AVP Evening Ride to Lyme Regis

What difference a week makes .. the sun brought the Pedallers out tonight in sufficient numbers that we were able to split into two groups. OK, so that was not the only reason, some were after a quick pedal and the remaining 8 of us a social 21 mile amble out to Lyme Regis and back. We were also joined by, Kate, a new member to our team.

The route took us out through Axmouth and up to Dowlands, Andy and I taking Stepps Lane because it had been a while since we'd ridden it .. now I remember why! I did, however, achieve a new PB, even taking Andy's record on one of the segments, my short climbing speed is improving!

The Pedallers

Lyme Regis was the busiest I'd seen it on a Thursday evening ride, such that we felt the need to walk some of the promenade so as not to cause an incident.

We headed out of Lyme over some less than standard road bike surfaces, but it was dry and we stayed inflated. Our return route took us along Trinity Hill Road and back to the Kings Arms for much needed liquid refreshment, (but no food .. I'm thinking we need to petition for a new venue, standards are slipping!)

Day 314 - A Quick One Before Sunset

Following a relaxing day strolling through Bridport, I felt the need on my return to make best use of the final hour of the rare sunlight we had been enjoying since first light. I decided on a ride out to my new hill climb training ground, Stepps Lane.

With the weather being so perfect, I took the Roubaix, giving the Crosstrail a rest for the day. I've been surprised at how well the Crosstrail has been performing against the Roubaix, which having clocked up 2nd and 3rd fasted climbs on my last outings, the Roubaix had something to prove!

There are 2 main Strava segments on Stepps Lane .. the 3 mile stretch to the A3052 and the steep 10% initial climb. The first I was pleased to achieve my 2nd best time, I had to pull over to let a car pass, but for the second, the main climb, I knocked 40 seconds of my September time to give me a new PR. 40 seconds may not sound much but over a 2/3 mile 10% climb it seems like hours! I also, and surprisingly, achieved another PR on the 2.2 mile Bosshill descent. Surprisingly, because on the fast -9% section, I was on the brakes trying to avoid the shingle which had been deposited in the recent flooding and which was threatening to slide me off the road and into the hedgerow!

From Boshill, I rode through Colyford and returned to Seaton via Harepath Lane. With still some daylight remaining, I decided on a ride down to the beach where the light over the sea and the sight of the sun beginning to set, was truly wonderful. It is hard to believe that tomorrow will bring rain.

Day 307 - Afternoon Two Stepp

Against all the odds, the weather being as it has these last few days, this week has been my best for 5 weeks and reminiscent of my peak riding performance back in September.

My best cycling in many weeks

I've been focussing on my hill climbing this week. This is my weakest area. I normally hit a hill and have to drop to a crawl and without my buddies looking out for me, would be dropped every time. 

Today, I took advantage of a short a break in the foul weather to get out on the Crosstrail, its full mudguards and chunky tyres better suited to the debris strewn flooded roads than my thoroughbred Roubaix. The plan was to do the Stepps Lane climb and return but after the first assent I still felt there was more in the tank and so circled back for another climb. While the second was slower than the first, both were quicker than my previous last two climbs on the Roubaix .. I think I benefitted greatly today form a total lack of any head wind, what a difference it makes.

After the second climb, I stopped to take in the view and snap a winter picture; one with me proudly wearing the Sky proCycling race cape, looking rather snug in my upright position but its amazing how well it keeps out the wind and rain while riding.

The closest I'll get to the Sky Cycling team

Next week, work returns to its frenetic pre Christmas pace and I'm going to have to be very innovative with my time management to keep up this level of training. Oh, if only I'd stuck at this cycling when I last made a return to the saddle some 30 years ago, but then again that was a very different time, today is a unique period in British cycling and I'm going to make the most of it!

Day 305 - First Ride of 2014

My first day back in the office and after yesterday's appalling weather, why should I be so surprised to see the sun come out!  Not to be side tracked by work on such a beautiful day, I took the opportunity for a ride out on the Roubaix before heading to the office.

With the Dartmoor Classic just six months away and my hill climbing stamina so lacking, I was driven to hit the hills I dread. The first was Stepps Lane, a 3 mile climb out of Axmouth to Rousden which at its steepest has a gradient of around 14%. I thought I'd made one of my best times on this climb, however, on analysing my stats, it was actually one of my slowest! My best time was done in September when I was accompanied on one of the AVP evening rides. Just shows what a difference it makes being in a group.  

From the top, I would have loved to have turned right towards Lyme Regis but the call of work was too strong, such that I turned left towards Colyford and the thrill of a 40mph decent down Boshill.

Three of my most challenging climbs

I would then normally have turned off into Colyton via Cowhayne Lane, however, the persistent and heavy rain of New Year's Day had submerged it beneath a couple of feet of water. I had to take the main road to get to my next climb.

Flooded Cowhayne Lane

The Old Sidmouth Road, out of Colyton, is a 2 mile climb with a gradient of around 11%. The steepest mile of which is the Strava segment called the Social Club Climb. In contrast to my Stepps climb, I surprisingly achieved a new PB. 

With the thought of still having to get to work on my mind, I did not continue on to Sidmouth but instead crossed over the main road and dropped down into Beer to tackle my last steep climb. This is the short and painful, 16% gradient, Mare Lane Climb up to Pecorama and one that is near impossible not to complete without getting out of the saddle. 

Beer

From the summit I then took a short ride down to the beach. It was hard to look out over the sea as the sun was so low and bright that its reflection was blinding. The view looking back towards the village centre, however, was idilic and the pub beside me so inviting. Work, however, was calling and it was time to return. 

So, just shy of 17 miles covered and 1,600 feet climbed was not bad for my first morning ride of the year. I now plan to take every opportunity the occasional break in the winter weather will afford me, as I do so need to get the training hours in .. This New Year's Resolution - as I have now declared it to be - is going to test my creative planning skills to the limit .. watch this space.

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