Day 365 - A Year of Cycling

Today marks my anniversary of returning to cycling after an absence of some 30 years. Looking back on this past year, it has literally been quite a journey. I still enjoy reading my first diary entry 'To the Start' when, after arriving home with my shiny new machine, I rode no more than 2 miles down to the beach and back, only to return feeling a totally wreck! I seriously questioned then whether I had made a good decision to get back on a bike after such a gap.

After these few early days, it was not long before I realised that I needed some padding if I was going to do any serious hours in the saddle. One of my very good friends warned me that once I started on this journey, the postman would be kept very busy delivering my purchases of lycra and cycling accessories for some time to come. The first of these, my padded shorts, arrived on day 5!

March 2013 was a cold one. I was riding in the morning, before work, in sub zero temperatures but my motivation was surprisingly good as I doggedly achieved each new target I set. Once I'd crossed the 5 mile distance on day 25, I realised that I could finally break out of Seaton into the surrounding villages. Ten days later, day 36, I completed my first 10 mile ride and was really starting to enjoy my new found freedom to explore the countryside on two wheels.

My Crosstrail out in sub zero temperatures

Hills continue to be my achilles heel but I've enjoyed the personal challenge of each one in just getting to the top. On day 28, I made my first foray up Seaton Down Hill. The climb took me 14 minutes and I don't think that was including the frequent stops to take in the views! It was not until July, on day 125 - and inspired obviously by the Tour de France - that I was to make it without a rest. During a week in April - day 35 - I dedicated each morning ride in a attempt to take my three local hills in one go. This, to much delight, I achieved on the Friday, cycling through snow flurries, like ticker tape dropped from roof tops to celebrate the return of a conquering hero. Hills have continued to give me both pleasure and despair in equal measure; I can get up most in one go now, but may be not all that quick.

The month of May brought the arrival of the warmer weather and a previously unimaginable step change in my cycling; this was when, on day 83, I joined the Axe Valley Pedallers. The first few rides were a shock to my senses, taking me right out of my comfort zone by both riding in a group and over distances I'd only previously dreamt of. My first ride with the AVP took me out to Honiton golf club, this was the one where we lost Handbag, Barry and Richard on a slippery corner, Barry even suffering a broken collar bone! The second was a ride out to Lyme Regis, where I learned what climbing a hill really meant! Joining the AVP has undeniably had the most dramatic influence on my cycling since actually deciding to buy a bike all those months ago.

My first ride out with the AVP

During July, the AVP proposed running a 100 mile event, perhaps some time in September. Although at that time, I had only been doing the Thursday 20 mile club runs, and even then, with not much breath to spare at the end, I did like the idea of working up to this new, seemingly unattainable distance. To me, it was akin to those aviators of the 1950s daring to believe they could break the sound barrier. While I could imagine in my wildest dreams doing the distance, I felt it was never going to be on my trusty hybrid. I had already seen how the road bikes out performed me by some margin on the flat and for 100 miles, I believed I would be needing to change machine. Naturally, having since seen Kilian, the German schoolboy who spent the Autumn with the club, complete the 100 miler on mountain bike, I'm not sure the upgrade was really required, but then again, I'm not a German schoolboy!

It was in August, on day 167, that I purchased my first ever new road bike. A carbon fibre Specialized Roubaix, perfect for the bumpy hilly Devon roads and for my attempt to ride the 100 miler. With just over a month to build up my distance stamina, day 174 saw me join the neighbouring Sid Valley Cycle Club on one of their 40 mile Sunday rides. This was good for getting the miles in, but they are not the social club that the AVP are, if you can't keep up, you're pretty much on your own. So I was pleased to be able to hook up with Andy on day 187, a warm September morning, to get in a final 40 miles before the big day.

The 100 miler was every bit the epic I could have hoped for. 15 riders started out at 06:30 am to see the sun rise over the coast as we climbed out of Beer. It was during the first half of this ride that I suffered my first ever puncture and witnessed Clive's miniature CO2 tyre pump in action. We managed to avoid the forecasted rain on the outward journey but paid for it on the return. Being already so soaked to the skin at the 75 mile point, no one was even wanting to make the scheduled final coffee stop, too keen to get home for a hot bath. I was so elated to roll back into Seaton having completed the 100 miler .. in just 6 months of my return to cycling and I still treasure my certificate of achievement.

My first 100 miles with the AVP

The week following the 100 miler, the Tour of Britain came to Sidmouth and I got the opportunity to cycle over to see the pros in action. This also marked the shortening of the days as autumn set in. I had thought that I would be having to lay the bikes up for the winter, but I was surprised to learn that the AVP continued to cycle throughout these dark months and that this is achieved with lights which would not be out of place for brightness on any car! When I attended the Birmingham NEC Cycle Show at the end of September, I purchased a set of these lights which have so far been more than sufficient to keep me rolling through the winter night club runs.

Enjoying the winter night AVP club rides

With the onset of winter, now known to be the wettest since records began, I've seen my hybrid Crosstrail come into its own on these night rides. The Crosstrail being much more forgiving over the darkened rough, potholed and gravel strewn lanes, while my Roubaix, now fitted with quick release racing mud guards, is brought into action on the long weekend runs. I now feel I have most surfaces and styles covered with my two bikes, but would still be interested in one day joining the mountain bikers to see what they get up to on their evening runs. I'm sure that if I fitted some chunky tires the Crosstrail could cope. May be one to test later in the year.

So, what's in store for my second year? Well, I have a plan to try out a couple of sportifs. I've already started with an Audax taster, although this was a bit of a rude awakening as it did not go totally to plan. Then in June, I am scheduled to ride the Dartmoor Classic and in August, I have a place on the Prudential RideLondon 2014 for which I am looking to raise money for Diabetes UK .. my first attempt to raise any sponsorship money since my school days! If you feel like giving me a little support and additional motivation for this event, then please click the image below and sponsor me :)

This cycling lark has been full of firsts and long may it continue. Oh yes, and as for increasing my fitness, I think this year end report says it all!

Day 359 - Snowdrop Path Ride

Some weeks ago, Andy suggested that I and a group of my fellow cyclists enter the Audax Primrose Path ride, a 102km cycling event starting from Corscombe, near Beaminster and advertised as being a scenic tour of quiet West Dorset lanes; only 7km on A & B roads; a good test of climbing fitness.

I've been focusing on my climbing over the winter but it still remains the one area of my cycling which gives me the greatest frustration when out riding with others; I'm seeing just 'marginal gains' for increased effort I'm putting in. This Audax ride has an impressive 5,600 feet of climb but topping the club's Strava climbing leaderboard last week and having completed a single ride of the same distance, I was feeling unusually confident for this Primrose Path event.

Topping the club's Strava climbing leaderboard

Andy and I agreed we'd take my car which required a practice loading to ensure we could get the bikes and our kit in the back ahead of the big day. We also spent some time walking through the route using Google maps street view to familiarise ourselves with the relevant junctions, as Audax rides are not marshalled nor their routes signed; riders have to follow directions to control points using route cards. Having proven we could squeeze the two Specialized road bikes into my small coupe hatch and having marked out the route onto an OS map, we were good to go.

Andy & Ed at the depart

By mid week, the weather was looking decidedly unfavourable for the weekend. A new storm front was arriving Saturday night forecast to bring torrential rain and strong gusts to the SW during Sunday. As the days passed, while the winds were still very much in evidence in all forecasts, the risk of rain diminished and so the consensus was that we should give it a go. 

Andy and I arrived at the start in good time to select the first competitors' parking spot, which for those who know me is not as easy as it sounds. The rest of the riders, some 19 in total, 7 of which were from the AVP, arrived shortly after and we made our way into the hall to sign in. The mood amongst my fellow AVP riders was jovial. Ed, being the master of all things wood, had crafted an ingenious board on which to secure the route cards and map. Ed was thus selected to be our navigator.

Finally, at 09:00 we were were on our way, the AVP boys keeping together for the first 10 minutes. Hitting our first climb our small peloton broke into two; Clive, Nelly, Rex, and Richard up front and myself, Andy and Ed bringing up the rear. This gap was further widened some 10 miles into our ride when we made the obligatory stop for a photo on Primrose Hill! 

Andy & Ed on Primrose Hill

Your's truly on Primrose Hill

5 miles later, we made a navigational error which was to unfortunately sour the rest of the ride. Having made a 2 mile 10% climb up the wrong hill, we lost further 30 minutes on the leaders and to top it all, I was starting to feel decidedly unwell with a reoccurring bout of stomach cramps! The effect of this, strong pain killing medication, high winds and the climbing weighted towards the first half of the ride, conspired to sap anything that I may have had left in reserve. The next 20 miles were painfully soul destroying ... I felt I had neither energy or passion to go on, for the first time in a long while, I was not enjoying my cycling. 

Having climbed up Eggardon Hill, the site of an Iron Age hill fort with amazing views across the surrounding Dorset countryside, Andy and I made the decision to do a Team GB and pull out of the ride, while Ed, with up to 30 years on us and noticeably still fresh, decided to go on and attempt a finish. We parted company on the road to Maiden Newton, Andy and I returning north back towards Hooke. The cross winds were unbelievably strong, with at least one of the earlier riders being physically blown off the road. 

Andy and I en route to Hooke

Surprisingly, there were very few primroses to be found along this route although the banks and grass verges on either side of the road were, for many of the early miles, lined with a carpet of white snowdrops; giving the name Andy and I eventually chose for our section of this ride.

With the wind behind us, there came a deftly silence and the legs were able to take a much needed breather. 15 or so miles later, I was pleased to finally see the hall we'd left in such good spirits 5 hours earlier. Bikes reloaded into the car, we made a quick change into civvies before heading off to find a friendly pub for some much needed food, drink and a debriefing. 

Overall, I'm feeling somewhat disillusioned with my first Audax experience and am even tempted to cancel my entry on the Dartmoor Classic. It has made me think about what I most enjoy about cycling and I've decided that this is the camaraderie of our club and Sunday rides, exploring new places and our stops for coffee, cake and a friendly chat. I'd always said that this would be a year for me to try out some sportifs, and this I am doing. I'm still looking forward to the RideLondon in August, as this will be a once in a lifetime ride on closed roads along the main route taken by our 2012 Olympians, through London and Surrey, something which only the pros normally get to experience. I'll be doing this with another good friend of mine, so this ticks the camaraderie box and very importantly, I am also looking to raise money for charity and thus this is an additional key motivator.  

So, if I've learned anything from this weekend's event, it is that social club rides are probably more my thing. I am too competitive to be constantly disappointed in my performance vs others. I need to focus on that part of cycling I most enjoy or, all too soon, I'll be giving it up - at least until I can keep up, anyway!

Having a leisurely few days off work this week, the AVP Wednesday and Friday morning and my regular Thursday evening club runs are looking very inviting and I'm hoping, weather permitting, these will remind me of that which I enjoy about cycling!

Day 350 - SVCC Morning Ride

Next Sunday a group of us from the AVP are doing the Primrose Path Audax, a 100 km non competitive ride across Dorset with 6,400 ft (1,955m) of climbing, but do I feel prepared? .. No, that's a lot of climbing!

I've been working on my hill craft for a good few months and it's not got any easier. This weekend, Andy, Ed and I were hoping to get together for a practice run, but fixing a time was proving difficult for all. Finally, Ed and I thought we'd hook up with the Sid Valley CC for a morning ride out to Exeter .. I last rode with the club back in August in training for the AVP 100 miler, so I found this quite fitting, considering what we've got lined up.

Waiting in the warmth of the unseasonal sunshine

The SVCC had a 40 mile route planned out to Exeter Quays, leaving from the Sidmouth football club at 09:00, returning 13:00. Wanting to add a few extra miles, I thought I'd cycle over from Seaton, just under 10 miles each way and starting with serious climbs at each end. It was a frosty start and I made good time, arriving at the depart 20 minutes ahead of time. The sun, however, was so warm that it was no hardship to wait for Ed and the rest of the riders to arrive.

Ed at our first stop at Tipton Bridge

We made two stops at Tipton Bridge and Tipton Cross to pick up additional riders and then headed north through Rockbeare to Silverton at which point we turned south through Rewe, Stoke Canon, to follow the River Exe into Exeter.

Regrouping at Silverton before turning south to Exeter

The level of the Exe was running so high that the extensive cycle way through Exeter was under water resulting in us having to use the busy city road network, the hairiest bit of this being the multi lane roundabouts!

Ironbridge Runners were hosting their Exeter half marathon

On finally reaching the Quay, we could not believe that we'd picked the day when the Ironbridge Runners were hosting their Exeter half marathon and the whole area was buzzing. There was no way we were going to get a table let alone a piece of cake, so we saddled up and headed on to Topsham and Darts Farm where cake is always in good supply.

Caked up, the return route to Sidmouth was through Woodbury and Otterton and across the common and some really wonderful countryside, and two more tough climbs, Peak and Trow Hill.

This was quite an epic ride of 62 miles and 4,300 feet of climbing .. so, I am now going to have to say  that after this week's rides, I'm now feeling a little more prepared for next week's Primrose Path event .. 85 training miles completed and a whopping 6,600 feet of climbed! Today also saw me achieve  new records for the time to complete 50 miles and distance travelled in1 hour:  3hrs 55mins and 16.07 miles respectively.