Day 319 - NYR #20 Ride in the Rain

Which ever way you looked at it, which ever station you chose to tune in to, the weather was not looking promising for a dry Thursday night ride. However, having taken Cycling Weekly’s “40 Top Tips to make this year my best ever” as my New Year’s resolution, I felt there was no better time to cross #20, "Ride in the Rain", off the list!

Arriving at the Kings Arms to find the meeting area devoid of Pedallers, led me to believe this would be a solo effort and my keenness for a ride in the rain was not one that was shared by others. Then, thankfully, Rex arrived to double our number, as too did a loan mountain biker. I had visions of a mixed AVP ride until a few other off-roaders appeared and we were again just two.

In the absence of our seasoned route planners, Rex and I decided to head off in the direction of Sidmouth and we’d see how things went. As we made our way out of Seaton along Beer Road, Rex sighted a single beam of light closing in on our tail; it was Airfix! and now we were three. We took the Stovar Long Lane route to the A3052 and then turned in towards Honiton and Farway with a plan of riding out to the golf club then doing a loop back to Colyton.

So far, the promised rain had held off and our way was illuminated not just by our lights but also by a bright moon which accompanied us throughout the rest of the ride. Once we’d turned off the main roads onto Northleigh Hill, the effect of recent persistent rain was very evident. Curb side puddles joined in the middle creating lakes across the road and I was only too glad to be wearing overshoes. Feeling that we were making good progress and had time on our hands, we turned off the road to Colyford and headed towards Widworthy, down the most pitted road I’ve seen in some time, possibly the worst in Devon! I even dropped and ran over my water bottle at one stage, the jarring from the potholes was so severe. At the bottom of the hill is the ford which crosses Offwell Brook. Normally a light trickle, if that, the Brook tonight was a raging torrent, luckily Rex spotted a narrow walkway - which like mountain goats we crossed - else we would have had the uncomfortable climb back out the way we came.

The ride back to Colyton from there was a gentle down hill roll. The rain did start to fall as we descended but we only had a few more miles to do. As home was the north side of Seaton for the majority, we decided on the White Heart for apres ride beer and chips, and a pat on the back for completing an unexpectedly good 20 mile ride.

Day 315 - AVP Sunday Morning Social Ride

20+ AVP Riders met at the TIC this morning for a 10 mile gentle ride out to Colyton, a heart pounding climb up Colyton Hill - Bar Bunny leading a breakaway from the peloton at this point - and a speedy drop down past Beer Quarry Caves, to finally all regroup at Handbag's for mulled wine and a small feast.

Thank you Handbag for leading us out and for laying on such a spread! If this is what Sunday rides are all about, I'll be back for more ;)

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.

Pro Cycling Teams Announce New Kit

The Pro Cycling Teams have announced their new kits for 2014.

Many will by now have seen or read about Chris Froome's tweet on 31st December .. "Trying out my new 2014 @TeamSky @rapharacing kit. This skin suit takes #marginalgains to the next level pic.twitter.com/UlnSTDgVtv" which has caused quite a stir in the cycling press.

Froome trying out his new 2014 Team Sky Kit

I'm hoping this will not be on general release for the Mamil brigade .. if it does, many will be pleased to hear that it will certainly not be added to my collection!

I've also seen that Team Sky, as well as renaming themselves this year from Sky Pro Cycling, are also to use blue, rather than the green water bottles this year. It is just like a new football season, cycling has very much now entered world of big business and mass marketing. I am trying - so far not very successfully - to avoid being sucked in!

Luke, proud to be rocking the Welsh flag on his kit for 2014 ! 

Meanwhile, may be due to this being the year of the Commonwealth Games, Luke Rowe has been showing off his Welsh Dragon motif which this year replaces the Union Jack on the Sky Team's jerseys. May be something we'll need to get used to if Scotland exits the Union later this year. I am waiting to see if Wiggo and Foome will, likewise, be wearing the St George's Cross.

Day 312 - Cheesy Chips Were Never So Good

While Luke Rowe and the Sky team enjoy riding in 40 degrees down under, 8 AVP riders braved a clear starry winter's night on the weekly Thursday evening ride through the blacked out Devon lanes. Tonight, Tigger led us - Handbag, Jolly, Andy, Rex, Richard, Killen and me - out to Axmouth and up Combe Road to Rousdon. We bypassed Stepps Lane, on this occasion and also avoided the school which, following an altercation with a disgruntled resident during last Friday's AVP ride, thought it best to give it a wide berth.

Richard's Boardman punctured

With no more than 5 miles covered, Richard's Boardman punctured. Two inner tubes later and with a hand from from Handbag, who is always in the thick of it with either a tube or pump to loan or bandaid to affix, we were back on the road making swift progress towards Axminster. I was having a tough time keeping up with the chain gang on my Crosstrail, my legs spinning rapidly but seemingly making little gains on the twinkling red lights of the riders ahead. I should have brought my Roubaix.

Sticking to the roads, pleasingly keeping clear of the cycle paths which cruelly punctured me when I was last out this way, and it being an away night, we returned to Colyford via Kilmington and Musbury having covered a good 18 miles.

Apres Ride Beer & Cheesy Chips

The pace was a quick for our standard evening ride, clocking an average of 13 mph, which meant that even with the stop we were back in the warm well before the mountain bikers and in good time to get in a pint and a chat before the very welcomed cheesy chips were served. I'm going to need a thicker winter jersey, it's getting cold out there, Bar Bunny please get the order in.

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.