In the first four months of the year I cycled 1890.5 miles (1402.8 miles on the Condor and 487.7 miles on the Cervelo). I've cycled seven time trials (1x50, 3x25s, 1x21, 2x10s - but it feels like more!) totalling 166 miles.
In 2008, I'd cycled 2323.8 miles over the same period, which shows the impact of having a real job, I guess!
Saturday, 30 April 2011
CUCC Open 25
Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 1 hour 04 minutes 57 seconds
Average speed: 23.094 mph
Not feeling great today: was stung by a bee above my left eye yesterday while out on a ride to loosen up my legs and now my face is swollen as if I've been punched.
Nonetheless, 2 minutes and 5 seconds quicker than four weeks ago on the same course; today was rather different conditions: a good tailwind on the first leg, horrible headwind/crosswind on the other two legs (you cycle the triangular lap twice, so about 15 miles today was tricky - plus the tailwind section had some alarming gusty crosswinds on the fastest section, which led me to be cautious).
I got a stitch about 10 miles in, which wore off within a mile or so, and am generally disappointed with today. I think more training and a positional rethink is needed...
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 1 hour 04 minutes 57 seconds
Average speed: 23.094 mph
Not feeling great today: was stung by a bee above my left eye yesterday while out on a ride to loosen up my legs and now my face is swollen as if I've been punched.
Nonetheless, 2 minutes and 5 seconds quicker than four weeks ago on the same course; today was rather different conditions: a good tailwind on the first leg, horrible headwind/crosswind on the other two legs (you cycle the triangular lap twice, so about 15 miles today was tricky - plus the tailwind section had some alarming gusty crosswinds on the fastest section, which led me to be cautious).
I got a stitch about 10 miles in, which wore off within a mile or so, and am generally disappointed with today. I think more training and a positional rethink is needed...
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
on the wireless
A few weeks ago I did an interview in Hyde Park for the programme 'Word of Mouth' about some research I did last year. The programme went out today on Radio 4, and can be heard here for the next 7 days. I appear in the twelfth minute... it was a tricky one, as I hadn't really looked at my notes for this since August last year... the other bits are well worth a listen though, especially the interviews with the old hands of Speakers' Corner.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Colchester Rovers 50
Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 50 miles (though the course is slightly long...)
Time: 2 hours 15 minutes 58 seconds
Average speed: 22.064 mph
33rd out of 62.
Treated this as training more than anything, as my legs were spent after Friday's long ride. Plus I had to cycle 18 miles to get to the HQ for this race (and I had to get up at 05:15!) - overall, I did 90 miles on the TT bike today. Ouch.
This '50' was on a slightly different (and faster) course (the E7/50c) than the last time I did this race, and the conditions were much nicer today. But I was four minutes slower. Am getting impatient with my general lack of speed.
Distance: 50 miles (though the course is slightly long...)
Time: 2 hours 15 minutes 58 seconds
Average speed: 22.064 mph
33rd out of 62.
Treated this as training more than anything, as my legs were spent after Friday's long ride. Plus I had to cycle 18 miles to get to the HQ for this race (and I had to get up at 05:15!) - overall, I did 90 miles on the TT bike today. Ouch.
This '50' was on a slightly different (and faster) course (the E7/50c) than the last time I did this race, and the conditions were much nicer today. But I was four minutes slower. Am getting impatient with my general lack of speed.
Friday, 22 April 2011
Shotley - Ipswich - Woodbridge - Butley - Sudbourne - Snape - Blaxhall - Wickham Market - Dallinghoo - Woodbridge - Ipswich - Shotley
Bike: Condor
Distance: 71.38 miles
Time: 3 hours 51 minutes 31 seconds
Average speed: 18.5 mph
Maximum speed: 32.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 5478.2 miles
Stark choice this morning: write lectures, or go cycling... chose to go to Snape, but added some variety by riding a loop from Melton to Butley and Sudbourne, then Snape, then coming back via Wickham Market and Dallinghoo. The net result: a route map that looks like a giant sperm sitting on east Suffolk (see below).
Lovely hot day, mostly still, and quick: days like today make all the cold, wet bike rides over the winter worthwhile. Broke with tradition and had a sandwich at Snape (slightly more expensive than a slice of cake, but much more food).
Also: the cycling tan lines are back...
Distance: 71.38 miles
Time: 3 hours 51 minutes 31 seconds
Average speed: 18.5 mph
Maximum speed: 32.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 5478.2 miles
Stark choice this morning: write lectures, or go cycling... chose to go to Snape, but added some variety by riding a loop from Melton to Butley and Sudbourne, then Snape, then coming back via Wickham Market and Dallinghoo. The net result: a route map that looks like a giant sperm sitting on east Suffolk (see below).
Lovely hot day, mostly still, and quick: days like today make all the cold, wet bike rides over the winter worthwhile. Broke with tradition and had a sandwich at Snape (slightly more expensive than a slice of cake, but much more food).
Also: the cycling tan lines are back...
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Shotley - Oyster Reach - Shotley
Bike: Condor
Distance: 15.37 miles
Time: 41 minutes 59 seconds
Average speed: 21.9 mph
Maximum speed: 34.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 5406.3 miles
As far as I can tell, this is the fastest I've done this route since June '08 (which was on a faster bike setup).
Also note this very similar effort in July '08.
Hot, fairly still day: some tailwind on the way out (reached turn at less than 20 minutes) and a surprisingly tough headwind on the way back. Was pushing pretty hard all the way, and would have gone slightly faster except for a couple of hold ups (traffic overtaking me and then having to stop, when I could've made it through).
Quite pleased with energy level: last week did a couple of gentle medium distance rides and have largely stayed off the bike this week. Have a '50' this weekend, which should be interesting...
Distance: 15.37 miles
Time: 41 minutes 59 seconds
Average speed: 21.9 mph
Maximum speed: 34.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 5406.3 miles
As far as I can tell, this is the fastest I've done this route since June '08 (which was on a faster bike setup).
Also note this very similar effort in July '08.
Hot, fairly still day: some tailwind on the way out (reached turn at less than 20 minutes) and a surprisingly tough headwind on the way back. Was pushing pretty hard all the way, and would have gone slightly faster except for a couple of hold ups (traffic overtaking me and then having to stop, when I could've made it through).
Quite pleased with energy level: last week did a couple of gentle medium distance rides and have largely stayed off the bike this week. Have a '50' this weekend, which should be interesting...
Friday, 15 April 2011
Shotley - Old Felixstowe Road - Felixstowe Ferry - Kirton - Shotley
Bike: Condor
Distance: 49.51 miles
Time: 4 hours 03 minutes 33 seconds
Average speed: 12.2 mph
Maximum speed: 31.0 mph
Odometer (at end): 5371.1 miles
Distance: 49.51 miles
Time: 4 hours 03 minutes 33 seconds
Average speed: 12.2 mph
Maximum speed: 31.0 mph
Odometer (at end): 5371.1 miles
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Shotley - Harkstead - Alton Water (lap) - Stutton - Flatford - Bentley - Tattingstone - Harkstead - Shotley
Bike: Condor
Distance: 37.79 miles
Time: 3 hours 24 minutes 16 seconds
Average speed: 11.1 mph
Maximum speed: 25.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 5321.6 miles
Distance: 37.79 miles
Time: 3 hours 24 minutes 16 seconds
Average speed: 11.1 mph
Maximum speed: 25.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 5321.6 miles
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Lea Valley CC 25
Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 59 minutes 59 seconds
Average speed: 25.006 mph
Phew, that's my fourth fastest 25 mile TT - and a remarkable 7 minutes quicker than last week! Of course, this week was glorious sunshine and a dual carriageway course, but even so, it's not every day I go (just) under the hour. And many thanks to Ron Purdy who, noting my 26.01 in the Plomesgate, advised me to sprint for the line - otherwise I may have recorded a 1:00:00 or worse.
Of course, virtually everybody in the event went under the hour - and this remarkable young man did 46:35. Yes, 32mph average over 25 miles.
I was apprehensive about riding a dual carriageway course again (even though I've been fine on them in the past), but found the worst traffic was in the minor roads around Newmarket and the HQ in Exning. What is wrong with people? Newmarket's a funny place, though: it seems to have three dubious nightclubs in a row, with unconvincing names: Millionaires, De Niro's and, erm, 'Innocence'.
The E2/25 is not really a 'drag strip' dual carriageway course, rather it is gently undulating and rather exposed in places. The surface is generally pretty good though, and if you can roll with the course it is pretty good fun.
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 59 minutes 59 seconds
Average speed: 25.006 mph
Phew, that's my fourth fastest 25 mile TT - and a remarkable 7 minutes quicker than last week! Of course, this week was glorious sunshine and a dual carriageway course, but even so, it's not every day I go (just) under the hour. And many thanks to Ron Purdy who, noting my 26.01 in the Plomesgate, advised me to sprint for the line - otherwise I may have recorded a 1:00:00 or worse.
Of course, virtually everybody in the event went under the hour - and this remarkable young man did 46:35. Yes, 32mph average over 25 miles.
I was apprehensive about riding a dual carriageway course again (even though I've been fine on them in the past), but found the worst traffic was in the minor roads around Newmarket and the HQ in Exning. What is wrong with people? Newmarket's a funny place, though: it seems to have three dubious nightclubs in a row, with unconvincing names: Millionaires, De Niro's and, erm, 'Innocence'.
The E2/25 is not really a 'drag strip' dual carriageway course, rather it is gently undulating and rather exposed in places. The surface is generally pretty good though, and if you can roll with the course it is pretty good fun.
Monday, 4 April 2011
Shotley - Oyster Reach - Shotley
Bike: Condor
Distance: 15.37 miles
Time: 44 minutes 50 seconds
Average speed: 20.4 mph
Maximum speed: 34 mph
Odometer (at end): 5205.8 miles
Fastest I've gone on this route since September 2008, a blustery day but nonetheless pleasant. My legs still felt tight from Saturday, so this loosened them up a bit.
Distance: 15.37 miles
Time: 44 minutes 50 seconds
Average speed: 20.4 mph
Maximum speed: 34 mph
Odometer (at end): 5205.8 miles
Fastest I've gone on this route since September 2008, a blustery day but nonetheless pleasant. My legs still felt tight from Saturday, so this loosened them up a bit.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
East Anglian VTTA 25
Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 1 hour 7 minutes 02 seconds
Average speed: 22.376 mph
24th out of 44
Ouch! A shocking ride, really, but not too unhappy (when I rode this event in 2008, I was exactly three minutes quicker). After all of the time trials I've ridden recently (except the WSW 21) I've finished thinking I could have pushed harder. Today I pushed too hard, which left me struggling to get round. I had basically exhausted myself after the first 5 miles (into a strongish headwind) which is when Michael Hutchinson (who had started 3 minutes behind me) overtook me, he appeared to be travelling the speed of a small car.
I finished with knackered, aching legs which is a good thing - they'll be stronger next time, and I will now be able to gauge more accurately where my limit is.
Of course, this course (E33/25) was one of the circuits used in the National 12 hour time trial in 2008, so I kept having flashbacks of that horrible/wonderful day.
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 1 hour 7 minutes 02 seconds
Average speed: 22.376 mph
24th out of 44
Ouch! A shocking ride, really, but not too unhappy (when I rode this event in 2008, I was exactly three minutes quicker). After all of the time trials I've ridden recently (except the WSW 21) I've finished thinking I could have pushed harder. Today I pushed too hard, which left me struggling to get round. I had basically exhausted myself after the first 5 miles (into a strongish headwind) which is when Michael Hutchinson (who had started 3 minutes behind me) overtook me, he appeared to be travelling the speed of a small car.
I finished with knackered, aching legs which is a good thing - they'll be stronger next time, and I will now be able to gauge more accurately where my limit is.
Of course, this course (E33/25) was one of the circuits used in the National 12 hour time trial in 2008, so I kept having flashbacks of that horrible/wonderful day.
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