Achievement
StefanH
Posts: 228
On a whim, I cycled home from Shrewsbury to Telford this morning. Route was along NCR 81. I lost the trail in Wellington (I had no maps with me) but picked it up again after a jaunt through Hadley. Push on through Oakengates, St. Georges and then home.
The countryside views along the Shrewbury-Wellington part of route 81 were simply amazing. I did have a couple of "seriously, where the heck am I cycling?" as I navigated a sinuous single-track country road. I thankfully encountered no traffic along that part, quite what we would have done if I met a driver coming the other way, I don't know! Riding over the top of their car would perhaps have been the only option, the road really is <i>that</i> narrow [8)]
I was quite glad my estimate of amount of water required was spot on. Just over a litre I took with me and ended up needing all but the last couple of swallows. Not bad on a hot and sticky day. I was quite proud of not having to push my bike up any of the fairly steep inclines, though the inner ring did get used on a few occasions [:I] I'm still getting used to the slightly bigger gears up front (24/34/46 as opposed to the 22/32/44 I had previously) but I managed to not get out of breath until the closing stages.
I haven't a clue exactly how far it was. Official figures for the Shrewsbury->Wellington part lists it at 13 miles. Considering I detoured through Hadley (I was following a bus route I remembered from year previously) I think I might have extended the journey to closing in on 20 miles.
I spent 2 hours in the saddle and an average speed of 10mph does seem about right. I was pacing myself for most of the way with only a few bursts of speed when I was navigating in traffic.
Considering I plan on doing a 100 miler this year "fer charidee", I think I'll be doing this route more often, just for training [8D]
What personal bests or targets have you hit recently?
The countryside views along the Shrewbury-Wellington part of route 81 were simply amazing. I did have a couple of "seriously, where the heck am I cycling?" as I navigated a sinuous single-track country road. I thankfully encountered no traffic along that part, quite what we would have done if I met a driver coming the other way, I don't know! Riding over the top of their car would perhaps have been the only option, the road really is <i>that</i> narrow [8)]
I was quite glad my estimate of amount of water required was spot on. Just over a litre I took with me and ended up needing all but the last couple of swallows. Not bad on a hot and sticky day. I was quite proud of not having to push my bike up any of the fairly steep inclines, though the inner ring did get used on a few occasions [:I] I'm still getting used to the slightly bigger gears up front (24/34/46 as opposed to the 22/32/44 I had previously) but I managed to not get out of breath until the closing stages.
I haven't a clue exactly how far it was. Official figures for the Shrewsbury->Wellington part lists it at 13 miles. Considering I detoured through Hadley (I was following a bus route I remembered from year previously) I think I might have extended the journey to closing in on 20 miles.
I spent 2 hours in the saddle and an average speed of 10mph does seem about right. I was pacing myself for most of the way with only a few bursts of speed when I was navigating in traffic.
Considering I plan on doing a 100 miler this year "fer charidee", I think I'll be doing this route more often, just for training [8D]
What personal bests or targets have you hit recently?
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Comments
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Good going man, it always feels really good when you surpass your boundaries. It's the best way to improve. [:)]
Last sunday I did this! It is without a doubt the most physically and mentally exhausting thing I have ever done but I did it (the word "agonising" just doesn't cut it)!
Good luck with the 100 miler!
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