tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71506158029480386742024-03-05T07:05:49.059+00:00Through hell on 2 wheelsThis is my experience over the year as I build up towards the challenge of a lifetime in aid of East Cheshire Hospice and The Christie charity! I will be cycling From London to Newcastle (310 Miles) in 24 hours
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It's all about the ups and downs!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-81110023883663445082014-09-03T22:12:00.001+01:002014-09-03T22:12:22.764+01:00London to Newcastle ride 24This is it! The big day finally arrived. I woke at about 7am at my sisters house on The Isle of Dogs right next to the Thames in London.<br />
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I really couldn't believe it had finally arrived. Even as I donned my kit, checked I had everything that I needed, made the final checks of my bike and made sure I had some breakfast etc. I was still even on decaf tea at this point as I wanted full effect of any caffeine I had over the next 24 hours. It had been over 2 weeks since I stopped drinking any caffeine. </div>
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Off I went, just before 8am I set off to Clissold park to pick up my rider number and make sure I was all in time to start with the everyone else. The ride across London was actually quite pleasant. Nice wide cycling super highways and very few motorists trying to kill me. It may be a little sensitive for some but I would say I felt far safer cycling in London than I do in Manchester.<br />
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Anyway as I made my way across the city, a bit of geographical confusion set in as I missed a turn. Then as I pulled over to check where I was I hit some glass, low and behold a flat already! Not a good sign for the day ahead. I had in a way over prepared for today as I was carrying 3 inner tubes instead of the usual 2. This time I even brought enough gas as well (lesson learnt). After much swearing to myself and trying not to wake the homeless person sleeping on a fully made up bed under the bridge where I stopped, I finally had my tube changed and I was back under-way. </div>
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<b>Hurrah other people on bikes! </b></div>
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I finally started seeing other cyclists as I approached Clissold park and better still they were wearing ride 24 jerseys. I must be in the right place then! Sure enough I saw a big inflatable archway flags and stands all adorned with Ride24. I headed for the bike racks and parked her up. Then off to registration to pick up my numbers plus find out what was going on.</div>
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<b>Number 90!</b></div>
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Rider number fixed to the handle bars of my bike and the other pinned to the back of my jersey. It was all feeing very much like any other sportive I had taken part in over the past 2+ years. This time however we were a group of about 120 riders, all on road bikes, each of us all mentally and physically prepared for the challenge ahead. </div>
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<b>Don't pass Bruce!!!</b></div>
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On mass we were herded into the starting pen for the final rider briefing. The main point was "Don't pass Bruce!", Bruce being the front pace rider and the man we were to follow all the way to Newcastle. He certainly had the credentials for leading the ride too. Turns out Bruce, (Kiwi) had recently completed cycling 2000km in 7 days, plus had taken part in most of the ride 24 events over the past few years.</div>
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All safety points covered and everyone suitably briefed. It was countdown to 10am and ready to go.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing to start In London</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Already to go and being fed from the first thing too</td></tr>
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<b>Stage 1 London - Royston 43.1 miles</b><br />
<b>Mount up and hang on! It's time to ride the Bruce train.</b><br />
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The whistle blew and we passed over the start line at 10am on Saturday 30th of August 2014. We rolled out as a single group onto the streets of London, immediately we headed north and the pace was only slowed by traffic lights and motorists. As we wound our way through the city and traffic dropped off the pace started to rise, finally levelling out at around 20mph (40kph), this was going to be the way for the duration. Everyone was very chatty and we all spent the first stage to Royston getting to know each other as well as getting warmed up for the long day ahead. </div>
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As we emerged out of London leaving the hustle and bustle of the city inside the M25, the country side opened up around us. As cyclists we see the things you never get to see as motorists and it certainly was buitiful to see.</div>
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I got talking to a young chap called Ben from Stratford-Upon-Avon. He was well into his cycling as many of the riders in the group were. He had the same thing with a girlfriend that always knew if he wasn't at home or work he would be out on his bike. Myself I know my wife has taken up starting and ending sentences with "bike" if she wants me to pay attention to what she says. Ben had been getting the miles in cycling 100+ a few times a month. </div>
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As we hit the first good hill I dropped down the gears, got on the bar tops and sat well back. My hill climbing method is always to do this and keep a high cadence. Ben cramped and started to drop down the pack. As we were to find the Bruce train waits for no one, he was well and truly on a schedule so it was a case of keep up or get dropped!</div>
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It seemed like the miles had flown by when we reached the first stop. 44 miles in and the weather was really being kind to us. It was blue skies and light wind so far. End of stage 1 was a welcoming sight for many. Me included as I had been needing a wee since we left London!!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop 1 Royston</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop 1 Royston</td></tr>
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<b>Stage 2 Royston - Peterborough 42.5 miles</b><br />
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<b>The Bruce train just keeps on going!</b></div>
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So we left about 30 minutes after arriving at the first feed station in Royston with full water bottles and fingers crossed that the weather would remain dry we set off again. The pace didn't drop down at all, on the seemingly dead straight road from from Royston to Papworth Everard it even felt like it increased. Everyone was into the swing of things now. Following the wheel in front. Spin hard on the up hills, push harder on the down hills, always keep your distance close in, don't get dropped! At 43 miles it was a good flattish stage. When we finally did reach Peterborough a great surprise awaited us. Firstly the organisers had put on some hot food for us, BBQ time! Everything from burgers and sausages to chicken and stakes. On top of all this we had the choice of great pastas, salads, hot and cold drinks, sweets chocolates and everything a hungry cyclist would need to keep him going over a long distance.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunshine at Stop 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With a full on BBQ!</td></tr>
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At first it did seem a little odd as it appeared they were still setting up as we arrived, turned out that the Bruce train was well ahead of schedule and we had over an hours stop to put us back on track. I saw this as a chance to plug my phone into the mains in the hope I would be able to record this whole ride on my Strava!!! </div>
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The staff the gave us a caution briefing for the next stage. Essentially it was going to be the longest at 58 miles and we would be riding into dusk so we would need our lights. We had reflective snap bands handed out to us all to help with being seen. A great fashion accessory that you really never thought to wear!!! </div>
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So stomachs full, water bottles brimmed, me feeling like I was mainlining caffeine, I was getting a massive hit from all the tea, coffee and max power high5 energy drinks. I stuffed my pockets with gels and away we went again. It was 4.45 and moral was high! </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Stage 3 Peterborough - Lincoln 58.3 miles </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The flat plains lay ahead as we left Peterborough, the wind was starting to pick up from the south west. As we headed east this began to take its toll on the lead group. Once you dropped back then you had nobody to hide behind and 100% of your effort was to fight the wind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We turned north again as we headed through Market Deeping towards Bourne on the A15. Then it was pretty much stay on the same road all the way to Lincoln. The minor undulations were not slowing Bruce down one bit. He was pounding away at the front leading the group at a relentless speed. All of us working hard together to stay as a group, drafting behind each other and doing what we could to keep our spirits up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Turn on your lights!" was the shout from a member of staff at the side of the road as we were now </span>cycling<span style="font-family: inherit;"> into the dusk and about to drop into the busy city of Lincoln. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was sweating hard now and glad to see the stop in Lincoln.</span><br />
I was straight in and putting my phone on charge as yet again I was down to 1%. Not really too happy with the way my brand new phone is coping with the battery life. I was thinking that I could really do with a Garmin at this point. Chatting with some of the blokes on the ride I was surprised to find that some of them had already had their Garmins run out and they were following the map/signs. The good old fashion way!<br />
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<b>Stage 4 Lincoln - Goole 51.3 mile</b><br />
<b>The "Blinking" lights.</b><br />
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It was now properly dark and as a peleton we must have looked like the Blackpool illumination train on crack! I was finding some of the lights blinding and we were all now struggling to stay close behind each other. The roads up to Goole aren't particularly devoid of potholes either. The difference being that the first time you knew about them in the darkness of the night was about a microsecond before you hit it. I had adopted the tactic of floating just above my saddle now. It was saving my crotch from mind bending saddle soar pain of the constant rubbing and pounding of all the impacts. The pace remained high as before. The mind begins to wander as you cycle in the night like this. With the red lights flashing in front of you constantly I was doing my best to hide behind riders that didn't have their lights on bright flash. This sort of light is great when you are commuting for getting motorist to see you. Nightmare for when you are riding in a group as those behind you get blinded every few seconds. As we entered South Yorkshire I started seeing signs for places I know. Scunthorpe just as we were crossing the M180 then after what seemed like an age we picked up signs for Goole.<br />
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My legs were starting to feel quite tired now and I was having to really work to keep up with the pack. On the odd occasion I found that I was the last man in the group. this was not good news as when you are last man, if you drop back on your own you well and truly are on your own. Did I mention it was inky black and my lights were rubbish! I was finding it hard going having just a crappy narrow beam light as I was struggling to judge my distance to the guys in front. I was having to pedal to keep up then rest for a few seconds as I found I was closing up too fast, then pedal again as I had to keep up. I was finding it hard to concentrate now. When ever I felt like my mouth was getting dry I would drink. So that was how it was riding up to Goole. Pedal, glide, pedal, glide, drink, pedal, slow and SPRINT away from the junction or roundabout to close the gaps in the group. Suddenly I found myself on the back again and realised that nobody had passed me for me to be on the back! I was last man but those that were behind me had dropped and almost disappeared. Oddly my left hand was hurting as it appeared I may be getting a blister where I was holding onto my handlebars/brakes. With a sigh of relief we got to Goole as a much welcome rest stop. A photographer from a local news paper was there to take photos of us as we arrived and was asking us all questions about where we came from, why we were doing the ride etc. He did get a few withered smiles and grunts from some of the guys. I don't think he realised how tired everyone was at this point. Besides how civilised can someone be at 2 am???<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tired and needing food at stop 4</td></tr>
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<b>Stage 5 Goole - Easingwold 35.7 miles</b><br />
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This was a relatively short stage and did seem to fly by. However the rumour went around that this was a short stage because it was hilly! Not the best way to maintain moral in the troops! The Sergeant Major did wan to mention this but I managed to bite my tongue and ignore the comments. My only reply to this was "Well we wouldn't do it if it were easy now would we?". Inside I was hurting but at the same time I was enjoying it. For me it was like riding a train and being part of the ultimate group ride possible.<br />
<br />
Off we went again and as the pace picked up to max chat again we headed North past Selby and on towards York. Actually Cycling through a City on a Saturday Night when all the Night Clubs are kicking everyone out is one of the most amusing things to do in a mass peleton of cyclists ever! York was one of the Start points for the recent TDF and the people of York gave us a similar welcome! Allez Allez was the shouts from not too sober locals as we sped our way through the city. One chap got quite the surprise as he staggered out of a Kebab shop, food in hand. This lifted our spirits quite well. Once we had escaped the confines of the old city we were again flying on the black smooth roads of the A19. Then it was Easingwold and a stop.<br />
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<b>Stage 6 Easingwold - Coxhole 52.3 miles (see map above)</b><br />
<br />
There was light at the end of the tunnel and the Northern lads were chatting away as this was their stomping ground! certainly all the guys from the area that use Strava were saying I wouldn't be surprised if I was looking at a few personal records from the pace we were riding at. However it did seem that us few that remained in the lead group at this point were happy with the pace. Yes it was punishing and yes I think my knees were about to explode at some points. We were all coping with our various sores and ailments at this point. Anyone that looked like they were having a hard time of it got pushed up a bit as we worked together. Keep on the wheel in front was the way.<br />
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Over to the East we could start to see the faint glow of the approaching sunrise. They do always say it is darkest just before the dawn. I was hurting as we approached Coxhole it just never seemed to end. I have cycled through the likes of Darlington before so had some idea of where we were. It was just feeling like where we were was not getting any closer to where we wanted to be!<br />
<br />
Finally about 2 minutes before we were due to stop I saw a sign for Coxhole and the next rest stop.<br />
I was a little worried about my legs as I was really sore. My knees hurt, my neck ached, my shoulders hurt and my hands were stinging. Thankfully my head was still in the game as I knew to give up now would be stupid and fatal. For some reason I had it in my head that the final stage was about 35 - 40 miles. a similar sort of distance to stage 1. After a nice bit of a brew, yet more jelly sweets and an empty bladder later I was happy to just sit down an relax for 5 minutes. I really didn't want to fall into the trap of closing my eyes though. This was endurance time not sleep time.<br />
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<b>Stage 7 Coxhole - Newcastle 26.5 miles</b><br />
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Wow I just couldn't believe I was on the final stage. I hadn't been looking at the mileage as I knew that it would destroy my moral if I did. Now however to my surprise we had less than 27 miles to run. I was really happy that this was it and we could start the final leg.<br />
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Painfully I dragged myself back onto my bike and it seemed that I had to will my legs to get working. I was will and truly at the limit of my endurance, physically and mentally. However I knew that I had the steel to make this ride and I was too close to the finish to give up now! Bruce was still looking fresh as a daisy and was back into his pace as we dropped into Durham. I was recognising the roads as the last time I cycled along them I was being soaked to the skin as well as being mega lost. We came out of Durham and turned left towards Chester-le-Street. This area is surprisingly hilly, at this point with burning, aching legs every single one of them was requiring a huge effort to climb.<br />
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I was having to play catchup on each descent and hang on, on the inclines. I was dropping back each time as I just couldn't turn my legs fast enough. We reached Chester-le-Street and we were all back together. After a few turns around the town centre we saw signs for Gateshead and Newcastle. Spirits were rising and the pace still relentless. The pains we were all feeling was fading away as we followed the long road up and down again. I have never been so glad to see the Tyne as I was then. We dropped down and crossed the river on a bridge that seemed to be at sea level. Just one or two more miles to run and it was all uphill.<br />
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Pushing hard now I was determined not to get dropped. I was devouring every last bit of my energy stomping away on my pedals. "Never give up! Never Surrender!" is what I kept on saying to myself. I was not going to get dropped at this stage in the game, but I certainly wasn't going to be last man in the lead group either! Hammering my heart out as we climbed the final hill the finish was in sight and before I knew it we were there!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyRKGbPwwQQJ64ylEXoeW-_9yLdKKJ6PdJh5dH0X9R-CA9HnVslfRXZNVog238ua1Y2Vda9DZw24vAgHLyN' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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So that was it. I had actually cycled 310 miles and completed the journey in 22 hours and 7 minutes</div>
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I was well and truly in bits. Tired and exhausted but what a high I was feeling. </div>
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Getting scanned through the line and being presented with a finishers medal. Hard earned and well kept. It was one of the hardest medals I have worked for since I started cycling. I will never forget the experience.</div>
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So tired I had forgotten to take off my head torch at the last stop. I didn't care though as I had finished. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4PpFkNVvHyaVuCkuiRDD284haSp9Ex9trAXVWioxGRk0q_1KR6sOECDYmhV1DoFEjwdIxmVMUmjib_0_cpz8psltB0QcgipCdJVCPv4abGHxFssIRPQZkxNgiGGnZKR1_imWdyPX-es/s1600/Finished1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4PpFkNVvHyaVuCkuiRDD284haSp9Ex9trAXVWioxGRk0q_1KR6sOECDYmhV1DoFEjwdIxmVMUmjib_0_cpz8psltB0QcgipCdJVCPv4abGHxFssIRPQZkxNgiGGnZKR1_imWdyPX-es/s1600/Finished1.jpeg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just crossed the line and feeling dead, but still smiling :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaBz1u2tfqDIAUnvCDKEPLoanUR0U9-FEo8G0g85SwRFO1MRFYdR9DlVFub_DhyOJMXkPLq6sABspvVRm3RDf6ysxZ37gVpfOHetjPPY_qduIoqXIHBhM8c0HWsHr3vKr4XK9V3fG8ks/s1600/Finished2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaBz1u2tfqDIAUnvCDKEPLoanUR0U9-FEo8G0g85SwRFO1MRFYdR9DlVFub_DhyOJMXkPLq6sABspvVRm3RDf6ysxZ37gVpfOHetjPPY_qduIoqXIHBhM8c0HWsHr3vKr4XK9V3fG8ks/s1600/Finished2.jpeg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Must stop my Strava!!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahk5n4cEYjYgd1OehWdpGBudV9M3eu4GnhiUGm6ucPPxpE0O4MXMbiPXR5-sd_nXGOsvfOJWl5I0mk_P9ee5W_1XAMjBunjQHky-w7Y4KxfPtAKbp2q3L6ue8soenpyJZLIuy5UPrHFA/s1600/Finished3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahk5n4cEYjYgd1OehWdpGBudV9M3eu4GnhiUGm6ucPPxpE0O4MXMbiPXR5-sd_nXGOsvfOJWl5I0mk_P9ee5W_1XAMjBunjQHky-w7Y4KxfPtAKbp2q3L6ue8soenpyJZLIuy5UPrHFA/s1600/Finished3.jpeg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lead peleton us happy few!</td></tr>
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<strong style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Results</span></strong><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">103 people started out from Clissold Park on the London 2 Newcastle 24 Challenge.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">85 riders crossed the finish line.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">45 riders completed the challenge within 24hrs.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The fastest time for the challenge was 22hrs 07mins, completed by the front peloton.</span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneT2NHgAC4g7kk3AhZ6EpXjucAgOlcBryeJ9pxFpGak52XhINEjvkTKKH8QHaB63jMMzX_D0pP_wjrLzFETQ-2FTWCIHd6dizO964BAXmtRsdGB6EB2mRKiJkZs3evXaEIY-wPIzBcUE/s1600/Finished4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneT2NHgAC4g7kk3AhZ6EpXjucAgOlcBryeJ9pxFpGak52XhINEjvkTKKH8QHaB63jMMzX_D0pP_wjrLzFETQ-2FTWCIHd6dizO964BAXmtRsdGB6EB2mRKiJkZs3evXaEIY-wPIzBcUE/s1600/Finished4.jpeg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to give my girls a big cuddle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodCEZbKchl0W4j3LI6wCDYnkugvH0eI6KlUYqIxTnDHW9JcZytmJ-6r5PUGwUdGgqtgEbNhH-hceJvzQslWuFJN-nKrRNjz2WQtqskRhpLGnjtR_AHYoYI2VyiM6hhdmH1sdexEorB4k/s1600/Finished5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodCEZbKchl0W4j3LI6wCDYnkugvH0eI6KlUYqIxTnDHW9JcZytmJ-6r5PUGwUdGgqtgEbNhH-hceJvzQslWuFJN-nKrRNjz2WQtqskRhpLGnjtR_AHYoYI2VyiM6hhdmH1sdexEorB4k/s1600/Finished5.jpeg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And pass out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<b>What do I do next?</b></div>
<div>
I think I am going to get more into racing and from the lessons learnt over the past 18 months I know what I have to do training wise.<br />
<br />
So after 70 blog posts. Thousands of miles of adventure on my bike. Thrills spills and oh so many punctures I think I may call it a day.<br />
<br />
I certainly have been through hell on two wheels not just on this massive ride!<br />
My love for cycling has grown over the past number of years and I hope that by reading this you have got some of that joy too.<br />
<br />
Unless anyone comments with either suggestions for my next challenge or just wants me to carry on blogging then this is it.<br />
<br />
Cheers<br />
<br />
Matt :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-34046268087571481622014-08-17T20:25:00.002+01:002014-08-17T20:28:27.709+01:00Last planned training ride outWhen I say planned, all I did was say I am going to set off at a time and head in a very general direction.<br />
<div>
<br />
Follow the route I took<br />
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http://www.strava.com/activities/181437588<br />
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It was a day of false starts, but I did manage to record a few video snaps.<br />
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Please be warned this video contains me suffering and swearing a bit too! </div>
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Wet cold windy but a really nice and relaxing ride that I really enjoyed (for the most part).<br />
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I did get some nice snaps too<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aJ10APAt8F51Bfmglqbq0wp5nTyd8JPyOtWm3v1raJx4fzIZsPXJYma01KuX1LvqElrbmWifeGCqHGvfVNBzlVp6ipgFXq97exYufYi0QWIBChLhulhKrAHeeDt8hGrLT9qy65Vk16Q/s1600/Last+Training+Ride+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aJ10APAt8F51Bfmglqbq0wp5nTyd8JPyOtWm3v1raJx4fzIZsPXJYma01KuX1LvqElrbmWifeGCqHGvfVNBzlVp6ipgFXq97exYufYi0QWIBChLhulhKrAHeeDt8hGrLT9qy65Vk16Q/s1600/Last+Training+Ride+001.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sowerby Bridge From the Hobbit</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6gd9s0LRE5FF82_Q6CbU-T0wR89VxVh5TZuEPeSN3V_phLC5aQAyTAg4pmjoIof2xGVCDzi4BFbhE1L_hojokI5x6QsCClxLcM5IVx_U_LqLEBcD8fC9VDQRkhnl_D-5Co-VFoxXFkY/s1600/Last+Training+Ride+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6gd9s0LRE5FF82_Q6CbU-T0wR89VxVh5TZuEPeSN3V_phLC5aQAyTAg4pmjoIof2xGVCDzi4BFbhE1L_hojokI5x6QsCClxLcM5IVx_U_LqLEBcD8fC9VDQRkhnl_D-5Co-VFoxXFkY/s1600/Last+Training+Ride+003.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollingworth Lake and heading home</td></tr>
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So in all 60 miles down the line, a nice cup of tea at my mums and soaked to the skin from the weather, I got back home.<br />
<br />
This is my final planned ride as I said as at the end of the month I will be riding from <a href="http://www.ride24hr.com/newcastle-24" target="_blank">London to Newcastle</a><br />
<br />
You can sponsor my stupidity by going to my just giving page<br />
<a href="https://www.justgiving.com/teams/Through-Hell-on-2-wheels">https://www.justgiving.com/teams/Through-Hell-on-2-wheels</a><br />
<br />
Every penny counts!<br />
<br />
My next and possibly final entry will be the ride itself in just a few weeks time. Eeeek!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-18740182164826204712014-08-08T22:07:00.000+01:002014-08-08T22:07:02.556+01:00A long hard slog to Newcastle and that's just from Manchester!So last Saturday morning I dragged myself out of bed in the wee small hours (well 5am.) covered myself in bum cream (it helps prevent saddle sore) and <a href="http://www.strava.com/routes/733148" target="_blank">headed out to Newcastle</a>.<br />
<br />
I couldn't believe in a way that I was actually going to do it.<br />
<br />
All I had on me was three bottles of energy drink. some gels and bits of food. My rain jacket and my mobile phone. That being my primary navigation aid as I had uploaded my route onto my phone. I did realise this wouldn't last the whole day so I even took an external battery that I had just purchased to boost it up!<br />
<br />
So out I went out of Hyde through Stalybridge out the other side and on towards Saddleworth Moore.<br />
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To give you an idea of the hill I was going up at this point it crosses the highest motorway in England (M62) at the highest point! Hmm that warmed the legs up a bit!<br />
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After that I descended into Sowerby Bridge and set off towards Halifax. I was reminiscing on the way as I grew up in this area and at least though I knew the roads well.<br />
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Onwards up and over I cycled as I made my way down the steep valleys and up the long hills of the Calderdale area. Then North out towards Keighley and TDF country!<br />
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I didn't know it when I was planning the route I was to be riding on but a good few miles of my ride would be on the now famous roads the Tour de France's Grand Depart around Yorkshire went on last month. It was actually really nice to see that all the small villages had obviously taken cycling to heart. People waved and said hello to me as I cycled down these leafy lanes. As I admired the wonderful countryside, the landscape was dotted with Yellow bikes and signs of cyclist friendly community everywhere. I was happy and relaxed. As the miles rolled by and the hills got steeper I hardly noticed. It was really such a nice place to be!<br />
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Past Bolton Abbey I went as I climbed the backbone of Britain. Through Barden then up and over past Stump Cross Caverns. I was luck y with the weather so far as I was getting a bit of a push from the wind, the rain was just minor little showers and when it was sunny it was really very nice indeed!<br />
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I dropped down into Nidderdale, then on towards Marsham and headed up to Leeming Bar where I would cross the A1(M) for the first time. I was feeling a bit peckish as I reached Northallerton so I stopped at a shop. Locked up the bike and then quickly rushed in to buy some food and drink to keep me going.<br />
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I was doing this without support remember so I had to carry everything, food, water, spares, the works!<br />
A sausage role half a pack of wine gums and a bottle of energy drink later I was all ready to hit the road. Northwards I went, heading down little country lanes. my only company the cows that always give you the "Are you mental?" Mooo! and the occasional tractor/farmers LandRover speeding along. Can make your hear stop sometimes, but generally I saw very little in the way off traffic and people and I rode my way through little country villages. It was really nice again and I was also making good progress. Sometimes I got a bit carried away and took the odd wrong turn or two! I was regularly checking my map on my phone and keeping an eye on the battery as I knew I would have to plug it in at some point soon.<br />
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As I passed through Yarm I could see black clouds forming on the horizon then Finally as I reached Sedgefield it began to rain with vigour!..... and cats, dogs, small rodents and everything else it seemed that I could think of that could describe how heavily it rained. I actually had to stop a number of times as I couldn't see. Rain water was getting in my eyes so much that they stung and my vision blurred! Probably pollution or sweat of my head, either way may pace dropped right down and my phone chose this as the best point to pack in.<br />
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Now with only a vague idea of the direction I was to be heading in I rode blindly towards Durham. The rain held off for a brief 20 ish minutes. Just enough time for me to blunder through Durham with still no idea and head out on the wrong road not entirely towards Newcastle!<br />
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As I found myself crossing the A1 again and heading towards Sunderland I finally caved and stopped to buy a map from a Garage. Back on track, all be on a dual carriageway where I really didn't want to be I headed up the A690. Cars screaming past at 70 + Mph I was not doing anything illegal by being there (it is still an A road) however I really wanted to get off the road at the earliest opportunity. Finally just as I got to Houghton-le-spring I turned onto a nice quiet B road and breathed a sigh of relief.<br />
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I headed through Birtley and on towards Gateshead giving a wave to the Angel of the North as I past her. I only wish I had taken my camera.<br />
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Legs numb and my body tired I continued on to the Tyne bridge (I think) A167 only to realise that having come this far I actually had no idea where my sister in laws house actually was and what the landmarks near it are!<br />
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Now it was real guess work time and attempting to navigate on a map of the scale you get in a UK road atlas (pocket edition) was proving impossible! Finally, after getting all the way to Biker (yes the irony a cyclist stuck in Biker) I found a pay phone and phoned the wife to get rescued. Once I described where I was she knew the place. It was about 1 1/2 miles from the house and I had no idea. Literally just around the corner!<br />
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After just over 12 hours and 155 miles I was in surprisingly good shape! I wasn't sore in the bum department, my legs did ache but I hadn't overly stressed them. I was a bit annoyed that I hadn't made it all the way to the door and that my phone had run out. My own fault really for not taking a good old paper map for a journey of such a distance. A bit pee'd off that my Strava only recorded 138 miles of it too. But I made it and that is what counts!<br />
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Now its the countdown to the big ride on the 29/30th of this month. I am worried as I know it will hurt. however I am looking forward to what will be a great adventure and something to be proud of.<br />
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Don't forget you can sponsor me through the link on this page (top right).<br />
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Not long to go now!! Happy cycling :)<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-91157807703590322732014-08-08T20:51:00.000+01:002014-08-08T20:51:07.540+01:00World Corporate game, Tour De France, out training and to round off a TT. Its been a busy month!!!Well technically it was in the past 30 (ish) days as the World Corporate games this year for the UK event was being held in Liverpool. Of course being a keen cyclist and one of only a few within the company that has taken part in any kind of racing I was really excited and proud to be selected to go. As a company, Swinton Insurance had 88 competitors in various events ranging from Dragon Boat racing, open water swimming and Poker playing to 5 and 6 a side foot ball, table tennis, running and not forgetting hockey.<br />
<br />
It was certainly a good weekend and a very hard race for me too.<br />
<br />
I arrived late on Friday night after finishing work cycling home and packing all my kit into the car for the long drag over to Liverpool.<br />
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To my surprise the hotel the company had booked us all into was actually very nice and I even had a room to myself. This did help also as I had my bike and lots of gear with me so took up loads of space.<br />
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On the Saturday I went to watch the Dragon Boat racers have fun literally making a splash down at the docks. I also just spent the day chilling out and relaxing with a little 30 minute workout to ensure my legs were in order for the race.<br />
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What I should have really done ( and intend to do next year) is take part in the Time Trial event on the Saturday and then the road race on the Sunday, Oh well, lesson learnt on that one.<br />
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Sunday morning came and I was up bright and early for a good hearty breakfast, then made sure I had all my kit together and around 11 made my way back to my car.<br />
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Little did I know that Aintree race course had a race circuit. It's a very big and wide track and is even used for motor racing. One of the organisers let us know that one year (sometime in the 50's) it was even used for the F1 Grand Prix! Impressive stuff. However today not many of us would be getting to much above 30mph (50kph) never mind the kinds of speeds you would see in a motor race.<br />
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Unlike the Saturday, the Sunday was red hot and a little breezy too. This would hurt a great many people in the race as we were to find out shortly. Turning up early gave me plenty of time to prepare. I made sure my bike was in good working order. I had my phone with me (because if it's not on Strava, it hasn't happened!) had a nice easy run around a few laps and then finally lined up for the start!<br />
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About 20 racers in the race I was in started, however ahead of us were about another 100 cyclists of varying abilities and experience. Now I am not saying that was a bad thing as a lot of them were doing this for the first time and had never raced. Most had taken part in a few sportives. One chap I spoke too had only just bought a mountain bike the week before and didn't even cycle to work. So it was going to be carnage! Thankfully it was a big track and we knew who too and how too avoid when we set out at race speed.<br />
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<u><b>And on the whistle GO! </b></u><br />
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From the very first moment the pace ramped up and we could tell the mix of rider classes throughout the racing field. Cat 4 rider like me got dropped straight away! then the cat 3's, 2's and 1's all seperated out into there own ability groups and various speeds. It was really impressive to see the really fast cat 1 guys go at it, but the rest of us had no chance.<br />
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<b><u>The open air cooker...</u></b><br />
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As previously mentioned it was a bit hot. When you turned down wind you baked in the heat and on the long (it did seem to go on forever!) back straight, we were into wind on a very gentle incline and it hurt. I saw lots of the less experienced cyclists just drop out and call it a day after a few laps. The race as supposed to be 50 km (20 miles) or 18 laps. I managed about 10 laps at race speed before I felt like I was going to puke then decided to slow down and not totally kill myself as the cat 1 missiles came past me like I was stood still. In all I did 16 laps before the race was finished so they lapped me twice (I think).<br />
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I did manage to keep up with most of the riders in my category range and haed great fun with a sprint finish to round it all off with.<br />
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This was to be my last planned road race of the season as I not have a far bigger fish to fry.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">LE TOUR DE FRANCE</span></u></b><br />
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No I wasn't going to be taking part in it but I was going out to watch it.<br />
An old work mate an d cycling friend headed up to Holme Moss very early on Sunday morning to see Stage 2 of Le Tour come right through the area we live in.<br />
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The party atmosphere was tremendous. Even by 10am when we arrived it was really busy. The best thing was that no cars meant everyone could safely use the roads. Thousands had made there way up the hill on foot or by bike. Some had camped up on the top to ensure they got the top spot and as the commentators described it, it looked like a refugee camp.<br />
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The reality on the ground was so much better!<br />
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However once the riders arrived the place just erupted and the crowds really did go wild!!<br />
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It was certainly a great day out and the best party ever on the top of the hill!</div>
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Next came my first (and only) Time Trial this year.</div>
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It was a great atmosphere organised by <a href="http://www.glossopkindervelo.co.uk/" target="_blank">Glossop Kinder Velo cycling club</a></div>
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It's one of the old "secret" race type TT courses back when road racing in Britain was banned and the only way cyclist could compete was to do it on the quiet by riding a minute apart but still against the clock!</div>
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The course started up hill, and continued up hill until your lungs burst and legs drop off.</div>
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After a steep and fast descent it is back up hill again to the end of the valley. Now simple physics would say if you have gone uphill to get somewhere and you just simply turn around 180 degrees then it will be downhill on the way back. Nobody mentioned the laws of physics when they designed this course so it is uphill (or that's what it felt like) in both directions! It was so much fun though despite the pouring rain and tired legs from commuting all week. I covered the 9 miles in 28 minutes. Not a world beating time and really no where near the best time going, however when I do it again next year I will be aiming to smash it!</div>
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Have a look <a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/166813356" target="_blank">here for my route</a> I took to ride the final TT of the season. Now that s my racing finished with for the year... Probably!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-67069685058813447102014-06-18T13:09:00.001+01:002014-06-18T13:16:47.953+01:00Discover Race EmotionsI took part in another closed circuit race up at Tameside circuit on Tuesday. I can only say it was my best race yet!<div><br></div><div>The line up was just 13 riders all baying for blood (myself included). It was a quick brief then go on the whistle!</div><div><br></div><div>Immediately we all set off at a good pace. The pack was staying together this week. We went into the first hairpin with great caution but all made it through alive. </div><div><br></div><div>Then as we turned down the hill it came, I had the energy and the opertunity to make an attack. I steadied my nerve took a few deep breaths and went for it.</div><div><br></div><div>As I smashed my way down the outside a few of the other rider dropped in behind me. </div><div><br></div><div>Breathing hard and sprinting harder I finally broke off the front! </div><div><br></div><div>I was leading the race. </div><div><br></div><div>Still pushing hard I kept it going for 1 1/2 laps, but I was very aware that I was killing myself on the front. </div><div><br></div><div>It was at this point I decided that I was going to die if I stayed on the front so dropped back to let the rest of the group get past. I dropped back in and kept the pace with the group. </div><div><br></div><div>The thunder of the wheels and the straining of the riders was almost deafening as we sped around the circuit. </div><div><br></div><div>With each corner we cantered over as a group, hold your line keep your speed is the key in situations like this.</div><div><br></div><div>10 laps in and the group was still racing as one. Another attack went out and the pace jumped up.</div><div><br></div><div> This time as we caught them and I had momentum. </div><div><br></div><div>Down the straight now I was smashing myself again to get off the front. </div><div><br></div><div>Tyres roaring and brakes screaming we went into the hairpin again with me in the lead. </div><div><br></div><div>I really hurt now but still somehow managed to sprint out of the corner.</div><div><br></div><div> I could hear my own pulse racing in my ears. </div><div><br></div><div>With a quick glance over my shoulder I saw the rest of the group were gaining on me still. </div><div><br></div><div>With a roar of speed they caught me and I dropped in again, by now we had only 5km left to run. </div><div><br></div><div>Everyone was very twitchy and nervous as nobody wants to crash! </div><div><br></div><div>A close brush with disaster came for me as a rider had a rapid change of line information of me! He didn't see me and was probably killing himself like I was too. I hit the brakes hard and for a split second I locked up my back wheel in a corner. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The back end of my bike skipped out. I was holding on tight and breathing hard, a mad moment of panic but I held on. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Crash avoided now hammering the pedals I was back up to speed and still in the race!</span></div><div><br></div><div>We passed the line as a group and to my surprise the last lap bell was ringing. </div><div><br></div><div>This triggered a massive jump in pace. I was holding on and still fighting for position. </div><div><br></div><div>The penultimate bend had me in the top 5 and it was to be a mass sprint for the line. </div><div><br></div><div>Smashing our way through the last corner at full pace I went to drop a gear to give me the power for the sprint, my gear change missed and I dropped back!</div><div><br></div><div>Argh!</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">By this point it wasn't sergeant major Matt that was screaming his head off, it was me! </span></div><div><br></div><div>Less than 6 seconds behind the race leader I smashed myself across the line. I was smiling like you wouldn't believe, my eyes stinging with sweat, ears ringing from the noise of the race. My heart was still pounding in my chest and it really felt like me legs were on fire. </div><div><br></div><div>Adrenaline rush was not the word for it!</div><div><br></div><div>I was sky high at this point and just couldn't believe how good the race had been. </div><div><br></div><div>Not in the points was my own fault. </div><div><br></div><div>Next week will hopefully be as good. </div><div><br></div><div>Now it's back to the gym to punish myself for not winning and safe in the knowledge that I can do it and have the form to do it too. </div><div><br></div><div>I wear a Discover Race Emotions jersey when I race. I certainly discovered my emotions and more in this race. </div><div><br></div><div>Great fun and can't wait for the next one!</div><div><br></div><div>Happy cycling! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-25446629243981222932014-06-07T22:16:00.002+01:002014-06-07T22:16:45.124+01:00Centre Parcs (Penrith) to Hyde (Manchester)Today this ride was all about <a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/150193976" target="_blank">distance and Shap!</a><br />
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I have seen the hill so many times from a distance and even driven over it once or twice, today was my turn to cycle over it.<br />
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The ride started at the end of a lovely weeks holiday at Centre Parcs with my wife and kids. We spent most of our time swimming and having a great time. The kids have really improved their swimming and age just 2 and 5 they can now both swim totally unaided. They really are fish in their own right!<br />
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We did a little bit of cycling it's the girls too. A work in progress for that but we will get there. I would certainly love t take my kids out for a ride and something I look forward too, however I think it will be a few years off yet.<br />
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So as you can guess after much packing and shuffling backwards and forward to the car, I finally managed to leave.<br />
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I actually started from right outside my lodge and headed straight out. The first challenge being the escape from centre Parcs (as the segment is called). Goes to show that whoever has the KOM for that segment wasn't going for it as I just trundled down and got 5th!<br />
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So after riding out of cycling utopia I turned not the hell which is the A66. I was genuinely coecearned about cycling on this road. Even though it is a single carriageway people still drive at 70+mph along it. Lucky I managed to route myself straight off it after about a mile.<br />
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I turned onto a nice quiet country road then, ahh! The first hill nearly killed me!<br />
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Now for my weeks holiday, I literally have had a week off the bike, done no exercise and just eaten rubbish for a week! Clearly I was now paying in sweet and PAIN for my nice relaxing week off.<br />
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Thankfully I was able to fight through it and settled in to a nice relaxed endurance rhythm/pace.<br />
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As I made my way along the country lanes, the sun came out, the wind was whistling past my ears and I was really enjoying the ride. </div>
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The miles ticked by as I headed towards my first goal. I wanted to join the A6 and head up over Shap. </div>
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I never knew Shap was a village too! I headed through the village and it looked like a really nice country village. Shap even has an Abby just up from it.<br />
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Not the direction I was heading in though!</div>
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Heading south all the time now I rode up the gentle but steady climb up the mountain. To my surprise it was not as long or hard as I though it would be. I managed to get to the summit in no time at all with a reasonable average speed of 10.5mph too!!!</div>
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From the high point of the day it was literally all down hill!!! </div>
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I was flying down the road to Kendal. Keeping low on the drops. Just touching the brakes on the technical descent down the mountain. </div>
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I wound my way through some fantastic corkscrew bends. I could certainly see why this was chosen as part of the tour of Britain route. The only point I had to stop was for a section of roadworks on the long descent. It would have been a mega fast arrival into Kendal if they weren't there. </div>
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I made my way though Kendal, mingling with the traffic that was quite light in comparison to what I am used too. Then I turned off the A6 and headed again down some country lanes. This time I was avoiding the dual carriageway out of Kendal as I really didn't fancy that for the day! </div>
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I seemed to have settled at a nice cruising speed now, about 18-20 mph seemed to be just nice. I only dropped down for any slight inclines as I wanted to preserve my legs. I know over 100 miles I can really hurt and energy preservation is the key!</div>
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I only had water to drink today as I have run out of energy drink. I was already noticing the difference just drinking water. I was running out of energy faster than on previous rides and I could feel myself getting worse by the minute.<br />
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I rejoined the A6 at Milnthorpe. As I turned south once again I found I was being followed by a coach. Thankfully the driver was very considerate and didn't try and force his way past me but instead held back for a good 1/2 mile until the road opened up and he had plenty of room.<br />
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On the way down the road I passed another cyclist, this time a Lady on a bike. I was starting to think that I was really going badly when I noticed that she was riding an electrically assisted bike. I smiled as I passed her as I know she would easily be able to keep up with me. I still think it is cheating a bit.<br />
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I so want one!!!</div>
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I was picking up busier roads now as I headed into Lancaster. I was only a mile or two from the coast and starting to get hungry. Must have been the fresh sea air or something, plus my water just not filling the hole!<br />
I was on the look out for a lay-by fat van or something that I could just grab something to eat at without risking leaving my bike outside to get stolen.<br />
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That is one thing that I have always dreaded when out cycling on my own. I stop somewhere to find that I am now no longer with wheels!!!<br />
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So onward to Lancaster and still no food! thankfully the traffic was proving to be a good distraction from the hunger and exhaustion I was starting to feel. It seemed that I had obviously hit the City as it was cramming all its traffic into one small space. It was mega busy. However the joys of being on a bike I managed to cut through it all in no time what so ever. I was in and out after about 45 minutes (at the most).<br />
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I must say thought that the roads aren't that bad (surface wise), but the bus drivers just force there way through and just don't seem to care. Now I know where London bus drivers go to retire!!!<br />
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After doing battle with Lancaster I continued South still down the A6 (you starting to see a theme developing here!).<br />
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I saw the Trotters Independent Traders Yellow Robin Reliant parked up at the side of the road (very random). Must be a collectors piece or something. However I just couldn't help but laugh and then had the "Only Fools and Horses" theme tune stuck in my head. I still needed food!<br />
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I must have been on the only stretch of road in the country that doesn't have a fat van. If this was Manchester there is one on every bend with a big fat trucker working on a heart attack parked next to it!<br />
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Then behold! I finally came across a Chippy (not a fat van) at the side of the road. I just could resist and also knew that I wouldn't be lasting much longer unless I stopped.<br />
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Once I had stopped I instantly ceased up. I shoved chips down my neck as fast as I could before I was unable to ever move again. At this point I was just over half way with about 60 miles gone.<br />
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My next goal was to be Preston. I had ridden as far north as this before when I rode to Blackpool (see the blog about Blackpool and back). So I was heading into an area that I already knew the road in. Not too bad and as I was recording the ride on Strava I would be able to see where I was faster or slower. This will be why I have 88 cups against the ride too.<br />
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Most of them are 2nd best times through the segments in the area. But a few are PB's. So not all bad really.<br />
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I did seem to fly through Preston quite well heading towards Chorley, Adlington and Blackrod. I finally again hit the Blackrod by pass, not my favourite bit of road in the world as it does just seem a little too fast and with no speed control for cars! I just kept to the left and hoped not to get hit.<br />
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The road itself goes on a very gentle uphill before finally levelling off just south of Blackrod. It then remains flat and straight for what seemed like forever!<br />
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I needed sugar now and was starting to think of stopping at a garage to get a can of Red Bull or something along those lines.<br />
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I finally caved as I was passing Westhoughton. I saw a Tesco Express and pulled in. The car park looked busy enough so I took the gamble.<br />
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Thirsty and exhausted I dashed into the shop, grabbed a can or RedBull, a bottle of Lucozade and a bag of wine gums ran at the till, paid then dashed back outside before my bike ran off without me.<br />
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Gasping I threw the can down my neck faster than if it had vodka in it on a Friday night.<br />
I ate the wine gums and emptied the lucozade into my water bottle. Chewing on my final few wine gums I set off again.<br />
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I now had Manchester firmly in my sights!<br />
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Bumping along down the not fantastic roads in this area I was chewing up the miles with no problem at all. I had certainly had a massive hit of energy from the drinks and sweets. I just hoped it was enough to get me all the way home.<br />
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Again traffic was getting busy. I can't believe sometimes how localised some traffic jams are. Usually because someone at a set of traffic lights sit in a yellow box ablivious to the miles of tailbacks this causes. This is the sort of thing you see on a bike as you can cut through the traffic and see the problems from the outside.<br />
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Ducking down under the M60 and into Salford. I was not exactly speeding along but I was still going at a good pace. The roads are still quite tight around there. Then almost with a POP! as I found myself riding on what I initially feared was a motorway, but it turns out it is a three lane dual carriageway heading into Manchester centre. Just keep left and ride as hard as you can!<br />
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I picked up signs for Chapel Street as the last time I rode down here I got a little lost. Then I headed towards the universities and Deansgate. The Hilton was the landmark I was heading for as I knew my way to the office from there then obviously follow the much travelled commuter route home.<br />
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I knew now I was only 9 miles at the most from the end of this long journey. Even though it was all up hill it was a road I knew very well and I was looking forward to finishing.<br />
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I arrived home 7hours 40 minutes after starting my ride. I had tired legs. I was thirsty, hungry, tired but elated to find that my family had just arrived home safe and well too.<br />
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No rest for the wicked. I had a car to unpack and lots of jobs to do before I could finally relax for the day.<br />
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Once I had showered and had dinner etc. I filmed this...<br />
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I was certainly happy to have achieved a good run out again.<br />
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Next time I think I will be taking energy drinks and more food with me.<br />
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I am thinking of going out on a 200 mile ride some point soon as to ride for 7 hours is one thing. to ride for 12 will be another.<br />
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This is or course all training for the 310 mile 24 hour ride in August that will really hurt.<br />
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Lets just see what happens. I know one thing though and that is I will make it one way or the other.<br />
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Happy cycling<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-35521629024155623042014-05-31T00:36:00.000+01:002014-05-31T00:36:27.690+01:00Racing Rattles.... Commuting hurts!Over the past few months I have been taking part in the racing league up at Tameside circuit. It is certainly fun and a great thrill to be racing with what are some of the faster cyclists in the area. This week as I was pounding my way around the track, my legs on fire, my muscles screaming at me to stop. Even as I felt like I was turning my lungs inside out as I could hear my own pulse banging in my ears. I was still loving every minute.<br />
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Why?<br />
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I think the reason I love cycling and racing at the track is to know I can push myself and my machine (however mainly just myself) to my limit and keep on going.<br />
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I can do this safe in the knowledge that the only chance of me being killed will be my own doing. I will hopefully not be one of these office bound business types that manages to have a heart attack whilst playing squash etc. and with a good healthy lifestyle I am intending to live forever!<br />
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That is racing and living healthy.<br />
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Part of my good healthy living lifestyle is also cycling to work everyday (or near enough).<br />
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My daily commute takes me though Hyde. Down the A57 into Denton, across the M60, then again on the A57 all the way to the city centre.<br />
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A fairly straightforward and simple route that at 9 miles each way you would think shouldn't be a problem.<br />
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In actual fact I am more at risk on this route of being killed by a driver just not having a good morning, busy talking on their phone, in a rush so ignoring the lights today, or just have the attitude that cyclists should not get in their way.<br />
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This morning was a prime example of several of these in one fol swoop.<br />
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I driver using a mobile phone, passed me so close that the wing mirror hit my right hand. Thankfully I am quite good at my bike handling so thankfully I managed to stay up with only a minor wobble!<br />
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As I carried on down the road (no the driver didn't stop even after I shouted "TOO CLOSE!" I did eventually catch them at the lights in Denton. Not much effort involved driving by car is far slower than using a bike in real terms.<br />
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When I asked the driver why they got so close as usual I got the shouts of abuse and you shouldn't have been in the middle of the road, you don't pay road tax etc.<br />
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Really amazes me in all honesty that this is how some people think they can treat other human beings.<br />
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This type of behaviour is what I see daily.<br />
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Now I have previously worked as a professional driver. I hold a full HGV (class1), bus/coach licence, plus I even qualified and worked as transport manager. I obviously hold a car licence and have been driving since I passed my test back in 1996.<br />
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The drivers I see on the roads today have to be some of the worst I have ever seen. Not just as a motorist but as a cyclist too.<br />
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Its really not hard to give someone room. Slow down. Pay attention to the road markings. It's everyone's responsibility to look after each other. If your driving, walking, cycling or any other mode of transport. The bigger you are the more responsibility you have.<br />
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Cycling to work is something I love doing because I get to work feeling great, park for free. Have a nice shower when I get to work, it's cheaper and quicker than any other way of commuting. I kid you not! It would take me the best part of 1 1/2 hours to drive the 9 miles to work. Then I would have to find somewhere to park. Plus the cost of fuel and parking. Then I would have to continue on foot as unlike when I cycle I would not be able to park in the building I work in.<br />
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The only down point about cycling is having to put up with the abuse and murderous attitudes some drivers put out, plus having to slow down for all the motorists as they sit in metal boxes isolated from each other and the world outside.<br />
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When I cycle, I regularly have a quick chat with other cyclists as we sit at red lights, or just get stuck in traffic and are unable to filter past. It's a really nice social thing.<br />
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If you see me out there give me a nod or a wave and you will get one back. If I pass you or you pass me say hello, I always do.<br />
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It's great to have the community attitude, the communication, the recovery of the lost society! Of course the shared suffering too.<br />
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All cyclist love it, but for those that don't ride it just seems lost and they will never know what they are missing.<br />
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Happy cycling. :)<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-32397741039715197272014-05-19T21:45:00.003+01:002014-05-19T21:45:27.198+01:00It's been a long road this month!!!So far this month I have put in a good bit of mileage out on the road and even in the Gym!!!<br />
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That's right I have even joined a Gym in Manchester near where I work. Essentially I get to pop down at lunchtimes to thrash myself to death for 30 minutes work up a good sweat, then go back to sitting behind a desk for the rest of the day usually with burning legs. I have been going to one or two of the Spin classes (for obvious cycling related reasons) as well as doing some general leg strength and cardiac work. I really do want to get fit enough to not get dropped by the peloton at the races I take part in.<br />
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On the side of racing so far this month I have taken part in one race that I really did badly in. In short I am not finding my form this season and I am struggling with racing on tired legs. When I turned up last week to race I rode around the first warm-up lap and my legs already felt like lead!<br />
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As I raced around the circuit I suffered for commuting to work by bike that day and the day before.<br />
Each time I tried to find the power and the strength I was used too I just found nothing. It was literally like I was empty and even though I finished I hardly felt like I achieved.<br />
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For my race next week I will train up to the weekend then make sure I am well rested and get as much fuel in as possible. When I am up to speed I am more than capable of holding a wheel and keeping up with the pack. I just feel that I am doing myself no favours at the minute by not really resting prior to a race and burning my legs a bit before I need too.<br />
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I want to see positive results.<br />
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The Sergeant Major wants blood!!!<br />
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I am still doing endurance training of course which is my main aim as I going to be cycling 310 miles in 15 weeks time. That in the great scheme of things is really not a long time at all...<br />
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In an effort to up my endurance I cycled to <a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/136857523" target="_blank">Blackpool and back</a> on the Saturday of the May bank holiday<br />
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that took just short of 7 hours and was actually a very nice ride indeed. Apart from my bike breaking in the last 8 miles, I suddenly found I couldn't change gear. The weather was really nice and I even got a cyclists tan. (check out my legs if you see me!!).<br />
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Sunday I had planned to do something more and rack up some big miles but instead ended up having to spend most of the day figuring out how I was going to fix my bike without spending any money. That involved luck more than judgement as it was just a cable that had jammed and needed replacing.<br />
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Lucky I carry a spare!<br />
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Monday I went to meet the family <a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/137666639" target="_blank">up near York</a>.<br />
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This ride took me over familiar ground towards Holmfirth heading out through Stalybridge then east up the hill!<br />
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I don't see it as a hill any more, more just a bit of a rise that I may have to work at then a nice fast flat followed by a rapid descent down the other side.<br />
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Once I got into Holmfirth however I was in having to remember my route territory!<br />
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My aim was to head to Wakefield then head north to finally meet the A64 York road turn right then end up in Copmandsthorpe (great name) where the family were staying.<br />
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Heading out of Holmfirth wasn't a problem, I even played good Samaritan to a fellow cyclist that was having gear issues and needed to figure out how to tune his rear dérailleur on the fly. Thankfully as I built my bike I know how it works so I was able to help him out and get him moving again.<br />
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5 minutes later however I snapped my chain so had to put it back together at the side of the road. Did that chap stop to help after I helped him out??? No he just sailed on by and actually looked away as he did so!<br />
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Clearly not a real cyclist.....<br />
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Anyway much grumbling and about 5 minutes later I had put my chain together (turns out I hadn't clipped the speed links back correctly) I was off and heading towards a very grey Wakefield.<br />
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It did strike me that even on such a nice sunny day I rode into the town and it was just grey and drab.<br />
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Then yet another issue hit me!<br />
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Thankfully not a bike related one (she was still holding up nicely), more a direction related one, ergo a lack of road signs.<br />
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Coming to junctions towards the town centre and where the road signs were supposed to be stood pair after pair of grey rusting metal poles. No signs!!! <br />
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Clearly the local council decided that everyone has satnav so why bother with road signs... Thank goodness that :-<br />
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A I have worked as a driver in the area (all be a number of years ago) so I recognised some of the landmarks,<br />
<br />
B I had spent some time memorising the route so I knew the general direction I needed to go in and<br />
<br />
C I also have a satnav on my phone and had to eventually resort to this too. Time wasted but necessary.<br />
<br />
Once out of Wakefield I crossed the M62 and it was like I had crossed into a different country!<br />
<br />
The fields were yellow for as far as I could see. The roads were smooth and all the colour had returned after the dreary passage through Wakefield. I almost felt as I had taken a breath of really fresh air. I even felt lighter on my bike and full of energy.<br />
<br />
The miles seemed to fly by as I headed first towards Oulton, Swillington and Garforth then the long road to Tadcaster.<br />
<br />
I thought that this may be a long and painful ride after my previous efforts in the weekend but in actual fact I was really happy and enjoying the ride in what I can only describe as Gods countryside!<br />
<br />
I arrived in Tadcaster all happy and even refreshed, I found the lovely little village to be really nice and somewhere I would like to visit as it had a proper country village about it!<br />
<br />
Next came the A64 however, This in effect is a motorway with no hard shoulder. Thankfully I didn't have to resort to cycling on the road (I did think this would be close to suicide) as the road was really very busy and I didn't fancy mingling with metal travelling at 70+ Mph.<br />
<br />
I had done a Google Maps recce to ensure there was a path next to the road at the very least. Otherwise I did also have an alternate route that I could take as a plan B!!!<br />
<br />
Always important to have a Plan B when out on your own!<br />
<br />
So after just short of 4 hours I reached Copmandsthorpe to find the village was having a fair in the best English village way. It turned into a lovely afternoon with the wife and kids eating hot dogs and contributing to the local charities! certainly a lovely atmosphere and a great find indeed!<br />
<br />
<b><u>What's planned next???</u></b><br />
<br />
Well I will either be cycling too or more probably from Centre Parks near Carlisle back to Manchester. That will be about 120 miles and have a bit of a hill in the way as I go through the Lake District down the A6 all the way!<br />
<br />
Between now and then I am racing still, getting some long commutes in where I can , plus and when I get chance I may even have to put in a few more long rides to places of interest.<br />
<br />
I will just have to make it up as I go along to be honest, with the chaos that is family life I am not really able to follow a training schedule. Just keep knocking out the miles and hopefully get faster at the same time.<br />
<br />
Great fun in the process! I will keep you posted<br />
<br />
Cheers :)<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-54451427275724630772014-04-25T14:56:00.000+01:002014-04-25T22:34:16.189+01:00Tameside Race league round 2This is quite definitely<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> an account of how I took myself apart in this race!</span><div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Again it was very fast and furious, right from the start and that was even before I got to the track!!!<br>
<br>
I did the usual, come home from work, sort the kids out, have dinner and put them to bed etc.<br>
<br>
Then I had to make sure all my kit was in place and my bike in order. Before I knew it, it was already 7.30 and my race was starting at 8.30.<br>
<br>
I drove up to the track and got there just in time to see the last few laps of the Cat 2,3,4 race that was on before mine.<br>
<br>
I managed to put my bike together, pin on my race number, get all sorted out and then make my way over to the track.<br>
<br>
Almost as soon as I got there I then realised I had forgotten to attach my transponder to my bike, so had to rush back to the car to get it and cable tie it on.<br>
<br>
Finally I was ready and raring to go. I mixed with a bunch of the other riders all waiting to get onto the track too.<br>
<br>
I got talking to one of the chaps that I know from Thursday training and last week racing at the track, Andy Gorton. He managed to come 4th last week and was hoping to do better this week. I knew he is fast but I didn't realise he was that good!<br>
<br>
Anyway as we were chatting everyone set off around the track for a few good warm-up laps. I was very aware that having being pressed for time I was needing to get my legs warm so went for the fast cadence at speed approach to get warm. It worked too as I was nicely up and running by the time I had done a few laps.<br>
<br>
Start time!<br>
<br>
It was a good line-up this week with 33 riders starting (all be not everyone signed on).<br>
<br>
Eventually after much conflab the mystery of who had forgotten to sign on was sort out. Quick riders brief, same as last week, then all straining at the leash to go!<br>
<br>
GO! GO! GO!<br>
<br>
On the whistle blast we all headed out off the line.<br>
<br>
This week I managed to get a really good start and going into the first bend I was really near the front of the pack sprinting away in about 5th place.<br>
<br>
The big battle into the hairpin forced lots of riders into a very small space and thankfully we all got through it no problem.<br>
<br>
I was working very hard and sprinting my eye balls out at this point. I was even finding that I was maintaining position too. WooHoo!!!<br>
<br>
This was when I relaxed when I really shouldn't have. As soon as I sat down to get on with the steady work all those behind me took this as weakness and passed me in a savage and brutal pass.<br>
<br>
Now I was behind the pace and not able to get back up to the front of the main group. Sergeant Major Matt started screaming "Weakness! I see weakness! Go kill them all NOW!"<br>
<br>
The pace was still high and very hard.<br>
<br>
I was being dropped from the lead bunch at this point and my body went into shock after such a hard effort over the first 5 or 6 laps.<br>
<br>
Now I picked up up on a group that had fallen back too and we started to work together to get back up to the main group. We were making steady progress as we worked together. Working to the front man in a chain gang. Once the front man was feeling tired he would drop to the side and we would all move up one or two places.<br>
<br>
This worked for a while but then for some reason we slowed right down and then suddenly all the guys just exploded off not working together at all and burning hard. I was dropped and feeling the pain from working so hard too. Back in the wind on my own now I was trying my best to get back to the group. I felt like I was going nowhere fast at some points.<br>
<br>
Lap after lap went by and I heard the inevitable scream of carbon wheels as the lead men came around to lap me.<br>
<br>
I pulled over to give them room to pass.<br>
<br>
Part of this group (where I had been only 10 minutes earlier) had Andy in it. Not in 4th place however and I could see he was working hard too.<br>
<br>
Finally the last lap came in and I was really working my heart out still.<br>
<br>
Yes I may have been last in this race this week, but I wasn't going to give up and I was going to finish even if it killed me!<br>
<br>
I rolled across the line exhausted but happy. As it turns out I was about 25 seconds faster for the race distance this week (according to my strava).<br>
<br>
I came 31st out of 33 starters. Two riders crashed out in the first half of the race (so I am told).<br>
<br>
It was a good hard fast race and I enjoyed riding in the pack. Even with the guys grunting like animals and pushing hard it was high adrenaline, aggressive and great fun!<br>
<br>
Next week is the last of my 3 races for this month, Hopefully I will be able to improve on my time and position again too.<br>
<br>
I am still training hard trying to get my fitness up to a standard that I can compete with the front men. I know I am capable of getting there as I have been bonkers fit before.<br>
<br>
This week I have also been out breaking my own personal records, not only on the track but on the ride too and from work as well.<br>
<br>
I took a long route to work on Thursday as I also need to think about my endurance still.<br>
<br>
Over the next few weeks I will be having a few 100 mile weekend rides, Plus rides over to Doncaster, Sheffield and to meet the wife in York at some point too.<br>
<br>
The miles are important and I think that as I push myself on each ride I go out on, the next ride I am stronger and faster. Proof of the pudding with the 25 second gain on the track this week!<br>
<br>
I am still enjoying it, all be I do put myself in some real pain some days and make myself suffer on the road. That is part of it in my mind too though as I wouldn't do it if it were easy.<br>
<br>
Next week I will be looking at breaking my records I set this week and see how far into Hell I can drive myself!<br>
<br>
Happy cycling :)</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-65113727225340183222014-04-20T19:32:00.000+01:002014-04-20T19:32:04.828+01:00WooHaa! Tameside League Race Round 1Tuesday night was the first race of the season.<br />
<br />
As you can guess I had been getting prepared for the race pretty well.<br />
<br />
My bike was all in order and running silky smooth and I was feeling great.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PTtcEEyPuIRefsnnIwLBrKp5k-LDWJnIoBA1PqCPBo2Rik4PF6d5Ee9HHwxM1D35WUScS6DfI7J6UKOT8yDy-44GgNIVU0s8-5gfLhf-mSftHD7TSq1ozAfZrj8CLBYTc-ldASy4dI4/s1600/preped+for+racing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PTtcEEyPuIRefsnnIwLBrKp5k-LDWJnIoBA1PqCPBo2Rik4PF6d5Ee9HHwxM1D35WUScS6DfI7J6UKOT8yDy-44GgNIVU0s8-5gfLhf-mSftHD7TSq1ozAfZrj8CLBYTc-ldASy4dI4/s1600/preped+for+racing.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All ready to Race!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, feeling a bit nervous I got my racing jersey on and packed my bike and all the bits I needed into the car to head up to Ashton.<br />
<br />
My Dad and his wife (Violet) had come over specially to see me in the race and hopefully take a few pictures/video of me on the track too.<br />
<br />
I was determined to make a good show of it for the race and turned up well in time for the 7.30 start time that I thought we had. Turns out the start time was 8.30 and I had just turned up over 1 hour early (D'oh!). This did give me plenty of time to get sorted out and make sure I sort of knew what I would be doing.<br />
<br />
The races before mine were going still. I managed to see the last few laps of the juniors. Those kids on bikes that look too big for them have an obvious power to weight advantage as they were really shifting around that track. After that the Cat 2/3/4 race that I hope to be able to graduate too. This was a really fast race for some very strong high power racers. As they powered there way past us on the hairpin bend I was watching from, you could almost feel the speed as they went past!<br />
<br />
It all became very real as well when two of the riders came into contact and wham! They both hit the deck hard. Two guys out of the race and by the look of it at least one of the bikes was very badly damaged too. Even with the riders injured the race still carried on without them for about 45 minutes in total. That must have been really hard going to cycle at that speed for as long as they did. In all the race was about 40 Laps (40 km or 24 miles) at sprint pace. I could see that my race was going to be hard and very fast!<br />
<br />
I went around the block for a quick warm up. Then on my return I noticed other riders from my race making their way onto the track in a very tentative manner.<br />
<br />
I made my way onto the track and rode 2 laps at a nice gentle pace. I certainly didn't want to burn my legs out before I had even started. As I approached the half way point of my second lap I could see riders starting to gather at the start line. Starting to get nervous but also very excited I completed my lap and joined the line up in the middle of the third row. All the riders were coming in and then once we had all been counted and checked it was the riders brief.<br />
<br />
"Play nice, watch your space, any barging pushing or blatant cheating will result in a one lap penalty. If you are going to get lapped listen for the instruction of the riders approaching and get out of their way."<br />
<br />
Now the heart was pumping, adrenaline racing, muscles warmed up and ready to go we could all feel the tension as we strained ready to be let lose.<br />
<br />
Then the count, "Ready, 3, 2, 1 GO!"<br />
<br />
A flurry of riders clipping in and hitting the gas.<br />
<br />
Suddenly from my right Wham!<br />
<br />
The chap next to me missed clipping in and smashed straight into me!<br />
<br />
"Great! Get off me" Not my exact words but this sudden stop was already losing me time and places and I hadn't even crossed the start line yet.<br />
<br />
In seconds I was on and moving.<br />
<br />
Strava!<br />
<br />
I hit the start button just as I crossed the line.<br />
<br />
Already though it felt like I was riding backwards as all those that had a clear run and speed were already going past me.<br />
<br />
My blood began to boil and I was swearing at myself desperately trying to get up to speed and hang on to the back of the pack already.<br />
<br />
The first few laps were really fast and very crowded.<br />
<br />
Going into the bends I was fighting for my line constantly having to duck and weave as riders jostled for position. Getting cut up again I hit the brakes. This was really getting to be hard work and I was losing contact with the group by the second.<br />
<br />
Then I realised, I had been dropped out of the back and I was in the worst position ever! (Thankfully I wasn't last though.)<br />
<br />
I now had nobody close enough in front of me that I could take advantage of them breaking the air, I would have to do all the work on my own to try and get back to the group, they all had the advantage that the draft of the rider in front would help drag them along. (about 30% easier than what I was having to do). Lap after lap I was giving my all to try and make up some ground. I was trying to sprint out of every corner, pushing myself harder. I could literally feel my heart beating in my head and chest. My legs were feeling like lead and I was cursing myself. I really did think I was last at this point and I was only about 10 laps in.<br />
<br />
I turned into the hairpin as fast as I dare to take advantage of the space I had.<br />
<br />
The spectators were shouting "Go on Mikey!!!". I thought for a second who the hell is Mikey!<br />
<br />
Then I realised in actual fact I had a shadow that had been with me since the start.<br />
<br />
Right I thought your not taking advantage of me and as I turned out of the hair pin I put on a really hard sprint keeping it going right to the other end of the track taking corners at speeds I didn't think it possible to ride around at.<br />
<br />
I was really hurting myself to just make sure I held my place. I would not be last man! I was angry at myself at this point as it was for allowing myself to get dropped. Then worse still.....<br />
<br />
"Right Side" came the shout, I was being lapped.<br />
<br />
Strangely my Sergeant Major was being totally silent. I think that he just wanted to see how I would do on my own without him. I was dying and getting punished on each lap.<br />
<br />
The cost of my sprint hit me hard! A massive stabbing pain as I got cramp down my left calf muscle. I couldn't stop and stretch it off. I just had to press on and just hope that it went enough for me to keep it going. That took two whole laps of agony before I felt numb again.<br />
<br />
Finally the lap counter was saying 18, 19 then 20. Only problem was I was a lap behind so when I crossed the line at 20 for me it was 19.<br />
<br />
Still 1 lap to go and I was in bits! now the biggest problem was to be finished riders getting in the way.<br />
<br />
I was really angry with myself and this actually made my last lap the fastest I did too!<br />
<br />
Perhaps that is something I could use next week, however I don't like the idea of ride angry!<br />
<br />
A nice gentle cool down lap for me now (and calm down too) as I coasted round<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVFQwDOrN-vhqf1Jm9n0sVJn3ZDDa3VJljMsO3a9cuAV2NK8rF40OOKBnGMK85shiDTZHTp6GNE6C8uvg5V8_SAiSgseq87kDIun4J-hhANTA27-t7mHKsNo3gvFIrMTJisD6tYF2o44/s1600/Tameside+Cycling+Race+League+round+1+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVFQwDOrN-vhqf1Jm9n0sVJn3ZDDa3VJljMsO3a9cuAV2NK8rF40OOKBnGMK85shiDTZHTp6GNE6C8uvg5V8_SAiSgseq87kDIun4J-hhANTA27-t7mHKsNo3gvFIrMTJisD6tYF2o44/s1600/Tameside+Cycling+Race+League+round+1+016.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the cool down lap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
By this point I was knackered and slowly made my way to the finish to find out my placing (not that I wanted to know, but I do want to do better next time).<br />
<br />
34th out of 37. One rider retired after only a few laps but however I wasn't last so that was a good thing.<br />
<br />
Not the best start to the season at all and I certainly wasn't expecting the race to be at such a high pace. Now though I have a marker to go by so I will be able to work my way up.<br />
<br />
My Dad and Violet had been taking pictures and video, unfortunately most of the pictures were too dark as the race didn't start until just after sunset.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwtAhOz9HE-skQExNbk0CtIyULaQvfD7ZOs8ywn4klrcE6dSJU0ot7u7L4Z6JnZgoxkR24d4KB0g5vhvqYiYhbBjW-kwJGyIzPC9ojVTRTHZ7DghvgR1fVWdK6DOvYhcA2Bpk9maDEZs/s1600/Tameside+Cycling+Race+League+round+1+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwtAhOz9HE-skQExNbk0CtIyULaQvfD7ZOs8ywn4klrcE6dSJU0ot7u7L4Z6JnZgoxkR24d4KB0g5vhvqYiYhbBjW-kwJGyIzPC9ojVTRTHZ7DghvgR1fVWdK6DOvYhcA2Bpk9maDEZs/s1600/Tameside+Cycling+Race+League+round+1+018.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All done and totally exhausted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZh_DrPm6c-1QBkJqdFhw-FhwQlLOsRmTc-SqLUPx9rvOUO06EsGf6CQpja_34Sjw5gxMeyMWIzjFWgh3yfahBelYRamYuk_fcMVlkAq1paDneKTeouEl0TGA5jM9gtyaM7n8pBU7rSDI/s1600/Tameside+Cycling+Race+League+round+1+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZh_DrPm6c-1QBkJqdFhw-FhwQlLOsRmTc-SqLUPx9rvOUO06EsGf6CQpja_34Sjw5gxMeyMWIzjFWgh3yfahBelYRamYuk_fcMVlkAq1paDneKTeouEl0TGA5jM9gtyaM7n8pBU7rSDI/s1600/Tameside+Cycling+Race+League+round+1+019.jpg" height="320" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with my dad<br />Him looking like some sort of a racing pundit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Totally knackered I pulled up and paused for a picture. My Dad asking "did I win then?" Erm! no but I did finish.<br />
<br />
Lessons learnt from this race:<br />
<br />
1. My fitness really needs to be worked on.<br />
2. I really need to work on defending my line and not getting dropped.<br />
3. It is the luck of the draw when heading out at the start.<br />
4. I really need to train more and harder.<br />
5. I did not prepare enough for the race and this was my punishment!<br />
<br />
To help the fitness and training aspect of it all I went to training on Thursday night, plus I even went running with the wife on Saturday. I now have in my mind a plan of attack and a better idea of what to do.<br />
<br />
I have a feeling it will be a few races before I am finishing with the bunch yet. But I will do my best to hang on by my fingernails as much as I can next week.<br />
<br />
It was really exciting stuff and such a rush, even if I did get kicked out of the back of the pack and hung out to dry!<br />
<br />
Now my aim is to constantly do better, even eventually win!<br />
<br />
I enjoyed it so much I can see why it is addictive too.<br />
<br />
Even happier cycling! :)<br />
<br />
P.s From the Wife: You also need to concentrate on your distance cycling as you are doing a 300 miler in august and you don't want to be last then either! I know this is new and exciting, however you've made a commitment to the london to Newcastle 24!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-74318652357866121132014-04-14T20:00:00.002+01:002014-04-14T20:28:47.462+01:00Mud, Steel, Pain and THE WIFE!!!Last week was the steel part of the above.<br />
<br />
Somehow saying Aluminium and carbon wasn't the same. I went to Tameside circuit again that was great fun and did just go from being a nice hard workout doing some chain-gang training into just a full on hell for leather all out race!<br />
<br />
Makes me wonder what it is going to be like tomorrow night when |I really am in a hell for leather, tearing your eye balls out race. If anything it will be fun (I wouldn't do it otherwise),<br />
<br />
Saturday had a very muddy theme to it all!!!<br />
<br />
I took part in the<a href="http://www.endurerevents.co.uk/endurer-dash-photos-april-12th-2014/" target="_blank"> Endurer Dash </a>that her in doors got me roped into doing.<br />
<br />
It was actually great fun and we really did get muddy as hell too.<br />
My wife "Lynne" had organised for a team of us to go and run this fun run, literally just for a laugh and because she had never done anything like this before. She is quite new to running and has really taken to it. To say 8 months ago she would struggle to run 3 km constantly and now runs upwards of 10 for a laugh on a Saturday morning, plus runs during the week with our dog on the roads and through the fields around the local area.<br />
<br />
Late last year she did her first ever 10k run and managed to raise loads for the East Cheshire Hospice (the same one I am raising money for), Now she wanted to get into doing something a bit different. Now having a husband that is an ex-soldier must have made her think of something daft like an assault course. Thankfully I do enjoy doing this sort of thing, so with fighting pants on, off we went to the Peaks for the (erhem!) 8km event (more on the erhem later, just have a look at <a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/129400767" target="_blank">my strava</a> and you will see why)<br />
<br />
I really think that the very steep start was the bail of hay that nearly broke Lynne's back, it was an uphill start, then a up and down zig zagg that was made to sort out the field into the speedy snakes and the not so speedy idiots!!! By the top of the first hill Lynne was starting to have second thoughts about this. As the punishing course wound its way up and down the steep slope slowly heading towards the obstacles that lay ahead.<br />
<br />
A few little horse jumps over the walls, logs and the occasional hay bail, then it was the huge hay bail mountain to climb up. This was relatively easy after the legs were warmed up, however the descent down the other side was less than graceful, with all four of us crashing down the mangled hay bails on our backsides.<br />
<br />
On towards the monkey bars. Thankfully this had a queue so it gave Lynne a bit of time to catch her breath as we were keeping up a good pace and the hills were a bit of a killer. Really doesn't help when your team consists of a mega fit marathon runner(Ryan), an equally fit cyclist (me) and a dad that just doesn't know his limits but likes to explore them without fear (Andy)!<br />
<br />
The monkey bars were a bit on the high side, so Lynne was unable to reach them however had a really good go at doing so. Ryan (marathon runner) and myself, had a really good laugh as we raced across the bars just wondering who would crack first! To my surprise we both made it all the way across.<br />
<br />
Next came the bit that I am sure Lynne was looking forward too the most and I quite the opposite, the water crossing. Freezing cold neck deep muddy water! Hmm the best way to spend a Saturday morning!<br />
<br />
We all jumped in one after the other. When I eventually jumped in a very Jeronimo! kind of fashion (can't remember if I did shout anything) I was instantly hit by the water temperature and felt like someone had taken my lungs and given them a good hard squeeze! I say I can't remember if I shouted anything probably because my brain went into shock at that point and deleted all memory of anything to do with how cold the water was.<br />
<br />
On getting out of the water we had a quick rethink about our wedded bliss and thankfully carried on, now sloshing our way up the hill to the next obstacle. Why did I think it was a good idea to wear my boots??? Slosh squelch slosh squelch...<br />
<br />
Bit more zig zagging up and down the hills plus a few more horse jumps, then it was onto a traverse wall which in trainers was probably reasonably easy, in boots not so easy! However Lynne being rather well endowed in the boob department was more worried about getting an unwanted nipple piercing at this point. Made me chuckle anyway!!!<br />
<br />
Finally we started heading down hill. Now many people would see this as a good thing, however in the Peaks we all know many other things run down hill, Sheep, boulders, poo and water. All of which we were about to start running through.<br />
<br />
Some very muddy bogs now had to be crossed. People had already been loosing footwear as well as churning up the bogs into a deep and sloppy mess. We hit them and I decided that wearing my boots was actually a very good idea! Squelching and laughing our heads off at the absurdity of the situation as we went through them we managed to plough on.<br />
<br />
By now we were caked in mug up to our wastes and with heavy tiring legs we carried on into the woods to the dark (and very muddy) tunnels.<br />
<br />
These were essentially a load of hay bails with a sheet over the top that we had to crawl under. So in a gentlemanly manner, Ladies first...Splat!<br />
<br />
Lynne was loving it as she crawler through the tunnels only to find the next stage had yet more crawling Under wire through even deeper and smellier mud! Splat, squelch, giggle!!!<br />
<br />
This Endurer thing was really starting to earn it's name as we could see that we were all starting to hurt a bit.<br />
<br />
Next it was a log carry for a few hundred meters. Thankfully being a parent this was easy and Lynne was showing that yes she had been training by carrying around a child shaped lump for the past 5 years that certainly doesn't get any lighter.<br />
<br />
The hardest thing was keeping your footing as even through an easy wooded area it was starting to get a little sloppy under foot.<br />
<br />
Next down into the valley and a muddy watery walk up and down some streams to punish the legs. It was quite comedy as a few chaps in front of us obviously thought that they were near the end so washed some of the mud off arms and legs only to find just around the next corner some more tunnels to crawl though in thick sticky chest high mud to make sure you had a good all over covering.<br />
<br />
The descent carried on to the road crossing that was really a very low tunnel under the road with a stream flowing though it. It actually did get so low that you had a crawl again but thankfully it wasn't so muddy, just wet!<br />
<br />
We emerged into the wet cold and blinking into the daylight to continue on, thankfully the sun had come out and it was really turning into a very nice day.<br />
<br />
Just the two of us continued to plod on now as Ryan and Andy had left us for dust.<br />
<br />
Finally with the end in sight we rounded the last few bends slid down a water slide, bi-passed a 6 foot wall (we did both attempt it but it was so muddy that nobody could get over it) then on up the final steep hill to the finish.<br />
<br />
The kids both Screamed with joy as Mummy and Daddy came into sight. Giving us a final cheer on to spur us up the last steep hill to the finish! With well earned finishers medals awarded and hugs all round we finished the day and went back to the car to get out of very cold, wet, muddy clothing and into something a bit more comfortable!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ty0tbrmP0-7SxVW3ZbdqNNk8B5CWoCTMwuv_9eAOgl6DsEx0WgBGPUGVDps-RU6c1ptTWY_AxDO8Bz9vKoxsl-qLMhdQcV7snf8tH4K1iW374JB1LHAI0cSgG73Y9jigTVOB_cwsjM4/s1600/Endurer2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ty0tbrmP0-7SxVW3ZbdqNNk8B5CWoCTMwuv_9eAOgl6DsEx0WgBGPUGVDps-RU6c1ptTWY_AxDO8Bz9vKoxsl-qLMhdQcV7snf8tH4K1iW374JB1LHAI0cSgG73Y9jigTVOB_cwsjM4/s1600/Endurer2014.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So for my Strava as I was carrying my phone all the way around adn it actually survived too! The 8km course was in actual fact 10.6km!!! Not complaining though as that is me covered for my 10k this month.<br />
<br />
It really was a great time and we enjoyed "most" of it.<br />
<br />
We all decided that we are to come back next year and beat our time. next time "Sergeant Major Matt" may have to come and play too.<br />
<br />
Now I am just looking forward to the hardest thing I have been looking forward too for the past few weeks! Tuesday night is RACE night.<br />
<br />
30km of high speed torture, pain, adrenaline and excitement! I can't wait.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-28202016189508751352014-04-04T16:14:00.001+01:002014-04-04T21:25:41.892+01:00Training at Tameside circuit<div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1;"><div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">On Thursday night</a> I went up to the Tameside Closed circuit track for a good 1 ½ training session.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Plus as I am going to be racing there this month I thought it best to turn up and at least get a feel for the track before going to race on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I got there to find that 15 other riders had the same sort of plan. Some seasoned racers and others having their first experience of the track as I was too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was indeed a very friendly atmosphere with a really good coach to greet us, then stretch our very souls as he nicely had us thrash ourselves at an ever increasing pace and intensity around the circuit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I started by just having a nice relaxed run around to get a feel of the corners and figure out where I could get the power in to get up to racing speed. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">This was not that easy as I have been cycling to work all week and my legs were not as fresh as they could be!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Setting off around the track I was finding my way through the sweeping right and left bends. At one end a nice long sweeping left hander is the top spot for racers to “stack it in” as one of the riders explained to me, whilst at the other end a fast 180 degree hairpin bend proved to be really tight. Going into that two or three abreast would be great fun!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So as we all trundled around at a nice easy pace it was starting to get busy. We all finally gathered into a big group and then the fun would begin!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To start we made our way around two abreast, winding out way through the bends. Thankfully nobody was really pushing it at this point and even though we were very close to each other no one made contact. Amazing really considering the speed was starting to ramp up as we all started to get warmed up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then we all stopped for a quick briefing for the session to really begin.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We split into 2 groups and started to make our way around again. The idea being the we drafted behind the riders on the left then once you reached the front you peel off to the right and rest for a brief couple of seconds before joining the fast line back on the left. All this was to be at about 60% effort so not to completely kill ourselves over the 20 (or so) minutes this exercise would be carried out over.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I joined a group of 5 riders, all looking very capable and off we went.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It had started raining at this point and the wind was picking up. The track started to get slippery especially where the grass cutters had left grass on the track (thankfully this was only at 2 points)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Straight away I was in the fast line keeping the pace into each of the bends. As the rider in front peeled to the right I accelerated up to get ahead, really working my legs and getting my heart rate going. I could feel the sweat start to gather on my back as I was wearing my shower proof jacket.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I peeled to the right and relaxed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dropping back I came to the back of the line very quickly. As the last rider to my left passed me and called “Last Man!” when he got to me. He accelerated past and I moved onto his wheel getting the benefit of being behind him. I called “Last Man!” to the rider to my right and before I knew it I was at the front again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Faster and faster we went as the effort we were putting in was ramping up. So much for staying at 60% !!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We headed down the starting straight, into wind as we went. I could feel my legs starting to burn and complain at me. If they could talk at this point they would be screaming “This hurts please stop!”. Harder still we pushed on. The rain started to ease off a bit but the track was now quite wet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On one of the left hand bends I was at the front again. I was pulling away upping the pace to get to the front then as I pulled top my right, I over cooked it a little and with a slight moment of panic I was on the grass! The rider to my left in a piss taking manner shouted “You getting some cycle cross in too mate!”. I was cursing by this point and after my gardening exploits I managed to hop back onto the track before I was ejected out the back of the group.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Still working hard and starting to really feel the strain we lost one man off the back. This really didn’t help as it meant that instead of us all sharing the effort 5 ways it would now be four ways.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We streamed on lap after lap. The 1km track was starting to feel long even though our lap times were dropping and the pace increasing. I was on the drops by now getting right down to decrease my wind resistance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Each time we turned into wind it was hurting me to put more effort and power in. I had Sergeant Major Matt laughing with hysterics in my head screaming “KEEP MOVING YOU IDLE MAN!!”. Keeping the pace high we passed the coach to hear the shout of “2 more laps”. The group began to ease off as we got around the first of the two laps. I could see the other three were suffering too, but we were all smiling and just kept it going as best we could.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Steadily slowing to a halt by the coach the entire group on the track gathered. All stinking with sweat, with steam rising off hot bodies but all still in high spirits. We were all smiling and ready for the next phase in the endurance pyramid we were working through.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Split into groups of 3 and keep on changing, this will be the hardest exercise and should last about 10 minutes” were the instructions from the coach. I stayed with 2 of the 3 chaps I ended the last exercise with and with a great deal of enthusiasm we set off again. Straight into a 85-90% effort as we accelerated away. The changes were very fast, The rest spite even shorter. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears by this point as we were really working hard. Legs screaming we powered through the bends and down the straights. I was really working at my maximum endurance by now. The miles I had done this week already were starting to tell on my legs. I was finding it harder and harder to get up to the front each time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As we powered our way down the starting straight into wind, I was on the front again. The pace was high, the man next to me not dropping back as I thought he would. My legs were on strike by now and I was starting to get shooting cramps in my left leg too. Not good as this is my still weaker leg after breaking my ankle last year. We rounded the right bend and I dropped to the right to relax a little then as I went to put the power in I found I had nothing left! The pair of riders carried on ahead of me and I was just dropping further and further back. Regardless of how angry I was getting I just couldn’t get my legs to respond with the poser output I so desperately needed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Soon enough I was so far behind my group that I was starting to get passed by others on the track. I was not going to pull up as I would be embarrassed beyond belief if I did. Just to make the best of the worst situation I carried on around to reap the benefit of doing some training rather than bombing out and passing on the chance to get as much track time as I could.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Soon enough we were all back at the half way point with the coach happy with everyone’s performance. Cool down time now and we all headed out as a group just spinning our legs to work off the muscle fatigue. It was a nice easy pace with everyone chatting and again we were changing over as we went.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now finished we all pulled up back to the main gate and left happy and smiling, plus a bit damp and very sweaty!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In all I recorded just over 30 miles (50 laps). That is twice the race distance I will be doing on the 15<sup>th</sup>. I have promised myself to return to the track next week. I imagine that the race will be a proper eye balls out affair! Hard turning and defending your line will be the key. Use of energy and applying the pressure will be the tactics. I can’t wait for thrill of an all-out sprint and just hope to hell that I am in a position to get in and not be dropped.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">More work to do in the next 10 days to make sure I am in the best way I could possibly be to compete in the race.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lessons learnt from the session:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: 0px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1. I am not at peak fitness yet, I know lots of racers use early season races to get this as the stresses of racing are far higher than those of training.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: 0px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. I can corner a lot fast and steeper than I thought I could. I was surprised I managed to stick sometimes even if things did get a bit twitchy at times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: 0px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3. I can push my limits harder than I thought. The more I do this the better I will be by the end of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am happy with my bike now and with all the trial and error I have had over the past 2-3 years as I have been working on what was essentially a project has really given me a superb entry level bike that I am more than happy with. It isn’t too light at just under 10kg and the engine could do with some tuning but by god it is fun to ride!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So looking forward to the 15<sup>th</sup> now (and the training session on the 8<sup>th</sup>).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bring on the pain!!!</span></p></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-59412479001334507092014-03-25T23:26:00.001+00:002014-03-26T00:08:28.031+00:00Kilo To Go Cheshire Cat 2014 Sponsored by Wiggle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-VsIcq2o5Wr8YGLs_MddG-yhkZlxhBCt-fkorjpZoYOxwigzjEUEqxM6eJMqFffH-GnpKyH8Ad4GwDp4xbA8KJ_RO2FPsPDPMRsfve5tlfrnR6gw9AGTX97NrWR-OqQM5LCrXVBfHTU/s1600/Wigglecat2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-VsIcq2o5Wr8YGLs_MddG-yhkZlxhBCt-fkorjpZoYOxwigzjEUEqxM6eJMqFffH-GnpKyH8Ad4GwDp4xbA8KJ_RO2FPsPDPMRsfve5tlfrnR6gw9AGTX97NrWR-OqQM5LCrXVBfHTU/s1600/Wigglecat2014.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
It was an early start for the day for me but it was a day I had been looking forward too for many months since booking my place on the Cheshire Cat the day the ride opened for booking last November (I think!).<br />
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Now if you are wondering why I am doing this it is all to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer. My wife has asked if you could read and sign the <a href="http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/48389" target="_blank">petition here</a> and support the need to fight this killer cancer. It won't cost you anything!<br />
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If you want to follow my long ride around the Cheshire Cat on Strava you can do by clicking <a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/123288208/overview" target="_blank">this link here!</a><br />
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So as early starts went it wasn't really any different from most days when I go out on the bike, however I knew today would be a 100 mile day.<br />
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So after a hearty breakfast and giving daft dog a run around the block, I loaded up the car and by 6.15(ish) I was on the road and heading for Crewe.<br />
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It wasn't as quiet as I thought it would be on the roads at that time of day but however traffic was light enough to just keep moving at (and as usual above for most other motorists) the speed limit.<br />
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I was just having a fight with the sat nav all the way over as it would appear that the windscreen mount had gone walkies (yet again), so I was doing most of the trip from memory.<br />
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I managed to find the same area where I parked last year and in the hope that this year would be a rerun (so to speak) I parked up and started to get sorted out.<br />
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As I got changed into my cycling gear I put on my jersey, found my helmet and glasses, got the case for my phone and then only found one glove!!! Ah that is very bad news as I was already finding it cold enough to need my jacket and gloves and to ride the whole way with only one glove would not be a good thing at all.<br />
I decided at this point that I would have to bite the bullet and go buy some gold plated ones from one of the stands that would be at the start (or at least I hoped would be at the start).<br />
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Then I got out my bike and making sure everything was properly adjusted, quick releases all done up and tight, brake releases in the closed position and all the relevant tags, bags bottles and everything else I would need for the day was attached to either myself or my bike. I made my way over to the Alexandra Stadium next to the train station and started to mentally prepare myself for what I was about to do.<br />
<br />
First thing was to reassure myself that my bike was OK. Now earlier in the week I had replaced my chain as I thought it was stretched and kept on slipping off the front chain ring. To test that this was the case I simply accelerated hard putting as much torque as possible down, low and behold I nearly brained myself as the chain slipped off the chain ring and I almost cracked the cross bar (could have been riding the cat as a girl!) and coming close to head butting my stem which would have hurt too.<br />
<br />
So I now know that I cannot put my full power in and that in actual fact the problem I was having earlier in the week was a combination of stretched chain and worn chain ring!!! Bummer. I just hoped that I could get all the way around with the issue and not suffer with her complaining at me too much.<br />
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So into the Stadium parking area and first thing was the stewards directed us all to go and sign on. Now not too sure about this as I know Kilo to Go are usually quite organised and when they say no having to queue up for sign on they usually mean it. So I went inside (not too worried as it was warmer than standing outside and I would have about 30 minutes to wait before we were released into the wild). I stood in a queue asking the same question as quite a few others, "Do I really need to be in this queue???". Once I got to the front I found that No! I really didn't need to be. I had just wasted some valuable time that I could be using to look at some lovely Pinerello bikes that I would not have a hope in hell of being able to afford (or convincing the wife that it was worth it), plus more importantly I needed to get some of those gold plated mitts to keep my already chilled fingers warm and dry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMoJoLBHdh4zKrUpDCXhShc5sohImLk7JRbFll7kFRbtvIPZxXHo3GEzpBspRV1vj6w8WUUlWXX3jtWUOBExGHufETbywWHrLkzfZiAJpQwqUiFVupPh0b6oM1ydjqMgPJjjyEuEoLW8/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMoJoLBHdh4zKrUpDCXhShc5sohImLk7JRbFll7kFRbtvIPZxXHo3GEzpBspRV1vj6w8WUUlWXX3jtWUOBExGHufETbywWHrLkzfZiAJpQwqUiFVupPh0b6oM1ydjqMgPJjjyEuEoLW8/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+002.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Wiggle to the rescue!!! Yes Wiggle (as you would expect at an event they are sponsoring) had a stand that thankfully were selling gloves. One of the sales guys there was brilliant and clearly understood that I would need something that would do the job as today being unnecessarily cold was not going to be fun. They were good enough to also ensure I got the right discount (I think it was 10% off) and understood that<i> </i>I really didn't want to lug the packaging with me all day too. So being the proud new owner of some DHB all singing and dancing super comfortable (and they really are) cycling gloves I made my way over to get my bike and go to the starting area.<br />
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The waiting area was filling up and I actually found that I would be in the first wave to leave at about 8am. As we all stood around shivering as we were dressed in kit to be warm in whilst riding a bike and generating some heat, right now I was just cold, (apart from my hand that were lovely and warm!). The minutes ticked by and the announcer was doing her best to keep everyone's spirits up by playing some really bad tunes (Queens I want to ride my bicycle and Here comes the sun etc) not the best tunes to now have stuck in your head (for at least the next few hours). Then just as we thought we would all freeze to death on the start line there came the call "GET YOUR WIGGLE ON!" and we were sent out onto the roads and off on what would be the first of 100 (ish) miles.<br />
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First we had to get out of town and at that time of day it wasn't really that big an issue. Unlike my morning commutes to work when thousands of impatient drivers push and nudge there way through non existent gaps and barge cyclist out of the way like we shouldn't be there, this time the cyclist were in force as one big pack and the few cars we did meet seemed to almost cower at the side of the road like scared puppies. We may have looked a bit menacing but at the end of the day we are all just bodies. The peleton headed South then turned East slowly (or not so slowly as some guys were clearly going at race speed not endurance speed) we headed towards the big climb of the day and a closed road climb too, the star of the show, the 1 in 99 killer mile aka Mow Cop. Only 15 miles in this would be the make or break for the day and knowing that I was having bike issues it may literally be break!<br />
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Now up to here it had been a little on the windy side but nothing too spectacular. The odd little rain shower had lead me to keep my shower proof jacket on. As I approached Mow Cop I knew that this would be hot leg burning lung busting work, so I took the gamble to stop and remove my jacket. Mentally I knew that this year (as last) I would have to go to a very dark place (in the shadow of the hill) that today we shall just call PAIN! I came to the first Hurdle that was getting past the road closure, not an issue as I was of course wearing a rider number and all the bits needed to get through. Now I started to change down and could feel the stress building up in my legs. As I dropped the ratios down yes I knew I would be going slower but it would ,make life so much easier than last year. This time I was prepared and have the right size cassette on my rear wheel for hill climbing. Last year I climbed with a cassette that I would only really use for flat speed work rather than big steep hills. This feather in my cap didn't stop things hurting though.<br />
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The hill started to ramp up and I was concentrating on my rhythm of my legs and my breathing. As I was looking around me I could see riders dropping like flies already less than 1/3 rd of the way in! I started to pass other riders and was thinking that maybe I was going out too fast! chatting to one of two guys on the way past them I was amazed that I still could chat, maybe all the exercise was paying off. Nothing however prepares you for the final bend as the steep bit comes into view. This point kills off the most riders but I was not going to be one of them! Gritting my teeth and getting out of the saddle I was driving hard now wanting to take as much momentum and power into the hill as I could. I was really digging deep, I could hear my heart beat in my ears by now and with power and aggression I drove up the hill and over the top not even stopping at the pub for a pint!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving hard up the hill</td></tr>
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I rounded the top to a scene of carnage as there were riders everywhere some carrying on others collapsing in exhausted heaps in the middle of the road. Now I know from last year that this would not be the only climb of the day (all be it was the star climb) and with 80+ miles ahead I would need plenty left in the tank to keep going. The descent off the hill as quite a steep one, made all the more hazardous by not all the riders being completely with it at this point and not back into the cycling on an open road concept yet. A near pile up as I stopped for a car passing at a junction. One chap actually said to me "glad you saw him!" as we came to the first main junction.<br />
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Onward and Eastward we went heading up over the hills towards Congleton Hill and Leek. Now Congleton Hill was to some extent a bit of a killer in itself. I certainly got a bit of a sweat on as I went spinning my way up the climb, This time however I was staying seated and sitting up getting the most out of my leg power to work my way over the hill.Glad to be at the top though I was delighted to see the valley below with the small village of Rudyard nestled in the bottom. On slippy roads I was very careful to descend down the hill under control. Again I can't see the point in taking major risks for something that is not a race so I wasn't bothered about being passed by some riders really going at max chat around blind bends! I could do without ending the weekend (or starting the season) with a visit to A&E.<br />
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I passed through the little Village of Rudyard and once more headed up hill into the peaks towards Leek. Tittesworth Reservoir would be the first of the very welcome feed stations and probably the most scenic with the Roaches as a back drop and a blue(ish) sky to lift the spirits. That and plenty of food and drink to refuel with. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU68UnNqflevnJc6WpcU9nS5ojJ3E7t_CJcu70mCQGrFpzY0mAz4Pt3tFsB6h5kYPw7yk-5fIpPJFpuA9VNXwx6hzIO7_Vp9sohNoFOScdePuAjzyxH3GVUj8S9oVcIhBvEKrtmI6M_aI/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU68UnNqflevnJc6WpcU9nS5ojJ3E7t_CJcu70mCQGrFpzY0mAz4Pt3tFsB6h5kYPw7yk-5fIpPJFpuA9VNXwx6hzIO7_Vp9sohNoFOScdePuAjzyxH3GVUj8S9oVcIhBvEKrtmI6M_aI/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+003.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The View South over Tittesworth Reservoir</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjch8a28AlgRfgFg1MqWjecbI3wgYOJ7R2uA4qHLCS7W-Qx0YCf_mQaVGRnzaXf1DObC63VkXj837KZBswPYkC0ZdCiV0QBYXJvQliwZz_GFzIh4GL98p7vzOOsTe-_W7-cNXVy96Jlljc/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjch8a28AlgRfgFg1MqWjecbI3wgYOJ7R2uA4qHLCS7W-Qx0YCf_mQaVGRnzaXf1DObC63VkXj837KZBswPYkC0ZdCiV0QBYXJvQliwZz_GFzIh4GL98p7vzOOsTe-_W7-cNXVy96Jlljc/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+004.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The feed station welcoming the hungry hordes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r39b25QeOFSaZbmgDkrQ6Hh1MJJRRj-2oy7iG1LRyfcLxwu2chYuZtUpiw3K_HrPc2QEHtCC4W-H1c1mrZ0VhkbSm81Arr13w61mornBJtLev1tzVqrLBUGiBCv35pHpTBclGd2xvNE/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_r39b25QeOFSaZbmgDkrQ6Hh1MJJRRj-2oy7iG1LRyfcLxwu2chYuZtUpiw3K_HrPc2QEHtCC4W-H1c1mrZ0VhkbSm81Arr13w61mornBJtLev1tzVqrLBUGiBCv35pHpTBclGd2xvNE/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+005.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking North towards the Roaches</td></tr>
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Just to make sure you weren't caught napping at the feed station the route then takes us marching Northward and up Gun Hill, a real beast in itself and certainly not to be sniffed at. I did get a better time than last years however still not an amazing pace or speed. I could feel my body was starting to feel the strain and only 30 miles in I still had a long way to go.<br />
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The weather was picking up at this point too, The wind howled around me buffeting me on my bike and demanding more power and energy from me with every turn of the cranks. I was starting to hurt with the wind.<br />
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I looked Eastwards to see the clouds had parted to reveal the distant Cheshire Plains. I could even see Jodrell Bank telescope in the distance. A great sight but knowing that the route would take me to and past that massive land mark that was currently could just about be seen in the distance made me just want to press on harder and really motivated me. It was as if the Cheshire Plains were saying you think you can make it but you can't!!!. I knew better.<br />
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I headed North into Sutton then turned West towards Holmes Chapel, This would be the closest I would get to home for now. Heading west was starting to hurt as the wind was in my face all the way. I was pushing hard and my legs were feeling the pain. With each hill getting gradually smaller as I ventured onto the planes it was harder to stay in a sheltered area and keep on driving forward. The wind, then the rain and even hail!!! I was really starting to think that last year Cheshire Cat in July was a far better idea, it may have been hot but being wet and cold was horrible. Still warm dry hands, in some ways I was almost glad I forgot my gloves as the new ones were doing great.<br />
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I passed the Jodrell Bank space telescope (not as far away as I thought it would be) and headed onward<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope (I did get closer)</td></tr>
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<br />
I was very surprised as I got towards Holmes Chapel that this was where
the second feed station was as I was sure it was further on last year.
It was again a welcome stop though and with the energy sapping wind a
top up was required plus I needed the toilet by this point too. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside feed station 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluYjtgsDW0YKmPe085iz43ontYIqHOs3DA0sRCPnal9d1GMwzBLIS_oYr9MTUyWPwiza6RygZ-K8N8bVjolrTbptowU1iTOSPOonDjAdK9Xi5b5HvnX5Kswf86VySsdI6nnvyQYDfDpI/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluYjtgsDW0YKmPe085iz43ontYIqHOs3DA0sRCPnal9d1GMwzBLIS_oYr9MTUyWPwiza6RygZ-K8N8bVjolrTbptowU1iTOSPOonDjAdK9Xi5b5HvnX5Kswf86VySsdI6nnvyQYDfDpI/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+008.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not as picturesque but still a welcome stop</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From The stop at Holmes Chapel it was then heading out with more wind and a hard drive over the M6 towards Middlewich just skirting around the northern side of Crewe. then the route split again. This time the middle distance (75 milers) would turn south and us nutcase 100 milers would continue East towards Bunbury, that was the plan anyway! as the miles were slogging by and the pain in my legs grew stronger I was starting to feel that maybe I should have done more to prep for a ride like this. As it goes my training was fairly minimal this year (so far) and I was starting to suffer for it. my pace was dropping off and I was really having to dig into that dark and painful place to power myself on.<br />
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On I went and started seeing other riders starting to question where the route was taking us. Infact what non of us had realised at this point was that some idiot had stolen one of the turn signs and now a great number of riders were heading towards Tarporly instead of Bunbury.<br />
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Not too impressed by the extra mileage I ended up doing I was happy to yet again stop at Bunbury for a quick fill and a chat with some of the other riders that had experienced the same error. A sense of camaraderie in shared suffering!!! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjjKkqPNWOBS_2Qpo-EI8eXCgAuaM_eyLrwj3rIvWq77QRs2Y3v3Ua3VBfjroQlr_Vwhfe0rXrye1ZDSjdfMsIhjUeWO0LU29uVktD9etT5CPNgyIZW9g6BWxeCgZc4ClVCL98rsergk/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjjKkqPNWOBS_2Qpo-EI8eXCgAuaM_eyLrwj3rIvWq77QRs2Y3v3Ua3VBfjroQlr_Vwhfe0rXrye1ZDSjdfMsIhjUeWO0LU29uVktD9etT5CPNgyIZW9g6BWxeCgZc4ClVCL98rsergk/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+009.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunbury at last!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJznUtwuOcYycVRQmMPBMjOZCRi3Tt1hKq4UAiCXKxsGql1Kx7ewCCm-WOX9tq5CXeQnSxAPG1qu4jU7Cvlp9LYWqZO1OIr9ueEH5G8C90g2iWPQFakRFNVChWtjxLsYT2nKzqSLM1XN8/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJznUtwuOcYycVRQmMPBMjOZCRi3Tt1hKq4UAiCXKxsGql1Kx7ewCCm-WOX9tq5CXeQnSxAPG1qu4jU7Cvlp9LYWqZO1OIr9ueEH5G8C90g2iWPQFakRFNVChWtjxLsYT2nKzqSLM1XN8/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+010.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the sun came out to welcome us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After that it was the final and hardest few miles of a slog home. Finally turning properly south (heading to the east of Broxton) and then east towards Acton, through Nantwivh and then finally into Crewe.<br />
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Each mile was a hard slog but this time with the wind instead of against it. As routes merged slower and faster riders met from the various distances. The emotion on peoples faces was clear as some if not many had put themselves into the same dark place to get through this day and achieve the distance. With the Stadium finally coming into sight the relief was present and the lifting of spirits gave a lift of pace too.<br />
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I crossed the finish line 7:41:48 after leaving earlier that day. Now 107.9 miles richer in experience and adventure I had triumphed on Mow Cop and was relieved to have made it round on a bike that wasn't 100%. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzfnbRo-aRzmTK_pSXSlQVY3XGKBT9GCQKMjL-4439i2P5QH78Z9U-qdDYaRR92aGvX9X36LoxNeNDv-ezlYoYGrdV75ydX04b69CnHiXgNAT3frh8SAb0egoioZvmZKNVnhGRk2zqG4/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzfnbRo-aRzmTK_pSXSlQVY3XGKBT9GCQKMjL-4439i2P5QH78Z9U-qdDYaRR92aGvX9X36LoxNeNDv-ezlYoYGrdV75ydX04b69CnHiXgNAT3frh8SAb0egoioZvmZKNVnhGRk2zqG4/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+011.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finishers at Crewe</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb3QmhsJR-8kes-RyCWHIC4_TUiMzFwotFdOUVL8R0jIMRTlYD6Io-o1vudOinleHKtk5oml3rexAhL5C7u9SOL6jTKIucpS2P7fXPG9NeZA9jVKtjVRdjaExuHJ8zGLt_UKyloNrzzs/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb3QmhsJR-8kes-RyCWHIC4_TUiMzFwotFdOUVL8R0jIMRTlYD6Io-o1vudOinleHKtk5oml3rexAhL5C7u9SOL6jTKIucpS2P7fXPG9NeZA9jVKtjVRdjaExuHJ8zGLt_UKyloNrzzs/s1600/KiloToGo+Cheshire+Cat+March+2014+012.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me Glad to be back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now I look forward to my first race of the season at the Tameside circuit. just hoping to get my speed back by then.<br />
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Still I really enjoyed riding the Cheshire Cat this year and hope to do so again next year.<br />
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I am still in preparation for the real killer of a ride from London to Newcastle that will take Place at the end of August and will cover 310 miles! Now that is really going to hurt and I hope you will offer your support by sponsoring me by going to the just giving page at the top of this page. <br />
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Still loving every mile!!! Even the ones that hurt...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb-PHu8mGPAKpRfKSCNzoWT740l-l7rStmcp3JWBf6xbKuRhGPAyTRngGjTqXeOoMcKT0LBJTWru6RFQfRWux3obNCMdy1dMo2TAJukI38ZbQonzdh_JwoTBeBbtXxJu6EpAP8uxtdR4/s1600/Me+on+cheshire+cat+21014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb-PHu8mGPAKpRfKSCNzoWT740l-l7rStmcp3JWBf6xbKuRhGPAyTRngGjTqXeOoMcKT0LBJTWru6RFQfRWux3obNCMdy1dMo2TAJukI38ZbQonzdh_JwoTBeBbtXxJu6EpAP8uxtdR4/s1600/Me+on+cheshire+cat+21014.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suffering but happy out on the road</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-36475672798452048402014-03-09T21:28:00.000+00:002014-03-09T21:28:13.984+00:00Two Laps in Gods country!!!Yes Today I went for a lovely Ride in Yorkshire. And what a really nice and pleasant ride it was too!!!<br />
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It all started a few weeks ago when a good friend and fellow cyclist Steve "the Gibbo" Gibbins emailed me to see if I fancied coming for a training ride (today) so he could test out his shiny new bike and have a shot at Cragg Vale too.<br />
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Now being a great fan of the hills and looking for any excuse to get out and hit the hills I jumped at the chance.<br />
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As I grew up in Halifax and in fact regularly traveled the route we would be looking at (all be not usually by bike) I was loving the chance to have a go at some of the hills, the fab sweeping roads and the quite rapid descents! I was not to be let down and loved every minute of it.<br />
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So today came the day! I checked the weather last night and decided to take a bit of a gamble and wore my short sleeve cycling jersey that I got for Christmas. It is the old UPS team Discovery jersey, but still looks fab in anyone's books. So one I had gone through the usual pre-ride prep of making sure I had gels, and self recovery gear, all the bits on my bike worked as they should do, everything was in place and I was sorted for a good summer ride (no lights!!). I set off over to Steve's house on the bike and was already feeling good and strong.<br />
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Once I arrived at Steve's we had a bit of a chat, a nice brew (thanks to his other half), loaded the bikes in the car then headed over to Sowerby Bridge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKU3jrP3ghT2zPpP1EzTK855bVdR95fgDcd7voFvl4uul94SpLW5F4hV6o3-tqUDtuVHbngGgCAiTGOOuXezt3Eu8-A4vCeVDo-nmm6Ljr6FNLRf7EdSvE9aZbr6_mYVypR-Z6wVnR6sQ/s1600/Sowerby+Bridge+Route.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKU3jrP3ghT2zPpP1EzTK855bVdR95fgDcd7voFvl4uul94SpLW5F4hV6o3-tqUDtuVHbngGgCAiTGOOuXezt3Eu8-A4vCeVDo-nmm6Ljr6FNLRf7EdSvE9aZbr6_mYVypR-Z6wVnR6sQ/s1600/Sowerby+Bridge+Route.bmp" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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We arrived at the train station in Sowerby Bridge at bang on 10 as we were meeting another keen cyclist that would be joining us, Laurence. This is a chap that has covered some serious distance on his bike taking part in Lands End to John O'Groats plus all sorts of other serious distance rides and currently likes to go time-trialing as part of the local club 10 time-trial league.<br />
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Sounds fun but he is certainly a very accomplished rider with a few miles under his belt!!!!<br />
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First things first when we got to the station, a quick bit of bike assembly check the tyre's etc then a quick chat about the route.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzCpDuNehNvRw5MQEZH4fLGnhGcIBCUCYtrzdShxB8XOvlUZ9Kuq-yzP4tj-2fvN0Z7VmU6n8BxqZkOWolMEgI77UTDfbR_TS9d8GoAKUg09GJMjHA8pjpYXoRk4qR54SRpvubNEBw3c/s1600/Ride+out+with+SG+March+2014+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzCpDuNehNvRw5MQEZH4fLGnhGcIBCUCYtrzdShxB8XOvlUZ9Kuq-yzP4tj-2fvN0Z7VmU6n8BxqZkOWolMEgI77UTDfbR_TS9d8GoAKUg09GJMjHA8pjpYXoRk4qR54SRpvubNEBw3c/s1600/Ride+out+with+SG+March+2014+001.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and Laurence getting set up ready for a good run out</td></tr>
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We had already decided the best route was to go out of the train station, through Sowerby Bridge centre, left up Tuel Lane (bit of a cheeky steep hill), down into Luddenden Foot (where <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite" target="_blank">Luddites </a>came from, see Wikipedia for details). then on to Mytholmroyd and up through Cragg Vale (where the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cragg_Vale_Coiners" target="_blank">Coiners </a>come from, see wiki for details)<br />
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So after a minor bit of procrastination we finally set off and hit the first hill to warm up the legs and get the lungs working. Tuel Lane!!! <br />
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This started looking like it was going to be nice and easy, but hides some steep bits of tarmac around the corner halfway up. They really know how to make them steep around here.<br />
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At the top it was a good relief to see Burnley Road, this is the main road from Halifax to the like of Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge, again a well know bit of the black stuff for me however I didn't realise how fast it was possible to go down it on my bike.<br />
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In less than 3 1/2 minutes I had descended down to Luddenden Foot sweeping around the flowing bends, maintaining my breathing rhythm and my pedal strokes. I was enjoying the speed, with the close walls and overhanging trees it really gave me a sense of going at warp speed, even if it was only about 30 Mph (50 Kph). from there it was a flat run out to Mytholmroyd, still keeping a good pace, breathing well and allowing my legs to spin a little just adding a little pressure if I felt myself slowing. I know having ridden up Crag Vale before that my legs would be feeling stressed soon enough.<br />
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Then came the drop down into Mytholmroyd village and the left turn onto New road which becomes Cragg Road and heads up the hill for 8.34km or 5 1/2 miles of up hill!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyvnLqPvOMywqJlHUBXCrOaB5rBr-i1nL5r8-9nKFRXHnkL6q7DEDvEaryw_BRfzl9cWW2mcmHE9hVOEh70rFf6tzDf6-ftdvFSudBbi-REUol_n1TAqu-Y2w0nrkJQ4wtEZrBbCR5Xc/s1600/Ride+out+with+SG+March+2014+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyvnLqPvOMywqJlHUBXCrOaB5rBr-i1nL5r8-9nKFRXHnkL6q7DEDvEaryw_BRfzl9cWW2mcmHE9hVOEh70rFf6tzDf6-ftdvFSudBbi-REUol_n1TAqu-Y2w0nrkJQ4wtEZrBbCR5Xc/s1600/Ride+out+with+SG+March+2014+002.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Its not steep and it's not bendy, it is just long and feels like it is going to go on forever!!!<br />
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Every kilometer there is a marker telling you the distance to the top, soul destroying stuff.<br />
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Straight away both Laurence and Steve passed me really going out like they meant business. Soon enough Laurence was out of sight but I managed to maintain contact with Steve. I knew from experience that I have to just maintain a good constant endurance pace that I am comfortable with and soon enough those that burst out at the start will be caught. Sure enough as the km ticked by and the climb continued I started to see those in front slowly slide back towards me as their legs got tired and heads began to drop. It did take me until the 3km to go marker to finally catch and pass Steve again. The main issue with that being the other cyclist on the road weaving all over the place and clearly not used to being out on a long hill ride.<br />
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As we left the shelter of the village and the road became increasingly exposed the wind picked up a bit. However it was warm, unlike the last time I had ridden up that hill on the Evans Rochdale ride when it was sideways rain and freezing cold. I was really enjoying it and looking forward to the descent down to Sowerby Bridge.<br />
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Just as I got to the top and rolled over the 0km top of the mountain line I spotted Laurence at the side of the road. He had clearly just stormed up there and even come back a bit to wait for us. Very fit and extremely fast on the hills. I carried on to the junction with Rochdale road as I knew a Strava segment finished there and pulled up to wait a few seconds for the chaps to catch up again.<br />
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All a bit hot and sweaty but with big smiles and clearly happy to have done it we set off down the hill. This time at rapid speed (for me) I hit a peak of 45 Mph at this point with an average of 32 Mph. We flew down the road, heart racing, allowing the bike to move and skip the bumps and lumps while flying through the sweeping bends. I was calm and happy, yet concentrating like hell on not hitting any wheel destroying pot holes (of which there are so many) on the road down to Ripponden. The road semi leveling out at some points then dropping away again. It was certainly great fun and a real rush too!<br />
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From Ripponden it was a flat(ish) ride back to Sowerby Bridge. Not at great speed as we averaged about 24 Mph and a nice way to cool down and enjoy the miles too.<br />
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We returned to the station, loaded our bikes back into the cars then headed off on foot to find some lunch and a brew!<br />
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Now Steve and Laurence are definitely "Not from round 'ere!" with their well spoken southern accents, so unfortunately when we ordered food, my food came straight away while we then spent another 20 minutes waiting for there's. Unlucky chaps! After that, the food was nice. The conversation was about bikes and cycling (as you would expect from three bike geeks) and then it was back too it.<br />
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unfortunately Laurence had to bid us fair well at this point as he had to get back home to go and do domesticated bliss things with "The Wife!". So glad I am not the only one who calls his better half "The Wife!".<br />
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It was however at this point that Steve brought out his all new super fast all singing and dancing new bike that he had been wanting to play with. It was (and still is) a very good looking and very light bike at just over 8kg. the fruits of Steve's labour as it was his project for the past 10 months at least.<br />
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<u><b>Same Route Lap 2</b></u><br />
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As before we set off and crawled our way up Tuel Lane. It was definitely harder the second time around but again a good way to loosen up the legs.<br />
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Surprisingly the run down to Mytholmroyd was a little faster this time as we managed the run in 9.34 with a max speed of 34Mph and an average speed of 21.4Mph. Still not pushing too hard but just keeping it at a good enough pace to feel like it was comfortable and maintainable.<br />
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Again the sweeping bends were great fun and the drop into Mytholmroyd felt like it came too soon!!!<br />
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Then again it was the turn up the hill and the slog for 5 1/2 miles. Steve got on my wheel and stayed there for about 4km, only after this did he take the lead for a few more km before I jumped back into the wind and helped him up the hill. It was a good wind and I do prefer to ride in shelter (as anyone would, its about 30% easier than being at the front) however I felt like he may have had enough of the wind and was starting to suffer. We powered our way through the final few Km of assent and finally on the flat accelerated up to the junction. A quick drink stop and still smiling then we set off back down to Ripponden and Sowerby Bridge.<br />
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I was keeping low on the drops, maintaining a flat back position allowing my arms and legs to absorb the bumps as before. Not driving as hard as before as I knew my concentration may be dropping and didn't want to risk a wipe out on a training ride. At these speeds it would have put more than a little crimp on your day!!!<br />
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We maxed out at 43 Mph and averaged 32 on the way to Ripponden and just cruised it into Sowerby Bridge from there.<br />
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Afterwards as we packed the bikes back into the car we both agreed that we must get out and ride together more often plus we enjoyed the ride today and felt relly good about it afterwards.<br />
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More evidence that cycling makes you feel great!<br />
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Next up on the 23rd of this month for me is the Cheshire Cat (99 miles of PAIN and 1 KILLER mile!!!).<br />
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Then into racing season.<br />
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One thing to take home from today is getting down on the drops and back on the saddle makes you faster!<br />
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Can't wait to get out again :)<br />
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Happy cyclingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-65895504627014839112014-02-27T19:56:00.000+00:002014-02-27T19:56:04.252+00:00London to Newcastle in 24 hours Eeeek! I have now officially booked and paid for the big challenge ride that I am working <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">towards. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">For those of you that either follow this blog or have read some of my earlier posts you may know that the London to Newcastle was not the original plan. Plan A was to ride across country from coast to coast in 24 hours. This evolved into Plan B which was then to ride coast to coast (as above) then travel to Lands end and ride all the way to John O' Groats non-stop. This may be in the pipeline at some point in the future still. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">On the opening of the Coast to Coast ride that I wanted to go on it was filled in days. The previous year it still had places left until a few months before hand so at that I missed out on getting booked onto the ride. I simply couldn't afford it at the time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">An alternative was required!!! After extensive trawling of the internet and a bit of research through a few choice forums etc. I managed to get some info on the London to Newcastle ride as part of the <a href="http://www.ride24hr.com/index.php" target="_blank">Ride 24</a> series.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">So these guys organise a number of supported rides. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">London to Newcastle </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">London to Lands end</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">London to Paris</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">London to Amsterdam</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">In the back of my mind was an urge to just do all of them however the front of my less than bulging wallet (plus the wife objected) said no I just can't afford to do something that daft!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">So<a href="http://www.ride24hr.com/2newcastle.php" target="_blank"> London to Newcastle</a> it is then!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMr6r7o9VrA7b1OCeYRUEb_HwD4V73CIx0x4Vl9MzRd1kRiXMDdYaVbxWh0v5TcTpE97WRCBtkXbMt2EumVXvFjW234tmr_qESOXOYdW8wDujD7AUdyFp7z0wI8RF6r_WE-R79WMKqiE/s1600/London+to+Newcastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMr6r7o9VrA7b1OCeYRUEb_HwD4V73CIx0x4Vl9MzRd1kRiXMDdYaVbxWh0v5TcTpE97WRCBtkXbMt2EumVXvFjW234tmr_qESOXOYdW8wDujD7AUdyFp7z0wI8RF6r_WE-R79WMKqiE/s1600/London+to+Newcastle.jpg" height="218" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">This is a route that takes up the <a href="http://www.ride24hr.com/page.php?content_id=86&page_id=16" target="_blank">Eastern side of Britain </a>Heading through the likes of Peterborough, Lincoln and Goole, then onto the North Yorkshire Moors for Easingwold Great Smeaton then eventually Newcastle. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">310 miles with only a few little hills. However it is about 3 times further than the longest distance I have ever cycled (that being just over 100 miles) and is in effect 3 marathons back to back!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">What have I let myself in for indeed!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">If you have a look on the just giving pages that are linked to this blog (see top right) you can see I am doing this for charity in Aid of the East Cheshire Hospice and The Christie Charity. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">It's going to be lots of pain for me and all gain for someone else.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">This is why I do these sorts of challenges and one of the big reasons I hurt my self (not in a bad way) pushing my body and mind as hard as I can to hopefully get some of you to give a little to make it all worth it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Well soon I will be cycling on the Cheshire Cat for the second year running, then its racing season and lots of hard training to make sure I am in great condition to complete the big ride ahead. As I mentioned it is 3 back to back marathons on a bike in 24 hours. Hmm may just sting a bit!!!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Keep you posted and thanks for reading :)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Happy cycling </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-88292359030444836562014-02-16T13:39:00.001+00:002014-02-16T13:39:41.663+00:00Hurdles!!!It is obvious for those of you that read my blog that I cycle to work and as often as I can outside of work.<br />
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This week was no different, despite the end of the world weather on Wednesday in which I was nearly blown off my bike as well as hit by flying debris/rubbish. I know every cyclist worth their salt will tell you that if it is windy it is always a head wind (the laws of physics when it comes to wind direction and cycling do not apply, ever!!!), however on Wednesday evening the wind was really in all directions and if it is controlled by someone somewhere they had clearly been drinking and just decided to crank it up to full and take the piss!<br />
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Regardless of the wind, rain and darkness (it was about 5pm when I left work), I still managed to cycle home without being hit. Even though the much loving motorist coming out of Manchester still insist at driving at top speed regardless of the road conditions or speed limit. It was a bit tense in places, not just with the wind being the obvious factor. It was blowing me sideways into the stream of ever fast flowing traffic and as I mentioned it was also very changeable coming from all directions. Also the fact that people just either don't see cyclists, or just don't care and give you absolutely no room. Even in high wind when it was obvious anybody would be a bit wobbly and I was in a normal road position as much as possible at low speed, I was still passed by drivers doing 40+ mph only a few inches from me. It is this that so many people fear as I so often her said at work.<br />
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Cycling to work for me is the norm. I would rather cycle than drive. In fact I have driven to work a few times and found that it takes nearly twice as long as cycling. Plus the cost of fuel and parking on top of that and the other running costs associated with running a car. It is just not feasible as far as I can see but so many people do it every day.<br />
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On the other hand I could use public transport!!!<br />
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<u>Buses</u>.<br />
To catch the bus to work would not cost me as much as it would to go by car if I got a day saver but of course the problem of still having to sit in traffic would still be there. Personally I would rather not travel by bus as they obviously stop regularly, never quite go where you need too, I would still have to spend quite some time waiting around for one and I would also end up walking for some of my journey.<br />
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<u>Trains</u>.<br />
I do actually use the train on the days where I either can't be bothered to cycle, I need a bit of a rest, it's icy (I don't fare well in ice as I tend to just fall off on corners and round-abouts), or I just have to catch the train as I am in a suit etc. Anyway to catch the train is moderately expensive (about £6 return a day) the journey is about 15-20 minutes each way on the train but does involve a walk at each end too. First I have to walk to the train station that takes 20 minutes. I then have to wait for the train which is usually delayed at the time of the day as they are always busy. I then have to stand when I do get on the train as they are always crowded and unpleasant. Once on the train (and as the local station is just a platform with no ticket office or machine (the last machine was vandalized and only lasted a matter of weeks before it was removed), I then hope that a conductor comes around on the train so I can buy a ticket before getting a Manchester. Of course the lesser spotted conductor is just that and it is a very rare occurrence, this leaves all those that don't travel by train on a regular enough basis to hold a season ticket with no choice but to buy a ticket on the platform at Piccadilly Station. This is a very hit and miss affair as unless you somehow manage to get to the front of the cue then you do spend lots of time waiting to get a ticket and inevitably end up late for work. Thankfully this is not a regular occurrence and I avoid using the train as much as possible.<br />
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<u>Taxi</u>.<br />
This has got to be the worst method of travel to work in my mind as they are expensive, polluting, still cause lots of traffic congestion, can be like taking your life in your hands as I can easily say that every taxi ride I have ever had (when sober) has been absolutely terrifying and I always just think it is safer to walk. I regularly nearly get hit by these so called professional drivers too, so paying one for the service they provide would be an offense to every other road user in my mind!!!<br />
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<u>Walking</u>.<br />
This is just not feasible for the journey to work as it would simply take too long to walk the 10 miles into the city centre, all be I may do it someday as and when I have plenty of time.<br />
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So, cycling appears to be the only option that takes me from door to door, is the most cost effective method of travel for the daily commute, involves free parking, reduces congestion on the roads, doesn't pollute, doesn't involve being squashed into a crowded space with other people in an unpleasant manner. It's also a great physical workout twice a day.<br />
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When people at work ask me about cycling to work the comment I get from a lot of them is something along the lines of I would love to cycle to work but, it's just too dangerous. Certainly the lack of cycle lanes on my commute to work make things a little harder. There are a few bus lanes that I am allowed to use and cars etc. are not supposed to go in, however the usual case is that they use them anyway and ignore the rules of the road when it comes to using them. Of course this is done with absolute impunity as I have even seen police cars sitting in these bus lanes (without the blue lights on etc.) and not even blinking an eye at all the other motorists doing exactly the same.<br />
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The bus lane going west towards Denton Rock on the A57 is the worst place for this. The local council have said they are going to put cameras up and do something about it but as usual this has come to nothing.<br />
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Then we have the bottle necks as you travel in either direction through Gorton. These are designed to slow the traffic down, which it does! However it is also designed to funnel two lanes of traffic (in both directions) into a single lane then back out into two again. Most of the drivers don't think this and just force there way through in two lanes regardless if they force each other into a dangerous position or mow down others like pedestrians or cyclists.<br />
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I frequently have to take avoiding action to avoid being hit and spend a lot of time looking over my shoulder to ensure that another idiot is not about to drive into me. This is a key point for the low(ish) speed close call.<br />
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Once past there it is just heading down Hyde road all the way into Manchester city centre. This on paper seems like no issues, a big wide straight road with plenty of room. In reality the double lanes just make most drivers think this is a dual carriageway and so drive far faster than the 30mph limit that is set. Drivers change lanes without looking or indicating and its all in a rush to get to the next cue of traffic at the lights with the next major road.<br />
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The one bit of a breather I manage to have is the bus lane that does seem to be enforced and gives me the opportunity to pass all those motorist that have already driven past me once. It doesn't however mean that I can lose concentration as I regularly have people pull out of the side roads without looking as well as motorists turning into side roads again without looking for traffic in the bus lane.<br />
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The last part of my journey in is in the city centre. The biggest problem I face is pedestrians that chose to cross the road regardless if any traffic is coming or not, as I have found out in the past 12 months is that if you have an accident that is caused by a pedestrian and you are seriously injured you cannot claim on any insurance and it's just basically tough!<br />
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My major gripe still has to be the red light jumper, this is mainly the cyclist on the way in (all be only a few). The way I see it the traffic lights are red for a reason and the law says you have to stop, so I <b>always </b>do. Others however do not see it like this and it annoys me as motorist see cyclist do this then assume we are all the same. This is one of the many causes of the terrible attitude towards cyclists by motorists. Once I have arrived at work I then park my bike in the secure area in the building. Go up to my floor and have a nice hot shower and get changed ready to start the day all refreshed.<br />
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The roads are indeed a nightmare and sometimes I just can't face the stress involved in cycling in the traffic. Most of the time though I just take it in my stride and hope one day we will actually get some infrastructure that will make a difference. Lots of those that I mentioned say they would love to cycle. Perhaps it is dangerous! Perhaps I am a bit crackers for doing it all year round but either way I enjoy it. It would be nice to see some police doing more than traveling from A to B down the A57 too.<br />
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So in conclusion the fear factor involved in cycling is the biggest issue for most people. It doesn't need to be this way though as all we need are separate or protected usable cycle lanes, enforcement of speed limits and cycle boxes, a respect from the people that use the road. So many motorists don't view cyclists as people. This is the biggest thing that needs to change. As a person on a bike I (as does everyone) need space. I am not taking a few inches as you squeeze past at speed. If you think it is a squeeze in your 2 tonne car then for a person on a bike it will be terrifying. Lets just hope people think before passing other people on bikes soon and more overcome the hurdle of fear to ride to work or just for the fun of it.<br />
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Happy cyclingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-39483956053473950222014-02-15T22:45:00.001+00:002014-02-15T22:45:11.381+00:00Getting nervous, Getting training!My first race is in April up at the Tameside Cycling track. This will be round 1 of the cycling league I have registered with and I am starting to get a bit nervous as I do not want to be the idiot that is bringing up the rear in last place.<div><br></div><div>I am also trying to ensure that I will be in the best place I can be by cycling as much possible. Saying that though I am only able to currently cycle too and from work. Do the odd bits on the turbo trainer and then when possible the odd bit off a ride at the weekend. </div><div><br></div><div>In short I still don't think I am doing enough so it is time to step things up a bit.</div><div><br></div><div>Cardio first.</div><div> The one thing that I can really work on and I know will benefit me both short and long term is getting a good regular cardio work out. For me as a cyclist this will involve a few good spinning style runs per week on the turbo trainer. I will just simply be looking at getting my heart rate up and sustaining a good work rate for a period of time. Tonight for example I just did 30 minutes and only gave up when I decided I was sweating enough. Even just using the stairs all the time instead of the lift at work will make a difference. </div><div><br></div><div>Strength.</div><div> Leg strength as well as core strength is important. The first is obvious as to why for a cyclist. Would need leg strength, or is it! We know there are two types of muscle. Slow twitch, these are the muscles we use for endurance. I am ok with these muscles as I do and have cycled for long distances for anything up to and including 8 hours at a time. Secondly the fast twitch muscles, these are the strength and speed muscles. In a cyclist it gives the sprinters. In terms of the racing I am going to be taking part in this will be very fast and furious, with lots of fast twitch muscle use and a high cardio workout. </div><div><br></div><div>In short the races will be bloody hard work. </div><div><br></div><div>The next important factor will of course be the machine I will be riding. I will (unless I am lucky enough to be given a real racing bike) be using my current Dolan road bike. The same one I ride to work every day. The major difference being, I will be stripping off the lights, saddle bag and bottle holders. I have a set of matched wheels with slick tyres and a close ratio cassette, plus a chain that I will only be using for races. The bike is not by any means a top end race bike, but on the other hand it is not the regular run of the mill commuter slog to work bad rust in the shed bike. It does weigh just over 10kg so is not an ultra light weight racer. It should do the job I would hope.</div><div><br></div><div>My first aim is to not come last. My second is to come first and score some British cycling points.</div><div><br></div><div>The first race already has a maximum number of 46 riders and looking at the site currently here are only 4 or 5 places left. The one noticeable thing with most of the riders is all but a few of them are all from cycling clubs in the region. I would say quite a few of the racers will be well experienced in racing on closed circuit races like these. It is a cat 4 race so we will be all at the same "level" so to speak. This is a race however so the strongest and fastest will win.</div><div><br></div><div>Tactics.</div><div> The usual way to play things are to race a a team and help each other implementing the use of a tactical race to put the fast racer in the best position at the best time. To be in a race with the rest of the cyclist using tactics around me will be interesting. I am of course cycling as an individual not as a team so I will also have to play the tactics game. On the one hand not get forced out of the race, Squeezed to the back or burned out early. I am to play hard, make sure I will be in a good position, not put myself in early breakaways, make sure I use those around me to my advantage and when the time is right make sure I still have enough strength and fight to jump to the front. </div><div><br></div><div>This sounds like some hard backstabbing tactics, those who race, race to win. Otherwise its just turning up for a laugh! </div><div><br></div><div>It sounds so easy on paper but in reality it will be the hardest and most stressful time ever. I have a feeling I am going to love it, but it will probably be a I loved it afterwards kind of an affair. </div><div><br></div><div>So getting nervous, getting focused and getting trained. I just hope I can do it all in time for the first race then keep it up for all the rest. </div><div><br></div><div>Before now and then however will be the Cheshire Cat, many more rides too and from work, lots more toil on the turbo and probably the wonder of why oh why do I do this! </div><div><br></div><div>My thoughts are I play to win, anything else is me not trying or training hard enough!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-67008142735122703572014-01-29T21:51:00.002+00:002014-01-29T21:51:25.970+00:00Evans Ride-it Rochdale 2014Brrrr Chilly and cold!!!<br />
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I got myself booked on this ride at the same time last year and it was going to be one of the first ever sportive rides I would do.<br />
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Unfortunately last year I ended up in Hospital at about this time with a complication of pneumonia in the form of <span style="font-weight: normal;"><span dir="auto">Pleurisy</span></span>!<br />
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At the time less pleasant than running naked through a field of super prickly cacti whilst smothered in honey and being attacked by a swarm of very stingy wasps.<br />
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However as unpleasant experiences go the ride this weekend would be up in the top 10 of all time "Hmm I didn't really like that and wont be doing it again on purpose" experiences.<br />
<a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/109045158/overview" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/109045158/overview" target="_blank">It went something along the lines of this.</a><br />
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6am (on Sunday morning) I woke up and very quietly got dressed in my cycling gear plus a pair of jeans went downstairs and sat down to have my breakfast. I checked the weather and to my shock and horror it would be raining quite heavy for most of the day.<br />
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Now being a good hardy cyclist and always going by the rules of cycling, I just applied rule 9 and went mega bad ass!!!<br />
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So will my waterproofs in hand (even my Gortex trousers) I set off up to Wardle in Rochdale to the ride HQ for what would indeed be an emotional journey...<br />
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Now as I drove up to Rochdale the wind and rain felt like it was slackening off and I was hoping that perhaps my luck would hold out and the even would be bathed in unseasonable good warm sunshine and a light breeze.<br />
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At Ride HQ you could tell that the participants parking cars in the car park and putting on helmet were all thinking the same thing, "Am I really going to do this? Will this weather get worse not better?". The event organisers had thought better than letting a load of lunatics like ourselves wander around on the high exposed Moor's of West Yorkshire and had cancelled the long route plus redirected the Medium route. <br />
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After getting registered I went back to my car and climbed back in to the warmth. As I sat there I did have one of those am I really going to go and do this moments. Deciding that I indeed must be completely crackers I stripped off my jeans and jumper (not really cycling attire) pulled on my waterproof jacket and trousers, got my bike out of the car boot and with a few final checks that I had not forgotten anything vital (apart from common sense) I set off around to the start gate.<br />
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The guys had done a really nice job of setting up a very posh looking gazebo will all the computers in to clock the riders out at the start and back in on return. After a quick briefing then (on the wind rain and don't be an idiot the locals wont like you if you are) it was off back through the car-park and out of the school grounds and Right down the hill towards Halifax Rd<br />
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It was a Quick Dash eastwards down the A58 then following the fork Northwest up Calderbrook road, through Clough and on to a little known village called Summit just a little rise of the day to get you warmed up and make sure the legs were working.<br />
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From there we dropped down onto Todmorden road/Rochdale Road for a fast(ish) run up to Gordon Riggs garden centre. All the time the rain was pouring down and I was starting to think that I was feeling quite damp and could do with turning around at some point. But onward and upward I went turning east onto Lambutts road skirting around the south side of Todmorden, the low clouds temporarily clearing to give a fantastic view of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoodley_Pike" target="_blank">Stoodley Pike</a>, a monument that is one of the more memorable landmarks (to me anyway) in this area. The sight of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoodley_Pike" target="_blank">Stoodley Pike</a> always makes me feel at home as I grew up in this area and you could nearly always see it sitting like an ancient silent guard on the hills above Calderdale. A great sight indeed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPet1DzO-VjNy_CrbCC1uIqpdMCzLh1yEQfaiE7Gdl2zgOsXBYH95TuzRHEp1TxH1gwbaog4mkztLkeaUjtjHUdCFPFsm3kczvpU-T-46Db_7gdc8FxQlUloKm41GhSIynxK405MTje90/s1600/Stoodly+Pike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPet1DzO-VjNy_CrbCC1uIqpdMCzLh1yEQfaiE7Gdl2zgOsXBYH95TuzRHEp1TxH1gwbaog4mkztLkeaUjtjHUdCFPFsm3kczvpU-T-46Db_7gdc8FxQlUloKm41GhSIynxK405MTje90/s1600/Stoodly+Pike.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoodley Pike in better weather</td></tr>
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As I dropped down the east side of Todmorden and onto Halifax Road I spent some time reminiscing as I passed various places I know. I then road into one of the most unusual villages/towns in the area, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebden_Bridge" target="_blank">Hebden Bridge</a>. This place always brings a smile to my face, my dad calls it a retirement home for hippies. I just know it as the place where my mums side of the family generally live. It was really nice to ride through and very quiet. Looks like even the locals had more sense than to be out in the current weather.<br />
<br />
From there it was just a case of follow your nose and head towards the home of the coiners, my mum and the longest constant single gradient in England, Crag Vale. Now this was the whole reason that I had come here, to cycle up this long hill 5 1/2 miles (8km in European money), plus it is one of the crown jewels of the Tour de France visits to Yorkshire. I just wanted to say I have ridden it.<br />
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I turned off the main road and headed up Crag Road. The start of the climb is even marked with a sign stating that this is the longest single gradient with a distance to the top marker telling you how far you have to go painted onto the road. Fab I would be seeing one of these every km just to destroy your moral and soul!<br />
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The battle begins!<br />
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Crag Vale isn't the steepest of climbs and in places is really quite nice. However the thing that really does make it hard is the distance. It really starts to wear on the legs after a while. Meanwhile the rain was still bucketing down and the wind really howling. I could feel myself getting colder and colder even though I was working hard and thankfully keeping my core temperature up. As I passed the 4 or 5 km to go marker (I wasn't paying attention at the time) I found that the protection the houses and valley had given me had been slowly stripped away and now I was quite exposed to the elements. The wind was constantly pushing me sideways. I was leaning hard into it to remain on my bike. My legs started to burn from the effort. My arms, hands, face and feet soaking started to freeze. The rain was coming down with such force it was stinging my hands though my gloves and even making my eyes sting as it forced its way behind my glasses.<br />
<br />
I was trying to make my mind up now whether I should go the medium route that involved getting to the top of the hill and then re-tracing the same route back to the start, or just turning right at the top and heading straight down to Rochdale. I decided that how cold I was would be the biggest factor for this ride.<br />
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Finally I reached the top of the hill. I had no time to appreciate it though as by now I was so cold and wet that I could hardly think! I knew that unless I got back soon I would be going down with exposure or even worse hypothermia. I could see some riders coming back to do the long route already, but also some opting for the shorter option in an effort to just get back fast. I chose the shorter option as I was starting to see the really bad signs in myself. I was shivering, my reactions were slowing and I am sure if I spoke to anyone I would probably have been slurring my speech too. All the classic danger signs!<br />
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I turned down the hill and found straight away I was going to have a problem. In a moment of keen road resurfacing the local council had applied a beautiful smooth new tarmac surface to the road. Which usually wouldn't have been an issue. Today however it was! The rain was being driven head on into my face. The water on the slick new road was being driven up hill. Every time I touched my braked my wheels locked up threatening to throw me off at any second.<br />
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I actually found the wind was so strong that I had to pedal to keep moving downhill. At practically walking pace I proceeded down the hill into the wind then things got really emotional. the road bent to the right and as I turned with it I found this strong headwind that was helping with my braking now became a killer side-wind that was trying to force me across the road and also made me speed up.<br />
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I wrestled my bike down the hill and finally into a more sheltered built up area. I was really shivering again though. I was just willing the miles by unable to feel a thing just hoping that my legs could work on autopilot as I had lost all feeling. Not a moment too soon came the final turn back up towards Wardle High School and the finish.<br />
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Once I got back to the start/finish point and I checked back in I realised how bad I was. I couldn't use my hands. I was shaking and I really needed to just get my wet kit off before the situation got any worse. Back to the car and then a shivering strip in the car park, wet kit off dry kit on! Finally I started to feel a little warmer. A free cuppa soup later and I was back on form ready to drive home.<br />
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After this ride I learned, my current water proof jacket isn't waterproof at all.<br />
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It is possible to still cycle whilst leaning at nearly 45 degrees.<br />
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Speed downhill is not always your friend<br />
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And finally if the weatherman predicts the end of the world, then he is probably right and best wrap up warm before heading out on your bike for the next ride!<br />
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Now looking forward to one of the biggest sportives in my calender "The Cheshire Cat" can't wait!!!<br />
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Happy cycling! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-2164105980117432812014-01-04T17:21:00.001+00:002014-01-04T18:33:16.776+00:00First run out for 2014 and its a bit chilly!!!I have been doing the normal commute to work this week as I was in work from January 2nd however as "The Wife" is away this weekend with the kids I took the great opportunity to get out for a nice ride in the daylight on my bike!<br />
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The route I planned to do in my head was going to be from my house up and over to Stalybridge then through Mossley and up over Dove Stones. I would then go across the tops and over to Holmefirth, up Holme Moss down to Glossop and then Snake Pass and If I was feeling really keen perhaps down the other side to Castleton and up Winnets Pass finshing off with a climb up Monks Road and a short ride back to Hyde for Tea and Biscuits.<br />
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My legs and fact I have not been able to ride a good distance recently decided different! However it was a bit on the chilly side too once I got on the south side of the hills. The kind of I can't feel my hands or feet chilly! Its almost like Marks and Spencers Cold, except this one is for free and isn't in the advert!<br />
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So to Start!!!<br />
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The run out through Stalybridge and up Dove Stones was actually really nice. My bike felt like it was flying along and the weather was just mild too. I was still quite low down though, but I could already feel it getting colder!!<br />
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I then managed a bit of a sprint across the moors and then a gentle drop down into Holmefirth. I wasn't really for going fast downhill today as the roads were still quite wet and slippy too!<br />
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Then I arrived at Holme Moss!<br />
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The climb was a real killer and as I currently had my close ratio gear cassette on the back wheel I did struggle a bit. Wimpy kid Matt wanted to stop a few times too. As I approached the top with my legs burning and my lungs on fire I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears. The wind was picking up too and as always it was a headwind making it that little bit harder! Thankfully Sergeant Major Matt was to the rescue with a good arse kicking really jumping up and down telling me if I stop I have failed and I will never be in good shape to race this season!<br />
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Finally thought the top came into sight!<br />
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It was a bit windy so the video is harder to hear. However even though I did think I had made the slowest climb ever! it turns out I got a few personal records! Strange but true.<br />
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Then for the descent!<br />
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Did I mention the wet and slippy roads plus the wind and my general fear of dying!!! This run down was actually quite terrifying at parts. I did let the bike run a little so I could just use the speed training but with oncoming traffic (I generally do try to keep to the left side of the road) it did mean I had to carefully touch the brakes. at 40+ mph (65+kph) that can make things a little nerve wracking! But finally.....<br />
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I was really cold now and despite wearing gloves etc I couldn't feel my hands, feet or face I had really lost the bottle too on the road down and even had a good sliding moment on one bend, Thankfully I kept her rubber side down and probably got some air with it at the same time!<br />
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By now as I was just so cold I was heading towards Glossop and having a rethink of the route.<br />
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Just goes to show though what a nice area this really is and right on my doorstep too.<br />
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So anyway I was cold, tired and just wanting to go home by now even if it was about another 10 miles. I dropped down into Glossop and instead of turning left up Snake Pass decided to turn right and head home!<br />
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Still some hills to climb as I do live at the top of one, but eventually I was back home and needing warming up!<br />
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I don't know who was more thankful, me or the dog!!!<br />
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Well a cup of tea some lunch and a dog walk later I feel like I could go out and do it all again. Maybe next week!<br />
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Anyway as things go I don't think I did too badly.<br />
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So all in all not a bad short distance training ride and I will be doing more again hopefully soon.<br />
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I am currently booked on the Evans Ride-it Rochdale ride in a few weeks time and will get to ride up the iconic Crag Vale (longest constant gradient in England) climb. I am looking forward to that and generally just getting out in the area that I grew up in too. You never know I may even spot one or two people that I know too!<br />
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so for now however it's back to my daily sprint training on the turbo trainer and then a quiet night on the sofa with a dog that snores! (Love is...)<br />
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Loving being out on the road in the daylight still. just think the days are gradually getting longer. Now just trying to be fit enough to be able to race and give a good show too. I play to win!<br />
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Happy cycling!<br />
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By the way if you read this please share it too. Always good to get a few hits every so often!<br />
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Hope you like the new format too as I am trying to use lots more video rather than just stills.<br />
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Cheers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-58333788955770662342013-12-30T23:25:00.000+00:002013-12-31T16:16:49.259+00:00Happy new year (2013... it's been fun but thanks!!!)Well looking back on 2013 I can safely say it has indeed been the most unexpected year of cycling that I could imagine!!!<br />
<br />
I started my blog nearly 12 months ago after an new year with flu that turned into pneumonia and I eventually ended up in hospital with pleurisy which was a very painful experience indeed.<br />
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This did give me the motivation to go and do something that I saw as a real challenge.<br />
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WHY?<br />
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I sat in my hospital bed feeling like someone was trying to extract my right lung using a red hot poker in the lower side of my rib cage and i listened to the rants of some chap that was properly delirious from goodness knows what drugs he was on. He was ranting on shouting "I am not finished yet! I wanted to do more but never got around to it!". Made me think really that by the time I am old and losing my marbles (even if my wife thinks I am already barking mad), would I be able to look back and say I did something worth while and not only pushed myself to my very limits then went one step further, but also touched other peoples lives along the way and hopefully made a bit of a difference. With my already long and varied history I cannot say I have wasted my life, but I still feel that I can do more too.<br />
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Maybe have a giggle along the way and get screamed at by Sergeant Major Matt a few times too!!!<br />
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In January once I was back on my feet I decided to get on the Turbo trainer and get the heart working hard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2tjqaAHMRtpswjqj5AqL20hFN-0OEF-1sc7mXJ7237YCS2Z9tymlRtKQ_IUAns_mQPrjSUhaXAR8EDLNtahKswhb8WIgLSE-XNt8BrNxU9T6-zL46m1DXlgzglMK362__ov19biSJII/s1600/blogger-image--2110710958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2tjqaAHMRtpswjqj5AqL20hFN-0OEF-1sc7mXJ7237YCS2Z9tymlRtKQ_IUAns_mQPrjSUhaXAR8EDLNtahKswhb8WIgLSE-XNt8BrNxU9T6-zL46m1DXlgzglMK362__ov19biSJII/s320/blogger-image--2110710958.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original old girl!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I started by really hammering myself but also having no idea of what I was doing and no way of figuring out my power output and cadence etc. I still am a little clueless on that to be honest but the best thing is I was enjoying it at the time.<br />
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I had to drop out of the first sportive I was booked on for the year though so I was really not impressed! however I did think that I would have been stupid to try especially since I felt like I had half a lung missing still and my fitness had really dropped.<br />
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February.. I was feeling good about myself and really getting back into the groove. I had started setting new personal records again as my fitness got back to where it was before the new year and I was looking forward to the first sportive that I was going to be taking part in from Poynton.<br />
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Then fate had a different idea as WHAM! I managed to get clipped by an idiot that didn't look when he crossed the road and I went down hard breaking a bone in my foot in the process.<br />
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So back to hospital for me and I can safely say that having tried both the local hospitals I would not recommend a stay in one!!! never a fan of them in all honesty and really prefer just going to visit or have children at them.<br />
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I was then on crutches for just over two months and hated every minute of it. However it did just strengthen my resolve that I would do more and go further than I previously thought possible. At the time however just the 1.5 mile walk from town was a killer for me and was proving to be hard work.<br />
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March brought snow, and lots of it! bad for those on and off bikes. I was still hobbling about on crutches and having to catch the bus everywhere. On the upside though the Cheshire Cat was postponed until July so I was back on it and looking forward to it too!!!<br />
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April put me back on my feet and back on my bike. Probably far too soon in the eyes of the doctors but I was determined to get back up and running again working hard on my fitness and cycling endurance (much to my unimpressed wife's cost). I was out spending time on my bike going the long way too and from work and getting some good hills in to match. I did have to reign myself back a bit but then in May and June just went into hill climbing mode and went out to find some local big ones in the process.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnA8sH171_suI8Yv0jaC5RJ_qZVOkAPY4f1ueAPUNtZJqDmQiFQNc5pQ81fPf0fIZhmYQH0W2J64-fdk215bp1WXAAPADRoCqvwHyF_9n6nZClkAf0iGFJUx6wvF3GQG8YKmHNRx0CWk/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnA8sH171_suI8Yv0jaC5RJ_qZVOkAPY4f1ueAPUNtZJqDmQiFQNc5pQ81fPf0fIZhmYQH0W2J64-fdk215bp1WXAAPADRoCqvwHyF_9n6nZClkAf0iGFJUx6wvF3GQG8YKmHNRx0CWk/s320/image.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lashing the snake! Top of Snake Pass</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhty8eGGIpaKqAmeIYGaFTh-GrNuITbghIiskHkN-yI5EPXUea1L3Z2ESD5FE2WBh-3I3jLjxvd-EQiExODJJF7gXxsBAFuPHdKWAWFDmBsakudfASpLhxcUIWdr7u6pIuIdBtBNYHOBjc/s1600/WInnetsPass.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhty8eGGIpaKqAmeIYGaFTh-GrNuITbghIiskHkN-yI5EPXUea1L3Z2ESD5FE2WBh-3I3jLjxvd-EQiExODJJF7gXxsBAFuPHdKWAWFDmBsakudfASpLhxcUIWdr7u6pIuIdBtBNYHOBjc/s320/WInnetsPass.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Monk and Two Passes. The foot of Winnats Pass</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_zcIK5ewaJfp4mZUQpTDlhV_kMvlE-6PkRntSnsiMEzkD-W8py5DWFt4Va8JrsXNTzH6Ihp8uwheosR72g1Q6G8C-azRZVS4D_yB7PrDzLSiVIRpFxP9VUaVBX3LF44R2VD494B0YrE/s1600/HomeMossandme.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_zcIK5ewaJfp4mZUQpTDlhV_kMvlE-6PkRntSnsiMEzkD-W8py5DWFt4Va8JrsXNTzH6Ihp8uwheosR72g1Q6G8C-azRZVS4D_yB7PrDzLSiVIRpFxP9VUaVBX3LF44R2VD494B0YrE/s320/HomeMossandme.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling the Moss! Top of Holme Moss and Happy for the first of many times.</td></tr>
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<br />
I was wise to do this as I think it stood me in good stead for the miles and mountains ahead as I took part in the sportives I had entered.<br />
<br />
Finally at the end of June I made it to my first sportive. The Great Manchester Cycle! No hills, No cars, just nice flat(ish) road and 50 odd miles of cycling as fast or as slow as I wanted. It was great and I really enjoyed it. Some people can do with being reminded that it is not a race though as I actually saw some overly aggressive riders force others off the road. But hey! it just goes to prove that even BMW drivers can ride bikes. But it takes a bit more to be a cyclist!!!<br />
<br />
Just a few weeks later and on probably the hottest day I have ever cycled on in my life came the Kilo to Go Cheshire Cat. 104 miles of Cheshire plain with some of the steepest hills I have ever ridden up thrown in for good measure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtErh80cDW9X23jmAPCOuZgjiBo7GOgJW9XpvKO1OTieHngvmlBpZ27JJ5aNvUoMDifRrV0oNAisokvbi5CUfXvWPXAiX2URb5YUxqs7_bfTE72KqvA66ir2LgLeJLrTCtY3qmgyvyDDg/s1600/Mow+Cop.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtErh80cDW9X23jmAPCOuZgjiBo7GOgJW9XpvKO1OTieHngvmlBpZ27JJ5aNvUoMDifRrV0oNAisokvbi5CUfXvWPXAiX2URb5YUxqs7_bfTE72KqvA66ir2LgLeJLrTCtY3qmgyvyDDg/s320/Mow+Cop.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mow Cop! The very steep bit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8IHy4vP07CwjYRy2Ljar7gJlV3Pn8I9tca1BKCxZx61h8U6llQPWGHmGKcsXZygF-8CU62iUdp21ufyow9YS_4H1b4c9NdqtHatOsYkGGm6IB-LSU84HuPBB06kt22FrcnD592FXbh8/s1600/mowcop2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8IHy4vP07CwjYRy2Ljar7gJlV3Pn8I9tca1BKCxZx61h8U6llQPWGHmGKcsXZygF-8CU62iUdp21ufyow9YS_4H1b4c9NdqtHatOsYkGGm6IB-LSU84HuPBB06kt22FrcnD592FXbh8/s320/mowcop2.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picture makes it look flatter than it is!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjw_-JT8XpkPVgn-B1Gy6XkR6FcH7fuXWD_-sIXaDZsMa_wfneWQt2fc60F82v9en73tiaYc6X_ONePf4csM6lSRNG5NRv7OxbYBZ1kFJuw82iQRPLZd0MXkqwzuB6ezFn43GRaQr_QA/s1600/MOw+Cop+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjw_-JT8XpkPVgn-B1Gy6XkR6FcH7fuXWD_-sIXaDZsMa_wfneWQt2fc60F82v9en73tiaYc6X_ONePf4csM6lSRNG5NRv7OxbYBZ1kFJuw82iQRPLZd0MXkqwzuB6ezFn43GRaQr_QA/s400/MOw+Cop+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The map doesn't lie! Its really very steep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After an emotional killer mile and then a just as emotional 103 other miles I had completed my first big distance and got my first tick in the box (in my mind!). I had pushed my limits and found that I could do this without killing myself totally. Even if the wife did comment saying I was wiped out when I got home afterwards. I was still capable of doing more and felt really good about it.<br />
<br />
The heat had hurt, the miles had hurt and the hills had really hurt, at the end of it though once I returned to ride HQ in Crewe I was still smiling and ready for the next one!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_VNK0_eOyIp8PKLmv3EMjuRfaFAw8bV2gDVIZaQBAxv4DiZsG_yp8kRheZ2aUFoJAKFLpoi3tE_32pgJm6ym9ovGRoUv0HpDogEl27r_IXCXAQksVs8LFBqXg3cKBXCnvkHbjWM6qTo/s1600/Just+Finished.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_VNK0_eOyIp8PKLmv3EMjuRfaFAw8bV2gDVIZaQBAxv4DiZsG_yp8kRheZ2aUFoJAKFLpoi3tE_32pgJm6ym9ovGRoUv0HpDogEl27r_IXCXAQksVs8LFBqXg3cKBXCnvkHbjWM6qTo/s400/Just+Finished.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still smiling after over 100 miles! I must have been mad.</td></tr>
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Just as I thought I was back in the swing of things and looking forward to throwing myself back down the open road for the Jodrell Bank summer Sportive were my obligations and responsibilities as a Husband and Parent put through there own paces. I was at home helping my much loved and overworked wife deal with two very poorly children. Much barfing in the night as I remember and I just couldn't justify then going out for the day on my bike leaving Her in door to cope with projectile vomiting girl and barfing baby, whilst feeling rubbish herself and trying to run the house at the same time. <br />
<br />
After a few more little training rides as well as the usual commute to work I warmed up for the next big challange by riding in the DM Keith Skoda Sportive over from Wakefield. This was a good run out and a stretch for the legs but it would fall very short of testing myself again "THE ONE!!!"<br />
<br />
Ride With Brad 2013 was really emotional. I can safely say if all the knights of the realm think the route he had put together is a jolly nice little training ride, then it just goes to show people like Sir Bradley (The Dark Over Lord) Wiggins really are something special and go way beyond what we mortals are capable of. It was certainly an inspiration and something that I want to do again in 2014. I was certainly found wanting this time as I actually had to get off and push a few times. Next time however I will be giving Sir Wiggo a run for his money, then getting my arse handed to me on a silver platter as the Grand Over Lord wipes the floor with it and leaves me in his wake! Should be fun!!!<br />
<br />
My next big disaster came not through thoughtless injury or mishap but more of my own stupidity as I broke my bike in an effort to fix the old girl! September was going to be the Manchester 100 for me, however I was suddenly without steed and massively pissed off as it was my mistake that essentially broke my bike. That and using old second hand parts I had purchased from eBay at the lowest possible price.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ayoZ0KYPik9oy4NneOOHxal2omfwLZ78wg_IYbQlafLsVTxPzhmSRP1nM6To8v0omNIIjBhSJR2CLt7Y-L26aOfg2eEg58VN80h7XAG2N2-azfzlKh7tdg5JNqkueWPKKoeBtDtHD2c/s1600/Bike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ayoZ0KYPik9oy4NneOOHxal2omfwLZ78wg_IYbQlafLsVTxPzhmSRP1nM6To8v0omNIIjBhSJR2CLt7Y-L26aOfg2eEg58VN80h7XAG2N2-azfzlKh7tdg5JNqkueWPKKoeBtDtHD2c/s320/Bike.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Old girl! In the shed but not forgotten!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The Old girl did me proud however. I had ridden a 20+ year old bike for over 2000 miles, over the hills in all weathers and at scary high speed too (45+mph, that's over 100 Kph in metric). Thankfully someone was smiling on me as I was able to replace the broken frame in just a few weeks and now had a bike suitable for doing some real damage with!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPPd9wETyxSppEBzhgPSKmnZ8jIhCLNJQL5hPFgPoTvu9PxIGFYTkzR-mPNvG3cwVmmIJhJ_XyKfWL4_nnf3-ktoQwe5outUdVGTHwJVJ7vjPYpB1TfEs43bE8t-V_J6gOI8unuMCYEo/s1600/Bike+build+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPPd9wETyxSppEBzhgPSKmnZ8jIhCLNJQL5hPFgPoTvu9PxIGFYTkzR-mPNvG3cwVmmIJhJ_XyKfWL4_nnf3-ktoQwe5outUdVGTHwJVJ7vjPYpB1TfEs43bE8t-V_J6gOI8unuMCYEo/s320/Bike+build+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new steed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I would be putting this one through her paces on the Hidden Peak National Trust Sportive. The bike was a great ride and I was really impressed with the performance it gave me. I however had a bit of a directional fail and managed to actually get lost. Or as we cyclist call it, just making sure another route would be safe to use too. I didn't go too far out of the way and managed to have enough sense to realise that I was not on the right track, however I did manage to finish 30 seconds late for a silver medal and got only a bronze finish. Bummer I was really pushing hard and let myself down a bit. Overall though it was a really nice ride and a great way to end the sportive season.<br />
<br />
As the dark of Autumn and winter set in I took to the track, I want to ensure I am not starting back at square 1 with my fitness levels for the coming year. This was only interrupted with a brief meeting with the side of a minibus that was being driven by a blind man. However after much thought and discussion with her that must be obeyed, we have decided that I can either go road or track, we just can't afford for me to do both.<br />
<br />
The year ahead!<br />
<br />
The coming year will hopefully start with the Evans Ride-it Rochdale Sportive, The same one I missed last January.<br />
<br />
February I currently have nothing planned as I think she would kill me if I went cycling on her birthday.<br />
<br />
March is the return of the Cheshire Cat (weather permitting, even if I did enjoy and prefer it in July).<br />
<br />
April will see me starting to race on the Tameside Closed circuit races on a Tuesday night. This is the start of the annual amateur racing league season for 2014 and is on pretty much every Tuesday night until October. I don't think I will race in all of them but I do intend to compete in a few!<br />
<br />
May will see me Race in and around Holmfirth in the<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Team Cystic Fibrosis Road Race and then June a race around Doncaster City centre. Those should both be great fun and mega challenging too!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">At the end of June will come the event that I have been building up too and training for all this time, The Coast to Coast in a day! The ride I am still trying to get a place on as it sold out on the first day it opened, but also the point of me writing this whole blog and the reason I have been smashing myself for charity!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After that I of course hope to Bump into Sir Wiggo on his ride as well as keeping on competing on as many local races as I can get away with riding in, (Wife and children permitting).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYduwL_OYdoU8C6cxS6Nh3_7_bgnji7omhGhn830wWdg4rBUl9fH80nmkdAjsMc2j9nhX-Bm-qhls6OaC7b5J-VKZkIktDyfwsY6b0xIZuOZNxLi2rK6uEkKSvL9vSabroVqrN25WkaXE/s1600/Einstein.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYduwL_OYdoU8C6cxS6Nh3_7_bgnji7omhGhn830wWdg4rBUl9fH80nmkdAjsMc2j9nhX-Bm-qhls6OaC7b5J-VKZkIktDyfwsY6b0xIZuOZNxLi2rK6uEkKSvL9vSabroVqrN25WkaXE/s320/Einstein.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Einstein was happy to cycle too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It's all happy cycling and on the open road even with Sergeant Major Matt screaming his lungs out at me to get up that hill or eat the person in front of me once I have caught them. It's a sport I really enjoy and something that I have been able to apply myself too. It helps me burn off the excess energy and release the aggression that I have from my days as a soldier! I do believe it has made me a better person and if one person reading this blog is by this inspired to get out on two wheels too, then it is worth it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">2013 has certainly been Hell and I have gone through it mainly on two wheels but for some of it on crutches too! Good-bye 2013 and hello to 2014! Now bring on the PAIN!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmhgXdLs7Ul6SlqHq3bVDj5Vb8frv37Q-sCYfodyFQ3ZxgL5DUgB_Km_i7fAlt8HdZBQ5D2Iimhzeol5M36k6_7YKFdJn6ZLQ4WOKeMjROqfAlI8pGfH8yMhTtW883Q0HaLiPdwoBKzE/s1600/blogger-image-2059215651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmhgXdLs7Ul6SlqHq3bVDj5Vb8frv37Q-sCYfodyFQ3ZxgL5DUgB_Km_i7fAlt8HdZBQ5D2Iimhzeol5M36k6_7YKFdJn6ZLQ4WOKeMjROqfAlI8pGfH8yMhTtW883Q0HaLiPdwoBKzE/s320/blogger-image-2059215651.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving every minute of it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-14006943775370307962013-12-25T19:03:00.001+00:002013-12-25T19:03:07.186+00:00Happy Christmas!Its Christmas 2013 and I am not cycling today. In truth I will be off the bike for a few days as I could do with a rest. However lots of new bike related bits for Christmas...Hurrah!<div><br></div><div>I now have a pair of race wheels and tyres. A new cycling jersey but most importantly a new cat eye cycling computer that I can use to monitor my power, cadence, speed and workload. It's all about the numbers and that is what I am going to be looking at to gauge my performance training over the next few months in the build up to the racing and sportive season. I have many events in the calendar and only a few of them currently paid for. A bit frustrating but I am limited on budget.</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway I am looking forward to getting home so I can get out on the bike again, I am getting the itch that only a flying hard ride can scratch. Plus shiny things play with on my bike too. </div><div><br></div><div>The local Strava segments are going to get a hammering when I get home. Well that is the plan anyway :)</div><div><br></div><div>Happy cycling ;)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-71507131387157821442013-12-16T22:29:00.004+00:002013-12-16T22:34:02.787+00:00The secret is in the SOAP<b><u>A more advanced track session for Friday! </u></b><br />
<br />
It was still counted as a tester session when it comes to how the national cycling centre advertise these sessions but having said that they did also say that all the tracks in the country had the managers come to a meeting in Manchester on Friday and they made decisions!!! One of these was to call the "advanced taster" Level 2 of 4. Kind of makes sense to me as otherwise you have no idea as to what you are doing or how far you have to go.<br />
<br />
So anyway I trudged from work in the centre of Manchester sown the Ashton canal on my bike. I really wasn't feeling it tonight but non the less I was looking forward to a good hard session at the track. Maybe a few good fast laps would help clear my head and I would be feeling a lot better afterwards. Cycling tends to do that for me when I am enjoying it. The ride down the dark wet canal wasn't doing it for me tonight but it was better than the usual life of limb route on the road! I do actually like the canal just simply because it is quieter.<br />
<br />
I arrived well in time for the session and made my way to the reception to get booked in and hire some shoes. Then off to the track and get sorted out of my outdoor road cycling kit (mainly the outer layers that I wear at the moment to keep warm and dry), I simply made sure that I would have just enough to keep me covered (stops you losing skin in a fall) and not so much that I would overheat as I was working hard on the bike.<br />
<br />
So the bike! Where was my bike??? The track staff are usually really good and put the bikes out on the hire racks with your name on for collection, this time however myself and a few others had to go and find a member of staff to get a bike each out of the store deep under the track. Not to worry though as it gave a little insight into the underground workings of the track and a warm fuzzy feeling that says these bikes are really well maintained and looked after by staff that clearly have an extensive workshop. It was impressive with more bikes, tools and shiny things than you can shake a stick at.<br />
<br />
However now it was time for the session and all the gloom had gone from my mind, now it would be time to concentrate (even after a long hard tiring week in the office). This was my first advanced taster session (hopefully not my last as I would still like to progress) and as the two British cycling coaches said to us, "If this is your first time then it will be a bit of an eye opener for you! just stay safe and keep calm.", These guys are the real deal! They are professional coaches and they have between them probably about as much experience as you could ever need.<br />
<br />
Quickly I got out onto the track to do a few warm up laps. Get the legs working and the heart rate up was my aim. Also get comfortable on the bike, every bike is different and I wasn't too happy with the saddle height so I pulled up a lap or two early then everyone else came in for the first exercise briefing.<br />
<br />
This is where <b>SOAP </b>comes into play. Nothing kinky but it will make your brain hurt after a few laps!<br />
<br />
<b><u>Exercise 1</u></b><br />
<br />
Ride in a line on the blue line and change the front rider every 1/2 lap.<br />
On the change power away up to the top of the track looking that you are clear at the same time.<br />
Once at the top of the track return to the same pace you had previously so you drop to the back.<br />
Rejoin the line and continue in the circuit.<br />
<br />
How difficult could it be??<br />
<br />
Not many people know but a track has 2 hills on it. Into the corner (when you are on the blue line) is uphill and adversely out of the corner is down hill.<br />
To carry out this exercise and riding in a line of 16 riders we must all maintain the same pace going uphill as we do going downhill. That is the simple concept that is going to take time to master and make my head and several others on the track heads hurt. and to add to all of this the coach then throws in some SOAP!<br />
<br />
Thankfully only as an acronym as a real bar would have just spelt disaster<br />
<br />
<b>S </b>- Smooth actions (keeping it smooth helps the rider behind not having to react fast)<br />
<b>O </b>- Observation (just a look over your shoulder in your intended direction of travel)<br />
<b>A </b>- Anticipation (of what you are about to do, go up/down change etc.)<br />
<b>P</b> - Pace judgement (Squeeze it on slightly going up the hill, let off slightly going down,)<br />
<br />
Well all the <b>SOAP </b>makes it sound really easy and certainly I was confident that I wouldn't have a problem mastering this in a session..... Oh how wrong could I be!<br />
<br />
We set off in a line of 16 all at the same time. I entered the track and closed on the wheel in front. straight away I was finding it hard to keep the right distance and just couldn't get settled like I did in the previous sessions. Round and round we went the rider at the front peeling off every 1/2 lap. The pace not massively high but good enough to do a great speed around the track. Finally it came to me at the front. Concentrating on keeping up with the coach pace maker for the group, then came the shout "<b>CHANGE</b>!" my mind went blank for a second as my brain went "Thank you for calling, Matthew is cycling at the moment and will answer your call shortly, here's a little music to listen too while you wait!"<br />
<br />
<b>Argh! dam you brain!!!</b><br />
<br />
The coach however had other idea's. He knew exactly what was going on in each riders head and shouted the relevant instructions to get you going!I opened up the pace and accelerated up the track, with the slight delay I was on a steeper section than I would have liked and so had to work a little harder I then returned back to normal pace and let the line pass under me as I rode the greater distance around the top of the track. Suddenly I did start to notice that the line was creeping up[ the track towards me. Now being at the top side of the track that wouldn't really give me anywhere to go! The reason that the line was creeping up the track is simple. If you are too close or just simply catching up to the rider in front you just move to the right of the rider and let the natural curve of the track slow you down and you can slot back behind the rider. However at this time everyone seemed to be coming up the track in one long line.<br />
<br />
Things started to get a little stressful for a second as I was dropping further back then to my relief the line dropped back down and I slotted in at the back. A few laps later and me stressing about my legs not doing as they are told. Either I was too close to the rider in front or too far behind. I struggled to get the pace balance right and it is something I will have to really work on.<br />
<br />
Next came "The Mesh!". The mind boggles!!!<br />
<br />
With 16 of us (17 including the coach out on the track with us) we all numbered off.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Exercise 2</b></u><br />
<br />
An reiteration of the <b>SOAP</b> principles but this one would also be a pace and acceleration exercise. It was to be a simple one. Keep your position in the line and maintain your spacing. Again it was all about pace. The coaches explained that we would ride around on the blue line again. They would then shout the instruction of "<b>ODDS DOWN</b>" at which point the odd numbers in the line all drop down the track onto the red line and the even numbers continue on the blue line and visa-verse when "<b>EVEN DOWN</b>" is called. "Easy Peasy!!!" (in a remarkably bad French accent) you may say! <br />
<br />
Reality would be quite so easy but at least not as bad as the first exercise. Again this involves the careful application of <b>SOAP</b>!<br />
<br />
Not too bad as we entered the track this time and again we cruised round at a comfortable pace. "<b>EVENS DOWN</b>" the chap in front of me peeled left and I just concentrated on keeping him in the same place as well as the chap now in front at just over a bike length away.<b> EVENS UP</b> and he slid back into position with the minimum of fuss. Then <b>ODDS DOWN</b> Hmm this was different as I slowed to keep my position in the group as I dropped onto the red line. In a corner you travel 5 meters shorter distance on the red line than on the blue. Again pace, distance judgment and then acceleration back up the track and into the space. Not an easy thing and pace judgment is something that even the pro's have to work hard on. this being lesson 1 for me made me feel a bit better.<br />
<br />
Finally we all came in as a line (looked rather good too) and stopped on the barrier. The coaches then decided that we could all go do some individual interval training on the whistle for the last 10 minute of the session. This was simple find some space, get up to speed then on the first whistle sprint like hell and on the second relax and recover! Hmm 10 minutes later I was jelly! I got onto the track did 2 laps then whistle 1. So I did exactly as told and went for it hard. Lap 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.... I was starting to think the coach had lost his whistle then thankfully he blew it again!! bit warm now and my legs complained that I had been cycling all week and now this, <b>SHUT UP LEGS</b>!!! 2 laps later the shrill sound of the whistle again! Not being one to waste the opportunity of a good workout I pushed hard again. By Lap 5 or 6 I was breathing though my ears! They repeated this about 2 more times then brought us all in for a post session chat!<br />
<br />
It covered most of what I have described above but the coaches also gave us a good insight into how difficult this can be at the higher levels with 40+ riders on the track, now that must be really stressful sometimes, however they did also reiterate that as long as you keep a good lookout and stay safe it is never a problem! I look forward to my next session!<br />
<br />
This is all good training too for the race season next year that I will be going into. Now that will be an eye opener too.<br />
<br />
Great fun and even though I haven't yet got another session booked I am looking forward to it and just want more!!!<br />
<br />
The ride home after was a bit emotional too! I still managed a few good personal bests though and 8th on the leader board on the route through Gorton too,<br />
<br />
I will be stepping up my training in the new year and knocking up some more leader boards too. It would be good to dominate the area before starting the next racing season in March/April time! <br />
<br />
More happy cycling! <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-29726679106199587142013-12-04T22:13:00.000+00:002013-12-04T22:13:07.560+00:00On the Blue line!!!The past week has been unusually harrowing but today it was rewarding.<br />
<br />
Last Friday after having an entire week of commuting too and from work by bike, my luck ran out... so to speak.<br />
<br />
The fact is I got a minibus in the face!
As it goes, I was hit on a roundabout by a driver that was cutting across traffic and by his own admission was in the wrong lane to be turning left.<br />
<br />
The only left I had at this point was the gravel rash to my right knee, elbow, shoulder and hand plus a very sorry looking bike. I wasn't too happy at all as I would have to repair my bike over the weekend and in the run up to Christmas money is tight!!<br />
<br />
I had a very badly damaged rear derailleur a good knock to my handlebars and gear/brake levers, a huge gash out of my saddle and now my wheels don't feel right either. Not happy at all and considering I wear a high-vis jacket and have more lights than Blackpool the bloke actually said "Sorry Mate I Didn't See You". Makes me angry!!<br />
<br />
After a good knock and a bit of a bruise I was back on the bike on Monday for the usual commute to work etc. Plus tonight I was back at the velodrome!!!<br />
<br />
Hurrah Hurrah! Great fun to be had smashing myself around the track!<br />
<br />
This time however after a good thrashing for a warm-up, high pace for about 10-15 minutes to get a bit of a sweat on. I had to pull my eyes back in as there were a few riders all wanting to ride for the fabled Blue slip.<br />
<br />
As I previously mentioned in an earlier post this allows a rider to progress to the next level. I have a feeling it may just be a whole different level of suffering to enjoy :)<br />
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We rode around in a tight line like formation. It does make it so much easier if you ride in a line as the person in front shelters you from the wind as you travel through the air. You actually end up doing around 30% less work to maintain the same speed. Great fun and is a very good thing to practice.<br />
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At the end of it all after many laps, changing over from the front position and dropping to the back. heart stopping moments when we all went to exit the track and didn't quite manage it in formation. Turned into a bit of a cluster really, but we handled it safely and recovered well.<br />
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The Coach for the session finally uttered the magic words "You are all passed for your Blue slips, See me at reception afterwards to collect them". Great stuff exactly what I wanted from tonight and time to take it up a knotch.<br />
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So the Blue slip!
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I know what you are thinking!!! Yes it doesn't look much, but this is the the first step towards getting accreditation as a rider. If you want to know more about what it involves just have a look at the link <a href="http://www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/track/ride-the-track/" target="_blank">here</a>. This is the National cycling centre website and gives an outline of what you have to do.</div>
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I am now going to be on level 2 and ready to really push myself to improve my cycling speed stamina and overall fitness. I know I am far fitter than I was 12 months ago but that is what doing so much fitness (if only just cycling to work and back) does for you.</div>
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Tomorrow however I think my legs will need to be told what to do as they where jelly when I left the velodrome and are starting to ache a bit now. My Sergeant Major Matt was loving it tonight and at the end when we got asked if we just wanted to go around fast he kicked me in the arse and just went "I'll be doing some fast laps please!!!" in my voice then got all shouty in my head demanding I go fast enough to make my eyes bleed and anyone watching feel tired! It's like the good old saying that I remember Sergeants of old saying "You'll be doing press-ups* until I'm tired" (*substitute for required exercise e.g. star-jumps, hill runs, sit-ups etc. all the greats that make you hurt like buggery).</div>
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Anyway I did some fast laps and rode right up until the last minute. In all I rode for about 50 out of the 60 minutes. I then got changed back into my outdoor kit and after booking my next session cycled the 8 miles home, wibbly wobbly style. However I must have still been on a adrenaline high as I even managed to get a cup on my Strava ride on the way back, I must be mental!</div>
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So in other news! </div>
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I am now registered on the Tameside Closed Circuit Cycling Racing league, I am going to start entering events in the new year however the first event isn't until April.</div>
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I have entered the first sportive of the year too. The Evans Ride-it Rochdale road ride that is about 70 miles but takes in a few good lumps including Crag Vale which is part of the Yorkshire leg of the 2014 Tour De France (Stage 1 I think). Anyway it will be a good ride and my second attempt at doing it as I missed it last year due to coming down with plueracy!! (not an experience I want to repeat any day).</div>
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After that I am looking at doing a mixture of races and sportives all running up towards doing a really good challenging ride later on in the year.</div>
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Looking forward to it all already!</div>
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Happy cycling :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-62879075274533589912013-11-16T15:19:00.002+00:002013-11-16T15:19:45.448+00:00Looks like its that time already!!!With the days now well and truly getting shorter and the rides too and from work being mainly in the dark, the weather getting increasing wet and windy plus the temperatures dropping, I see many cyclists hanging up their helmets and opting for a warmer form of transport. certainly where I park my bike at work, an area (indoors with great security) is usually packed and you really struggle to find a spot. Now however there is plenty of room and only the brave well dressed dare attend.<br />
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Me being one of those brave nut-cases.<br />
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But hey! as I pass about 1,000 cars a day all sat in slow moving and stationary traffic and I may look like a Christmas tree with more lights and day-glow yellow bits than you can shake a stick at (I do look like a proper chump too) it's all in aid of not being splattered by drivers that don't look and best of all being quite warm too.<br />
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I can safely say I have only had one day so far when I have been properly cold so far and really not enjoying it. The only reason for that was I was still wearing my summer gear, thin socks, fingerless gloves, thin top etc. Now however I am going back to lessons in years gone by and ensuring I have enough layers to keep out the wind but not so many that I overheat and end up just as wet on the inside as I would on the outside from the rain.<br />
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The only other issue at the minute is ensuring I am visible and avoid motorists that generally just don't look, or think, or just don't care and think they have right of way!!! Scary really.<br />
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So looking like a day-glow idiot with lights on my arms and back plus three lights on the back of my bike (the red sort) and three lights on the front of my bike (the white sort) generally does the trick. I still do however as happened at least twice this week I had a SMIDSY or Sorry Mate I Didn't See You!!! Obviously even the blind are allowed to drive!!!<br />
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So if battling through slow moving traffic in the dark wind and rain isn't enough, I am still cycling in the region of 100 miles per week. I am also starting to make up for the lack of road miles by hitting the Turbo trainer a few times a week too. The goal being that after winter is (finally) over I will be fitter, faster and stronger than I was last year. All this should stand me in good stead for the next season as I really want to take part in some real races, either road races as there are a few nearby or closed track racing at somewhere like Tameside Circuit, a purpose built track that I can't believe I haven't discovered previously. Either way it is something that I want to be doing over the next year and will hopefully do as well as I can for me!!!<br />
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I shall keep you posted on what happens.<br />
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Meanwhile... I have entered the Cheshire Cat again, to me there is only one distance and that is the full Monty 100 miles as last year. All the other dates for either sportive's or races are to be discussed and booked but I will be blogging those as I go through the year.<br />
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Happy cycling yet again. And stay safe too....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150615802948038674.post-36302666533192324042013-11-04T22:32:00.000+00:002013-11-04T22:32:00.858+00:00TIme to get a bit of a Poke on!!!It's been on the cards for the past month and a bit. That's right! today was the first of two sessions I had booked at the Velodrome in Manchester. I have cycled in the velodrome before (middle of last year) so I was pretty much allowed to just ride as I liked as long as I wasn't dangerous and the coaches were happy.<br />
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Anyway as soon as it 4.30 today I was out the door from work as I knew I had to cycle the 2.6 miles to the velodrome from the city centre and really didn't want to be late.<br />
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I had a taster session booked from 5-6pm and really didn't want to waste my money by turning up late or trashing myself so hard to get there that I would be knackered and wouldn't enjoy it.<br />
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I had already figured out my route. A nice easy ride down the Ashton canal so traffic free, just the odd pedestrian to avoid (but they didn't mind as long as I didn't go past at break neck speed) and the odd few lumps and bumps on the canal path. I don't think they were quite thinking of road bikes when they built them in the 1800's or however long ago it was.<br />
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So after I got there I made my way to reception got booked in, picked up a pair of Lake shoes (these are a type of cycling shoes they use with the hire bikes) and headed into the velodrome. You could still feel the heat from the world championships at the weekend and it was indeed as if the place was still ringing from the roar of the crowds too. It is a world class venue and right on the doorstep! I can only imagine what it must have been like at the weekend for the Great British cycling team (and indeed all the cycling teams) to walk out into the riders D to the standing ovation they received, The roar of the crowd must have been deafening but at the same time such a rush too. If that doesn't make you want to ride to a world class record breaking level (and they did break records too) then what will I ask?<br />
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So now it was my turn, not so much to wow the crowds (there must have been about 5 or 6 spectators that had come to see one or two of the others taking part) but it made me smile and I was ready to just simply thrash myself for an hour.<br />
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Now you may be wondering why I am doing this and what makes track cycling different from the road cycling I have been doing.<br />
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The two main differences are its on a track (a bit obvious but hey!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt55C1eHcIl8O2FWzuLp6eT98sGYs3eHyhPnOeucDNlAvr9xUqmL0TVSfN5wzYe2INgt-2FvnmG-A08KOmKhyP5Wf0H3QFBLmMnhivQDgBCK1D8jU9BxKWEeaURZsazrqiHPlVvaFZpU/s1600/track.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt55C1eHcIl8O2FWzuLp6eT98sGYs3eHyhPnOeucDNlAvr9xUqmL0TVSfN5wzYe2INgt-2FvnmG-A08KOmKhyP5Wf0H3QFBLmMnhivQDgBCK1D8jU9BxKWEeaURZsazrqiHPlVvaFZpU/s400/track.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And these tracks have steeply banked corners <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3AKmieODwPiRB5ht1M5_fuVTfI62_lo2Tuo6P0j8h4tVHlLAXb_ns_9LalDgtkoDJ7rT6_KedMZaWxdLQjFqusA4yAndzuUUMcscO22HwW91pIckJmE_euqqrZIzsr7x9ps5J1t2q3Q/s1600/Steep+banking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3AKmieODwPiRB5ht1M5_fuVTfI62_lo2Tuo6P0j8h4tVHlLAXb_ns_9LalDgtkoDJ7rT6_KedMZaWxdLQjFqusA4yAndzuUUMcscO22HwW91pIckJmE_euqqrZIzsr7x9ps5J1t2q3Q/s400/Steep+banking.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
that essentially mean you are always going in a straight line, an oddity but it works! Takes a bit to get your head around but as soon as you have that figured out you are cooking on gas.<br />
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By the way that is not a picture of me but some random chap on the internet, it is Manchester Velodrome however. This does give you an idea of how steep the banking is but to see it and even better ride it is breathtaking.<br />
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The second part that is different is the bike<br />
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Essentially this is a bike built simply to do one thing only and that is go chuffing fast!!!</div>
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It has no brakes, no free wheel and no gears like a conventional road bike, Once you are on it you are clipped into the pedals and then it is go time. The rear wheel turns when the pedals turn so effectively all the speed control is done solely by using your legs. The tires are slick and only used on the track. I certainly wouldn't want to dirty the track with my dirty road bike.</div>
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As I prepared to ease myself into riding the track I noticed a few of the cyclist that had just finished on the previous session before hand. It was only part of the British Para cycling team. I was a bit annoyed to have missed seeing them put in some flying laps as I think to watch the pro's do it would have been really inspiring. <br />
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Now clipped in I pushed of the barrier and made my way around the blue apron just getting a feel for the bike before a glance over my right shoulder as I made my way down the straight up onto the blue band then onto the track at speed. I have no idea how fast I was going, it was probably snails pace in comparison to what the pro's had been doing but to me it felt fast.<br />
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With the air rushing past me, my ears ringing and my breathing controlled but I was breathing hard. I did a few warm up laps at a good pace then went for a few flying laps.<br />
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By this point the main group of the riders had started to join the track and they were pretty much all first timers. I took the upper blue stayers line to keep out of there way and started to really pump my legs.<br />
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Momentarily, I wondered what it must have been like at the weekend again, but then got focused on the line, pushing harder,<br />
breathing harder,<br />
concentrate,<br />
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it was at this point I realised had forgotten my gloves! Spanner!<br />
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I slowed again on the straight (if you do it on the corners you can lose the centrifugal force that sticks you to the track banking and slide down the bank, this would be an embarrassing mistake one feels!) and made my way down to the blue apron then over to the inner fence where I could stop and hold on without falling off. I had a quick chat with one of the staff, a young lad that works at the cycling centre, rides the track regularly and is clearly very enthusiastic about it too. It certainly is always a pleasure to find someone that really enjoys there job even if it does involve having to work with total novices. He didn't come across as a Mr know-it-all and neither did the coach, however you did get the feeling that they had years of experience doing this sort of thing and they certainly knew there stuff.<br />
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So gloves on and feeling refreshed from just a 2 minute stop, I clipped in again and pushed off to join the traffic. You have to really have you wits about you when on the track, as you join you have to ensure you are not about to ride into someone else, as you climb up the track or descend down again you have to constantly glance over your shoulder to make sure you are not about to hammer into somebody. Sounds simple and for someone like me that commutes by bike daily and so is constantly having to look over my shoulder just in case the idiot in the car behind isn't giving me the room etc. For some of the guys I was sharing the track with however it was not something they were used too and so I just kept a safe distance at all times.<br />
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Once you get the idea that speed is your friend on the track then "Sticking" to the line is fairly simple. One or two of the other riders spent the hour long session working this out, but I could tell they were all enjoying themselves.<br />
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With a bit of clear air in front of me now I again pushed hard, Breathing deep to make sure I got as much oxygen into my body as possible I built up my speed. I was really pushing and pulling on each pedal stroke as hard as I could. My legs driving up and down like pistons, the air once again whistling past my ears. I have no idea how fast I am going but I do know I seem to be passing quite a few riders. Must keep my distance, must concentrate on the line. Breathing hard, legs pumping harder. I make as many "fast" (they did feel fast and I counted to 20 on one of them, in elephants of course. So over a 250 meter track, I work that out at 750 meters a minute, which is 45 km per hour or just a little over 27 Mph. The big boys do probably around 40-50 Mph so I have a long way to go, however I was loving it!)<br />
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Now I was starting to feel it and needed a drink.<br />
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I dropped down to the pale blue then onto the apron. I wandered into the riders D and then to my dismay, the water fountain was off!!! Fail. I hadn't brought a water bottle myself and there was non to be had around here!!! Bummer, I wasn't going to let this stop me enjoying a dam good ride though.<br />
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I had a chat with the coach about how to go for accreditation. This is what you have to do to get racing on the track.Firstly you have to get your Blue ticket, this demonstrates that you can ride safely on the track and in a group. Then to the improver for a pink ticket that will allow you to advance onto doing all sorts or fancy things and mega up the fitness too. After that it is Skills sessions and finally accreditation. This is something that all the competing riders go through and at about £10 a session it is very cheap too. People don't realise (me being one of those people) that this cycling malarkey is really easy to get into, great fitness and really good fun too.<br />
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Now on for some more fast laps. I know I had to cycle the 8 miles back home after this, but I was going to really pull the plugs out and go for it big time.<br />
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Again, harder, faster, breathing hard, really pumping my legs, my head starting to buzz as I felt myself getting dehydrated. "Breath deeper and push on it's only pain!!" screamed Sergeant Major Matt in the back of my head again. I could really feel my lungs burning and my legs felt like they were on fire at this point. I couldn't count to see how fast my laps were. I didn't really care. I was just enjoying really stretching myself and getting every ounce of energy I could out of my legs.<br />
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Finally and all too soon my time was up!!<br />
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With genuinely wobbly legs I made my way back to the riders D and sorted myself out. Putting back the hire bike I used I looked around to see I was surrounded by the smiling faces of the other riders too. Looks like I wasn't the only one to have really enjoyed the hour on the track.<br />
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I donned my commuter gear (Hi-vis everything). And headed for the reception again to hand in my shoes and feel the cold blast from the cool winter air outside.<br />
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Still a bit wobbly I set off on my ride home, my legs felt alien to me now and even though |I couldn't really feel them they did as they were told and applied power when asked. Something tells me they will punish me tomorrow!! May be a little bout of shut up legs may be required around then.<br />
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Still I enjoyed it and look forward to doing it again on Wednesday. This time I think I will bring water and see if I can really find my upper limit for how hard I can go.<br />
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I will be trying for my first ticket though.<br />
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Loving cycling still! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05186629914807703299noreply@blogger.com0