Day 35 - Beer

After a snowy and unpromising morning - weather wise - the arrival of the sun this afternoon was such a welcome sight that I had get back out on the bike. Don't you just love these long evenings!

But where to go? Yes, another village needed to be conquered, this time, Beer. I had been holding off on cycling to Beer because I would have to tackle those three hills that have caused me such pain this week. So after this morning's success, I felt they could no longer be used as an excuse. How quickly I was, therefore, breaking my promise to my self, when I said this morning: "if you do this today, you'll never have to do it again"! Clearing the hills again, the drop down into Beer was exhilarating. I thought I'd even beaten my speed record of 28.7 mph, but I actually only reached 28.6 mph, it felt much faster!

Arriving in Beer, I had to dismount to climb the 1:1 hill (OK a slight exaggeration - but only just) up to Pecorama, the gardens and miniature railway attached to the only model railway manufacturer, Peco, left in the UK - something to be proud of. The views from up here are spectacular, on a clear day, like today, you can even see Portland on the horizon.

The journey back was equally thrilling, this is a great coast road. I did however, almost come a cropper  on a sharp right doing 20+ mph. My brother would not have been impressed by my lack of high speed cornering ability, I could never get the hang of leaning into a corner! Luckily the extensive path and grass verge prevented me from colliding with the wood beyond. It must have looked quite dramatic. I then continued up the hill using the path, as if this had been my intent all along! Note to self, attempts at a new speed record are on hold until further notice!

So a highly enjoyable ride, and another 'location star' added to my steed.

Stats: 3.88 mi, 29m 47s, Avg 7.8 mph, max 28.6 mph, 330 kcal

Sustrans - National Cycle Routes

On Tuesday this week Sustrans published via their Facebook page that they are looking at launching a new way of supporting Sustrans in the future called Sponsor a Mile. The idea is to give current and new Sustrans supporters a chance to support their favourite part of National Cycle Network.

Down here in Seaton, we have a section of National Route 2 which runs along the south coast of England, from Dover to St. Austell and the final stretch of National Route 33 which starts (or will, as it is still under development) in Bristol and will cross Somerset and Devon to reach the English Channel at Seaton via Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater and Chard. Here in Seaton, the 33 uses the existing Route 2, so no new development required there.

While in principle, in these days of austerity, I am happy to consider sponsoring the provision of good cycleways, after all, bikes don't need to pay road tax, the very short section available to me in Seaton would need improving. For example, the near impossible to negotiate anti bike chicanes, dogs roaming freely off their leads, stagnant water along side the sewage treatment works, handlebar width lanes and rickety bridges with no passing places, leaves much to be desired. I would also hazard a guess that the length of this path is no more than half a mile.

I've commented on before how on I wished they were more than just a token and intermittent offering. Town planners need to be targeted to promote and install paths to encourage people to get out of their cars. As a car enthusiast, I have frequently come across a lone or group of cyclists out on the narrow Devon roads and feared for their safety. Now finding myself in their position, appreciating how very exposed it is out there, I find it hard to understand why more is not being done. I can now see why some cyclists risk being perceived by us 4 wheeled motorists, safe and secure in our cozy armoured vehicles, as having some form of arrogance when it comes to riding two abreast or a few feet out from the gutter. Most car drivers have no idea what it is to be a cyclist .. may be a day on two wheels should be part of the driving test!

So, should Sustrans put in place this sponsorship programme, I will be very interested to see how they intend these monies be used to improve the infrastructure and not just provide much needed funding for its upkeep. I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops. 

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 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 33 - 3 Hill Challenge

I've decided to stick to one route for this week. It is the circuit I walked Monday and rode for the first time yesterday. I'm finding it to be a bit of a killer. It starts with a 3 hill climb which I've not yet completed cleanly and has 3 superb down hill stretches which bring tears to my eyes and an all body vibration that people would pay good money for! I then get good views of the sea and the estuary before a short final climb to complete the circuit. Phew! I'm short of breath just thinking about it. My plan is to crack it either by the end of this or next week.

My other objective this month is to break the 10 mile distance which I see more as a duration challenge rather than endurance, as I've already come close. I'm just going to need a good book to listen to!

Stats: 3.90 mi, 26m 23s, Avg 8.7 mph, max 26.2 mph, 292 kcal

Day 32 - Back to the Cycle

Inspired by yesterday's walk, I took off this early frosty morning on the same route, but what a climb it is up Bunts Lane before dropping down through the woods to the seasonal water splash. I would have loved to have been able to have continued on along Old Beer Road, but the land slip last year has now closed the road to all traffic forever .. very sad as this was a very picturesque coastal road and path for cyclists and walkers alike. So, I had to climb again, up the new Beer Road. All these hills!

One adventure on the circuit was my first slipped chain event. Doing a sharp turn from Marlpit to Bunts Lane, having performed a quick change down, I had to brake hard to avoid an oncoming car coming around the blind corner. The combination of events dropped my chain off the central cog. Luckily it all looked worse than it was and all now seems OK.

What surprised me about the bicycle v biped mode, was that walking the circuit supposedly burned 100 more calories, my body, however, would say otherwise!

Stats: 3.90 mi, 27m 58s, Avg 8.4 mph, max 27.9 mph, 310 kcal

Day 31 - Switching to Biped Mode

I left the bicycle behind today in favour of a sociable power walk with my wife. To keep the my Tour de Fitness records straight, I switched Endomondo into walk mode. Interestingly, to me anyway, this app also has a table tennis mode .. I've got to try that one day!

We headed out towards Beer, along a wooded route I have yet to do on the bike. Then taking the non-cycle route through the park and past the labyrinth, we dropped down to the beach and walked out to the marina. From here we returned along one of my well worn routes via the wetlands and the cricket pitch to conclude a very enjoyable and energising walk. This exercising is getting addictive!

Stats: 3.84 mi, 1h 04m 54s, Avg 3.5 mph, max 4.8 mph, 412 kcal