White Horse Challenge

Miles cycled this year: 1737
In 104 Hours burning 63183 Kcal climbing 72130 ft
Most miles in a week (so far) : 176
Weight Not Known!

I like the White Horse Challenge. It’s friendly, small, great route and got a good mix of serious riders and less so.

The day started shockingly early. I forget when booking how early I am going to have to get up. I got up at 5.45, still it was light, but foggy and 6C. The forecast was for warm and sunny. Drink and a small breakfast and I am off on the road, eating on the way. I got there early!

Before long we were off. I was about 6^th to start. It was a slow start, and we were quickly passed by others, and I jumped on. This was not the best idea and after 5 miles or so, I let go again, and rode on steadily. Another bigger group passed and its back on. This was better. I shared work at the front for a bit and dropped to the back of the group, which was quite big, to take it easy. The problem was there was a number of riders struggling at the back and gaps would form, and I would have to close the gap again.

The first big hill and the group spread out, reforming as two groups and a load of straggles. I was in the second group. It was shortly after I got some stomach cramps, nothing to stop me, just inconvenient. I was drinking and eating a bit, and was slowly taking clothes off as it warmed up.

It did occur to me that I had started a bit quick, also that I hadn’t ridden a bike for 8 days, but I was after my time of 4h50m two years ago. 1h30m left to go and 24 miles which I worked out to be an average of 18mph left. Not really certain that was going to happen, I was tiring already. I had let the group go about 50m in, and had rode on with one other chap, I was ok on the flat, but the hills weren’t as normal.

Into the last part, and I was seeing groups go past every now and then, faster than me and I knew there was no point of trying to get on, as I would quicker be left. I out climbed my riding partner up the last hill, and he returned the favour on the run in by putting his head down and riding me off his wheel.

Finish and a ham roll and a Danish whirl, washed down with water sat on a wall outside the hall. Sat in silence with others also eating.

The time was 5h3m, so I lost 13mins which is ok. I got home ate some more and watched the end of the cycling then the grand prix whilst laying on the floor. Later the cramps returned big time and my body emptied itself. I felt much better. Seems my poor performance could be partly down to something else. Still I was ultimately 97th of 411 finishers, so made top 25% which is my target.

Still there is always next year.

The Year So Far (Inc Merry Monk Audax)

Miles cycled this year: 1646In 104 Hours burning 59908 Kcal climbing 67930 ft
Most miles in a week (so far) : 176
Weight 67.7Kg 19.0% fat

This year has been a little odd after last year. Last year I had a big target, a big plan and a long time to get ready for it. This year I feel a little lost as normality resumes. There is a plan for next year, not as big as the End to End/Cardinal trip, but could be great and/or very wet. I do also have a week free for the first week in May when I intend to ride 5 hrs most days.

None the less I am currently ahead of last year in terms of miles ridden by this date. I have taken to riding part way to work, and I am trying to do it twice a week, work pattern and weather permitting. I can't get yet get myself into getting wet on the way in, still if fuel prices continue to rise......

Currently I am having a week easy walking, and the White Horse Challenge is Sunday. I do generally enjoy that ride, it just every year the shock of getting up for it kicks in.

So what have I been up to other than the normal Saturday and Sunday stuff? Well I rode the Dunkery Dash audax (for more on Audax go to http://www.aukweb.net/ You don't need to be a member to ride the sort of events I do). It is a hard climb with over 5,500ft of climbing, most of which comes in four helpings. I was three minutes slower this year. At least it is consistent :-) I couldn't hold the group I was in half way back, and got dropped. I caught and passed two of them on the last climb, so there is some satisfaction. Finish in the top 20 of 120 or so, so content with that.

Then there was the Merry Monk Audax. It starts in High Ham and goes south to Forde Abbey, via Muchelney, East to Sherborne, then back to High Ham. Hence the monk monica. I rode there and back as well making 90miles on the day. The last 10 miles back to High Ham was wet on the road, it had clearly chucked it down just before we got there as water was across the road in place.  The ride was notable for the fantastic array of food when we got back. I had apple pie and custard, whilst watching the rain and then rode home. I picked up a puncture on the way, which I only found when I went to get my bike next time. I may well have to change the tyres (the same ones I rode end to end on) as they are now picking up punctures too often after being brilliant.

When I got home about 4 I had my lunch. We then took one of our cars to a friends to service and had rhubarb crumble and custard, then home to a light tea.

The plan for the next quarter is to finish the White Horse Challenge and the Dartmoor Classic quicker than last time, lose some weight and knock some time off my best times for local climbs.

I also plan to do a 10 tips for the End to End, what I would do, not do again. This is to follow shortly and will be referred to on the LEJOG index page. I also need to get the maps of the route finished, just in case anyone wants to follow my route!

Bee Line Magazine

Off we go then

Miles cycled this year: 635

In 40 Hours burning 24016 Kcal climbing 24910 ft
Most miles in a week (so far) : 161
Weight 67.7Kg 18.0% fat

Hi

So how are we all in the new year. Rested, bright, bushy tailed and ready for the challenges ahead? No? Me neither.

The year started somewhat cold and icy. I don’t mind cold, I can dress against that, but I really don’t like icy. I am not keen on ice, lulls me into a false sense of security, then takes me down. The white fluffy hoar frost is ride able, it’s the shiny slidey type hiding in the shadows ready to take me off that I am not keen on.

Curious thing is that cold doesn’t equal ice. Dry roads remain ice free however cold. Earlier this month a couple of us rode to Glastonbury and back, and my water bottle turned into a slush puppy, well it was -2C. Roads were fine.

Gritting makes the roads interesting. When they are icy, it is great, but depending on the type of weather expected they add stuff to the treatment which is black, covers the bike, seizes the rear brake and is hard to wash off clothes. I am told it is molasses to stop water washing the grit off the road. Whatever, it makes the road greasy and slippery. Meanwhile the ungritted back roads remain dry, clean and grippy. Guess where I ride?

Still over 600 miles so far this year, but quite slow. Too much going on in my no cycling life weighs me down. I've been out with the local cycling club to take it leisurely, and still getting the miles in. I’ve started increasing the hours up to 8hrs week, just got to stay well.

The only definite for event the year is the Dartmoor Classic in late June and likely are the British Heart Foundation Ride in early June, both of which I did last year. New for this year will be the D&S Air Ambulance ride in June. It is planned for mid June and I hear it likely to 54miles. It is the week before Dartmoor Classic, so I will have to ride easy. We’ll see.

I am also looking at the White Horse Challenge, which I missed last year, but is an easy going ride in late April. I may back this up with a the Cotswold Classic the day after. Nice plan? Maybe. I’ll enter one and see how the other goes. Oh and I plan a long ride on the day of the royal wedding. I have no problem with it, but I’d rather be cycling, and I am hoping for traffic free roads.

Next event is the Dunkery Dash: a hard ride with hills, head winds and cool. Lovely, can't wait (I tell myself).

Looks like a gale on Saturday, accuweather suggests winds that could cause local damage, maybe a day of rest then.

Oh if you want to know where the rain is right now have a look at http://www.raintoday.co.uk/ which is very much like the rainy days app.

and the figure is