Martins October training so far.....

So, October arrived & so did the drop in temperature!  No problem I thought. Sporting my stylish new Luso leg warmers yesterday, managed a somewhat challenging 47 miles around the Cotswolds - 3000ft of climbing, averaged 13.3 mph, which I was quite pleased about.  Only problem was that getting up this morning, I was really, really glad that I wasn't going anywheer near a bike today! Mmmmm - that says a lot about my 'core stamina' methinks - will have to undertake soem research on how to fix that!! No doubt Trev, our resident team expert can advise me - he helpfully supplied us all with an article on Hydration at our first planning session in a local watering hole this week :)

Last weekend, a longer 56 miles, but fairly flat ride gave me a somewhat false boost to my confidence I think.

As for the newly installed turbo trainer (Minoura Gyro V270) - its a great device & having set up an old TV & DVD player, 30 minute sessions are quite bearable - I just need to try & stick to my planned 3 per week. Not working yet :)

A history of my bikes...

Riding from one end of our great isle to the other is no easy task for a experienced rider, let alone a complete novice like me.

Thinking back over the years, I have always had a bike of one kind or another. I should thank my parents at this point for that. So why haven't I been more involved in cycling before now? It's hard to say really, maybe my bike history can provide the answer?

The very first bike I remember riding was fondly called Budgie by the family, although it was the model name not something I made up. It was made by Raleigh, and was a mini chopper type of bike. (see the photo below – not the actual bike but an exact copy!) I must have been about 4yrs old, the bike was a light blue colour, with stabilisers, and small wheels. It was the same bike both my brothers learnt to ride on. My only real memories of this bike are a photo of my Grandma Jones riding it thru Reading University and the day my dad took the stabilisers off. Pedalling furiously shouting at my dad "Don't let go! Don't let go!" of course he had he was just running alongside to make me think he hadn't! Cruel to be kind eh? Just as well really, if he hadn't let go at that point, he would still be holding the saddle to this day and John O'Groats to Lands End is a long way to run whilst holding the saddle of your kids bike, even for my Dad 

From the Blue Budgie my next bike was a Raleigh Striker in silver grey, with a back pedal brake! Simply brilliant for skidding! But that's another story, for Part 2 of my bike history…

Sent from my iPhone

My wheels...

As promised a while ago, a couple of photos of my new bike that I hope will take me the length of this great country next May.  

The science bit, A "Large" Specalized Sirrus Sport, currently unnamed, carbon forks with Zertz inserts, 24 gears, and 700x28 tyres, a saddle bag containing spare tube, tools, Puncture repair kit. The only modifications to date, a 2nd bottle holder (not shown in pictures) and a wireless speedo (max speed thus far 42.8 mph, hell that was scary!) and a small aluminum pump. 

That ends my 2nd post in October, an impressive 200% improvement on last month :)

Guilted back into the saddle....

There have been excuses, but essentially I hadn't been out on the bike since mid August, save one 5 mile trek to the top of Bredon Hill.  May 2011 is fast approaching and I needed to get back out there, even if just to keep up with Rodger and all his rowing and cycling.  Well yesterday I managed a little over 17 miles and it felt good.

Brilliant! At least it would be, [or I would certainly feel better] had the reason for my sudden burst of motivation  been the thought of the challenge that lays ahead and ensuring I was prepared and at peak levels of fitness.

But no, my motivation, a guilt trip following the demolition of a bag of donuts! Plain and simple gluttony was what it took!

Anyhow, I have broken the trend of not training and am now back in the saddle and raring to go.  In fact had it not been raining and fairly windy this morning, I might be out there now.  Oh!, no wait a minute, that be them darn excuses again.  :)  

September Training

FAIL!

Only managed to do 1 ride this month (35.5 miles) due to work and a strained muscle! Did manage 16.5 miles on the rower.

Must do better. Must do better. Must do better. ...

I did managed to buy some Polaris Revelation sunglasses, Endura FS260 Aerogel Mitts and some Lusso Coolmax Pro Gel Bib Shorts (thanks to Absolute Cycles). Looking forward to trying these out tomorrow. No problem with my credit card training!