End of my First TT Season

This evening I completed my 4th local time trial event and the final one of the season. Although only achieving my 3rd quickest time over the course, I’m still pleased to have maintained my targeted sub 30 minutes.

I’ve been amazingly consistent on the first split with most time, gained or lost on the second; so something to work on for next year. My season’s times for the 10 mile course were - 29:57, 29:15, 29:30, 29:54.

It’s been a blast and naturally I’m now going to be looking out for those bike upgrades and personal improvements to make those all important marginal gains which could help me achieve a sub 28 minute time next year!

Thanks to Clive & Richard, my AVP racing buddies, for their encouragement and support in getting me into this new area of competitive cycling.

RideLondon Training - Honiton Circuit

84 days until the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100, the hottest day of the year and my second training ride with my charity cycling buddy, Jason.

For our first ride, I travelled over to Jason's patch in Somerset for a Taunton Watchet Bridgewater loop.  Today, it was my turn to host Jason across the border in Devon. I selected the Honiton circuit I first completed back in September 2013 with Andy, when in training for my first 100 miler with the AVP. This seemed a very apt route considering the event we were training for today.

The Honiton circuit takes in Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary to Honiton returning via Stockland and Colyton. Getting out of the Axe Valley and Lyme Bay always requires a climb, and I had intended we take Stovar Long Lane but deep in conversation, I missed the turning and so had to take the far steeper Hollyhead Road; I know know why we stick to Stovar on our AVP rides - sorry Jason!

Selfie taken by Jason in Sidmouth .. before we hit the hills 

Dropping down Trow Hill into Sidford, I hit my fastest speed on 2 wheels, between 48-49 mph (Strava and Endomondo can't agree) .. could be a result of my new wheel and tyre combination. At the base of the hill, my plan had been to turn into Sidmouth via Fortescue Road, following the River Sid, but a Police car blocked the path that we'd have to take to make corner, doing the speed we were. Our minds were also, by then, focussing on whether we may even get pulled up for speeding, but we managed to slow sufficiently before hitting the 30 mph change in limit and the rapidly decelerating cars ahead of us!

At the front, we had the obligatory photo session and took on fuel in banana format .. me the whole fruit version, and Jason in gel form. I did try a gel later and it was not at all bad, considering.

Yours truly in my Team Diabetes UK kit @ Sidmouth

We took the climb out Sidmouth to the Bowd Inn and on into Ottery St Mary and Honiton, where having made such good time, we decided to reward ourselves with a coffee and cake stop - I think I was perhaps the more in favour of this, but then again, Jason was on my patch so was happy to oblige. I also knew the final climb which lay before us and carrot cake and caffeine was the best fuel for this!

Coffee and Cake Stop

The Northcote Hill / Old Chard Road hill climb was an absolute killer on my first outing last year, but  my training since has obviously paid dividends, as I took over 5 minutes off my first time on one of the Strava segments for this climb .. and earned PRs for the rest. Indeed, today I achieved PRs right across the ride :)

Jason at the top of the Old Chard Road hill climb 

We concluded our ride through Shute and Colyton, returning to Seaton along the Axmouth straight which has a fantastic new road surface laid on Thursday evening. I had hoped this new road surface would have been smooth enough to have given me a new PR on this segment, but I guess I'd used up all the carrot cake fuel by this time!

Another great training ride out with Jason, feeling like we're making good progress and Box Hill will be no issue if we carry on climbing the hills as we did today. 

Thanks for the support from all so far and for that to come ... here's my Diabetes UK sponsorship page if you've yet to visit ... http://www.justgiving.com/Jonathan-Read-Bone

Day 336 - Joining the Kask club

In spite of the seemingly non cycling weather we've had recently, the 232 miles covered so far in 2014 have been far better than expected for this 'veteran' pedaller.

Today, I continued in this trend completing another 40 miler with my AVP pals, Andy, Ed, Rex and Richard. The plan was to do a repeat of the proven route Andy, Ed and I cycled two weeks ago. We met at 08:30 at the Seaton TIC and headed out up Castle Hill towards Beer and on to Sidmouth sea front for the obligatory photo shoot. With the seasonal high tide and strong winds, the storm gates were closed, and rightly so, as the waves were spectacularly crashing over the sea wall.

Richard, Andy, Jonathan & Ed

Take 5 on Sidmouth sea front

On this ride I was proud to be wearing a new light weight Kask helmet with, of course, the colours Union flag emblazoned across the top. It was a close run decision between this and an the Specialized S-works model, but the red, white and blue motif won my heart. A pose for a shot with Rex, also a Kask owner, was required .. 'Jonathan joins the Kask klub' !

Jonathan joins the Kask klub

From Sidmouth we climbed via Tipton St John through Ottery St Mary and on to our tea and cake stop in Honiton. From Honiton we took Northcote Hill to the junction with the Stockland straight where, I had visualised the closing 10 miles, a gentle down hill return to Seaton. Rex, however, suggested an alternative route, through Stockland, Kilmington and Musbury. No there were no more hills, he said, just a few lumpy bits. I see a need to define a hill v a lump .. as my legs were not prepared for the climbing which followed, particularly not after my all time best ride up Northcote, on which I had secured PRs for 5 of the 6 Strava segments for this climb!

Ride profile

Although exhausting, it is often good to be challenged. Richard and Rex noticeably drove up the pace, and while I wished I had the engine to keep up with the pace set, I have to constantly remind myself of what I was doing only a year ago, when I would never in my wildest dreams have considered it even possible to cycle 40 miles in a morning! I've just got to keep at it, drive through the pain and hopefully this training will see me right for the Dartmoor Classic sportif I have in June, a 100 mile ride which after today's experience, is seeming ever more daunting! 

In all, I achieved 15 Strava segment PRs and for the second time in as many weeks, broke my previous record for miles ridden in 1 hour (15.94 miles). It is amazing what one can do when pushed!

Day 322 - Morning Ride with Wilco and Woody

With the weather surprisingly clear, bright and frosty, my Sunday morning started with an 08:30 meet at the TIC for what was going to be the longest ride so far of the new year.

This was the first time my AVP buddies, Andy (Wilco) and Ed (Woody), and I had been out on a weekend ride since the end of November and it was good to be back on the road together. We decided on a route Wilco and I have done twice before, the first was a week before the AVP 100 in September (Day 187) and the last was my first ride using SPDs back in October (Day 223). This route takes us along the coast to Sidmouth, inland through Ottery Saint Mary to Honiton for coffee and cake, and returns via Stockland, Shute and Colyton. 40 miles of mixed terrain and 3,000 ft of climbing.

Our first stop was Sidmouth where the obligatory photos had to be taken.

From the seafront, we headed up hill out of Sidmouth and to our scheduled cafe stop at the Boston Tea Party in Honiton. 

Woody and Wilco on Sidmouth seafront 

My Specialized Roubaix 

Woody and Wilco @ our coffee and cake stop in Honiton

Honiton sits deep in the Otter valley and thus it is no surprise that any route out involves a climb. Northcote and Stockland Hills are two painful 11% ascents but are relatively quiet and so when needed the zigzagging climb approach can be used. While still not a good climber, I was pleased, on this occasion, not to have to rely on this method to get to the top - I like to think this is a measure of my gradual improvement in climbing fitness over these past few months.

The ride profile

This was a tough ride; at first I thought it was just because I was still recovering from the Christmas break, but on checking my Strava stats, I found that I'd 40 new Strava segment records and a new one hour distance PB (15.44 miles) which considering the hills, I felt was very impressive. No wonder I ached so in places I never knew I had!

Day 272 - 100 km Seaton to Topsham

Following last Sunday's ride, a plan was hatched to do a long social ride out to Exeter and back, some 55 miles or so, on the following Saturday. Weather watching during the week made this plan seem even better, as it was being forecast to be the only day in the upcoming week with wall to wall sun.

Andy, Ed, Jon and I met up at the Seaton TIC and at 10:00 am, a little later than planned, we headed out towards Exeter. The plan was to take in the sights of Newton Pop, Lympstone and Topsham, a quick stop for lunch and then return to Seaton via Ottery for around 4:00 isn, before sunset.

We took the main road out through Sidford and after descending Four Elms Hill turned south before entering Netwon Poppleford, to follow the River Otter towards Otterton and our first coffee stop at the mill. The plan was then to make our way over to Exeter across the common, however, keeping things fluid we decided instead on the coastal cycle path, around the north of Budleigh, into Exmouth and along the estuary to Topsham. It is a really impressive length of traffic free paths which was very much welcomed after our initial and very busy main road section.

It seemed like a summers day by the sea as we rode through Exmouth. The Lifeboat was getting a clean and tourists were promenading under the clear blue sky. It was quite idilic but we were by now behind plan and getting hungry. We needed to press on to our planned next stop, Topsham.

On route to Topsham, we cycled through Lympstone, and who should we bump into but Alistair Cope, one of the founding members of the AVP. Alastair was wheeling a new Penny Farthing down the street which I gather he may ride in next Saturday's Velo Vintage 4th Occasion and Ride which he was also out promoting.

Alistair Cope with his new Penny Farthing

From Lympstone we followed Exe Trail cycle path through Exton to Topsham via the longest continuous piece of decking I've ever seen! Once in Topsham, it was a tossup between eating inside at the cyclists favourite, Route 2 cafe, or outside at the Lighter Inn on the quay. With the sun shining and a real atmosphere of alfresco dining, despite to cost, the Lighter won the day.

Alfresco dining at the Lighter

By the time the pints were downed and plates cleared it was gone 2:00 pm and we were going to have hit the pedals hard to be back in Seaton before the sun set and with Jon riding with no lights the pressure was on! 

Our return journey took us north, to the M5 with some courageous and rapid cycling across roundabouts and through busy junctions. Clear of the major routes we headed west through Clyst Honiton, Aylesbere, West Hill and Ottery St Mary where we even had to navigate a path around a group of morris dancers, not sure what was going on there.

Ed over the M5

The circuit had so far had its fair share of hills but nothing like what was to follow our exit out of Ottery. Chineway Hill is something else; a 3 mile, 20% climb which at the summit left me reaching for the jelly babies and draining my water bottle before I felt ready to continue!

Chineway Hill climb

We now had 10 miles remaining, the majority of which was down hill but the light was fading fast, as too was Ed's touring bike. Having suffered a catastrophic series of mechanical failures on Thursday night while riding his road bike, Ed had today switched to the tourer. His luck, however, was not with him this week, as he proceeded to lose a pedal as we crossed the common. Jon assisted in re-attaching it and luckily it remained in place long enough to see us all safely back to Seaton. The sun, however, was by then as good as set but we did, to Jon's frustration, stop to capture a picture of it before it totally slipped behind the horizon .. quite a stunning view.

Sun setting at the end of our ride

In all we completed just short of 60 miles / 100 km .. a terrific workout and great fun, even if we did not quite make it to Exeter.

Jonathan rode AVP Morning Ride

Saturday, November 30, 2013 in Seaton, England, United Kingdom
• Distance
   59.7 mi
 
• Time
   4:37:40
 
• Elevation
   3,753ft

Day 223 - New Shoes and a Morning Hill Climb

Sunday 13th October, was the day of the Sid Valley CC. Peak Hill Climb, Sidmouth. I met up with Clive, Hovis and Andy at 8 am in Seaton, the plan being to cycle over to Sidmouth together and then Andy and I would head off on a circular route out to Honiton and back. I certainly had no intention of doing a time trial hill climb with my legs! That was not to say we would not be making any en route climbs, indeed, totally against my comprehension, Clive took us on some of the toughest climbs I've ridden on our way in and out of Branscombe over to Sidmouth - 'just warming up', he said!

Earlier in the week, I'd decided to invest in a pair of Specialized BG Pro Road Shoes and a set of Shimano R540 Light Action SPD SL Road Pedals, both in white to contrast with the colour-way of my Roubaix! This is my first journey into the world of clipless pedals and something not for the feint hearted. Although I rode out on a lunch time test Friday, this Sunday's ride was my first opportunity to really give them a good run out and what a great purchase they are turning out to be! Pedalling has never been so enjoyable. No slipping off when making a quick gear change and surprisingly comfortable. Only one incident of note, when crossing the A3052 at Bowd, I thought my left foot had made good contact but alas no and I ended up striking the crossbar, ouch!

From Sidmouth, Andy and I left Clive to do his competitive climb and headed on a more sedate ride out to Ottery St Mary and Honiton. This was a very pleasant cycle, but having completed this circuit before, I knew what lay ahead; to get out of Honiton, you have to climb. We took the quieter route up Northcote Hill, where at the summit Andy was there waiting to take the now obligatory paparazzi shot of me wobbling my way to the top. I don't mind .. just wish he'd got a close up of my new shoes!

Ascending Nothcote Hill

Once over this hill we frustratingly lose most of the hight gained meaning that although we have an enjoyable down hill roll, we then have another equally steep climb back up Stockland Hill. This however, marks the end of the serious climbing, leaving us with a very welcomed 10 mile gentle ride and a good natter back to Seaton.

 Ascending Stockland Hill 

This was another weather lucky week. I managed to get out on two really good rides and for the second week in a row, I found myself leading the club distance leaderboard .. mainly because of my Friday lunchtime excursion, else Andy would have pipped me!

Stats: 40.61 mi, 3hr 14m, Avg 12.5 mph, Max 33.0 mph, 2,340 kcal

Day 187 - Morning Ride with Andy

With just 8 days before the AVP 100 miler, I had a number of options this weekend to get in a few extra miles training before the big day. The AVP were planning a gentle 30 miler out from Ottery St Mary to Exmouth, the Sid Valley CC would have their Sunday am fast paced 40+ mile ride and my new good friend and Specialized sparing partner from AVP extended me the offer of joining him on a Saturday morning training circuit. In the end the decision was easy.

Andy and I met on Seaton Down Hill for the steep climb out of town. This is the hill I set my fitness by as I've only recently been able to make it to the top without stopping. Today, I could still feel Thursday's ride in my legs, so I did somewhat fear for how the rest of the morning would go.

First stop Sidmouth, Andy in AVP and me (unseen) in my SVCC colours

I was really pleased that we planned to head out via Sidmouth, as on the 20th September, I'm cycling over there to see the start of stage 6 of the Tour of Britain. I'm not sure, however, that I'll use the same route out, as we then made our way, 7 miles inland, to Ottery St Mary before then taking the old single carriage A30 into Honiton where, after 25 miles in the saddle, we stopped for a much needed coffee and cake!

Having taken on fuel, we had a double climb up Stockland Hill out of Honiton, over which I adopted the snaking mountain pass manoeuvre to level out the assent and maintain some level of forward momentum. I'm not sure whether it was this unconventional climbing motion or the technical hitch I'll comment on later, but something totally confused Strava, because for some reason it awarded me the King of the Mountain (KOM) for the Stockland Hill Climb, which unbelievably no one has climbed before! Oh well a KOM is a KOM and I think this is one which will never be taken from me, as I can't see that it is a route that actually exists!  Once at the top of the 'mountain', the remaining 15 miles were more or less down hill back through Shute and Colyton to Seaton.

JRB wins KOM for the Stockland Hill Climb

The technical hitch I commented earlier on, was on leaving Honiton, when my Garmin decided during our coffee stop that it should include itself, such that it powered down for a rest. This unexpected feature in its design was not, however, spotted until a further 3 or so miles had been covered. Luckily, Strava accounted for the missed miles in its final report, but this being unknown to us at the time and having only registered 39 miles on entering Seaton, we madly decided to do an additional circuit of Axmouth to bring the total above 40 miles! Unbelievably, although in reality I'd already completed some 41 miles, I then went on to achieve my best ever times on both the Seaton to Axmouth and Axmouth Gate to Boshill sprints! What a finish to a great morning's ride.

Stats: 44.4 mi, 2hr 56m, Avg 14.1 mph, Max 44.7 mph, 2,323 kcal