Blog of a man new to cycling

http://theceltman.blogspot.com/

2011-11-22T16:30:00.001Z

OK, so it's been a looong time and a lot's happened but IF anyone still reads this, things have taken a dramatic turn for the worst.....read about it all here:

http://theceltman.blogspot.com/

My life just became difficult......

The Blog-less Blogger!

2011-06-25T13:52:00.002+01:00

Well, where DOES the time go?? I've just come back to the blog and realised it's almost a year since my last blog!!

So, how've things been going? What have I been up to??

Unfortunately, I didn't do Conwy half marathon - bloody car died en route.

But, I have managed to run one. I did Milton Keynes Half Marathon and managed to do it in 1:52:48, which was well under my 2 hour target and even included the loo stop and the SLOWEST running towards the end over the numerous flyovers!! Man, that hurt!

I've also managed to do a fair few 10K's getting my time down to 44:58. so I think the running is coming along steadily.

Which is a bloody good job as rather foolishly, and with a rush of blood to the head, I've agreed to do Ironman 70.3 Antwerp on 24th July for Charity!!

The race involves a 2km swim followed by 56 mile bike and finishing with a half marathon run - EEK! If you'd like to get more info or sponsor me visit my justgiving page at:

http://www.justgiving.com/helpingbeatricegetmobile

or even easier text MICK99 plus the amount you'd like to sponsor me to 70070

so to sponsor me £5 text MICK99 £5 to 70070

This seems like a great challenge except I can't really swim! lmao! Well, I can do breast stroke which has got me through my triathlons up to now but with this challenge I've had to bite the bullet and get lessons. Cue - google!!

It's more luck than judgement but I actually managed to find an awesome coach who's bringing my swimming on loads, his names Gary McCaffery and if you ever want a Peak district based coach I can HIGHLY recommend him and Dianne Lee the other coach at:

www.resultsfitnessandswimming.com

You know they're good when you find out he holds 2 GB freestyle records and Dianne is no. 4 world long distance Triathlon champion!! I think I'm in good hands! They also run an open session on a Thursday night at Matlock pool which is all helping me improve in the swimming department.

I'll aim to update the blog a bit more regularly that yearly from now on! After all, I'm sure you'll want to know if I die in Antwerp ;o)

Bike battered knees and Half Marathon entries

2010-10-20T15:18:00.004+01:00

You know when things just hit all at once? Well, that's happening right now...to me.

Without going into too much detail, and risk crying whilst typing, an example of this is the major death of my car. It's at the garage now and extra paper has been put on order in order to write the bill on!

With this has come some 'enforced training'. The commute was back on! It's 22 miles from my door to the door of the Fire Station in Derby so in order to commute the day becomes a long one, leaving at 6am only to return not much before 9pm. Usually, when I've ridden before there's been no problem as I only do it once, or twice a tour but having to do it 4 days back to back on top of a shift. I'd never done it before. Turns out, it bloody hurts!

The psychological aspect I can handle, mostly, but it proved that physically my poor old knees had other thoughts. 2 days down, over 80 miles under my belt and my knees were screaming. Luckily I managed to borrow a car for my night shifts - don't know whats gonna happen next week!!

As well as the biking, I've been upping my running. Not particularly distance (although I have now done 10 mile runs - my longest so far) but frequency. Forcing myself out on a regular basis. Claire and I have even taken the plunge and entered the Conwy Half Marathon!! http://www.conwyhalfmarathon.co.uk/

It'll be a good one for us I think, scenery should be good. Start and finish at the Castle - nice. We're trying to add things to keep us training through the winter now that the Triathlon season has ended. So we figured running will keep us going and improve our run for next season (This season I was shocking - not stopping meant it was a good run for me). We've got Conwy half, Santa Fun Run http://www.rotary1220.org/02/clubs/wir/santarun.htm and a few local runs are hopefully being organised! http://www.therunnthat.moonfruit.com/#

so fingers crossed, running will strengthen the knees make biking easier and turn me from a fat man to a fit man!....we'll see ;o)

the evil ways of the world...

2010-10-14T10:35:00.003+01:00

So just when I was beginning to think alls well...a bug....tiny micro bacterial mother....a BUG! turns up and gives everyone in the house the snots from hell and the inability to move without aching and generally feeling rubbish :o(

I went out on the bike for the first time yesterday. I figured a quick ride to the gym, work out and then back would be a good gentle intro.

Wrong.

Within about 5 mins my legs ached my energy had sapped and it proved to be a horrible grind just to get there, the weights at the gym seemed to be about 5 times heavier and I felt 5 times worse....then a lovely ride home :o(

Well, I have the 22 mile commute to look forward to tomorrow. Lets see how THAT goes!

old men need to condition themselves

2010-10-11T12:05:00.002+01:00

Over the past few months I've been plagued by injury, dodgy knees and a bad back. The back culminated in about 3 weeks off work, at least 2 months off the road bike and Physio to try and sort it!

So, I've been attending Physio at Chesterfield Hospital and the guy there identified the problem pretty much straight away! Brilliant! That was a couple of weeks ago and the exercises he gave me have helped enormously. Apparently the top half of my back is as stiff as a board which is causing my spine to 'hinge' on a point in my lower back which spasms after a while because of it. It's been great to loosen up my upper back and things are definitely moving in the right direction.

In order to help with the exercises I bit the bullet an bought a physiotherapy foam roller. This has proved invaluable. I've used it to roll my back out, stretch my hamstrings/calves/IT band in fact my whole leg!! In short, I've been conditioning my body and not just exercising it.

To say it's had an effect is an understatement! Yesterday I managed to head out run 5 miles to the gym, do an hour weight session and then run the 5 mile back. This morning I feel no pain in my knees and have no aching legs which is brilliant as I've never run 10 miles before.

Lesson to self - carry on the conditioning. It seems to be working :oD

By eck it's been a while!

2010-10-05T08:51:00.004+01:00

You know, part of me had actually forgotten I had a blog! lol!

Well, what's been happening?

Got Married

Went to Sicily

Bought a mountain bike and re-discovered the trails of Derbyshire (nowt too hard as...see the next point!)

Bought a Burley trailer for Bo

Missed my 'A race' this year due to injury (Helvellyn, gutted! still need to think of a new event for the sponsorship!!)

Am lucky Lulu, our Beagle is still with us after being hit by a car!, not so lucky that the wallet is empty :o(

New trainers after getting my gait looked at.

Still loving Triathlon, will blog a summary of my first year when I get chance.

Entered my first ever half marathon (Conwy, in Nov)

Didn't get a place in the London marathon after my 6th year of trying!! Not bitter...well actually I AM! :o(

Discovered the free, GPS tracking app for my phone, www.endomondo.com which is proving useful as well as fun (it has a 'challenge' capability - challenge your mates to a fastest 10km run, most KM in a week etc!)

Lot's happened, blogging hasn't but I'll try and do a summary of my first year in Tri in the next couple of days!!...promise...

how long does a bug last...

2010-04-06T09:12:00.003+01:00

Too long is the answer!

Still hanging on there, managed to take the bike to Wales when I took the kids to see their grandparents. Great opportunity to get out into virgin territory!

Not a brilliant ride, felt good considering, headed out along the coast from Towyn through Abergele and finished up at Colwyn bay. I paralleled the A55 on the smaller A roads and saw bits of Wales otherwise missed and ignored on normal journeys through to Snowdonia. Especially the Castle at Abergele! Lovely castle just lost behind the main road.

The weather was lovely, sun all the way. Even had to tie my jacket around my waist it was so hot!

That ride was great, the kick in the nuts the bug had in store when I returned was not so great :o(

The day of reckoning...

2010-03-28T17:27:00.009+01:00

Well, what a few days! After a horrific couple of days with the eternal Man Flu - you know, the fatal disease suffered significantly worse by the male section of society. I wasn't looking forward to today, my first EVER Tri, especially as I'd been in and out of sleep all night finally to wake with a banging headache. I dosed myself up with pills, downed the porridge and banana and set off to East Leake with the feeling of dread that this was gonna be painful.

I arrived just in time for the Race briefing, which to be honest wasn't worth the early start. I registered, had numbers drawn on my leg by a young girl who I thought was gonna start colouring in she was that young! I decided to set up my transition and duly collected my kit and walked over full of apprehension and, I'll admit, slightly worried. I found a place, hooked up the bike, laid my towel on the ground and mentally went through how I thought it worked. Laying out kit in an order I thought I'd be picking it up. I wasn't too pleased to be putting stickers onto my helmet or new bike but did so - because it was the law! Then came the number belt. I actually got one free from wiggle, along with the elastic laces, but I hadn't actually thought about how to use one! I sat there looking, numbed by nerves, mind.....blank. In the end I looked over at another racer, plucked up the courage, and asked away...How the feck do these things work!? 5 mins later and I was sorted.

So that was it, transition done. Phew! Now I hadn't really thought about getting to the poolside/getting changed etc but after a nervous poo I went to the car, got changed and whilst there just confirmed with a random bloke that I was doing the right thing. Then a 'Is that Mick?' was heard - Rhino (a forum member on BCTTT) popped up shook my hand and instantly I felt a bit better - dunno why? I'd only said hello to him for couple of minute the previous week! Unfortunately, I needed to be at the pool in 5 mins and I had to drop my keys at transition so I said a quick goodbye and ran over to drop the keys. Moments later I was stood at the poolside, a bag of nerves but at least the headache had gone. It was good to overhear other folks' nervous quips but it was doing nothing to alleviate mine!

The moment was fast approaching.

"Number 62?".

SHIT! That's me!?

"OK, when you get in you have 30 secs to get ready then I'll count you in to start"

...shit....shit SHIT!! OK OK...I'm OK?

Dunno why but I looked around and, bless him, Rhino was stood there watching through the window. Nerves calmed by half at least - Thanks Rhino! "Into the Pool", SHIT!! In I got, calm down Mick, calm down...I fixed my goggles. Deep breath "GO!!" I pushed off, and began. I'd decided to breaststroke the whole thing as I wasn't 100% and my Front crawl is a lot slower and needs work! After a length I couldn't see, my heart was pounding and I was feeeling weak. A quick fix of my goggles at the second length, deep breath, calm down and away I went again. This time a lot smoother and better. I overtook one lady swimmer. Thanked her and carried on. A couple of lengths later I over took another and the swim was going well, a bit too well as I over took the lady again who I over took to start with!? The 400m were soon over and I popped out of the pool and realised that I hadn't started my watch in all the pre-race nerves - bugger.

I'd never run immediately after a swim and the sensation in the legs was weird but OK. Into T1 and it went very smoothly (I'd watched few others doing their's and I think mine went smoother?) logical and fairly quick. I'd decided to run in my bike shoes to the mount line and had to be careful as they're not really designed for running! lol! I launched onto the bike, clipped in and away I went....bloody cold in a wet Trisuit! I knew I HAD to drink and eat well otherwise this bug would get the better of me so I instantly downed my gel, hoping it would get me through the run! Then I took a swig of my juice. I could feel someone on my shoulder and sure enough there was a lady coming up behind me - ooh errr missus! I thought it might of been the lady I overtook twice and I felt bad so I stopped peddling and let her pass at the roundabout. Good job because she was bloody fast! I matched her for about a third of the route but the dull legs were telling me to let her go otherwise I may be in trouble in the run. So I watched her disappear into the distance. Never saw her again.

I put my head down and just rode as fast as I dare. I managed to take a fair few folks, but seeing as some of them were 12 year old schoolgirls only one step away from having a basket on the front I didn't attach too much pride to it! Surprisingly I really enjoyed the ride and even though it was a struggle I found myself entering T2 earlier than I was expecting. So much so i thought I may even be able to get in under the hour. My legs had other ideas! After another smooth transition I began the run....well....fast walk it felt like!

SOMEONE HAS SWAPPED MY LEGS FOR MY MUMS LEGS!!!

I quickly realised that the under the hour was a practical joke on myself really but the 1 hour 20, which was my goal before the flu, was actually a reality! So I dug in and just tried a pace that would hopefully see me do it. Again, surprisingly, I managed to take a few folks and a few folks took me but it was a steady run considering. I even managed to get a guy started again who'd cramped up and spurred him on to carry on. That felt good. 3rd lap soon came round and quick look at my watch told me 1:20 was possible so again I dug in, ignored the weakness and dullness in the legs and aimed for the 1:20. Finish line in sight I tried to up the pace. not sure I did but I tried, lol!! Crossed the line, shouted my number and by my watch 1:18!! Brilliant!

I clambered for some water, walked around, stretched a bit trying to stop my legs seizing and was surprised that I'd manage to finish. I felt really good! All things considering. I walked out and suddenly saw Rhino, he'd started. He was piss wet through - obviously finished his swim and was heading to his T1. I gave him a smile and a thumbs up and he was away. After grabbing my bike and kit from transition I popped on my skins - how good are they!! Legs felt so much better. I decided I'd try and repay the favour to Rhino and waited around transition for about 50 mins hoping to see him, wave him on, take a pic but I just couldn't see him. I figured it was time for me to go and who do you think I saw whilst driving away....yep, Rhino, bugger. he'd obviously finished his bike leg a while ago and was on the end of his first or second lap (I guess?) I managed to give him a wave but still had the feeling I should have waited a bit longer.

Off I drove, back home, a real, certified, proper Triathlete....well, I had the T-shit anyway

Bring on the next one!! Duston tri

illness and purchases

2010-03-26T21:18:00.002Z

After a year of aches and pains of an ill fitting bike I thought that was all over and have been getting into the triathlon training.

This year has seen me buy a new bike (that fits! I'm not bitter, lol!) invest in tri suits, trainers and all manner of bits and bobs all in the name of the new interest - Triathlons. My first race is steadily approaching, 2 days and counting!!! I managed to get down to East Leake and did the bike route and am quite happy with it.

So, race approaching. Feeling good about it. Nothing can go wrong now...could it?

YES! I've got the bloody flu!!! I'm beginning to think someone doesn't want me to do it. For the past few days I've been aching, legs, hips and back. Headaches, sore throats the works! In order to try and alleviate the pain of the past few days I just had to visit wiggle and in no time at all I became the proud owner of a new Orca S3 wetsuit!! It's due to hit the water at my first Open water race in April.

Fingers crossed, I'll kick this illness by tomorrow - otherwise it could be one hell of a long race on Sunday!

Can things ever go well?

2010-03-20T22:21:00.002Z

Why is it that things never run smoothly, plans never work and we never seem to do what we want to do?

Last week, my run up Kinder was a great day but a day or so after my toe started hurting me? It went red, itchy and hot - 3 classic signs of infection. I couldn't see anything obvious but went to the docs regardless for advice and treatment seeing as I was about to head down to the Fire Service College for a weeks assessment. They duly gave me antibiotics and packed me on my way.

They didn't work :o(

My toe has become a mangled mess, I'm in constant pain. No chance of running but I did manage to get on my bike today and do a recce ride of the Triathlon route - eventually! but more about that later.

My plan was head to the college for the week, take the bike and swim every night. Hopefully improving my technique? First day on the course.....ill. Bloody typical! I forced myself to swim that night but it was ridiculous. I did about 15 lengths, front crawl, and my back went into spasm. Needless to say no swimming happened after that! On the tues night after another long struggle of a day, complete with aching back, sore neck, no energy and a f*cker of a toe, I forced myself out on the bike. To be honest once I was out I just bimbled about through the lovely villages of the Cotswolds. Not very fast, in fact positively slowly! On the way back I stopped off at a cash point only to realise I had lost my bank card. Great a week away from home with no cash! I gave up after that, struggled through the week and reconciled myself that the planned ride on Sat with some of the guys from BCTTT would be my saviour.

Fri came and went and I think I passed the assessment well so I drove to the future mother in laws to meet Claire and we'd spend the night there. I arrived, knackered, and was duly moaned at for being tired and unhelpful....FFS!!?

Sat came and I sorted bike out, kitted up and left to go meet the guys at East Leake, even though it was raining. To make things worse for me I guess the skies decided to piss on me in case I wasn't getting the message? About 10 mins after leaving I noticed thick black smoke coming from ahead and the traffic slowed...then stopped. SHIT!! I was there for about an hour sat waiting while a ferrari burned. I was gonna be late. And I was. I got there about 45 mins late but decided I'd do the route anyway. I couldn't remember if anyone had done the route before so luckily I printed off a small map and laminated it whilst at the college. With that safely in my back pocket I hopped onto the bike and set off.

After about 10 mins a group came riding towards me in the opposite direction, I went to wave as I passed only to hear "MICK!"...apparently they recognised my bike. They'd been riding the route with one eye on everyone they passed looking for an 'Argon 18'. We had a quick chat, introduced ourselves, I apologised and we went on our way. Andy even offered to ride the route again with me! Wish I hadn't been late, they seemed good blokes.

As it happens, I really enjoyed riding the route although my legs felt like lead and the pain in my toe was unbearable...but apart from that it was great.

One week to go before my first Triathlon....good god I'm in no condition for it!

Building up to the bike arrival

2010-03-11T12:55:00.003Z

I got the message that my bike was gonna be ready and it instantly became Christmas and my birthday all at once! but that was gonna be a few days yet and I was itching to get out, especially as the Sun had come out and began to taunt me.

As I've entered the Helvellyn Triathlon I thought I'd try my hand at a bit of fell running type stuff. So, kit on, jumped into the car and decided to head to Kinder. My plan was to head up from Edale, run along the edge and come down Jacobs ladder before contouring back round on a lower path ending back up at the Station.

After what can only be described as a 'dig deep' run, I turned around and saw the hill disappearing away from me. I'd made the top! I actually felt really good which put me off to be honest, I started running again - mindlessly running. I'd only gone off on the wrong path! DOH!! lol! Instead of turning back I decided to alter the route, cut it short, and dropped down onto the contouring path before heading back. I'd had a lovely morning with some good exercise in the sun and managed to finish the 5 mile run feeling good.

Until the next morning - OUCH! I was actually at work after doing a night shift and could barely walk by the time my shift finished....my thighs were obviously not up to the uphill torment of the previous day.

Luckily I could rest, which I did, before heading down to Bridgtown Cycles to pick up my new steed!!

The girls picked up now and sat in my house after having a quick run out, with my sore legs...but I just couldn't resist.

So that's the running and the biking both pretty much coming along nicely there's just one bloody fly in the ointment! SWIMMING!!!

GRRRR!!!!

In my mind it's not too bad as at least I can finish the 400m but the fashion in which it's finished is...well....dubious lol! I am trying, I think my technique can be good but keeping it up consistently seems difficult and my breathing is haphazard to say the least. One poor breath, swallowed water and that's my thing buggered up :o(

I'm off on a course next week for work and luckily they have a gym/pool so I've decided to try nd get into the pool everyday for the week I'm there just to calm my swimming down and try to improve the technique. On my way back I'm gonna meet up with a few folks from BCTTT and we're gonna ride the bike route of my first ever Triathlon - East Leake Sprint.....2 weeks to go....I'm nervous.....

A year to Tri!

2010-03-03T18:13:00.004Z

Wow! I'd almost forgotten about this blog and a LOT has changed since it began.

I started the blog when I first got my bike through the bike to work scheme as a memoir to see how I went on. Well....long story short, it's been a year of contrasts. I discovered I actually like being out on my bike and managed to get my rides up to 60 miles. I also had a year of injury and unsatisfactory contact with the local bike shop that I bought it from! It turns out that they sold me the wrong sized bike!!

I had my suspicions from the start and repeatedly went back to J E James to try and get them to admit it. The best they did was re-adjust my seat etc which only served to stretch me out and cause back pain on longer journeys - NOT a very positive experience.

Due to this I went looking, and listening, and reading. Trying to find a REPUTABLE bike shop. The good news is that I think I've found a little gem! After my taster of the triathlons I discovered 220 triathlon and best of all BCTTT both of which have great forums which have answered all my Triathlon questions!

Through BCTTT I have discovered Bridgetown Cycles where Andy and 'Mike the Bike' have been brilliant! Mike put me on a bike measured me up asked me questions and after a cup of tea and an hour chatting he suggested that to get the most for the bike to work scheme voucher he could build me a bike on a carbon frame and just swap my components over, then upgrade the wheels.

(Yes, I have to use another voucher because instead of the J E James's 60 frame I ACTUALLY need a 56!! HOW could they get it SOOO wrong!?)

So that's where I am now, learned a lot over the year - mostly through mistakes, lol!, No bike at the minute but saying that I'm merely awaiting the call to come and pick up my new baby...

Yes, it is a luuuurrrvely sexy carbon monster!! I'm looking at it as the silver lining to an otherwise injury ridden cloud of a year.

What am I gonna do with it then?? Well.....oooh I'm excited about this bit!!

Over the last few months I've purchased the bike, a tri suit, elastic laces, race belt, swimming goggles, triathlon watch and with a wetsuit on a promise for my birthday there can be only one thing on my mind -

A YEAR TO TRI!!!

I've been training, mostly on my swimming (because I swim like a brick!) and have even managed to bike to work every day because I'm on a temp promotion at a station closer to home so I get to do 15 miles a day before I even think of training. The scary thing is that I've already entered, so committed to, a few races, the first being at the end of this month!! The races are:

East Leake Sprint - 28th March, S 400m, B 20km, R 5km

Duston Sprint - 18th April, S 400m, B 20km, R 5km

Emergency Services Tri - 14th May, OWS 750m, B 20km, R 5km

Big Cow sprint - 4th july (not booked in yet but prob will do!) S 750m, B 20km, R 5km

and to finish.....Helvellyn Tri!!! Oooh eck, 1 mile swim, 38 mile bike and 9 mile run up Helvellyn!

I'm gonna try and fit one into June and Aug as well. I can't wait. I've been training and even have a 'regular' brick training route (brick training is a session where you do more than one discipline back to back) which includes a 4oom swim at Sharley Park, 20mile bike over to Beeley Moor, including a loop of Holymoorside and finishing off with a 6 or 7km cross country run over the moor to finish, rather pleasantly, at The Robin Hood Inn.

I'll get pics up as soon as the new toy arrives and may even try to get some pics of my first Tri!!

at least I survived...

2009-06-24T12:43:00.002+01:00

Well, I was hoping for under an hour but to be honest I got back without an injury and twinges so I guess I should be happy?

I managed it in 1 hour 10 mins

200m swim - 8 mins
12km bike - 45 min (note to self, don't plan a route for the 1st triathlon somewhere you've never been!! BIIIIIIIIG hill! lol!)
4km run - 17 min

Not fantastic, but I think for my first time at triathlon I'm fairly happy. I just need to slim down, do more, get fit and aim for under the hour!

Tri? Wise? nope!

2009-06-23T17:33:00.005+01:00

OK, so I've been on the bike a few times when I got talking to a guys at work - who does Triathlons!! I've ALWAYS wanted to give it a go so after chatting he told me that there is one in Derby at the beginning of July. I was very very VERY tempted to go along but A) I'm injured, B) I'm Fat and C) they're all super fit trathletes for christ sake!!

I made a plan.

We live virtually next door to Sharley Park Pool so I'm thinking 200m swim (8 lengths) and I've logged an 11km bike ride from there

and then a 4km run from my house.

Tomorrow, I'm gonna give it a go! I think most people do it in under the hour so if I make it in that time I'll be chuffed....who am I kidding? If I make it back AT ALL I'll be chuffed!!

New Blog....grow ya own!

2009-06-16T14:14:00.001+01:00

Oooh....started a new hobby while off my bike (like I needed any more!)

www.ourlotty.blogspot.com

:oD

I'm back!! sort of....

2009-06-16T14:05:00.002+01:00

So...after...well I'm not even going to count it up...after a LONG time I finally decided to get back on the bike and test the ol' knee.

As you may remember I started my biking off on a small route, approx 6 or 7 miles I think? So I thought that I'd have a go on that route.

Not much to write about other than it all worked out well, no twinges or real pain to speak of. I've done it a handful of times since and now have decided to take redbikes advice and do a bit of running (which I hate! lol!). I think I may aim to do a triathlon at the end of summer, if I can fit it in after Ecuador.

I've decided not to push it and to build up VERY slowly - it's better to be on the bike doing fustratingly short rides than it is to just be looking at the bike in the back room!

And who knows....maybe I'll be back on form sooner than later?

still no biking...

2009-04-18T14:13:00.002+01:00

Well, the one thing to this blogging business is if the reason your blogging stops then so do the updates! lol! I´m away now, in Peru, which has come just at the right time as it guarantees me to be off the bike for almost a month...my knees HAVE to be fixed by then? surely? Bloody hope so...the belly is on it´s way back!!

I´m still managing to blog though (which is what reminded me to pop an update here!) I figured it´d be interesting to record our trip to Peru on a blog http://babyinperu.blogspot.com/ if ya fancy go and have a read ;o)

The dropped off technique

2009-03-30T17:42:00.002+01:00

The annoyance and inconvenience of an injury got too much for me yesterday. I snapped.

"Claire, can you drop me and the bike off in Beeley moor and I'll bike back regardless!?"

Bless her, she said yes - I love Claire.

So, I had an hour before I needed to set off for work. the sun was still shining even though the wind was about. I ran around collecting Cycling paraphanalia from various parts of the house, jumped into my bib shorts and popped the bike onto the rack.

"Clairrrrre.....I'm ready!"

It didn't take long before I was taking the bike off again close to Beeley Moor trig point. Quick kiss then off she drove with Bodhi gurgling in the car seat and me an ever diminishing reflection in the rear view mirror. The plan was to ride back along the moor and get home in time for a shower and then off to work. The route back is fairly flat, with some downhills but most importantly for me with the 'old man knee', NO uphill!!

I was surprised by how cold it actually was and not before long I started to get a wee earache but I kept pedalling, ignored it, and it went away fairly quickly and I was soon enjoying the sun and the fact I was actually wearing sunglasses at last. The ride was fairly steady and I was enjoying it so much that I once I crossed the main Matlock-Chesterfield road I started thinking alternate routes home.

We'd been for a pub lunch at The Crispin, in Ashover, earlier in the day (highly recomended btw) and I thought I'd quite like to ride back through there on my way home. So with a quick check of the time and distance done (only 6 miles so far) I did a quick right turn and headed into Ashover! I was loving the ride, through the village turning left at the church and cruising past the tennis courts and cricket pitch.

Then I remembered. To get out of Ashover there is a hill. A VERY steep hill.

I rode up as far as I dared but then I could feel the knee so I had to admit defeat and walk...bugger. About, two thirds up I discovered a bench - handy! SO I sat down and enjoyed the views (I was getting bored of walking uphill in silly bike shoes!). Whilst sat there I remembered something about riding out of the saddle which although takes more effort actually is easier on your knees. I figured I had nowt to lose. I set off again and tried standing up, out of the seat, but the gears were too....high? (too easy to pedal). So I knockd them down until it was not a strain but was easy to pedal. It actually worked!! It was more effort undoubtably and I'm not exactly sure how long I could do it for but it was a new technique applied in the right situation and it didn't hurt my knee so I was a happy bunny and eventually topped out breathing hard but smiling. More importantly, I wasn't limping!

From then on in it's a downhill meander and I soon found myself pulling into the house, dropping the biking kit before heading to work - was great to get out (although it only worked out at 10 mile ride I was at least on the bike)

pushing it?

2009-03-24T17:57:00.002Z

I find myself at that point where your 'almost' recovered and the opportunities start to arise...

Got a text today "Are you working today? If not fancy getting out climbing?"

ooh the heart jumps when the sun's out and the messages like that arrive! Unfortunately we were on our way to the jewellers to get the ring adjusted (bought the wrong size - pillock!) so the message went back - "tomorrow, 11am Birchens" Brilliant!

Now the plan is...ride from the house with my boots, harness and a small rack in a rucsac and do a 10/15 mile ride to birchens. Climb in the sun (For it WILL be sunny tomorrow...oh yes...yes it will!) then either ride back, or get claire to come pick me up? I've done a few 7 or 8 milers on the flat over the past week so I'm hoping it's not too much of a step up. I'm dead excited - I get like that at the start of the climbing season. Especially when I've done little or no climbing over the winter!!

Can't wait! :oD

Self control....

2009-03-23T12:36:00.002Z

I'm pleased by the level of self control if nothing else! I've stuck to small, easy and steadily paced rides to 'get my knees back in'. I went out again around Berkswell and did an 8 mile ride. VERY steady and fairly flat with no real niggles from the knee.

I've brought the bike back home again now and am thinking how to continue at this level of riding considering where I live? Hills...Hills and Hills!!
Think I'll have to leave the rack on the car and then drive out somewhere before getting on the bike although that seems wierd?? the whole point is to walk out the door and see how far I can go and where I can ride from door to door. Plus, cars...racks...seems all faff! It'll be like kayaking again - ooh what a faff that game is!

I've also notice that my seat is ripping at the back, in a weird place. A place where I find it hard to believe it's wear and tear? I'm thinking a seat SHOULD last more than 5 months? particularly when 6 weeks of that the bike is unused due to injury??? Maybe I'll take it back to the LBS?

Long live this sun though, loving the ride in the warming sun!!! :oD

Jealous Jealous Jealous... :o(

2009-03-21T14:59:00.003Z

So, we had to go to Claire's Mum's house to look after her horses and dogs. I decided that seeing as the area around Berkswell is a lot flatter than here that I'd take my bike. So sure enough, bike rack got put on the car. Bike got put on the rack.

Yesterday I managed to take the bike out in the lovely lovely sun (new experience for me seeing as I started riding in the winter! Q - should I remove the mud guards now??). Now...I understand that I have had/still have an injury and that I'm working myself up and strengthening things so with this in mind I did a fairly flat route and only did 7 miles at a steady pace. BUT all the way around I just wanted to open up and whizz around those lanes in the stunning sunshine. No, I held back. I kept slow, let those pedals spin to reduce pressure on my knees and trundled along. To make things worse at one point another cycling whizzed past me with a friendly shout of 'Good Morning!' whilst going at least twice my speed....ego....bruised....

I've been out today in the car over the moors to do some Mother's day shopping for Bodhi to give to Claire (Her first mother's day as a mum!!) and I don't know if it's psychological or what but there seemed to be LOADS of folks out on their bikes, soaking up the warmth of the sun on what I imagined, in my envious state, to be long distance rides with beautiful country vistas.

And I can't go out...can't do too much....can't go too far....can't go too fast...and can't go too often :o(.....oh...woe is me!! lol!!

I'm bloody well going out tomorrow though!! Another 7 miler...slowly...around Berkswell. Better than nowt I guess....but I bet it rains...jeez I'm a self pitying whazzock! lol!!

I'M BACK!!!!! :oD

2009-03-17T10:23:00.002Z

Yesterday we went out to Chatsworth (checking out wedding Venues....I proposed to Claire a couple of days ago...she said yes!) and I was getting very jealous of all those folks out on their bikes in the sun so decided today I NEEDED to get out!

I woke up today, banged on my bib shorts and cycle shirt, grabbed the bike and ran out the door to start a ride!!

I decided to take it VERY easy and was just spinning around even on the flats. After about 5 mins I realised 2 things. 1 - my knee was holding up and I suspected it would be if I continued spinning it out, and 2 - It was bloody cold today, I was expecting sun! I was too concerned with just getting out that I didn't even look out the window! lol!!

So, through Clay Cross - hate that bit, riding past the daytime drinkers (yes, at 9am!) wading through the fag ends and passing the chip shops and betting shops. Towards the bottom of Alton and then left towards Ashover. I was worried about this bit. Although it's only a slight hill, it goes on for a fair bit and gets slightly steeper at the end. If the knee was gonna go, it would go here. The gears went down (do they go 'down' to make it easier?) and my legs started spinning. I felt a slight twinge but just slowed it right down and it was ok, not a pain but I could feel something. In no time at all I was at the turn back o Clay cross just before Ashover so taking the turning I whacked the gears back up and cruised down towards the Cross!

Sounds like a lame ride right? Well, in many many ways it is but today, for me, it was the best ride in the world! 5 miles, back on the bike and no pain in the knee - BRILLIANT!!

and it was all going so well.....

2009-03-13T13:36:00.003Z

I dragged the bike out of the back room, got my kit on and even loaded on a new spanish language course on the I-Pod so I can practice whilst biking!!

So...bag packed and on I jumped, pedalled away. Bike felt a bit funny as I've pulled my seat back for a better set up but it was OK.

5 mins in and...twinge...it was JUST a twinge....wasn't it?

10 mins in and....ouch...twinge? No...me thinks that is still an injured leg!

Bike turned around....rolled back....bike back in storage...... :o(

getting back on...

2009-03-11T06:42:00.002Z

Well....it's been a while! about 3 weeks if not more (It definitely feels like more!!)

I'm playing with the idea of doing my 40 mile round trip commute. I've not felt my knee pain (IT band apparently??) even after my epic on The glyders last weekend!

So...thinking about it I may drive past the big hill on the commute then park up to ride the rest. Sounds like a good middle ground? DON'T wanna overdo it and be right back to where I started!!!

So fingers crossed - ride tomorrow!! :oD

tuuuuurbo trainer!!!

2009-02-17T16:35:00.002Z

So, I'm STILL off the bike. I played football today and had no twinges in the knee but it's a specific pain that appears when I start biking?

I've been looking in desperation at those there turbo trainers. I figure a slow, easy, level ride on a turbo trainer will put less stress on the knee whilst still allowing me on the bike?

Watch this space.....

Off the bike biking....

2009-02-15T06:59:00.003Z

Well, seeing as I can't ride for a while the following activities are listed:

Check all positioning, to ensure everything is right and it's not the bike set up that's caused the knee to cry help! (Including the use of plum lines on knees and feet.....how strange)
Clean and polish the bike
Degrease the chain and lube up
Check out those little 'under the seat bags' and fill with my repair kit...stuff..
re-seed the lawn as the chicken have massacred it! Not biking I know, but I need to fill the time as I'm getting withrawal symptoms!?!?

I've spoken to a 'biking guru' at work and he's suggested shorter, flat, rides so long as I feel no pain - as he thinks I may have just overdone it. Anyone know ANY flat road rides in The Peaks!?! :o(

Down but not out...

2009-02-12T23:00:00.002Z

Well, the knees given up! I headed out today on the bike for a 10 mile ride after a week off the bike. I hadn't felt any pain since the last ride but after approx 15mins it re-appeared :o(
So....
Next week at least I'm gonna stay off the bike.....gutted....

They're ALL good ideas to start with...

2009-02-08T23:21:00.004Z

It was a lovely day and I was 'umming' and 'arrring' about whether I could be bothered to get out and have a ride before work that night. The phone rang and a lad at work needed to get away early, couldn't get the time off and asked if I could come in a couple of hours early to cover. I said yes and decided I'd set off now (it was about 2 o'clock) and fit in a good ride en route - a scenic and slightly longer ride over some virgin territory.

I say 'virgin territory' and a good proportion of it was but the usual start for me is always Alton Hill and as I was gonna go through Wirksworth I decided to redo part of my previous route and head down Sydnope hill, up to Winster and then head down Via Gelia before hitting the virgin stuff.

And JESUS what virgin stuff that was!! I'd hit the Via Gelia and was heading down looking for a right hand turn for Wirksworth. I was beginning to get worried as it wasn't appearing as early as I'd expected, but it did appear and I almost collapsed in shock!!

The turn appeared. My eye's followed the road right...then...up.....and up.....and UP! I've NEVER seen a road go up that steep.

I turned into the road, which joined the via gelia to Middleton, and started the pedalling. And pedalling. And pedalling.

The bike was in the lowest gear and I was digging in but everytime I lifted my head I just started laughing! at the ridiculousness of the steepness and more of the fact that I was trying the ride! So that was the technique. Many riders have their own ways of riding. Training, preperation, nutrition whatever. Me, I dig in...look up...laugh at how stupid I am.....head down...dig in...and repeat. lol!

Now, believe it or not I actually made that hill and soon (well not THAT soon actually) found myself in Middleton. The ride from Middleton through Wirksworth and on into Belper was actually a much nicer ride than my normal commute through ripley and Kilburn but as I had to be there at 5pm I overstretched myself and the ride from Wirksorth onwards just seemed...well....hard!? My legs were aching and weak, my arse was killing me and I still had about 10 miles to go. And I knew it as well, which made it worse some how?

The tired old man got himself to work dead on time, but in no uncertain terms bloody knackered - and that's a technical term, I've seen it in a biking mag! ;o)

After doing a night shift, which saw a few bloody eedjits lighting fires to things - so little rest, I had to then get on the bike. In the drizzle and wind. Then ride the 20 miles back home! That 20 miles normally takes me 1hr 20mins but not today....oh no my friend....at LEAST 2 hours! To be fair the last 10 miles were more accurately described as a limp rather than a ride but then after about 60 miles I wouldn't expect anything else really - I still need to get fitter!

Demon huntin...

2009-01-28T21:07:00.004Z

I don't know what it is but I didn't wanna ride today? I'm trying to work out why...getting tired or the sheen is beginning to die on the bike riding world??

Of course, I went out anyway and I had made a decision. I was gonna hunt the final demon and ride up Beeley hill!! I've been down it many times and everytime I see people riding up it's a mixture of admiration, embarassment - of not being able to do it myself, awe at those who do and the deep seated opinion that only 'real cyclists' do that kind of ride...and I ain't one of those.

So I planned on heading to Winster, down to Rowsley before heading UP the demon.

The road down into Darley Dale was awesome, steep fast - a real rush! My original plan wasn't to go over to Winster but I felt good and thought why not!?

That road is a bit steeper than expected but I relished the challenge and dug deep. I was about half way when another guy on a bike came in from a road on the left. I was in my stride and felt a bit funny but overtook him - WHAT is the protocol on that!? I didn't feel good overtaking him but it would have meant slowing my rythym (sp?) but when I got to the top I slowed right down to have a drink and he passed me. I followed him until Winster and then stopped to look at the lovely buildings in the village (sad, I know but it's a lovely village)

After Winster, I meandered down to Rowsley Mill where I stopped and had a cuppa and a slice of carrot cake. Ready for the Beeley Hill...

So...coming into Beeley, I prepared. Off came the wooley hat, unzipped the jacket, off came the gloves (it was pretty warm out today) and I jumped off for a pee!

And away I went....fairly easily....and well, I wasn't quite disappointed but I was pleasantly surprised that, although a big hill, it wasn't as difficult as I thought!! It wasn't too long before I was up on top of the moors, flying along with the birds of prey gliding parallel to me on the road which proved to be a really cool moment! On I continued until eventually getting home and a hot shower!

Calver loop

2009-01-25T13:46:00.007Z

I'm nosing around at GPS systems now...the gadget boy is starting to show his evil head again...so I thought I'd head up to Calver have a looksy in Outside and then take the bike on a loop from there.

I was on nights last night and I've been feeling a lot more tired so I wasn't expecting too much but thought I could do with some exercise to get the belly on it's way!

Thankfully the weather was merely grey and not too much wind and rain, so off I popped!

I rode up towards Hathersage stopping en route for a cherry and coconut slice....mmmm.....

Out towards Castleton but swinging out through Bradwell until I hit the A623. What a stretch that was! Seemed to go uphill forever but...no walking for me which was an acheivement!!

The ride was through some lovely, classic, Peak District territory and I even stopped to take a pic of my bike...well I think thats why I stopped...may have been the excuse to take a break after that long uphill ride!! lol!

For some reason I pelted it back? Halfway back to Calver I noticed another lone biker in the distance. Could I catch him I thought? (don't know what the 'protocol' would have been if I had caught up with him? Is it rude to overtake? would he think I was taking the piss? All those thoughts and more were going through my head?) As it turns out, NO I wasn't gonna catch him although by the time I reached Calver he was only 25m ahead so I felt good!

When I got back it was into Outside for a Pannini and Salad and a well wanted cup of tea - Lush!

Good day, did about 18 miles in about 1hr 20 :oD

bike check - check!

2009-01-23T15:44:00.004Z

I've had the bike for about a month or so now and have done about 250 miles so I booked the old girl into the LBS to have the check up/free service. The bike has been performing pretty well but gear changing has started to become a little less 'smooth' so I was hoping to get that sorted.

A couple of days after dropping her I found myself being dropped off by Claire. The idea was to pick up the bike and ride the 6 miles home however...I got on the bike and decided instead of heading home directly I'd head over to Cutthorpe, into the Peaks and then drop down off Beeley moor and home.

I'd only been on the bike for a mile or so and I noticed the gear changing was not too smooth. The front mech was having difficulty shifting the chain onto the smallest ring? As I found out while riding sometimes it wouldn't even change it!?

I carried on riding and to be honest, I REALLY didn't want to be there? I wasn't in the mood whatsoever and the fact that I'd started uphill and with a major headwind it just wasn't adding up to an enjoyable ride. I got to the Gate pub and pulled in to the back, I was gonna stop and have a coffee as I'd just been hit with a shower and the mood was low. So a rest and a coffee would set me up to carry on I thought. I got to the back of the pub and I don't know why but I thought sod it, get back on the bike and make it to the top of the hill! And, actually, I did! i didn't stop for a coffee. Dropped my hands into my drops, head down, and pedalled uphill and into the headwind!

I had to pedal for a while before my mood changed and I'm not sure when it did, but it did? I just found myself pedalling around taking in the scenery and although the wind didn't abate the rain did and the sun came out, the blue skies appeared and, thinking about it now, I think it was because my route had reached the point where the wind was now at my side and then on my back which made things a whole lot easier! At one point I was tootling along, the wind had lulled and I was cruising at a lovely 30mph sun in my face and surrounded by the type of scenery which made me move to this part of the world! Great!!

The second half of the ride was definitely better and saw me hit some decent speeds really, as I said 30mph on the flat and then hitting 40mph heading downhill at one point (Think that's the first time I've hit 40?) I don't think I'll commute tomorrow - I've had enough of headwinds to be honest - can't wait until summer!!

Figures of yesterday

2009-01-20T13:44:00.003Z

OUCH!

My leg has the biggest bruise in the world and I'm limping like a chimp...bloody drivers!!

Anyhoo...I thought I'd look at my route from yesterday and figured I may as well post them here!

Distance: 35.75 miles

Average speed: 11.4 mph

Max speed: 41 mph

Time: 3 hrs 7 mins

Ascent: 2356 ft

All in a lovely graph....

Chip Butties, Blizzards and Bail Outs...

2009-01-19T18:29:00.002Z

To be fair, it looked grey this morning when I set off. Not even a hint of what I got on the ride around!

I'd been given the heads up on a good midway point to stop and fill up - Elton Cafe. I arranged to meet Claire there so we could have lunch together and then I'd continue on with the ride.

The ride began as all others have, up Alton hill and I don't know if it's psychological or not but it seemed hard work. There was a headwind when I topped out which didn't make it any easier but once my legs got into it I was OK.

The sky was fairly blue and to be honest no clouds could be seen...until...Top of beeley moor, beginning the great downhill section and as I looked up....dark....DARK clouds exactly where I was heading, over by Elton - bugger.

Sure enough once I turned the corner the heavens opened!! I'd not been out on a ride in bad weather so, and it's probably a deep seated psychological problem of mine, I thought "now's a good time to test the kit!" and even though I was probably not even a third of the way through my journey of discovery (I'd rarely even driven this way let alone biked it!) I pedalled on through.

36 seconds later...piss wet through! Although to be fair, my top half faired pretty well and the tights aren't supposed to be waterproof. The worst part for me was trying to ride through heavy, and I mean HEAVY, downpours was that I couldn't see!! The rain was whacking my eyeballs like they were it's own personal set of Djembe drums!! I really must buy some bloody glasses.

So at this point I was piss wet through, couldn't see a thing, was riding through a demon headwind and I was now on a short section of the A6. Do I need to say that this wasn't my favourite part of the ride?

Once I got off the A6 I found myself in the lea of that headwind and the rain had abaited so I got my head down and dug deep. A bit too deep....I missed my damn turnoff and found myself in Youlgreave!!

So, to summarise the ride so far...

I've ridden through a torrential downpour, am piss wet through. I'm recovering from the effort of getting through the headwind. My eyes are stinging from being bombarded and now I'm in the wrong village.......lush!

I decided it was time for chocolate!

I chatted with the shopkeeper and confirmed my alternative route to Elton. Head on to Middleton then head past the church to take me into the back of Elton Village. The ride from Youlgreave was fairly pleasant actually, except the last bit which was classic narrow country lanes, stones, mud, potholes and cowshit! I was getting paranoid about punctures but I got there to meet Claire no worries...a bit late mind you oh, and....

ELTON CAFE WAS SHUT!!!! lmao! The place only opened at weekends....doh!

Claire was non too amused, having sat in the car while I was late and the cafe wasn't even open! We headed to the Miners Standard which was out of Elton, just on the hill behind Winster. VERY nice pub! I managed to warm myself up there with a coffee and a good old chip butty!

Once the baby had been fed and another coffee had been supped I said goodbye to Claire and Bodhi and headed out...INTO THE BLIZZARD!! I kid you not, it was a bloody snow blizzard!! I swapped hats with claire as mine was completely wet through, wiped the inch of snow off my bike seat and headed out.

If I thought the downpour earlier was hard work, THIS topped it! Up to the brow of the hill and then bearing left down towards the Via gellia road. All in the snow, whose turn it was on the eyeball djembe drums - although, the wind was now at my back so...mustn't grumble! I spent most of the time trying to ignore the feeling of frostbite nipping at my fingers under the wet gloves.

The ride back, through Matlock then Tansley, went without incident really, just hard work and getting more and more fatigued as we went on - I was so bloody glad I had saved some of that chocolate bar! There seemed to be more uphills than I wanted and even the level roads felt like a struggle. I was less than 3 miles from home, just ridden past Ogston reservoir and....a STEEP hill ahead....

I had to walk....it beat me. I'd been done! :o(

I was sooo disappointed. I got to the top of that hill, knowing there was still to come, finished off my chocolate and drank the last bit of drink then set off with the determination not to walk again. And I didn't! It nearly bloody killed me but I hung on in there and finished the last hill on my bike and then cruised home for a weel deserved, and HOT bath.

I'd had a great day! Eventful, but enjoyable none the less.

The Original Challenge - DONE!

2009-01-13T22:34:00.002Z

The bike was ready and I felt like I *could* do it...after all I'd done a few 30* mile runs but this would be 40* miles in 1 day...and in the dark! The last time I tried 40 miles it all went wong....read my previous blog!

I thought - sod it - I'll give it a go! I'm gonna do what the bike was intended for and Bike2Work. The only problem was that since buying the bike our shifts had changed and the only real time I figured would work would be between nights.

So after a 13 hour night shift...ride starting in the dark at 8am....20 miles...then repeat the process at 4.45 that very same afternoon...in the dark! Easy, of course I can do it :oS

I was excited about the journey and challenge ahead, I switched the lights on and set off. the Start of the route was not too enjoyable to be honest. Out of the Fire Station, along the main road all the way to Ripley...seemed a bit of a chore more than anything. I think I've been spoiled by the abundance of country vistas on my normal routes!? Once I got into Ripley I decided to get off the main roads and head on the harder route (more hills!!) which went through Oakerthorpe and skirted more of the country scenery I'd become accustomed to.

At this point the sun was starting to make its presence known and I started to relax into the ride and although the hills were more of a killer this way round it added a bit more interest to an otherwise boring commute. I managed to get back in 1 hr 20 mins, which i thought was OK for a 20 mile ride?

Feeling good after the ride, it didn't last...the day SHOT by and before i knew it I needed to get ready once more and cycle back......oooooh what psychological hurdle THAT was!! Saying that, once I was riding it all went fairly smooth and I finished the ride feeling pretty good.

But, 1 question - How can a route seem uphill both on the way there AND on the way back!!?

* - I'm still amazed I'm actually writing about me riding 30 and 40 miles!?!??!

30...40...can't be much different?

2009-01-12T21:22:00.002Z

Anyone else would have taken the 'bonk experience' (and I'm not talking about the 2 person bonk neither!) as some kind of message to slow down, not to go out every other day and to work my way up to biking fitness.

Not me.

The day after next I jumped straight onto the trusty steed - complete with new carbon bottle holders and juice bottle in situ! I'd arranged to meet Claire in the cafe (Outside) at the Calver crossroads after doing a 40 mile route I'd looked at. She would pick me up there with my lovely new Thule double bike rack, £30 BARGAIN from e-bay, and after a walk around Eyam we'd all drive back. Sounds like a flawless plan....

'That hill' was another battle, and I seemed to feel a lot more fatigued this time, but I got up it and trundled along the same route to Chatsworth as I did on my 30 miler. This time however I could feel a building pressure....down...there....you know.....buldging bladder time! Once I'd topped out on the moor i decided it was time to go releive myself. After all I had a long way to go so best get rid of the unwanted liquid weight now. I picked up the bike, popped behind a wall and popped the little fella out, and I do mean little....well...it WAS cold!

Once the deed was done I did up my zip and....ah...well...I would have, except, the bloody thing broke there and then. Only a few miles in to a 40 mile ride, stood on top of a frozen moor, feeling tired (after admittedly overdoing it in the previous days) and my bloody zip had bust displaying my little man to anyone I passed!! I'd had enough! I got out my phone and decided to call Claire and get her to pick me up, or meet me in Beeley...except....my....phone.....was.....dead.... :o(
It's all in the planning.

I had no choice, I tucked myself in as best I could, got on the bike and peddled away, swearing, cursing and generally unhappy with the whole situation. If the staff at J E James had heard what I'd called them I don't think they'd sell me another thing! I wasn't kind. Even though it was obviously a fault and not down to them - incidently they replaced the tights, no bother, when I took them back the next day. Great guys those lads at J E james.

Once the cursing had subsided and I'd decided to ignore the sub zero breeze in my nether regions I got into the ride and in no time at all found myself at Calver crossroads. I'd decided to change the route though, 40 miles in this state was NOT gonna be for me! So, 15 miles later Outside cafe it was, beanburger, chips, Salad and a pint of tea and the smile started to return. Worry not, Claire had brought clothes for the walk in Eyam so I wasn't sat in my tights with everything on show!

Definitely a ride to remember...if not for the right reasons!

1st 30 miler!

2009-01-11T18:38:00.006Z

Bearing in mind that I didn't have my water bottle bought yet you'd have thought that I'd leave trying to do any distance wouldn't ya?

Yeah, you'd have thought!

I'd picked up my tights and had actually become acustomed to being a fat man in ridiculously unflattering clothing. So, surely the drinks thing wouldn't matter too much? I decided to hydrate before going out and figured that would be ok, so I figured!

The route included THAT HILL! I figured I'd done a couple of rides now and was, psychologically at least, ready to beat that demon.

So I kitted myself up, popped in my i-pod (I figured 30 miles could take me a while so music was needed!!) and set off. All th while the one thing in my head was THAT HILL! As I arrived I was feeling quite good about it so I freewheeled down towards the bottom of the hill, dropped the bike into the lowest gear and began pedalling...and pedalling....and grunting....and groaning....and puffing....and panting.....and swearing. Looked up......half way - SHIT! head down, and began pedalling...and pedalling...and grunting...and groaning.....and puffing...and panting...and swearing. Looked up....TOP OF THE BLOODY HILL!! I had only bloody made it hadn't I!!! Now technically I was still pedalling uphill but at a much reduced gradiant so to all intense and purposes I was at the top.

And boy did I feel good.

I knew that hill was not only my nemisis of the biking world up to this point (I'd fallen off and given up a few days earlier!) but it was also the hardest section of the whole route. With this knowledge I was feeling pretty good and began to enjoy the scenery unfolding around me. the weather was great, cold, crisp and clear blue skies. I'd wrapped up well, had my wooly hat on and chilled tunes in the background - this was gonna be good.

Throughout the ride I had been looking forward to the back road into Beeley off the moor. A great LONG downhill section right into Beeley and The Devonshire Arms...bugger....I'd forgotten my money. Never mind, That section was awesome, 30mph downhill - not entrely confident my wheel wasn't gonna fall off or the wheels would lose friction and I'd go flying on my arse. Maybe I should have bought a helmet? Bit of a thrill really!

After that, a steady ride through Chatsworth, watching the red deer stomping around whilst I try to avoid the sheep who've decided the grass IS greener on the other side of the road, and that the best time to go get it is when that fat man in the ridiculous yellow jacket and tights rides by. From Chatsworth on into Baslow and up back towards Chesterfield up the long steady climb to the point I can cut right and get back onto the Moors.

It was at this point I started to feel a little....tired. It was getting late and a wee bit darker so I popped my lights on - just in case. And continued on into an ever increasing headwind! For the last five miles I felt like I was battling with not only the headwind but also, what I've since learned on the CycleChat forum, the 'bonk' lmao! that is still a daft name for it!

The Bonk, apparently, is where your body has basically ran out of fuel. The decision to head out without a drink and a bit of grub was beginning to show itself as a bad one about now - I didn't even enjoy the ride down Alton 'THE' hill as much as I should. But, lesson learned!

I got home, collapsed in a shaking heap and duly ordered a pair of carbon bottle holders for the bike off e-bay, not leaving without water on a ride of that distance again!

Long way round

2009-01-11T15:28:00.004Z

I had to find another way round that hill otherwise I wouldn't be able to enjoy the delights of getting up on top of the Moors. I had a brainwave, head towards to Chesterfield then shoot left through Wingerworth and up the longer but more of a gradual incline - genius!

Except...first time, I turned left at the wrong roundabout and ended up at the bottom of the same steep hill in Alton!! Bugger.

So I changed that ride into another 7 miler and tried again another day.

Now, I thought that the 'gentler incline' heading out of Wingerworth would be a lot easier - wrong! Well...not entirely. I actually made it up the hill without stopping but MAN were my thighs in excruciating pain and with the heat coming off them I coulda fried an egg on them there and then! Oh, and the noise...I was grunting like a pig on heat! All the way up - Grrrr!...Aargh!!....Oooooh!.......Helllllp.....me......

But to be fair, once I battled (and it WAS a battle) up to the top I could relax, amble on the bike and recover. It would have been a lot better if I had bought a bloody water bottle holder and bottle!! I was gasping!! Mental note to self...buy a drink system!

From the top of that Moor I headed back to Alton from the opposite direction and had the pleasure of riding that hill the OPPOSITE way :oD Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

I did about 15 miles that day and actually felt really good afterwards - I think the riding was taking on more of an 'enjoyment factor' rather than the 'exercise' it was started for - result!

Virgin ride

2009-01-10T22:14:00.000Z

That Christmas feeling had not gone. I was stood in the kitchen putting all my new clobber on, anxiously looking at Claire waiting for her to tell me how much of an idiot I looked with My bright Yellow Jacket and cycling shorts on! The tights needed to be ordered and I couldn't wait for them to arrive before heading out so shorts and freezing temperatures became unlikely bedfellows.

I'd been on Gmaps pedometer before to find running routes so I used it to suss out a local route and decided on a 5 mile easy ride as I didn't have a clue how far I could/should ride!? Once I worked out how the Catseye computer worked I was off!

I rolled out the bike onto the main road and tentatively slipped my shoes into the cleats on one side....
pushed off....
Shoes in other cleat....
and I was off!!

At first I still had that 'your dressed like a bloody idiot feeling' but it evaporated pretty quickly and I got into the riding.

After leaving the village I realised that the route I'd chosen had a bloody big, and I mean BIG hill on it fairly early on. SOD it, i could do that I thought!!

It looked very impressive once I got there and slowly, but surely, the change of gradient began to tell on the legs. The heat began to increase, the sweat appeared on the brow and bloody hell did my legs begin to burn!

About a third of the way up I realised, there was no way I was gonna make it. So, as my feet were attached to the pedals via the cleats, I decided to keep going to the half way point where it levelled out briefly before stopping for a rest and then turning back. I needn't have bothered. I got half way, slowed, stopped and seeing as my feet refused to leave the pedal slowly but oh so very surely fell sideways into the road and BANG my shoulder hit the tarmac and I was still attached to the bike - whilst pissing myself laughing at what MUST have been a true comic spectacle to watch...pity the place was deserted. A pity but very lucky for me!

With that out of the way, I turned the bike around and headed back downhill before setting off on the rest of an enjoyable ride through the countryside which ended up being 7 miles which I felt really happy about as I didn't feel as if I'd done too much exercise and felt confident to do a bit further next ride round.

Picking up the new lady in my life

2009-01-10T22:05:00.000Z

I'd ordered the bike a while ago but it had only just arrived so I went in.

I must have spent at least an hour in J E James as I'd ordered the whole hog! Tights...yes tights, NEVER a good look with my physique, shoes, shorts, jacket, lights, pump, computer and of course my lovely new girl - a Trek 1.2 triple 09 (don't know what all that means but it's a light bike, apparently suitable for all my cycling needs!)

Oooh it felt like Christmas had come early! Well...actually if sort of did come early as i was gonna buy some overshoes when Claire looked at me disappointedly and said "Please don't buy overshoes". Me being the sharp witted fellow I am translated that to meaning "Bugger, I'd bought you them for Christmas" Needless to say, i got them a little early, well...when we got home to be exact.

So with that Me, Claire, Bodhi and the bike and all the kit jumped into the Peugeot and trundled off home in anticipation of the virgin ride the next day (maybe that anticipation was limited to myself, who can say for sure?)