Tuesday rode to work - weather was good and I made good progress, same coming home. Another 24 miles notched up.
The weather was not good until Friday when I rode in again. On the way I managed my best time with an average speed of 16.9 miles per hour, on the ride back I was pretty tired and only managed 15.2 miles per hour.
Saturday the weather was fantastic, and I had promised the wife a family day. We had a wonderful day together.
Sunday the kids have their swimming lessons close to one of my normal routes, so we put the bike in the back of the car and once the lessons were over I rode off whilst the wife took the kids home. The weather was not nearly as good as Saturday and pretty soon I was wet through. Fortunately the rain was not prolonged.
It was amazing to see the Bluebells out in force, just like someone had put down a carpet of flowers quite incredible! I was making good progress as I got to Cranleigh so I decided to get in some hills.
First was Leith Hill the first part of this hill is really tough - typically we are coming down this route and I can now see why this is where e hits his top speed. Then I went through Dorking and then up Ranmore, the same route as with Rich. One thing of note was that there is a recycling centre about 300 yards up the road, this results in the traffic being stopped so you need to go up the outside of the stopped traffic - this is the easy bit. The scary bit was that the recycle lorries also go up the outside of the stopped traffic. I would hate to think about what would happen it a cyclist came whizzing down the hill only to see a lorry facing them on the wrong side of the road!!
Once I got to the top I turned right and went down the windy route which ends up at the bottom of Box Hill. So of course I had to go up Box Hill, a good ascent and then I took Simon's route off the hill (only going wrong once). Then it was back up Ranmore up the windy route. For some reason it felt much easier than the last time up this route. It was then across Ranmore down via Effingham back down the A246 home. All in all a very good ride and I felt I made made the most of the my time covering 69 miles with some "big" hills at an average speed of over 15 miles an hour.
The wife has been doing a fantastic job organising the stall for the Send May Fair. She has managed to persuade companies to donate 60+ prizes for the raffle, plus we have a team of cake makers organised and of course the boys will be on their Turbo trainers. I just hope that the weather is good, because if it is I am sure it will be a great success.
Monday 28 April 2008
Monday 21 April 2008
Diary update week 14
Tuesday the weather forecast was good so it was a great opportunity to cycle to work. Enroute to work I managed to catch up with a JCB. It was great to slipstream behind it, increasing my speed with much less effort. It also acted as great protection from cars doing stupid things. On my way back I managed to get home without getting lost! Hurray!
I was holiday Thursday and Friday, Thursday I took the kids to watch "Lazy town". It was an excellent show, true to the TV series with "Sportacus" doing standing somersaults, and the moral of the story that exercise is good. The kids loved it. We then had a lovely afternoon on the beach looking for shells. Friday we went swmming and I picked up the helium for the May Fair.
The wife has done a great job getting loads of companies to donate prizes, we are all keeping our fingers crossed that the weather is going to be good on 5th April.
Saturday was the first of the of the two team rides. Unfortunately only four of us could make it on Saturday. I got to e's at 7am and then it was off the Brighton. The big hill on the way (I can never remember their names) was not as hard as I was lead to believe. From Brighton it was along the coast to and then back to Guildford. The wind must have been behind because it did not seem to effect us too much. Unfortunately we had far too many stops and our speed was slower than last week but the weather was not as good with it raining most of the time. Still as a team we are getting better but still plenty of room for improvement. It was my longest ride 122 miles and I felt good afterwards (better than my ride last week!)
Sunday was the second team ride and this time we headed up north and met Rich on the usual circuit and then kept on going up north. Unfortunately just before we met Rich I got my frst puncture of the weekend (although I bought my new tyres they were not delivered before the weekend - hopefully they will arrive on Monday). We then rode with Rich for a couple of hours before turning round and coming back. The ride was 86 miles resulting in 208 miles for the weekend!! In the afternnon the sun came out and so the kids helped me to clean my bike before I built their trampoline - which they love.
I was holiday Thursday and Friday, Thursday I took the kids to watch "Lazy town". It was an excellent show, true to the TV series with "Sportacus" doing standing somersaults, and the moral of the story that exercise is good. The kids loved it. We then had a lovely afternoon on the beach looking for shells. Friday we went swmming and I picked up the helium for the May Fair.
The wife has done a great job getting loads of companies to donate prizes, we are all keeping our fingers crossed that the weather is going to be good on 5th April.
Saturday was the first of the of the two team rides. Unfortunately only four of us could make it on Saturday. I got to e's at 7am and then it was off the Brighton. The big hill on the way (I can never remember their names) was not as hard as I was lead to believe. From Brighton it was along the coast to and then back to Guildford. The wind must have been behind because it did not seem to effect us too much. Unfortunately we had far too many stops and our speed was slower than last week but the weather was not as good with it raining most of the time. Still as a team we are getting better but still plenty of room for improvement. It was my longest ride 122 miles and I felt good afterwards (better than my ride last week!)
Sunday was the second team ride and this time we headed up north and met Rich on the usual circuit and then kept on going up north. Unfortunately just before we met Rich I got my frst puncture of the weekend (although I bought my new tyres they were not delivered before the weekend - hopefully they will arrive on Monday). We then rode with Rich for a couple of hours before turning round and coming back. The ride was 86 miles resulting in 208 miles for the weekend!! In the afternnon the sun came out and so the kids helped me to clean my bike before I built their trampoline - which they love.
Monday 14 April 2008
Diary update Week 13
Overall a very good week (except for the puntures that is!!).
Tuesday I was in the gym working on my leg strength and my shoulders - have a niggle with my right shoulder's rotater cuff muscle. The session went well and my weight seems to be holding constant (although my belt has come in another notch!).
Wednesday I managed to do a ride through West Clandon and then along the A246 to Brocketts Farm 21 mile round trip at a little over 17 miles an hour - I was pretty pleased with this. By the way thanks to Brocketts Farm they are the first to response to the wife's request for prizes for the May fair stall.
Rich and I had planned to meet up on Saturday for a 100miler, with his family coming over for lunch and the afternoon. The plan was to meet near Windsor and then come back towards Guildford for the Surrey Hills. e decided to join us and it was enroute to Windsor that I got my puncture. Front wheel this time! Still I got the new inner tube in pretty quick and although we had a bit of a problem with working out which loop we should be on we finally met up with Rich (what did we do before mobile phones!!). As we set off Rich took us back a more direct route and at a faster pace. We eventually left e (who had to get back early) at just before 10am and headed off to the Surrey Hills.
Rich was very keen to push the pace and our strategy was if there was a hill we should be going up it! We went up Ranmore, round across country taking in Leith Hill, Box Hill and a few others without names. At 12 noon we decided to make our way back from just outside Dorking, via Ronmore. This is a much harder ascent than from the A246 and I was very pleased to get up no problem. We eventually got back at 1.15 having completed about 105 miles. I have to say that although I have completed over a hundred miles a few times this was the hardest I had worked and the worst which I have felt.
Fortunately I am getting good at recovering and after a lovely lunch we had a great time with the kids from the two families.
The forecast for the next day looked good and as I have the most understanding wife in the world I was given a pass to go out again Sunday morning. This time just until 10am. SO after some confused messages on my behalf to e I met up with e and Simon at 7am. It was on our way back out of Guildford that I got another flat tyre again on the front tyre. This time whilst in the process of fixing the tyre e found the leak and we used one of Simon's instant puncture repair patches to fix it - more about that later. So we were back on the road again.
This time we went a different route up Ranmore, whish was a nice steady climb - one which I might use on my short runs out from home. Then across and down to Box Hill which I went up much faster than on Saturday. After a great decent (thanks Simon for the directions) we got to the bottom of Box Hill. It was at this point that Simon suggested that as I needed to get home quickly and e wanted to get a lot more miles in, e and I should go on ahead. So we went off and did a though ascent back up Ranmore - different to Saturdays but maybe even harder! Then back home, the weather had been great all weekend until my last 5 miles when the heavens opened. So I got home a bit like a drowned rat but with another 45 miles complete and the satisfaction of knowing that I can complete a really tough day and get back into the saddle the next day with no noticable ill effects. I am really looking forward to the team ride next week.
Sunday night I completed by bi-weekly bike clean up including the gears and the chain. As a brought my bike out of the shed I noticed that the font tyre was flat. So the temporary fix was temporary! So I also put two new patches on my inner tubes - I getting good at that too!
I have now ordered some new tyres and plan to fit them before next weekends 2 day team ride!!
Tuesday I was in the gym working on my leg strength and my shoulders - have a niggle with my right shoulder's rotater cuff muscle. The session went well and my weight seems to be holding constant (although my belt has come in another notch!).
Wednesday I managed to do a ride through West Clandon and then along the A246 to Brocketts Farm 21 mile round trip at a little over 17 miles an hour - I was pretty pleased with this. By the way thanks to Brocketts Farm they are the first to response to the wife's request for prizes for the May fair stall.
Rich and I had planned to meet up on Saturday for a 100miler, with his family coming over for lunch and the afternoon. The plan was to meet near Windsor and then come back towards Guildford for the Surrey Hills. e decided to join us and it was enroute to Windsor that I got my puncture. Front wheel this time! Still I got the new inner tube in pretty quick and although we had a bit of a problem with working out which loop we should be on we finally met up with Rich (what did we do before mobile phones!!). As we set off Rich took us back a more direct route and at a faster pace. We eventually left e (who had to get back early) at just before 10am and headed off to the Surrey Hills.
Rich was very keen to push the pace and our strategy was if there was a hill we should be going up it! We went up Ranmore, round across country taking in Leith Hill, Box Hill and a few others without names. At 12 noon we decided to make our way back from just outside Dorking, via Ronmore. This is a much harder ascent than from the A246 and I was very pleased to get up no problem. We eventually got back at 1.15 having completed about 105 miles. I have to say that although I have completed over a hundred miles a few times this was the hardest I had worked and the worst which I have felt.
Fortunately I am getting good at recovering and after a lovely lunch we had a great time with the kids from the two families.
The forecast for the next day looked good and as I have the most understanding wife in the world I was given a pass to go out again Sunday morning. This time just until 10am. SO after some confused messages on my behalf to e I met up with e and Simon at 7am. It was on our way back out of Guildford that I got another flat tyre again on the front tyre. This time whilst in the process of fixing the tyre e found the leak and we used one of Simon's instant puncture repair patches to fix it - more about that later. So we were back on the road again.
This time we went a different route up Ranmore, whish was a nice steady climb - one which I might use on my short runs out from home. Then across and down to Box Hill which I went up much faster than on Saturday. After a great decent (thanks Simon for the directions) we got to the bottom of Box Hill. It was at this point that Simon suggested that as I needed to get home quickly and e wanted to get a lot more miles in, e and I should go on ahead. So we went off and did a though ascent back up Ranmore - different to Saturdays but maybe even harder! Then back home, the weather had been great all weekend until my last 5 miles when the heavens opened. So I got home a bit like a drowned rat but with another 45 miles complete and the satisfaction of knowing that I can complete a really tough day and get back into the saddle the next day with no noticable ill effects. I am really looking forward to the team ride next week.
Sunday night I completed by bi-weekly bike clean up including the gears and the chain. As a brought my bike out of the shed I noticed that the font tyre was flat. So the temporary fix was temporary! So I also put two new patches on my inner tubes - I getting good at that too!
I have now ordered some new tyres and plan to fit them before next weekends 2 day team ride!!
Tuesday 8 April 2008
Diary update week 12
As a result of the clocks going forward I am now able to cycle in the evenings.
On Tuesday I actually managed to get home early and was delighted when the wife suggested that I go for a quick bike ride before dinner. So I headed off through West Clandon and then turned left down the A246. I was making get progress going more than 20 miles an hour up and down the hills. It was only when I turned around to head back that I worked out just how much the wind was helping me. Still I managed to ride more than 20 miles.
Wednesday I decided it was time to ride to work again. It was amazing the difference a couple of months has made to my fitness levels and my speed, I averaged a couple of miles an hour faster than my previous ride in February and felt really good. Unfortunately what has not changed is my lousy sense of direction, I managed to get lost again (at least I now know where East Clandon and Send Prison are!!). But even after my 4 and a bit detour I still felt good.
e had told me that John was cycling to his house Friday afternoon / evening and then heading on to Worthing. This sounded like a nice opportunity to cycle to the coast together so I was up at 5.30 to get to e's for a 6.30 start to the ride. We made really good progress and John was doing really well considering he had ridden 85 miles the day before (although he did complain about the hills!!). The route down was excellent taking in some lovely villages. Unfortunately I picked up a slow puncture coming into Worthing. But I was lucky enough to have two experts in changing tyres with me. So whilst I did all the work they were able to chip in with advise and guidance cheers guys!!
Anyway it turns out that I did not check my tyre a closely as I should have done and on the way back from Worthing - having dropped John at his sister-in-laws for a well earned rest- I discovered that I had another slow puncture. I tried to get over this by just pumping it up again but it was no good and eventually we stopped again and e gave me his inner tube, we checked the tyre really carefully and would a small stone embedded in the tyre wall. This was removed and we were on our way again. I have to say that the difference between cycling with a slow flat and a fully pumped up tyre is amazing! So all in all I got back a bit later that expected but with another 100 miles under my belt.
The wife has organised a stall at the Send May Fair which should be a great opportunity to build up some local support and raise a bit of extra money. More about this in later blogs
Our total including gift aid is through the £10,000 which is fantastic and thanks to everyone who has sponsored us. It is the best investment that you will ever make!
On Tuesday I actually managed to get home early and was delighted when the wife suggested that I go for a quick bike ride before dinner. So I headed off through West Clandon and then turned left down the A246. I was making get progress going more than 20 miles an hour up and down the hills. It was only when I turned around to head back that I worked out just how much the wind was helping me. Still I managed to ride more than 20 miles.
Wednesday I decided it was time to ride to work again. It was amazing the difference a couple of months has made to my fitness levels and my speed, I averaged a couple of miles an hour faster than my previous ride in February and felt really good. Unfortunately what has not changed is my lousy sense of direction, I managed to get lost again (at least I now know where East Clandon and Send Prison are!!). But even after my 4 and a bit detour I still felt good.
e had told me that John was cycling to his house Friday afternoon / evening and then heading on to Worthing. This sounded like a nice opportunity to cycle to the coast together so I was up at 5.30 to get to e's for a 6.30 start to the ride. We made really good progress and John was doing really well considering he had ridden 85 miles the day before (although he did complain about the hills!!). The route down was excellent taking in some lovely villages. Unfortunately I picked up a slow puncture coming into Worthing. But I was lucky enough to have two experts in changing tyres with me. So whilst I did all the work they were able to chip in with advise and guidance cheers guys!!
Anyway it turns out that I did not check my tyre a closely as I should have done and on the way back from Worthing - having dropped John at his sister-in-laws for a well earned rest- I discovered that I had another slow puncture. I tried to get over this by just pumping it up again but it was no good and eventually we stopped again and e gave me his inner tube, we checked the tyre really carefully and would a small stone embedded in the tyre wall. This was removed and we were on our way again. I have to say that the difference between cycling with a slow flat and a fully pumped up tyre is amazing! So all in all I got back a bit later that expected but with another 100 miles under my belt.
The wife has organised a stall at the Send May Fair which should be a great opportunity to build up some local support and raise a bit of extra money. More about this in later blogs
Our total including gift aid is through the £10,000 which is fantastic and thanks to everyone who has sponsored us. It is the best investment that you will ever make!
Tuesday 1 April 2008
Diary update week 11
After the rides over the Easter weekend, had a couple of rest days before completing a good turbo session whilst watching the last episode of Ashes to Ashes. Turbo training is so boring but I feel I am benefiting from the work out.
After a quick call to e Friday night we agreed to start our ride at 6am Saturday morning. So I was up at 5am, out by 5.30 and at e's at just before 6. We decided to do the usual loop with the couple hills either side of Dorking. Unfortunately Ciaran had to leave early so we headed straight back Guildford after getting to Cranleigh. E and I decided to do the same route but this time we decided to also go up Box Hill. This is a long gradual climb and so excellent for training - I have a feeling a that I will be using the hill in my training regime. With the ride to and from e's I managed to clock up 110 miles. This is my longest ride so far and with the 5 big hills I really felt good at the end of it. I have to say that I was tried on Saturday afternoon, but I think that was as much to do with the early mroning as the bike ride.
I am looking forward to the clock going back so I ride to work a couple of times a week.
After a quick call to e Friday night we agreed to start our ride at 6am Saturday morning. So I was up at 5am, out by 5.30 and at e's at just before 6. We decided to do the usual loop with the couple hills either side of Dorking. Unfortunately Ciaran had to leave early so we headed straight back Guildford after getting to Cranleigh. E and I decided to do the same route but this time we decided to also go up Box Hill. This is a long gradual climb and so excellent for training - I have a feeling a that I will be using the hill in my training regime. With the ride to and from e's I managed to clock up 110 miles. This is my longest ride so far and with the 5 big hills I really felt good at the end of it. I have to say that I was tried on Saturday afternoon, but I think that was as much to do with the early mroning as the bike ride.
I am looking forward to the clock going back so I ride to work a couple of times a week.
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