Thanks to Haribo Joe for this excellent description.
Last week the rear axle of my bike broke half way into a 30 mile ride, luckily the wife was happy to rescue us.
I'm still unsure about what to do about my bike so I borrowed my brother in law's bike today so that I could do some exercise.
It is a mountain bike with fat, spongy tyres and full suspension, so every time I pushed down on the pedals the bike bounced up and down, losing loads of energy.
So not only was it really hard work, I felt sea sick.
When Joe saw me I was bouncing around so much he thought I was Psy doing his dance.
It's probably a good mountain bike, but a terrible road/hybrid bike.
When choosing your bike, make saw you know the type of riding you'll be doing and get advice.
Just had this months weigh in and only lost 0.5kg.
Gutted.
Start of the year 134kg, now 119kg so I've lost 15kg or 33lbs. It still moving in the right direction.
It's been too easy to make excuses not to go out cycling and I've felt hungry all the time, a bad combination.
My goal at the start of the year was to lose 12% so my target was 118kg by the end of the year. The next weigh in is in January and I will be below 118kg. It doesn't sound like much to lose over 6 weeks but it is Christmas so I'm being realistic.
If you're out cycling at night make sure you can be seen.
You've probably notice some cyclists covered in lights, like a council house at Xmas. So it worked! You noticed them!
Flashing lights work well because the human eye notices movement better than something constant. But they're not great if there are no street lights as they don't light up your path.
Wearing reflective clothing will help, don't worry about how you look, just make sure you can be seen.
Try it this evening, just notice which cyclists stand out from the crowd and why, and then try to copy them.
Here's a link to a story about Bradley Wiggins getting knocked off his bike by a van. If it can happen to him.....
This is Rule 60 from the Highway Code so you know the legal requirements.
60 At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.
Just been out for a lovely morning ride. I was thinking about going last night but was also thinking about a nice lie in. When I woke up it was raining which nearly made up my mind, but 10 minutes later there were blue skies. Just a quick 9 miles with a short stretch along the coast so some stunning views, and burnt 600 calories, which was nice.
It was a great day, really well organised with minimal queuing for registration, toilets etc.
Myself and Joe arrived about 7:30 and it was already pretty busy, you can camp there if you want.
We registered and got our timing chip and route card and some sweets and an energy drink. We did look to get some of the porridge but it wasn't ready so we went without, Luckily we had both had a good breakfast.
There was a bit a queue to actually get started as they send you off in small groups every few minutes, but it helped build the excitement. Thanks to the timing chip your time starts and finishes as you cross the line.
We had read that it was a nice flat course, so were quite surprised by the few hills we encountered very early on, could have done with a few miles to warm up. Overall it is a flat course, but there are a few hills to keep you interested.
The course is very well signposted with both routes, the 47 mile and the 82 miles courses starting off together.
After about 20 miles there is a feed station with water, powder to make up an energy drink, flapjack and bananas. All very well received.
It was a very hot day so I should have taken more water, I started to feel it a bit towards the end. I was also feeling uncomfortable in the saddle but tried to keep going, when I did stop for a break and stretch it made a massive difference, I wish I had listened to my body more.
2 miles from the finish is Blissford Hill a 25% gradient, which is not nice anywhere let alone after 45 miles.
Here's a link to a video of someone else making it up it. Blissford Hill
Joe made it up in one go, I didn't, my foot slipped and I was heading towards a ditch so I bailed out.
To make matters worse there is a photographer half way up.
It is not a race but there are timing standards. We were aiming for Bronze which is between 3 hours 20 and 3 hours 40. We smashed it in a time of 3 hours 38, well chuffed. Joe did have to drag me along for the last quarter.
Next year I would like to go for the Silver time, under 3 hours 20, but Joe is talking about doing the 82 miler!
This is one of the organised bike rides I did this year.
It is a nice 35 mile route around Fareham, Gosport, Southsea and Havant, you can start at any of the four start points. You have to take the Gosport ferry, and you can choose to take the Hayling Island ferry but I never have, because of the queues. Also the route up Hayling Island isn't suitable for skinny tyres. It is well organised with toilets etc at the four check points, and there are marshals on motor bikes going round the course if you do have any problems. Be warned, you do go over Portsdown hill, which is a nice challenge. First year I did the ride, it was a surprise.
It is the third year I've done it. First year I did some training and finished in 3:33. Last year I really struggled round in 3:48 thanks to a lack of training. This year my goal was 3:12, which I missed by 1 minute 21. Bit gutted but I did have to have my bike fixed which took over 10 minutes. Next year I will break the 3 hour mark.
Have a look on their website for an event near you and start training for it. Having something to train for is a great way to push and motivate yourself. These events are nice ones to start with, a nice relaxed atmosphere and not everyone is wearing lycra.
