Taming the pussy cat…
One of my targets for 2010 was a 100 mile Sportive. It was my intention to do this towards the end of the season, allowing myself time to lose weight and build fitness. Of course, never being one to do things in half measures, I succumbed to fierce and unrelenting peer pressure (Anna, Penny and Kerry) to get my ass down to the posh part of Manchester and do the Verenti “Cheshire Cat” - 100 miles worth of cycling fun and games. I’m particularly looking forward to Mow Cop (which is also called, “The Killer Mile”). More info: Verenti Cheshire Cat. One of the benefits of this is I can use it for pre-season training as well as ticking off one of the targets (the one I am not looking forward to the most too). Let’s just hope Anna doesn’t kick my ass up the hills…
Slowly Snowy Saturday
Looking out the Window I saw a fresh blanket of snow laid on the ground and my immediate reaction was to stay in bed. However, I was convinced by a fellow Vag that the snow wouldn’t be too bad in Ponteland, and we got ourselves ready and out the door. The air was crisp and clear, and there was a fresh, Winter’s scent in the air.
It will come as no surprise to anyone that we were late getting to Ponteland (yeah - incredible, isn’t it?). In fact, the fast group was leaving just as I arrived, so much to the amusement of everyone, I would be riding in the slower group (well, except for person who shouted something like, “Who let HIM go on the front, we’ll die!”)
As some of you may know, my personal circumstances changed this week. My apologies to those who don’t know, but without going into it, eating regular meals and getting regular sleep has been somewhat difficult, so perhaps it was best that I rode in the slow group. Anything more might have been asking for trouble.
Leaving Ponteland, we quickly learned that snow, ice, downhills and road bikes do not go together very well at all. Even the hybrids were struggling with their slightly wider tyres and heavier frames. Simon Gibbs was the first to go down due to the treacherous conditions and luckily he was ok, followed shortly by Kerry (or Special K as she is now known) - who had a narrow escape from tangling with one of those ridiculous 4×4s that frequents the Gosforth school run. Luckily she escaped with a bit of bruising and dented pride, nothing I’m sure a bit of TLC wouldn’t have solved.
I struggled myself to keep the bike vertical on many occasions, and I’m certain the superior nature of Speedplay pedals is the only reason I stayed upright. Several times I turned the wheel one way only for the bike to do an impression of a Tesco trolley and go the opposite way. Scary shit.
As we reached the Dyke Neuk, myself and 3 other lads decided to put in a slightly longer loop through Mitford, and it was nice to stretch my legs - concentrating on hill climbing ready for the forthcoming Cheshire Cat. Despite icey, snowy roads, we all managed to put in some slightly faster sections, and I climbed with gusto (heart rate topping 190 a couple of times), waiting at the the top of every hill for the other 3. I’m still to really test myself this year, and indeed all my training is basic aerobic stuff, but it was nice to climb out of my comfort zone a couple of times.
The ride wasn’t great, but the weather seriously restricted how much fun could be had. That, coupled with my tiredness and missing the start of the medium group, left me feeling a little flat. Regardless, I had a very enjoyable Sunday that more than made up for Saturday, and training starts again this week.
Dreading the 21 miles of Hilly Doom
Just over a month now until my first race, although it’s for training purposes only, which is the Barnesbury Hilly 21. It does exactly what it says on the tin - 21 miles of hills. Joy. You know how much I love hills. And one of them is Middleton Bank (yes THAT Middleton Bank). I will be riding round the course with Lucy Sill shortly to get a feel for it.
I’ll be honest, I’m dreading it. I’m so far from ready it’s untrue. I feel completely unfit, and I’m going to limp round the course to a quite dreadful time. The only benefit is the opportunity it offers to get in some race miles and a bit of training. Oh well…