The Cycling Mayor

I had meant to go out this morning, but a red-wine induced headache had left me a little less than motivated. Luckily it turned out that S was up for a ride this afternoon, otherwise I might not have got out at all.
I wrapped up warm as it was only about 2C and headed out at about 1pm. It’s nice going out with someone else because you get to go down new routes. New extremely muddy routes as it turned out. It hasn’t rained quite enough lately, which means the roads are covered with mud and dirt from tractors and livestock which doesn’t get washed away. It’s very slippy, clogs up your mudguards (which S has and I don’t) and generally slows you down a bit, so our average speed was actually pretty good all things considered.

Cycling time: 2:44:19
Distance: 40.266 miles
Avs: 14.7 mph
ODO: 7736.2 miles

S only dragged me up a couple of hills and I think I acquitted myself ok. He’s better at making me feel better about that than some. Mind you, this was merely a joy ride for him before a club ride tomorrow! We pootled around down to Edington, across to Shapwick, back across the Levels etc. By the time we were heading back it was starting to get dark, the wind was up and really cold, and I’d lost my feet completely. (Must get some decent socks and overshoes methinks). I came back via the reservoir to avoid the main road – I only have a rear light as I never go cycling at night. Even with the chill factor it was pretty enjoyable and I’m glad I got out. I was also very glad of a long hot shower to warm me up! I think my feet are just about mine again now

I’d like to announce my very first commercial sponsor! Hurrah!

Cheddar Cycle Store, my invaluable local bike shop, are going to sponsor me!  Thanks guys   They do all the work on my bike – including last week’s brake pads and new chain – so quite literally keep me on the road.  They were also the first people to email me via this site – which I’m afraid I found quite exciting!

They also run the Cheddar Cyclo Sportive which will be taking place on September 20th 2009 – so if you fancy cycling the infamous Cheddar Gorge, this one could be for you!  I’m not sure if I’ll be doing it, as it clashes with the Southdowns Challenge.  And to be honest, hills aren’t my thing.  This is my most local event, which means I know all the roads, all the hills, and exactly what I’d be letting myself in for.  However maybe by then, after all these events, I’ll be up to the challenge! And at least I wouldn’t have to travel far *grin*

The Thursday morning group ride is turning out to be regular thing. We set off as the usual group of girls and headed out to meet up with the usual two guys on the Wedmore to Wells road, so at one point this morning there were 6 of us. Luckily we dropped down to 4 almost instantly as two of the girls had to head back. Which is good as 4 is a far more manageable number, as well as taking up less road space and annoying less car drivers.

Cycling time: 2:24:24
Distance: 37.602 miles
Avs: 15.6 mph
ODO: 7696.0 miles

We headed off into Glastonbury and had a very pleasant coffee stop at the Rainbow Café there – a favourite stop. Shame I couldn’t afford any of their yummy cake – I had to beg a coffee from someone as it was having no cash on me. Mind you, I did need the coffee!

On the way out again, I was sitting at the front with one of the guys, (the pair of ‘em are fast), pushing myself and keeping up fairly well provided I didn’t have to talk too much and could breathe! He asked if I’d been out Tuesday, to which I said yes as I had. He commented as to how I must be getting fairly fit now, getting out so often. I didn’t really have the heart to tell him that this is about as often as I usually get out and if I’m not out I’m in the gym, so this is probably the same fit as I always am…ie. pretty much as good as it gets! I think what he was really commenting on was how well I was keeping up at the time, which is nice, but I wouldn’t go getting used to it! *grin*

It was a pretty good ride, faster again which I’m always happier with than the slow rides, and fairly enjoyable. I was glad to get home again though

Out again.  I seem to be managing about three times a week at the minute, which is good.  As the weather gets colder I can see it’s going to get harder though.  M and I were going to do hills today, but it wasn’t meant to be.  I had a dodgy tummy.  She rolled her car last night and though ok, is achey and sore.  The guy we were supposed to meet up with up there had a puncture that totally did for his tyre.

To be fair we did start Shipham Hill, but her head was throbbing way too much, and I was feeling under motivated, so we gave up, came down, and did a Levels loop instead.  The weather was gorgeous – clear, crisp, sunny – but nippy with it.  By the time I got home I was missing my feet and my little fingers.  It’s definitely that time of year again.  As you can see from the stats it was a pretty slow ride, and I’m not surprised, I certainly didn’t feel like I was whizzing along.

Cycling time: 2:09:21
Distance: 29.330 miles
Avs: 13.6 mph
ODO: 7658.4 miles

The important thing at this time of year is just to keep getting out as much as possible.  The new brake pads and chain should help with that – the roads are all mucky and slippery so the ability to stop is important!  Apparently my wheels are slightly buckled, and can’t be fixed, so at some point they may “go”…  I’m hoping they’ll last me ’til next spring when I’m hoping hubby will get a bonus and I may be able to get a new bike…  Lots of “ifs” there though.

The Axbridge Cycling Group, or ACG, headed out on one of their rides this morning.  I instigated the group earlier this year, and it’s pootling along quite nicely.

Unusually there were 9 of us this morning, and we fell into two groups.  I’m not sure how ideal that was, but some folk wanted to go one way, and some folk another, and you can’t please all of the people all of the time.  The faster folk (which in this case actually includes me) took a more circuitous road route, whilst the slower folk took the direct Strawberry Line route.  The Strawberry Line is not renowned for being good for road tyres…  We aimed to meet up the Plantations café in Kingston Seymour.

However circuitous we were, we didn’t quite time that right, and the faster group were ready to leave – after some very reasonably priced coffee and snacks – just as the slower group arrived.  Ah well.  As they had plans for a different route and another coffee stop later, we stayed divided, as I (amongst others) had to get back for lunch.  So, it was back pretty much the way we came, but this time with the strong blustery wind behind us.  Lovely .

Cycling time: 2:08:37
Distance: 29.864 miles
Avs: 13.9 mph
ODO: 7629.0 miles

To be honest it was a little slower than I’d have liked, but that’s not what the group is about.  The lethal gusting side winds combined with the mucky roads made for some hairy moments too – especially bearing in mind what happened last time I went out with the group – I have this totally understandable urge to stay on my bike!  More miles under the belt whatever

Thursday morning is usually a cycling one, and today was no exception.  There were four of us – me, M, G and S – four girls all together.

It was dry, but proper blustery which added a chilly edge to it.  Not a problem, I was wrapped up all snuggly in my borrowed jacket.  It’s a great shame I’ll have to give it back at some point!

Cycling time: 2:28:48
Distance: 39.671 miles
Avs: 16.0 mph
ODO: 7599.2 miles

G is fast, and as a result we all ended up faster, as you can see from the average speed.  I pushed myself to keep up because I know it’s good for me to do so sometimes.  My legs weren’t as happy as they were on Tuesday and I could feel that then, and now!  However that average speed still came as a bit of a shock when I checked up on the computer just now.  Quite impressive really.  I’m not due out again ’til Sunday morning though so my legs will get a bit of a rest…if the gym counts as a rest! *grin*.  I popped into the LBS on the way home and my bike is going in for a service – new brake pads & chain at least – tomorrow morning.  With the roads all mucky as they are at the moment, I need to have my brakes working!

Plans for bespoke cycling mayor kit are progressing…now I need to start getting sponsors and logos!

Persuaded youngest to go back to school, and got out on the bike this morning.  I thought it was just going to M and I, but we met up with two others which worked out better than usual.  2 x 2 works, or at least it did this time.  It also meant we did a longer run than usual, and had a nice social coffee stop at Burnham on Sea too.

Cycling time: 2:51:44
Distance: 41.959 mph
Avs: 14.7 mph
ODO: 7559.5 miles

It was the longest run I’ve done in quite a while, but I’m feeling pretty good.  I may not have enjoyed my enforced days off on Sunday and Monday, when all I got to do was the odd walk, but my legs clearly enjoyed the recovery time.  Some of the usual hills felt a little bit easier, and I felt like I was keeping up when I needed to.  I also don’t feel knackered now, which I might expect to after a longer run.  It wasn’t all that fast – too much talking probably – but then again, it wasn’t all that slow either.  I really enjoyed it.

So all in all, that was nice

Normally on a Saturday morning youngest is out bouncing so I’m at the gym. Today I decided that, with a reasonable weather forecast, I’d rather go cycling and so arranged to go out with S. As it turns out, madam has tummy ache so didn’t go…but we did anyway. We did one of my less frequent routes, which loops round the seaside and even includes the odd hill. My back didn’t enjoy standing up the hills, but my legs found them easier than expected. I often feel like I’m keeping up with S but feel like I acquitted myself fairly reasonably today, so that’s cool. Not too cool in the literal sense though as he’s lent me a decent jacket to tide me over until I get a new cycling mayor themed one

Cycling time: 2:09:19
Distance: 32.586 mph
Avs: 15.1 mph
ODO: 7517.5 miles

Oh my. It was raining when we set off this morning, and it didn’t stop…so by the time we got back in I was dripping! The zip on my jacket finally went completely this morning, so I had had to resort to fleece & waterproof which at least meant my upper body remained mostly dry. The same cannot be said for the rest of me!

Cycling time: 1:36:39
Distance: 23.033 mph
Avs: 14.3 mph
ODO: 7485.0 miles

Average speed can be explained by the amount of care we had to take on the roads – mud, water, debris…no flying down hills in conditions like that! Normally I’d want to be out longer too, but not in weather like this. Although I wasn’t cold…I was getting there! Mind you, the bike, due to all the water, is actually slightly cleaner than it was before *grin*.

I sat down last night on the cyclosport website and managed to roughly figure out which events I plan on doing next year – as you can see from the “Cycling Events” list.  The TOW is unlikely, but that leaves me 4 events in the run up to the L2P and one possible afterwards.  I’ve signed up to two of them already!  As long as I cycle the day before and after each event that should give me some back to back training, and I reckon that’ll get me there.

It’ll also mean that I can advertise any sponsors I have at those events and publicise AMR – I really need to get going on sorting out what it will take to get some bespoke kit made, so that I can start touting for sponsors properly.  I’d like to get going before my first event in March even if I’m not actually Mayor until May.  Time to make a few calls….