Sunday 20th Feb

Took a late decision to have a ride out yesterday, so came home in the dark, not something I want to make a habit of, as when there was no 'dry line' on Long Lane from Kegworth it was quite easy to loose the edge of the road in my front lights beam.

Was a very nice ride albeit very cold, felt much stronger today and pushed it quite a bit.  First ride this year over 15mph ave speed.  Felt strong all of the way except for the last mile.

Followed this route but added a loop of Draycott on the way out to Long Lane.




Distance = 47.5 miles
Time = 3 hrs 05 mins
Ave Speed = 15.4 mph
Top Speed = 32.8 mph
Hillometer = 23.4 ft/mile

Weather = Overcast, 4c

2011
Road Bike = 294.9
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 358.4

Azizulhasni Awang = NAILS

In the spirit of cyclists who are NAILS we now have Azizulhasni Awang who after coming of his bike last night and impalling his leg with a shard of wood from the track only went and got back on it with said 'splinter' still in his leg to finish third and claim a bronze medal!

Full story on the BBC here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/9402907.stm

Monday 14th February

Rode out to Etwall and back on familiar roads, added a couple of sections to the ride shown below to stretch it out to 55 miles.

Still feel slow, unfit and overweight, but am managing to get round a 50 miler without too much trouble.  Ave HR of 154 so well out of zone 2 still, but for now I'm follwing the advice of "Just ride your bike lot's".  In comparison to this time last year I'm slower and my HR is higher, so it doesn't take much to work out I'm in worse shape than I was 12 months ago, not suprising really with the last 6 months I've had.

Saw one of the Team Raleigh boys near Willington on a training ride, looked like it was Liam Holohan

Todays ride based on this route, on the way back I went from Willington to Repton and Ingleby and then from Aston on Trent to Elvaston and then back towards Long Eaton.





Distance = 55 miles
Time = 3 hrs 43 mins
Ave Speed = 14.8 mph
Top Speed = 34.3
Hillometer = 33.6 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny, 7c

2011
Road Bike = 247.4
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 310.9

Tour de Loughborough - Tuesday 8th February

Legs felt a little weary still from Sunday, the first 22 mles to the top of Beacon Hill (Leicestershires highest point) were hard going, more so than they should have been, after that though the route leveled out and of course dropped back down to starting height and the following 29 miles were pretty easy going.

Still lacking in fitness, you can really feel it on a bike, especially when riding familiar roads.  Didin't do any 'zone' stuff today, just wanted to ride the bike, and with a 156 ave today I'm glad I wasn't on a zone 2 ride, I'd have been out all day!





Distance = 51.2 miles
Time = 3 hrs 36 mins
Ave Speed = 14.2
Top Speed = 39.3
Hillometer = 39.3 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny, 4c

2011
Road Bike = 192.4
Single Speed =19.1
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 255.9

*Edited for pub commute

BCC Social Ride - Sunday 6th Feb

Headed out with Beeston CC today on the social ride, a steady 35 ride with a coffee stop. Well it would have been steady were it not for the 40 mph winds buffeting the midlands today. Despite the wind I added a loop onto the end of the ride to make up 50 miles. Not riden for a few weeks but felt suprisingly good.

Route based on this





Distance = 51.2 miles
Time = 3 hrs 54 mins
Ave Speed = 13.1
Top Speed = 31.8
Hillometer = 20.5 ft/mile

Weather = Overcast & Windy, 13c

2011
Road Bike = 141.2
Single Speed =13.6
Indoor =44.4
Total Mileage = 199.2