The lonliness of the long distance cyclist

Having had a break last week as I was holidaying in France, I was out of synch with the rest of the lads this weekend, so went out for a ride on my own on Bank Holiday Monday morning rather than the usual Sunday.

While its great fun training with everyone else, I actually enjoyed my own company,  I had a rough plan in mind to cover a longer distance than usual at my own pace.  I was really chuffed, especially after a weeks break that the pace was reasonably speedy and I covered the first 20km to Eaton Bray in just over an hour and the next 20km out to Billington and then on to Mentmore and Wingrave in an average speed of 22km/h which is quick for me.  It's all pretty flat out that way but I was pleased to have covered 40km in 2 hours.

I then carried on into Aylesbury, but didn't fancy riding back all the way down the main A road in the valley so instead went up the other side of the valley to Weston Turville, then Wendover.  It was then I realised that the Chilterns can still be pretty steep and I really struggled up a 3km hill with a 14% gradient (according to the road sign) from Wendover to Cholesbury Common.  To be honest by the time I'd done 60km I was very tired and still 25km from home.  I was also running out of time as I was meant to be going to my folks for lunch, so I changed plan and cycled from there down to the Northchurch end of Shootersway and then back to my folks place in Berkhamsted.

All in all 77km in about 4.5h in the saddle with 0.5h of breaks (3x10mins every 20km) along the way.

So while the hilly last 20km or so was very tough, I was pleased to have essentially done over 3/4 distance in about the pace I hope to maitain during the race, and with stops only every 20km (as will be the case on the night).

Still, could have done with the lads to encourage (berate, take the mick etc) to get me up the hill to Cholesbury a bit quicker! Hopefully a few more people will be out next weekend...

Spring makes all the difference

Cycling on beautiful Sunday mornings really does make all the difference.

Last Sunday we had six of us all out at 7am for a 40km ride (shorter as lots of people needed to be back for mothers' day duties), including guest appearances from Dave 'Blimey I'm feeling too old for this' Martell and Matt 'I might have big guns but I'm not bike fit' Phillips.  It was a lovely day and Ian and I who were so far at the back that we ended up carrying on to Aldbury rather than following the rest of the group and as a result did 45km.  I think the fable of the tortoise and the hare tells you all you need to know about our extra efforts...

This Sunday; Barry, Ian and I had a more leisurely 55km ride on a glorious April morning,  deer roaming in Ashridge, daffodils on the verges and then Barry (having decided not to go for a loo break in any of the remote woodland parts of the ride) decided to spoil it all by peeing in behind a hedge in the children's playground in Ivinghoe Village - the shame.

I'm delighted that I can do 55km without really feeling it is a big effort now.  Still that is only a bit over half distance, so I'm going to need to get in a couple of 70km - 80km rides to keep pushing my fitness before the 100km ride itself.

Also delighted that (inc Gift Aid) I've now raised over £1,700 - thanks everyone who is supporting me, it means a lot.