Spells, 21c
2011
Road Bike = 1224.2
Single Speed = 48.3
Fixed = 16
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 1332.9
So with big rides in mind and the Epic in October I need to start some form of training, nothing scientific and the base of any training will just be lots of miles and hours on the bike, with a big hard effort over 50 miles every two or three weeks.
Distance = 51.9 miles
Time = 3 hrs 0 mins
Ave Speed = 17.3 mph
Top Speed = 35.9 mph
Hillometer = 29.3 ft/mile
Max H/R = 192
Ave H/R = 165
Weather = Overcast/Sunny Spells, 21c
2011
Road Bike = 1224.2
Single Speed = 48.3
Fixed = 16
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 1332.9
Monday 4 July 2011
Beeston CC Social Ride
Went out on my first social ride in about 3 months yesterday, and a very nice steady jaunt it was too, sorted out some club business which will be announced soon and some future projects, again to be announced soon....
Business sorted we peddled our way across North Leicestershire towards Staunton Harold for a quick drink and snack at the stable cafe, and then on homeward bound to Beeston via Breedon, Long Whatton, Kegworth, Breaston and Long Eaton. Route as below but with a Breaston Loop added to the end.
Something not quite feeling right in my body at the moment on the bike, I seem to have lost a little 'zing' not sure how or why, need to get some more time and miles in I think...
Distance = 52 miles
Time = 3 hrs 30 mins
Ave Speed = 14.9 mph
Top Speed = 34.6 mph
Hillometer = 32.9 ft/mile
Max H/R = 192
Ave H/R = 141
Weather = Sunny Spells, 20c
2011
Road Bike = 1172.3
Single Speed = 48.3
Fixed = 16
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 1281
Business sorted we peddled our way across North Leicestershire towards Staunton Harold for a quick drink and snack at the stable cafe, and then on homeward bound to Beeston via Breedon, Long Whatton, Kegworth, Breaston and Long Eaton. Route as below but with a Breaston Loop added to the end.
Something not quite feeling right in my body at the moment on the bike, I seem to have lost a little 'zing' not sure how or why, need to get some more time and miles in I think...
Distance = 52 miles
Time = 3 hrs 30 mins
Ave Speed = 14.9 mph
Top Speed = 34.6 mph
Hillometer = 32.9 ft/mile
Max H/R = 192
Ave H/R = 141
Weather = Sunny Spells, 20c
2011
Road Bike = 1172.3
Single Speed = 48.3
Fixed = 16
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 1281
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