Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Lincoln Sportive
Well it was a couple of weeks ago now but it went well. Particularly as I beat my brother :) Ok his pedal fell off which delayed him but I don't think poor technical preparation is any excuse do you?
My knees have gone downhill since then so it's time for some physio and hopefully recuperation ready for the Reivers at the end of August. Failing that I'll be driving the support vehicle.
Steve
My knees have gone downhill since then so it's time for some physio and hopefully recuperation ready for the Reivers at the end of August. Failing that I'll be driving the support vehicle.
Steve
Friday, April 22, 2011
Injury problems
Well it's very depressing to get to a good place fitness wise and then injure yourself and watch your weight go up, and your fitness level drop. I've 'sprained' my cartilage in my right knee. Two weeks to the Lincoln sportive - I'm gutted to be honest. I actually hurt my knee about 3 weeks ago and it's recovered to a degree but I can't really bike very far at the moment. I've got some physio to do but I don't really believe that will fix it which puts the Reivers ride in danger too. The NHS aren't really interested in fixing stuff like this - if you can walk you're ok :(
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
A new challenge...
The Reivers Cycle route. 190 miles (ish) with 4 other peeps. This one's just for fun. We're going to do the Lincoln Sportive in May as well. I believe this ends by cycling up Steep Hill in Lincoln or the road next to it called Michaelgate. Cobble stones and road bikes don't mix so that should be interesting!
Steve
Steve
Monday, September 06, 2010
I DID IT!!!
Wow, what an amazing experience. Yes I did it. I cycled from Blackheath Common in London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris :-) More importantly, I managed to survive the experience relatively unscathed :-)
So how was it? Generally, it wasn't half as bad as I thought it was going to be - or as it could have been. Because it was part of an organised trip, all I had to do was get on my bike in the morning, blindly follow orange arrows in the knowledge that at some point, someone would give me water & snacks, then a bit further on someone would give me lunch, then more water & snacks, and then I would get to a hotel where I could get a hot shower and some food. Even the evening meals were sorted (apart from the first day where we ate on the ferry). It was simple. When I've been training, I'm the only one that was kicking my ass to get on my bike & get the miles in, and I had to sort out my own routes, own food/water etc etc etc.
Having said all that, I still had to bike for 300 odd miles!!
So, breakdown on each day:
Day 1, Blackheath Common - Calais, approx 85miles
Wake-up call was 5am!!!! Anyone that knows me knows I do not do mornings. Period. So to see me getting breakfast (to be fair I can eat at any time :-) ) and then going outside at such an unearthly hour was slightly unusual. After a lot of faffing around & waiting on the common, we were given a briefing, had the orange arrow system explained, and then we set off.
Biking through London was horrible - we didn't get to go past any of the sites, so it was just a general slog through city-centre traffic, no-place suburbs, hundreds of traffic lights & junctions. A few hours later we were finally into countryside. Then of course the hills started - and there were some big and long hills. I was quite pleased that although it was hard work, there was only 1 hill that defeated me, and none of it seemed as hard as Buildwas Bank.
I arrived at Dover at 3.30pm, to then have to wait for about 3hours at the ferry terminal for our ferry. We got onto the ferry as 'cars', that is biking round the terminal which seemed to be the most convoluted route ever, and then up the ramp.
At Calais, there was a short ride to our respective hotels - biking in convoy was a relief given that it was now dark & the first time I had ridden on french roads.
Day 2, Calais - Arras, approx 80 miles
Wake-up call was 6.30am, so a lie-in compared with the day before. Except of course this was French time, and we were still on English time, so really it was still 5.30am!
Anyone that tells you that Northern France is flat is lying. Either that or they don't know what they're talking about. Alternatively maybe they've just never ridden it.
It is not flat. It wasn't as hilly as the day before, but there were still some long-uns, and given that I was tired from the day before it was hard going. Not surprisingly my average speed was slightly lower than the day before, but it wasn't a race, the aim is to get there and enjoy it.
The sun was glorious again, and this always helps. First thing was very cold & misty, going alongside a canal (ok, so this bit was flat!), but it soon warmed up.
I was slightly amused to arrive in one village, spot a cafe that would make a good toilet stop - seeing bikes out the front, and then seeing the scottish fire-fighters outside having a beer!!!! Of course what I didn't realise at this point was that their trip down from Edinburgh (which they biked via Belfast, Dublin & Cardiff) was an average of 130miles each day - so this was easy going for them :-)
Got to the hotel at a respectable time - I think about 4pm. Got showered and for the first time got to put some 'normal' clothes on! Everyone had a meal together for the first time, which was good - starting to chill into it, and knowing we were now half-way helped.
Day 3 - Arras - Compiegne, approx 77miles
Another 6.30am wake-up call, starting to get used to it now.
This was a lovely day, and probably the best of the trip. Riding was very easy going, with nice easy rolling hills, more downhill than up, and lots of flat open fields. Cycled over the Somme, which was cool, and stopped at various War Cemetaries. Went through some very pretty french villages, and saw some pretty good looking french chateauxs.
Got to the hotel at a respectable 5pm, having taken it easy all day. The hotel room was very funky - but we were all slightly amused by the shower which had clear glass for the one wall - an interesting challenge when you're sharing a room with someone you've known for 3 days!
Day 4 - Compiegne - Paris, approx 62miles
Last 6.30am wake-up call :-)
The morning felt really short - the first water stop was at 12miles, felt like I'd only just got going! Lunch was then at 30miles, and I ate for the sake of eating, rather than because I was hungry.
After lunch was ok for about 10miles, and then we got to the outskirts of Paris, which not surprisingly got busier & busier. I was fine until the last 5miles, which I found the most stressful riding ever - I don't like riding in Stafford and avoid it like the plague, so biking in Paris was a huge shock! However I got to the meet-up point, Parc De Monceau, and was pleased to see everyone there enjoying ice-creams :-)
The next bit was the most amazing experience ever! 132 cyclists all shouting, cheering & ringing their bells, cycling from Parc De Monceau, upto the Arc De Triomphe, round the manic roundabout, stopping the traffic on the way through the sheer volume of cyclists and then down the Champs Elysee was quite amazing. The noise was vast, and the tourists were very amused - I think our faces are on quite a few strangers cameras!
We went over the Seine at Pont De L'Alma, and round to the Eiffel Tower, ending up at Parc Du Champ De Mars. Lots of photos & hugs later, and a small amount of champagne, we then had to get back on our bikes and get to the hotel!
Would I do it again - yes and no. I've done London-Paris now, so not sure I'd do the same again, although never say never, but I'd definitely do a multi-day challenge like this again, just need to work out what!
Thank-you everyone for your support over the past few months, and thank-you to everyone who has sponsored me - I'm upto around £1,600 now which is great!!
Rachel
So how was it? Generally, it wasn't half as bad as I thought it was going to be - or as it could have been. Because it was part of an organised trip, all I had to do was get on my bike in the morning, blindly follow orange arrows in the knowledge that at some point, someone would give me water & snacks, then a bit further on someone would give me lunch, then more water & snacks, and then I would get to a hotel where I could get a hot shower and some food. Even the evening meals were sorted (apart from the first day where we ate on the ferry). It was simple. When I've been training, I'm the only one that was kicking my ass to get on my bike & get the miles in, and I had to sort out my own routes, own food/water etc etc etc.
Having said all that, I still had to bike for 300 odd miles!!
So, breakdown on each day:
Day 1, Blackheath Common - Calais, approx 85miles
Wake-up call was 5am!!!! Anyone that knows me knows I do not do mornings. Period. So to see me getting breakfast (to be fair I can eat at any time :-) ) and then going outside at such an unearthly hour was slightly unusual. After a lot of faffing around & waiting on the common, we were given a briefing, had the orange arrow system explained, and then we set off.
Biking through London was horrible - we didn't get to go past any of the sites, so it was just a general slog through city-centre traffic, no-place suburbs, hundreds of traffic lights & junctions. A few hours later we were finally into countryside. Then of course the hills started - and there were some big and long hills. I was quite pleased that although it was hard work, there was only 1 hill that defeated me, and none of it seemed as hard as Buildwas Bank.
I arrived at Dover at 3.30pm, to then have to wait for about 3hours at the ferry terminal for our ferry. We got onto the ferry as 'cars', that is biking round the terminal which seemed to be the most convoluted route ever, and then up the ramp.
At Calais, there was a short ride to our respective hotels - biking in convoy was a relief given that it was now dark & the first time I had ridden on french roads.
Day 2, Calais - Arras, approx 80 miles
Wake-up call was 6.30am, so a lie-in compared with the day before. Except of course this was French time, and we were still on English time, so really it was still 5.30am!
Anyone that tells you that Northern France is flat is lying. Either that or they don't know what they're talking about. Alternatively maybe they've just never ridden it.
It is not flat. It wasn't as hilly as the day before, but there were still some long-uns, and given that I was tired from the day before it was hard going. Not surprisingly my average speed was slightly lower than the day before, but it wasn't a race, the aim is to get there and enjoy it.
The sun was glorious again, and this always helps. First thing was very cold & misty, going alongside a canal (ok, so this bit was flat!), but it soon warmed up.
I was slightly amused to arrive in one village, spot a cafe that would make a good toilet stop - seeing bikes out the front, and then seeing the scottish fire-fighters outside having a beer!!!! Of course what I didn't realise at this point was that their trip down from Edinburgh (which they biked via Belfast, Dublin & Cardiff) was an average of 130miles each day - so this was easy going for them :-)
Got to the hotel at a respectable time - I think about 4pm. Got showered and for the first time got to put some 'normal' clothes on! Everyone had a meal together for the first time, which was good - starting to chill into it, and knowing we were now half-way helped.
Day 3 - Arras - Compiegne, approx 77miles
Another 6.30am wake-up call, starting to get used to it now.
This was a lovely day, and probably the best of the trip. Riding was very easy going, with nice easy rolling hills, more downhill than up, and lots of flat open fields. Cycled over the Somme, which was cool, and stopped at various War Cemetaries. Went through some very pretty french villages, and saw some pretty good looking french chateauxs.
Got to the hotel at a respectable 5pm, having taken it easy all day. The hotel room was very funky - but we were all slightly amused by the shower which had clear glass for the one wall - an interesting challenge when you're sharing a room with someone you've known for 3 days!
Day 4 - Compiegne - Paris, approx 62miles
Last 6.30am wake-up call :-)
The morning felt really short - the first water stop was at 12miles, felt like I'd only just got going! Lunch was then at 30miles, and I ate for the sake of eating, rather than because I was hungry.
After lunch was ok for about 10miles, and then we got to the outskirts of Paris, which not surprisingly got busier & busier. I was fine until the last 5miles, which I found the most stressful riding ever - I don't like riding in Stafford and avoid it like the plague, so biking in Paris was a huge shock! However I got to the meet-up point, Parc De Monceau, and was pleased to see everyone there enjoying ice-creams :-)
The next bit was the most amazing experience ever! 132 cyclists all shouting, cheering & ringing their bells, cycling from Parc De Monceau, upto the Arc De Triomphe, round the manic roundabout, stopping the traffic on the way through the sheer volume of cyclists and then down the Champs Elysee was quite amazing. The noise was vast, and the tourists were very amused - I think our faces are on quite a few strangers cameras!
We went over the Seine at Pont De L'Alma, and round to the Eiffel Tower, ending up at Parc Du Champ De Mars. Lots of photos & hugs later, and a small amount of champagne, we then had to get back on our bikes and get to the hotel!
Would I do it again - yes and no. I've done London-Paris now, so not sure I'd do the same again, although never say never, but I'd definitely do a multi-day challenge like this again, just need to work out what!
Thank-you everyone for your support over the past few months, and thank-you to everyone who has sponsored me - I'm upto around £1,600 now which is great!!
Rachel
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
It's been nice knowing you all... ;-)
Well, this is my last post before the ride starts tomorrow morning. Have to confess to feeling a little nervous, but I'm sure it will be fine - to be honest, I'll just be glad to get on my bike and get it done & dusted!!
So, am I feeling prepared? Not really. The frustrating thing is I felt fitter in July - a combination of a holiday and minor accident a few weeks ago have completely messed up my training plans. So while I have been going out, and going to the gym and keeping on top of my fitness, I haven't done as many miles as I had planned.
But, I guess realistically I'd never feel ready for it - it is supposed to be a challenge after all!
Just need to wash my bike, make my car habital for the journey down to the Scasey's in Camberley who are then kindly taking me into London, pack my bag, remember my cycling shorts - oh and the anti-friction cream... (ewww was that too much information?!!) and I'll be off.
The sun IS going to be gloriously sunny but not too hot, the wind IS going to be blowing in the right direction, or possibly a gentle breeze to keep me cool, and there will be NO rain. I always find positive thoughts help :-)
See you next week
Rachel
So, am I feeling prepared? Not really. The frustrating thing is I felt fitter in July - a combination of a holiday and minor accident a few weeks ago have completely messed up my training plans. So while I have been going out, and going to the gym and keeping on top of my fitness, I haven't done as many miles as I had planned.
But, I guess realistically I'd never feel ready for it - it is supposed to be a challenge after all!
Just need to wash my bike, make my car habital for the journey down to the Scasey's in Camberley who are then kindly taking me into London, pack my bag, remember my cycling shorts - oh and the anti-friction cream... (ewww was that too much information?!!) and I'll be off.
The sun IS going to be gloriously sunny but not too hot, the wind IS going to be blowing in the right direction, or possibly a gentle breeze to keep me cool, and there will be NO rain. I always find positive thoughts help :-)
See you next week
Rachel
Monday, August 16, 2010
Training resumes...
Well, eventually got my bike back last week, and went out for a short ride with Steve - did about 11miles, and it made my arm hurt. Was starting to get a bit worried by this point, as if 11miles made my arm hurt, what was 320 going to do?!!
Still, rested it, went to the gym, and then went out on saturday. Managed 27miles, stopping en-route to put down the deposit on our new motorhome (another story entirely!), and didn't have too many problems - kept stretching my arm as I was biking along which must have looked a bit strange to everyone else!
Then went out again on Sunday afternoon - did 33miles this time.
Still no real pain in my arm, so that's a good sign. Average speed is still about 14.5ish mph, but I'm not too worried - it's more about stamina than speed really.
This week I've got evening meetings pretty much all week, which is a pain, but I'm going to try to go swimming at work tomorrow lunchtime, and then I'll be out again on Thursday night. Might try for some longer rides at the weekend, but I'll see how the week goes, and of course if we're picking up the new van that might change my focus atad!!!
Rachel
Still, rested it, went to the gym, and then went out on saturday. Managed 27miles, stopping en-route to put down the deposit on our new motorhome (another story entirely!), and didn't have too many problems - kept stretching my arm as I was biking along which must have looked a bit strange to everyone else!
Then went out again on Sunday afternoon - did 33miles this time.
Still no real pain in my arm, so that's a good sign. Average speed is still about 14.5ish mph, but I'm not too worried - it's more about stamina than speed really.
This week I've got evening meetings pretty much all week, which is a pain, but I'm going to try to go swimming at work tomorrow lunchtime, and then I'll be out again on Thursday night. Might try for some longer rides at the weekend, but I'll see how the week goes, and of course if we're picking up the new van that might change my focus atad!!!
Rachel
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