The main event this week was my longest ride of the year, all for the well deserving Cransley Hospice. Its also ten years to the day that my good friend Nigel did his LEJOG tandem ride. A few other bits to discuss including the return of professional racing with the Strade Bianche.
My first exercise of the week after a couple of rest days was a 10k run. I realised I hadn't ticked off my July 10k on Strava so with a few days left I decided to get it done! I felt strong on this run, it wasn't quick but it was comfortable.
On Thursday I went for a light morning spin. I wanted to get my legs moving but keep some energy for Saturday's planned 100 mile ride. It was a beautiful morning and just enriching to be out on my bike!
The ideal preparation for Saturday would have been clean eating, alcohol in moderation and plenty of sleep...well Thursday night didn't go to plan! I was a good boy on Friday but the extremely hot day led to a poor night's sleep.
On Saturday I met up with the usual crowd at Kettering swimming pool. It was a 07:30 start so I'd expected a small group. There was 13 of us! We organised into two groups to make a 6 and 7. Almost compliant with guidance! I set off with the first group of Mark, Neil, Adam, Pete and Ashley. Group 2 was Andy P, Mike, Marcus, Amy, Nat, Paul and Richard G.
My plan was to tuck in and conserve my energy...that lasted for a couple of miles and then I found my legs and started taking turns in the front. My brakes for some reason were the noisiest things on the planet. My early theory was that I'd got some GT85 on my rims when I cleaned my bike. However I'm now going with Pete's theory that I need new blocks! I've purchased them already Mr Rowbotham!
Another point of interest was Neil's pink and orange drink combination. Apparently its koppenberg and hooch.
First banana 🍌 break, nearly 30 miles for me. Spirits were high, the weather was glorious and we were making good time.
The pace was good all the way to our cafe stop at Grafham water. An average of 17mph is great for me...I can't remember the last time I sustained that over 55 miles. For other cyclists I know this wouldn't be unusual, I'd love to be like that one day!
Group 2 arrived at the cafe shortly after us. They'd reduced to 6 after 10 miles because Richard G needed to go home. Not his day! Never mind Richard there will be better times for you! Also at Grafham Nat and Ashley decided 100 was too much. Details of why shall remain in the group for Nat and for Ashley he's recovering from an injury and like me had probably been pushing too hard on the front!
I'm never good after a stop and it took a while to get going again. I had planned to drink both bottles by the first stop. However I still had a whole bottle of my special mix of 50:50 pure orange juice and water with a pinch of salt. Big mistake! I started falling behind but in my usual style I'd catch up on the downhills and flats. On one such downhill I rounded a corner to suddenly find the others stopped at a junction. I locked up those noisy brakes, did a power slide and ended up on the wrong side of the road narrowly avoiding a collision with a car. What a pillock! The adrenalin kick did help my peddaling for a few miles!
At around 70 miles I gave some of Bruce's magic magnesium a go! No cramp on the ride so I think it worked!!! I've ordered a load more and will use it on every ride. We had to stop at Hamerton for the traditional picture. Adam took it and so we took a picture of him!
My drink was nearly gone at 75 miles but that was okay, the next stop at Elton wasn't far. Group two joined as there shortly after we'd made our purchases. It was a perfect place to stop. A can of coke plus a solero went down nicely. I bought a couple of bottles of lucozade sport too. I didn't tell anyone but I had a headache and felt a bit sick. A clear sign of dehydration! Anyway the banter in the group distracted me nicely and it was less than 30 to go. I knew I'd make that!
An excellent range of fruit and veg. Lots of general buffoonery and Adam got excited about a lovely salad.
I was slowy mcslow face as we headed out again. I'd have occasional bursts of energy but started to fall off the pace. Andy and Mike hung back and drafted me to Aldwinkle. The hill up to Islip was agony. The group waited for me in the grim bus stop and banter flowed before Andy headed back down the hill to Denford. I let the group know I was heading home via Grafton. Neil helped me to the crossroads where the rest waited to say goodbye. That was a lovely gesture, my ride mates are great people. We occasionally forget ourselves and have a full on love in before returning to more socially acceptable put downs and banter! Unbelievably some of them are doing another 100 tomorrow!
Then I ground home. Those two bottles of lucozade sport were nearly gone and I was still very thirsty. I wonder if I could keep up if I hydrated more effectively or if its just not possible for me to get enough liquid in to compensate for the amount I lose on a long ride? Its very gross but the steady drip of sweat from my helmet tells a tale. Another purchase I've made today is one of those cooling skullcaps. It might be a game changer!!!
I planned to ride from Geddington through Newton and onto Rushton but I couldn't face that terrifying road crossing. So instead I went a bit gravel classic and headed through weekly woods to Glendon. Then it was just down bunker hill into Rothwell and up the hill to my house. 111 miles. I was the most knackered I've been in ages. After a pint of milk and a shower I weighed myself and was 3lbs lighter than I'd been before I set out that morning. Most of that must be water and that just shows how dehydrated I must have been. Also the headache and sickness went after a few cups of tea! According to myfitnesspal I'd also burned over 5000kcal! So I put that back in with a few quality ales and a barbecue of steak, chicken breast and pork belly!
Charity supervised the cooking, but after I felt recovered I wore her out with a long walk. It was the best thing to stretch out my legs. Earlier on I had to ask Sam to take my socks off because I couldn't bend over!!!
On Sunday Sam and I headed over to Cottingham so I could show him the Rockingham Forest Wheelers TT course. We did a very leisurely lap and I think Sam will get on great. More money was spent as his bib shorts now look about 3 sizes too small and so are his gloves! At least he fits my bikes...for now! No strava to show you because we both left it running on the drive home!!!
This time ten years ago I joined my good friend Nigel and his friend Keira for a ride from Chipping Norton to Northampton. This was one of their shorter days on their tandem ride from Lands End to John O'Groats. It feels apt that this 10th anniversary has happened in the same week that the round the world record for a tandem was beaten. No pressure Nigel and Keira.
Here's Nigel's account:
10 years ago yesterday!
Day 5
Chipping Norton to Northampton
52 miles
38.6 mph top speed
Total milage yesterday +52!!
Yesterday started with the short journey up the hill with Kyla and Callum for company. As we turned the corner to the Town Hall we were greeted by a fantastic group of friends from the sailing club and C block of Northampton Saints.
We had the team photo and set of in a long line. Looking in the rear view mirror was like seeing the pelaton on the telly. The first casualty of the day was Harry. After a couple of miles he had a blow out in the rear. This meant the whole group split into pieces. And that is how we carried on for the rest of the trip, despite having several stops to get together again.
It was so much fun riding with friends around us that the miles just flew by. Thanks must go to the support crews who followed and swapped bikes and cyclists as the day went on.
One of the stopping points was the White Heart in Flore. Derek, a C blocker has recently had a stroke and was out of hospital for the day to come back to his pub to meet us. Strongie organised a whip round and our total has been boosted by over fifty quid.
From Flore we rode over to Northampton to Eric and Carol's place to be greeted by a fantastic spread and the required carb loading for the next day. We would like to thank everybody who turned out to make this day so special. I think I smiled for the whole day.
There is one small point that needs to be made. If you are riding along, beside your father, make sure he doesn't force you off the road into the brambles. Poor Emma's arms and legs looked like they had been dragged through a hedge backwards, or was it forwards.
Chunky videoed whilst riding and the results can be seen here.
In racing news the Strade Bianche took place this weekend. With lots of gravel I'd say this is my type of ride. This GCN video tells quite the tale and if you've never read about Gino Bartali then you're in for a treat!
I think that's enough for one blog!
Happy Pedalling
No comments:
Post a Comment