Feeling OK today and squeezed another 26 ish miles under the ever shrinking belt. I have actually only lost 3 or 4 lbs since I started training seriously around November. Apparently, it is best to start a bit overweight because a bit of fat is useful as an alternative fuel source. I don't see a major problem in that respect.
Looking forward to a few beers tonight and out again tomorrow, maybe a bit longer again this time. That will be five consecutive days. Building up nicely and not really feeling it.
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Four Weeks
Less than four weeks to go now and I'm getting excited. Seriously, I can't wait to get out there on the road. I booked for the boat from Hull to Rotterdam yesterday. It is an overnight sailing and it is compulsory to have a cabin. It would make sense for me anyway because I expect to be quite tired. The normal price is £100 or so but this comes down a lot if you are prepared to share, which I am. So, I am sharing a cabin, probably with a lorry driver or two or three. If any of the destinations are Rumania, Bulgaria or even Turkey that will test my resolve. Can't see it somehow.
I did the usual 19.2 miles yesterday and drove to Ormskirk in the evening to watch the "Derby" with George and the other Evertonian friends over there. The less said about the result the better. I rode to my mum's today and she's not speaking to me either. So that's three fully laden outings this week and still in one piece. I hope to do longer rides tomorrow and Friday and rest over the weekend. Maybe do the same next week but a bit longer every day.
I did the usual 19.2 miles yesterday and drove to Ormskirk in the evening to watch the "Derby" with George and the other Evertonian friends over there. The less said about the result the better. I rode to my mum's today and she's not speaking to me either. So that's three fully laden outings this week and still in one piece. I hope to do longer rides tomorrow and Friday and rest over the weekend. Maybe do the same next week but a bit longer every day.
Monday, 12 March 2012
A Typical Day?
I've been visualising again. This time I've been wondering what a typical day on the road might entail. Normally at home there are three questions. The first question when I open my eyes is, what day is it? That's easy enough. Next, for me is what time is it? It's no good me looking at the clock because I couldn't see it properly anyway so I play this little game checking on the brightness through the curtains and the sounds from the street. I'm never really far out on this one. The last is, where am I, which is easy these days.
Things will be different in a few weeks time. Yes, indeed. I would go through the normal process we all go through when we wake up but I won't have a clue about any of those three questions. If I'm on a campsite I'll open the tent and, if it's raining, I'll probably turn over and go back to sleep. If it's fine I'll probably think about getting up. First though, will be breakfast in bed. I must get enough fuel inside me, and as early as possible, for the first part of the day's ride. Breakfast will consist of cereal, probably Weetabix (sponsorship available) for which the milk will have been purchased the previous night. I'll then nip to the toilet to "freshen up" and get dressed properly. I will then do the necessary stretches, sort out the route, pack the bags, dismantle the tent and load the bike. An hour should be sufficient for all of these activities so, if I eventually surface at around 8.00 that means I will be on the road for 9.00. It will be light between 6.00 and 7.00 so I will probably be up earlier. I suppose it depends what time I turn in. Not a great deal of revelry is anticipated so I could be tucked up at a reasonable time. But who knows? What's that they say? What happens in Swabisch-Gmund, stays in Swabisch-Gmund.
The plan then will be to ride for a couple of hours, maybe find a cafe or, if none can be found, I will have a short rest and a carbohydrate boost of some sort, possibly in the form of more "breakfast", this time from a drinks bottle. Another two hour session should take me to 1.30 ish which will be near enough lunchtime and I would definiteley need a proper meal by this time. A final two hour ride would then take me to 4.00 so, even allowing for delays, I should be at the campsite by 5.00 and "settled in" soon after. Hopefully, I'll be able to take a shower and change for dinner which will be a cooked meal, probably noodles or pasta. I will then have at least an hour or so of daylight to wash clothes, check on the next day's route and keep up with communications. If I'm in a town I'll probably have a walk and maybe find a bar with some sport on the telly. A couple of beers and back to bed, maybe with a takeaway inside me. Sounds simple and rather pleasant.
I went out and did a steady 20 miler today, fully loaded. I'll try to do the same every day this week.
Things will be different in a few weeks time. Yes, indeed. I would go through the normal process we all go through when we wake up but I won't have a clue about any of those three questions. If I'm on a campsite I'll open the tent and, if it's raining, I'll probably turn over and go back to sleep. If it's fine I'll probably think about getting up. First though, will be breakfast in bed. I must get enough fuel inside me, and as early as possible, for the first part of the day's ride. Breakfast will consist of cereal, probably Weetabix (sponsorship available) for which the milk will have been purchased the previous night. I'll then nip to the toilet to "freshen up" and get dressed properly. I will then do the necessary stretches, sort out the route, pack the bags, dismantle the tent and load the bike. An hour should be sufficient for all of these activities so, if I eventually surface at around 8.00 that means I will be on the road for 9.00. It will be light between 6.00 and 7.00 so I will probably be up earlier. I suppose it depends what time I turn in. Not a great deal of revelry is anticipated so I could be tucked up at a reasonable time. But who knows? What's that they say? What happens in Swabisch-Gmund, stays in Swabisch-Gmund.
The plan then will be to ride for a couple of hours, maybe find a cafe or, if none can be found, I will have a short rest and a carbohydrate boost of some sort, possibly in the form of more "breakfast", this time from a drinks bottle. Another two hour session should take me to 1.30 ish which will be near enough lunchtime and I would definiteley need a proper meal by this time. A final two hour ride would then take me to 4.00 so, even allowing for delays, I should be at the campsite by 5.00 and "settled in" soon after. Hopefully, I'll be able to take a shower and change for dinner which will be a cooked meal, probably noodles or pasta. I will then have at least an hour or so of daylight to wash clothes, check on the next day's route and keep up with communications. If I'm in a town I'll probably have a walk and maybe find a bar with some sport on the telly. A couple of beers and back to bed, maybe with a takeaway inside me. Sounds simple and rather pleasant.
I went out and did a steady 20 miler today, fully loaded. I'll try to do the same every day this week.
Saturday, 10 March 2012
My Longest Ride Yet
Thursday's ride went OK. I can say that now but it was surprisingly gruelling at the time. It was a total of 118 km long, which is the longest ride I have ever done, and I got home at about 6.30 after a 10 am start. I expected a long flat easy ride but the demon wind started to kick in after I changed direction South of Preston. I was fully loaded and felt the difference all the way.
I met George at Tarleton only a little late and after exchanging the customary insults and a bite to eat we set off towards Southport. We took the coast road and battled against the wind which seemed to turn as we turned. It's a phenomenon which afflicts all cyclists apparently. I checked on a weather website yesterday and found the wind at Southport on Thursday had been from the West and between 25 and 37 kph which is quite tough. Enough bleating, we got through the worst and stopped at a little cafe in Ainsdale for a breakfast barm and then headed for home through Aintree, stopping at the famous Melling Road for a tweet. George got his standard puncture on the East Lancs Rd after Kirkby and, as he set off again after the repair, he found his gear mechanism had snapped. Oh no, the indignity of phoning for a lift home. I had to leave hime to it and made my own way home via Rainford and Upholland.
I eventually made it home and had at least one pint of Vimto and a nice bath and was then whisked off to my neice's place for Adam's 13th birthday party. It was good to see everyone and I drank lots of water and scoffed a lot of unhealthy stuff but I deserved it. I met up with the codgers a bit later than usual but still awake. Scratchings were presented and duly dispatched. Nigel had read the blog at the end of his lunchtime and realised, too late, that he had not done his duty and called at the indoor market for the evening's delicacies. He was redeemed by my late arrival which allowed him time to buy some "Black Country Specials" from an earlier venue. Very nice they were too and most welcome.
Predictably, Friday was a rest day and a half but I managed to get to mother's and back today which is about 24 miles. I think I am used to the bags now but need to build up mileage this week for the Brampton assault in two weeks time.
I met George at Tarleton only a little late and after exchanging the customary insults and a bite to eat we set off towards Southport. We took the coast road and battled against the wind which seemed to turn as we turned. It's a phenomenon which afflicts all cyclists apparently. I checked on a weather website yesterday and found the wind at Southport on Thursday had been from the West and between 25 and 37 kph which is quite tough. Enough bleating, we got through the worst and stopped at a little cafe in Ainsdale for a breakfast barm and then headed for home through Aintree, stopping at the famous Melling Road for a tweet. George got his standard puncture on the East Lancs Rd after Kirkby and, as he set off again after the repair, he found his gear mechanism had snapped. Oh no, the indignity of phoning for a lift home. I had to leave hime to it and made my own way home via Rainford and Upholland.
I eventually made it home and had at least one pint of Vimto and a nice bath and was then whisked off to my neice's place for Adam's 13th birthday party. It was good to see everyone and I drank lots of water and scoffed a lot of unhealthy stuff but I deserved it. I met up with the codgers a bit later than usual but still awake. Scratchings were presented and duly dispatched. Nigel had read the blog at the end of his lunchtime and realised, too late, that he had not done his duty and called at the indoor market for the evening's delicacies. He was redeemed by my late arrival which allowed him time to buy some "Black Country Specials" from an earlier venue. Very nice they were too and most welcome.
Predictably, Friday was a rest day and a half but I managed to get to mother's and back today which is about 24 miles. I think I am used to the bags now but need to build up mileage this week for the Brampton assault in two weeks time.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Big Training Ride Tomorrow (Thurs)
I fitted the front bags today and also a little kick stand which was actually a great help when I was fitting the bags and will be no doubt if I'm ever in the middle of nowhere with nothing to lean the bike on. I also prepared my lunch, flavoured noodles which only require boiling water, on my little solid fuel cooker which was very quick and efficient. You can buy any number of lightweight super-duper gas contraptions for £100 or more, with a fuel canisters and fuel extra, but this little gem, which cost about a fiver with fuel, beats them all. I'm taking it with me tomorrow to see how it works in the open. I bet I forget to take matches.
I hope to record tomorrow's ride on the usual website http://www.shareyouradventure.com/ only if you've nothing better to do, that is. The redoubtable George is meeting me up near Tarleton and we'll head off to Southport, maybe cooking lunch on the coast road.
I also had a load of cycling kit delivered today from Sportsdirect. I only ordered it on Tuesday. How's this? Jacket, 2 cycling tops, cycling shorts, 2 pairs long cycling pants, gloves, socks, waterproof pants - £74??? I couldn't believe it. Looks like decent quality but time will tell. I'll be trying them out tomorrow.
I hope to record tomorrow's ride on the usual website http://www.shareyouradventure.com/ only if you've nothing better to do, that is. The redoubtable George is meeting me up near Tarleton and we'll head off to Southport, maybe cooking lunch on the coast road.
I also had a load of cycling kit delivered today from Sportsdirect. I only ordered it on Tuesday. How's this? Jacket, 2 cycling tops, cycling shorts, 2 pairs long cycling pants, gloves, socks, waterproof pants - £74??? I couldn't believe it. Looks like decent quality but time will tell. I'll be trying them out tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)