Comical calorie count

A 70 miler from Bridgend to Bristol yesterday and I cannot stop eating right now. 3300 calories burnt and half a snickers, a Dime bar and a small Toblerone saw me through it. In hindsight that was nowhere near enough!

Since I last wrote I've been on a couple of BIG runs and rides, as well as regular small efforts. I put in two 11 mile training runs for next Sunday's half marathon and three rides to Cheddar (twice) and the above-mentioned ride back from Wales.

My first ride to Cheddar took me out from Bristol on a 60 mile loop to Keynsham, through the lanes to Farrington Gurney, down through the Gorge into Cheddar and then back to Bristol via Shipham hill, Congresbury and Belmont Hill. A hilly 60 mile workout. It was nice to take a new route for once. Keynsham's a bit of a hassle though - there must be an easier passage than through the town centre!

The following Wednesday I took half day from work and rode out to Clevedon, Congresbury and Cheddar. I got to Helen's parents house at 3.30pm, dropped off my backpack and went back out to Blagdon lake and back into Cheddar through the Gorge again. That 5 mile descent through the Gorge is fast becoming my favourite place to ride. On the contrary, the evil climb into Shipham never gets any easier.

Wednesday's ride was pretty wet but I did see the most amazing rainbow. The foot of it was less than 200m away from me in a field next to Blagdon lake. I almost jumped off the bike to dig up that pot of gold! Most of my riding has been in fair or sunny weather so it was good to practice in the wet, although I didn't think so at the time!

This Saturday Helen and I drove to Bridgend to pick up some furniture from my Nan. We met her at her spiritual home (Castle Bingo) where they do giant fried breakfasts. I ate mine and finished off Helen's too. Then I rode back home via Cardiff and Newport. After battling the city centre traffic in Cardiff it was a really nice journey home. After Newport I took Sustrans NCN route 4 which was quiet and flat but I missed a signpost and ended up riding half a mile down on a mud track near Caldicott. Prior to that my tyre split and I punctured so I was prayed the mud track wouldn't cause another.

The Castle Bingo breakfast kept me going for 50 miles or so but I didn't have any other food with me. I stopped at a garage after 55 miles and ate a Dime Bar and Toblerone and drank a bottle of Lucozade but by then it was a bit too late. I didn't fully realise how hungry and tired I was until I got home. I ate like a horse and I was pretty grouchy in the evening. I wasn't much company for Helen. I've been reading recently that eating something small every hour is a good idea. I guess it will help my recovery, even if I'm not hungry at the time.

So the cheque book will be coming out again this week to buy a rear tyre and sort out the sluggish feeling that my bike has on hills (it's either the rider or the bike and I'm convinced it's the bike at the moment - something with the freewheel or the bottom bracket I think). I also need to start buying a few things for my journey. I've got my eye on: a turbo trainer, an extra pair of shorts (3/4 length?), a bag for the crossbar (to hold maps, etc), a spare computer and a chain tool.

By the way, I've been meaning to write this for a while. I normally take an iPod with me to listen to music when I ride (one ear only though - safety first kids!). Recently I've been picking my 'song of the ride'. It's generally the song that puts a smile on my face or helps to get me to the top of a hill.

So without further ado, my songs of the past fortnight have been Descendents - I'm Not A Loser and Tubelord - He Awoke on a Bench in Abergavenny.

Next week is that half marathon so there'll be no big cycle rides for the next seven days. I might treat myself to the static bike in the gym though (oh joy!)...

A good week

First of all, two things I forgot to mention in last week's post.

I decided to do the ride for Cancer Research, specifically to pay for nursing care for people receiving treatment. I know two people who've died from cancer, two who've recovered and one who currently has cancer. It would be great if you could donate. My charity page is available at: http://myprojects.cancerresearchuk.org/group-giving/ben-hillsdon-rides-lejog-to-fight-cancer

I've been thinking about how to navigate the route. My Dad suggested getting a GPS unit. At first I wasn't keen but the thought of taking a wrong turn or stopping every five miles to check a map doesn't sound great. And trying to navigate whilst being tired after 90+ miles of riding could be tricky. So I took a look at some units. The Garmen 705 costs about 300 notes, which I can't really justify. I have found a company that rents them, but only for a minimum of three months, and at a cost of £75. The website is here: http://www.cyclepowermeters.com/garmin-705-edge-hr-rental-494-p.asp

In terms of this week things have gone well. Training has been good, despite having a bit of a cold, and I've bought some useful things. Vitamin C and echinacea tablets have helped limit my cold to just a snotty nose and slight cough.

During the week I went on two runs and have ridden twice on the static bike in the gym. This weekend we drove out to Frome and I cycled back from there. I'm not sure exactly which way I went but I passed through Melksham, Corsham, Box, Bath and back into Bristol along the cycle paths. I didn't map the route before hand, I just followed road signs for towns that I wanted to pass through. The ride was 49 miles and it would have been longer had I not wanted to get back for the Six Nations Wales - Scotland match. I felt good when I got home too, strong enough to do another 30 or so miles at least.

I thought the picture was fairly fitting for a weekend of Six Nations rugby.



Yesterday I rode with time trial bars for the first time, which I bought from Dave Hinde Cycles this week (a £40 bargain!). They seemed to add about two miles an hour to my speed, which surprised me - I didn't think they'd make that much of a difference.

I started the ride feeling pretty hungry, which I must avoid in future. I just felt a bit slow and sluggish. After 20 miles I stopped at a petrol station for a Mars Bar and an excellent bag of penny sweets, which I demolished pretty rapidly. It was a BP petrol station somewhere near Melksham - note to self, stop there in future!

The other thing I bought was a free box of Zipvit powders and vitamins (I had to pay for postage). It seems like really good value, although I'm yet to try any of them. http://www.zipvit.com/cgi-bin/vitcart1.pl?success&cart=cart9763c02¤cy=&F46=1

Anyway, time to go I think. I need to go for a long run before it gets dark...

The green, green grass of home

Home for my first 23 years was South Wales. The Vale of Glamorgan until I was 18, followed by Swansea for another five years. I think the countryside of the Vale is pretty unique. Rolling hills, woods, green fields. Coming back five years later it was great to ride through lanes and along roads I'd only travelled along in a car.

As a teenager I didn't do much riding further than a 10 mile circuit from my house. This weekend I went home and got the chance to get out on my bike. I rode from Penarth in a 31 mile ride to pick up a car at the Coed y Mwstwr hotel near Bridgend. The route went through the lanes between Dinas Powys and Wenvoe then crossed the A48 to Welsh St Donats.



The ride itself was at a fairly slow pace but it was a decent hill workout and a good chance to get out in the sunshine. 31 miles with hopefully more to follow tomorrow. Next time I write I'll also mention details of my GPS investigations and my Cancer Research page...