Day 35 - Feel No Pain

Today, cycling through light snow flurries, I was determined to beat these three hills which had so far caused me such pain and grief. Having returned day after day this week to this same route, it is funny how by telling myself that "if you do this today, you'll never have to do it again", I was able to finally push through the pain and complete my three hills. I wanted to move on to something new, which luckily, I can now do .. phew!

With the weekend now in sight, I feel the next challenge coming on .. watch this space!

Stats: 3.95 mi, 26m 41s, Avg 8.9 mph, Max 26.9 mph, 296 kcal

Day 26 - First Breakout

Still waiting for spring to arrive, I set out this morning into freezing flurries of snow but with an air of expectation, following yesterday's mammoth ride, that today I would finally break out of Seaton.

It is a great feeling, venturing into unchartered territory. As I turned onto the main A3052 into Colyford, I felt the metaphorical umbilical cord, attaching me to Seaton, break and like an early space walker, I could have drifted anywhere! It was not long, however, indeed it was all too short a time, before the gravitational pull of Seaton dragged me back towards the sea.

Another milestone, the first breakout of Seaton, has been completed and Axmouth is now in my sights.

Stats: 3.8 mi, 23m 15s, Avg 9.8 mph, max 22.2 mph, 262 kcal

Week 3 - Rain Shortens Play

Things were going so well, then the start of spring brought about a return to winter, with driving rain, gale force winds and drifting snow, and no cycling for 5 days. My Endomondo stats are, however, an interesting read - then again, I've always been interested in stats. When I picked up my bike 3 weeks ago, the guy said, "come back after a 100 miles for your free first service". I thought, that would be months away, but I see I've already done over 50 miles in 3 weeks. It is surprising how the miles clock up!

Total workouts:18

Total duration:5h:37m:51s

Total distance:52.53 mi

• Trips around the world:0.002
• Trips to the Moon:0

Average speed:9.33 mph

Average pace:6m:26s

Calories burned:3821 kcal

• Burgers burned:7

Looking at the distance travelled these last 3 weeks, this enforced down time is clear to see.  I am looking forward, next week, to getting back in the saddle.

Meanwhile, I see in the local paper, an advert for a bike club event: "The Axemen Bike Club has organised events for Easter Saturday, (March 30). The fist is an Easter egg ride out to four homes for young adults. The route will be about 70 miles and will take, roughly, three hours". 70 miles, I thought that would bring my service date dramatically forward but at an average speed of 23.3 mph, they couldn't be serious! Indeed, further investigation confirmed that the Axemen Bike Club, is actually a motorbike club! Phew! I was more than a little concerned that I'd never be able to keep up with these cyclists ;) It has, however, made me think of may be looking up the 'real' local cycling club, the Axe Valley Pedallers ... watch this space.

Day 10 - Short Circuit

With the temperature at -2c, snow under rubber and 60 mph westerly gusts, it was not going to be a long ride this morning. Along the seafront it was hard enough just to keep forward momentum!

This route has become my simple short circuit, starting and ending up hill, with a steep drop down to the sea and a long climb back to base. At the mid point, down on the seafront, there is the opportunity, when the winds have dropped, to add in additional 1 mile circuits following the Esplanade west and then back along Harbour Road. This does, however, seem to provide much amusement to those standing at the bus stop (red dot below).

The 5 mile barrier remains for another day!

Stats: 2.30 mi, 16m 04s, 181 kcal.