Up at 4.45am which was hard work as I'd had a pretty late night at a party, I'd stayed sober but really could have done with getting home earlier & got some more kip, still felt much better than Emily who'd spent most of the night slept on the bathroom floor in puking distance of the toilet.
Strong coffee & porridge were the order of the day before getting all my kit together before Paul picked me up to drive to the Etape start in Grassington. Realised on the way over that I'd forgotten my rain cape but thought tough s**t it'll be reet although the big clouds in the distance worried me rather a lot. Oh & it was pretty windy which didn't look too promising.
Got to the HQ in good time, got signed on, put bikes together & got me cycling clobber on, bib tights, longsleeved undershirt, arm warmers & my Star Wheelers shirt, no gilet & no rain cape. No rain yet though. I decided to let Paul, Taran, James & Paul V have a bit of a head start on me hoping to meet up a bit later on in the ride. Had a bit of a stretch, last visit to the bog & waited around for a big group to set off.
Got my tag swiped & I was off, managed to get behind some riders who were going pretty quick then lost the group I was in as I gave it a bit of an effort up a small hill then caught up with a guy in a red shirt on a rather nice Rourke bike. He was trying really hard head bobbing up & down on the rolling but largely flat road, I did a few turns with him to show willing but he didn't seem right bothered in fact I think I was hindering him rather than helping. Caught another guy (later found out it was Nathan the other rider who was getting training plans from 76 Harley Street) & we rode to the bottom of Fleet Moss together where they promptly left me behind. Have to say my legs felt quite tight going up the hill but I thought it's a long ride they should get better as the ride goes on. The wind was not making life easy especially up the climbs.
Into the 26 sprocket & got over the top & down the steep descent & then pretty much straight up Buttertubs, a climb I'd kinda forgotten about, then another steep descent. I was not enjoying the downhills at all, very steep, twisty, narrow, damp, gravelly & dry stone walls either side which wouldn't be too forgiving if you screwed up any corners.
1 Hour 21 Minutes 3 Seconds to the first checkpoint at Hawes, not stopping just got my tag scanned & set about catching a big group that had formed up ahead. Gave it a bit of welly & caught up, this was probably my best moment in the whole ride, it's quite a nice run in to the bottom of Tan Hill, nice & sheltered & we seemed to be bombing along just chatting to people.
Tan Hill starts of very steeply & it was hard work getting past slower riders especially when a few cars where getting in the way too. I saw the stronger riders dissapearing into the distance. It was at this point that I saw the other Star Wheelers, said hello & carried on. The climb of Tan Hill is not particularily steep but it just goes on forever, luckily a group came up from behind & I tagged on with them. There was a guy from Halifax Imps & a couple of Condor RC riders. Good job they appeared when they did as the climb was no fun, strong crosswinds were making life miserable.
About10 times I thought we were at the top only to see the road carry on snaking into the distance but we did get to the Tan Hill Pub eventually. 1 hour 38 minutes & 50 seconds after leaving Hawes. I was feeling pretty knackered, had a quick toilet stop then straight back on the bike.
The weather had also started to close in with a bit of rain in the air, the next section of the ride was on the top of the moors & very bleak. From this point on I was really struggling, my legs were very tired, I had a few moments were I got a 2nd wind & could get some speed going but mostly I was plodding along. The group with the Condor riders caught me up as they'd stopped longer at Tan Hill, I rode on & off with one of the Condor guys pretty much all the way back to Grassington as he seemed to be in a similar state to me.
I was waiting for the wind to start giving me some help but it never seemed to, always cross wind then turn a corner into a headwind then turn into a crosswind. There may well have been some more climbs on the way but I was just trying to get to the next checkpoint at the Moorcock then we'd have the 1in4 climb of the Coal Road to get over.
1 hour 27 minutes 17 seconds later got to the checkpoint feeling very miserable, wet & cold, would gladly have thrown my bike in the back of a car & given up but had to keep going. Once the Coal Road is out of the way it should get easier. Coal Road was as steep as I remember & the weather was even worse at the top with low cloud & the rain was getting heavier. I was having a bit of bother with my hands, the road are so rough & my bike is not very forgiving so I was getting shocks through my palms like trapped nerves or something, combine that with cold & wet hands & it was pretty uncomfortable.
Managed to raise half a smile for the photographer at the top of the Coal Road.
I got another 2nd wind probably about my 10th as we turned left at Ribblehead, I think I thought the next checkpoint was nearer than it was so did a big effort at the front when I realised we still had a way to go it was pretty demoralising, I'd long since given up on getting a time of about 6.45 which was my goal I was just aiming to get this ride over with.
1 hour 32 minutes & 6 seconds to reach Stainforth & the last checkpoint. The last section of the ride is pretty steady, one more climb then a nice run in back to the HQ. Got over the climb OK then down the last descent thank feck for that. A big lad in Quickstep kit went past me like a bullet so got on his wheel, I think this was my 12th wind, he was towing me along at about 28 mph & I was even finding a bit of energy to do some turns. It didn't last too long though & I let him go & rode the rest of the ride on my own, got some nasty cramp up the last little drag then into the HQ to get my tag scanned.
Have to say at this pont I couldn't have given a flying wotsit what time I had got the only concern on my mind was to get out of my wet cycling kit & put some dry clothes on before I got Hypothermia. Felt much better once I'd had my pie & peas & a coffee. There were some pretty cold riders in the HQ, one guy could barely pour the milk into his coffee his hands were shaking so much.
It took me 1 hour 9 minutes & 2 seconds to get from the last checkpoint to the finish & my total time was 7 hours 8 minutes 18 seconds. At the time I was a little dissapointed with this but looking at the other times of everyone else I didn't do too bad, 67th best time. The fastest was Jamie Larimee in 6 hours 19 minutes, a very good ride in those conditions.
On the way round I remember thinking I'm never doing this ride again but now after a few days to reflect I reckon I might have to just to get under 7 hours. I definitely went off a bit too quick this year I was towing for the last 50 miles, maybe could have got a better time if I'd pace the ride.
Hope the weather's better in 2012.
Wednesday 18 May 2011
Friday 13 May 2011
Re-testing day
It's Friday night & I'm catching up on the Giro & having a glass of Leffe, thought I'd quickly recap this last week then do another blog entry after the big event on Sunday.
Monday
Rest day on the plan but I had to get down to that London to get retested at 76 Harley Street to see if the training has worked. So 3 hours on the train, quick tube journey & half mile walk, ramp test then back to Kings Cross & back on the train. Phew only just made it after the train was delayed outside Peterborough on the way down. Luckily when I got to Harley Street I was straight into see Jim to get reaquainted with the ergo cycle.
Test was as hard as I remember from the first time especially after a tough ride the day before. But the results were good, my power at Lactate Threshold was up as was my peak power. It's quite a confidence boost to know that I had improved since the first test.
Quick chat with Jim about to explain the results & then dashed back for my train with about 5mins to spare! Met up with Emily & the kids at Waky train station then over to Roundhay in Leeds for grasstrack racing. Kids did OK tonight Ruby did a good half lap TT & Dylan got into the racing towards the end after getting a bit stroppy early on. Handicaps were a bit all over the place but they'll be better next week now the first event is out of the way.
Back home to hear the very sad news about Wouter Weylandt in the Giro.
Tuesday - Saturday
Last hard training session on Tuesday evening. 4 X 10 min efforts in biggest gear which was fun, have to wonder what people must think I'm up to when they see me pedalling along at about 30rpm. Anyway seems to work.
Rest of the week I've only ridden to work & back, going to get out tomorrow morning to stretch my legs. Been fettling the bike tonight, stuck a 26 sprocket on, swapped my computer over from my training bike to my race bike etc.
Off to a party tomorrow night, staying sober & driving, hoping to get home fairly early to get some sleep before an early start on Sunday.
Monday
Rest day on the plan but I had to get down to that London to get retested at 76 Harley Street to see if the training has worked. So 3 hours on the train, quick tube journey & half mile walk, ramp test then back to Kings Cross & back on the train. Phew only just made it after the train was delayed outside Peterborough on the way down. Luckily when I got to Harley Street I was straight into see Jim to get reaquainted with the ergo cycle.
Test was as hard as I remember from the first time especially after a tough ride the day before. But the results were good, my power at Lactate Threshold was up as was my peak power. It's quite a confidence boost to know that I had improved since the first test.
Quick chat with Jim about to explain the results & then dashed back for my train with about 5mins to spare! Met up with Emily & the kids at Waky train station then over to Roundhay in Leeds for grasstrack racing. Kids did OK tonight Ruby did a good half lap TT & Dylan got into the racing towards the end after getting a bit stroppy early on. Handicaps were a bit all over the place but they'll be better next week now the first event is out of the way.
Back home to hear the very sad news about Wouter Weylandt in the Giro.
Tuesday - Saturday
Last hard training session on Tuesday evening. 4 X 10 min efforts in biggest gear which was fun, have to wonder what people must think I'm up to when they see me pedalling along at about 30rpm. Anyway seems to work.
Rest of the week I've only ridden to work & back, going to get out tomorrow morning to stretch my legs. Been fettling the bike tonight, stuck a 26 sprocket on, swapped my computer over from my training bike to my race bike etc.
Off to a party tomorrow night, staying sober & driving, hoping to get home fairly early to get some sleep before an early start on Sunday.
Wednesday 11 May 2011
Crap week at work but good week of bike riding.
Here's what happened in the penultimate week's training before Etape Du Dales.
Monday
Plan says rest day & that is what I did. Well when I say I rested that's not strictly true we went to Thongsbridge Tennis club as they were having an open day. We all had a free go including the kids who had about an hours free coaching. Thankfully the kids haven't shown too much interest, tennis lessons are a bit expensive, kind of hoping they'll stick to riding bikes.
Tuesday
Plan says 5min/off in biggest gear for an hour.
Work in the morning which wasn't great, always hard work after a bank holiday, then sleep, then got my arse out on me bike. Slightly sore shoulder from the tennis, I'm no Raphael Nadal.
Rode out on the chain gang route to do my efforts as it's a relatively flat gradient, there's a few lights but I seemed to get lucky & miss those. I was hoping to catch the chain gang on the way back from Sowerby Bridge but they had gone pretty quick that night & I missed them. The lads sat on the wall just outside Sowerby Bridge took great pleasure in telling me I was last.
Wednesday
The plan says rest day.
Does doing a cyclo cross race count as resting?
Work was pretty shite as normal, then home for a quick sleep before picking the kids up from school, then got a lift from fellow Star Wheeler Graham Piccavey to the Yorkshire Summer Cyclo Cross at Oakbank School, Keighley. Cross is something I'm hoping to get into this year after buying a 2nd hand bike in the winter from Adam Cooper.
I've done a few races before & done OK but this one was pretty technical so I was pretty rubbish. Start was OK but I was gradually working my way backwards as the race went on, reckon I was about in about 40th place. Graham had passed me when I had a minor crash, Andy Whitworth from local bike shop Try Cycling also went flying past while I was getting back to my feet & straightening my saddle out. Note to self when crashing block the track then no one can get past.
After 3 laps or so the race was cancelled as Ben Pygott from Pedalsport CC had a nasty crash on one of the bankings, an Ambulance had been called as he had a head injury. Fortunately Ben had not done too much damage, but it was quite worrying for all the riders, spectators & officials. After a night in hospital he was discharged with concussion & heavy bruising.
Fish & Chips for tea then home.
Thursday
Plan says rest day or recovery ride.
No riding today other than to work.
KCA in the evening, our first coaching session at Richard Dunn's in Bradford. Slightly peed off as we didn't have as much time as we'd have liked as they were using the swimming baths as a Polling Station. Anyway we still had about an hour & did some cornering practise on the hairpin. Only a couple of crashes!
Friday
Plan says go hilly for 2.5 hours, 7 hill sprints going hard for 200m over the top.
Work was once again too much like hard work, I was hoping to get out on me bike after work but didn't have time so went out in the evening.
Changed the session slightly as I only had about an hour. I've got a route of about 17 miles from Dalton to Lockwood, New Mill, Stocksmoor, Kirburton then back to Town. It's got 6 small climbs of varying gradients on it so I used them for my efforts then gave it some stick sprinting for the 30 signs before Morrisons.
Saturday
Rest day planned.
Just the usual, work then Star Wheelers Go Ride in the afternoon followed by watching the Giro Team Time Trial on Eurosport.
Sunday
Plan says hilly ride for 5 hours.
Had a slight dilemma with today's ride with 4 options of what to do.
1. 8am ride with Star Wheelers who were doing the Strines.
2. Steve Rigby Mem Road Race. 3/4 race.
3. John May Mem Road Race E/1/2/3 race, would be good traning for Yorkshire Divs.
4. Colne Valley MTB Challenge on me cross bike.
Ruled out the races as I felt mentally knackered after a hard week at work, & also decided that an MTB challenge might be a tad risky on me cross bike & I needed to stay in one piece for next Sunday. It is a top event though organised by Star Wheeler Jonny Brook.
So up nice & early to meet the fast club run at St Georges Sq.
Strines run is a bit of a killer & one of the hillest rides around, we did the Strines first which is a series of very steep climbs from Langsett over to Ladybower Res, then Snake Pass, Cafe stop in Glossop then back over Holme Moss.
I didn't fancy a cafe stop so added a loop on by missing out the Snake & going through Hope, Edale, up a rather steep hill then over to Chapel en le Frith before dropping back down to Glossop. As I pulled up at the cafe the group had just set off up the hill so I chased & caught then up which was pretty easy as they were still digesting full english breakfasts, bacon sarnies etc.
Holme Moss was relatively easy with a nice tailwind to push us over the top, then dropped like a stone on the descent at about 54mph! 75miles in just under 5 hours top ride today:-) Then back home for the Giro & Petacchi's slightly dodgy sprinting.
Monday
Plan says rest day & that is what I did. Well when I say I rested that's not strictly true we went to Thongsbridge Tennis club as they were having an open day. We all had a free go including the kids who had about an hours free coaching. Thankfully the kids haven't shown too much interest, tennis lessons are a bit expensive, kind of hoping they'll stick to riding bikes.
Tuesday
Plan says 5min/off in biggest gear for an hour.
Work in the morning which wasn't great, always hard work after a bank holiday, then sleep, then got my arse out on me bike. Slightly sore shoulder from the tennis, I'm no Raphael Nadal.
Rode out on the chain gang route to do my efforts as it's a relatively flat gradient, there's a few lights but I seemed to get lucky & miss those. I was hoping to catch the chain gang on the way back from Sowerby Bridge but they had gone pretty quick that night & I missed them. The lads sat on the wall just outside Sowerby Bridge took great pleasure in telling me I was last.
Wednesday
The plan says rest day.
Does doing a cyclo cross race count as resting?
Work was pretty shite as normal, then home for a quick sleep before picking the kids up from school, then got a lift from fellow Star Wheeler Graham Piccavey to the Yorkshire Summer Cyclo Cross at Oakbank School, Keighley. Cross is something I'm hoping to get into this year after buying a 2nd hand bike in the winter from Adam Cooper.
I've done a few races before & done OK but this one was pretty technical so I was pretty rubbish. Start was OK but I was gradually working my way backwards as the race went on, reckon I was about in about 40th place. Graham had passed me when I had a minor crash, Andy Whitworth from local bike shop Try Cycling also went flying past while I was getting back to my feet & straightening my saddle out. Note to self when crashing block the track then no one can get past.
After 3 laps or so the race was cancelled as Ben Pygott from Pedalsport CC had a nasty crash on one of the bankings, an Ambulance had been called as he had a head injury. Fortunately Ben had not done too much damage, but it was quite worrying for all the riders, spectators & officials. After a night in hospital he was discharged with concussion & heavy bruising.
Fish & Chips for tea then home.
Thursday
Plan says rest day or recovery ride.
No riding today other than to work.
KCA in the evening, our first coaching session at Richard Dunn's in Bradford. Slightly peed off as we didn't have as much time as we'd have liked as they were using the swimming baths as a Polling Station. Anyway we still had about an hour & did some cornering practise on the hairpin. Only a couple of crashes!
Friday
Plan says go hilly for 2.5 hours, 7 hill sprints going hard for 200m over the top.
Work was once again too much like hard work, I was hoping to get out on me bike after work but didn't have time so went out in the evening.
Changed the session slightly as I only had about an hour. I've got a route of about 17 miles from Dalton to Lockwood, New Mill, Stocksmoor, Kirburton then back to Town. It's got 6 small climbs of varying gradients on it so I used them for my efforts then gave it some stick sprinting for the 30 signs before Morrisons.
Saturday
Rest day planned.
Just the usual, work then Star Wheelers Go Ride in the afternoon followed by watching the Giro Team Time Trial on Eurosport.
Sunday
Plan says hilly ride for 5 hours.
Had a slight dilemma with today's ride with 4 options of what to do.
1. 8am ride with Star Wheelers who were doing the Strines.
2. Steve Rigby Mem Road Race. 3/4 race.
3. John May Mem Road Race E/1/2/3 race, would be good traning for Yorkshire Divs.
4. Colne Valley MTB Challenge on me cross bike.
Ruled out the races as I felt mentally knackered after a hard week at work, & also decided that an MTB challenge might be a tad risky on me cross bike & I needed to stay in one piece for next Sunday. It is a top event though organised by Star Wheeler Jonny Brook.
So up nice & early to meet the fast club run at St Georges Sq.
Strines run is a bit of a killer & one of the hillest rides around, we did the Strines first which is a series of very steep climbs from Langsett over to Ladybower Res, then Snake Pass, Cafe stop in Glossop then back over Holme Moss.
I didn't fancy a cafe stop so added a loop on by missing out the Snake & going through Hope, Edale, up a rather steep hill then over to Chapel en le Frith before dropping back down to Glossop. As I pulled up at the cafe the group had just set off up the hill so I chased & caught then up which was pretty easy as they were still digesting full english breakfasts, bacon sarnies etc.
Holme Moss was relatively easy with a nice tailwind to push us over the top, then dropped like a stone on the descent at about 54mph! 75miles in just under 5 hours top ride today:-) Then back home for the Giro & Petacchi's slightly dodgy sprinting.
A typical Sunday afternoon.
Monday 2 May 2011
Change of plan
Here's what crazy cycling related nonsense happened last week.
Monday
The plan is to have a rest day which is what I did. I'm still feeling a bit sick so not sure whether I'll be doing any training tomorrow. I took Dylan to see Town play Dagenham & Redbridge, Christ on a bike what a shite game of football with Town just about hanging on for the win. Was a good job I got some discounted tickets as someone gave me a voucher whilst I was queuing for tickets. Only £14, would have been gutted to have paid full price.
Tuesday
Plan is to do an hour of 1 minute on in my biggest gear & 1 minute recovery. I was still feeling sick so decided to go against the plan & not do any riding. Sorry Tony. Thought it best to get rid of my lurgy before doing any more hard training. The good thing about this sick thing is that my appetite has completely gone & I've lost a couple of pounds so not all bad news.
Not like I was siiting around on my arse all day as I still had to go to work & walk round Edgerton for a few hours.
Wednesday & Thursday
Rest days were planned & that's what I did apart from work. Started to feel better appetite coming back.
Friday
Plan was to do a hilly ride of between 150-160km as a dry run for Etape. Decided against this & did Tuesday's session instead.
Worried about this one to be honest doing 1 minute intervals is usually pretty hard but in my biggest gear it was going to be tougher. Also it was going to be hard to find a flattish road to ride on for the duration as most roads round here are very hilly, also there needs to be minimum traffic lights & junctions so I'm not stopping & starting.
I rode from Lockwood to the bottom of Holme Moss & back then did a bit along the road from Honley to Brockholes & back. That kinda worked but I had to stop a couple of times for lights & when I got balked by cars. The session went OK as it's not very intensity it's more like doing weights.
Not sure whether this is accurate but I'm guessing it's more anaerobic than aerobic, summat like that. Should do me some good & give me some more "grunt"
Saturday
Plan says rest day & who am I to argue. Work then Go Ride then sleep.
Sunday
Road Race on the plan, race as normal.
Monday
The plan is to have a rest day which is what I did. I'm still feeling a bit sick so not sure whether I'll be doing any training tomorrow. I took Dylan to see Town play Dagenham & Redbridge, Christ on a bike what a shite game of football with Town just about hanging on for the win. Was a good job I got some discounted tickets as someone gave me a voucher whilst I was queuing for tickets. Only £14, would have been gutted to have paid full price.
Tuesday
Plan is to do an hour of 1 minute on in my biggest gear & 1 minute recovery. I was still feeling sick so decided to go against the plan & not do any riding. Sorry Tony. Thought it best to get rid of my lurgy before doing any more hard training. The good thing about this sick thing is that my appetite has completely gone & I've lost a couple of pounds so not all bad news.
Not like I was siiting around on my arse all day as I still had to go to work & walk round Edgerton for a few hours.
Wednesday & Thursday
Rest days were planned & that's what I did apart from work. Started to feel better appetite coming back.
Friday
Plan was to do a hilly ride of between 150-160km as a dry run for Etape. Decided against this & did Tuesday's session instead.
Worried about this one to be honest doing 1 minute intervals is usually pretty hard but in my biggest gear it was going to be tougher. Also it was going to be hard to find a flattish road to ride on for the duration as most roads round here are very hilly, also there needs to be minimum traffic lights & junctions so I'm not stopping & starting.
I rode from Lockwood to the bottom of Holme Moss & back then did a bit along the road from Honley to Brockholes & back. That kinda worked but I had to stop a couple of times for lights & when I got balked by cars. The session went OK as it's not very intensity it's more like doing weights.
Not sure whether this is accurate but I'm guessing it's more anaerobic than aerobic, summat like that. Should do me some good & give me some more "grunt"
Saturday
Plan says rest day & who am I to argue. Work then Go Ride then sleep.
Sunday
Road Race on the plan, race as normal.
Over to Warter in the Yorkshire wolds for a hilly 50 miler with 2nd, 3rd & 4th Cats. Really nice day & what a nice area if anyone ever gets chance to go up there for a bit of leisure cycling then I'd thoroughly reccomend it, for racing however it's bloody hard work.
Never done this circuit before & didn't get chance to go round before the race so the first lap was a case of paying attention & seeing what was what. The lap was 10 miles round & not a flat piece of road to be seen, the finishing hill was pretty steep although not too bad, little ring. The rest of the course was up & down & the wind was strong which made it tough in the cross wind sections of which there were lots. Nearly came a cropper on a tricky right & sharp left bend as I hadn't clocked how sharp the left turn was, just about got away with it though.
Anyhow first lap was OK, going up the climb to start the 2nd lap I felt fine while other riders were popping all over the place. The bunch had split & I was in the group behind, feeling good I helped out with the chase & we got back on. At this point I would have appreciated a bit of a rest & to suck wheels in the bunch but somone else had other ideas & the pace picked up & I was grovelling in the right hand gutter killing myself to hold the wheel. Legs gave up & that was my race pretty much over, Richard Binks of HVW got dropped about the same time so I got together with him & a rider from Lancashire RC & we rode round till 1 lap to go then watched the finish.
Taking positives from this race I was happy to stick it out with the bunch when plenty of decent riders were getting shelled out, just wish I'd have done less work getting back to the main bunch then I might not have got dropped.
Never done this circuit before & didn't get chance to go round before the race so the first lap was a case of paying attention & seeing what was what. The lap was 10 miles round & not a flat piece of road to be seen, the finishing hill was pretty steep although not too bad, little ring. The rest of the course was up & down & the wind was strong which made it tough in the cross wind sections of which there were lots. Nearly came a cropper on a tricky right & sharp left bend as I hadn't clocked how sharp the left turn was, just about got away with it though.
Anyhow first lap was OK, going up the climb to start the 2nd lap I felt fine while other riders were popping all over the place. The bunch had split & I was in the group behind, feeling good I helped out with the chase & we got back on. At this point I would have appreciated a bit of a rest & to suck wheels in the bunch but somone else had other ideas & the pace picked up & I was grovelling in the right hand gutter killing myself to hold the wheel. Legs gave up & that was my race pretty much over, Richard Binks of HVW got dropped about the same time so I got together with him & a rider from Lancashire RC & we rode round till 1 lap to go then watched the finish.
Taking positives from this race I was happy to stick it out with the bunch when plenty of decent riders were getting shelled out, just wish I'd have done less work getting back to the main bunch then I might not have got dropped.
Results on the Wilson Wheels website here, well done to Dave Shackleton on a well organised road race at his first attempt.
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