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!)...