Still freezing outside, I don't think the mercury has risen above zero for over a week. The roads are icy and I haven't been out on the bike for about 10 days. I also feel like I've got a cold coming.
Have ordered some DIY cards so I can get in some decent rides and points over the Christmas period. The first trip will be a 200km to the in-laws so am busy planning the route. Viamichelin puts it in at 212 so that should be OK and it seems virtually a straight line.
I have also gone through the AUK calendar numerous times and logged all the PBP qualifiers close to me on a photocopy of my work diary year planner page so I can see it all at once. There are several 100kms in January and February, plus a CTC sportive in Dorchester at the end of February. Then the qualifying campaign kicks off in March with the Mad March Coasts and Quantocks 200, Denmead 200, Barrys Ball Buster 200 and Nutty Nuns 200 on 3 April (not a PBP qualifier but should have finished one by then. Otherwise not much chance of getting to the French ride).
Then in April there's the Denmead 300 on Saturday 9th followed by Dorset Coast 200 on Sunday 10th. Hope to do them both. Honiton 200 the next weekend then either West Stafford 300 or Coryton 400. Then Chepstow 400 if I want another trip to Wales, Honiton and Lymington 300 on consecutive days (will pick one) then a choice between Brian Chapman Memorial and Denmead 400. Have heard the former is quite hard. At the end of May it's the Kernow and South West 600 if the first attempt goes wrong.
So there we have it, all planned out. Just got to enter them now.
Wednesday 1 December 2010
Monday 22 November 2010
Cold windy and miserable
Yesterday was what you might call a 'character-building' ride. It was cold, windy and miserable. The wind shifted as I went round my loop so that is was always straight in my face. I really didn't want to go out on the bike when I woke up, not because of the weather, but because I was tired and ached. Eventually I got out but after a mere 30km knew it wasn't such a good idea. Pedalling downhill, because of the wind, didn't really help morale.
Bonked completely after 40km and had to walk up a hill, in cleats, on slippery leaves. Oh what fun. Cut the route short and crawled home after 56km. Pretty pathetic and I hope it was just a bad day at the office. At least it wasn't raining.
Bonked completely after 40km and had to walk up a hill, in cleats, on slippery leaves. Oh what fun. Cut the route short and crawled home after 56km. Pretty pathetic and I hope it was just a bad day at the office. At least it wasn't raining.
Friday 22 October 2010
Three on the trot
Rode into work three days running, which I was pleased about. Total of 90 miles. Tried to vary the route each day as otherwise it's going to be a long and repetitive winter.
My rack bag is not the best - probably OK for a randonee but no good for this. When I get to town I go to the sports centre and have a swim and shower (we don't have a shower at work) so as well as swimming trunks and towel I have my work clothes, as well as extras like bike lock, my wallet and phone. It's just not quite big enough. However it's more comfortable than carrying it on my back.
On the way home tonight I went a longer route and got to try my lights properly. On the front is a Cateye which is not too bad, but I'm not sure about battery lights generally. It's easier not to look into the bright circle in the middle but into the ring around it, which also shows up the sides of the road which is handy.
It was lovely riding in the dark, just the whirr of the tyres on the tarmac and no cars along the quiet road. Just peace and a steady pace.
My rack bag is not the best - probably OK for a randonee but no good for this. When I get to town I go to the sports centre and have a swim and shower (we don't have a shower at work) so as well as swimming trunks and towel I have my work clothes, as well as extras like bike lock, my wallet and phone. It's just not quite big enough. However it's more comfortable than carrying it on my back.
On the way home tonight I went a longer route and got to try my lights properly. On the front is a Cateye which is not too bad, but I'm not sure about battery lights generally. It's easier not to look into the bright circle in the middle but into the ring around it, which also shows up the sides of the road which is handy.
It was lovely riding in the dark, just the whirr of the tyres on the tarmac and no cars along the quiet road. Just peace and a steady pace.
Thursday 21 October 2010
Cold toes
My training schedule was put back a week because, erm...., because it's horrible coming back from holiday so I decided to have a few glasses of wine last week to numb the pain of going back to work.
Finally yesterday I didn't need the car for work so cycled in. 14 miles. It was fairly fresh and the sun hadn't got over the hedge tops. It was the first time out for a while for my touring bike, an Orbit Ventura, and it certainly seemed a lot heavier than the carbon road bike. However it's undoubtedly more comfortable.
I need to sort out my luggage arrangements because a rucksack just isn't comfortable. It makes the back too hot, and I'm one of those who warms up quickly in any case. I've got a rack bag but it's a bit of a pain as it needs to be velcroed under the rack, which is fine if you've got ten minutes at the other end to take it off but otherwise is a fiddle.
On the way home the bike felt a bit better. I guess I have to remember that it's about miles, not speed, on this bike. Made it up the local cliff, which goes on for about a mile with the last 200 yards particularly steep, but you've got to keep pedalling otherwise you'd fall over - which as we all know isn't very funny if you're clipped in (unless you're an onlooker of course).
28.5 miles today. The aim is to get a lot of base miles in during October and November by cycling to work as often as possible. Three days a week would be good - 100 miles in the bank - then a long run over the weekend, so 150 to 200 miles a week to get in some fitness. Maybe a few Permanents or calendar events, but these will start in earnest early in the new year, so that hopefully I'll be ready come the PBP qualifiers.
Finally yesterday I didn't need the car for work so cycled in. 14 miles. It was fairly fresh and the sun hadn't got over the hedge tops. It was the first time out for a while for my touring bike, an Orbit Ventura, and it certainly seemed a lot heavier than the carbon road bike. However it's undoubtedly more comfortable.
I need to sort out my luggage arrangements because a rucksack just isn't comfortable. It makes the back too hot, and I'm one of those who warms up quickly in any case. I've got a rack bag but it's a bit of a pain as it needs to be velcroed under the rack, which is fine if you've got ten minutes at the other end to take it off but otherwise is a fiddle.
On the way home the bike felt a bit better. I guess I have to remember that it's about miles, not speed, on this bike. Made it up the local cliff, which goes on for about a mile with the last 200 yards particularly steep, but you've got to keep pedalling otherwise you'd fall over - which as we all know isn't very funny if you're clipped in (unless you're an onlooker of course).
28.5 miles today. The aim is to get a lot of base miles in during October and November by cycling to work as often as possible. Three days a week would be good - 100 miles in the bank - then a long run over the weekend, so 150 to 200 miles a week to get in some fitness. Maybe a few Permanents or calendar events, but these will start in earnest early in the new year, so that hopefully I'll be ready come the PBP qualifiers.
Saturday 9 October 2010
11 months and counting
Paris Brest Paris (PBP) is a 1200 kilometre cycle ride held every four years. It is the most prestigious 'randonee' in the calendar and has been going since 1891. There is a 90 hour time limit, including stops, 'controls' every 80 kilometers or so where the 'brevet' or 'carnet de route' needs stamping as proof of passage.
In order to gain one of the 5000 places available worldwide it is necessary to complete a 'Super Randonneur' (SR) series of events in the spring leading up to the event - that is, a 200km, 300km, 400km and a 600km event.
In 2011 PBP will take place from 21 - 25 August. This is my blog of my journey to Brest and back - hopefully.
In the meantime I need to lose weight, drink less, smoke less and eat more healthily. I turn 40 next year which is further motivation. I'll update my progress regularly here, no doubt with tales of spectacularly falling off the wagon as well as reports of some great cycling. We're coming into autumn and winter here so the first objective is to cycle to work more often and generally use the car less. Tonight is my last night of freedom before the new regime begins so I'm going to have a glass of wine now...
In order to gain one of the 5000 places available worldwide it is necessary to complete a 'Super Randonneur' (SR) series of events in the spring leading up to the event - that is, a 200km, 300km, 400km and a 600km event.
In 2011 PBP will take place from 21 - 25 August. This is my blog of my journey to Brest and back - hopefully.
In the meantime I need to lose weight, drink less, smoke less and eat more healthily. I turn 40 next year which is further motivation. I'll update my progress regularly here, no doubt with tales of spectacularly falling off the wagon as well as reports of some great cycling. We're coming into autumn and winter here so the first objective is to cycle to work more often and generally use the car less. Tonight is my last night of freedom before the new regime begins so I'm going to have a glass of wine now...
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