Fred

After much procrastination, the summer cycling excursion has been decided!

Fred Whitton it is. 112 miles around the Lake District.

Starting and finishing in Coniston, the route covers 6 of the major passes in the Lakes, plus other (minor?!) hills in between.

Leg breaking, sinew snapping, lung bursting, and generally tough - 10th August is the day for it, here's hoping for good weather?! Under 7 weeks to go and training has begun - now where did Norfolk put those hills I wonder...?

Halfway...?

Another week, and another milestone. 6000 miles ytd.

Plenty more to come, hopefully will double this figure by 31/12/2012 - there I've said it I now have a target!

And here's the proof!

People's Grand Tour

So the 2nd People's Grand Tour of the year has ended, and ...I only went and won it!

For the uninitiated amongst you, the People's Grand Tour is the brainchild of Lionel Birnie, Journalist & Author (Cycle Sport, Cycling Weekly et al) and is a virtual competition, where cyclists are encouraged to ride their bikes for at least 10 and up to all 23 of the designated days for that particular tour. Results are then submitted and winners are awarded prestigious certificates for placing in overall distance, King / Queen of the Mountains, Young rider, Team  etc.

I managed 1,758Km, and the full results can be viewed here. Encouragingly I spent almost as much time on my bike as one Mr Marco Pinotti of BMC Racing, however he did squeeze out 500km more!!!

The next People's Grand Tour will be from August 11th to September 2nd - A jersey to be defended...maybe, or even a tilt at the KOM (a challenge indeed in Norfolk!)

Wiggins / Team Sky Mania

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Wiggins extend his more than proven, week long stage race wins (Paris-Nice, 2 x Dauphine) into a grand tour win this July, but I don't want to do that British thing of building my hopes up too much either!

I truly believe Team Sky have a great chance through Wiggins of a podium, with all the TT miles this year, plus assuming they can walk the balance of providing a team equal to the challenge of Green + Yellow (GC) then the dream could well be reality.

With the Olympics looming the following week after the finish in Paris it could be a great Summer after all?
(Not holding out much hope for our footballers though...!)

Action Photo

Further to the post below, Bike Events had an official photographer on hand this year the photo shows Scott and I approaching Melton Constable - circa 25miles in. We managed to elude the photographer at Coltishall - maybe went through before he arrived?

4.55

Coincidentally, 4.55 was also around the time I got up yesterday but the real intention of this post's title is my time for 100 miles cycled in the Norwich 100.

A beautifully sunny day, I left Norwich with no pretensions over times, but soon had settled into a fairly quick rhythm, and it became apparent that circa 5 hours was on. We were on 20mph pace a the 2hour point, but then slipped marginally below it by "lunch" (9.30 stop - just before half way). Coming around the coast from Sheringham to Horsey we were absolutely flying, all that remained was to finish well, and finish well we did.

Not only did I smash my 100 mile record but other records tumbled as below:
One Hour:     22.1miles
10 miles:        26.32 (best this year, but not best ever)
20km:            32.56
20 miles:        53.48
50km:            1hr 26.10
50 miles:        2hrs 21.42
100km          3hrs 0.10
100miles        4hrs 55.14

Recovery ride later this afternoon...

A tale of 2 wheels...

A frustrating week to say the least!

Rear wheel of posh bike developed a slight wobble, which along with the already iffy rear wheel on the Scott rendered me cycle-less... aargh!

So plans were effected to resolve as below:
Rear wheel fiddled and fettled by LBS, and returned - better but not perfect, spoke nipples rusting which affected spoke adjustment - New wheel in the not too distant future...?
Borrowed temp replacement rear wheel and also new like for like Alex 28 Race rimmed wheelset ordered from eBay for Scott
Front brake ordered and researching replacement forks for the ex-Trek 1200 singlespeed project

The above shenanigans cost me 3-4 days riding but all is almost well and i put in a concerted effort to rectify the mileage over the weekend!

Norwich 100 is now 6 days away - not going for "a time" this year (famous last words?!) but do want to dip under 6 hours [Standard!]

In other news the #PeoplesGrandTour II has commenced (19th May - 10th June) aiming for 1500km in 3 weeks!

Giro d'Italia, @TeamSky are performing well, with Cav getting a few stage wins and Hanao currently in the White Jersey.

Another barrier broken...

Another month has gone by, and I am now reflecting not only on my achievements but also on my distinct lack of postings - sorry [Must do better?]

So 4000 miles (6400km) cycled then through mostly rain this last month it has to be said, both bikes have been in for various tweaks. Scott (of the antarctic) still has some rear wheel issues, so may just switch wheels over the weekend, but posh bike is lovely after cassette and chain change (other than tubes/tyres and a saddle the ONLY cash I have spent on it in 20months!)

Norwich 100 is only 3 weeks away, and yes I'm ready but cannot decide if I will go for "a time" or not - Probably am just in denial and once I cross the line, hell yeah I will be going for a time!

In other news, Tour of Britain stage 1 is back in East anglia - uniting the great cities (towns) of Ipswich and Norwich on 9th  Sept.
Brad won Tour of Romandie (2 out of 2 stage races so far for 2012) and the Giro d'Italia starts tomorrow in Denmark (Of Course?!) with a quick 9km spin round the block, otherwise known as the prologue.

3000 miles... and counting!

Another day, another milestone!

3000 miles for 2012 so far - approaching 12k pace! that's about 700 up on 2011 at this point too!

GB just done the Aussie's in the trackworlds too - it may be lashing it down outside, but it's gonna be a good day!