Monthly Archives: January 2009

Gorge-ous!

Typical Thursday girl’s ride out. Three of us this time, with nary a clue as to where to go. So, after some debate, we decided to go up…up…up… Well, apparently I like a challenge. I had been hoping, after Tuesday’s long ride, for a flatish average ride, but no…for the first time this season, it was up Cheddar Gorge!

Actually it wasn’t half as bad as I expected or remembered, and although hard work, I’d swear I found it easier than the last time too. Maybe I really am getting better at this? (surely not).

Cycling time: 1:58:28
Distance: 25.304 miles
Avs: 12.8 mph
ODO: 8376.2 miles

However it is a very long hill, which probably accounts for the average. Once up in the clouds – quite literally! – we looped around from near Priddy to go past Charterhouse, down into Shipham where we found the distinctly chilly wind that we had been sheltered from, and then into Winscombe before going along round through Loxton, past the Webington and home. Not the longest or fastest loop in the world, but I’m not bothered – I made it up the Gorge, what more do you want? *grin*

I’m on the sponsorship path, and spent yesterday getting logos and details from those folk who had already pledged to help me out. Now I need more! Did you know that 146 people have looked at this website this month? How cool is that? And www.thisissomerset.co.uk have asked if I’d like to be listed in their blogs section so I guess that will mean even more people heading on over here. All good publicity for anyone who has their logo and details here… 🙂

OK, now I’m tired…

Tuesday morning and M and I headed out as usual, for what was intended to be a long run and, since I hadn’t mapped it quite as accurately as I could have done, turned out to be an even longer run than that!

We did a long loop from Cheddar, out through Bleadon and Uphill, along the sea front in hazy sunshine at Weston, round Kewstoke, out onto the main road to Congresbury, past Cadbury, through Yatton, across the levels to Clevedon, and up the hill on the coast road to Portishead…for coffee at my Dad’s. By the time we got there we’d done 35 miles, so coffee was very welcome. In fact it was probably essential!

Dad hooked up with us for a while, and we all headed off down into Portishead proper, around the new marina, out through Shepway to Portbury, up the long slog that is Failand Hill, down the dangerously steep and bendy Belmont Hill to the junction where we parted company. M and I came back to Congresbury on the rather too busy A370, then through the back roads to Churchill, then Sandford, Winscombe and finally…home.

Cycling time: 4:17:42
Distance: 62.344! miles
Avs: 14.5 mph
ODO: 8350.9 miles

This was not a flat route by any means. And the wind, though not strong, was against us on the way back. I think it’s safe to say I’m a bit tired now. My long trousers are also a little loose today and have managed to chafe along the seams on my derrière – not so delightful. A different kind of cyclist’s stripe?

Tired I may be, and there certainly isn’t a great deal left in my legs…however I’m not feeling too terrible. That’s my longest run so far in quite some time, and I think I did ok. In fact I think (and I’ll say this quietly), I think I may be getting a little bit better at it… I didn’t used to be able to do 60 miles on breakfast and a banana! I didn’t feel like I was struggling too much, and overall it was pretty enjoyable. I think I might make the Thursday run a bit shorter though *grin*.

Spinning Wheels

The ACG hit the road again today. Not the world’s greatest turn out…but actually better than expected. Four of us I was expecting, two that I wasn’t. I had convinced my Dad he ought to join us to make up the numbers but I’m not sure he’ll thank me for it though!

We fell into two groups again, as usual, with four of us taking a more circuitous route around the levels, and two going a more direct way, to a coffee rendez-vous at Sweets Peat Museum, which could get to be a habit… This time around there were no punctures or other problems, and our two groups actually met on the road shortly before the coffee stop, which was nice. The café wasn’t as busy this time either so our well earned coffee arrived fairly swiftly too – no cooling down and getting unpleasantly clammy. After a nice sociable chat we split up again and headed back again.

Cycling time: 1:58:09
Distance: 29.888 miles
Avs: 15.2 mph
ODO: 8288.6 miles

We made pretty good time as you can see. The weather was kind – I love being in touch with my toes – and after the harder rides of the last week, it was just lovely to be out on two wheels enjoying the ride. No slogging! (Sorry Dad!). Mind you the roads were filthy – and my bike needs cleaning all over again. See – I knew there was a reason I didn’t wash it that often! (Luckily hubby rinsed it down when we got back as he’d just finished washing the car and had some spare water….). I’m really pleased the group is still going – long may it last – and am looking forward to warmer rides. Cycling in different company is really nice 🙂

And…two more of my buffs have new homes! D and Dad both bought one today. Only 3 more to go…one cap, one high-uv one, and one ladies fit. Not bad 🙂

Well that was hard work!

I had planned to cycle this morning, but when I stepped out of the door for the school run and realised how windy it was I had a serious case of second thoughts! However, I made myself, and decided that if it was going to be that windy, it would maybe be best to avoid the exposed levels and do some…wait for it…hills!

And boy did I ever! I started off from the doctor’s surgery, so went up to and then down the bypass to warm up my legs a bit. Then it was up Shipham Hill, down through Rowberrow to the crossroads at Churchill. Along to and then up Burrington Combe, which I haven’t done in ages. All the way up there, left at the end and along to the main road (A39?) to climb up to the aerial….and then down into Wells.

Now I may have thought the hills were hard work, (and I did!), but that ain’t nothing compared to the cycle home into the wind! The hill down into Wells is usually one of my favourites, and is a long swoopy smooth 11% down…which I had to PEDAL down! Now that’s just not fair. To put all that work in to getting up there, and then reap no reward!

Ah well. I slogged back across the levels south of Wedmore where I was lucky to get up to 12mph against the wind. I made myself go along to and then up Mudgley Hill, though I was sore tempted not to and cut the corner at Panborough. Then down (still pedalling!) into Wedmore, out to Cheddar and home again.

Cycling time: 2:52:30
Distance: 39.123 miles
Avs: 13.6 mph
ODO: 8258.7 miles

I was actually expecting my stats to be much worse, so I’m pleasantly surprised. I can tell I’ve done that hunkering down thing I do when it gets tough, as my lower back and across the top of my shoulders is all achey – which is probably why I’m running a bath now 🙂 I wouldn’t say it was a fun ride, but I guess it was a good one from a training perspective. Go me!

More miles under the belt

Today it was M and I who set off into the morning’s winter sun. It was rather chillier than I’d been expecting, and although dressed accordingly, my feet didn’t stay with me for the entire time. I’m looking forward to the time when that ceases to be an issue – roll on Spring! We did a larger than usual loop, including a pit stop in Glastonbury where the coffee, though good, still didn’t reach my toes…

Cycling time: 3:12:57
Distance: 46.599 miles
Avs: 14.5 mph
ODO: 8219.5 miles

The weather was nice, the roads were a tad muddy, and the wind was bitter. However, that’s another 47 miles (give or take) to add to the tally. The average speed is probably accounted for by the amount of talking we do…not that that comes as a surprise to anyone!

I’ve made a bit more on the sponsorship front – M is now the proud owner of a couple of Buffs too! I also took my sponsorship form out with me last night and got a couple of sponsors that way. So, that’s a total of £266.30 raised/pledged so far. Only £933.70 to go! *gulp* So much to do…

A bigger step than expected!

I joined the TOR lot for their Social at the George and Pilgrim in Glastonbury last night – partially because I really like the pub, and also because I wanted a chat with Andy of Kalas sportswear fame who’s going to be sorting my Cycling Mayor kit out.

It was a very pleasant evening. We talked cycling a lot – as you might imagine. I’ve been doing a lot of 30/35 mile type rides and mentioned that I really need to get some longer rides in, build up stamina etc, as well as doing some new routes to stop things getting boring. S, who is endeavouring to train me up properly for the season ahead, selflessly abandoned his Burnham run plans, and we hatched a plan to go out this morning. Which could have been the Hobgoblin talking… Actually the barrel went after the first pint and we had to move on to lesser tipple, which is maybe just as well. Who knows what kind of ideas 2 or 3 pints of the stuff might have inspired! 😉

We met up around 9am, and headed out into a surprisingly sunny and almost warm morning. It wasn’t even as windy as I was expecting. A good start. I left the route entirely down to him – it’s always less stressful doing a new route if someone else knows where they’re going and you don’t have to worry! I knew there would be hills…(there are always hills!)…but at least the first part was flat so I could warm up properly, and work the worst of the night before out of my system.

I’m not entirely sure where we went – I was concentrating! – I know it involved Wedmore, Meare, Ashcott, and Butleigh. It got a tad wiggly and quite hilly in places, and the low sun on wet roads proved interesting occasionally, but to cut a long story short, we ended up in Ilchester, where a nice cafe provided coffee and essential carrot cake. Essential because I was clearly not going to be back in time for lunch and I needed fueling! We came back via Glastonbury, Godney, Wedmore, Cheddar and home, a more typical route, which is nice when you’re starting to feel a little tired and you know time is getting on.

So, are you ready for the stats?

Cycling time: 3:50:36
Distance: 58.627 miles!
Avs: 15.3 mph
ODO: 8172.9 miles

Yes. That’s 58+ miles. Quite a step up. I was planning on working up in small increments you know… That said, it didn’t feel like that far. I didn’t, and still don’t, feel totally knackered. Apart from one short sharp hill up to the Wedmore ridge on the way back where I resorted to Shanks’ pony, I think I managed the hills ok – though S may beg to differ on that front. So that’s hills and miles. ‘Rah! A pretty good ride all ’round I reckon. I definitely enjoyed it. Remind me I said that when I get up tomorrow morning and my legs are killing me *grin*. Thanks S 🙂

Tired before and after

Well, I was tired before we set out, and tired afterwards. I guess last night’s gym session probably didn’t help, and it’s also not a good time in my cycle (no pun intended…well, maybe a little pun). The weather was windy and gloomy, but warm enough. There were four of us girls this morning, which makes for easier cycling. Mind you, when one of them is a fresh G, then the speed tends to get pushed up a bit, and I really wasn’t keeping up all that well. We went out the hilly way past the Webington, out to, and up over Brent Knoll, looping through Burnham, Highbridge, not quite as far as Wedmore and home.

Cycling time: 2:01:52
Distance: 30.688 miles
Avs: 15.1 mph
ODO: 8114.3 miles

As you can see, having to keep up pushed my average speed up a bit, which is probably marvellous from a training point of view. Oddly I felt like I was struggling and going much slower than that. Perception is a wonderful thing. I was quite glad to get home :).

One more Buff has been requested – and S will be giving it a snuggly new home. If the other folk who requested one don’t speak up soon, they’ll be off to AJ who’s promised to give them Oirish homes :).

Cyclist’s Stripe

Now that the mercury is much higher, being out on the bike is a much more pleasant experience. The novelty of still being able to feel your fingers and toes cannot be over-rated.

M and I went out for our semi-regular Tuesday morning ride this morning. Having decided that I could probably cope with the odd hill, I met her in Cheddar and we started off with Shipham Hill. Long and plodding and hard work that may be, but at least that’s one I know I can do – which makes it easier mentally too. From there it was down to Churchill, out via Puxton and Edington to Kewstoke, up the short sharp steep hill and then down into Weston. Up from Uphill, down the main road and then back via Bleadon Hill and the Webington to home. So – hilly enough then.

Cycling time: 2:20:14
Distance: 32.596 miles
Avs: 14.0 mph
ODO: 8083.6 miles

Not a bad average when you take those hills into account.

Now that it’s warmer, there has been rain…and so that lovely muddy stripe that you get up your back, from a mudguard-less bike, is back. Thank goodness for washing machines.

I’ve done a lot of 30+ rides lately, but I need to start getting some longer ones under my belt. Maybe Thursday depending on the weather forecast…

One Buff down :)

The first one of my Buffs has found itself a new home. I sent an email around those who’d expressed an interest with descriptions of what I have and links to them on the Buff website, and opened it up on a “first come, first served” basis….and G is the first 🙂 One shiny new Original Buff will be off to her this week. The ball has started rolling…

News of a sponsorship variety

Two bits of news this week.

I came home yesterday to a box from the lovely people at Buff, full of goodies, and more importantly the Buffs that I am to sell on to folk to raise money. I’ve got to work out what I’ve got and what to charge, and who wants what…but it’s all good. Shame I can’t keep ’em all for myself really! *grin*
As of this morning I have my first ever on-line sponsor, which is really cool! Thank you 🙂

So, slowly I may start to raise the money I need. It’s still a pretty daunting task, and I really neeed to buckle down and approach more folk…but it’s a good start 🙂 ‘Rah!