Ride Reports

itboffin

How can you lot spot people?

All I see when I pass another cyclist is someone riding a bike of some sort and quite possibly wearing cycling clothes or not ...

Yet you lot not only recognise people but you can tell the bike, and specifics of gearing, kit etc etc etc

If it wasn't for the FACT that this is on the Internet, therefore must be true, i'd think you were making it up! :P

jonginge

itboffin wrote:

How can you lot spot people?

All I see when I pass another cyclist is someone riding a bike of some sort and quite possibly wearing cycling clothes or not ...

Yet you lot not only recognise people but you can tell the bike, and specifics of gearing, kit etc etc etc

If it wasn't for the FACT that this is on the Internet, therefore must be true, i'd think you were making it up! :P

Nah, I'm like you Stephen. I'm rubbish at spotting. It takes people shouting and waving, which is what Livvy did.

When circulating RP I have been known to nod/hand raise to the same people on every lap. Very polite, to be sure, but some might say it's overkill :oops:

itboffin

I have a score to settle with the park :evil:

jonginge

itboffin wrote:

I have a score to settle with the park :evil:

Before HOTA?

Fireblade96

Dragged my lazy behind out for a ride today, to get the New Year off to a good start.
As all the roads are frozen and now liberally coated in bike-eating salt, I took the MTB for a pootle (I would like to say blast, but truth be told I was slow and rubbish) on the Ridgeway.

The first part was lovely and frozen, crisp and with the winter sun warming me I soon shed the jacket and was down to a mere 3 layers.



We continued West and then encountered the thickest, most sticky mud I've seen since, oh, this time last year. My friend's bike ground to a halt as the mud jammed her V-brakes, totally proving why disk brakes are a necessity on a mountain bike :-)

Enough of that, we made a quick loop and back the way we came.

I have only just got the feeling back in my toes !

jonginge

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

itboffin wrote:

I'm thinking 30 mins a day on the turbo plus the 23 mile commute would be more worthwhile and less likely to injure myself?

At least on the turbo you shouldn't get any PF visits ;-) Although knowing you I wouldn't be surprised it you managed to get a flat on it

As if by magic this thread appears:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12671297

itboffin

Fireblade96 wrote:

Dragged my lazy behind out for a ride today, to get the New Year off to a good start.
As all the roads are frozen and now liberally coated in bike-eating salt, I took the MTB for a pootle (I would like to say blast, but truth be told I was slow and rubbish) on the Ridgeway.

The first part was lovely and frozen, crisp and with the winter sun warming me I soon shed the jacket and was down to a mere 3 layers.



We continued West and then encountered the thickest, most sticky mud I've seen since, oh, this time last year. My friend's bike ground to a halt as the mud jammed her V-brakes, totally proving why disk brakes are a necessity on a mountain bike :-)

Enough of that, we made a quick loop and back the way we came.

I have only just got the feeling back in my toes !

LOL when I first moved down to Windshire from Londinium I tried to follow a ridgeway route, 7 hrs later I was sitting in a field calling my wife after having the worst bonk, she asked "where are you?" to which I replied "dunno" needless to say it was dark but not cold and I was so tired and thirsty all I could do was push the bike across the mud, no distant lights to follow either

Bloody townies

Lucky for me I was only 1-2 miles from the cafe at Barbury castle, that dude must have thought I was mental, I pretty much ordered one of everything, then bombed down the hill to my lovely warm waiting car

itboffin

JonGinge wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

itboffin wrote:

I'm thinking 30 mins a day on the turbo plus the 23 mile commute would be more worthwhile and less likely to injure myself?

At least on the turbo you shouldn't get any PF visits ;-) Although knowing you I wouldn't be surprised it you managed to get a flat on it

As if by magic this thread appears:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12671297

Yeh I saw that, made me laugh lots

itboffin

JonGinge wrote:

itboffin wrote:

I have a score to settle with the park :evil:

Before HOTA?

Yep but not this weekend, I'm planning on doing my first metric and/or sportive

This may change if it snows.......

cjcp

JonGinge wrote:

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

@CJCP - I'm thinking of including RP in some rides at some point to mix it up, especially when I want to increase the mileage so I might (if I take leave of my senses) join you at some point ;-)

More the merrier

+1. I'm probably going to be doing laps after work too when the clocks change, in case that's an option for you too.

cjcp

itboffin wrote:

JonGinge wrote:

itboffin wrote:

I have a score to settle with the park :evil:

Before HOTA?

Yep but not this weekend, I'm planning on doing my first metric and/or sportive

This may change if it snows.......

Let us know in case I'm around too.

Roastie

Cyclocross at Herne Hill today. Very sloppy. Rear brake inoperable (methinks I didn't tighten the cable properly). Loads of fun indeed.

Edit: The pain was well worth it - 27th What a feeling! Rock on.

cjcp

8)

(Sorry for chickening out, but I am under orders from JG that racing isn't good Marmotte training. :P )

Roastie

cjcp wrote:

8)

(Sorry for chickening out, but I am under orders from JG that racing isn't good Marmotte training. :P )

I must disagree with JG - two of my friend rode Marmotte last year. #1 concentrated only on long rides, #2 mixed long rides with at least one crit a week, usually Palace. #2 ended up much stronger on the day. If nothing else, racing increases your ability to withstand self induced pain.

cjcp

Roastie wrote:

cjcp wrote:

8)

(Sorry for chickening out, but I am under orders from JG that racing isn't good Marmotte training. :P )

I must disagree with JG - two of my friend rode Marmotte last year. #1 concentrated only on long rides, #2 mixed long rides with at least one crit a week, usually Palace. #2 ended up much stronger on the day. If nothing else, racing increases your ability to withstand self induced pain.

Ah, but I only have time for longer rides OR racing. I'll have to do intervals in RP.

jonginge

cjcp wrote:

Roastie wrote:

cjcp wrote:

8)

(Sorry for chickening out, but I am under orders from JG that racing isn't good Marmotte training. :P )

I must disagree with JG - two of my friend rode Marmotte last year. #1 concentrated only on long rides, #2 mixed long rides with at least one crit a week, usually Palace. #2 ended up much stronger on the day. If nothing else, racing increases your ability to withstand self induced pain.

Ah, but I only have time for longer rides OR racing. I'll have to do intervals in RP.

I'll have to disagree with me, too. Well, to an extent.

Actually, I'm abstaining from racing now but only so I won't be burnt out by july. Higher intensity and intervals will definitely feature in my marmotte training but when I'm ready.

In 2009 I did a lot of intensity and volume in the first third of the year. By the summer I had no enthusiasm to get out on the bike and spent six weeks in a row sat on my ar$e at the weekends. I'm going to build up a bit more slowly this time.

itboffin

Ar crap i'm doomed every road out of my gaff leads to hills, I have no chance of getting in good steady pace miles, today for instances 30 miles 3500ft of climbing, that can't be good winter base mile training

Okay turbo for me for the next couple of months

cjcp

JonGinge wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Roastie wrote:

cjcp wrote:

8)

(Sorry for chickening out, but I am under orders from JG that racing isn't good Marmotte training. :P )

I must disagree with JG - two of my friend rode Marmotte last year. #1 concentrated only on long rides, #2 mixed long rides with at least one crit a week, usually Palace. #2 ended up much stronger on the day. If nothing else, racing increases your ability to withstand self induced pain.

Ah, but I only have time for longer rides OR racing. I'll have to do intervals in RP.

I'll have to disagree with me, too. Well, to an extent.

Ooops, I may have misquoted you then. :oops:

Actually, I'm abstaining from racing now but only so I won't be burnt out by july. Higher intensity and intervals will definitely feature in my marmotte training but when I'm ready.

In 2009 I did a lot of intensity and volume in the first third of the year. By the summer I had no enthusiasm to get out on the bike and spent six weeks in a row sat on my ar$e at the weekends. I'm going to build up a bit more slowly this time.

[/quote]

I'd agree with the idea that racing at intensity helps raise your fitness levels. However, in my case, I've always suffered - badly, like internal-systems-failure badly - from a lack of miles in my previous sportives, which is why I'd prefer to get the miles in. Also, my sportive bike would be my race bike, and I'd prefer not to risk it in race.

Also, 'cross racers aren't crits. While they're feckin' exhausting, I think I'd achieve more in the time available if I went for a run.

Alas, with the family, it's all about being time efficient and, IMHO, the time I spend travelling to a race, registering, warming up, packing and travelling back home is time wasted. Besides, racing is very painful and I'd be dropped, and be all on my own, so I might as well be all on my own in Richmond Park.

Christophe3967

cjcp wrote:

Alas, with the family, it's all about being time efficient and, IMHO, the time I spend travelling to a race, registering, warming up, packing and travelling back home is time wasted. Besides, racing is very painful and I'd be dropped, and be all on my own, so I might as well be all on my own in Richmond Park.

I doubt very much that you'd be dropped.

cjcp

Christophe3967 wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Alas, with the family, it's all about being time efficient and, IMHO, the time I spend travelling to a race, registering, warming up, packing and travelling back home is time wasted. Besides, racing is very painful and I'd be dropped, and be all on my own, so I might as well be all on my own in Richmond Park.

I doubt very much that you'd be dropped.

Crystal Palace last August. Yuk.

cjcp

itboffin wrote:

I'm thinking 30 mins a day on the turbo plus the 23 mile commute would be more worthwhile and less likely to injure myself?

Yes.

The Running Man

Some cracking rides over the break : did the 60+ mile loop from Calne up the hills to Marlborough, then Ramsbury, Hungerford, Bedwyn, Burbage, Devizes a couple of times :

Then did the 2 hills on their own (Clyffe Pypard & Hackpen) a couple of times once with the sleet hammering into my face as I went up CP. Cracking fun but unbelievably cold.

Isn't it funny how your hands hurt the most not when they go numb but when the feeling starts to come back into them ...

jonginge

The Running Man wrote:

Some cracking rides over the break : did the 60+ mile loop from Calne up the hills to Marlborough, then Ramsbury, Hungerford, Bedwyn, Burbage, Devizes a couple of times :

Then did the 2 hills on their own (Clyffe Pypard & Hackpen) a couple of times once with the sleet hammering into my face as I went up CP. Cracking fun but unbelievably cold.

Isn't it funny how your hands hurt the most not when they go numb but when the feeling starts to come back into them ...

I used to live not far from Wootton Bassett. I remember Clyffe Pypard to be a bit of nasty one. Great views at the top, though. I think one of the Swindon clubs uses it for its hill climb champs.

il_principe

The Running Man wrote:

Isn't it funny how your hands hurt the most not when they go numb but when the feeling starts to come back into them ...

+1 Been there a few times!

As for the training, I'd be focusing on endurance and sustained effort if I were you; ultimately that's what you're gonna need when you're slogging up those interminable cols. If you can shed some weight then that's gotta help too, not that any of us could ever achieve JG levels of skinny.

Dammit, I'm gonna suffer hard when I get back in the saddle. If anyone fancies dropping me in RP over the next few months just give me a shout, I'll be the bloke on the Focus going backwards...

jonginge

Il Principe wrote:

The Running Man wrote:

Isn't it funny how your hands hurt the most not when they go numb but when the feeling starts to come back into them ...

+1 Been there a few times!

As for the training, I'd be focusing on endurance and sustained effort if I were you; ultimately that's what you're gonna need when you're slogging up those interminable cols. If you can shed some weight then that's gotta help too, not that any of us could ever achieve JG levels of skinny.

Dammit, I'm gonna suffer hard when I get back in the saddle. If anyone fancies dropping me in RP over the next few months just give me a shout, I'll be the bloke on the Focus going backwards...

+1. My primary training will be the 2hrs at 'sweetspot' level to replicate the length and intensity of the cols. This worked for my last trip to the alps, hoping it will again... especially when l'Alpe looms after 100miles :shock:

Going to be in the park quite a lot so shout when you want to go for a ride.

PS I'm currently at a whopping 67kg

cjcp

I weigh almost a quarter of your body weight more than you. :shock:

The Running Man

The Tuesday club nights at Castle Combe race track start in a couple of months and once there are enough numbers I'll be joining part of the saturday morning chain gang as well. I don't think I could keep up with the fast group but I'm told there'll be a slightly slower group soon so that will help.

I do want to try to do some 100s this year : I'm looking at the Dragon Ride or something similar and depending on work would like to try to organise a holiday around Ventoux or Alpe d'Huez ..... or maybe one of the Giro stages. We publish an Italian travel and holiday magazine so there might be a better opportunity of doing something that way.

And the reference to the pounds is spot on!! I reckon I have eaten my bodyweight in chocolate biscuits this Christmas ...

il_principe

JonGinge wrote:

Going to be in the park quite a lot so shout when you want to go for a ride.

PS I'm currently at a whopping 67kg

Will do! I'm lighter than normal at the mo, sadly this is due to atrophy and not any form of 'training'... :oops:

Roastie

cjcp wrote:

I'd agree with the idea that racing at intensity helps raise your fitness levels. However, in my case, I've always suffered - badly, like internal-systems-failure badly - from a lack of miles in my previous sportives, which is why I'd prefer to get the miles in. Also, my sportive bike would be my race bike, and I'd prefer not to risk it in race.

Also, 'cross racers aren't crits. While they're feckin' exhausting, I think I'd achieve more in the time available if I went for a run.

Alas, with the family, it's all about being time efficient and, IMHO, the time I spend travelling to a race, registering, warming up, packing and travelling back home is time wasted. Besides, racing is very painful and I'd be dropped, and be all on my own, so I might as well be all on my own in Richmond Park.

I hear you on the time thing and not wanting to risk trashing your good bike. I find that a local one hour 'cross race ends up taking up 4 hours at least!

Bassjunkieuk

JonGinge wrote:

PS I'm currently at a whopping 67kg

I was shocked when I got 68Kg, but that was after a HUGE dinner on Saturday.
Got 67 on Sunday morning which was still about 3Kg up on what I was before Xmas.
67Kg isn't bad for you, especially considering I'm more "compact" ;-)

Definately gonna be heading to RP more often this year and I might even be able to join you for evening visits once we get more light CJCP depending on where I'm working I might be able to meet you somewhere in town.