Week Ending - December 30th 2007
Christmas Eve and I thought better of riding the lanes of the Chilterns for fear of stressed motorists in their 4 by 4s charging around doing their last minute shopping. So it was down to the Hayes Circuit, did 40 miles on the windy circuit, quite a challenge but at least I had company for 10 laps with Keith Shorten of the Westerley Road Club. One milestone today, I am now over 1,000 miles into my training programme.
Not sure when my next ride will be, at home Christmas Day but then up to York with my daughter and family until the New Year. I will take my bike and hope to sneak out at least a couple of times.
Weather was not too kind so no more rides this week. Will need to make up for it in the New Year!
Weekly Totals:- Miles:- 50.6 Time:- 3 hrs 9 mins 22 secs
Winter Training - Week 6
Week Ending - December 23rd 2007
A cold and dull Monday morning with a strong easterly wind. Managed the Great Missenden circuit but found the wind difficult for most of the ride. A bit quicker than last week but wanted to go faster.
Woke up Tuesday morning with another sore throat but I went over to the circuit. Another cold morning with a strong easterly wind, did about 15 quick laps with Jim, Brian Tadman and Bob Spencer and in total rode over 37 miles. A good turnout today from the more mature riders, 8 of us struggling against the wind at one time.
Online entries for the La Marmotte opened today but with my non-existent knowledge of French I could not work out how to enter. Help is needed. But I did manage to book an apartment for the week leading up to the event. Help soon arrived, Paul Williams from our club is also riding the La Marmotte and he sorted out my problems. So it must be on now, I have entered.
Still had a sore throat on Wednesday morning, still cold too although the sun was shining. Not a successful ride, a puncture after 10 miles then a road closed. Was hoping for a flattish ride but ended up in the Chilterns. My target had been 50+ miles but ended up riding 42.
At the circuit as normal on Friday. Just 5 of us there and Jim took some photos too. A steady ride with a few quick laps in the middle.
Jim's pictures, Top:- Alan, Me and Brian. Bottom:- Left Brian, Bob, Me and Alan Right Me, Jim and Brian (Double click on picture for a larger image.)
Weekly Totals:- Miles:-172.60 Time:- 10 hrs 55 mins 11 secs
A cold and dull Monday morning with a strong easterly wind. Managed the Great Missenden circuit but found the wind difficult for most of the ride. A bit quicker than last week but wanted to go faster.
Woke up Tuesday morning with another sore throat but I went over to the circuit. Another cold morning with a strong easterly wind, did about 15 quick laps with Jim, Brian Tadman and Bob Spencer and in total rode over 37 miles. A good turnout today from the more mature riders, 8 of us struggling against the wind at one time.
Online entries for the La Marmotte opened today but with my non-existent knowledge of French I could not work out how to enter. Help is needed. But I did manage to book an apartment for the week leading up to the event. Help soon arrived, Paul Williams from our club is also riding the La Marmotte and he sorted out my problems. So it must be on now, I have entered.
Still had a sore throat on Wednesday morning, still cold too although the sun was shining. Not a successful ride, a puncture after 10 miles then a road closed. Was hoping for a flattish ride but ended up in the Chilterns. My target had been 50+ miles but ended up riding 42.
At the circuit as normal on Friday. Just 5 of us there and Jim took some photos too. A steady ride with a few quick laps in the middle.
Jim's pictures, Top:- Alan, Me and Brian. Bottom:- Left Brian, Bob, Me and Alan Right Me, Jim and Brian (Double click on picture for a larger image.)
Weekly Totals:- Miles:-172.60 Time:- 10 hrs 55 mins 11 secs
Winter Training - Week 5
Week Ending - December 16th 2007
A very strong North Westerly and rain greeted me at 8:00am on Monday morning. However, the rain stopped by 10:30 and it was off out to tackle the Chilterns Loop to Great Missenden and back. The very strong headwind sure slowed me down and any hopes of doing a quick time were dashed when I saw my time for the first 10 miles. But I continued around the circuit and although the tailwind did not assist too much the last few miles home were real quick. Just failed to average 15 mph for the 51 mile trip, my slowest and hardest ride so far.
A very sunny Tuesday morning but lots of ice and frost about too. Only Jim and Alan at the cold and sunny circuit, the first 20 miles were very steady and socialable. Jim must have been the calming influence for after he left, Alan and I increased the tempo considerably over the final 15 miles. Average speed for the morning was 15.9 mph but Alan and I averaged well over 18 mph for the last 15 miles.
Pilates tonight then a 200 mile plus car journey to York, we are going to see our grandaughter's first School Christmas performance. I will be taking my bike and hoping to get a few miles in before we return late of Thursday.
Thursday morning in York was sunny but very frosty with a temperature well below freezing. Finally went out at 11:30 am but riding down a lot of the lanes was not too good due to the frost and ice. Did compete the 30 mile circuit and the hill was not too bad this time, must have been the effect of a strong tail wind!
Friday morning was dull and cold. Five of us turned up at the circuit, Brian Tadman spiced things up after 20 miles and then Alan had a go too. Managed to respond to all the attacks. 45 miles covered.
Weekly Totals:- Miles:- 168.1 Time:- 10 hrs 41 mins 42 secs
A very strong North Westerly and rain greeted me at 8:00am on Monday morning. However, the rain stopped by 10:30 and it was off out to tackle the Chilterns Loop to Great Missenden and back. The very strong headwind sure slowed me down and any hopes of doing a quick time were dashed when I saw my time for the first 10 miles. But I continued around the circuit and although the tailwind did not assist too much the last few miles home were real quick. Just failed to average 15 mph for the 51 mile trip, my slowest and hardest ride so far.
A very sunny Tuesday morning but lots of ice and frost about too. Only Jim and Alan at the cold and sunny circuit, the first 20 miles were very steady and socialable. Jim must have been the calming influence for after he left, Alan and I increased the tempo considerably over the final 15 miles. Average speed for the morning was 15.9 mph but Alan and I averaged well over 18 mph for the last 15 miles.
Pilates tonight then a 200 mile plus car journey to York, we are going to see our grandaughter's first School Christmas performance. I will be taking my bike and hoping to get a few miles in before we return late of Thursday.
Thursday morning in York was sunny but very frosty with a temperature well below freezing. Finally went out at 11:30 am but riding down a lot of the lanes was not too good due to the frost and ice. Did compete the 30 mile circuit and the hill was not too bad this time, must have been the effect of a strong tail wind!
Friday morning was dull and cold. Five of us turned up at the circuit, Brian Tadman spiced things up after 20 miles and then Alan had a go too. Managed to respond to all the attacks. 45 miles covered.
Weekly Totals:- Miles:- 168.1 Time:- 10 hrs 41 mins 42 secs
Winter Training - Week 4
Week Ending - December 9th 2007
Weather wise Monday morning was perfect but I was still feeling the effects of the sore throat etc and although I got dressed ready to go out for a ride thought better of it as I was not feeling anything like 100%
Tuesday, a much duller and damp morning but I was feeling OK so it was down to the circuit to get some miles in with Jim and Alan. Brian Tadman and Bob Spencer also did a few laps with us but we were keeping up quite a strong tempo especially into the wind and they decided to ride at their own pace. Had a couple of fast sprints up the hill and both times I managed to beat Brian, that was a first, I cannot see Brian letting that happen again. Even got my heart rate up to 151 in the last one. Alan sure is the dark horse of our group, his fitness is building up fast and I am sure he will soon be giving us all an even harder time! Rode over 45 miles by the time I returned home.
A very wet and windy Wednesday greeted me but by 10:00am the clouds had cleared so I decided to go out for a ride. The forecast was for heavy showers so I decided to do some circuits of the Black Park 10 mile time trial course so that if the weather turned I could make a quick dash for home. Did almost 5 laps of the course and when less than a mile from home the heavens opened and I arrived home like a drowned rat. One good thing about the rain, it certainly washed all the muck off my bike so need to clean it today. Round trip was just over 51 miles in under 3 hours.
I go to Pilates Classes every Tuesday evening with Betty, being doing them for almost a year now and have felt the benefit. I now have some strong core muscles and also lots of other muscles I never knew existed. Its sure a good way to improve your body and results can be achieved by people of all ages and sizes. One downside, last night we exercised our outer thigh muscles, our buttock muscles and other muscles in the hip area and my legs certainly ached in these areas during the ride today.
Friday morning was bright and sunny but very windy too. Down to the circuit with the normal riders, 6 of us at one point. A steady ride, eight laps of "bit and bit" after we were well warmed up instigated by a confident Brian Tadman and in fact Brian did one more lap up front than the rest of us! 56 miles covered by the time I battled my way home against the wind, my average speed for this part of the ride was 11 mph. Pleased I reached my winter target of 150 miles this week.
Weekly Totals:- Miles:- 152.5 Time:- 9 hrs 4 mins 11 secs
Weather wise Monday morning was perfect but I was still feeling the effects of the sore throat etc and although I got dressed ready to go out for a ride thought better of it as I was not feeling anything like 100%
Tuesday, a much duller and damp morning but I was feeling OK so it was down to the circuit to get some miles in with Jim and Alan. Brian Tadman and Bob Spencer also did a few laps with us but we were keeping up quite a strong tempo especially into the wind and they decided to ride at their own pace. Had a couple of fast sprints up the hill and both times I managed to beat Brian, that was a first, I cannot see Brian letting that happen again. Even got my heart rate up to 151 in the last one. Alan sure is the dark horse of our group, his fitness is building up fast and I am sure he will soon be giving us all an even harder time! Rode over 45 miles by the time I returned home.
A very wet and windy Wednesday greeted me but by 10:00am the clouds had cleared so I decided to go out for a ride. The forecast was for heavy showers so I decided to do some circuits of the Black Park 10 mile time trial course so that if the weather turned I could make a quick dash for home. Did almost 5 laps of the course and when less than a mile from home the heavens opened and I arrived home like a drowned rat. One good thing about the rain, it certainly washed all the muck off my bike so need to clean it today. Round trip was just over 51 miles in under 3 hours.
I go to Pilates Classes every Tuesday evening with Betty, being doing them for almost a year now and have felt the benefit. I now have some strong core muscles and also lots of other muscles I never knew existed. Its sure a good way to improve your body and results can be achieved by people of all ages and sizes. One downside, last night we exercised our outer thigh muscles, our buttock muscles and other muscles in the hip area and my legs certainly ached in these areas during the ride today.
Friday morning was bright and sunny but very windy too. Down to the circuit with the normal riders, 6 of us at one point. A steady ride, eight laps of "bit and bit" after we were well warmed up instigated by a confident Brian Tadman and in fact Brian did one more lap up front than the rest of us! 56 miles covered by the time I battled my way home against the wind, my average speed for this part of the ride was 11 mph. Pleased I reached my winter target of 150 miles this week.
Weekly Totals:- Miles:- 152.5 Time:- 9 hrs 4 mins 11 secs
Winter Training - Week 3
Week Ending - December 2nd 2007
Monday still in York, a cold damp day so decided to get into my daughter's good books and do some DIY rather than venture outside into the gloom.
Tuesday, home again after a late night drive on Monday down the M1. Quite a bright day so it was down to the Hayes Circuit. Met up with Jim and Alan and were also joined by two stalwarts of the West London cycling scene for many many years, Brian Tadman and Rocco Richardson. In fact I first met Brian Tadman when I rode my first ever time trial, The Century Road Club Novices 25, way back in 1957. Brian beat me that day by a few seconds and went on to have considerable success at road racing. However, at the moment I have the edge on him as far as endurance goes but in a sprint he still has the upper hand. Was quite a competitive ride, lots of sprints up the hill and some hard chasing of a fixed wheel rider who passed our group. Jim flagged a bit, but Alan was very impressive. Ended up covering 40 miles.
Wednesday, an unsettled day but decided to attempt the Great Missenden Chilterns loop. Made good progress over the first 30 miles but really suffered over the last 20 hilly miles from Great Missenden, its the hills that are killing me. Just about made it home after a ride of 50 miles.
Woke up to a damp and windy morning, my aim was to ride 60 miles to get my weeks total up to 150 miles but with a sore throat and the weather I knew that was not on the cards. Had a steady ride at the circuit with Jim and Alan, averaging just over 16 mph and in the end covered 50 miles. Made an attempt to strengthen my leg muscles by riding 10 miles in top gear, both up the hill and against the strong wind in the back straight. It sure made my legs ache in different places!
Any thoughts of getting some extra miles over the weekend were dashed when I woke up at 5:00am on Saturday morning with a raging sore throat and a fever. Stayed in bed most of the day and was not much better on Sunday either. Just hoping there will be a miraculous recovery overnight so I can go out on my bike on Monday morning.
Weekly Totals:- Miles:- 142.0 Time:- 8 hrs 45 mins 53 secs
Monday still in York, a cold damp day so decided to get into my daughter's good books and do some DIY rather than venture outside into the gloom.
Tuesday, home again after a late night drive on Monday down the M1. Quite a bright day so it was down to the Hayes Circuit. Met up with Jim and Alan and were also joined by two stalwarts of the West London cycling scene for many many years, Brian Tadman and Rocco Richardson. In fact I first met Brian Tadman when I rode my first ever time trial, The Century Road Club Novices 25, way back in 1957. Brian beat me that day by a few seconds and went on to have considerable success at road racing. However, at the moment I have the edge on him as far as endurance goes but in a sprint he still has the upper hand. Was quite a competitive ride, lots of sprints up the hill and some hard chasing of a fixed wheel rider who passed our group. Jim flagged a bit, but Alan was very impressive. Ended up covering 40 miles.
Wednesday, an unsettled day but decided to attempt the Great Missenden Chilterns loop. Made good progress over the first 30 miles but really suffered over the last 20 hilly miles from Great Missenden, its the hills that are killing me. Just about made it home after a ride of 50 miles.
Woke up to a damp and windy morning, my aim was to ride 60 miles to get my weeks total up to 150 miles but with a sore throat and the weather I knew that was not on the cards. Had a steady ride at the circuit with Jim and Alan, averaging just over 16 mph and in the end covered 50 miles. Made an attempt to strengthen my leg muscles by riding 10 miles in top gear, both up the hill and against the strong wind in the back straight. It sure made my legs ache in different places!
Any thoughts of getting some extra miles over the weekend were dashed when I woke up at 5:00am on Saturday morning with a raging sore throat and a fever. Stayed in bed most of the day and was not much better on Sunday either. Just hoping there will be a miraculous recovery overnight so I can go out on my bike on Monday morning.
Weekly Totals:- Miles:- 142.0 Time:- 8 hrs 45 mins 53 secs
Winter Training - Week 2
Week Ending - November 25th 2007
Monday morning feeling very brave and embarked on a 50 plus road ride through the Chilterns, quite a hilly and hard ride. Struggled to get as far as Great Missenden after exploring the Chiltern Hills all around Chesham, it started raining so made a dash for home along the Amersham Road, no more hills could be faced.
Tuesday, a dull morning, got over to Hayes Circuit only for the heavens to open. A quick phone call to Betty for an emergency collection and just managed a further 10 miles in the rain while waiting for her to arrive.
Wednesday, still feeling tired after Monday's efforts, decided to ride 50 mile plus at the Hayes Circuit. (Its a lap of just under a mile). Did about 20 miles before Jim and Alan turned up. I kept the group moving at a reasonable speed and by the time I arrived home had covered over 56 miles.
Off to visit my daughter Andrea and our three grand children in York on Thursday. Had great fun with the grand children, much better than riding a bike. Did manage a 30 mile ride on Sunday, quite pleased with my efforts on the flat but struggled up the only hill.
Weekly Totals:- Miles:- 153.6 Time:- 9 hrs 18 mins 50 secs
Monday morning feeling very brave and embarked on a 50 plus road ride through the Chilterns, quite a hilly and hard ride. Struggled to get as far as Great Missenden after exploring the Chiltern Hills all around Chesham, it started raining so made a dash for home along the Amersham Road, no more hills could be faced.
Tuesday, a dull morning, got over to Hayes Circuit only for the heavens to open. A quick phone call to Betty for an emergency collection and just managed a further 10 miles in the rain while waiting for her to arrive.
Wednesday, still feeling tired after Monday's efforts, decided to ride 50 mile plus at the Hayes Circuit. (Its a lap of just under a mile). Did about 20 miles before Jim and Alan turned up. I kept the group moving at a reasonable speed and by the time I arrived home had covered over 56 miles.
Off to visit my daughter Andrea and our three grand children in York on Thursday. Had great fun with the grand children, much better than riding a bike. Did manage a 30 mile ride on Sunday, quite pleased with my efforts on the flat but struggled up the only hill.
Weekly Totals:- Miles:- 153.6 Time:- 9 hrs 18 mins 50 secs
Winter Training - Week 1
Week Ending - November 18th 2007
Well its one week since we returned from a three week holiday in Abu Dhabi visiting my son and his family.
Getting back on the bike again has been a real struggle fitness wise, I never realised how much fitness you lose in such a short time. I was thinking earlier in the week never to go on holiday again but I think that idea would have a strong reaction from Betty.
Managed four rides, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, all flat, slow and very hard work. My heart rate was high for me and I needed a lot of food to keep me going during the rides. Jim and Alan two of the guys I ride with at the Hayes Cycling Circuit most Tuesday and Fridays sure gave me a hard time on Friday but I survived.
Highlight of the week was the arrival of my winter road bike mudguards and all from Ribble, a minor problem with the position, my instructions were not followed but it seems OK. The new bike causes some comments, its not red but blue, forever my bikes have always been RED!
My Trek Madonne 5.5 has been hung up in the summer house for a well earned winters rest, its too good to get dirty.
Weekly Totals:- Miles:- 168.3 Time:- 10 hrs 21 mins 52 secs
Well its one week since we returned from a three week holiday in Abu Dhabi visiting my son and his family.
Getting back on the bike again has been a real struggle fitness wise, I never realised how much fitness you lose in such a short time. I was thinking earlier in the week never to go on holiday again but I think that idea would have a strong reaction from Betty.
Managed four rides, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, all flat, slow and very hard work. My heart rate was high for me and I needed a lot of food to keep me going during the rides. Jim and Alan two of the guys I ride with at the Hayes Cycling Circuit most Tuesday and Fridays sure gave me a hard time on Friday but I survived.
Highlight of the week was the arrival of my winter road bike mudguards and all from Ribble, a minor problem with the position, my instructions were not followed but it seems OK. The new bike causes some comments, its not red but blue, forever my bikes have always been RED!
My Trek Madonne 5.5 has been hung up in the summer house for a well earned winters rest, its too good to get dirty.
Weekly Totals:- Miles:- 168.3 Time:- 10 hrs 21 mins 52 secs
Return to competitive cycling
August 26th 2007.
Invited to compete in the Hillingdon CC Old Crocks 10 mile time trial, my first time trial on a road bike for over 42 years.
Was pleased with my time of 26 mins 55 secs and I was very surprised to win the event.
Many thanks to Jim Burgin of the Hillingdon for organising the event and inviting me and to all the other members of the Hillingdon, most of them former colleagues of over 40 years ago for assisting in the organisation.
Invited to compete in the Hillingdon CC Old Crocks 10 mile time trial, my first time trial on a road bike for over 42 years.
Was pleased with my time of 26 mins 55 secs and I was very surprised to win the event.
Many thanks to Jim Burgin of the Hillingdon for organising the event and inviting me and to all the other members of the Hillingdon, most of them former colleagues of over 40 years ago for assisting in the organisation.
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