Dartmoor Hill Climb Training

With just 3 weeks until the Dartmoor Classic, Andy and I took a trip over there for 50 miles of hill climb training.

The weather was surprisingly kind to us with minimal wind and while the sky was in the main overcast, the rain passed us by.

We started out from Bovey Tracy and took in Haytor, Ashburton, Holne (now there's a hill), Princetown and returned via Postbridge and Manaton. The first 25 miles contained the majority of the 5.5k feet of climbing, such that the second half was considerably more enjoyable. We're hoping this is also the way of the Classic route!

The sights across the moors are so beautiful that there were photo ops a plenty!

Oh yes, and I left the AVP jersey behind, in favour of my RideLondon Team Diabetes UK colours for which I am still on the look out for sponsorship, should you be feeling generous today here is the link ..http://www.justgiving.com/Jonathan-Read-Bone ... I've said to my club members that if I get, say 5 club sponsorships in the next 3 weeks (I've already had one), I'll wear the AVP jersey for the Dartmoor Classic itself!

Another Reason to Cycle

74 days until the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 and while the rain is keeping me inside, I've been catching up on my Cycling Weeklys. I don't normally dwell on the Fitness News section but flicking through, 'The key to diabetes' headline caught my eye. As you know, I am cycling for Team Diabetes UK in the RideLondon so feel this is a very timely article to be able to share.

It is estimated that 2.9 million are currently diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, 4.5% of the population. In the next 10 years, it is forecast that this figure will rise to 4 million.

The article talks of how those with a high risk of diabetes appear to reduce their chances of developing the disease through lifestyle changes including dietary modifications and exercise, and how a six year prevention study set out to provide medical evidence of this.

The researcher followed up on an original study, published in 1986 involving 550 participants, to identify whether the lifestyle changes still had an impact on the development of diabetes many years later. The medical records of the intervention group - those of the 550 who were place on a diet, exercise or diet and exercise programme - and the comparison group were compared. As at 2009, 73% of the intervention group had developed diabetes compared to 90% of the comparison group.

I could not work out whether those involved in the six year study continued with their diets and exercise but believe the intent was to show that any lifestyle intervention has a long-term effect 'beyond the price of active intervention'.  

So, another reason - if you needed one - to start cycling, as whether you're in a risk group or not, this is at least one disease you can cut your risks of developing through this great and healthy activity.

You can support further research into this disease by sponsoring me via the link below.

 

Post Op Pootle

With a need to get some miles in ahead of the Dartmoor Classic, in just four weeks, I was not going to let a sore kidney get in the way. Andy had been both out on a 50 mile ride with the 'Quiff speedsters' yesterday and was on taxi duty today, while I'd left it a bit late in the day to link up with Jason, so I had planned a solo 20 mile circuit out to Sidmouth.

On Sidmouth Seafront

Having suffered the steep climb up Roncombe Hill last month and following a discussion with Bobble of a less severe route out of Sidmouth - over a Branoc at the end of last week's AVP ride -  my route today was to take me up Sidbury Hill to the Hare and Hounds pub. I'm not sure now, however, whether I prefer a short sharp shock of a steep hill climb or a long 3 mile steady incline rising 200m that is Sidbury Hill! 

Talking of hill climbs, for what was going to be a gentle 'pootle', I made my best ever time up Seaton Down Hill, finally achieving a sub 5 minute time of 4m 57s, something I've been striving for since September last year when I set my last best time of 5m:20s. I'm obviously benefitting from having lost a few stones since then!

As I completed my long climb up Sidbury Hill and turned towards home at the Hare and Hounds, I was feeling so good that I decided to add a few more miles by including Southleigh and Colyton in my route, thus ending my circuit having completed 28 miles! This may not have been my longest weekend ride by far, but by exceeding my post op expectations by some way I'm now feeling good for the Dartmoor Classic and my Prudential RideLondon event which is closing fast at only 75 days away.

Broom Wagon Coffee Shop Opening

The bank holiday weekend has started in good tradition, with the heavens opening and rain lashing heavily against the widows such that no sane cyclist would be venturing out today. However, recovering this morning after another session of lithotripsy yesterday, I'm pleased that the weather would be keeping me off my steed anyway and I am hopeful that as the sky clears towards the end of the weekend, my pains will do likewise.

Meanwhile, what better thing to do with oneself in this convalescing state, than to visit the new coffee shop opening this morning in Seaton. Glen, the naked man with whom we rode out with on the AVP evening ride to Lyme, is the man behind this new establishment. Serving strong, hot coffee and cake, it certainly ticks two important boxes for me and will hopefully be a new popular meeting place for local cyclists.

Glen, the naked man & proprietor

The Broom Wagon Coffee Shop, takes its name from the vehicle that follows a cycle road race picking up stragglers who are unable to make it to the finish within the time permitted, i.e. sweeping them up. 

I hear that the Broom Wagon is to add another attraction in the coming weeks, a TV screen to show coverage of the many global cycling events which, unknown probably to many, are longer and as frequent if not more so than the well televised Formua 1 Grand Prix ... I can see me making this a regular venue for my coffee and lunch breaks in future!

Looking forward to the killer attraction

Should it have perhaps a once a month (or more) Thursday late opening, hint hint,  I could see the Broom Wagon even usurping the Kings Arms as final watering hole for the AVP evening ride. Risking a political backlash, I would particularly be in favour of this after the increasingly late serving of fuel and lack of space at the Kings Arms. The need of a good pint of Branock then being satisfied perhaps every other week at the White Hart, where live music, good post cycling carbs and plenty of space would get my vote. Watch this space. 

Anniversary AVP Evening Rainbow Ride

Around 15 pedallers were out last night for the AVP Thursday evening road ride. I would have taken a better count but was a late arriver having had both a puncture to fix and vote to cast before heading out and was lucky to just catch the front of the peloton leaving the Kings Arms.

Tigger lead us out, just as he did a year ago to the day on my first ride with the pedallers.

My first ever ride with the Pedallers, 23 May 2013

... yes last night was my anniversary with the club.

Tigger and Rex discussing an exotic form of fungi

Tigger's route was to take us out to Branscombe, Blackberry Camp, Southleigh and back through Colyton via an ecliptic mix of roads and hills, some quite varied from the ones we've taken before. The ride was not to disappoint, as it provided us a veritable mix of nature's delights: from farm safari, to exotic fungi and meteorological phenomena.

Negotiating the farmyard safari

To add to the rich social tapestry of our ride, we were also joined by Curtis, our American Pedaller, just recently returned to these shores and a new addition to our number, a visitor to the area, so I believe - I did not catch the full story - and then the rare experience, of meeting the off-roaders in a Red Arrows styled crossover, as they came upon us in the opposite direction on the road to Southleigh.

A mesmerising view across to Lyme Regis

End of the Rainbow Ride

Heading back to Colyton, we were greeted with the view of the most spectacular rainbow and luckily avoided the worst of the downpour which
had obviously preceded us as we road back into Seaton.

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

Rous it Down

86 Days until the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey

We had a great turnout for the road ride last night with a spectrum of speed category riders making good time on the 25 mile Lyme Regis circuit. Even with Nelly carrying 7kg in his panniers didn't seem to slow him down much! Alas there were no ladies in our number, although with an 'Adam' skin suit on show, I'm sure that was a wise decision - see pics and decide for yourselves.

Down on Lyme Regis beach we bumped into a group of stunt cyclists balancing and jumping between the breakwater rocks .. not for the feint hearted. There was a suggestion we show them how it should be done but with time ticking we needed to move on .. may be next time!

Weather was warm and sunny as forecast, and the golden sun set from the top of Trinity Hill a wonderful sight.

Oh yes .. and why was Nelly carrying 7kg of bricks in his panniers? Well it was not a (justified) rider's handicap, but he's in training for his June ride from Venice to Topsham for the Force Cancer charity. Read more here http://thenelly2014.wordpress.com

While I have to remember to power Garmin back on after a stop, as I missed a good few miles off my total distance here, I did record some very good achievements. 10 Strava segment PRs and at last, an AVP record on the Rous it down segment. The training continues.