Hey
Just a thought, but have realised for the privilege of doing 140 miles next weekend i shall be travelling around 550 in the car to do so - madness? Probably but its got to be worth it. - Hasn't it?
Darren
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Progress Report Week 18
6 days and counting till C2C - Another good week on the bike, in terms of mileage / performance and lovely weather to boot. Sponsorship has gone through the hakfway pont of £500 too - hopefully we can add to that over the next few days - come on everyone!
The Stats:
Total Mileage: 235miles, 2636 year to date. (Think thats the most mileage in one week this year, plus i have smashed through the 2500 target)
Longest Ride: 31 miles
Hours on Bike:13.63Hrs
Weight: 72.5Kg
BMI:23.74
Wii Fit Age:34
I am now taking 2 days off the bike, then will cycle a more direct route to and from work say 50-60 miles-ish over the next three days before travelling up to Whitehaven on Friday for the off on Saturday morning.
Although sorely tempted, i have declined the opportunities of additional cycling kit, and so will go with what i have! - the long range weather forecast looks good which is a bonus too.
In the Giro, Cav gets his hat-trick and is then pulled by Columbia to prepare for the tour, Levi got beat on the TT, by Menchov (is that really the same bloke who normally cycles so anonymously on the big occasions?) who had an absolute flyer on the day. Lance also performed well for his first competitive TT since return from retirement. Team Astana continue to perform well overall on GC too. They have also paid some of the owed money to their team this week , but future name andsponsorship of team is still in doubt.
In other cycling news, Graeme Obree is having a pop at the hour record again later this year - no "superman" bikes alloed anymore, but it will be intriguing to watch - wonder if Boardman is interested in having a crack again to revitalise the rivalry of the 90's?
Will probably post some meandering thoughts a couple more times before the weekend. Will probably get organised and post updates from the road over the weekend on Facebook / Twitter too. www.twitter.com/djw92
Cheers for now
The Stats:
Total Mileage: 235miles, 2636 year to date. (Think thats the most mileage in one week this year, plus i have smashed through the 2500 target)
Longest Ride: 31 miles
Hours on Bike:13.63Hrs
Weight: 72.5Kg
BMI:23.74
Wii Fit Age:34
I am now taking 2 days off the bike, then will cycle a more direct route to and from work say 50-60 miles-ish over the next three days before travelling up to Whitehaven on Friday for the off on Saturday morning.
Although sorely tempted, i have declined the opportunities of additional cycling kit, and so will go with what i have! - the long range weather forecast looks good which is a bonus too.
In the Giro, Cav gets his hat-trick and is then pulled by Columbia to prepare for the tour, Levi got beat on the TT, by Menchov (is that really the same bloke who normally cycles so anonymously on the big occasions?) who had an absolute flyer on the day. Lance also performed well for his first competitive TT since return from retirement. Team Astana continue to perform well overall on GC too. They have also paid some of the owed money to their team this week , but future name andsponsorship of team is still in doubt.
In other cycling news, Graeme Obree is having a pop at the hour record again later this year - no "superman" bikes alloed anymore, but it will be intriguing to watch - wonder if Boardman is interested in having a crack again to revitalise the rivalry of the 90's?
Will probably post some meandering thoughts a couple more times before the weekend. Will probably get organised and post updates from the road over the weekend on Facebook / Twitter too. www.twitter.com/djw92
Cheers for now
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Progress Report Week 17
A fortnight to go - can you sense the excitement in my typing?
Fundraising has taken a leap forward as well which is great - £477 (and rising?)
The stats:
Total Mileage: 153miles, 2401 year to date. Should eclipse the 2500 target a week early (at least!)
Longest Ride: 40 miles
Hours on Bike:9.18Hrs
Weight: 73Kg
BMI:23.84
Wii Fit Age:33
Took a couple of days off (slightly enforced as my back brake had seized plus had bike serviced) so that accounts for the lesser mileage - big push this week before slackening off next week in final preparation for the challenge to come.
Felt like St Swithin was up to no good on Friday - boy did i get wet coming in, which (coincidentally?) caused my back wheel to start its creaking noise again - maybe subliminaly i am being told something here? - No new kit (as yet..) to report although ever watchful!
In cycling news, the Giro has been intersting watching - Ali-Jet dominated the sprints early last week, with the peleton taking part in some crazy descents thereafter, and a Rabobank rider having a really bad crash as a result. Stage 9 was then a largely uncontested affair until the final few Km's when Cav got his first sprint stage win, making it three in a row for Columbia. Astana (with or without a sponsor!) continue to lurk in the top ten of GC.
Finally am most jealous as Simon, my riding buddy got a new bike - a ridgeback panoramic tourer - v.nice - can i have a new bike too? - please!?!
Fundraising has taken a leap forward as well which is great - £477 (and rising?)
The stats:
Total Mileage: 153miles, 2401 year to date. Should eclipse the 2500 target a week early (at least!)
Longest Ride: 40 miles
Hours on Bike:9.18Hrs
Weight: 73Kg
BMI:23.84
Wii Fit Age:33
Took a couple of days off (slightly enforced as my back brake had seized plus had bike serviced) so that accounts for the lesser mileage - big push this week before slackening off next week in final preparation for the challenge to come.
Felt like St Swithin was up to no good on Friday - boy did i get wet coming in, which (coincidentally?) caused my back wheel to start its creaking noise again - maybe subliminaly i am being told something here? - No new kit (as yet..) to report although ever watchful!
In cycling news, the Giro has been intersting watching - Ali-Jet dominated the sprints early last week, with the peleton taking part in some crazy descents thereafter, and a Rabobank rider having a really bad crash as a result. Stage 9 was then a largely uncontested affair until the final few Km's when Cav got his first sprint stage win, making it three in a row for Columbia. Astana (with or without a sponsor!) continue to lurk in the top ten of GC.
Finally am most jealous as Simon, my riding buddy got a new bike - a ridgeback panoramic tourer - v.nice - can i have a new bike too? - please!?!
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Progress Report Week 16
Sweet sixteen! and another good week was had
The stats:
Total Mileage: 200miles, 2248 year to date. - Well on target for 2500 pre-C2C.
Longest Ride: 36 miles (down a bit)
Hours on Bike:11.68Hrs
Weight: 73.7Kg (hmmm - fatboy?)
BMI:24.03
Wii Fit Age:38
Fundraising is up to £402 - excelent!
Shopping update - 2 new hard case tyres bought plus spare inner tubes, bottle cage and bottle, still hankering after some new kit and in the utopian world of Darren some new wheels but we will see!
Bike has gone in for a service, so no cycling today, but back with avengeance tomorrow...
In Cycling news:
The stats:
Total Mileage: 200miles, 2248 year to date. - Well on target for 2500 pre-C2C.
Longest Ride: 36 miles (down a bit)
Hours on Bike:11.68Hrs
Weight: 73.7Kg (hmmm - fatboy?)
BMI:24.03
Wii Fit Age:38
Fundraising is up to £402 - excelent!
Shopping update - 2 new hard case tyres bought plus spare inner tubes, bottle cage and bottle, still hankering after some new kit and in the utopian world of Darren some new wheels but we will see!
Bike has gone in for a service, so no cycling today, but back with avengeance tomorrow...
In Cycling news:
- Cav and his Columbia team made a great start to the Giro, winning the TTT - but very early days and with mountains on stage 4 the GC should get a shake-up on Tuesday, with teh big boys coming to the fore. - Go Lance / Levi.
- The future of Astana hangs in the balance as the Kazakh backing has not been forthcoming with the readies to pay the masseurs, mechanics et al all the associated gossip is about LA or Johan Bruyneel taking the team on - Team Livestrong? - watch this space.
- Sadly Tom Boonen has been caught for cocaine again, hopefully the authorities will do the right thing for cycling whilst encouraging TB to seek help.
- Also the slur of Operation Puerto lingers on as Valverde is banned for competing in Italy based on his alleged involvement with this scandal.
More next time...
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Progress Report Week 15
Under a month to go - bring it on!
Another Puncture sustained even after the post below. -New tyres will be purchased forthwith.
The stats:
Total Mileage: 188miles, 2048 year to date.
Longest Ride: 46 miles
Hours on Bike:11.1Hrs
Weight: 72.75Kg
BMI:23.77
Wii Fit Age:33
All looking good - just need to control the snack cravings!
Fundraising is up to £370 - so thanks to all of you who have sponsored so far.
In other news Levi and Lance did a one-two in the Tour of the Gila in Mexico representing Mellow Johnny Team (Astana in disguise!) and the Giro is rapidly approaching this weekend - Cav has been named as Columbia Team Leader - can't wait...
Another Puncture sustained even after the post below. -New tyres will be purchased forthwith.
The stats:
Total Mileage: 188miles, 2048 year to date.
Longest Ride: 46 miles
Hours on Bike:11.1Hrs
Weight: 72.75Kg
BMI:23.77
Wii Fit Age:33
All looking good - just need to control the snack cravings!
Fundraising is up to £370 - so thanks to all of you who have sponsored so far.
In other news Levi and Lance did a one-two in the Tour of the Gila in Mexico representing Mellow Johnny Team (Astana in disguise!) and the Giro is rapidly approaching this weekend - Cav has been named as Columbia Team Leader - can't wait...
Friday, 1 May 2009
Punctured
I hate punctures!
Once is forgivable, twice is ok, but three times in a little over a month - aargh!
Guess the Bontrager hardcase tyres need replacing - They must have had 4-5000 miles done on them so not bad.
Once is forgivable, twice is ok, but three times in a little over a month - aargh!
Guess the Bontrager hardcase tyres need replacing - They must have had 4-5000 miles done on them so not bad.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Progress Report Week 14
Sorry but it appears that the post for last week is a tad late so here it is:
Best mileage achieved in a week so far: 220, making it 1860 year to date. By my reckoning, that's just 740 to complete pre-C2C - easy!?
Other Stats:
Longest Ride: 40 miles
Hours on Bike:12hrs 24mins
Weight: 73.75Kg
BMI:24.10
Wii Fit Age:30
Wii Sports Age:28
Ripped up the tarmac last week as the distance above shows - still loving the good weather although am sure it can't last!
In LanceWatch it appears that LA will be back on the bike today in the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico after recovering from collarbone surgery - "We can rebuild him..."
No recent purchases ref bike kit, but keep watching this space.
Hoping to top the 200 mark again this week - concentrating on conditioning the legs for 1.5-2hr stints on the bike, will also look to get some decent hills in - when i find them in Norfolk!!!
Cheers
Best mileage achieved in a week so far: 220, making it 1860 year to date. By my reckoning, that's just 740 to complete pre-C2C - easy!?
Other Stats:
Longest Ride: 40 miles
Hours on Bike:12hrs 24mins
Weight: 73.75Kg
BMI:24.10
Wii Fit Age:30
Wii Sports Age:28
Ripped up the tarmac last week as the distance above shows - still loving the good weather although am sure it can't last!
In LanceWatch it appears that LA will be back on the bike today in the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico after recovering from collarbone surgery - "We can rebuild him..."
No recent purchases ref bike kit, but keep watching this space.
Hoping to top the 200 mark again this week - concentrating on conditioning the legs for 1.5-2hr stints on the bike, will also look to get some decent hills in - when i find them in Norfolk!!!
Cheers
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Progress Report Week 13
Week 13, 6 to go - downhill all the way huh?
Well firstly onto the numbers:
Mileage: down a bit - only 120 miles, making it 1640 year to date, leaving a mere 860miles to cover pre C2C.
Longest Ride: 40 miles (3 times!)
Hours on Bike: 6hrs 42 mins
Weight: 74Kg
BMI:24.16
Wii Fit Age:31
Wii Sports Age:25
Had a week off work last week so was DIY-ing and doing family stuff hence the slightly reduced mileage, but did enjoy doing the same route twice and was gutted to be slower on the second occasion by 3 seconds! Then the 3rd ride was a different route - more hills but same mileage and I blitzed the previous two times by amost 4 minutes so felt better heading into the weekend!
Main emphasis other than the commute and being as creative as possible in mileage / routes covered wil be to vary the intensity and terrain of my once or twice wekly jaunts that have no goal other than to cover as much road as poss in as short a space of time. The sunshine can keep going too - loving the not having got wet feeling when you finish a ride.
Back to work this week so more opportunities for miles to be covered. - Bike reliability is holding up at present so thats good. Have bought some new mitts as old ones were ripping at finger spacings. Still fancifully watching the odd 8 or 10 items on eBay on a regular basis - one can never have enough cycling kit I always think...!
On the C2C front have booked the B&B's, plan is to travel up on Friday 29th, and then spend the evening getting massages and other usual pre-event preparations (otherwise known as a pie and pint) cycling to Garrigil / Alston area on Day 1 - approx 70-75miles and then leaving 60ish miles for day 2 into Sunderland.
In other news looks like LA may well be starting the Giro after all - with or without a bionic shoulder blade. The classics continue with more cobblestones than you may care to shake a stick at but they do make good watching - it's a bit like downhill ski-ing and motor sport - you don't want anyone to get hurt, but the crashes are spectacular!
Well firstly onto the numbers:
Mileage: down a bit - only 120 miles, making it 1640 year to date, leaving a mere 860miles to cover pre C2C.
Longest Ride: 40 miles (3 times!)
Hours on Bike: 6hrs 42 mins
Weight: 74Kg
BMI:24.16
Wii Fit Age:31
Wii Sports Age:25
Had a week off work last week so was DIY-ing and doing family stuff hence the slightly reduced mileage, but did enjoy doing the same route twice and was gutted to be slower on the second occasion by 3 seconds! Then the 3rd ride was a different route - more hills but same mileage and I blitzed the previous two times by amost 4 minutes so felt better heading into the weekend!
Main emphasis other than the commute and being as creative as possible in mileage / routes covered wil be to vary the intensity and terrain of my once or twice wekly jaunts that have no goal other than to cover as much road as poss in as short a space of time. The sunshine can keep going too - loving the not having got wet feeling when you finish a ride.
Back to work this week so more opportunities for miles to be covered. - Bike reliability is holding up at present so thats good. Have bought some new mitts as old ones were ripping at finger spacings. Still fancifully watching the odd 8 or 10 items on eBay on a regular basis - one can never have enough cycling kit I always think...!
On the C2C front have booked the B&B's, plan is to travel up on Friday 29th, and then spend the evening getting massages and other usual pre-event preparations (otherwise known as a pie and pint) cycling to Garrigil / Alston area on Day 1 - approx 70-75miles and then leaving 60ish miles for day 2 into Sunderland.
In other news looks like LA may well be starting the Giro after all - with or without a bionic shoulder blade. The classics continue with more cobblestones than you may care to shake a stick at but they do make good watching - it's a bit like downhill ski-ing and motor sport - you don't want anyone to get hurt, but the crashes are spectacular!
Sunday, 12 April 2009
Progress Report Week 12
Come on! 7 weeks to go and loving the training - southerly wind all week so directly behind for initial part of every ride participated in this week. Only 1 wet morning, which endeared me to my work colleagues as the office smelt like someone had died with all the wet clothing hanging around!
So this weeks stats:
Mileage: 185 miles, making it 1520 year to date, leaving "only" 980miles to cover pre C2C.
Longest Ride: 36miles
Hours on Bike: lots!
Weight: 74.5Kg
BMI:24.36
Wii Fit Age:40
Muscles have felt a bit sore this week, but after 185miles in 5 consecutive days i guess that is to be expected - taking the weekend off and then back into it again next week. Back wheel making a bit of a graunchy noise which i guess is bearings so just might have to buy that pair of Mavic's after all!!!
Well done Bertie - first place in the tour of the Basque country (2nd year running).
On LanceWatch apparently he will be back for the Giro? Also the French have found a way of putting a spanner in the works for his return to the Tour as apparently he didn't fully comply at a recent dope test and so could be banned for the tour although I understand that Pat McQuaid has spoken out in favour of LA which must be a first - watch this space.
Here's to another good week of miles and maybe more sun?
So this weeks stats:
Mileage: 185 miles, making it 1520 year to date, leaving "only" 980miles to cover pre C2C.
Longest Ride: 36miles
Hours on Bike: lots!
Weight: 74.5Kg
BMI:24.36
Wii Fit Age:40
Muscles have felt a bit sore this week, but after 185miles in 5 consecutive days i guess that is to be expected - taking the weekend off and then back into it again next week. Back wheel making a bit of a graunchy noise which i guess is bearings so just might have to buy that pair of Mavic's after all!!!
Well done Bertie - first place in the tour of the Basque country (2nd year running).
On LanceWatch apparently he will be back for the Giro? Also the French have found a way of putting a spanner in the works for his return to the Tour as apparently he didn't fully comply at a recent dope test and so could be banned for the tour although I understand that Pat McQuaid has spoken out in favour of LA which must be a first - watch this space.
Here's to another good week of miles and maybe more sun?
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Progress Report Week 11
EEEK!
8 weeks to go - creeps up on you doesn't it?
Stats for last week:
Mileage: 126 (no cycling for 3 days), so thats 1335 year to date, leaving 1165miles to cover pre C2C.
Longest Ride: 31miles
Hours on Bike: 7.4hrs
Weight: 74Kg
BMI: 24.2
Wii Fit Age:34
Wii Sports Age: 22
The buckle in my wheel, was merey that the whee nuts had worked loose so got them all tightened and now no lateral play in the rear wheel - brilliant! Did sustain a pouncture on Monday which is the first for 2 years, so i guess i was due one but am now quite happy not to have one for a further 2 years!!!!
Road kill has magnified in its numbers this week - rabbits, partridges, pheasants and even a fawn this week.
C2C plans are starting to firm up - still need some sponsors though Maybe Simon and I will manage to merge our diaries and even get a ride together in before the event!?
Tour of the Basque Country has kicked off so good luck to the Astana boys, also anticipating a good battle in Paris Roubaix this weekend.
8 weeks to go - creeps up on you doesn't it?
Stats for last week:
Mileage: 126 (no cycling for 3 days), so thats 1335 year to date, leaving 1165miles to cover pre C2C.
Longest Ride: 31miles
Hours on Bike: 7.4hrs
Weight: 74Kg
BMI: 24.2
Wii Fit Age:34
Wii Sports Age: 22
The buckle in my wheel, was merey that the whee nuts had worked loose so got them all tightened and now no lateral play in the rear wheel - brilliant! Did sustain a pouncture on Monday which is the first for 2 years, so i guess i was due one but am now quite happy not to have one for a further 2 years!!!!
Road kill has magnified in its numbers this week - rabbits, partridges, pheasants and even a fawn this week.
C2C plans are starting to firm up - still need some sponsors though Maybe Simon and I will manage to merge our diaries and even get a ride together in before the event!?
Tour of the Basque Country has kicked off so good luck to the Astana boys, also anticipating a good battle in Paris Roubaix this weekend.
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