I’ve been quiet, haven’t I?
Well, those who work with me, ride with me or are unfortunate enough to live with me would disagree, but the blog has been well and truly wordless rather than Wordpress. It’s not that I’ve had nothing to report - because I have. I’ve just been really, really busy.
For starters, it’s that time of year where the bike manufacturers switch over from 2009 models to 2010 models, so I’ve been re-populating the KB Cycles website with 2010 Scotts, Treks and Orbeas. On top of that, my fiancee Suzy isn’t particularly well at the moment so I’ve been a trying to look after her a bit more than usual (and probably failing too).
On the cycling front, I’ve had a good couple of weeks. This last week I managed just under 150 miles, 47 of which was a commute (more on that in a moment), 50 with the Vags and 50 with some bloke who thinks he’s Eddie Merckx (more on that in a moment too).
The Commute of Doom
Working in Rothbury has it’s advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, it’s in a stunning part of the country, miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and traffic jams on the morning commute are almost unheard of. On the downside, heat, electricity and Internet connectivity is scarce, farmers regularly attempt to hurl themselves under your car on their quad bikes, and if you need to buy anything other than sausages, outdoor clothing or pies, you’re pretty much screwed. One of the positive points is the fact that Rothbury is slap bang in the middle of the Tyneside Vagabond’s Mountain Time Trial Course, which means I can use my base in Rothbury to ride parts of the MTT route (as I have been doing recently over Bilsmoor). However, not since my botched attempt a few months ago where I tried in vain to kill myself have I attempted the MTT. In attempt to build up my fitness and hill climbing strength, I decided to commute in from Belsay to Rothbury following the MTT route, and then back again afterwards.
The alarm went off at 6, I bounded out of bed full of enthusiasm and ran down the stairs to eat my breakfast… And by that I mean I dragged myself out of my pit, dropped some Pro Plus, drank a gallon of tea and only then wondered why on Earth was I stood stark bollock naked on the cold kitchen floor at 6:15 in the morning…
By 7am I was on the road (in the car that is) and on my way to Belsay. The weather was (sort of) holding out for me, although dark clouds loomed ominously in all directions. Unpacking the bike in Belsay I felt groggy and tired, but I had been told by several people that my body would become accustomed to the early morning rides. I’ve learnt the hard way that cycling never goes as planned, so it came as no surprise that I had a flat tyre when I took the bike out of the car. Of course a sensible person would change the inner tube, but I just pumped up the tyre hoping it was a slow puncture, which it was. The tyre stayed inflated until Rothley Crossroads, at which point my rear cassette starting jamming causing my chain to come off!
My boss joined me at Rothley Crossroads, and we finished the rest of the commute to Rothbury. Whilst the first part of the course to Rothbury isn’t exactly pleasant, I hadn’t gone too hard as the part from Rothbury to the Gibbet Road is a nightmare, which I would be doing after a full day at work (although I had an offer of a lift should I feel like it).
Come the evening, the weather had taken a turn for the worse and it was drizzling (you know - that fine rain that gets you wet) and I’d ridden in without a waterproof so that’s how I’d be riding back. I’d gone up Bilsmoor and the Gibbet the week before and I’d found it hard, but today would be harder after the commute in. Sure enough I struggled all the way to the top of the Gibbet where my boss went home. Over the top of the Gibbet my tyre finally gave up. It was cold, raining, and I was on the top of moorland changing a sodding tyre. Worse still, my inner tube was the wrong size valve for the rim. You can imagine the language was choice.
By the time the tyre was fixed, it was getting dark and cold, but I had told myself I would finish the route and that’s what I did. By the time I got to Belsay I was tired, weak, dizzy, cold, hungry and thirsty, but pleased as I had turned down 3 offers of lifts, overcome a mechanical failure and a puncture to complete 47 miles of hilly cycling on a weekday.
I plan to do it once a week for as long as the weather permits, starting this week.
A Sunday Ride with Eddy Merckx
Come Saturday night, I was fairly tired despite only riding with the slower group on the Vag’s Saturday run. The plan was to lie in on Sunday and relax as much as possible, with maybe a gentle spin on the turbo trainer to flush out my legs (probably while Suzanne was watching the X Factor - anything is better than that). Andy Fuller had other ideas. Andy, one of the North East’s better time trialists, invited me out for what he referred to as a “quick spin”.
The 50 mile “quick spin” opened my eyes of where I am. On climbs that I struggled up, Andy effortlessly climbed with room to spare. When the wind got tough, Andy powerfully spun whilst I ground out the gears in an attempt to drag myself through the onslaught. By the end of the ride, Andy was fresh - and I was slaughtered. At least I looked better than him though…
Let’s not be silly here though - Andy’s a seasoned cyclist who goes round the Vags course some 6 minutes quicker than me. He regularly puts in single rides that are longer than what I do in a week, and even has a shed to train in (I have to make do with the kitchen where peace and quiet is non existent).
At the end of the day, the only way I will improve is to ride with people stronger than me and learn from them. It may be a while before I’m anywhere near Andy’s level, but having a mate of that calibre on hand is always useful, even if he does dress like Eddy Merckx.
Weight Loss Update
Weight loss wise, I’ve lost another 2lbs, taking me down to 16 stone 6 - just 2lbs off losing 6 stone. There will be much celebrating when I hit that particular marker (probably resulting in going back over the 6 stone mark again!)
The long hard Winter draws near…
I have plans for the Winter. I could tell you all about them, but then I’d have to kill you, which might be difficult as I’ve no idea who actually reads this blog or where they live making such threats fairly impossible. The plan is to put in a good, hard Winter and hopefully come out the other side lighter, fitter and faster. My Winter plan starts on the 1st of October, literally days from now.