Thursday, 24 April 2014

Roubaix Rides Again

For one reason and another, I've missed the last three evening rides with the AVP, so tonight, with the sun shining, it was great to meet up with everyone again for what was to be one of our quickest and longest evening rides of the season.

I've managed to get in a number of solo rides on my Roubaix over the past few weeks, so thought I'd give the Crosstrail a run out; the ability to switch to off road mode has often given me the edge on some more recent evening routes! Meeting at the Kings Arms, however, I soon realised that amongst the other 13 riders, I was seemingly the odd one out. It was like turning up at a party in causal wear and seeing everyone else in black tie. Andy persuaded me to make a hasty retreat to switch bikes, he was right, I needed to be riding the Roubaix tonight.


Our route took us out to Axmouth, up to Boshill and along Trinity Hill Road, where a breakaway group made up of at least Rex, Andy, Nelly and Richard .. I only saw them disappear into the distance .. raced on ahead. I saw later that Andy and Rex got 7th & 8th positions respectively on that Strava segment, running at an average speed of a few points shy of 20mph!

We crossed the A35 together on to Crewkerne Road, to Hawkchurch and Wadbrook. Returning via Smallridge, Weycroft, Axminster, back across the A35 to Kilmington, Whitford and Musbury, we clocked up a good 28 miles in under 2 hours. No punctures, only 1,900 ft of climbing and some quick pedalling! At one point, moving rapidly up Combe Road out of Axmouth, I thought 'goodness I'm feeling unfit', that was however, until I realised it was Rex and Nelly, out front setting the pace! That said, we all did well keeping up a good cadence and were very ready for our beer and chips back at the Kings Arms.

Saturday, 19 April 2014

Last Ride Before The Easter Rain

The day before Easter Sunday and the last before the unseasonably clear sky darkens again with rain filled clouds, I head out at 06:30 am into the cool spring sunshine.

I had it in mind to take in a few hills this morning, with the Dartmoor Classic just two months away, I needed the training. So, my plan was to head out over to Sidmouth and find a similar route to that I took yesterday, returning back through Colyton via Offwell. My only challenge was that I needed to do this in less than 2 hours as we had a day out planned.

To satisfy my need for a good climb, I decided to take on the Beer and Branscombe hills. this was not necessarily my best idea with the time I had available as hills considerably slow me down! I reached Sidmouth beach after an hour, my slowest 10 miles in a long time ... this was not good considering that I was cycling against the clock.

Sidmouth
With time against me, I still thought I could recover sufficient minutes by taking the Sidbury road out of Sidmouth and then crossing over to Farway to complete my intended route back through Offwell. I had not, however, paid sufficient attention to the map nor the contours around Roncombe Hill. The turning off the A375 looked level. I could see where the road should have followed the valley, carved out by the meandering Roncombe River, now just a stream, but those who had marked out the original track had chosen not to follow this logic. After being lulled into a false sense of security, the road started to climb and then climbed some more. Ahead, I could hear the sound of baying hounds, it was not a good feeling. Matters got even worse when rounding a steep hairpin near the top, I was greeted by a Road Closed sign. Was, after the climb of my life, I now having to u-turn and find another way out of Sidmouth? I decided, having come this far, I'd carry my bike over and around the obstacle .. thank goodness, back in August last year, I went for the lighter carbon frame! The cause of the road closure, was that a section had collapsed into the valley during the winter floods .. vindicating my original assumption that this is where it originally should have been built! The noise of the baying hounds was from the kennels that I found at the summit and my arrival did not quieten them any. The benefit of a good climb, however, is the great view you get from the top, and this one was equally spectacular.

The benefit of a good climb is the great view you get from the top!
I was now running dangerously late with only 15 minutes to complete the 15 miles of my intended return journey. This was not going to happen. My only option was to switch to the more direct, main roads and pray for a tailwind. While the wind's help was not forthcoming, the more favourable  gradient and smooth roads assisted in getting me home just 5 minutes later than planned, my new PB on the decent of Seaton Down Hill being testament to the speed I was travelling over these last 7 miles!

While I'd like to have another go at my originally intended circuit, I think I'll look for another route across to Farway; I'd be happy not to do Roncombe Hill again.


This concluded a really good week on the bike; completing my 2nd best distance of the year and registering 3rd place on the AVP weekly leader board, something I've not done for a very long time. With it being Easter Sunday tomorrow, the way is now clear for a guilt free day, grazing on chocolate Eater eggs ;)

Friday, 18 April 2014

First 'School Day' Morning Rides Of The Year

This was the week in which I found my cycling mojo and got myself back into a routine of pre breakfast morning rides.

The plan was to get out early on Monday, but in spite to the inviting blue sky, my motivation was lacking. Tuesday my excuse for not heading out was an early business call which, by the end of the day, I felt I had to make amends and nipped out for a quick gentle circuit .. just under 8 miles.



Wednesday, I had another early call but was not going to let this put me off. The great weather was holding and after the previous evening's enjoyable circuit I just had to get out. I felt sluggish but it was a start and I felt great to have completed my first 'school day' morning ride of the year!

Not a soul out at 06:30 am for my first morning ride

To complete the day, I even headed out late afternoon, after work for 10 mile spin .. as if I'd cycled to and from work. I was feeling much better on this ride .. getting KOM of my Seaton 3 Hills Climb, finally breaking my September 2013 record and achieving an average speed over the 10 miles of 15 mph .. feeling good!




Thursday, the day of our weekly AVP ride, with family arriving for the long Easter weekend, I had both chores to do in the morning and socialising in plan for the evening, so no cycling today! I made up for it. however, on Good Friday morning, with another 06:30 start and a good 20 plus mile ride out to Honiton golf club and back via Offwell. I even met up with a Sid Valley rider along the Axmouth estuary which gave me a boost .. I do prefer riding with company.

Sunday, 13 April 2014

AVP April Sunday Morning Ride

Every month the AVP has a gentle ride out for coffee and cake at a local feeding post, a key event in my diary.

I decided on an early depart to make the most of the beautiful spring morning and rode up Seaton Down Hill and out to Beer.



After checking in at the beach, I headed back to Seaton to meet up with 17 other riders at the TIC for the April ride.



We followed all the back lanes out through Colyton to Dalwood and stopped for coffee and cake at the Millers Farm Shop on Gammons Hill near Axminster.



Saturday, 12 April 2014

Zapped & Back

This was the week my kidney stone got zapped. I squeezed in a pre op circuit on Tuesday, was not fit for the AVP evening ride on Thursday but by Saturday I was fit to take to the saddle again


.. amazingly, my first pre breakfast cycle of the year .. I must be feeling better!