Monday 4th April

Headed out on the Hoar Cross loop of Burton today, a tougher ride then any I've had this year and the longest at 71 miles, my first over 100km this year.  That climb into Hanbury (Hanbury Hill) doesn't get any easier!  Was quite a brisk westerly wind out there today so I headed west for an easier second half......why does it never work out that way?  I didn't get full wind assistance until about 15 miles from home.

The ride out to Hoar Cross was pleasant and even into the wind I felt good, stopped at Hoar Cross for some 'fuel' and then headed for home, still feeling good.  I hit a low point at around 45 miles, legs felt weak on rolling terrain and the wind was swirling around all directions apart from behind "fucking wind" was the shout from a struggling rider.  After 50-55 miles the 'second wind' kicked in and I was in business, after 60 miles the wind decided to help me and I was cooking on wind generated power.

Today I was Sylvain Cavenel!



Distance = 71.4 miles
Time = 4 hrs 41 mins
Ave Speed = 15.2 mph
Top Speed = 38.2 mph
Hillometer = 35.8 ft/mile
Max H/R = 184 bpm
Ave H/R = 148 bpm

Weather = Overcast, Showers, 12c

2011
Road Bike = 561.2
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 624.7

Monday 28th March

Yesterday was the first time this year I actually felt like a cyclist of mediocre ability rather than just a fat bloke on a bike.  Went out to Hoby on one of my favourite routes, kept a good pace all the way around.  I'm now able to push harder for 3 hours and above and the heart rate is slowly coming down too, so fitness is at last showing signs of improving.

I'm still not going to get hung up on the science of things, that 'fad' ended after my second or third ride of the year, just get out there and do some quality miles is my motto.

It was not the lumpiest of rides but it was my longest of the year so far and definitely my quickest ride over 50 miles.

Route as below apart from I went to Long Lane (Sawley) via Wilne Lane (Draycott)




Distance = 61 miles
Time = 3 hrs 43 mins
Ave Speed = 16.4 mph
Top Speed = 41.6 mph
Hillometer = 32.6 ft/mile
Max H/R = 184 bpm
Ave H/R = 150 bpm

Weather = Sunny, 14c

2011
Road Bike = 489.8
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 553.3

Thursday 24th March

Another glorious day so I decided to get a couple of hours on the bike between shifts in Tescoland.  Went out to West Leake via Draycott for a couple of laps of the @beestoncc 10 TT circuit, got my head down and went as fast as I could for 2 hours, not as quick as I'm capable of when fitter but it certainly blew a few cobwebs away.  Was pleasing to get 17mph ave speed out of the ride.  Must have been inspired by this mornings Jens Voigt facts on Twitter as today I was the man himself, Jens Voigt! (I wish)

Distance = 36.3 miles
Time = 2 hrs 08 mins
Ave Speed = 17 mph
Top Speed = 33 mph
Hillometer = N/A ft/mile

Weather = Sunny, 13c

2011
Road Bike = 428.8
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 492.3

Weather for a fettle

Nice weather means two things, ride your bike or get all the cleaning gear out and do some maintenance in the back yard.  So it was time for the later today, lovely weather, sun on my back, the road bike got a good clean and the SS had its puncture problems solved (still ongoing from when I brought it and the previous idiot owner not putting the right rim tape on the wheels).  There's nothing like a good fettle, resolving those little issues and getting jobs done really does put a smile on my face.

Monday 21st March 2011 - Springs here!

At last!  A ride that felt like a ride, legs felt as though they had had a workout by the time I got home.  The mudguards have gone, the shorts were on and the sun was out, this is what its all about.

Did a 'lumpy' route yesterday bringing in a few hills including Heath Lane near Ashby, took my time with it and made it to the top with little trouble, I finally feel as though I'm returning to some kind of fitness.

Time on the bike is still going to be limited for the next few months and if I'm honest this years target is already a no go so I'm just going to enjoy what time I do have as much as I can whilst still making an effort to get out at least once a week.




Distance = 50.8 miles
Time = 3 hrs 27 mins
Ave Speed = 14.7 mph
Top Speed = 36.9 mph
Hillometer = 40.1 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny, 13c

2011
Road Bike = 392.5
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 456

Sunday 6th March Beeston CC Social Ride

@beestoncc 's social ride yesterday morning was harder work for me than it should have been, anything bigger than a bridge had me struggling, I just wasn't in the game at all!  As usual it was a pleasant ride in good company with club members, had to feel for Greg M though, withon a couple of miles he suffered a double puncture, he was so close to home he understandably headed home, such bad luck.

The rest of us headed on though and took a very pleasant and steady ride to Staunton Harold tea rooms through north Liecestershire's scenic countryside and then back home to Beeston.




Distance = 46.8 miles
Time = 3 hrs 19 mins
Ave Speed = 14.1 mph
Top Speed = 37.8 mph
Hillometer = 36.1 ft/mile

Weather = Overcast, 3c

2011
Road Bike = 341.7
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 405.2