Rite of Spring?
Well, it certainly felt lovely and Spring like out there today, almost summery in fact!
Had a tough ride today, but I guess that's why they call it "training" and not "a nice potter in the sunshine"!!!
I did a circular route from home to Henley and back which was lovely. A really nice route, away from the main roads, but one or two "unduldations" to challenge the legs and breathing!
One defeated me and I had to walk the last section, but I managed to cycle up all the others, abeit with the odd stop to get my breath back.
All in all, not totally delighted with my performance as I felt tired, but feel like I'm getting a bit better at tackling the hills each time I go out now.
Still don't like them though!!!!!
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Today belongs to Blur
for the WOO HOO! in their epic track Song 2.
Despite doing 31miles on the road bike on Friday (chuffed!), then about 15miles on a mountain bike (with hills!) yesterday, I decided that today it would be a good idea to cycle to and from the Abingdon Freewheeling bike ride of 27 miles! WHY??!!!
The guided ride turned out to be 28 miles and my rides to and from the start totalled 23 miles, so in a very WOO HOO! frame of mind, I find myself sitting here enjoying a post ride beer, having completed a frankly astonishing 51miles today!
I am delighted to have survived and even picked up some great tips along the way. Apparently I'm making my life harder than it needs to be because my bike's cassette is set up for racing and the hills are pretty testing with that set up. So I've decided that my next priorities are to sort a female-friendly saddle out and look into a larger (and hopefully more forgiving) cassette!
Totally chuffed though, and strangely, can't wait to get out again!
Despite doing 31miles on the road bike on Friday (chuffed!), then about 15miles on a mountain bike (with hills!) yesterday, I decided that today it would be a good idea to cycle to and from the Abingdon Freewheeling bike ride of 27 miles! WHY??!!!
The guided ride turned out to be 28 miles and my rides to and from the start totalled 23 miles, so in a very WOO HOO! frame of mind, I find myself sitting here enjoying a post ride beer, having completed a frankly astonishing 51miles today!
I am delighted to have survived and even picked up some great tips along the way. Apparently I'm making my life harder than it needs to be because my bike's cassette is set up for racing and the hills are pretty testing with that set up. So I've decided that my next priorities are to sort a female-friendly saddle out and look into a larger (and hopefully more forgiving) cassette!
Totally chuffed though, and strangely, can't wait to get out again!
Friday, 9 April 2010
Got to be U2 today!
It's such a Beautiful Day!
Had a funny old week, a few distractions and general lethargy meant that I only got out on Tuesday (until today).
However, Tuesday's ride was a great achievement as I tackled a b****r of a hill which I've been putting off for a while. I did have a couple of brief respites along the way, but made it up and completed a 15mile round trip which felt good.
Today, I was feeling rubbish all morning, so decided to go for distance (and try and make up the training targets!) rather than ascents, so off I headed towards Abingdon.
I tried a new approach....a very achievable first target, no real plan after that, a couple of maps and a couple of hours. Oh, and not looking at the bike computer every 2mins - only used it to keep an eye on the time and my speed today.
Well, to my surprise and delight, my legs felt good, my breathing felt good, and I made a 31 mile round trip and it hasn't killed me!
Sooooo pleased!!
Going to try and get out again tomorrow for another distance ride, but let's see how the legs feel in the morning!
Had a funny old week, a few distractions and general lethargy meant that I only got out on Tuesday (until today).
However, Tuesday's ride was a great achievement as I tackled a b****r of a hill which I've been putting off for a while. I did have a couple of brief respites along the way, but made it up and completed a 15mile round trip which felt good.
Today, I was feeling rubbish all morning, so decided to go for distance (and try and make up the training targets!) rather than ascents, so off I headed towards Abingdon.
I tried a new approach....a very achievable first target, no real plan after that, a couple of maps and a couple of hours. Oh, and not looking at the bike computer every 2mins - only used it to keep an eye on the time and my speed today.
Well, to my surprise and delight, my legs felt good, my breathing felt good, and I made a 31 mile round trip and it hasn't killed me!
Sooooo pleased!!
Going to try and get out again tomorrow for another distance ride, but let's see how the legs feel in the morning!
Friday, 2 April 2010
Still The Weather Girls....
....because it's still flippin' raining!
Never mind, I'm still quite proud of myself. I cycled about 12.5 miles to Goring today and then did a 9 mile ramble (in the pouring rain!!) with my other business ACG Adventures. We led 28 people from Goring, through Moulsford and across the Moulsford Downs before returning to Goring via Streatley. Very wet, but a great bunch of people not easily put off by rains and a big hill (and bribed with Easter eggs!).
Very tired legs this evening, but still hoping to get out on the bike tomorrow. EEKK!!
Never mind, I'm still quite proud of myself. I cycled about 12.5 miles to Goring today and then did a 9 mile ramble (in the pouring rain!!) with my other business ACG Adventures. We led 28 people from Goring, through Moulsford and across the Moulsford Downs before returning to Goring via Streatley. Very wet, but a great bunch of people not easily put off by rains and a big hill (and bribed with Easter eggs!).
Very tired legs this evening, but still hoping to get out on the bike tomorrow. EEKK!!
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
The Weather Girls....
It's raining.....men just rain!
I headed out today aiming for 15 miles, my weekly target having gone up to 100miles per week now, and also decided to change my route. I've got some great little routes to choose from, but am getting very good at picking flatter routes and avoiding the inevitable hills, so I decided it was time to FACE MY FEAR!
Thinking it would be a slightly more forgiving option, I headed for Watlington via Benson.....OMG!!! You just do not get a sense of the level of "unduldation" in the road in a car!
It was tough going, but I am delighted to report that I made it up (and down!) all hills without stopping (SPDs are a great motivator for that!). I had a mid-ride break to get my breath back and didn't quite make 15 miles (12.8 miles), but given the number of climbs and the completely horrendous wet and windy weather, I still feel like I've achieved something - hurray!
:-)
I headed out today aiming for 15 miles, my weekly target having gone up to 100miles per week now, and also decided to change my route. I've got some great little routes to choose from, but am getting very good at picking flatter routes and avoiding the inevitable hills, so I decided it was time to FACE MY FEAR!
Thinking it would be a slightly more forgiving option, I headed for Watlington via Benson.....OMG!!! You just do not get a sense of the level of "unduldation" in the road in a car!
It was tough going, but I am delighted to report that I made it up (and down!) all hills without stopping (SPDs are a great motivator for that!). I had a mid-ride break to get my breath back and didn't quite make 15 miles (12.8 miles), but given the number of climbs and the completely horrendous wet and windy weather, I still feel like I've achieved something - hurray!
:-)
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Spice Girls this time....
....GIRL POWER!!
Had a good week's training, managing to exceed my targets each day. Went out today in the drizzle (which become grotty rain) and about 7 miles in....PUNCTURE! BAH! My girly instinct kicked in and I phoned my OH saying "I think its best if you come out to help me - you're quicker at fixing these things". Silly Chappers! Should have had more faith!
Anyway, I started changing the inner tube while I waited for him and by the time he arrived, I'd done it! YAY! Sent him home and carried on. I managed 26 miles (aiming for 20), so came out wet but happy!
Had a good week's training, managing to exceed my targets each day. Went out today in the drizzle (which become grotty rain) and about 7 miles in....PUNCTURE! BAH! My girly instinct kicked in and I phoned my OH saying "I think its best if you come out to help me - you're quicker at fixing these things". Silly Chappers! Should have had more faith!
Anyway, I started changing the inner tube while I waited for him and by the time he arrived, I'd done it! YAY! Sent him home and carried on. I managed 26 miles (aiming for 20), so came out wet but happy!
Saturday, 13 March 2010
In the words of Nina Simone.....
I'm feeling good!
(at least I think it was Nina Simone!) ;-)
I had a terrible night's sleep with a bad tummy and was thinking about having a day off the bike. However, having had a day with no exercise yesterday, I needed to do something.
The sun was shining, and I just decided to head out and see how I felt. I am sooo glad that I did! Managed to hit my target of 20 miles, but the best thing was that I didn't feel dead on my feet when I got back. I actually felt like I could have kept going a bit further. I decided not to, as I'd like to get out again tomorrow.
No falls off the pedals despite failing to engage first time on a few occasions, and managed to climb a hill all the way to the top without stopping - that's something of an achievement for me as I still have physical and psychological issues with hills - I HATE them!!!
Even made it back in time for the rugby - Yay!
:-)
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