Forgot to blog this last week..... A windy evening in West Leak was not going to produce a 10 mile TT PB for me, what it did provide though was a good work out for just over half an hour, I judged my effort better than my previous attempt a month ago, but with the windy conditions I was still a hefty distance outside my PB and still too far away from a sub 30 min time, 31:01 on the night.
Distance = 32 miles
Time = 1 hrs 45 mins
Ave Speed = 18.1 mph
Top Speed = 33.0 mph
Hillometer = N/A
Max H/R = N/A
Ave H/R = N/A
Weather = Windy, Overcast, 12c
2011
Road Bike = 912.4
Single Speed = 38.5
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 995.3
Tuesday 31 May 2011
Riverside ride with the children
Took a nice easy ride along the Trent between Attenborough and Beeston Lock with the children this morning. Robert is improving his endurance steadily, the gaps between coughing fits and needing his inhaler are increasing. It seems nothing to me but I suppose 6.5 miles for a 9 year old who doesn't ride that often is quite a treck, still the ice cream at Attenborough was enough encouragement for both children to come out on a ride.
Distance = 6.62
2011
Road Bike = 880.4
Single Speed = 38.5
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 963.3
Distance = 6.62
2011
Road Bike = 880.4
Single Speed = 38.5
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 963.3
Monday 30 May 2011
Sunday 22 May 2011
Sunday 22 May - Newton Solney loop
Home alone this weekend so the opportunity to get out early for a shorter than usual ride (had to be home for 10). Headed towards Burton again as it was very windy this morning and I like the tailwind coming home!
For the first 10 miles I really struggled, I felt crap, the headwind was battering me, times like you wonder why you do it..... as my body got into it things got better, the headwind didn't drop but I was pushing into it now! By the time I'd reached the turning point with the westerly wind I was well into it and motoring along. I hit the top of Kings Lane and turned right for Newton Solney, I was flying! Times like that you know why you do it! There's nothing better for me than getting your head down with a tailwind, I was pushing 30 mph on the flat at times, did overcook it a little though heading up the slight drag from Borrowash to Risley, by the time I was through Breaston and Long Eaton I was running out of puff, still pulling 25mph though :)
Close to home I was passed by a certain Adam Bird, now I know Iv'e made progress because I didn't have any urge to push him off ;) I jest, all that is long gone now.
Today I rode for Angie x
Distance = 43.7 miles
Time = 5 hrs 45 mins
Ave Speed = 15.9 mph
Top Speed = 38.0 mph
Hillometer = 39.6 ft/mile
Max H/R = 186
Ave H/R = 151
Weather = Windy, Overcast/Sunny Spells, 12c
2011
Road Bike = 880.4
Single Speed = 31.9
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 956.7
For the first 10 miles I really struggled, I felt crap, the headwind was battering me, times like you wonder why you do it..... as my body got into it things got better, the headwind didn't drop but I was pushing into it now! By the time I'd reached the turning point with the westerly wind I was well into it and motoring along. I hit the top of Kings Lane and turned right for Newton Solney, I was flying! Times like that you know why you do it! There's nothing better for me than getting your head down with a tailwind, I was pushing 30 mph on the flat at times, did overcook it a little though heading up the slight drag from Borrowash to Risley, by the time I was through Breaston and Long Eaton I was running out of puff, still pulling 25mph though :)
Close to home I was passed by a certain Adam Bird, now I know Iv'e made progress because I didn't have any urge to push him off ;) I jest, all that is long gone now.
Today I rode for Angie x
Distance = 43.7 miles
Time = 5 hrs 45 mins
Ave Speed = 15.9 mph
Top Speed = 38.0 mph
Hillometer = 39.6 ft/mile
Max H/R = 186
Ave H/R = 151
Weather = Windy, Overcast/Sunny Spells, 12c
2011
Road Bike = 880.4
Single Speed = 31.9
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 956.7
Monday 16 May 2011
Monday 16th May - Burton Blast
First ride for a couple of weeks due to driving revision, and the only one I'll get until after my test next week (although I might squeeze a TT in next Tuesday). Took the 63 mile Burton Loop, out to Hilton via Weston on Trent and then across to Tutbury, before heading south to Barton under Needwood, that is where the windy conditions finally gave me some assistance, 33 miles in and finally a sniff of a tail wind.
The tailwind was most welcome but this ride unlike many other routes I do is actually hillier in the second half, still a decent time of 4 hours and 1 minute with an ave speed of 15.7mph wasn't bad considering the conditions. Pushed it reasonably hard today as I wanted a good work out given my inactivity, the legs and buttocks are definitely feeling it now, can't wait for the next one, but for now I must get back to my instructor revision in preparation for next Thursday.
Distance = 63.4 miles
Time = 4 hrs 01 mins
Ave Speed = 15.7 mph
Top Speed = 34.9 mph
Hillometer = 35.1 ft/mile
Max H/R = 186
Ave H/R = 160
Weather = Windy, Overcast, 16c
2011
Road Bike = 836.7
Single Speed = 31.9
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 913
The tailwind was most welcome but this ride unlike many other routes I do is actually hillier in the second half, still a decent time of 4 hours and 1 minute with an ave speed of 15.7mph wasn't bad considering the conditions. Pushed it reasonably hard today as I wanted a good work out given my inactivity, the legs and buttocks are definitely feeling it now, can't wait for the next one, but for now I must get back to my instructor revision in preparation for next Thursday.
Distance = 63.4 miles
Time = 4 hrs 01 mins
Ave Speed = 15.7 mph
Top Speed = 34.9 mph
Hillometer = 35.1 ft/mile
Max H/R = 186
Ave H/R = 160
Weather = Windy, Overcast, 16c
2011
Road Bike = 836.7
Single Speed = 31.9
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 913
Friday 13 May 2011
How things change
Yet again I have changed my mind about choice of car, not that that is a priority at the moment as I failed my first attempt at the final test today. Good feedback from the chief examiner should help me for next time though, and I'm getting straight back on.....I've booked my next next for just under two weeks time. I have a session booked with my instructor prior to the test to brush a few things up and also a friend of a friend has offered to give me a little help.
So I have just under two weeks to get myself ready, I'm also in need of a good bike ride, so Monday I'll be getting out there to get a few miles in after my two week lay off to concentrate on the driving, a couple of rides this week I reckon and then back to the driving in preparation for the 26th.
Anyway, back to the car, I'm now looking at the Corsa after giving into Mrs H's nagging, still fancy the DS3 though especially after the monthly price has come down by nearly £30 a month!
So I have just under two weeks to get myself ready, I'm also in need of a good bike ride, so Monday I'll be getting out there to get a few miles in after my two week lay off to concentrate on the driving, a couple of rides this week I reckon and then back to the driving in preparation for the 26th.
Anyway, back to the car, I'm now looking at the Corsa after giving into Mrs H's nagging, still fancy the DS3 though especially after the monthly price has come down by nearly £30 a month!
Friday 6 May 2011
Game plan coming together
Should I pass my test next week I have just about got my game plane together. After meeting with several franchisors I have come to a decision on which one I will be signing to and pending a test drive on Monday morning I have also made a decision on which vehicle I will be using.
My head has finally taken over the search for a car and although the Citroen DS3 is a very smart piece of kit which will no doubt pull a good few punters in I have to be aware of the costing side of things. As anyone in business will know you need to to be especially frugal in your first few years of setting up, so my head says a cheaper but just as capable car is needed.....
The Seat Ibiza sport coupe (3 door hatchback in anyone else's language) SE Ecomotive Copa 1.2tdi, built by VW (based on the Polo chassis) comes in £1500 cheaper than the DS3, is much more economical and feels much roomier inside. The road tax is free for life (until the government change their minds again) and my local Seat garage are also offering a much fairer valuation on my px. Seat are also offering a 7 -10 delivery, far more agreeable than the 6 -12 weeks offered by Citroen!
So bar a stunning quote coming in on the costs of a Fiesta 1.4 D Zetec and a poor test drive in the Seat it looks like the decision is made.
All this of course will be of no use if I don't get through the bloody test!
My head has finally taken over the search for a car and although the Citroen DS3 is a very smart piece of kit which will no doubt pull a good few punters in I have to be aware of the costing side of things. As anyone in business will know you need to to be especially frugal in your first few years of setting up, so my head says a cheaper but just as capable car is needed.....
The Seat Ibiza sport coupe (3 door hatchback in anyone else's language) SE Ecomotive Copa 1.2tdi, built by VW (based on the Polo chassis) comes in £1500 cheaper than the DS3, is much more economical and feels much roomier inside. The road tax is free for life (until the government change their minds again) and my local Seat garage are also offering a much fairer valuation on my px. Seat are also offering a 7 -10 delivery, far more agreeable than the 6 -12 weeks offered by Citroen!
So bar a stunning quote coming in on the costs of a Fiesta 1.4 D Zetec and a poor test drive in the Seat it looks like the decision is made.
All this of course will be of no use if I don't get through the bloody test!
Monday 2 May 2011
Monday 2 May Early blast to Belvoir
 |
| Belvoir Castle |
On to Belvoir (with a slight detour due to mapping a private road on the gps) things were begining to warm up after a bright but chilly start. Stopped near the castle for a brief photo shoot and snack before heading for home with that stiff wind now behind us. The route home is a little snakey through built up areas, but there is no 'scenic' route back to Beeston from east of Nottingham but this didn't detract from a fantastic ride.
The legs felt good today, definately my best ride of the year so far, got home after 71.6 miles and the legs still wanted to go, really impressed with how it went. Martin made good company too. Today by 0.2 miles was my longest of the year to date, this ride also took my weekly mileage to 170, a big week by my standards. Today courtesy of the tailwind and my TT mode ride home through Beeston I was Fabian Cancellara!
 | ||
| View over the Vale of Belvoir |
Distance = 71.6 miles
Time = 4 hrs 36 mins
Ave Speed = 15.5 mph
Top Speed = 34.6 mph
Hillometer =29.9 ft/mile
Max H/R =185
Ave H/R =138
Weather = Sunny, 14c
2011
Road Bike =773.3
Single Speed =31.9
Indoor = 44.4
Total Mileage = 849.6
*edited to include s/s trip to pub!
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