Day 176 - New Average Speed PB

Back on the Roubaix feeling especially good this morning, that was until I hit the first of my 3 hills on my climbing circuit out to Colyford. The Roubaix definitely takes less energy to move forward but I think I've underestimated the gearing quality of the Crosstrail which makes climbing so easy and down hill rides so quick.

The Crosstrail has 3 chain rings to the Roubaix's 2, which means that while there is potentially less gear changing to do on the Roubaix, the Crosstrail is more forgiving if you select the wrong gear .. yes I'm still getting used to the Roubaix's gear ratios as I'm tending to go too far through one chain ring before moving up to the next, leaving me either spinning on the pedals or juddering to a halt!

Setting off in such good spirits, I had expected to beat my Seafront Sprint2 Strava record of 21.8 mph .. this is the one that Andy took from me a month or so ago, putting in an impressive 24.4 mph .. but I could only reach an average of 21.5 mph over the half mile run, a difference of just 1 second over the distance. What is more frustrating, is that my quickest time was on the Crosstrail, I think this may be because as there is a down hill start to this segment, its increased weight adding greater forward momentum to launch me into the level straight .. that's my excuse anyway! 

Seafront Sprint2

What was pleasing on this ride was beating my previous average speed for any circuit (over 5 miles) of 13.5 mph set on Day134 - 16th July, by 0.6 mph. This stat's relevance over such different circuits is probably questionable but when compared to the last time I ran on this exact route, Day 141 - 23rd July, I can see that my average speed is up 2 mph, taking over 4 minutes of the 7 mile circuit. So while a small improvement, it is certainly a move in the right direction!

Stats: 6.95 mi, 29m 29s, Avg 14.1 mph, Max 32.8, 391 kcal

Day 141 - Damp Earth

After two nights of thunder storms, the air feels clean and the smell of damp earth is prominent in the lanes which, just a day or so ago, were so hot and dusty.

It was a quick circuit this morning, just my standard 3 hills to Colyford and back. The one difference to recent weeks being no sunglasses and both lights illuminated. What a difference a day makes.

I have a feeling this is going to be more restrained week than last, but then again, that one was rather full on!

Stats: 6.77 mi, 33m 22s, Avg 12.2 mph, Max 30.1, 370 kcal

Day 41 - Kangaroo Circuit

I've done well these last two days in avoiding the downpours. The quick circuit this morning was again timed just right, because as I type the rain is again falling while I managed to return dry just some 30 minutes ago. My route this morning, when drawn out on a map, alarmingly reminds me of the shape of a kangaroo! I now need to look back over my previous routes to see if any other objects come to mind. This is like staring into the sky on a summer's day and seeing shapes in the clouds. I can also see something else happening here ... routes predefined by the shapes they will draw on a map, now there's a challenge!

Moving swiftly on, before the sirens and men in white coats arrive, my 4 mile ride this morning has brought my total distance travelled up to 140 miles in 6 weeks and my Endomondo statistics dashboard has finally registered me as having made 0.001 trips to the moon ... those astronauts certainly have a long way to peddle!

Tomorrow is a special day for my bike, but more on that later.

Stats: 4.39 mi, 25m 07s, Avg 10.5 mph, max 21.0 mph, 278 kcal

Day 40 - Between the Showers

A break in the showers this morning, allowed me a pleasant ride out to Colyton. Into a golden sun rise and through the sea mist and fog, I cycled. Passing a fellow rider coming in the other direction, I was gad of my day-glow top and flickering neons, as I feared whether any speeding motorist would even see him in his darkened outfit! Another dig on the lack of cycle paths.

I was pleased not to have any major hills to climb today as my legs have been complaining something rotten! Is this something athletes just learn to live with? I was also not planning to do the Colyton circuit today, but once I got rolling, I just did not want to stop and with tomorrow looking like it may be another wash out, I was pleased to get another 8 miles under my belt.

Whatever happens with the weather tomorrow, at least I have interesting outing planned for Friday. More on that later!

Stats: 8.07 mi, 42m 35s, Avg 11.4 mph, max 21.6 mph, 472 kcal

Day 19 - Foggy Wetlands

For a change of scene, today, I reversed the route and took in a loop around the foggy wetlands. I've walked here before but had thought the path was verboten for bikes. Seemingly not, it is actually included in National Route 2 of the National Cycle Network, something which I find hard to believe having seen the narrowness of one of the sections and the rickety bridge to be crossed!

Stats: 3.66 mi, 25m 29s, Avg 8.6 mph, max 21.0 mph, 288 kcal

Day 8 - Saturday

Another foggy start and not as quick or as easy out of the trap as yesterday's blistering performance. This may mean that taking a rest every couple of days may be a good strategy, but I am keen to keep the momentum as I fear any excuse to not hit the saddle will be easily taken!

Anyway, following yesterday's kcal debate, I tried a side by side comparison of Endomondo and MapMyRide today and who can I believe, Endo 97kcal or MapMy 151kcal? I really do not know what Endo is up to here. Either way, I was pleased, in spite of feeling less than on par, that I was able to add another half mile to the route. You'll notice that my ride this morning took me past the hospital at the 4 mile marker, while I felt like calling in for oxygen, I pushed on regardless!

Stats: 4.56 mi, 27m 36s, 97 kcal.

Week 1 - The Challenge Begins

My first week on two wheels has been an enjoyable challenge. To map my progress to fitness, I'm trying out various Smartphone Apps. I have shortlisted these down to two which my fellow Facebook friends are using: Endomondo and MapMyRide. I'm still not convinced which is best, both have their positive points, more on that probably over the next few weeks.

So, my progress so far, in my view, has been relatively impressive considering my starting point. Here is the week, in brief:

Sunday 3rd March - Day 2

Two outings today. My Pre Breakfast Run, using MapMyRide, was my first trial of moving from warm bed to bike and an outside temperature of zero degrees. I managed a 2 mile ride with a reported total ascent of 98.43 ft and maximum elevation of 111.55 ft. Not sure the relevance of these stats, but I certainly had to dismount to make the final hill home!

Stats: 2.23 mi, 14m 41s, 69 kcal.

The second outing was a 'gentle' afternoon ride down to the sea, using Endomondo this time to track my style. Following a similar route but finishing by 'walking' up a far too steep hill to attempt, at this time, I reportedly burned 174 kcals, imagine how many that would have been had I been actually cycling up the hill!

Stats: 2.03 mi, 14m 34s, 174 kcal.

Monday 4th March - Day 3

I was surprisingly keen to get out this morning, on this, Day 3 and my first week day pre-breakfast run. The weather was again cold, feeling sub zero travelling at 20 mph down hill, with the wind whistling around my ears, I headed off into the town, towards the sea beyond. In a figure of eight rather than my previous circular route, I'm trying out the best circuit to avoid traffic and junctions which will interrupt my flow. Having got caught at the lights, tomorrow's circuit will have to change again.

Stats: 1.97 mi, 14m 18s, 161 kcal.

Tuesday 5th March - Day 4

Fog and with all lights blazing .. a different and longer route today. I'm getting into more of a groove now and the route is starting to take shape. My legs are are starting to really feel the exercise they've not had for years and my seat is suffering at every bump!

Fortunately, later in the day, I took delivery of my first cycling lycra. A pair of padded shorts! ;)
Stats: 2.23 mi, 16m 50s, 190 kcal.

Wednesday 6th March - Day 5

Oh a tough one today. Stopped at the sea wall for a breather so Endomondo split the circuit into two reports. Not a good ride after a poor night's sleep, but nice to get out anyway and the new shorts are a great improvement!

Stats: 1.13 mi, 6m 33s, 74 kcal.

The way back from the sea wall was the uphill homeward stretch and a real challenge for the tired legs. Luckily, however, much warmer than yesterday and only very light rain.

Stats: 1.18 mi, 8m 23s, 94 kcal.

Thursday 7th March - Day 6

A washout! Horizontal rain and strong onshore gusts keep me wrapped up inside. Probably a good thing really as my muscles are starting to rebel!

Friday 8th March - Day 7

Back on the bike. Wet under rubber this morning, glad I was encouraged to purchase the unfashionably long mud guards! Almost doubled the distance today, adding 2 circuits of the beach, after being rained off yesterday but halved the calories burned! Losing faith in Endomondo's algorithm engine ... or has it picked up my increase in fitness? Not sure what's going on there but I don't believe it!

Stats: 4.01 mi, 22m 58s, 81 kcal.

So that's a full week now of bike ownership in which I've seen the distance I've been capable of cycling double and my stamina certainly increasing. I don't think I'll see the same increases in distance next week, but hopefully the hills will be easier, the stops for breathers less frequent and the weather remains good, so that I can at least get out on my bike.