Fast B roads to Oundle via St. Ives and Sawtry. A lap around Rutland Water, some of it on the lakeside bike path. Some lumps after Oakham. Fast again after 2nd stop at Oundle. 137 good miles!
John, In 8 weeks time we'll need to do roughly this distance (in harder terrain than tomorrow) and then recover enough to it again the next day... and the next day... and the next day... and then Ventoux... and then the next day.
It will be worth you testing where you currently stand. You might be pleasantly surprised or realise you need to continue training hard. You'll know either way, if you come along for the full ride...
I have a guest joining us for the ride (Alastair). A friend of mine and Andy R's from work. He's a good bloke and should be up for helping with some of the pulling on the front.
Agree with Robbie that we should ride together and enjoy. We all need to get our bottoms used to sitting on the saddle for 130miles!
Will see how I go to Oundle. I haven't ridden a century for 2 years and the low carb lifestyle I've adopted over the last 4 weeks has been a concerted attempt to lose weight (11kilos down so far) but sacrificed some strength...now building up again while slowing down the weight loss....80 miles hilly last Saturday, short ride Sunday, 60 miles Tuesday, 30 miles hilly last night....90 will still be the longest I've ridden this year.....and it's 9 weeks to go, not 8....might make all the difference! New carbon hoops on my bike....not very comfortable!
You are not alone John or Vincent. See the blog on the Paris Nice training rides and talk it through there. You need to come up here and do some long ascents. I have some 9 and 13 mile climbs which whilst not too steep will acclimatise you for day after day efforts. Hills down there are too short.
Perfect day for riding the bike. 7 out for one of Shaun's epic routes. I had a tad over 140miles at about 17mph. Managed to keep everyone together until about 15miles to go.
Some strong riding today from everyone in the group.
Thanks for organising and for the company everyone on a fantastic day to be out on the bike. Av temp was over 80F! Especially enjoyed the through and off session at over 25mph on the road towards St Ives.
Special thanks to Nathan for nursing me those last 8 miles to Gt Barford, where I was collected by the Flying Dutchwoman's broom wagon. Thanks big man I owe you for looking out for me and hope you got back OK.
After the 3rd and final emergency 'comfort break' within 5 miles, I thought discretion was the better part of valour...the mind and legs were willing but my stomach wasn't! Felt much better after downing almost 1.5 litres of fluid at Gt Barford post office. Dehydration, too much sun, mild exhaustion, too many sugary gels & drinks?
Lessons learned from today: -distance not a problem, but still need additional work on stamina - 9 weeks left! -go easy on the gels, especially after having virtually no carbs for a month -drink more fluids when it's hot, preferably water rather than coke -keep going at my own pace on the hills and don't red zone too much -trust in your team mates, they'll get you home!
125 miles for me - first 49 @ 19.5mph and second 76 @ 16.2mph - my longest ride this year by 48 miles! Celebrated with just a single pint of Oakham Citra - seeing as how that's the brewery close to Rutland Water!
John, you did well (as I knew you would). Long distance cycling (100+) is less about the distance and more about being comfortable on the bike (to avoid aches and pains) and finding a refuelling regime that works for you. With more practice, the easier it becomes.
Good riding from everyone else too! I thought it was a great ride! I enjoyed the roads north of Oundle, very good surfaces and no traffic. It was also good to get my first 'long ride' for a long while in the legs.
More of the same soon...(hopefully with a quieter BB)
Comments
Route:
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/BRTWebUI/Course/810406
See you Saturday
Back in play from Monday
https://connect.garmin.com/course/10085717
.....unless I have second thoughts tonight!
It will be worth you testing where you currently stand. You might be pleasantly surprised or realise you need to continue training hard. You'll know either way, if you come along for the full ride...
Agree with Robbie that we should ride together and enjoy. We all need to get our bottoms used to sitting on the saddle for 130miles!
Will see how I go to Oundle. I haven't ridden a century for 2 years and the low carb lifestyle I've adopted over the last 4 weeks has been a concerted attempt to lose weight (11kilos down so far) but sacrificed some strength...now building up again while slowing down the weight loss....80 miles hilly last Saturday, short ride Sunday, 60 miles Tuesday, 30 miles hilly last night....90 will still be the longest I've ridden this year.....and it's 9 weeks to go, not 8....might make all the difference! New carbon hoops on my bike....not very comfortable!
See you in the morning.
135m up to Rutland and back is a good effort! In the legs now.
And ready for next week!
Some strong riding today from everyone in the group.
Thanks for organising and for the company everyone on a fantastic day to be out on the bike. Av temp was over 80F!
Especially enjoyed the through and off session at over 25mph on the road towards St Ives.
Special thanks to Nathan for nursing me those last 8 miles to Gt Barford, where I was collected by the Flying Dutchwoman's broom wagon. Thanks big man I owe you for looking out for me and hope you got back OK.
After the 3rd and final emergency 'comfort break' within 5 miles, I thought discretion was the better part of valour...the mind and legs were willing but my stomach wasn't! Felt much better after downing almost 1.5 litres of fluid at Gt Barford post office. Dehydration, too much sun, mild exhaustion, too many sugary gels & drinks?
Lessons learned from today:
-distance not a problem, but still need additional work on stamina - 9 weeks left!
-go easy on the gels, especially after having virtually no carbs for a month
-drink more fluids when it's hot, preferably water rather than coke
-keep going at my own pace on the hills and don't red zone too much
-trust in your team mates, they'll get you home!
125 miles for me - first 49 @ 19.5mph and second 76 @ 16.2mph - my longest ride this year by 48 miles!
Celebrated with just a single pint of Oakham Citra - seeing as how that's the brewery close to Rutland Water!
Good riding from everyone else too! I thought it was a great ride! I enjoyed the roads north of Oundle, very good surfaces and no traffic. It was also good to get my first 'long ride' for a long while in the legs.
More of the same soon...(hopefully with a quieter BB)
Thought yesterday was very encouraging and a good measure of where I am and need to get to before September.
Will try more solids as refuelling from now on and more water.
Remarkably few aches and pains during the ride or this morning!
Always good to explore new roads as well: lovely lanes around Oundle and Rutland.
Now need to lose a few more pounds to help with that hill-climbing....
See you all soon