The view is always better when you have struggled to get there

Could not resist the heat so decided to go hill climbing, 2 hours later and the legs are burning. Still, another 38 miles in the bag so happy with that.

Over 1000 blog views!!!

I have just noticed that I have had 1007 page views!!  Thanks to all of you who have visited, I hope you have enjoyed reading my ramblings and will continue to visit as I get nearer to the big day.

I knew there was a reason why I ride

Right on target

Well the wind is still here but at least it wasn't raining. Went out with a couple of guys at a steady pace heading straight into the wind, hoping to get blown home.  Pretty hard going but it is a good work out trying to beat the wind, found some hills to climb and then headed for home, with the wind on our backs. Our plan was coming together.

Near home I decided to try one of the steepest hills around, it was seriously hard going and became more a test of my balancing skills as I dropped down to 3.9 mph at one point :(

Anyway had covered 50 miles by the time I got back to the cake. Took 3 hours 6 minutes so pretty much right on my target of doing the London ride in 6 hours. Cant complain about that, although my legs weren't so sure.

Life on the chain gang

Tonight 4 of us went out to do some chaingang training,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_gang_(cycling)
This is where you each do little time on the front and those behind get a slight rest before taking their tune on the front. It can be really good work out and you can really get a pace going. We did this for about 40 minutes round a local circuit before heading for home.

It was a great ride and I did 33 miles averaging 20 MPH and on top of that we missed the rain.  Which being as it is the middle of June is not something I should even be mentioning.  Lets hope its dry at the weekend so I can get a long ride in.

Let the pain comence

Did another road race tonight in Milton Keynes, The weather was not great at 18:00 very overcast with the threat of rain, with the race due to start at 19:00 it looked like we were in for a wet one.  Anyway we started doing a few warm up laps and it actually got a bit brighter, so the race was on.  Started quite quickly and a managed to stay with the fast  guys,I was almost dropped a couple of time but dragged my way back in.
This went on for about 25 minutes before they opened the gates to use the exterior circuit, this is when the pain starts. There are a few tight corners and it all starts to string out. accelerating at full gas out of the corners is hard work and slowly but surely grinds you down.
After 40 minutes I could no longer hold the pace and was well and truly dropped, I did a couple of really slow laps waiting for the pack to come back round and then jumped back in.  This time I held on for a few laps before getting cramp in my left calf and decided that was it for the evening so just coasted round for a couples of laps till the end.
Overall not too bad, managed 20 miles in 58 minutes. What I really need is some race craft so I can spot the moves and not blow up too early. Still always gives me something to aim for.

The route of pain

Route

I need a scooter

A very blustery 50 miles this morning. Luckily we got out and back before the rain came.
About 6 miles from home we were overtaken by a lad on a scooter, its not often that happens, so the chase was on. Managed to get in behind him and ended up doing about 30 mph for quite a way. All good fun.

That soon went

Now I need a drink

Today I broke the 1000 mile mark!!  Did 39 miles to take me to 1013 miles so far this year. So definitely time for a beer. These past few weeks have been so windy I have built up quite a thirst, so cheers everyone!!

Just a couple of hours this morning as I won't be able to get out on Saturday. Did 32 hilly miles with 1900 ft of climbing. This takes me to 974 miles for the year so I hope to do at least 26 on Sunday to break the 1000 barrier. I will be pleased with that as in previous years I usually do about 1200 for the year!! Lets hope the sun keeps on shining.

Its blowy out there

Another race at MK Bowl, didn't do so well tonight as its was pretty windy. Felt like I could have done with a sail. Still, 27 miles done including the warm up and cool down. Should sleep well tonight.

Made it, 100 miles in a weekend

What a great day for a ride in the Chilterns. Having done 70 miles yesterday I tried to take it easy, however it seems like all roads lead to the hills and I found myself approaching The Hale. Its a climb of only about 3/4 mile but with a 22% section, so it was bottom gear and a lot of creaking from me and the bike.

The real achievement though is having done 100 miles in 2 days, just need to get it all done in a day and we will be there!!

Well it did stay dry and we managed a great ride. Made sure we headed into the wind on the way out and got blown home, well, mainly.
Did 70 miles, the last time I did that in day was about 3 years ago. My legs are feeling it now though.