1000 miles

Today saw a person land mark as I passed the 1000 mile mark for training miles. Did a different route today out to Hodnet then onto Mk Drayton-Newport-Sherrifhales-Shifnal-Prioslee-Home - 82 Km [49 Miles] - Also got my fist puncture since training started so had an enforced 15 minute rest whilst changing a tube. Despite setting out at 9.00 am - boy was it hot today, so glad of the extra fluids & energy bar.

Early start

With the forecast predicting temperatures in the low 20's I thought it best to go out early today, sos I was on the road before 9.00 am. From home to High Ercall up over Haughmond Hill & down to Atcham, cross country to Cross Houses before the long drag down to Cressage. By this this tike the temperature was beginning to rise, ran on to Ironbridge & tackled Jiggers Bank [Cat 2 climb from last years ToB] before the run down to home - 32 miles steady - really enjoyed today.

Just the ticket

This weather is just the ticket for cycling so it was back in the saddle after a few days off. Waited until it had cooled a little & went out about 5.00 pm. Just a quick "ish" 25 miles taking in my climb around the Wrekin. I realy hope the weather is like this when we tackle the L2P event.

Well...it's a holiday after all...

Had a few days off the bike this week, Sue & I went down to Longleat for the day on Tuesday, had a great time then on Thursday we took Barney [see picture] up to Betswy Coed and walked the river trail, he loved jumping in and out of the river, very relaxing much need time out for both of us. 

Easy 25

25 miles & just beat the rain showers - didn't go out until 2.00 p.m. Steady out to the A5 & then to Wellington up to the base of the Wrekin then out thru Eaton Constantine [its nice going down hill instead of uphill] & the back road to Wroxeter before racing home to beat the rain. Legs & lungs good after yesterdays 57.3 miles. 

Summary of Week 11

Had a mixed bag this week, started with the inspiration of Allen's Ride around Britain, then work took over the week, then rounded the week off a day of first's and the training ride with Mike. 

A day of First's

Mike [& his new bike] came to town for our 1st joint training ride. Our training personal regimes have up to this point been in isolation, so with mileage increasing it was a good time to get together. As I said today would be a day of first's & you may be aware from www.MikeysBikey.com that Mike has a new bike & today was its 1st major outing, today would also see Mike break the 50 mile barrier for the 1st time. Thats us on the right ready for the off.

Our planned route was a lumpy circuit I've done before which had a bit of everything & would be a good leg tester. So, from home we headed to Muxton - Sherrifhales - Shifnal - Coalport - Ironbridge - Atcham - Uffington - Haughmond Hill - Crudgington - Edgmond - Lilleshall & back home a total of 57.3 miles.

It was great to have company on the ride & with the excellent weather & the fantastic Shropshire countryside it couldn't have been better. The L2P event is now only 9 weeks away & we will be doing more training rides together over the coming weeks.

Hats off to the group of tandem cyclist riding up Brickkiln bank out of Coalport

Back in the Saddle

Saturday's ride was a steady leg spin due to my lack of miles during the week. A variation to one of my local loop rides by adding in the lanes from Roddington to Upton Magna. The climb thru Eaton Constantine to the Wrekin was followed by the long drag up the A5, a good test for keeping a steady cadence/speed. A round trip of 28+ miles. 

All work & No play

This week has been "All work & No play" - work demands have meant 12 hour days & very little energy for anything else. Totally have to make up for the inactivity this weekend & over the holiday week, Sunday I have a planned ride withe my L2P buddy Mike - we should be looking at 50 miles+ around one of my Telford routes. 

As for fund raising I have been selling Tea/Coffee at work leaving an "Honesty" collection tin by the kettle - this has raised over £30 so far & will continue up until the L2P event [every little helps... as they say] 

Inspiration

If ever you needed any inspiration to get out on your bike than check out www.jack-allen-travels.blogspot.com - its my brother in-law [Andy] friends father, who is cycling around the whole of the UK this summer... he's 74 year old. 

Using the immortal words of Andy Gray [Sky sports presenter] "tick-a-boo son" [take a bow]

Summary of Week 10

Not my best week on the bike, I managed a couple of rides to work, before work seemed to take over. After the poor weekday mileage the weekend became a necessity & I had to dig deep on Saturdays ride, glad I went out in the end. 

I have been watching the 100th Giro d'Italia highlights on TV during the week, which where very good & I am looking forward to the Milan criterium & stage 10 to Sestriere. 

When Saturday Comes....reflection

I tend to be doing this a lot lately, looking back & analyzing my ride of the day. You may recall that last week I had a problem with "Head winds", well my ride early today had a difficult outbound head wind & a pleasing inbound tailwind. Nothing unusual there I hear you say, well, I experienced something for the first time when riding with a tail wind & I can only described it as "riding in a bubble". As I zipped along the Atcham/Admaston road 3 miles from home the wind was blowing as it had been all morning & I could see the grass & trees on the road side being whisked around but here's the strange thing, there was no noise....? I must have been cycling at exactly the same speed & in exactly the same direction as the wind, the weirdest feeling or maybe I was just in my very own twilight zone. 

When Saturday Comes....

A phrase usually associated with football, but at the minute it means miles, miles & more miles. Today was one of those days when you have to dig deep & look at the bigger picture. I opened the curtains this morning & the sun was shining, great I thought, within 20 minutes there were grey clouds & a rain shower & I hadn't even finished my bran flakes! I Laid the kit out on the bed & stared out of the window wondering what the weather was doing as it changed every 10 minutes. Finally around 11.00 o'clock I decided that I had to go out as I wont have the option to stay in when riding the L2P event.

A new route today from home thru' Dawley, Madeley, Bridgnorth, Broseley, Ironbridge, Buildwas, Atcham & to home, a hilly 67.5 km [40.3 miles]. Strong blustery head winds & a heavy rain shower made the outward trip to Bridgnorth difficult, but enjoyed the inbound miles. I made the right decision to go out in the end.

Evening 25

Didn't go out until 6.00 p.m. today, too many things to do during the day & then decided to watch yesterday's Giro time trial [Lance is back] & Chelsea smack the gooners in their own backyard 1 - 4. My evening 25 miler was a loop out thru' Roddington, Atcham, Wroxeter, Eaton Constantine [up around the Wrekin] Wellington & home. Good cadence, good tempo, good speed, good feeling. 

Summary of Week 9

Missed a few rides to work this week 

Tuesday/Wednesday - "Cake at Break" day [Tuesday had to carry all the cakes to work] 

Thursday - felt depressed due to Chelsea's exit from Champions league.

Friday - No excuse - but purchased new kit from Parker International

Saturday - played catch up with 97.5 km [58.5 miles]

Head wind mystery

Is it me or does anyone else have the same issue? I was reflecting on my ride earlier today & no matter which direction I seemed to ride I was riding into a head wind? Now then, having done a complete loop around Telford with the Wrekin on my left, at some point you would think I would experience a tail wind to help me along a bit, but Oh no...why is that?

Making up time

Todays forecast was OK despite the blustery winds, so I did one of my loop's around Telford & added a bit to Shifnal - the route taking in Lilleshall, Newport, Haughmond, Wroxeter, Buildwas, Ironbridge, Coalport, Madeley, Shifnal, Sherrifhales, Muxton & finally home, a grand total of 97.5 km or 58.5 miles in old money. The last 5 -6 km were a strain on the thighs into the blustery wind, but one vanilla recovery drink, a bacon sandwich & cup of tea later & I feel OK. 

New Kit

Its was handy having a birthday in April as I now get to spent my birthday money on new kit for the L2P. Took a ride down to Parker International & purchased Campagnolo "Heritage" Bib shorts & Jersey - very nice! 

More Fund Raising Update

Cake at Break Update

Wow - raised an amazing £159.24 

Special thank you's to :-) 

  - Betty for the bread pudding & Gina for the Victoria sponge.

  - Vicky, Karl & Deb at work who all worked tirelessly to help make it happen.

  - to everyone who purchased tea/coffee/cake - I think we created an excellent feel good factor on Wednesday, within our work place. 

More Fund Raising

Today was my "Cake at Break" day - offering cakes, biscuits, tea & coffee instead of work colleagues using the normal tea/coffee machine facilities. More to follow shortly

Gone Missing

Sorry for the lack of posting's viewers but the broad band has been offline. I will bring you all up to date by the end of today.

Free Fuel

Free samples from ZipVit [as used by the Cervelo Test Team], The energy & Recovery box contains Energy drinks, recovery drink, energy gel & bars, Omega fish oils and vitamin tablets and a drinks bottle - just pay £3.99 postage. Log onto www.zipvit.com 

Summary of Week 8

Had a good week on the bike this week out nearly every day despite the poor weather and legs starting to feel heavy. Really enjoyed Saturdays "Lumpy" ride, then rounded things off with a hike around the Wrekin. 

Compiled my training detail - rides routes and distances - for the next 12 weeks leading up to the L2P event.

Alternative Training III

Decided to leave the bike at home today & hike the Wrekin again - this time Sue & I walked around the base - 2 hours of undulating terrain was a stRetch on the legs especially the calf muscles. 

A lumpy 35 miles

Got up early this morning, well 7.15, [its early for a Saturday], out the door for 8.00 am did a nice 35 miles over lumpy terrain. Despite the legs feeling quite heavy all week, today was excellent - along with the weather. Kept a good cadence & tempo all the way round. Tried a recovery drink today for the first time - SIS ReGo - Chocolate - very drinkable. 

4 out of 5

4 out of 5 days training rides to work this week, normal daily mileage at the minute, I have been lucky dodging the rain showers again, especially on Thursday, I had just put the bike in the garage when the heavens opened, close one [but still had to take the dog out in the rain]. 

Sponsor money [pledges] are still coming in, and my fund pot is filling nicely. Exceeded the first fund raising target set by AMR - £600+ by May 1st. Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far.