Sunday 26 September 2010

26/9/10 CYCLE4CYNTHIA Northampton & beyond


Met up with Michiel & 'Beau' in the Car park in the chilly sun. As the ride progressed the North wind caused the temperature to drop & skies to become more grey.
Several hundred riders headaed out throught Duston & across the Althorp Estate - looks like the Earl is having some work done on the house. I thought of the young Diana playing in the magnificent grounds & it felt strange leaving through the entrance through which her coffin passed on it's final journey.
There were a few testing climbs up to Naseby - then across to the half-way point at Cold Ashby (which was bleeding c-c-cold). Shortly after we climbed to the highest point in Northamptonshire!
So with the height we'd attained & wind behind us we raced south for some fantastic & thrilling miles.
A sharp unexpected left turn and some nasty gravel (I HATE ROAD GRAVEL) caused Michiel to go into a dangerous skid! Fortunately the rear wheel gripped again and all was well.
Still feelling pretty fresh the last 10 miles were cold, grey & into the wind but we flew past many of the 25 milers on their heavy mountain bikes. This was a totally different (& less painful) experience compare to 2 years ago on my cast iron Raleigh!
Close to the finish Michiel broke his '50 mile virginity' - never the same again!!
Back at the Saints ground we received our medals & a welcome cup of tea.
This is a ride to do again, and again - especially for such a great cause.
51.09m 3h24m @ 15mph 2969ft climb

Wednesday 22 September 2010

22/9/10 Off with his head! Fotheringhay & back!



Day off - balmy Indain summer weather forecast so I set off out past Brigstock to Little Benefield - instead of turning left I continued north along a lovely single track gated road in the warming sunshine. Soon I was at Fotheringhay & sought out the site of the old Mott 7 Bailey Castle by the river. This castle became a prison, most famously for Mary Queen of Scots for many years.
Eventually her Sister Elizabeth I signed the papers & Mary was executed, for treason, on this site. The executioner wasn't very proficient & had to do a second chop - Mary's lips were seen to move in this space of time..horrific!(Her servants reported they thought she had whispered the words "Sweet Jesus.").
Poignantly, and probaly not accidentally, the top of the Mott is adorned by some Scottish Thistles! I sat there in the sun & peaceful breeze & thought about what happened there on 8th February 1587. There is nothing left of the actual building now - all the stonework is apparently part of alot of the local buildings!
Anyway I headed south & home via Oundle, Wadenhow & Woodford making good speed. Feeling quite fit at the moment if a little tired by the finish. Nice route - will do this one again I'm sure.
40.32m 2h26m @16.5 1582ft climb

NEXT RIDE - Meetting Michiel for the CYCLE4CYNTHIA 26th Sept. Did this one 2 yrs ago - marked the start of 12 LEJOG training! Found it tough on my old Raleigh that day...

Monday 20 September 2010

20/9/10 I've signed up for London to Paris 20-24/7/11

Went online & paid deposit on the Trip
It's with Action Medical Research - from 20-24/7/11
I've chosen route 4 via Portsmouth (as I did the Calais route in 2007)
Hopefully I'll be accompanied by my son Luke...that is if he gets the motivation to get out training with me!
The sunday (25th) we can watch the Final day (victory by Cavandish??? ) of the Tour de France, then come home.
http://www.action.org.uk/get_involved/london_to_paris
Routes from participant this year:-
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41935376
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41935364
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41935357
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41935338
Day 3 looks tough...109miles & >6000ft climb!

Sunday 19 September 2010

18/9/10 Leicestershire with Michiel and Tim


Headed out to Michiel's at gaulby on a lovely crisp sunny morning
Michiel on his new cannondale SIX - 'Beau'
We cruised through Nosely & Hallerton & decided to call in on Tim.
He soon changed & joined us to Kibworth. Under blue skies & warming temperatures Michiel & I clocked up the 30 miles via Burton Ovary & Great Glen.
Nice steady ride but still made good speed - Glorious!

30.4m 2h28m @14.2mph 1847ft climb

Monday 13 September 2010

12th September the 'Macride' Stratford-upon-Avon


Got up early on a beautiful mild sunny day & headed to Stratford.
Met up with Tim & Toby & we set off on the 60+mile ride at 0845.
Toby's furthest distance before today was 35 miles & Tim's 50 miles. These landmark distances were celebrated along the way.
Lots of undulations & quite alot of climbing overall but some great fast flattish sections. Some terrific views of beautiful Warwickshire, and a couple of incursions onto Worcestershire!
An excellent pint was had in Long Marsden in the final run in.
A very enjoyable ride & well done to Tim & Toby for pushing out your records
67.94m 4h43m @ 14.4mph 3021ft climb
2010 total 1090m

Sunday 5 September 2010

5/9/10 1000miles target hit!!!


Spent day at warwick Castle watching jousting & falconry. Dopey & falling asleep on the way back so I thought the best idea would be to jump on 'Belle'
Strong Easterly so I headed.....east! To Islip then up the A road to Brigstock & back via Grafton Underwood (very pretty village - see pic above)
Knocked off the 2.8 miles to hit the 1000 miles target. Hopefully next year it'll be months earlier with the L2P & training.
23.02m 1h21m9s @ 17mph! 922ft climb
Tim 'voices' Tom Taylor has been making terrific progress on his independant LEJOG trip & should've made it to Dunnet Head & JOG today - WELL DONE MATE - just had txt confirming they've made it!!
And he conquered the Lizard on day one (wish I'd done that last year) on his incredible 150 mile day one (see his blog - link to the R)
The LEJOG 2010 group will tonight be in Carlisle!. I remember the crappy Hotel & filling up on starch big time in the pub over the road - Chips & tacos galore!!.
The forecast is for a stiff SE wind so their trip up to Kilmarnock should be, in Tim's words, Z-O-O-M-Y!!! At this stage the fitness has built up & the stunning scenery ahead is a massive boost - I wish I was with them.
Link to see where they are - http://www.instamapper.com/ext?key=126996172522981532
Michiel has got his cannondale & pencilled in LEJOG Sep 2012 (after he is 50y!) - I'm already looking forward to exploring the countryside up in his neck of the woods - Leicestershire!

30/8/10 quck spin


Bank Hol Mon am - had hoped to do a cycle to Nottingham, or Rugby & back!
But time was short so did Rothwell/Loddington circuit - windy & legs bit heavy so poor time.
Plan to do Macride with Toby & TimT 12th Sep
16.49m 1h2m8s @ 15.9mph 607ft climb
vert envious of the 32 riders who will today be heading to start LEJOG tomorrow...can it really be one whole year ago?
Michiel's on the verge of getting a bike...a cannondale I believe!
Total mileage 2010 => 997.2m nearly there