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

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

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...

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!