27th March solo all around Thrapston...pushing out the bubble...

I'd hoped to do the Cheshire cat ride today but as Michiel &Tim were busy I thought I'd leave the Mow Cop for 2012! Decided to do 50 miles+ and push out the cycle bubble around my house. Headed S through Finedon, up through the Addingtons, Raunds, Keystone, over the A14 & on to Old Weston. Then through Winwick & Barnwell - very grey & bleak and I felt along way from home. Soon into familiar territory at Oundle, past the Golf Course and watched a glider get winched into the air, circle and land gently at Brigstock airstrip - that looks fun! Legs burning I pressed on & just managed to get the average up to 15mpg after a slow start...not bad for an old geezer of 52! Then I read about Tim/Ron's 300k (171mile!) Audax yesterday & my effort looks a bit pathetic! 50.98m 3h23 @ 15mph 2187ft climb

20th March the "no excuses..." Wiggle Series Sportive

This 'no excuses' event was so called because it cost 1p to enter! The catch is that if you don't turn up you pay £25 and the money goes to Charity. Clever promotion for the ukcyclingevents organization. There was a strong turn out & I'm sure many will enter the other events later in 2011!

I arrived at around 0845 and Luke set off with a head start. Michiel was helping in the registration tent so we got going 25 minutes later.

Out of Huntington we skirted Graffham Water & headed westward turning North for the refreshment stop in Riseley after a terrific descent. This was where we caught up with Luke who had made fantastic progress. The 18 miles home were helped by a tail wind and some nice downhill sections.

Close to home Luke passed the 40 mile barrier for the first time - WELL DONE.

44.2m 2h55m @ 15.2mph 1448ft climb

Sat 12th March ...round Corby...

Blimey round this, round that I think I'm going round the bend with this cycle malarky!
Anyway family coming up for Polly's 21st Birthday celebrations (posh tea & Whipsnade Zoo!!...her choice) and not setting off til sat am.....
So I took this window of opportunity & did the Corby circuit. Tough going in the cold air and my time at Deene was 1h04m - 4 minutes behind 'schedule' The second half was slower into the south wind but I finished strongly at good average speed. Will try to break the 2 hour barrier this summer...needs to be a nice still warm summer's morning..
34.8m 2h16m @ 15.4mph 1425ft climb TOTAL FOR 2011 now 287.1m!

6th March ...round Leicester II!

Previously I'd done this route just before Michiel broke his hip....This time Tim came along and also the route was lengthened to avoid some grotty towns just south of Leicester.
We passed a few golf courses on our journey with the half-way point being Forest HillGC!
After Fleckney we whizzed down a fantastic hill and stopped at Wistow for a coffee & huge slice of chocolate cake. The four miles back UP to Gaulby were tough, with tired legs - mind over matter stuff. Still we'd done it! A lovely ride with some big hills in the middle section past Lingdale Golf Course! Weather Chilly but only a light SE breeze...roll on Spring please!
53.43m 3h51m @ 13.9mph 3011ft climb

27th February ...round Kettering...

Managed to persuade Luke to get up early!!
Michiel came over for 0830 and we set off North, planning to circumnavigate kettering, this time taking in the Addigtons. A cold grey day, not much wind, and we made goo progress through Rothwell, down to Lamport & Finedon. At this point we headed for home as Luke's knee was hurting & he bravely made it home! Well done...his first +30 mile ride!!
30.2m 2h31m @ 12mph 1416ft climb