Alarm set for 6.30 a.m to go out on a club run with Dulwich Paragon today like I did last weekend for my first experience of club riding which was great and settled my nerves about riding in a bunch as well as getting some new knowledge of local routes and meeting some nice folk... Today however is torrential rain. Grey skies. I don't even have a proper rain jacket at the moment, nor mudguards that fit on the training bike as the clearances are too close... So I went back to sleep and now I'm slightly annoyed at myself.
Still, a 70 mile run tomorrow-weather permitting of course. I must say it has made turning down the opportunity to go to France for 3 months a bit regretful! Ultimately it just didn't make sense... aside from avoiding responsibilities outside cycling in the 'real' world for a bit longer to focus on training.
I have taken delivery of a beautiful, high tech new turbo this week though thanks to the kind chaps at road.cc who I've been keeping up to date on my progress with a weekly blog article, and this has been in use every day this week doing intervals and long high-tempo sessions that seem to be pushing my metabolism through the roof as I am ravenously hungry 24/7... Trying to keep control of what I'm eating to maintain a gradual weight loss though-I'm still aiming for an ambitious 63kg come July and I'm confident I can make it as long as I avoid slips like Thursday night where I ate a massive pizza and drank enough for the whole weekend.
This is an isolated incident and I have no plans to go anywhere but bed tonight so I can go to Leatherhead tomorrow morning and do a reccy of the Spring Onion Sportive route-which I'm doing proper on the 13th of March, featuring some 1600m climbing over 70miles so not to be scoffed at.
Climbing performance so far leaves me feeling scared. Climbing like an arthritic spider would be the best description... Still, no pain, no gain so I'll be mashing up the sloped tomorrow like a wounded buffalo if needs be.
Saturday, 19 February 2011
Friday, 11 February 2011
To Go To France or Not To Go To France, That IS The Question...
Been offered a place on a 3 month, European funded program that would take me to Alles in the South of France..
I've only just got settled in London. I have a possibility of a well paid job here... My gf is here and we've just found a flat, moved in and decorated.
If I go to France, I have to re-settle and won't know what my position actually is until I get there, nor where I am staying, and financially, it will be a stretch as it only gives me a 600euro fee for the 3 months.
On the other hand, I get to cycle on lovely quiet French roads for 3 months, representing pretty ideal Etape training, can improve my language skills and potentially meet some good folks and put something good on my CV that would hold me in good stead for working there in the future.
Humm. I need to make up my mind by Monday too... what to do?
I've only just got settled in London. I have a possibility of a well paid job here... My gf is here and we've just found a flat, moved in and decorated.
If I go to France, I have to re-settle and won't know what my position actually is until I get there, nor where I am staying, and financially, it will be a stretch as it only gives me a 600euro fee for the 3 months.
On the other hand, I get to cycle on lovely quiet French roads for 3 months, representing pretty ideal Etape training, can improve my language skills and potentially meet some good folks and put something good on my CV that would hold me in good stead for working there in the future.
Humm. I need to make up my mind by Monday too... what to do?
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Brighton Crock
London to Brighton achieved in reasonable time (cutting out pit stops and luncheon that is...)- it was a glorious day, clear, bright and although the temperature plummeted as the sun set, quite mild.
Had a great time with James who I've known for a while but never ridden with-steely pins that man-who demolished hills that I wheezed up and was good company whilst setting a high tempo that forced me to up my game in order to keep his wheel more often than I'd care to admit.
Other than a dodgy pub lunch which left me unsure whether my stomach was about to implode or explode, my legs felt good after the ride, so even if the very small hills ripped me to shreds so it was a pity to have the ride spoilt by the poor hygiene of some lazy chef. Still, felt good to finally get out there and put a dent in the miles.
I've been so busy getting established down here in London I've not really had a chance to train much-during the week I've been doing small doses of strength and stretches-but other than that it's too frantic with finding work and a flat to be able to. Now I've been offered a 3 month intern in Ales, in the Gard region of France from March-June. Hmmm. Cat amongst pigeons? A little. It would be nice in the sense that going and living in France would be nice, but it would also be financially very difficult and mean passing up better paid work here, whilst leaving my girlfriend in our new apartment. I've been moving about so much over the last few years that I'm a bit lacklustre about the prospect of doing it again too... But that said it would be fantastic for my Etape training even if it shits up every other aspect of my life ;)
Still... need to take a step back from all that real-life stuff to evaluate whats going on with my training anyway. I've been quietly stressing about doing nothing and on Sunday could feel all the heartrate and cadence training done on the turbo was out the window as I tried to pace James, my computer told me my max heartrate on one climb was 199bpm-the highest I've ever seen it!
Getting freaked out and wildly flailing on rides isn't going to get me into the shape I need to be in, but with limited time I'm really going to have to flog myself on really tough interval training at least 3 times a week, with a long ride on the weekend to build up the miles. I figure if I can ride 60 miles just now with ok legs the endurance aspect is most important for climbing-which means losing weight and really being clever about the routines I'm doing as well as allowing adequate recovery time and going at my own pace if I'm riding with other folk.
Looking back down a subzero Ditchling as the sun sets... I almost puked but because of my lunch, not because of the climb-honest!
A speedy decent to Brighton and the Sea!
Blurry Brighton... Not feeling too hot by this point-nuclear fission happening in my stomach but legs fine-a speedy return to London and a hot bath was the order of the day.
Had a great time with James who I've known for a while but never ridden with-steely pins that man-who demolished hills that I wheezed up and was good company whilst setting a high tempo that forced me to up my game in order to keep his wheel more often than I'd care to admit.
Other than a dodgy pub lunch which left me unsure whether my stomach was about to implode or explode, my legs felt good after the ride, so even if the very small hills ripped me to shreds so it was a pity to have the ride spoilt by the poor hygiene of some lazy chef. Still, felt good to finally get out there and put a dent in the miles.
I've been so busy getting established down here in London I've not really had a chance to train much-during the week I've been doing small doses of strength and stretches-but other than that it's too frantic with finding work and a flat to be able to. Now I've been offered a 3 month intern in Ales, in the Gard region of France from March-June. Hmmm. Cat amongst pigeons? A little. It would be nice in the sense that going and living in France would be nice, but it would also be financially very difficult and mean passing up better paid work here, whilst leaving my girlfriend in our new apartment. I've been moving about so much over the last few years that I'm a bit lacklustre about the prospect of doing it again too... But that said it would be fantastic for my Etape training even if it shits up every other aspect of my life ;)
Still... need to take a step back from all that real-life stuff to evaluate whats going on with my training anyway. I've been quietly stressing about doing nothing and on Sunday could feel all the heartrate and cadence training done on the turbo was out the window as I tried to pace James, my computer told me my max heartrate on one climb was 199bpm-the highest I've ever seen it!
Getting freaked out and wildly flailing on rides isn't going to get me into the shape I need to be in, but with limited time I'm really going to have to flog myself on really tough interval training at least 3 times a week, with a long ride on the weekend to build up the miles. I figure if I can ride 60 miles just now with ok legs the endurance aspect is most important for climbing-which means losing weight and really being clever about the routines I'm doing as well as allowing adequate recovery time and going at my own pace if I'm riding with other folk.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Onward ho!
London to Brighton on Sunday-whoopee! should be about an 80 mile run through some nice countryside and even take on some hills! I don't know this part of England terribly well so it'll be a great way to get to know my new surrounds and I'll be onto the maps to try and get a good route pinned down before I go on the Garmin. I'm doing it with a nice chap I knew briefly in Glasgow before he made the move to London a few years back so it'll be a great catch-up (if I can physically catch up with him that is as I suspect he's got the steelier pins...)
Also just signed up for the Spring Onion so that'll be my first sportive of the year I think-13th March so a bit of time to get a few miles in the legs and keep up with the weight loss which has stalled slightly since being in London town... Looking forward to it!
Also just signed up for the Spring Onion so that'll be my first sportive of the year I think-13th March so a bit of time to get a few miles in the legs and keep up with the weight loss which has stalled slightly since being in London town... Looking forward to it!
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Train in Vain...
Achey legged stupor today.
Finally got out yesterday for some rather haphazard wanderings into Essex in the freezing cold and rain. A 6.30am start was for nothing as my Garmin refused to co-operate and promptly had some kind of aneurism, leaving me to navigate solo and without map. Cue 40 miles of befuddlement, stressfully packed A roads, cycle lanes full of every vehicle imaginable and general sensory privation.
This may make it sound like I don't like London, I do, but everything from the traffic to the urban sprawl and air quality makes cycling a less appealing endeavour so it's strange to have to really gee myself up to brave the maniacal driving and do something that I otherwise love. Even the cycling infrastructure-laudable in sentiment but, like in Scotland, so half hearted and dumbfoundingly misconceived in its application-seems a total hindrance.
Maybe I just need to acclimatise. Or start taking the train to fairer, quieter climes on the weekend for my main dose of training.
Either way, stagnation is not an option and now that I am here, I've got my bikes and there are no more excuses. In saying that I may get on the hunt for a new turbo trainer to limit the amount of time spent tailing bendy buses or being harrassed by black cabs...
Ah. It was a much anticipated but somewhat disappointing ride so its hard not to be negative-I just need a good one and more of them and I'll be grand... Though the job interview I have for a position in the south of France next week is looking ever more tempting.
Finally got out yesterday for some rather haphazard wanderings into Essex in the freezing cold and rain. A 6.30am start was for nothing as my Garmin refused to co-operate and promptly had some kind of aneurism, leaving me to navigate solo and without map. Cue 40 miles of befuddlement, stressfully packed A roads, cycle lanes full of every vehicle imaginable and general sensory privation.
This may make it sound like I don't like London, I do, but everything from the traffic to the urban sprawl and air quality makes cycling a less appealing endeavour so it's strange to have to really gee myself up to brave the maniacal driving and do something that I otherwise love. Even the cycling infrastructure-laudable in sentiment but, like in Scotland, so half hearted and dumbfoundingly misconceived in its application-seems a total hindrance.
Maybe I just need to acclimatise. Or start taking the train to fairer, quieter climes on the weekend for my main dose of training.
Either way, stagnation is not an option and now that I am here, I've got my bikes and there are no more excuses. In saying that I may get on the hunt for a new turbo trainer to limit the amount of time spent tailing bendy buses or being harrassed by black cabs...
Ah. It was a much anticipated but somewhat disappointing ride so its hard not to be negative-I just need a good one and more of them and I'll be grand... Though the job interview I have for a position in the south of France next week is looking ever more tempting.
Friday, 21 January 2011
London Calling
Mon dieu... Londres!
2 Weeks in and it's been a rough ride-done sweet f-a training-wise since arrival, mostly through lack of bikes due to Parcel2Disorganised2Bother messing up the collection 3 times....
Unimpressed, stressed and busy would be the 3 words to describe my experience so far as I get to grips with new job, finding a flat, and negotiating the city but I've finally got my bikes and will be putting them back together tonight with a view of getting up bright and early tomorrow, braving the insanity of London traffic and going out for as punishing a ride as I can manage.... Essex? Flat as a pancake as far as I can discover so far but it will have to do for the moment!
Is it totally ridiculous to be on the first step of a new life, new city, and getting hourly more stressed out and frustrated because-out of all the things going on, demanding my time, energy and attentions-I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO RIDE MY BIKE!
But that's ok... tomorrow... thermals on, bike prepped, Garmin fiddled with, maps loaded, off I trot...
2 Weeks in and it's been a rough ride-done sweet f-a training-wise since arrival, mostly through lack of bikes due to Parcel2Disorganised2Bother messing up the collection 3 times....
Unimpressed, stressed and busy would be the 3 words to describe my experience so far as I get to grips with new job, finding a flat, and negotiating the city but I've finally got my bikes and will be putting them back together tonight with a view of getting up bright and early tomorrow, braving the insanity of London traffic and going out for as punishing a ride as I can manage.... Essex? Flat as a pancake as far as I can discover so far but it will have to do for the moment!
Is it totally ridiculous to be on the first step of a new life, new city, and getting hourly more stressed out and frustrated because-out of all the things going on, demanding my time, energy and attentions-I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO RIDE MY BIKE!
But that's ok... tomorrow... thermals on, bike prepped, Garmin fiddled with, maps loaded, off I trot...
Friday, 31 December 2010
Happy New Year
Last post of 2010...
The snow is finally starting to thaw so the inches of ice on the highways and byways are starting to trickle away. Was looking forward to a ride this week so see out the year on a positive note but I've had a stinking cold-probably because of playing with my nephew and niece at Christmas-so trying to heal up as much as possible before attempting a 100km run on Sunday, so will have to settle for that.
Between Christmas visiting obligations and being sick I've not been on the turbo for 5 days now which is really bothering me, but nothing to be done until I can breathe better at least! I've got so much to do in readiness for moving to London that I should be focusing on that anyway-the logistics in themselves are a pain as I don't have a car so will be micro-packing to go by train, probably posting bulky things like my bikes and maybe by turbo which is perhaps too decrepit to merit the effort. I have managed to keep the weight loss stable if not continued it-I'm just reassured that my metabolism still retains the fire to shift the mass as quickly and on demand as it's been a fairly stagnant 2 years with cubicle fever, bad diet and general malaise undoing what used to be a pretty athletic constitution. I have no doubt that saying goodbye to Glasgow will also banish that bad influence though, and by the time I skinny down to my optimum 63kg I'll have saved up enough dosh to splurge out on a new carbon steed to carry me up the Alpe!
I'm taking my Flying Scot fixed gear for getting around town and also my Mercian Professional-built in 1984 and bar a few small dings, going strong and replete with 1st Gen Chorus groupset (and some 8spd Sti's for the sake of modernity) so that in itself is a lot of cargo, but then there's the tools and spares that I'll be carting down too... aahhh. Getting excited but nervous... hope I find some nice runs down there that will be quiet enough to actually enjoy training on-I look at the map and just see endless cris-crossing A-roads and built up areas. The irony of having lusted to get away from Glasgow and Scotland and its endless green spaces for the last year and upon the brink of departure suddenly regretting it for the sake of the Etape! Still, London won't be forever and the possibility of doing an intern in Montpellier for 3 months remains an attractive one. Vivant la vie francaise...
The snow is finally starting to thaw so the inches of ice on the highways and byways are starting to trickle away. Was looking forward to a ride this week so see out the year on a positive note but I've had a stinking cold-probably because of playing with my nephew and niece at Christmas-so trying to heal up as much as possible before attempting a 100km run on Sunday, so will have to settle for that.
Between Christmas visiting obligations and being sick I've not been on the turbo for 5 days now which is really bothering me, but nothing to be done until I can breathe better at least! I've got so much to do in readiness for moving to London that I should be focusing on that anyway-the logistics in themselves are a pain as I don't have a car so will be micro-packing to go by train, probably posting bulky things like my bikes and maybe by turbo which is perhaps too decrepit to merit the effort. I have managed to keep the weight loss stable if not continued it-I'm just reassured that my metabolism still retains the fire to shift the mass as quickly and on demand as it's been a fairly stagnant 2 years with cubicle fever, bad diet and general malaise undoing what used to be a pretty athletic constitution. I have no doubt that saying goodbye to Glasgow will also banish that bad influence though, and by the time I skinny down to my optimum 63kg I'll have saved up enough dosh to splurge out on a new carbon steed to carry me up the Alpe!
I'm taking my Flying Scot fixed gear for getting around town and also my Mercian Professional-built in 1984 and bar a few small dings, going strong and replete with 1st Gen Chorus groupset (and some 8spd Sti's for the sake of modernity) so that in itself is a lot of cargo, but then there's the tools and spares that I'll be carting down too... aahhh. Getting excited but nervous... hope I find some nice runs down there that will be quiet enough to actually enjoy training on-I look at the map and just see endless cris-crossing A-roads and built up areas. The irony of having lusted to get away from Glasgow and Scotland and its endless green spaces for the last year and upon the brink of departure suddenly regretting it for the sake of the Etape! Still, London won't be forever and the possibility of doing an intern in Montpellier for 3 months remains an attractive one. Vivant la vie francaise...
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