This weekend, on the Saturday May 16, whilst a few of the pelotoners were doing the Etap Caledonia, M and I rode down to Bury Hill.
The weather forecast was foul but we decided to go anyway. On the way down we were following the SWRC 100 course (the painted arrows are still on the roads so it is easy enough to follow the route) popping out on the A29 at Adversane. The headwind was horrible and after about 38 miles I had to duck behind M to shelter from the wind. He just pumped on.
As we approached Bury Hill there is a downhill before the step uphill, the wind was so strong at this point we had to pedal downhill! We stopped briefly at the café at the top of the hill (under new management, a bit more attractive now) then headed back up the A29 to London.
With a tailwind M took the pace up and we were storming along. After 8 miles we reached the café at Toat and stopped for a snack (baked beans and egg on toast for me, cake for M). The flag outside the café was stiff showing a strong wind heading north.
Whilst in the café a cyclist called Richard Newey turned up and we got talking. He was training for the Race Across America (http://www.richardnewey.co.uk/). A 300 mile race from the West Coast to the East with a time limit of 12 days. He told us how he had done the race in a team and was now doing it solo (in a weeks time). M has always wanted to do this race but I think Richard’s stories put him off a bit.
We then set off again and M was laying down a cracking pace with me hugging his wheel desperately. When we got to the Surrey Hills and the road up to Coldharbour I was suffering in my 34 X 28 gear. M was waiting for me at the top of each incline. After that it was down into Dorking then up Box Hill at 6 mph then along to the A217. As soon as we hit the fast tarmac on the A217 M was off like a rocket. We were keeping up 31 mph as we went through the Banstead crossroads and if rarely dropped below 30 mph all the way to Cheam. He was really enjoying the tailwind.
A good 90 miles banked and sore legs for a few days even though I was wheel hugging / sucking for 60 of the miles.
Here is a piece of useless information: What is a Dorking and why do they have a 12 foot giant silver steel cockerel of the roundabout in Dorking? Well, it seems a Dorking is a 5 toed chicken the meat of which was favoured by Queen Victoria. Also, the town of Dorking had the longest poultry market in the country. Now you know.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Sunday, May 10th was the Hampshire Hilly Hundred – not for me!
I have done the Hampshire Hilly Hundred the last couple of years but I was still in no fit state by the weekend so I ducked out. A few of the Pelotoners did the race and we all agree it is one of the nicest races of the season.
On the Sunday I got my Look 585 Ultra off the rack in the garage and got it ready for its first outing of the year. I then did a 28 mile Box Hill circuit at a gentle pace to test it out and at least get some exercise.
I have not been on the turbo or in the gym for some weeks. All that base I did in the winter is going to waste.
On the Sunday I got my Look 585 Ultra off the rack in the garage and got it ready for its first outing of the year. I then did a 28 mile Box Hill circuit at a gentle pace to test it out and at least get some exercise.
I have not been on the turbo or in the gym for some weeks. All that base I did in the winter is going to waste.
Hell of Ashdown: Weekend of May 2nd 2009
Myself with 4 others including my brother from St Albans and M went over to East Croydon to where one of the Pelotoners lives. From there we did a 70 miles loop in the Kent countryside from East Croydon to Lingfield and back basically following the Hell of Ashdown course.
After only about 10 miles we met another large group (Dulwich I think) and after being a bit mixed up for a few miles we separated and upon each going our own way we found ourselves with extra rider. At about 40 miles at Lingfield we Stopped for tea and sandwich. We discovered the interloper was out for the first time with the other group and hadn’t realized there were two clubs and by the time he had realized it was too late to try to find his own riders, so he ended up doing the 70 miles with us.
Towards the end of the loop is a big hill. By this point M and I had been hanging behind the group struggling for some time. We didn’t like the look of the 16% gradient sign and were advised by one of the other riders there was another way up the hill. M and I took the alternative route and met the others at the top of the hill. Whilst hey went straight up then rested we probably had to do another 2 miles of hill which still hurt, we might have been better off going up the steep route.
On the Bank Holiday Monday I was trashed with headache, tummy problems etc. Tuesday and Wednesday I struggled into the City for a training course at BPP financial training for the Securities Institute exams I am taking in June, not that I was ina fit state to learn anything. I just sat in the class trying to concentrate and suffering.
Thursday I got as far as the station and felt so bad I came home. I went to the doctors and diagnosed with a virus. He prescribed 7 day course of antibiotics for swollen glands and throat and ear infection.
It was quite handy going to the doctors as needed a repeat prescription for the drops I have recently been prescribed as I was diagnosed with Glaucoma which means that I need eye drops in my eyes for the rest of my life and I. I got the repeat prescription at the same time.
After only about 10 miles we met another large group (Dulwich I think) and after being a bit mixed up for a few miles we separated and upon each going our own way we found ourselves with extra rider. At about 40 miles at Lingfield we Stopped for tea and sandwich. We discovered the interloper was out for the first time with the other group and hadn’t realized there were two clubs and by the time he had realized it was too late to try to find his own riders, so he ended up doing the 70 miles with us.
Towards the end of the loop is a big hill. By this point M and I had been hanging behind the group struggling for some time. We didn’t like the look of the 16% gradient sign and were advised by one of the other riders there was another way up the hill. M and I took the alternative route and met the others at the top of the hill. Whilst hey went straight up then rested we probably had to do another 2 miles of hill which still hurt, we might have been better off going up the steep route.
On the Bank Holiday Monday I was trashed with headache, tummy problems etc. Tuesday and Wednesday I struggled into the City for a training course at BPP financial training for the Securities Institute exams I am taking in June, not that I was ina fit state to learn anything. I just sat in the class trying to concentrate and suffering.
Thursday I got as far as the station and felt so bad I came home. I went to the doctors and diagnosed with a virus. He prescribed 7 day course of antibiotics for swollen glands and throat and ear infection.
It was quite handy going to the doctors as needed a repeat prescription for the drops I have recently been prescribed as I was diagnosed with Glaucoma which means that I need eye drops in my eyes for the rest of my life and I. I got the repeat prescription at the same time.
Weekend April 24th & 25th 2009
Friday I was working from home. Late afternoon after I had finished work I jumped on my bike and did a very pleasant Box Hill run.
Saturday I went out to join the Dynamos in Richmond Park. I had not taken into account that they go out in the summer at 8:30 am so at just before 9:00 am I was cycling to the starting point when I cam across a peloton of Dynamos heading in the same direction. I jumped on the back. As we went passed the starting point (the crossraods at Sheen Gate) there was only three riders waiting? The group I was with didn’t stop but kept on moving and the three waiting riders jumped on the back. The pace was too fast for me and another guy. He and I dropped off the back and did the 4 laps together chatting. It turned out he was also an ex-oarsman from Twickenham Rowing Club and we must have been there in different squads at the same time. He also had a very interesting tale of the internet booking business he was COO for.
After the laps we stopped at the Café at Roehampton Gate with the other Dynamos for a tea before splitting up and I did another couple of laps then home.
Saturday I went out to join the Dynamos in Richmond Park. I had not taken into account that they go out in the summer at 8:30 am so at just before 9:00 am I was cycling to the starting point when I cam across a peloton of Dynamos heading in the same direction. I jumped on the back. As we went passed the starting point (the crossraods at Sheen Gate) there was only three riders waiting? The group I was with didn’t stop but kept on moving and the three waiting riders jumped on the back. The pace was too fast for me and another guy. He and I dropped off the back and did the 4 laps together chatting. It turned out he was also an ex-oarsman from Twickenham Rowing Club and we must have been there in different squads at the same time. He also had a very interesting tale of the internet booking business he was COO for.
After the laps we stopped at the Café at Roehampton Gate with the other Dynamos for a tea before splitting up and I did another couple of laps then home.
Friday, 24 April 2009
Guildford Peloton Etap Reccie Trip to Ventoux
There are 10 riders and one driver booked on the Whitsun Bank Holiday Guildford Peloton Etap Reccie Trip (11 riders now, just had a late response). The hotel and a van is booked, and I assume so are everyone’s flights. Local Picon distilleries and Pizzarias have been advised of the visit.
Judging by correspondence a number of groups are going to be in the area that weekend including GPM10/Cyclefit. The road up the Ventoux is going to busy.
I have circulated an email to all the associates of the Guildford Peloton. Things are hotting up on the organisation front. I have asked the usual questions of the participants, any dietary, medical or other requirements, passports and insurance details, next of kin and disabilities (last year another group in the same hotel incurred an fatality) which I need to advise the hotel of or need to be built into the logistics. No doubt there will be the usual nil return then everyone will tell me on the aircraft and expect me to have a photocopier etc to hand, but I might be plesantly surprised.
I have also asked for peoples entries and excuses and reasons as to they qualify for any of the following categories:
I have circulated an email to all the associates of the Guildford Peloton. Things are hotting up on the organisation front. I have asked the usual questions of the participants, any dietary, medical or other requirements, passports and insurance details, next of kin and disabilities (last year another group in the same hotel incurred an fatality) which I need to advise the hotel of or need to be built into the logistics. No doubt there will be the usual nil return then everyone will tell me on the aircraft and expect me to have a photocopier etc to hand, but I might be plesantly surprised.
I have also asked for peoples entries and excuses and reasons as to they qualify for any of the following categories:
- slowest rider
- best excuse
- most unfit
- best dressed (Rapha suits are banned both on the bike and at meals)
worst dressed (baggy lycra gives extra points) - most camp / only gay in the peloton
- most drug fuelled (Fishermans Friends don't count in this category, only the category above)
- worst steed
- flashest steed
- babe on a bike (not that we are sexist but only the two girls qualify for this unless there is something one of the boys has not told us?)
I have already had excuses like broken ribs, chest infections, athletes foot and late delivery of new bikes.
We will also include the usual Yellow Jersey, Polka Dot Jersey, and Green Jersey competitions. These are wide open this year with the absence of Lance Armstrong, Carlos Sastre, Nicole Cook and the Guildford Peloton Club Champion.
These competitons are all in the spirit of good club ribbing and humour and the organising committee will consider submissions on the flight out and will verify the result on the way home. Prizes will not be awarded, only titles.
*Usual rules apply to this trip, NO YFronts under your cycling shorts
April 24th - I have my Etap Number 3778
The numbers are now coming up on the Etap site thick and fast (go to the French site not the English to find your number, there is a search facility under "Inscriptions"). I suppose that is it, I am committed now.
A friend of mine sent me an email re training in the gym. Now I might not be doing things right but here is what I replied to him.
I went to the gym last night. Majority opinion here is not to train by wattage but to train by heart rate. Most people are looking to do at least two hour sessions (some are doing up to 4 hour sessions) at around 130 bpm with a cadence of 85-95 (that should burn you over 1000 calories). At the end of the session take a note of the wattage (machine usually summarises with avg power) and compare it to a previous session (taking into account how you felt on each).
Don't worry what other people are doing, what works for you?
Training in the gym is very boring so make sure you have a radio, TV or iPod to keep you entertained, and have at least one full bottle of water if not two.
If you go too hard in the first hour you will suffer badly in the second.
I did two hours last night in the gym (boy are those gym bike saddles uncomfortable), my first sesion for a while. I must admit my heart rate was up at 138 avg. The first hour my wattage was about 180 and the second hour I dropped the wattage to about 168 because I was suffering (that was level 8 then level 7).
I suggest you consider doing a spin class at the gym before your session to break up the boredom. When the spin class finishes then jump on the regular exercise bike and do a steady ride to complete the session.
I must admit that I did 5000 metres on the rowing machine before I started the 2 hours (so overall it was a 2 hour 21 minute session).
You might consider incorporating rowing into your fitness regime. The rowing machine is very complimentary in that rowing is a leg sport and oarsmen always perform well at cycling, but it is non-impact, strengthens the lower back and upper body without adding heavy muscle (I have read that cycling neglects these muscles and can lead to problems over time). You will need to get an oarsman (rather than a fitness instructor) to teach you how to row properly on the machine (there are some good instruction videos on youtube such as www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqVmMd7FdAA), set the resistance low (about level 3 or 4) then do sessions of 5,000-10,000 metres (20 to 45 minutes) at a rating (strokes per minute) of 20-22 (top right hand box on Concept II) and wear a heart rate monitor and keep the heart rate between 120-140 bpm. Don't try to race, just to get smoothness and posture. It may feel easy to start but you will be surprised how hard it gets after 10 minutes.
As for the Etap. Treat it like an adventure. If it is your first then trust me you will be back so your aim should only be to finish. If you achieve a silver or gold great but don't go looking for them because it will ruin it for yourself. The first 80 miles is hilly/undulating and will take a toll on you but you need to have something in the tank for the last 22km (which is going to be the hardest two hours of your life) but once you are on that last 20 Km there is no point in not making it. Look to enjoy it, don't ride too hard for the first 80 miles, and just stay ahead of the broom wagon (something I might find difficult this year).
The Etap is a memorable experience, there will always be people faster or slower that you no matter how fast or slow you are. 8000 people riding makes the roads very busy and if it is a nice day very much a party atmosphere.
Take into consideration that every 100 metres you climb the temperature drops 1 degree so climbing Ventoux the temperature will drop 15 degrees between to bottom and the top!
It seems to take over your life, doesn't it?
A friend of mine sent me an email re training in the gym. Now I might not be doing things right but here is what I replied to him.
I went to the gym last night. Majority opinion here is not to train by wattage but to train by heart rate. Most people are looking to do at least two hour sessions (some are doing up to 4 hour sessions) at around 130 bpm with a cadence of 85-95 (that should burn you over 1000 calories). At the end of the session take a note of the wattage (machine usually summarises with avg power) and compare it to a previous session (taking into account how you felt on each).
Don't worry what other people are doing, what works for you?
Training in the gym is very boring so make sure you have a radio, TV or iPod to keep you entertained, and have at least one full bottle of water if not two.
If you go too hard in the first hour you will suffer badly in the second.
I did two hours last night in the gym (boy are those gym bike saddles uncomfortable), my first sesion for a while. I must admit my heart rate was up at 138 avg. The first hour my wattage was about 180 and the second hour I dropped the wattage to about 168 because I was suffering (that was level 8 then level 7).
I suggest you consider doing a spin class at the gym before your session to break up the boredom. When the spin class finishes then jump on the regular exercise bike and do a steady ride to complete the session.
I must admit that I did 5000 metres on the rowing machine before I started the 2 hours (so overall it was a 2 hour 21 minute session).
You might consider incorporating rowing into your fitness regime. The rowing machine is very complimentary in that rowing is a leg sport and oarsmen always perform well at cycling, but it is non-impact, strengthens the lower back and upper body without adding heavy muscle (I have read that cycling neglects these muscles and can lead to problems over time). You will need to get an oarsman (rather than a fitness instructor) to teach you how to row properly on the machine (there are some good instruction videos on youtube such as www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqVmMd7FdAA), set the resistance low (about level 3 or 4) then do sessions of 5,000-10,000 metres (20 to 45 minutes) at a rating (strokes per minute) of 20-22 (top right hand box on Concept II) and wear a heart rate monitor and keep the heart rate between 120-140 bpm. Don't try to race, just to get smoothness and posture. It may feel easy to start but you will be surprised how hard it gets after 10 minutes.
As for the Etap. Treat it like an adventure. If it is your first then trust me you will be back so your aim should only be to finish. If you achieve a silver or gold great but don't go looking for them because it will ruin it for yourself. The first 80 miles is hilly/undulating and will take a toll on you but you need to have something in the tank for the last 22km (which is going to be the hardest two hours of your life) but once you are on that last 20 Km there is no point in not making it. Look to enjoy it, don't ride too hard for the first 80 miles, and just stay ahead of the broom wagon (something I might find difficult this year).
The Etap is a memorable experience, there will always be people faster or slower that you no matter how fast or slow you are. 8000 people riding makes the roads very busy and if it is a nice day very much a party atmosphere.
Take into consideration that every 100 metres you climb the temperature drops 1 degree so climbing Ventoux the temperature will drop 15 degrees between to bottom and the top!
It seems to take over your life, doesn't it?
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
April 21st 2009 Wot, no fitness?
I did manage two one hour sessions on the bike in the gym this week
Saturday the Guilford Peloton was riding out to Windsor. I couldn’t make it as I was on family duty.
As you will have gathered from my earlier posts it was my son’s birthday last week and as a present we gave him a Specialized Hardrock. He just fitted on the smallest adult size. During the week he had ridden around the block on it with his mother running behind but he hadn’t ridden it in anger. For this reason (and because it was sunny) we decided to take him to Richmond Park where there is a seven mile long cycling and walking track around the perimeter of the park (well, just inside the perimeter actually). I cycled to Ladderstile Gate whilst my wife and son went up in the car. We then rode our bikes on the track down towards Kingston Gate and all the way around (via Ham Gate, Richmond Gate and Sheen Gate) to the café at Roehampton Gate. We arrived at 10:15 AM just after the London Dynamos who had just finished their usual Saturday morning four laps of the park. There was some 70 or 80 of them all in the Dynamo kit drinking tea (despite being a member I didn’t have my kit on, I was wearing Corridori kit). We sat down with coffees and enjoyed the sunshine with them.
There was a plan in my madness. The Guildford Peloton was meeting here at 10:30 to start the Windsor ride. We got the opportunity to say hello to them before they set off. We then returned around the park to Ladderstile. All total my son did about 10 miles on the new bike so I deem that a success. The bike worked really well for him but I must say though, it was hard work cycling up Kingston Hill using only one hand whilst pushing my son uphill on his bike with the other!
Although I had those two sessions in the gym it made no difference to the pain I encountered getting home on Sunday. Sunday was bright and sunny but there was a cold wind. I met M in Thames Ditton and we cycled the 16 miles through Cobham to Shere to meet the rest of the Pelotooners. We had a steady ride to Shere via Cobham and arrived in plenty of time to get a coffee at the Duck whilst waiting for the others. Whilst waiting we got a text to say that there had been a delay with the trains and those arriving from Central London (via Guildford) were going to delay the peloton. As M and I were on a lunchtime curfew we decided not to wait and pressed on. We went out of Shere up to Peaslake, over to Abinger, up Leith Hill, to Coldharbour, Dorking and up Box Hill (we missed out Ranmore). As we went past the National Trust Tea Shop at the top of Box Hill we were suffering a bit. We parted further on with M heading back towards Leatherhead whilst I went on towards Walton on the Hill and Tadworth.
No sooner had we parted than I bonked. We had done 45 miles at this point and I had to stop for a gel and a drink. I then struggled painfully home the last 10 miles. It only goes to prove the old cyclist myth that you should never ride past without stopping at the National Trust Tea Shop at the top of Box Hill. In fact Big G confirmed that the same happened to him on Saturday when he tried to ride past without stopping.
I managed to get back home before curfew. I showered, bolted down some pasta and meat The Wife had prepared for me then rushed my son over to Tolworth where he was due to march up and down the High Street with the Beavers, Cubs abs Scouts for St Georges Day with a church service. Whilst he was in the church service (thankfully parents were not allowed to attend) I sat in a café holding my head (I was still recovering from the 55 miles) and drinking tea preparing for the next trial, my sons birthday bowling party for 20 nine year olds. Once the parade was over (actually I pulled him out of the parade before they reached the end as they were running late and I had to get him to the party on time) we rushed over to the bowling alley to meet his mates and bowl, followed by burgers and cake.
By the time I got home after the party I was fit for nothing, and he was as bad. My son and I lay on the bed and watched the recording I had made earlier of the Grand Prix. I picked Sebastian Vettel for my fantasy F1 team last year and he came of age, this year he is my main driver so I was pleased to see him win. Now all I have to do is engineer an introduction for him to my daughter so that I can get F1 tickets all the time. He is about the same age as her and he will be rich, and he has a nice smile, what more could she want?
Saturday the Guilford Peloton was riding out to Windsor. I couldn’t make it as I was on family duty.
As you will have gathered from my earlier posts it was my son’s birthday last week and as a present we gave him a Specialized Hardrock. He just fitted on the smallest adult size. During the week he had ridden around the block on it with his mother running behind but he hadn’t ridden it in anger. For this reason (and because it was sunny) we decided to take him to Richmond Park where there is a seven mile long cycling and walking track around the perimeter of the park (well, just inside the perimeter actually). I cycled to Ladderstile Gate whilst my wife and son went up in the car. We then rode our bikes on the track down towards Kingston Gate and all the way around (via Ham Gate, Richmond Gate and Sheen Gate) to the café at Roehampton Gate. We arrived at 10:15 AM just after the London Dynamos who had just finished their usual Saturday morning four laps of the park. There was some 70 or 80 of them all in the Dynamo kit drinking tea (despite being a member I didn’t have my kit on, I was wearing Corridori kit). We sat down with coffees and enjoyed the sunshine with them.
There was a plan in my madness. The Guildford Peloton was meeting here at 10:30 to start the Windsor ride. We got the opportunity to say hello to them before they set off. We then returned around the park to Ladderstile. All total my son did about 10 miles on the new bike so I deem that a success. The bike worked really well for him but I must say though, it was hard work cycling up Kingston Hill using only one hand whilst pushing my son uphill on his bike with the other!
Although I had those two sessions in the gym it made no difference to the pain I encountered getting home on Sunday. Sunday was bright and sunny but there was a cold wind. I met M in Thames Ditton and we cycled the 16 miles through Cobham to Shere to meet the rest of the Pelotooners. We had a steady ride to Shere via Cobham and arrived in plenty of time to get a coffee at the Duck whilst waiting for the others. Whilst waiting we got a text to say that there had been a delay with the trains and those arriving from Central London (via Guildford) were going to delay the peloton. As M and I were on a lunchtime curfew we decided not to wait and pressed on. We went out of Shere up to Peaslake, over to Abinger, up Leith Hill, to Coldharbour, Dorking and up Box Hill (we missed out Ranmore). As we went past the National Trust Tea Shop at the top of Box Hill we were suffering a bit. We parted further on with M heading back towards Leatherhead whilst I went on towards Walton on the Hill and Tadworth.
No sooner had we parted than I bonked. We had done 45 miles at this point and I had to stop for a gel and a drink. I then struggled painfully home the last 10 miles. It only goes to prove the old cyclist myth that you should never ride past without stopping at the National Trust Tea Shop at the top of Box Hill. In fact Big G confirmed that the same happened to him on Saturday when he tried to ride past without stopping.
I managed to get back home before curfew. I showered, bolted down some pasta and meat The Wife had prepared for me then rushed my son over to Tolworth where he was due to march up and down the High Street with the Beavers, Cubs abs Scouts for St Georges Day with a church service. Whilst he was in the church service (thankfully parents were not allowed to attend) I sat in a café holding my head (I was still recovering from the 55 miles) and drinking tea preparing for the next trial, my sons birthday bowling party for 20 nine year olds. Once the parade was over (actually I pulled him out of the parade before they reached the end as they were running late and I had to get him to the party on time) we rushed over to the bowling alley to meet his mates and bowl, followed by burgers and cake.
By the time I got home after the party I was fit for nothing, and he was as bad. My son and I lay on the bed and watched the recording I had made earlier of the Grand Prix. I picked Sebastian Vettel for my fantasy F1 team last year and he came of age, this year he is my main driver so I was pleased to see him win. Now all I have to do is engineer an introduction for him to my daughter so that I can get F1 tickets all the time. He is about the same age as her and he will be rich, and he has a nice smile, what more could she want?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)