Hills, hills and more hills

With one daughter off on a school trip to Italy and my wife and other daughter in Lanzorote, there was only one thing for me to do, paint the house. But I decided to put that off and go cycling instead. My mate Ed took some time off work and we set off to Devon on Thursday for four days of cycling in the hills.

We stayed with my Dad in Moretonhampstead which is on the doorstep of Dartmoor. The plan was to get there at lunchtime on the Thursday and go straight out for a short ride. We got there in plenty of time so it was lycra on and out the door. We rode along the B3212 to Two Bridges which is a tough way to start; 1,200 feet in 5 miles. We turned left down to Widecombe where we met a couple of very big hills before we ran down to Bovey. Then it was up the main road back home. 34 miles and we knew we were in hilly Devon. We were then treated to a great dinner at Bovey Castle by my Dad and his partner Julie. Fish and chips followed by rice pudding. Yum.

Friday was the biggest day with a century planned. Like with the rest of the rides, speed was never a consideration; it was all about the distance and the hills. We set off in great weather again riding out on the B3212 before turning south to Widecombe. Then Ashburton, Totnes, Beesands, Kingsbridge, Ivybride, towards Yelverton and then on the Princetown road all the way home (if anyone wants the routes then I can send them to you as .GPX files).

This was a triumph for both of us. Ed's first century and my second in 7 days. It had more climbing than either of us had ever done in a day and more than all our planned rides other than the Dave Lloyd which is only slightly more and the Etape.

Saturday's route was designed so that I could visit my mum for lunch. She lives in Yealmpton, 30 miles from Moretonhampstead. So, it was back up the now familiar hills towards Princetown but it was not the peaceful day we had thought it was. Up on the moor is was blowing a gale with winds whipping off the moor and making the bike very twitchy. On hills where I had gone 40 mph the day before, I was struggling to get to 20. It was very slow progress. We finally turned south off the moor and out of the wind towards Dousland and then going cross country until we reached Plympton. It was then a short hop over the A38. We were treated to a nice lunch and a fantastic Rhubarb Crumble. It was then back on the bike to do the journey in reverse but with more than half the climbing still to do and a stomach full of food. It was hard work but mercifully, the wind had dropped.

Sunday was always down as a flexible day. We knew we would go out but had no real idea how far to go. Neither of us were on our last legs but we were tired and new that it would be hard work. We decided on a 40 mile route to Tavistock and back. My Dad had said that the road from Tavistock to Princetown was pretty much up hill for about 6 miles. This was the kind of hill we came for as there is nothing like that in Surrey.

I quickly realised I was very tired and Ed was much less so as I struggled up the now familiar hills out of Moretonhampstead up to the moor. Ed quickly had a sizable lead but there was nothing I could do. Anyway, I was slow but really enjoying myself as it was lovely and sunny and I was climbing very smoothly. Ed waited at a couple of spots and we made it to Tavistock in around 2 hours. Having freewheeled into Tavistock, I knew the climb I had to do and whilst I was not quick, I was comfortable and never once felt I was getting into trouble.

All in all, it was a brilliant few days, really good training and a lot of fun. I need to take a few days off and have an easy weekend over Easter as I have heavy, stiff legs but I'm sure I will reap the rewards of this in the weeks to come.

STATS

Thursday
Distance: 34.40
Time: 2:17:29
Average Speed: 15.01 mph
Ascent: 4,274
Max Speed: 41.4 mph
Average Heart Rate: Not recorded
Calories: 1,670
Weather: Sunny, 15 degrees, little wind
Nutrition: PSP22 (1 bottle), High5 4:1 (1 bottle), 1 nut bar

Friday
Distance: 103.2
Time: 7:08:17
Average Speed: 14.46 mph
Ascent: 11,451
Max Speed: 48.7 mph
Average Heart Rate: 135 (73% max)
Calories: 5,203
Weather: Sunny, 16 degrees, little wind
Nutrition: PSP22 (2 bottles), High5 4:1 (2 bottles), 1 Power bar, 1 Viper, 1 nut bar, 1 cheese scone

Saturday
Distance: 60.86
Time: 4:26:36
Average Speed: 13.8 mph
Ascent: 7,601
Max Speed: 44.5 mph
Average Heart Rate: Not recorded
Calories: 2,572
Weather: Cloudy, 10 degrees, strong winds in the morning
Nutrition: PSP22 (2 bottles), half a nut bar, lunch half way

Sunday
Distance: 41.59
Time: 2:53:26
Average Speed: 14.39 mph
Ascent: 5,183
Max Speed: 43.6 mph
Average Heart Rate: 127 (69% max)
Calories: 2,107
Weather: Sunny, 16 degrees, little wind
Nutrition: Half a nut bar and 1 bottle PSP22 (weak)

Totals
Distance: 240.1 miles
Time: 16 hours 42 minutes
Calories: 11,552
Ascent: 28,509 feet (8,690 meters)

Cyclist or Runner?

I have been asking myself recently, am I a runner or am I a cyclist? What would I like people to know me as? What would I like to be best at given the choice? It was playing on my mind during the duathlon last Saturday.

Whilst I know I don't actually have to choose, people like to pigeon-hole you. Most runners don't want to know about cycling and most cyclists think running is a waste of time (generalisation, I know). Only the tri boys and girls like to talk about both and given that I don't swim, I'm not part of their world.

So, given the amount of money and time I am putting into cycling this past 6 months and at least the 5 months to come, it might be surprising that I have come to the conclusion that I am a runner first and a cyclist second. Here are my reasons:

1. Fulfilment
When I'm cycling, and specifically during the Epic and Ashdown rides, there were moments of pure joy. Getting to the top of Glascwm at the Epic, coming down the final hill at 40 mph, passing people up 'The Wall' at the Ashdown. All superb. But the sense of achievement, whilst strong, is fleeting. I don't feel that I've completed something really big. Running 21 miles however, stays with me for ages. Whilst I don't get big thrills during the running race itself, the feeling after is so strong. I'm still amazed that I can do it and I get such a sense of achievement.

2. Difficulty
If you are a serious cyclist you might want to cover your ears but I think in general, running is harder than cycling. OK, so there are lost of different types of running and cycling and I know I haven't tackled the really hard riding yet (Fred, Dave Lloyd, Etape) but I think its true. I think its the freewheeling (stay with me....). For me, you are either running or your not. Walking is not running. When I run 21 miles I run for the entire 3+ hours. But on a bike, people freewheel all the time. You can rest whilst still making progress (this makes more sense in my head, sorry).

3. Faffing
I don't think I will get over the level of messing about there is before, during and after a cycle. The amount of gear you have to get ready and carry with you does annoy me. Especially as I am a faffer anyway. It takes me 10 minutes to get ready for any run but not so for riding. Then there is the repair equipment just in case there is a flat and then the cleaning at the end. For the Meon Valley Plod, the biggest headache was regular shoes or XC shoes and actually, either would have done.

4. Stopping
I can't get my head around feed stations on rides. I know you don't have to stop and nutrition is vital but stopping for a chat is common place and part of cycling. That's cool but it seems odd coming from a running perspective. During a running race, if you stop at a water station or marshal point for more than a minute, people start asking if you are injured and do you need a ride back to the start.

5. Cost
Over £2500 for cycling so far in the last 12 months. £120 on running.

Many of you (as if thousands read this) will disagree with a lot of this especially the difficulty points. Others might point to my 6 years as a runner and only 9 months as a cyclist and they have a valid point. These are just my deranged thoughts after 4 hours of running and cycling on Saturday. When it boils down to it, I'm just pleased I don't have to choose and I can run and ride a lot.

Sexy

Got my bike back from Prologue last night. Its looking very sexy. New Mavic wheels fitted, new chain, new cassette, new cables, new handle bar tape and new GP4000 tyres. Sweet.

I was very surprised at just how much lighter the bike felt with the new wheels. Also, the freewheel is very quiet which is a big change from the noisy Fulcrums.

Monthly Stats - March 2009

A fantastic month. It started slowly as I suffered after doing the Meon Valley Plod 21 mile run on the 1st. Once I got going, I met all my goals and felt good with it. According to MapMyRide, I burnt off 33,408 calories which is amazing if true. I did 41 hours 52 minutes of exercise, ran 63 miles, rode 528 mile and climber 32,800 feet climbed on the bike.

March Goals:
Do over 60 miles running - PASS (63 miles)
Do over 450 miles cycling - PASS (528 miles)
Complete 85% of my planned training sessions - PASS (100%)
Complete the Meon Valley Plod in under 3:50 - PASS (3:32)
Complete the Burgess Hill Classic in under 4:30 hours (riding time) - PASS (4:25)
Complete the Ballbuster in under 4:00 hours - PASS (3:46)
Break the 10 miles in 30 minute target - PASS (First 10 miles of Burgess Hill in 28.30)

April Goals:
Do over 50 miles running
Do over 550 miles cycling
Complete 85% of my planned training sessions
Ride over 200 miles in Devon
Average 18 mph for 1 hour
Break 5K PB in under 22 minutes

Sports Massage

After my century on Saturday (I like the way that sounds), I had a little discomfort above my right knee and it was very stuff on Sunday morning (stop giggling at the back). It felt ok by Monday morning but I could still feel it as I rode to the shops in the afternoon and ran in the evening.

So, I booked a sports massage at Balance Physio in Clapham. They are excellent and have fixed me twice before when I strained my abductor playing football and had knee trouble when training for the Edinburgh marathon. My guess was that I had tight quads and ITB which was resulting in pain above the kneecap.

It turned out I was spot on. Rene was superb and really punished me for not stretching enough after rides. Its my own fault as I am very lazy when it comes to stretching. I got 45 minutes of agony for my money as she tried to loosen up my tight muscles and ITB. It was painful for me and really hard work for her but I'm sure it will help. I feel very sore (so many innuendos) now but it should be fine for my long ride on Friday.

I've got another appointment booked in two weeks time and I intend to start stretching every day.

Wind, hail, sun, sleet, rain and more wind

What miserable weather! After the beautiful sun we had last week, it was very depressing to have a week of wind and rain.

Monday was supposed to be a 4 mile run whilst my daughter was swimming and I don't mind running in bad weather so that was fine. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were meant to be rides outside but I just couldn't be bothered to get all my cold weather gear out.

So, Tuesday was a rest day and Wednesday was a run and a spin class in the gym. On Thursday is was supposed to meet Stephen for a long ride but we both agreed that the weather so too foul so I went for a run instead.

Saturday was earmarked for a long ride and even though the weather was terrible, I knew I had to go out. I planned to go down to Box Hill and do the 65 mile route but I also had a route planned out for a century ride. I wanted to get one done as it was becoming an issue in my head. The Fred, Dave Lloyd, Dartmoor and Etape are all over 100 miles.

I was up at 7 and got all my gear on - base layer, bibbed shorts (padded), winter bibbed tights (unpadded), winter gloves and shower coat. I finally forced myself out at 8:15 and my parting words to my wife were "bloody hell its cold".

I made my way to Box Hill and in the first two hours I had everything the heavens had to offer apart from snow. The hail was particularly unpleasant. It hurt. I got to the National Trust cafe and stopped for a cup of tea to decided where to go. I was coping ok with most of the weather but the wind was making progress very slow. Every time I got some speed up, a big gust would slow me right down.

I decided that I had done 40 miles so I might as was press on. I went down to Westcott and towards Leith Hill only to take a wrong turning. I managed to get back on track but only after doing an extra hill. It was all hard work with the wind and constantly changing weather but I got back to Box Hill and had done 77 miles. I didn't stop this time and just headed home through a very heavy shower.

I was very pleased as I rode through Wandsworth as the cycle computer ticked over to 100 miles. That is my first century for 6 years and felt easier than it did then (but still tough). I am shattered now and I don't plan to do too much before I go away to Devon next week for 4 days hard riding.

Stats
Distance: 103.4 miles
Time: 7:01:10
Average: 14.7 mph (well, it was windy :-)
Food: Two bars, three bottles of SiS PSP22
Weather: Rubbish

New Wheels

So I took the plunge and spent all my savings on new wheels. The Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels on my bike were the weakest component and I always planned to change them before the Etape. I was going to wait a little bit but I have a long weekend away riding in Devon and then the Fred Whitton so I decided the time was now. I also needed my new cassette fitted and a service done so I have scheduled them all together.

After many hours research online and visiting many shops, I finally went for a pair of Mavic Ksyrium Elite 2009. I got a great deal at Prologue cycles in East Sheen. I got them £65 cheaper than Sigma Sports (another local shop specialising in road bikes) and £15 cheaper than anywhere on the net that had them in stock.

They are 1550 grams which was the second lightest on my shortlist (only the Easton EA90 SLX were lighter). They are stiff which is good as I'm not the lightest rider and I can be quite aggressive. They have bladed spokes which might make me go faster but definitely look good.

I have to admit that this choice is a bit of a gamble. The 2008 model was not favourably reviewed and were said to be heavy and not value for money. The new versions look very different and have taken a lot of the technology from the more expensive Mavic wheels and I did found some good reviews. I hope I'll notice a huge difference and I'll report back when I get them on the 31st.