Tuesday 31 January

The freezing temperature and threat of snow saw me sticking to main roads mainly today so I took a new route out to north Notts and Southwell then back round the west side of Nottinham.  Bloody cold and sleet falling for the first half of the ride, even saw a little snow in Blidworth, this was easily the worst I've ridden in since returning to the bike.  Once in Southwell though things brightened up a little and the ride home was a little more pleasant.  Testing conditions though and pleased to have done it.




Distance = 95.8 km
Time = 3 hrs 45 mins
Ave Speed = 25.5 kph
Ascent = 764 (m/km = 8)

2012
Road Bike = 509.3 km
Indoor = 263.5 km
Ran = 55 km
Total = 827.8 km

Monday 30 January

Tour de Loughborough in reverse, lovely ride, pushed it a little today, not much as I could feel the hamstring when I did, but it felt nice to be pushing again, hopefully soon I can start giving it some.  There's something good about getting home knowing and feeling that you have given it your all on the ride.

Distance = 73 km
Time = 2 hrs 48 mins
Ave Speed = 26.1 kph
Ascent = 582 (m/km = 8)

2012
Road Bike = 413.5 km
Indoor = 119.5 km
Ran = 24 km
Total = 557 km

Sunday 22 January

Just a short couple of hours today before the family got up and a good fry up.  Did the training loops of S Bonington and E&W Leake.  Windy and tough at times.

Distance = 51.2 km
Time = 2 hrs 0 mins
Ave Speed = 25.7 kph
Ascent = 283 (m/km = 5.5)

2012
Road Bike = 340.5 km
Indoor = 119.5 km
Ran = 24 km
Total = 484 km

Pissing in the wind

Seems teams sky's editor maybe be pissing in the wind with his editorial efforts of blanking out the sign posts by Cav's head so we don't know where they are but failing to remove the guy 'watering' the undergrowth

Feck me it's the Gorrilla

Andre Greipel looking pretty ripped here on his way to another stage win in the TDU yesterday, man is he in shape this year or what.  Shame about the silly gurning competition he seems to think he's in though.....

Wednesday 18 January Six Hills loop

Another steady winter ride on a warmer but damper day, and believe it or not today was the first time this winter that the bike actually got dirty!  Went out to Six Hills via an old favourite of mine Berrycott Lane.  Same pace as other rides this week, those into 'training' would call these base miles I suppose.

Route as below but included a slight detour into Seagrave and up Berrycott Lane to Six Hills



Distance = 71.0 km
Time = 2 hrs 52 mins
Ave Speed = 24.6 kph
Ascent = 533 (m/km = 7.5)

2012
Road Bike = 289.3 km

Indoor = 29.3 km
Ran = 11.6 km
Total = 330.2 km

Tuesday 17 January Etwall loop

After a 3 mile run back from dropping the car off for a service I took another steady ride out in the cold, felt colder today then yesterday.  Took one of my old faithful routes out to Repton, Etwall, Hilton and home via Swarkestone and Aston on Trent.  Nursed the hamstring after twinging it a little in my earlier run.

Route as below but without the Elvaston section




Distance = 74.5 km
Time = 2 hrs 59 mins
Ave Speed = 24.9 kph
Ascent = 516 (m/km = 6.9)

2012
Road Bike = 218.3 km
Single Speed = 0 km
Fixed = 0 km
Indoor = 0 km
Ran = 4.9 km
Total = 223.2 km

Birthday card from my bro (made me chuckle)

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Monday 16 January Birthday Bimble

Dad came over by bike this morning with my birthday card so I accompanied him back home to Belper, had a lovely pasta for lunch and then rode back via Eaton Bank & Drum Hill. All the weight I've lost has certainly made a difference when pointing upwards, given my lack of miles recently I didn't even break a sweat going up Drum (I know it was cold but I was well layered).

The day was bright crisp and sunny, a perfect morning for a ride if wrapped up well. A perfect ride on a perfect day!

Distance = 70.7 km
Time = 3 hrs 0 mins
Ave Speed = 23.6 kph
Ascent = 557 (m/km = 7.9)

2012
Road Bike = 143.8 km
Single Speed = 0 km
Fixed = 0 km
Indoor = 0 km
Total = 143.8 km

Friday 13 January Tour de Loughborugh

First ride in 7 weeks after a period of running and subsequently a dodgy hamstring.  Took a very steady ride round a club favourite the Tour de Loughborough, 73k's in bang on 3 hours, for now it seems to have done the trick with the hamstring, for the first time in weeks it feels pain free, lets see how things are in the morning before I get carried away though (maybe literally).

It was great to be back out on the bike, and with nearly 2 weeks off work now I'm planning plenty more.




Route as above but missed the Beacon Hill section out today

Distance = 73.1 km
Time = 3 hrs 0 mins
Ave Speed = 24.3 kph
Ascent = 614  (m/km = 8.4)

2012
Road Bike = 73.1 km
Single Speed = 0 km
Fixed = 0 km
Indoor = 0 km
Total = 73.1 km