This week didn't exactly go to plan. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were a write off. I was exhausted every day. I found getting up a real struggle and in the evenings I couldn't manage much more than cycling home from work and flaking out on the sofa.
Was it last week catching up with me, was I coming down with a bug or was I just being a bit of a wimp? All three I think. Eitherway I couldn't face exercise. On Thursday and Friday I had evening engagements so I pretty much had five exercise free days.
Still, I think I made up for it on Saturday. I cycled over the Severn Bridge to meet my Dad in Caldicott before we cycled back to Newport for coffee and cake in Tesco then I headed back to Bristol on my own. On the whole it was a lovely, mostly flat 71 mile ride - and my longest of the year so far. Unfortunately my speedometer died with a few miles to go so I'm not sure how long it took. I'm guessing around 4 hours. The ride with Dad was at a fairly slow pace.
The profile around the Newport flats is, well, dead flat so it's a pleasure to ride. Lovely quiet lanes and barely a car in site. Saturday was a really bright sunny day too - although it was F-F-F-freezing! Note to self #1: three layers isn't enough in 3 degrees temperature!
My legs are dead today (Sunday) so no running until next week. Note to self #2: Must remember to stretch after long rides!
My bike was beginning to make a few unusual noises at the end of the ride so I think it's time to take it in for a strip-down service - yet more money to spend on bikes.
Plans for the ride haven't really progressed any further. I think I'm settled on my charity (Cancer Research) and my route. I'm investigating GPS and PDA units to save on map reading and I'm steadily keeping bike shops and online retailers in business by buying creams, tools and so on.
Sunday 31 January 2010
Saturday 23 January 2010
Candle burnt at both ends
A friend of mine has all but given up drinking in preparation for the Paris Marathon. I'm begining to think it's a good idea.
I went out on Friday and had too many drinks. Not an excessive amount but probably enough to classify me as a 'binge drinker', and definitely enough to dampen my enthusiasm for Saturday's cycling.
Beers and a late night, on top of a week of exercise and long hours in work left me feeling mentally exhausted on Saturday morning.
I only had myself to blame and I would have felt even more rotten if a hangover got in the way of a bike ride. So I fueled up with cereal, porrige and coffee and dragged my sleepy head out into the dank January air. Ten miles in and I began to feel a bit more like myself. I rode to Clevedon, back to Portishead, through Avonmouth to the old Severn Bridge, before stopping for some pics and making a slow ride back to Bristol. 48 miles today and another tick on the training calender - although it's a rather shaky-handed tick.
Elsewhere this week: I've been upgrading the second-hand Bob Jackson road bike I bought last weekend. A new stem and new pedals make it easier to ride and it's almost a perfect commuting bike. Do I singlespeed it? I haven't decided yet.
It's been a busy week of running and riding in the gym. Next week: must get more sleep!
Sunday 17 January 2010
What a contrast
This time last week Bristol was under several inches of snow and riding on anywhere other than main roads was near impossible. Seven days on the snow had melted and there was a glorious orange orb in the sky.
After several weeks in the gym it was good to get out on the bike. On Saturday I went for a long run and a short ride. I bought a new bike - a red Bob Jackson road bike with a triple chainset and a frame perfect for a single speed conversion - and took it on a few short laps of the city.
On Sunday I took my road bike out on a long ride to Cheddar. I was aiming for a 66-mile route but only managed 50 due to a slow puncture.
I rode out across the Suspension Bridge to Failand, Wraxall and Clevedon before heading south to Congresbury and Highbridge. Halfway through the ride I realised my jacket pocket was open and my fruit cake had fallen out of my pocket. With no food I had to stop at a petrol station in Highbridge. As I saddled back up, weighed down with Rice Krispie squares and sweets, I felt that all-too familiar clunk of metal, tyre and Tarmac. I had a puncture. I suspected it was a slow puncture so I took my chances, pumped it up then headed east back to Cheddar for dinner at Helen's parents. I just about got away with it. I had to pump up my tyre twice on the remaining 10 miles but I was saved the indignity of removing the wheel on the roadside and getting covered in dirt and grease.
So 50 miles through mostly flat Somerset countryside at a relaxed average of 18 miles an hour. I managed 35 miles on a big bowl of porridge before having to stop for food. It was a warm January day and I think I got my clothing just about right: overshoes, leggings, merino top, jersey, gilet, arm warmers and ear buff. I felt pretty good afterwards too.
Next time I try this route I'll leave myself a bit longer and hopefully manage the full route to Glastonbury - and with any chance there'll be a venison casserole waiting for me next time too!
After several weeks in the gym it was good to get out on the bike. On Saturday I went for a long run and a short ride. I bought a new bike - a red Bob Jackson road bike with a triple chainset and a frame perfect for a single speed conversion - and took it on a few short laps of the city.
On Sunday I took my road bike out on a long ride to Cheddar. I was aiming for a 66-mile route but only managed 50 due to a slow puncture.
I rode out across the Suspension Bridge to Failand, Wraxall and Clevedon before heading south to Congresbury and Highbridge. Halfway through the ride I realised my jacket pocket was open and my fruit cake had fallen out of my pocket. With no food I had to stop at a petrol station in Highbridge. As I saddled back up, weighed down with Rice Krispie squares and sweets, I felt that all-too familiar clunk of metal, tyre and Tarmac. I had a puncture. I suspected it was a slow puncture so I took my chances, pumped it up then headed east back to Cheddar for dinner at Helen's parents. I just about got away with it. I had to pump up my tyre twice on the remaining 10 miles but I was saved the indignity of removing the wheel on the roadside and getting covered in dirt and grease.
So 50 miles through mostly flat Somerset countryside at a relaxed average of 18 miles an hour. I managed 35 miles on a big bowl of porridge before having to stop for food. It was a warm January day and I think I got my clothing just about right: overshoes, leggings, merino top, jersey, gilet, arm warmers and ear buff. I felt pretty good afterwards too.
Next time I try this route I'll leave myself a bit longer and hopefully manage the full route to Glastonbury - and with any chance there'll be a venison casserole waiting for me next time too!
Thursday 14 January 2010
The start of training
January - the first two weeks...
I woke up on New years day at my friend's house feeling more than a little worse for wear but determined to get out on the bike. We managed 10 miles before I felt rather unwell.
I'd fallen a long way from riding 100 miles in October. I'd pretty much stopped riding long distances. 10 miles at the gym and the 3 mile commute to work was about all I'd managed during November and December. Boy it showed that day. A colossal hangover and some Christmas excess got my training off to a bad start.
It was freezing that day. Ice on the roads made cycling a little tricky. The temperature made knowing what to wear a little tricky. I went for a lot of layers and fleecy clothing. Overshoes, thick socks, leggings, shorts, four tops, a neck buff, ear warmers and two pairs of gloves - and I pretty much kept those layers on for most of January.
It snowed heavily in the first couple of weeks of January. I braved the cycle to work on my mountain bike and I managed one ride 30 mile ride on my road bike but otherwise I hit the gym. I did 10 or 15 miles several times a week and I also ran several times a week too (call me a glutton for punishment but I'm running a half marathon in March).
What I did do during this time was plan. I made a Gantt chart, a route plan, mapped each day out... and then made very anal lists of the hilly bits of and the roads to take.
I woke up on New years day at my friend's house feeling more than a little worse for wear but determined to get out on the bike. We managed 10 miles before I felt rather unwell.
I'd fallen a long way from riding 100 miles in October. I'd pretty much stopped riding long distances. 10 miles at the gym and the 3 mile commute to work was about all I'd managed during November and December. Boy it showed that day. A colossal hangover and some Christmas excess got my training off to a bad start.
It was freezing that day. Ice on the roads made cycling a little tricky. The temperature made knowing what to wear a little tricky. I went for a lot of layers and fleecy clothing. Overshoes, thick socks, leggings, shorts, four tops, a neck buff, ear warmers and two pairs of gloves - and I pretty much kept those layers on for most of January.
It snowed heavily in the first couple of weeks of January. I braved the cycle to work on my mountain bike and I managed one ride 30 mile ride on my road bike but otherwise I hit the gym. I did 10 or 15 miles several times a week and I also ran several times a week too (call me a glutton for punishment but I'm running a half marathon in March).
What I did do during this time was plan. I made a Gantt chart, a route plan, mapped each day out... and then made very anal lists of the hilly bits of and the roads to take.
What possessed me to do it
It was probably a little bit before new year's day when I decided to do it.
I told my family and friends before I fully realised quite what was involved. They got quite excited. Before I knew it everyone was asking all manner of questions and very quickly it became too late to back out. People were counting on me. Younger cousins were looking up at me as if to say "there is hope in the world."
So on new year's day I made it my resolution: to cycle from Lands End to John o'Groats. On my own. In nine days. Before June.
There were two reasons why it makes sense to do it this year. One: Helen, my girlfriend, is researching for a PhD. As long as she can pack enough books into our support vehicle (a trusty Volkswagen transporter van), she can work on the road. Or in cafes up and down the country. And for that, I am eternally grateful (and more importantly, happy to pay for our food, petrol and accommodation costs on my credit card).
And two: I'm currently working for Greater Bristol's Cycling City team. I work with a bunch of keen cyclists, sympathetic to this challenge. And I spend my time at work writing about cycling. It just seems to make sense to do this ride this year and somehow combine it with raising awareness of the project I'm working on.
The distance is one thing - or about 925 things to be precise - but it's the planning that's the hardest thing. Especially finding a route and finding places to stay.
As I've been preparing for this challenge I've found lots of detail about people who've ridden the journey in fourteen days. Or on a trike. Or camping. Or in a shade over 44 hours (Gethin Butler). But I haven't found anyone who's done in exactly the way I want to do it.
And here's how I want to do it:
- Riding over 100 miles a day for nine days.
- Stopping at Okehampton, Bristol, Shrewsbury, Preston, Gretna, Cumbernauld, Dalwhinne and Skibo Castle
- Alternating between staying in the back of a van and youth hostels or bed and breakfasts.
So I thought writing this might help others looking to do something similar...
I told my family and friends before I fully realised quite what was involved. They got quite excited. Before I knew it everyone was asking all manner of questions and very quickly it became too late to back out. People were counting on me. Younger cousins were looking up at me as if to say "there is hope in the world."
So on new year's day I made it my resolution: to cycle from Lands End to John o'Groats. On my own. In nine days. Before June.
There were two reasons why it makes sense to do it this year. One: Helen, my girlfriend, is researching for a PhD. As long as she can pack enough books into our support vehicle (a trusty Volkswagen transporter van), she can work on the road. Or in cafes up and down the country. And for that, I am eternally grateful (and more importantly, happy to pay for our food, petrol and accommodation costs on my credit card).
And two: I'm currently working for Greater Bristol's Cycling City team. I work with a bunch of keen cyclists, sympathetic to this challenge. And I spend my time at work writing about cycling. It just seems to make sense to do this ride this year and somehow combine it with raising awareness of the project I'm working on.
The distance is one thing - or about 925 things to be precise - but it's the planning that's the hardest thing. Especially finding a route and finding places to stay.
As I've been preparing for this challenge I've found lots of detail about people who've ridden the journey in fourteen days. Or on a trike. Or camping. Or in a shade over 44 hours (Gethin Butler). But I haven't found anyone who's done in exactly the way I want to do it.
And here's how I want to do it:
- Riding over 100 miles a day for nine days.
- Stopping at Okehampton, Bristol, Shrewsbury, Preston, Gretna, Cumbernauld, Dalwhinne and Skibo Castle
- Alternating between staying in the back of a van and youth hostels or bed and breakfasts.
So I thought writing this might help others looking to do something similar...
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