30th October - "Tour of the Peaks" Cat & Fiddle

Jeez a toughie+++

Met up with DooGood - after 40 miles he carried on to do the full 97 mile route (in 9 hours) - it was good to catch up with 'no longer' novice Tim from LEJOG '09.
The hills came thick & fast - with some painful ascents. "Embrace the pain!" was the call, and "You need Quads of the Gods to climb this..." [this being the evil Devils Arse 'Winnats Pass']
Record footage of climb in one day (prev 5500ft over Dartmoor), and hit record speed (45.3mph) coming down into Castleton when the road was straight & clear.
Most decents were buttock clenching, break squeezing, frustrating affairs after all the effort to get up. The break blocks were losing traction as they heated up, and the cold hand muscles complained as I squeezed for so long. At the bottom of one hil some silly prick had stopped his big van right across the road!
The cat'n'Fiddle hill was a brilliant long drag up out of sunshine into the clouds, with fantastic views.

Winnats Pass 1 in 5 was impossible & with a broken down car & pain in my R knee I had to stop & walk. Will tackle it again one day....next time at the start of the ride!!

Once Tim & I parted the 25 miles home were very tough into a stiff cold wind and many steep hills to contend with. Twice more my poor legs & chest busting heartrate forced me to stop & walk. The only 3 times I've ever got off Belle to walk...and on the same day.
The run back into base was most welcome & generous applause from strangers much appreciated. Looks like Tim got in 3 hours later...I know I couldn't have done the 97 miles...
Great ride but a few too many steep hills for me....
64m @11.72mph 5h28 6694ft climbing!! 2010 total 1406m

Oh Dear - as I type now poor old Michiel is about to undergo surgery for a broken hip.
He came off this morning when out for a cycle with Tim (Myhill). Looks like he landed awkwardly - such a shame as he's been so enthusiastic about cycling on his lovely Cannondale - 'Beau'.
My thoughts are with you mate - get well soon, and get pedalling again in the New Year.....

LATEST NEWS (2/11/10) Michiel is home!!!!

24th October - ..all around Leicester!!!..

15miles in - georgeous morning!
Beautiful sunny day - set off from Gaulby with Michiel in frosty conditions for an anti-clockwise circumnavigation of the city of Leicester.
Soon we were at 'triple bogie' GC (aka Rothley Park GC) and on past Forest Hill GC (one to visit soon!) down throgh Blaby & Wistow getting back around midday.
Terrific ride with a 'kitten'n'fiddle!!' hill past Lingdale GC.
We feel we need >50 miles now...let's start planning!
Still hoping to do Cat'n'Fiddle ride next saturday if the weather holds...
45.06m 3h8m @14.4mph 2184ft climb

17th October ...up & around Kettering...

US WWII memorial & Queen Eleanore's 'Cross' Geddington
Beautiful sunny morning - Michiel & I set off Northwards then anticlockwise around kettering via Rothwell, Lamprt, Old, Isham, Finedon, Cransley, Grafton Underwood (stopping to pay tribute at the WWII US Airbase & it's motto 'KEEP THE SHOW ON THE ROAD!'), Geddington (pausing at Queen Eleanore's Cross) & back.
Perfect riding conditions - hardly a breeze & cool air - MAGIC - cycling at it's best!
38.96m @ 15.5mph 2h31m 1674ft climb
...hoping to tackle a 'round Leicester circuit next week, and the Cat'n'Fiddle hill on Sat 30th !!

Sunday 10/10/10!! Melton Mowbray, a pie, and back!

W
A trip to YE OLDE PORK PIE SHOPPE!
Drove over to Michiel's at Gaulby for an 0830 start. We headed west throught Tugby, then North pausing at the 'Stilton Cheese Inn' at Somerby. We were heading into a chilly North wind under grey skies but we finished in warm sunshine.
Once at Melton we headed into the precinct to visit the olde pie shoppe! Closed on Sunday Michiel came prepared & we devoured a delicious pie (bought the day before!)
The route home took us through Great Dalby, Burrough-on-the-Hill, and Houghton-on-the-Hill. Yes lots of hills and some fantastic countryside to boot - a nice ride
We have plans to circumnavigate Leicester & Kettering before winter sets in....
47.76m 3h41m @ 13mph 3489ft climb 2010 total - 1260m