Back in the saddle

After our holiday in the states, I needed to do the club easy ride to Buntingford to get me going again. 15 miles going out in 75 mins, a nice cafe stop and then I went ahead of the group as I had to get home. It was slightly windy and I could tell I hadn't cycled for 3 weeks as I was under 15 mph ave on the return leg, but it got the blood circulating again.

Ride Around London

While away on holiday, I finally signed up for the ride around london challenge which is a 115 mile route starting in south london at Herne Hill Velodrome before heading south west to get out, then up the west side to the Chilterns before going over through Hertfordshire and to the Lee Valley olympic park which is only a few miles from home. So I should be able to get home at the end, and if I can't, it's not too far to be picked up. So I need to do this to get back to match fitness after a holiday in the states and to do one final big challenge before the winter months. I have cycled 110 miles in a day, and did it again three days later after a cycling weekend in Normandy in may this year, so unless the weather is horrible, it should be achievable, but it will take all day and at the moment I am entering on my own.

Normandy 2011

Tubby T 100 miles

With less than a week to go before I cycle to Portsmouth (113 miles) for a weekend in France and a cycle back, I needed to get some miles in. The club ride was from Thaxted, so Paul suggested a group to cycle to Thaxted (25 miles each way) making it a 100 miles day. All was well setting off from War at 7:45, though by the time we reached Takely, we realised we were going to be late, so we upped the pace significantly and arrived at 9:40 to join the club ride to Tubby T. Thirty miles and 2 hours later we arrived at the Cafe which is just down the road from a prison, so there was a rare mix of clientele. Cyclists, bikers, prison guards and visitors. We headed back and managed to avoid any showers. Just before Thaxted the group split in two with 9 of us forming a breakaway and missing the route JOhn F was leading us on. I was beginning to feel the miles by now, but after 5 mins the six of us headed for home, leaving those behind who were driving back. I was ok until we reached Bisphop Stortford when I really began to suffer, so after climbing out to Tye Green I suggested a stop at Perry Green where we had a refreshing coca cola and 15 mins off the bike. The last bit home was slow but on familiar roads, and we got home just before six pm after just under 8 hours in the saddle. Shattered. I had an early night and slept soundly, waking up to find my arms were a little sunburnt (I had completely forgotten to use sun cream). My legs were ok, but I was tired most of the day. Roll on friday.

link to the route

Back on the bike

Couldn't go on the sunday club run this week, but I was able to nip out for a quick 15 mile loop yesterday - taking just over an hour door to door to go up to Standon, across to the old A10 and back home. Had to be careful becuase on the two narrow places on the lanes I came across two cars going fast towards me. Still I went 10-15 mins faster than the same route last year, which is great. Also it was the first time for a month that I felt ok before I went out. The only downside was that I was very tired later on so had an early night. Must go to the gym at work like last year.

Paris to Geneva?

I need to decide whether to do Paris to geneva this year and sign up. Thinking of raising money for cancer research as one of my friends from UEA is in recovery from stage four throat cancer. Bit of a shock that.

Tme trial

It was t'he first time trial of the year, 72" restricted gear 10 mile circuit at cole green. I did it last year too, my very first race. This year it was my first time on a bike after 4 weeks off - a cough and a cold that turned into a cheery cough that needed ten days of anti-biotics - so I wasn't at my best. So I did it in 33.38 mins, 2 1/2 mins faster than last year! Still was the slowest man but it's still progress. Tony joked I would be faster if I didn't wobble all over the place...
I set off on the club run afterwards but turned home with Tony after 15 mins. I was quite tired and didn't fancy a 40 mile ride. Going to send my entry for the Stevenage start of summertime ride tomorrow.