Ride Reports

il_principe

I took my Bro for his 3rd ride round RP on Sat which he enjoyed. Also took my sister who's not been on a bike sinc e she was about 14! She's doing the London Tri this year so really needs to get the feel of a roadie. They were both kinda slow despite being very fit - sis is a personal trainer, goes to show the different demands road biking places on the body. Anyway it was a great day to be on the bike although I did find my self wishing (rather uncharitably) that I was on my own; could've done more miles, but they needed escorting home in the traffic! Reckon my bro is on the verge of buying a road bike and my sis might be convinced, two more recruits I hope.

I'm now on a health and training kick, last week represented an awful binge of fast food and drink, 27 pints consumed between Monday and Sunday is not good and I'm feeling unfit and guilty. Time to MTFU now and get some good miles in.

Well done to Blondie, Rog and Mark, good efforts all round.

biondino

Here's part 2 of my Ride 24 account (also on my blog) - it's stats-tastic! Part 3 still to come...


So, the riding itself. I'd intended to pace myself to an extent, but for some reason it's genuinely hard to go slower than you know you can. Into the wind, willingly dropping the pace seems foolish as you'll be grinding away longer and sacrificing momentum; with the wind behind you, it's a joy to ride and it would be silly not to take full advantage. So that's what happened, basically, and thank Jeebus that I managed to gauge it just about right, so I never felt I was underdoing it but also never ended up either collapsing or riding on empty.

My lap times were very consistent, too - my very first was my fastest, 7 minutes 46 seconds, at a very pleasing average speed of 23mph. My first ten miles - a standard time trial distance, so a relevant measuring tool - was completed in 28 minutes, averaging 21.5mph. Not too shabby either, especially since I was obviously saving at least something for the, ooh, 106 miles still to come.

Overall, I managed only one lap under 8 minutes, but only seven laps over 9 minutes, and almost all of them were during the night when your body simply won't allow you to work at 100%. The organisers kindly sent us the stats, so I know how fast every lap I did was: my fastest 5-lap session (40'50") started at 9pm; my slowest (45'05") was at midnight. The only time I felt fatigued (as opposed to knackered, which was all the time) was during my 7.30am session - I didn't feel any more tired but my legs were just turning that little bit slower, which is fair enough after 90-odd miles.

As it turns out, I did the least riding in terms of time of any of our team - 40 laps in a mere 5 hours 43 minutes. But I did it at an average speed of 21.35mph, which was the fastest of the four of us (and 12 minutes faster than fastest-lap Mike, mwahaha) which is something I wasn't expecting. And that, dear reader, is the end of the stats.

However, before I publish this post I should mention drafting. Obviously, you go faster with less effort when you're able to follow someone's wheel closely, and I had a few wonderful laps where I worked with others for the benefit of us both. There were also a few laps where I enthusiastically pulled a fellow rider, only for them to avoid returning the favour. I'll generously put it down to them not being as awesome as me.

So a big cheer to the chap with whom I worked at full effort for a couple of laps fairly early on - it was brilliant fun, pulling for about 45 seconds a time, straining for speed and efficiency but doing so in a way that allowed a modicum of recovery between pushes. And also to the girl on my second-last lap; I already knew she had had a faster fastest lap than me - of the five women competing, two were ahead of me, grrr - but I gradually caught her over my stint and after a lap of proper and mutual drafting I was able to gallantly pull her all the way along the runway at 27mph before I completed my stint. Fun!

Agent57

Great stuff, Bassjunkieuk and biondino.

This was my ride yesterday:



Came in at a shade under 45 miles. My first stop was in Silverdale, which is about 12 miles from home. I went down to the shore, then realised how stupidly hot it was when I stopped cycling. Did a quick tweet, then got straight back on my bike. A little later I was in Arnside, and that was a better place to stop because there was a nice breeze.

Saw at least 3 tandems in Arnside, and overheard a group of older riders bemoaning the fact that the Lancaster CTC are too fast for them. Apparently, the CTC groups have a lot of audax riders who like to ride at 15-17mph or so, but these guys were after something a little more relaxed I think.

Arnside was too busy for me to nip into a shop and leave my bike unattended, so I left again quite soon without the ice cream I was planning on eating. Luckily, as I went through Sandside I noticed a pub which had a little ice cream hut outside it, so I got my cone after all.

I hardly passed anyone going the same way as me on the entire ride. I think I only passed one couple - more riders going in the opposite direction, and I nodded, waved and said "afternoon!" to them all.

Got my water bottle re-filled by a lovely young lady at a the Longlands hotel near Carnforth. I was also praised for my cycling top by a lady who passed on her way to the pub (one of these).

Added the loop around Heysham at the end to stretch it out a bit, but didn't quite make it to 50 miles. My right tricep was aching, so I decided to go home instead. I've got the Manchester to Liverpool in a fortnight, so I hope my arm doesn't ache after 40 miles on that as well.

Good ride though; great weather, and no real hills to speak of. \o/

symo

Completed the Dartmoor Classic yesterday. 105 miles in 8Hours 14 minutes and a Bronze medal. Big tings gwarn.

Great day, great marshalls stopping traffic, spectators lining the course to cheer us all on. Massage at the end for a fiver. Now looking to do the tour of Dartmoor on the 26th September.

itboffin

Il Principe wrote:

I took my Bro for his 3rd ride round RP on Sat which he enjoyed. Also took my sister who's not been on a bike sinc e she was about 14! She's doing the London Tri this year so really needs to get the feel of a roadie. They were both kinda slow despite being very fit - sis is a personal trainer, goes to show the different demands road biking places on the body. Anyway it was a great day to be on the bike although I did find my self wishing (rather uncharitably) that I was on my own; could've done more miles, but they needed escorting home in the traffic! Reckon my bro is on the verge of buying a road bike and my sis might be convinced, two more recruits I hope.

I'm now on a health and training kick, last week represented an awful binge of fast food and drink, 27 pints consumed between Monday and Sunday is not good and I'm feeling unfit and guilty. Time to MTFU now and get some good miles in.

Well done to Blondie, Rog and Mark, good efforts all round.

Did you read that before you posted..?

I'm with you on the health kick, back on the detox and 0 beers until Friday, I've gained 4lbs over the last 1 1/2 weeks and I'm blaming all of you because I can't be to blame. :roll:

il_principe

itboffin wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

I took my Bro for his 3rd ride round RP on Sat which he enjoyed. Also took my sister who's not been on a bike sinc e she was about 14! She's doing the London Tri this year so really needs to get the feel of a roadie. They were both kinda slow despite being very fit - sis is a personal trainer, goes to show the different demands road biking places on the body. Anyway it was a great day to be on the bike although I did find my self wishing (rather uncharitably) that I was on my own; could've done more miles, but they needed escorting home in the traffic! Reckon my bro is on the verge of buying a road bike and my sis might be convinced, two more recruits I hope.

I'm now on a health and training kick, last week represented an awful binge of fast food and drink, 27 pints consumed between Monday and Sunday is not good and I'm feeling unfit and guilty. Time to MTFU now and get some good miles in.

Well done to Blondie, Rog and Mark, good efforts all round.

Did you read that before you posted..?

I'm with you on the health kick, back on the detox and 0 beers until Friday, I've gained 4lbs over the last 1 1/2 weeks and I'm blaming all of you because I can't be to blame. :roll:

:oops:

Last weeks beer intake was largely your fault fella. I'm now on the wagon, although fear the indians are circling...

Feltup

I have barely touched my bikes this month due to losing my commute and having my weekends tied up with DIY etc. I suddenly realised yesterday that I only had two days to get a metric century ride in for the month of June, panic! OK I'll just set off straight from work and bang in a 63 miler on the fixie. So off I set at 5.30pm with a 750ml bottle and a powerbar to fuel me through.

The lanes whizzed by with just a gentle head wind :evil: to curtail the pace a touch. Up ahead the road crested a long gentle hill. A man walked out of the hedgerow on the left in a pair of speedos :shock: talking on his mobile phone, crossed the road and then lent against a 5 bar gate. I sped up.

It was as I headed past Aldermaston that I realised one bottle was not going to cut it but I pressed on to Kingsclere. I've never cycled out here before and the sight of the climb on the road to Overton made me gibber a little. As I nervously approached I realised with relief that the road didn't go straight up but cut off diagonally right. It still hurt on the fixie but was a nice out of the saddle climb.

I don't have a computer on my fixie so am never sure exactly how fast I get up to on the descents but last night I found out it is over 30mph because the 30 limit sign flashed up on the descent in to Overton. Result! I mean ooops sorry your honour I didn't mean to speed :oops: Gear calc reckons I was doing 150rpm, that's a minor miracle with my knees.

On my way back now and I have 35+ miles and no water, time to start searching. No shops in sight but there is a little garage up ahead unfortunately it is just a work shop now. I guess it was the owner who asked if I needed anything and very kindly let me use his outside tap to fill up, thanks mate!

I have two place names left on my cheat sheet, no map, it is getting late and I don't know these lanes, of course I went the wrong way! One wrong turn added 10 miles to my journey home. Ahhh well it was a beautiful evening but my legs are tiring and one energy bar at 8.30pm is not enough after just a light lunch and no breakfast. I find myself not looking at the view that much now but in pure "get home" mode.

4hr 20 mins for 74miles and 2,500ft ascent in the end not bad considering it was supposed to be only 63 miles!

cjcp

symo wrote:

Completed the Dartmoor Classic yesterday. 105 miles in 8Hours 14 minutes and a Bronze medal. Big tings gwarn.

Great day, great marshalls stopping traffic, spectators lining the course to cheer us all on. Massage at the end for a fiver. Now looking to do the tour of Dartmoor on the 26th September.

Excellent. What was the route like?

biondino

Here's a photo of the newly crowned national road champion with Nicole Cooke:



Now if only I could track down the dude who took the photo...

Feltup

I notice tall fella using his other arm so that he can do the cheeky yawn and reach around Nicoles shoulders...smooth

biondino

She's a bit lovely. She smiles all the time, even though she had to stand in the sun in front of 200 people for an hour, shaking several dozen sweaty paws.

Feltup

She looks like a glass half full kind of girl.

biondino

Sorry for banging on - if anyone's still interested, here's the third and final part of my ride report:


There are a few aspects of the race I didn’t really mention in the last two parts, but which deserve a bit of blog space. As everyone knows, the event took place at Dunsfold airfield, where Top Gear race and test cars. I had thought, initially, we’d be racing on the actual top gear track, Chicago, Gambon etc., but when I looked into it I realised that it’s actually only a tiny portion of the aerodrome as a whole. In the map below, the Ride 24 route is in blue (with start/finish line marked), and the Top Gear test track is in red (with Hammerhead at the far left):



There was no sign of anything else Top Gear-y, apart from the 747 visible from certain angles on the telly, which was parked over by the least pleasant part of our circuit. No Clarkson - perhaps he was nervous about how 88 cyclists might respond to some of his more outre remarks. But it was a lovely place - birds, butterflies (and thankfully no suicidal bunnies a la Richmond Park), long grass and sunshine. Too much bloody sunshine.

Temperatures were approaching 30 on Saturday and hit 30 on Sunday, and while there was a marquee on site (for the big post-ride lunch) which was relatively cool, there was no shade at all while riding. There were reports of torrential rain, hail and thunder over London, but although we could see a front to the northwest it never got close to us. The wind, which could have been a real problem in such an exposed space, was fine - it changed tack a couple of times, but never amounted to more than a breeze.

So a lot of factor 25 suncream on exposed areas proved to be enough in the end, though at least two of my teammates had nasty looking sunburn by the time we finished. Proper wicking cycling tops are about the best apparel you can wear on days like these, and although the sweat poured off us in droves, as long as we kept up the fluid intake we weren’t too uncomfortable (and boy, did I drink - I must have been to the loo about 20 times over the duration). I changed my shorts and top halfway through the race, after having one of the most welcome showers of my life, and only once applied the chamois cream I had told would be a lifesaver. I guess I have a good shorts/saddle interface.

My new helmet (a Met Inferno Ultimalite) did a smashing job - very stable and comfortable, as well as super light - and my new mitts were excellent too, not too warm as I’d feared. The bike held up very well - an odd knocking at first was just a sensor slightly out of position, and while the drivetrain isn’t as quiet as it used to be, it seems that’s just wear. No punctures, skids, spills or mechanicals. Which was nice.

The organisers provided water (thank god) and energy drinks - well, drink in the singular in the form of ZipVit’s lemon energy powder. At first I wasn’t at all impressed; by the end I found it quite palatable. I also ate my weight in energy sweets, found a delicious recovery bar (of which I have since ordered a whole box), and noshed a few bananas for that authentic “food” feel. I don’t think I’ll have lost any weight over the weekend, but at least I managed to avoid bonking, collapsing, cramping and other diet-related nasties.

And finally, I realise I haven’t really mentioned the people who made the event as great as it was. Sarah, the indefatigable team leader of the (excellent) staff, was a rock on which every rider must have leaned at some point. The other riders, with very few exceptions (hey, team 1, don’t get pissy about other people drafting you!), were happy to chat, ride together, and help out when they could on and off the bike. The physios, giving up their weekend to sweat as much as we were while handing out free massages - you were a godsend. Mark, Paul and the other Dons fans/friends of the team who came down - your support was fantastic throughout. And Mike and Will, teammates in excelsis, it was a pleasure riding with you.

But biggest thanks have to go to Russ, who spent a huge amount of time organising the event on behalf of the team - publicising it, printing shirts, collecting sponsorship (even harrying his bank, gas supplier and insurers for donations), pitching the team tent, keeping us informed of everything we needed to know, and a hundred and one other things that meant everything went smoothly. And all with kindness, patience and good humour. Chapeau, that man.

biondino

And in case anyone was thinking of sponsoring me, the link is still open

cjcp

Feltup wrote:

She looks like a glass half full kind of girl.

And also comes across as very determined and very focused.

Deadeye Duck

cycling to work this morning, I was tailed by a BMW and I immediately thought he/she would do the normal thing of speeding past at the most stupid moment leaving me with an inch or two to spare, but no. He follows me patiently (ok, I was doing 25, so he didn't have to slow down that much), and when the road widened, he pulled up along side me at the lights, window down and said "Keep it up mate, mine was totalled last week, I'm waiting for the insurance to send me a new one. Jealous is an understatement." We then had a little laugh and crack on before going our seperate ways when the light went green. Kept me smiling for a good while. Every driver should be a passionate cyclist. It would make the whole ride far more pleasant

Feltup

Deadeye Duck wrote:

cycling to work this morning, I was tailed by a BMW and I immediately thought he/she would do the normal thing of speeding past at the most stupid moment leaving me with an inch or two to spare, but no. He follows me patiently (ok, I was doing 25, so he didn't have to slow down that much), and when the road widened, he pulled up along side me at the lights, window down and said "Keep it up mate, mine was totalled last week, I'm waiting for the insurance to send me a new one. Jealous is an understatement." We then had a little laugh and crack on before going our seperate ways when the light went green. Kept me smiling for a good while. Every driver should be a passionate cyclist. It would make the whole ride far more pleasant

I had a BMW come along side me at some lights in Bridgend and said "nice bike". What is the world coming to when you can't rely on a BMW to cut you up or hurl abuse at you for being on the road?

Bassjunkieuk

Feltup wrote:

I had a BMW come along side me at some lights in Bridgend and said "nice bike". What is the world coming to when you can't rely on a BMW to cut you up or hurl abuse at you for being on the road?

cjcp

Thoroughly enjoyable ride into the Surrey Hills with Christophe this morning, topped off by an ice cream in Richmond Park.

Took in Staples Lane, Shere, Radnor Lane and Whitedown before heading back through Effingham and Cobham. Weather was perfect. A shade under 50 miles in all.

With Christophe's extra 20 miles from and to home, I felt obliged me to do two laps of the Park before heading home, so just over 63 miles on the clock with under four hours of riding. Chrisophe should have over 70 miles. ITB - you've got work to do .

itboffin

cjcp wrote:

Thoroughly enjoyable ride into the Surrey Hills with Christophe this morning, topped off by an ice cream in Richmond Park.

Took in Staples Lane, Shere, Radnor Lane and Whitedown before heading back through Effingham and Cobham. Weather was perfect. A shade under 50 miles in all.

With Christophe's extra 20 miles from and to home, I felt obliged me to do two laps of the Park before heading home, so just over 63 miles on the clock with under four hours of riding. Chrisophe should have over 70 miles. ITB - you've got work to do .

Whatever.....! i've not submitted any of last weeks miles yet and i've just finished my pre ride snack leaving the house now, so do I cycle down to the new forest pop in a lap and then home again, which is 80-100 miles or do I try out tomorrows NF tour route?

mmm what to do, nice day for it

Christophe3967

cjcp wrote:

Thoroughly enjoyable ride into the Surrey Hills with Christophe this morning, topped off by an ice cream in Richmond Park.

Took in Staples Lane, Shere, Radnor Lane and Whitedown before heading back through Effingham and Cobham. Weather was perfect. A shade under 50 miles in all.

With Christophe's extra 20 miles from and to home, I felt obliged me to do two laps of the Park before heading home, so just over 63 miles on the clock with under four hours of riding. Chrisophe should have over 70 miles. ITB - you've got work to do .

Yep, a very good ride - 24C felt much fresher - and with CJ easing his way back in after two weeks off and having been on the lash the night before from his birthday, at least we both started in the same state. I made sure I rode up Broomfield Hill on the way to CJ's - just to give the legs a warning of what was coming their way. :evil:

We saved Whitedown until the end - if there's a harder hill in Surrey, I really don't want to go there. CJ didn't bother getting out of the saddle to ride up it - in fact I don't think he stood up once :shock: Still it wasn't all pain - there were some sustained 30mph blasts on the way back and little headwind - perfect cycling weather. 8)

So another year on the clock for CJ but still some time before the veterans need to start looking over their shoulders eh?

69 miles.
16.6 mph average 35mph max.
900 metres climbing
2907 calories - replaced in the pub watching the Lions :roll:

Agent57

Rode to Blackpool and back to watch the end of the Tour of Blackpool.

The 60 mile round trip was a little further than I anticipated. I had it in my mind that Lancaster to Blackpool is about 25 miles; but that's probably from where I used to live to the town centre, rather than door to Pleasure Beach now.

Anyway, the ride there was nice enough, and I stopped for about 12 minutes in Blackpool, near the finish line of the race. Watch the riders home and then set off back. Was OK for about 10 miles, then the heavens opened. Rain like I haven't ridden in for years. It was still warm enough though, so not entirely unpleasant.

1h 42m there (avg 17.5mph)
1h 47m back (avg 16.8mph)
3h 29m overall, 17.3 average.

Bikehike reckons 1361 feet of climbing - it's pretty flat; "big" (compact) ring all the way there and back.

T6 tells me 2500 kcal consumed. That must be good for a pizza tonight.

Roastie

Raced in the 4th Cat race at Thruxton this weekend. The circuit is fairly straightforward with only a gentle rise at the end of the lap that isn't really enough to cause a split, but enough to cause pain.

The field was huge, nearly 60, and the standard of riding was very high indeed; it felt far more like a 3/4 race.

I mostly had a good race; being able to easily keep up with the accelerations, and getting stuck into all of the strong attacks. But I messed it up towards the end by finding myself stuck on the front on the way in, and consequently not having enough kick left in me when it counted .

Oh well, experience.

biondino

Jash, Attica and I did the New Forest Road Sportive yesterday! It was fun. I'm going to write something up about it soon and blog it.

Thanks to Jash for the wheel loan, Linds for the saddlepack, and Rob for the bottlecage. Considering the amount I spend on bike stuff I should really be a bit better prepared...

Feltup

biondino wrote:

Jash, Attica and I did the New Forest Road Sportive yesterday! It was fun. I'm going to write something up about it soon and blog it.

Thanks to Jash for the wheel loan, Linds for the saddlepack, and Rob for the bottlecage. Considering the amount I spend on bike stuff I should really be a bit better prepared...

Half way to a new bike there!

Rich158

woooohhhhooooo - the first ride in three weeks today, boy was it good

What was meant to be a gentle pootle up to Rochester and back (about 10 miles) just to test the old back and leg turned into a 28 mile romp through the Kent countryside. Not very far in the great scheme of things but a massive step at the moment.

so the stats - 28.8 miles at a 19.1mph average with 1600 ft of cllimbing. At times on the way back in I was holding 32mph

The back held up - sort of, and the right leg feels a bit numb, but otherwise no adverse affects. And I can honestly say this wasn't agaist the physio's advice - I haven't asked her if I can get back on the bike, and she hasn't volunteered the information either

The border collie is back

itboffin

What happened with the New Forest ride on the 5th?

Where's the report?

cjcp

Was home in Penarth on the weekend, so met up with Benno yesterday morning. Turns out he lives about three miles away from my mother's house!

Big downpour on Saturday afternoon, so thought the lanes would be full of guff washed out from the bushes and didn't think I'd have enough to do a loop and get back in time, particularly if I had a visit from the PF, so we hung round Penarth and rode loops of the short, sharp hills and streets in the area. Don't know what gradient they kick up to, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's close to 20% in some cases. Think we did over 10 hills in all.

It's unadventurous, I know, but it's a very good workout (confirmed by the fact that I ate an awful lot of Sunday lunch and then went out like a light last night). Ventured out to Leckwtih Hill too. First time I've been up it on a road bike.

Did 30 miles in all.

Cheers for the coffee, Benno (to all: we resisted cake). Good to meet you.

Roastie

cjcp wrote:

(to all: we resisted cake).

Erm, why? :shock:

cjcp

I'd had a large curry the night before and I was saving myself for lunch.