Day 149 - Garmin Edge

On Monday, I waxed lyrical about my need for a technology solution to capture my cycling stats and how I was investigating what the leading provider of GPS systems, Garmin, had to offer. Whenever seeking any item of technology, it is critical to first specify your requirements up front, as I find it is so easy to get carried away and buy something with bells and whistles that I'll probably never use! I found a great wiggle comparison blog which I have placed a link to below, together with an excellent table that author Daniel has pulled together.

http://blog.wiggle.com/2013/05/03/which-garmin-edge-should-i-get/

My requirements were very simple. I wanted the simplest, smallest and lightest unit possible, clear uncluttered screen showing duration, miles covered and current time, which would be visible in all daylight conditions and had a long battery life. Using Daniel's table and a few review sites, the decision was easy, I went for the Garmin Edge 500 in black and grey to match my Specialized. I finally took delivery from my favorite on-line supplier, Chain Reaction Cycles, this afternoon. It was very easy to set up and while having no time this evening for a proper ride out, I did apply the fixings to the handle bars and performed a simple test. What is just perfect, is the ease by which I can upload to Endomondo and Strava. So far, I am very impressed, and am really looking forward to giving it a live test tomorrow.

Garmin Edge 500

While I did not get out this evening, I did get an opportunity to take an early morning ride. I was out earlier than normal, just a few minutes past 6:00 am and I could not believe how quiet it was. Not a soul was about. It was, however, like riding in the path of a hairdryer. Warm, wet and windy! Endomondo reported a humidity level of 99% and I don't doubt that. My glasses were streaming, water cascaded from my helmet and I became soggy from the outside in .. not the usual direction believe me. We still managed a respectable 10.5 miles including the long climb up Gully Shute & Hillhead into Colyton, a route I've not taken for some months and which I recall was, back then, a painful experience. 

Back on the home stretch, I secured a PB on the Seafront Sprint jumping to pole position ahead of my fellowAVP team mates reaching an average speed of 26 mph. My first Strava challenge completed!

The route art today is Yogi Bear on a skateboard :)

Stats: 10.49 mi, 52m 27s, Avg 12.0 mph, max 26.4 mph, 581 kcal

Day 126 - Heatwave

I heard on the radio today, returning from my early morning ride, that we're having a heatwave. Now that's not a word I've heard spoken in connection with the UK weather since 1976! Even though I attempted to dress more appropriately, in a short sleeved running top, I still returned at 7:30 looking as though I'd been caught in a heavy rain shower; it was hot out there. Lacking a proper summer cycling jersey - as I've talked of too much already - I had to leave my wallet, camera (which I've now located) and emergency jelly baby stash behind, and my smartphone with Endomondo app and audio book had to be carefully stuffed down my shorts, not ideal at all. You'll be pleased and hopefully as amazed as I to hear that my Funkier summer jersey, ordered on Saturday from Chain Reaction, arrived later this morning. They are such a good company.

Back to this morning's circuit. Having decided yesterday that the time was right to bring my mile climb, that is Seaton Down Hill, into the training mix, I set off through the warming early morning sun up hill, this time with helmet on and fully inflated tyres. I took over a minute off yesterday's climb and completed my circuit along the Axe Estuary excluding, on this occasion, the detour into Colyton, it was a work day after all. My down hill speed was an impressive 35 mph and would have been another PB had yesterday's not been so blistering quick. I was, however, riding into a strong headwind which was not there on Sunday morning; it is amazing what info you can get from Endo.

So, will I, as the Tour de France riders were today, be resting tomorrow or will I be unable to resist taking my new jersey out for a ride? ... check back tomorrow to find out.

Stats: 6.11 mi, 31m:39s , Avg 11.6 mph, Max 35.2, 351 kcal