From the chicken shed

Back at home in the chicken shed (bantams to be precise) we have had a broody hen sitting on eggs for the last 23 days and today was the day they decided to break free from their shells, as I write one is still in there but we can here it chirping from inside. Just wanted to share the photo's.

Time for another (overdue) catch up

Not a lot apart from sowing seeds and watering has been done for the last 4 or 5 weeks since the last blog. The hard work is done, just weeding, weeding, watering and weeding really right now. Lots of young seedlings and plants in the greenhouse which will go out in a couple of weeks when I return from holiday.

Did put some young brasica's out a couple of weeks ago unprotected, and guess what, the birds had a feast, so seeds sowed again, netting purchased and I'll try again in a couple of weeks, all part of the learning curve I suppose.

Also disappointed with my rhubarb as it spectacularly bolted and went to seed so looks like no rhubarb this year, oh well, two young crowns sown and also a packet of seed sown so plenty of rhubarb in the future.



You can begin to see that things are coming along now, slabs and sleepers obtained from family members are being put to good use, potatoes are coming through and the onioins and garlic are really pushing on, what can not be seen in these pics are the young seedlings pushing through.

Sunday 23rd May *Road*

Up at 5 for a 6am start, met Ian from Beeston CC at 6am for a 70 mile ride down to Scraptoft and back. By half 6 we could already feel the suns heat on us, it was a good move heading out so early, it was going to be a hot one today. Ride went well, had a quick drinks stop at Scraptoft almost half way round before getting on again homeward bound.

At around 55 miles I began to tire a little, over 200 miles in a week were taking their effect, pushed for home though and completed an excellent week of 220 miles.

This ride is up there with the best I've done, scenery, company and cracking weather made this one one to remember.

View Route

Distance = 69.6 miles
Time = 4 hrs 19 mins
Ave Speed = 16.1 mph
Top Speed = 35.9 mph
Hillometer = 30.4 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny, 24c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 1363.5
Total Mileage = 1452.7

Friday 21st May 2010 *Road*

Took a more leisurely approach to the Hilly course this week with an extra mile thrown in just to get this weeks mileage up to 150. Felt good on Cloves and Drum and back at home now feeling as if i could go again :)



Distance = 31.2 miles
Time = 2 hrs 3 mins
Ave Speed = 15.1 mph
Top Speed = 37.3 mph
Hillometer = 39.0 ft/mile

Weather = Overcast/Sunny Spells, 24c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 1293.9
Total Mileage = 1383.1

Wednesday 19th May *Road*

Did a variant of my Hilton - Etwall route but with a few lumps in the first 15 miles through Kegworth and Melbourne, first hour was 14.2 mph ave, the target was 16.8mph as I was aiming for a 50 mile PB, second hour went better, the ave speed was up to 16.5mph for the two hours and things were looking as if it was back on. Head down for a TT style ride home averaging over 21mph, including a scary moment when some daft old bag in a Freelander pulled across the road in front of me! The 50 mile mark came at 1hr 49 mins and 39 secs, over 6 mins off my PB and in total I covered 52.7 miles in 2hrs 59 mins so I pushed my 3 hr distance record up as well.

I found turning with a higher cadence much better especially when the upper legs began to ache, I have been trying to keep a higher cadence since coming back into cycling but as with most things standards slip over time, but today was a concentrated effort on the cadence and it paid dividends, a good personal reminder.



Distance = 52.7 miles
Time = 2 hrs 59 mins
Ave Speed = 17.6 mph
Top Speed = 37.6 mph
Hillometer = 12.7 ft/mile

Weather = Overcast, 18c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 1262.7
Total Mileage = 1351.9

Monday 17th May *Road*

A hilly 67 miles into Ashbourne and back proved a tougher challenge than I anticipated, superb ride even though it left me a little drained towards the end.

The route is based on one featured in Cycling Plus last month and it was a cracking route, lovely quiet Derbyshire lanes all the way from Kedleston Park to Ashbourne and vice versa. One part of the route between Osmaston and Shirley was marked as bridleway so this was approached with caution, dropping down into Osmaston Park was OK up to the water mill (pic below) but the rise up from that was not passable on a road machine, and I very much doubt a crosser would make it either, so a short walk it was, this didn't spoil the ride though although next time a diversion will be in place.

At 79.8 ft/mile this is by far the hilliest distance ride I have done and is good preparation for the c2c, as said it began to hurt a little towards the end of the ride but that didn't stop me grinding my way up Drum Hill :)

Kedleston Park

Kedleston Hall

Osmaston

Stats

Distance = 66.4 miles
Time = 4 hrs 37 mins
Ave Speed = 14.3 mph
Top Speed = 37.7 mph
Hillometer = 79.8 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny Spells, 12c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 1210.0
Total Mileage = 1299.2

Friday 14th May *Road*

Went out to attack the hilly course, didn't attack as much as I intended or would have liked but did go quite well, 1:52:34 a full six minutes plus off my previous best time. Legs felt a little stiff at the beginning, I think if I was a little rested prior to this I could take a few more minutes off the time.
I think the unofficial club record for the hilly route is around 1hrs 30m, my route is 2.5 miles longer with 2 small extra hills to get me home so I reckon 7 or 8 minutes could come off my time to compare it against club times. I'd like to get my time for my route down to 1hr 45m, if I can do that I'll be chuffed.



Distance = 30.1 miles
Time = 1 hrs 53 mins
Ave Speed = 15.9 mph
Top Speed = 38.3 mph
Hillometer = 39.0 ft/mile

Weather = Overcast, 12c

2010
MTB = 89.2 *15/5/10 edited to add allotment commute
Road Bike = 1143.6
Total Mileage = 1232.8

Thursday 13th May *Road*

Took Charlie of Beeston CC out for a spin today, he preferred that flatter route of the options I gave him so we headed out on the 43 miles round North Leics. Ride was a more 'sociable' pace than my solo efforts of late but still a very respectable 15.5 mph. It was nice to sit up a little more than usual and appreciate the lanes of Leicestershire.

Quick spin round the 'Hilly' course tomorrow to keep the weekly mileage on track as a Birthday weekend for my son keeps me off the bike this weekend.

Topped last years total mileage already on the way to my target of 5000 miles this year.



Distance = 43.7 miles
Time = 2 hrs 44 mins
Ave Speed = 15.9 mph
Top Speed = 31.2 mph
Hillometer = 24.4 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = n/a
Heart Rate Ave = n/a
Weather = Sunny Spells/Showers, 10c

2010
MTB = 85.1
Road Bike = 1113.5
Total Mileage = 1198.6

Tuesday 11th May *Road*

Extended my 43 North Leics route to include a beautiful little village by the name of Hoby, and yes it was worth it, by the time your through and clear of Hoby your not far from Melton Mowbray, the route home brings you through Old Dalby, cracking descents are had after crossing the A46 before Hoby and just on the 30 mile mark as you approach Old Dalby.

Lovely scenic ride around North Leicestershire, well recommended.



I pushed myself today to get the 50 miles in under 3 hours which I did (3:56:00), the legs are feeling shot now though. Really pleased to go over 50 miles at an ave speed of 16.9mph, top speed of 49.2mph was scary though :)



Distance = 56.7 miles
Time = 3 hrs 20 mins
Ave Speed = 16.9 mph
Top Speed = 49.2 mph
Hillometer = 33.7 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = 155
Heart Rate Ave = 115
Weather = Sunny Spells, 10c

2010
MTB = 85.1
Road Bike = 1069.8
Total Mileage = 1154.9

Sunday 9th May *Road*

Beeston CC's Club Social Ride, my first one with the club and what a pleasure, thanks to John McCay for organising the ride and the lovely weather. The route is mainly on roads I cover on my various jaunts out although I did find a lovely new lane after Belton which I shall be using again soon.

The half way cake stop at Staunton Harold was nice, lovely piece of coconut cake went down a treat with the coffee and off we went again homeward bound. A steady pace and good conversation made it all a very sociable experience.

Few Pics of the BCC Crew

Distance = 51.2 miles
Time = 3 hrs 23 mins
Ave Speed = 15.1 mph
Top Speed = 39.7 mph
Hillometer = 35.0 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = n/a
Heart Rate Ave = n/a
Weather = Sunny Spells, 13c

2010
MTB = 85.1
Road Bike = 1013.1
Total Mileage = 1098.2

Friday 7th May *Road*

44 miles, 2 punctures and a shocking headwind today saw me come home a little dis heartened with this game, but hey hoy we all have bad days in the office, and I'll put this down to one of them.

Followed the same route as last week round North Leics.



Distance = 43.9 miles
Time = 2 hrs 41 mins
Ave Speed = 16.3 mph
Top Speed = 33.9 mph
Hillometer = 24.4 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = 158
Heart Rate Ave = 113
Weather = Overcast/Sunny Spells, 12c

2010
MTB = 85.1 *
Road Bike = 961.9
Total Mileage = 1047.0

* = 5 miles added from allotment commute

Monday 3rd May *Road*

Took Holly Lane on for the first time today and succeeded, bloody hard though, toughest challenge yet since been back on the bike. As I hit the top of Holly Lane the heavens opened and drenched me for most of the ride home, didn't dampen my spirits though after defeating one of the local 'beasts'

49 mile ride in total, I'm already loving the satmap, it's getting me onto unknown roads and further afield, it's great even though it died near the end of todays ride, my fault for not cherging it and leaving the backlight on 100% for 4 hours.

Stats for today's hilly effort (minus the last 4 miles)

Distance = 49.0 miles
Time = 3 hrs 29 mins
Ave Speed = 14.0 mph
Top Speed = 35.5 mph
Hillometer = 78.7 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = 173
Heart Rate Ave = 120
Weather = Overcast/Rain, 8c

2010
MTB = 80.1
Road Bike = 918.0
Total Mileage = 998.1