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...

Exhaustion stops play

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.

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!

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!

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.