Day 185 - Hill Training

This week, so far, I have been focussing on training for next weekend's 100 miler with the AVP. After a fun weekend ride exploring the the Taunton Stop Line, it was back down to some serious hill training with a three interesting evening circuit climbs.

Monday was the Peco Hill Climb dash. Anyone who has walked up to Pecorama in Beer will know the hill I speak of here, it ends with a 12%+ corker of a climb. I last attempted this back on Day 35 in April and had to dismount to make it to the top. Today, I made it in one go and still in the saddle.

Wednesday evening, I managed to squeeze in the Seaton Down Hill circuit between finishing work and before dinner. This is a 10% one mile steady climb, cruelly increasing in severity the closer you get to the Tower at the summit. The enjoyable part of this climb, however, is the 2 mile 40mph drop down into Colyford, naturally, slowing to 30mph to keep within the speed limit at the junction with Harepath Road!

Thursday was my regular 20 mile AVP Evening Ride, which tonight took us out on the hilly Lyme Regis circuit a route I last did on Day 89, on my second outing with the AVP back at the end of May. This time I was so much more prepared for what was to come and fitter too. On the 4 mile climb out of Lyme, the garden wall, I normally stop for a breather at was passed by and the grass verge I've used in the past to take a much needed lie down on, was left undisturbed. It was still a hard ride, averaging over 12 mph over the distance and reaching speeds of 37 mph on some of the drops. And I almost forgot, Andy and I kicked off the circuit with a ride up Stepps Lane, a 2 mile climb out of Axmouth reaching 15% and one which certainly got the heart racing and the lungs screaming for air!

Once in Lyme, we did take a sneaky cycle along the front, past the beach huts and late opening cafes. By the time we turned for home, the sun was setting fast and visibility became a problem with my underpowered lights. Covering our potholed and gravel strewn roads at speed on my skinny tyre Roubaix is a different prospect to being on my almost indestructible Crosstrail, so I can see this probably being my last APV evening ride for the year, unless I switch back to the hybrid.

Back at the pub, for a carb hit of chips and beer, the talk was of next week's 100 miler. The plan is to head out from Seaton next Sunday at 06:30 towards Exmoor, with food stops every 25 miles. We will also be accompanied by a support vehicle, with room for a few bikes in the event of incidents, and which will also carry a supply of water and food just in case. Cafes along the route have also been lined up to expect us. What I now need, is to get in a few more miles training this weekend be be on top of my game and for the weather to be kind for the Grand Tour!

When comparing the stats with my ride in May, I shaved 20 minutes off the total ride time, increased my average speed by 4.5 mph and reached a top speed of 5 mph more; no wonder my legs are crying out for a rest!

Stats: 20.78 mi, 1hr 41m, Avg 12.3 mph, Max 37.7 mph, 1,194 kcal

Day 174 - SVCC Morning Ride

Two weeks ago, I spoke of a couple of changes I needed to make in preparation for the Axe Valley Pedaller's 100 mile event in September. The first was to consider moving to a road bike, this I achieved last week, with the purchase of my amazing Specialized Roubaix Sport. The next was to work on getting in a few more miles to test I could get close to the distance, this I made a start on today by joining the Sid Valley Cycle Club (SVCC) on their morning 40 mile ride out to Dunkeswell. My previous best had been a long 25 mile evening ride with the AVP; long, in that we normally complete around 20 miles so as to get back to the pub before closing time!

So it was an early Sunday morning start for me with a short drive out to Sidmouth to meet at the football ground for 9:00 am. I was probably the only one who drove, as a steady procession of cyclists in their colourful lycra and road racing bikes entered the ground. We headed off pretty much bang on 9:00 am as we needed to meet up with others at Tipton Bridge at 9:15. In all, I would say we had at least 20 riders, however, once off Tipton Bridge, I only ever saw a few of our number as the peloton split a number of times to either take high speed or good climbing routes, something I have not been used to with the AVP who stay together from start to finish. As it was, I saw more sheep than cyclists on this ride as on one occasion, riding through Kentisbeare, we had to stop to let a flock pass us by!

The 29 mile ride out to Dunkeswell, the site of a small airfield first created for the US Navy in WW2, had only a few long but gentle climbing hills so I found breaking my 25 mile milestone a relatively easy  achievement. After enjoying a much needed coffee and large slice of carrot cake at the airfield's cafe, I joined the remaining 6 cyclists on the homeward journey, the remainder having long since moved on, their route to the airfield actually being 9 miles shorter. I was not bitter, it was miles I was interested in clocking up, I've had loads of practice climbing my local hills!

Talking of hills, I had thought that the 15 mile return ride would again be light on climbs, indeed the expectation was that as we headed towards the sea, the road would be predominately down hill, I had forgotten, however, about the painful climb out of Honiton to Sidford which after 35 miles in the saddle was a real test of my stamina! 

Overall, this was a great ride with 43 miles covered. I have a mountain bike ride planned for next weekend, but all being well, I can see me joining the SVCC on another morning ride very soon, if not that following weekend. Thankfully, my wife is being very supportive of me and my new found cycling interest as I can see that my time away, spent out on the road is starting to lengthen .. I am very grateful for this!

Stats: 43.47 mi, 3h:16m, Avg 13.2 mph, Max 40.0, 2,341 kcal

Day 153 - Time Machine

On the day that 20,000 cyclists take to the streets of London and the hills of Surrey, I've concluded my week's cycling with a new personal weekly best of 83 miles. Frustratingly just 17 shy of today's London-Surrey route and definitely a target I now have in my sights to achieve over the next few weeks. While I often find there is more left in the tank, I find time is an issue; fitting in even the 7 hours I've spent in the saddle this week has been a challenge.

Friday lunch at the Cliffside Cabin

I've jumped a few days since my last blog, again finding time to to either cycle or write has been the challenge, naturally, cycling won that battle. Friday saw me use the bike on a short 2.5 mile circuit to meet up with the Seaton Hole gang for a quick bite for lunch down at the Cliffside Cabin; a much quieter venue since Old Beer Road was lost to the sea during last year's heavy rains closing this section of the coastal path.

Old Beer Road lost to the sea during last year's heavy rains

Contrary to the weather forecast, Saturday morning was gloriously sunny, but severely aching limbs from a week of hills made me think twice about taking a ride out. I also had a busy schedule ahead and little time to cycle. Oh, what I could do with a time machine! A small window of opportunity did come available later in the day for a sneaky 9 mile circuit. Avoiding all but the final climb up Castle Hill, for the sake of my limbs, I kept to level ground where possible and rode a very enjoyable circuit to Colyton and back.

Stats: 8.95 mi, 43m:27s, Avg 12.4 mph, Max 33.27, 482 kcal

Prior to my Saturday ride, I had in my sights my previous weekly distance record of 73 miles and these 9 miles covered yesterday broke this by probably just a few hundred feet. So, waking this morning, and seeing the promised rains had still not appeared, I had to get back out to establish a credible new record. I also recognised that I was tantalisingly close to my 700 mile marker .. but one record at a time, my focus was on smashing the 73 miles. Despite the aches, which had lessened from the previous day but were still sapping my power, and against my better judgement, I took the mile climb up Seaton Down hill with the thought of that long and fast Harepath Hill decent down into Colyford keeping me going. I had learned on my last AVP ride that locking the front shocks greatly improves my climbing ability, less peddle power being absorbed by the shocks allowing all of my effort to be used on the ascent. This definitely helped me make the mile climb and I think maybe even on increasing the speed of my decent, on which for the first time, I broke the 40mph barrier!

40.4 Mph!

The home run through Axmouth got me thinking about the state of our roads and the current favoured way councils have of repairing them, using a spray of bitumen and a layer of loose gravel chipping. While this may be seen as an economical solution to a never ending problem of keeping our road network free of potholes, it is an absolute nightmare for cyclists. I hear that the resulting rough sandpaper like surface provides a better stopping surface for cars, so yes, use it where stopping is required .. junctions and along side schools, but not along straight country lanes where there are no junctions or obstructions. I have also heard of another reason being that during the summer, this way of resurfacing is preferred to avoid tar being displaced under hot temperatures ... !

Skid Risk!

The reason for me bringing this up, is that our Devon council has been having a go at resurfacing some of my local roads and after being showered with chipping by an overtaking car doing more than 20mph, it made me think that the skid risk signs on display should be reworded 'Flying Chipping Risk'. I am sure in my youth they used to warn drivers of a risk to shattered windscreens but I guess the modern glass of today has eradicated that issue. Perhaps, therefore, they should say, 'Chipped Paint Risk' as since the removal of lead has certainly meant this is softer and more prone to chips than on cars of old, but I digress. My point is that announcing a skid risk on a surface which is designed to reduce skids is a daft thing to say and that cars may take more notice if there was an announced threat to their bodywork. 

Road in need of attention

Moving off the new rough and 'slippy for a bike' surface, I hit the join with the old surface which required me to unlock the front shocks and move into mountain bike mode in order to avoid losing all my fillings! This is like riding over cobbles and I can sympathise with the TDF riders who had several laps of the Arc de Triomphe at speed over covered but very noticeable cobbles. The risk of a snake bite puncture here is high. I see, if I read the writing on the road correctly,  that this will be resurfaced in 2014 .. good to know.

South Devon to surface from here in 2014

I am sure roads were better in the past, but then again I'd need the use of that time machine again to prove this. Funny thing, memories.

Stats: 10.04 mi, 54m:03s, Avg 11.1 mph, Max 40.4, 599 kcal

Day 145 - Twice to Colyton

Not planned for when I woke this morning, but I completed two circuits of Colyton today.

The first was my now traditional morning circuit with a variation, in that I decided to avoid the early hills. The unseasonable coolness of the air at 06:30 this morning hit me hard. In my summer gear, my muscles exposed to the elements, needed warming before moving into climbing mode, so I used an old, now rarely travelled, level route to cross Seaton Down and Harepath Roads and enter Colyford via the third of four roads serving the seaside town, Seaton Road. A quick loop of Colyford and a return to the seafront via Axmouth completed my circuit. Rain is expected later today, so in spite of the cool start, it was at least good to be dry.

The completion of this morning circuit marked the achievement of 600 miles covered in these last 5 months since my return to cycling, 200 of which I've travelled in July! My steed has done me proud and tomorrow, weather permitting, will receive its first deep clean; my chain oiling has been a little OTT and a degrease and frame clean is now a priority!

My second circuit was not planned, but a spur of the moment idea I had to visit Soanes Cycle shop in Colyton to check on their stock of AVP clothing odds and ends. You may recall my unsuccessful search for club jersey at the start of July, well they did say that while there were no jerseys, they had a few odds and ends. With me surprisingly still having surplus energy in the tank, I fancied a ride out somewhere and this seemed the perfect destination and with an opportunity to add to my growing cycling clothing collection, how could I resist. My long time triathlon friend warned me when I took up cycling, that this would be something I'd have to watch .. he was so right! While it was another enjoyable ride out to Colyton and a good deal warmer that earlier, the odds and ends of shorts and gilet were unfortunately designed for the larger framed cyclist than I and so I left empty handed. Thank goodness for the internet ;)

The promised rain is now falling but is expected to dry up before I head out again tomorrow morning.

Stats:
am: 9.56 mi, 46m:33s, Avg 12.3 mph, Max 26.1, 516 kcal
pm: 8.15 mi, 40m:17s, Avg 12.1 mph, Max 28.1, 446 kcal

Strava Ride version - trying a different app

Day 142 - A Social RIde

Who would have thought when I started this cycling lark, that I'd be taking an evening social, six mile ride out with my neighbour. Admittedly we did include a stop for a quick 'one for the road' in the circuit, but that was not the original objective .. honest.

Our ride was a tame one, particularly when placed against my, now regular, Thursday AVP epics, but more of a social ride and a natter, with a bit of calorie burn thrown in! Perfect.

The route art, which I've not talked of recently, I think has to be a mole.

Stats: 6.00 mi, 32m 00s, Avg 11.3 mph, 355 kcal

Day 139 - Maillot Jaune

Today is the final stage of the Tour de France, when for a second year in succession, a British rider will cycle up the Champs-Elysées in the Yellow Jersey, Maillot Jaune. Today, all being well, Chris Froome will follow Wiggins on to the top step of the podium in Paris to win the biggest prize in cycling. Froome has had a fascinating journey from his African background to Britain's new cycling star and just as I revelled in reading about Wiggo's route to winning the Tour in 2012, I'm looking forward to reading what is bound to be the next cycling autobiography to be released later in the year, Froome's Time!

73 miles covered this week.

Meanwhile, 10 hours before the final stage start today at 16:00, I woke early and, after yesterday's longer than planned circuit, decided on a much more gentle, lazy Sunday morning ride and that it was. There was no time trialling down the Axe Valley straight nor speed climbing up hills, it really was a very relaxing 8 mile circuit, taking in the sights and using the easiest gear for every incline, just enough to keep me rolling along and aerobically stimulated. What's more, this short ride out this morning secured me my greatest distance travelled in one week, so far. After my 2 week holiday and 4 week break from the AVPs, I'm now back to my peak cycling fitness, with 73 miles covered this week alone.

Stats: 8.35 mi, 46m:50s , Avg 10.7 mph, Max 24.7, 519 kcal

Day 134 - Bike Kitchen

So after a day off the bike yesterday, as hard as it was and in spite of the office work I had piling up, I needed to get back in the saddle. Today was not a long ride but it was an important one as I could so easily have given it a miss and that's a slippery slope!

I hope you've noticed I've finally posted a picture of the summer jersey, just perfect for the heatwave we have at the moment, but not the best colour for hiding chain oil which has already made a showing since I learned the bike performed better with it! Now, I would not normally get that close to an oily chain, but it has come adrift twice in the last few days, something I need to keep an eye on.

Talking of bike bits and mechanics, the inner workings of the bicycle, as simple as it may seem, is not something I am that familiar with. Having spent many of my early years tinkering with cars, I somehow never had the need to get involved in cycle maintenance. As such, one event I dread is getting a puncture, particularly one that would involve unpicking the rear wheel gear and chain assembly. I noticed, reading a copy of Cycling Weekly the other day, the opening of the first Bike Kitchen outside California, in London. This is a DIY workshop where you can take care of your own bike with support of professional bike mechanics. What a great way to learn about maintaining and building bikes, I hope the idea spreads throughout the rest of the UK.

Back on my bike, I started this morning's circuit with a relatively flat ride out along Harepath, I was keen to leave any hill to the end and also wanted a change of scenery. After all my talk about a heat waves, it was surprisingly chilly out there .. you just never know what to wear! This was otherwise a very uneventful ride, until the homeward run along Axmouth Road, when inspired by the great sprinters of the TDF, I chased down and passed on another rider! Hardly surprising, therefore, that I achieved a new Avg Speed PB of 13.5 mph for the circuit.

Stats: 5.24 mi, 23m:14s , Avg 13.5 mph, Max 25.7 mph, 257 kcal

Day 88 - 300 Miles 20,000 kcal

The rain cleared sufficiently today for my steed and I to venture out after the abhorrent weather of yesterday. Still very damp under rubber, I headed out on the Gnome on the Run route, first ridden two weeks ago; up Barnards Hill Lane past allotments and out to join Harepath Hill and down through Colyford to return via Axmouth and the marina. You know when it's been raining as a giant puddle always forms at the threshold to the Underfleet cycle path and not another to be seen anywhere else along the same stretch of road. Thank goodness I say again for those long mudguards!

No photos, today. I forgot the camera and after recent issues with Endo, I was not going to risk multitasking again. What makes me laugh is that Endomondo have just launched an update to the app which allows, at the end of a workout, for you to attach any photos taken during it .. very funny!

I'm now 88 days through my tour, it was the 2nd March when I first set out on my steed, almost 3 months ago. Not quite an anniversary yet but still a day to reflect, in that I've reached my 300 mile / 20,000 kcal milestone! I had some doubts all those days ago that I'd still be at this cycling lark and after not seeing the pounds come falling off after week one, being the impatient man I am, I'm surprised today that I'm still at it. I'm enjoying the challenge of getting out every day, seeing the changing scenery, discovering new routes and taking on those hills - although there are times when moving to Norfolk sounds like a good idea!

So, where to tomorrow? I'm hoping the weather stays dry, as tomorrow's the day when the Axe Valley Pedallers meet and I'm looking forward to another peloton circuit and may be this time I'll get that après cycle beer which has so far alluded me!

Stats: 6.80 mi, 36m 37s, Avg 11.2 mph, Max 31.7 mph, 406 kcal

Day 81 - Musbury

I was up earlier than usual today, these lighter mornings playing havoc with my body clock, which offered me the opportunity to take that longer ride I spoke of on Saturday. Now that the Axminster road   has reopened following its collapse last week, I had in mind to extend my Colyford circuit to take in Musbury, the next village along.

Starting up hill and across to Harepath, I used the recently discovered lane out to the main road. Dropping down into Colyford, I amazingly broke my latest speed record by a further 3.8 mph, reaching 32.8 mph by the time I hit the bottom of the dip. It was going to be a good ride. Through Colyford and before the tram crossing, I turned into Colyton and headed out under what would have been the old railway bridge, before Beeching's destruction of the local rail network. The hill that followed rivals my Three Hills and even the 'daddy' of them all, Seaton Down Hill but once over the brow, the next 5 or so miles were wonderful. As they say, 'what goes up must come down' and in this case it certainly made for a pleasant ride through small hamlets and into Musbury itself.

Once out of Musbury, the road becomes busy, this being the main route between Axminster and Axmouth. I powered on my flashing taillight just to increase my visibility on these winding narrow lanes. Just before entering Axmouth, I passed over the new tarmac being the only evidence of the land slip which had earlier blocked this road for almost a week. The Axmouth estuary road is now a familiar and bumpy one, past the pill boxes, the thatched cottages, bird hides and entering Seaton at the marina.

Heading back inland along Route 2 / 33, I thought I'd share with you some of the obstacles placed in the way of cyclists along this so called cycle route. It is also interesting that in the three months I've been cycling this route, I've never seen another cyclist use it!

First obstacle is the set of parallel bars which may have some value to warn cyclists they are joining a main carriageway but these precede a minor lane leading to a sewage treatment works! The second is a narrow bridge and lane hardly wide enough to get a bike through. Luckily, I've never met anyone coming the other way, as when I last looked my bike had no reverse gear! Finally, within the last few weeks, Devon County Council have as good as blocked the entry to the cycle route with a metal bared gate with the only purpose of displaying a giant no tipping sign as this is not a lane which goes anywhere! Also, why do this when there's a perfectly good wall a few feet to the right which would have done just as good a job?

OK .. rant over, Sustrans take note!

Overall this was one of my best morning rides of the year. The weather was kind, the legs held out and the scenery was delightful, I also achieved three new PBs: a new top speed of 32.8 mph, a new distance record of 11.74 miles and a 10 mile record of 47m:51s which is a 3m:28s improvement on my Day 77 circuit last week.

Stats: 11.74 mi (PB), 59m 31s, Avg 11.8 mph, Max 32.8 mph (PB), 660 kcal

Day 80 - Colyford Circuit

My 30 minute cycle route this morning was to be the Colyford - Axmouth circuit, albeit the 10th variation on this theme - it is just amazing how many different paths and directions one can take and yet pass through the same two points.

The weather this morning was as warm as yesterday but without the sun and with a little more of a breeze blowing. Indeed, I would not be surprised to see a little rain later. It was therefore, good weather for a cycle ride and if it keeps this up, we may even see shorts appearing by the end of the week!

For my listening pleasure, I've taken to having an audio book on the go during my circuits. I find them less intrusive than loud thumping music, as I might otherwise have, when listening out for cars and other obstacles along my route. Today it was Dead Men, Stephen Leather's 5th book in his Dan Shepherd series. I actually started this last week thinking it was one that I'd had on my 'to listen to list' only to get that déjà vu feeling after the first few lines. I do actually have a Audible credit available so could switch to something else but having the memory of a gold fish, I'm enjoying the story again, so will stick with it for the time being.

As for the circuit, it was a quick one, probably because I cut out the normal uphill start by heading off down Harepath and the more gentle climb to Colyford. The route barrée from Saturday is now cleared and road reopened, we are therefore rejoined to Axminster and feeling less cut off from the outside world. Returning via Axmouth, I completed my circuit with a climb up Castle Hill under the encouraging watchful eye of those standing at the bus stop below!

Stats: 5.63 mi, 27m 49s, Avg 12.1 mph (PB), Max 26.9 mph, 308 kcal

Day 76 - Return to the Three Hills

After what seems an age, I decided this morning that I could not put off including the Three Hills in my circuit any longer. These are the short but steep Seaton Down, Bunts and Beer, and they were, when taken together, as tough as ever. Every morning I've ventured out this week I've been shocked by the coolness of the air and today was no exception. Out of the sun the temperatures reminded me of my icy circuits back at the start of March. Unfortunately the long stretch of road which follows the estuary into Axmouth was very much in the shade and the wind whipping up over the water was turning my exposed fingers blue and numb. I think this just pushed me along faster in an attempt to build up some warmth, hence my new average speed record of 11.4 mph, which considering this included my Three Hills was amazing.

Once past the 1940s gun emplacements, pill boxes and over the tram lines at Colyford station you know you are on the home stretch. The Colyford post office is the turning in point and I stopped to capture a picture of this old white building bathed in sun but the butcher decided at that moment to go and park his van right in my field of view! I'll try again on my next outing. In the meantime here's a snap of the approach to the Colyford tram crossing. 

I feel I am now back in the zone, my legs have returned to their old complaining self and I'm looking forward to getting out into the saddle again tomorrow.

And the route art today .. the running gnome takes a rest.

Stats: 6.99 mi, 36m 43s, Avg 11.4 mph, Max 28.2 mph, 407 kcal

Day 74 - Giro d'Seaton

While the wind seems to have blown yesterday's torrential rain away, cycling this morning against 30mph+ gusts was a bit of a challenge! I headed out early aiming to tackle my 3 hills but at the top of the first it was clear that the other two would have to wait, after all they'll still be there tomorrow.

It also sounds like Wiggins, competing in the Giro d'Italia, is not on the form of last year and he too appears to be suffering in the bad weather and with the hills .. it's great to be in such good company!

Stats: 4.84 mi, 27m 29s, Avg 10.6 mph, Max 22.5 mph, 305 kcal

Day 72 - Lost My Mojo

It's been 10 days since my last cycle ride and I can't help feeling I've somehow lost my mojo! The reason, well, the combination of a bank holiday away, a leaking roof and a DIY purge is my excuse for avoiding my morning excursion. I could also add to this, the return of the cold damp weather, the familiarity of the routes I'd previously had the enjoyment of exploring, the annoying rattle that I've now pinned down to the mudguards, the wet roads which without mudguards (removed because of the annoying rattle) would cover me in filthy spray and the lack of a good audio book, being in that trough of despair having finished my last thrilling read and not wanting to start another - not just yet anyway. Yes I have definitely lost my mojo.

That was, however, until I came across the World Triathlon Series from Yokohama Japan on the BBC.  I caught the start of the women's event and found myself transfixed, these are some courageous athletes.  This was particularly born out just short of mid way through the race, when after the first of 9 laps of Yokohama harbour, Maakie Caelers from the Netherlands collided and fell from her bike and slid for some distance along the road. I'll have to ask my good friend who does this, why they don't keep their wet suits on after the swimming, as bear arms and legs offer no protection for a fall like that! Ouch!

If I needed anything to inspire me to get back on the bike, this was it! So, with mudguards reattached - as naff as they look, they do a great job - I headed out again this morning for a gentle 5 mile circuit. It's amazing how quickly my stamina has tailed off as it was not as easy as I had hoped; even more reason to keep at it. I think a day or two's break between circuits is probably not a bad idea, but ten days is too long in my book.

Finally, the route art today is a bubble being blown through one of those plastic hoops or may be a pig looking into a shaving mirror ... see anything else?

Stats: 5.56 mi, 29m 08s, Avg 11.04 mph, Max 22.2 mph, 323 kcal

Day 58 - Weekend Circuits

I had some good friends visiting this weekend so headed out early Saturday and Sunday to avoid eating into our socialising. I have not, as yet, found cycling to be the most social activity .. as a minimum your friends at least need a bike of their own!

Both circuits were easier than I expected, considering my enforced grounding.

On Saturday we (my steed and I) headed out to Colyton and returned via Axmouth covering just under 9 miles in 45 minutes .. it felt good. Later that morning, following the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group recommendation that one in ten journeys should be by bike, I thought I'd cycle the mile and a bit down to the builders merchant rather than take the car. When I got there, however, I found them closed for stocktake. No justice! Also, Endomondo decided to play up, failing to track my ride due to a logon error, was not best pleased with that either.

Stats: 8.95 mi, 45m 23s, Avg 11.8 mph, Max 21.8 mph, 503 kcal

On the subject of the APPCG recommendation, please take time to read their Report and sign the e-Petition, it would make such a positive change if only a small part of this were implemented.

Later that evening, I was back in Colyton with friends for a few beers. Coincidentally, we were invited to 'gatecrash' a 60th birthday party in one of the local pubs, so a great evening was had. On Sunday morning, I confess, I was not feeling much like getting back on the bike; the sky was grey, the temperature cool and the late night revelry was resting heavy on my head and other regions. Thinking that a ride would do more good than bad, I kitted up and hit the saddle. To clear the cobwebs, I decided on the 3 hills route .. a painful climb but two great rolling descents to look forward to.

Doesn't this Sunday Three Hills circuit look a little like a baby elephant lying with its trunk in the air?

Stats: 3.57 mi, 21m 41s, Avg 9.9 mph, Max 26.1 mph, 240 kcal

Day 34 - Hills!

My third circuit of the 3 hills route this week and it's still causing me grief. My boss suggested when I spoke of buying bike, of me getting one of those electric ones for the hills, I'm beginning to think he was right!

I am not giving up though, tomorrow is another day.

Stats: 3.92 mi, 27m 05s, Avg 8.7 mph, Max 26.4 mph, 300 kcal

Day 28 - The Hill

The Hill has been conquered. Another day of firsts with both the assent of Seaton Down Hill and a new speed record of 28.7 mph ... that's a big hill!  It took 14 minutes to climb and 3 minutes to descend and having misplaced my woolly hat, the -3c air temperature with wind chill left my head feeling somewhat numb!

View from the top of the Hill, the mist obscuring the sea and town below

The remainder of the route was very much as yesterday, on through Colyford and returning via Axmouth along that miserable excuse of a road surface - another note to self to start campaign for more cycle routes. The sky was supposed to be clear this morning, so I took along my camera hoping to catch some great sunrise pictures, but I must have been out too early as the sky was milky and the low hanging early morning mist gave poor visibility and insufficient light. Not as good as yesterday.

Stats: 6.52 mi, 45m 9s, Avg 8.6 mph, max 28.7 mph, 515 kcal

Day 17 - Random Route

I woke, itching to get out on my bike this morning. Having run through in my mind a few new circuits as I dressed, I headed up the hill, out of town with still only a vague idea of which one I was going to take.

The long climb started well but as I turned into Marlpit Lane, the down hill route won over another climb, it was cold and damp and my muscles were now crying out for a breather. That route is banked for another day. The road down to the sea is now a well ridden one, but it looks as though I'm going to have to try something different to get safety above 22 mph, as I've plateaued at 21.9 and the challenge with continuing with Marlpit Lane are the obstacles: Luna sized potholes and speed bumps, so to avoid damaging the bike and myself in this challenge, I think I'm going to have to seek an alternative stretch of road.

The return route from the sea was in the direction of the hospital, but just as yesterday, I took a detour into Scalwell Lane and then rather than joining Harepath Lane for the homeward sprint, I turned off into Drovers Way for a looping up hill climb to the auction house. It should then have been a leisurely drop down the hill to join Seaton Down Road, but no, like a man possessed and with not a soul on the road, I banked through a 90 degree right into Homer Lane, I was beginning to feel I could stay out all day. Another climb and a new discovery, a cycle path and a short cut exiting onto Seaton Down Road. I'm beginning to really appreciate these cycle paths, but I wish they were more than just a token and intermittent offering. The final 1/5 of a mile was an exhilarating freewheel down hill, I just wonder if I bother to peddle, whether this could even be my new stretch of road for the speed test. Watch this space!

Stats: 3.85 mi, 24m 34s, Avg 9.4 mph, max 21.8 mph, 277 kcal

Day 14 - Friday! End of Week 2

Friday and to complete my second week on two wheels, I set out this morning on the Short Circuit, not for speed, it was just all that I could muster!

Under cloudy skys and considerably warmer than yesterday's deep freeze experience, it was pleasant to be out. No stops and no major hill issues, the only downer was that I seemed to hit one of those rare 15 minute rush hours in Seaton, as at almost every turn, a car, lorry or another vehicle of the road, wanted my piece of tarmac!

While not intending to enter a speed trial today, Sea Hill did see me reaching my top speed of 21.4 mph  without freezing my face off or suffocating ... oh dear, I can see another challenge forming here!

Stats: 2.25 mi, 13m 47s, Avg 9.8 mph, Max 21.4 mph, 157 kcal.

Day 12 - Speed

After reaching the 5 mile distance yesterday, I switched today to focus on increasing speed and stamina.

Taking to the Short Circuit route, I made good progress on the first mile but the return was hard going. Having said that, I did take 4 minutes off my Week 1, Day 4 and 3 minutes off my stormy Day 10 rides over the same circuit, so definitely feel my fitness has to be improving.

Stats: 2.26 mi, 12m 42s, 145 kcal.