Log Entry #35: Indecision

Time on Bike: 48 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 13.12 Miles
Average Speed: 16.4 mph

Totals: 34 Hours 58 Minutes, 573.45 Miles, 16.4 mph

The weather cannot decide. After chucking it on Tuesday (a non-bike day anyway) you get kitted up for the worst and what happens - it warms up. Sweating buckets last night because I was sooo hot. This morning it's mild! Roll on November....

Log Entry #34: Blow Out

Time on Bike: 49 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 15.69 Miles
Average Speed: 16.4 mph

Totals: 34 Hours 10 Minutes, 560.33 Miles, 16.4 mph

Today my front tyre blew for the first time. And it was a big bang! Coming round the corner at the Bull Hotel, Long Melford, joining the High Street, keeping close to the kerb to avoid upsetting oncoming traffic and BANG! HISS! tyre blown. Got off the bike and walked the remainder of my journey (300m). Will change tyre at lunchtime and keep fingers crossed for fairer weather.

Log Entry #33: Beanie

Time on Bike: 47 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 13.81 Miles
Average Speed: 17.63 mph

Totals: 33 Hours 21 Minutes, 544.64 Miles, 16.4 mph

Here is one of those occassions where the clock ticks up to a better overall mph and it affects the distance travelled and average for journey parameters. Very satisfying to know that I've turned it up a notch especially with the cold weather setting in.
The latest fashion accessory is a beanie under my helmet to keep the ears warm. I may look a complete knob but at least I'll stay toasty!!

Log Entry #32: Cold

Time on Bike: 1 Hour 17 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 20.91 Miles
Average Speed: 16.3 mph

Totals: 32 Hours 34 Minutes, 530.83 Miles, 16.3 mph

It's cold. Officially! I am now garbed in thermal leggings, thermal top, long sleeved vest and jacket and this morning I even had a beanie under my helmet. Cold. Cold. Cold. BUT - it now means I can push push push without getting over sweaty !! Good job too.

Log Entry #31: 500 and counting

Time on Bike: 53 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 14.4 Miles
Average Speed: 16.3 mph

Totals: 31 Hours 17 Minutes, 509.92 Miles, 16.3 mph

Yay! Broke the 500 mile target. Which is actually the 1,500 Mile target (if you read entry #1). Only 490.08 miles to go to keep me happy with this year's output. Not sure I'll make it with the cold and wet and dark times coming but I'll damn well try......

Log Entry #30: Glemsford AND Cavendish

Time on Bike: 1 Hour 1 Minute
Distance Travelled: 16.58 Miles
Average Speed: 16.3 mph

Totals: 30 Hours 24 Minutes, 495.52 Miles, 16.3 mph

Thursday's only foray on the bike saw the decision to take in both Glemsford and Cavendish to maximise the hills available. Tough wasn't the word. Because of audit and travelling to Bognor the week before it meant I hadn't touched a pedal for a whole week and it showed. However it didn't diminish the speed element and despite the three climbs (to Glemsford, the Tour of Britain hill and Tesco's hill) I still maintained the increased 16.3 average....Nice!

Log Entry #29: Speed

Time on Bike: 49 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 16.16 Miles
Average Speed: 19.78 Mph

Totals: 29 Hours 23 Minutes, 478.94 Miles, 16.3 mph

I think the tick up from 16.2 to 16.3 mph slightly distorts the average speed for the journey but still nice to see improvement on the speed issue. I would love to approach 16.5 by the time this year's cycling comes to a close. Then next year a fitter me can attempt 17mph....easier without hills I would think!!!

Log Entry #28: Colder

Time on Bike: 51 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 13.77 Miles
Average Speed: 16.2 mph

Totals: 28 Hours 34 Minutes, 462.78 Miles, 16.2 mph

It's getting colder....

Log Entry #27: Sharp Incline

Time on Bike: 49 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 13.23 Miles
Average Speed: 16.2 mph

Totals: 27 Hours 43 Minutes, 449.01 Miles, 16.2 mph

Back on the Lavenham route which formed part of our region's stage of the Tour of Britain. The most pleasing thing was the sharp incline as you head off Bull Lane towards Lavenham that comes straight afetr a double bend so you have no chance to sufficiently gear up. Climbed it without hitting lowest gear and less recovery time needed as well. The fact that it was lunchtime and I was beating the rain probably contributed but it was still rewarding...

Log Entry #26: Hurts

Time on Bike: 1 Hour 22 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 22.14 Miles
Average Speed: 16.2 mph

Totals: 26 Hours 54 Minutes, 435.78 Miles, 16.2 mph

Though I genuinely feel like the body is getting better, the climbs can still hurt. It is an effort of will to resist the urge to get out of the saddle and make things easier. It's also an effort of will to stop myself reaching for the biscuit tin at the end of the evening.....

Log Entry #25: Glemsford

Time on Bike: 54 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 14.58 Miles
Average Speed: 16.2 mph

Totals: 25 Hours 32 Minutes, 413.64 Miles, 16.2 mph

Glemsford has now been added to the list of available routes. It is basically a horseshoe diversion on the way to Cavendish but includes a long gradual climb up Hobbs Lane to the sprawling town (village?). Certainly helps the legs...

Log Entry #24: Small Diversions

Time on Bike: 1 Hour 21 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 21.88 Miles
Average Speed: 16.2

Totals: 24 Hours 38 Minutes, 399.06 Miles, 16.2 Mph

Surprising how small diversions can add distance. On the way home on Thursday and I'm looking at the clouds thinking it's going to pour any minute so took a small diversion in Borley to add some minor distance with the intention of cutting and running come Ballingdon. However once I got to the Ballingdon crossroads I decided to do the full Lamarsh loop anyway!
Tonight will experiment with a Glemsford diversion - as long as it's not raining.....

Log Entry #23: Rain Again

Time on Bike: 50 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 13.49 Miles
Average Speed: 16.2 mph

Totals: 23 Hours 17 Minutes, 377.18 Miles, 16.2 mph

It was raining again the previous night when I left the office but I was determined to get some distance in so went via Lavenham (now classed as "the old route"). Windy, rain lashing, cold. But felt good for it. This morning however have forgotten the waterproof so will have to pray for sunshine all day....

Log Entry #22: Sunday Morning

Time on Bike: 3 Hours 19 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 51.82 miles
Average Speed: 15.6 mph

Totals: 22 Hours 27 Minutes, 363.69 Miles, 16.2 mph

Sunday morning I was delighted to get out for a 2 hour ride with my good friend Mr V. We did Lamarsh in reverse and then the new Cavendish bit in reverse and then up Tesco hill to finish. A good gentle ride and feel all the better for it!

Log Entry #21: Messing with the Average

Time on Bike: 52 minutes
Distance Travelled: 15.95 miles
Average Speed: 18.4 mph

Totals: 19 hours 8 minutes, 311.87 miles, 16.3 mph

When the clock ticks back up to 16.3 mph from 16.2 mph it really messes with the distance travelled stat for the journey. It sort of means that my 16.2mph readings were probably 16.249's and maybe I'm now 16.25mph on average but that's the trouble with 1 decimal place!!!
Let's face it the day before the journey indicated 13.77 miles and now it's 15.95......

Log Entry #20: Cavendish

Time on Bike: 51 minutes
Distance Travelled: 13.77 miles
Average Speed: 16.2 mph

Totals: 18 hours 16 minutes, 295.92 miles, 16.2 mph

Tried a different route last night that took in part of the Tour of Britain route and one of the KoM climbs. It was a good ride but turned out to be not as long as I'd hoped. Made the climb relatively comfortably and then because I was coming back into Sudbury via Melford I really pushed it along the bypass before turning for home. Legs are improving!!

Log Entry #19: Just the Figures

Time on Bike: 1 hour 19 minutes
Distance Travelled: 21.33 miles
Average Speed: 16.2 mph

Totals: 17 hours 25 minutes, 282.15 miles, 16.2 mph

Log Entry #18 - Wet

Time On Bike: 31 minutes
Distance Travelled: 8.37 miles
Average Speed: 16.2 mph

Totals - 16 hours 6 minutes, 260.82 miles, 16.2 mph

Short Trips. It rained heavily on a nice sunny day. Only a small waterproof for company so I gave in and went straight home. Shorts and socks dried out after two days on radiator!!!

Log Entry #17 : Train Crash

Time on Bike: 1 hour 41 minutes
Distance Travelled: 24.49 miles
Average Speed: 14.55 mph

Totals: 15 hours 35 minutes, 252.45 miles, 16.2 mph

The Sudbury Train crash put paid to what I was hoping would be a consolidation of my previous day's efforts. I didn't even think that the recovery operation would mean the road from Bures would have to be closed, but that's what happened. I came into Mount Bures from Lamarsh and sped past the bus station for what should have been a short climb before turning a corner into a descending straight but the corner was adorned with road closed signs which meant carrying straight on up an interminable hill towards Assington.

Now I don't claim to know the roads hereabouts very well so I took some educated guesses at junctions to avoid heading all the way across to the A 134 and eventually found myself BACK ON THE BURES ROAD - BEFORE THE CLOSURE. Approaching the police cordon I was then directed back up another unexpected steep climb before finally getting my bearings straight and taking the easiest route home. Knackered. But felt good for it.

Bonuses - didn't ever get out of the saddle, didn't ever get off the bike! Yay!

Daily Log #16: Easier Looping

Time on Bike: 1 hour 20 minutes
Distance Travelled: 21.87 miles
Average Speed: 16.4 mph

Totals: 13 hours 54 minutes, 227.96 miles, 16.4 mph

The muscles in my legs are starting to remember. Climbing was slightly easier this time around. I got into a low gear early so I had high cadence at the bottom of the climb which helped in the early stage and then gear shifted when necessary to keep up the tempo. Obviously once I was in the highest gear (or is that the lowest) I had nowhere to go so tempo slowed and the end of the climb couldn't come quick enough. I was delighted that only one point did I have to get out of the saddle and stamp those pedals!!

Daily Log #15: Push push push

Time on bike: 47 minutes
Distance Travelled: 12.84 miles
Average Speed: 16.4

Totals: 12 hours 34 minutes, 206.09 miles, 16.4 mph

Felt like I really pushed it this morning and the wind slightly favoured my back. Saved 3 minutes on the usual 50 minute round trip which is always refreshing. Tonight will be the first Lamarsh loop after the two week abstention...

Daily Log #14: Back on the Bike

Time on Bike: 16 minutes
Distance Travelled: 4.37 miles
Average Speed: 16.4mph

Totals: 11 hours 47 minutes, 193.24 miles, 16.4mph

Got back on the nike today after 2 weeks off thanks to a well deserved holiday. Not sure on the accuracy of the mileage since I'm working from Time and Average Speed and the speed only goes to 1 D.P. It'll all even out in the end.
News that Contador has joined Saxo bank following the Schleck departure. Hopefully Frank and Andy can get themselves a good team together for future domination!!

Daily Log #13: Repeat Route

Time on Bike: 1 hour 2 minutes
Distance Travelled: 16.94 miles
Average Speed: 16.4 mph

Totals: 11 hours 31 minutes, 188.87 miles, 16.4 mph

Interestingly managed the Lamarsh Loop in an average speed equal to my overall average. Not bad for a hilly stage. Convinced that at the top of Head Lane in Cornard we'd managed (Jody did remember his bike this time!) an average of 17mph and the slow uphill from there to home killed my speed. Time will put strength into the legs but unfortunately I'm now on holiday for a week or so. It will be like starting again when I get back....

Daily Log #12: Lonely Lamarsh Loop

Time on Bike: 1 hour 24 minutes
Distance Travelled: 22.06 miles
Average Speed: 15.75 mph

Totals: 10 hours 29 minutes, 171.93 miles, 16.4 mph

The Lamarsh Loop (as we alone call it) goes from the office here in Long Melford via Liston, Borley, Henny, Lamarsh, into Bures Hamlet and then back along the main Bures road to Sudbury. Minor climb to Borley and some steep short climbs along the Lamarsh road before a long descent into Bures. A couple of short drags up on the Bures road which then just leaves an energy sapping drag up Head Lane in Cornard and along the top road before having to climb the Chilton part of the A134 to get home. Very enjoyable but as Jody forgot to bring his bike back yeatserday I did it alone....

Daily Log #11: Detour

Time on Bike: 57 minutes
Distance Travelled: 15.67 miles
Average Speed: 16.5 mph

Totals: 9 hours 5 minutes, 149.87 miles, 16.5 mph

Had to take a minor detour on the inward journey today to drop off my sons phone. It may add to the mileage but the morning is when I try to take it easy so doesn't help with average speed.
With any luck tonight will be a "hill" night. The Lamarsh loop the wrong way round (so called because it's easier the clockwise!). It all depends on Jody bringing his bike with him after lunch - I'm not climbing on my own!

Daily Log #10: Another Great Tour

Time on Bike: 50 minutes
Distance Travelled: 13.75 miles
Average Speed: 16.5 mph

Totals: 134.20 miles, 8 hours 8 minutes, 16.5 mph

The weekend saw the end of another great Tour with Cavendish winning another two stages and proving his sprinting pedigree. What I like is that he is humble about the wins and attributes the correct respect and kudos to his team who get him there!
Another wind battered journey for me on Friday night although I did gain time which I promptly give away by cycling conservatively on a Monday morning. Oh well....

Daily Log #9: Same old same old

Distance Travelled: 13.75 miles
Time on Bike: 50 minutes
Average Speed: 16.5 mph

Totals: 120.45 miles, 7 hours 18 minutes, 16.5 mph

I'm trying! I'm really trying. But it's the wind that's stopping me. All said and told I think maintaining current average in these conditions is commendable!!!

Daily Log #8: 50 minutes

Distance Travelled: 13.75 miles
Time on Bike: 50 minutes
Average Speed: 16.5 mph

Totals: 106.7 miles, 6 hours 28 minutes, 16.5 mph

I promised to push it and go for speed - and I did, but thanks to high winds, head-on, from every direction I seem to be stuck in a 50 minute, 16.5 mph trend for the journey.

It didn't help that my pockets were weighed down with waterproof etc which may have caused some drag (who am I kidding!). Fingers crossed that tonight will be calmer and when I push I will actually feel like I'm getting somewhere!!!

Daily Log #7: Honour

Time on Bike: 50 minutes
Distance Travelled: 13.75 miles
Average Speed: 16.5 mph

Totals: 5 hours 38 minutes, 92.95 miles, 16.5 mph

Much consternation in the Tour about whether Contador should have attacked Schleck when the latter's chain came off during the climb. My vote - he shouldn't. If the guy wants to win the Tour then do it fair and square and that's not by waiting for your opponent to puncture and then attacking while they are incapacitated...

As you can see the speed plan for the week is in operation and I managed to maintain a 16.5 mph average which, considering the wind speed and direction, I consider to be quite good. As long as it's not too hot tonight (or raining) I will "go for it" again !!

Daily Log #6 - Break

Distance Travelled: 13.52 miles
Time on Bike: 52 minutes
Average Speed: 15.6 mph

Totals: 79.2 miles, 4 hours 48 minutes, 16.5 mph

The sharp eyed will notice I took a week off. Many reasons (including a fair weather attitude) that would only bore you. Being in the car meant getting home in plenty of time to watch the Tour live before dinner though.
Read in Cycling Weekly about needing to push yourself. I think I do. My personal challenge needs to be either to push up my average speed or to take in a more undulous route to work on the climbing muscles. This week I'll go for speed as I'm doing a play in Coggeshall and need to be home in good time to eat and get out of the house by 6:30pm. Joy!

Daily Log #5: Cavendish

Distance travelled: 8.36 miles
Time on Bike: 30 minutes
Average Speed: 16.72 mph

Totals: 65.68 miles, 3 hours 56 minutes, 16.7 mph

Okay, you may have noticed it was only a short ride for this log - went to a meeting yesterday afternoon and was so late back to the office that I only had time to take the short trip home instead of the long one!

Bonus for the day was, of course, seeing Mark Cavendish win Stage 5 of the Tour and show some incredible humility with it.

Today it's going to be HOT. 31 degrees apparently so expect stories of sweat and heat exhaustion in the next log!!!!

Daily Log: #4 - Summer Rain

Distance Travelled: 13.65 miles
Time on Bike: 50 minutes
Average Speed: 16.38 mph

Totals: 57.33 miles, 3 hours 26 minutes, 16.7 mph

There's nothing worse in the warm weather than having to suit up for rain. Admittedly on leaving work last night I took a gamble that it wasn't going to but took my yellow top just in case it rained this morning.

No sooner had I hit Bull Lane than it started to spit and then drizzle and it looked like it was settling in so I did the decent thing and pulled the yellow from my top and slipped it on at the bypass junction. Inevitably it then stopped raining....

There followed 9 miles of hard slog against a head wind that had me sweating buckets thanks to the yellow's fantastic waterproofing. Might have just as well exposed myself to the elements !!!

Daily Log: #3

Distance Travelled: 13.62 miles
Time on Bike: 48 minutes
Average Speed: 17.025 mph

Totals: 43.68 miles, 2 hours 36 minutes, 16.8 mph

Today was the first time since early May that I wore my rain top. Last time was when I went over to Shropshire / Cheshire to cycle for the day with my buddy Richard, who was taking part in a Lands End to John O Groats expedition, and then it was more for visibility than the state of the weather. Of course having put the bright yellow on it refused to even spit...never mind.

Tour De France has been very exciting with many spills on days 3 and 4. We've had slippy roads in Holland and Cobbles in Belgium with Frank Schleck suffering the most (out of the race) and our very own Bradley Wiggins benefitting from riding in the right group. This race could be the best we've ever seen!!

Daily Log: #2

Distance Travelled: 12.95 miles
Time on Bike: 50 minutes
Average Speed: 15.54 mph

TOTALS: 30.06 miles, 1 hr 48 mins, 16.7mph

The greatest bike race in the world started at the weekend - The Tour De France. I love July merely for that fact. And there's no better time to be a Brit following the Tour with not one, not two, but eight (8) British riders taking part and both Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish in with a chance of real honours (overall and sprint respectively).

On a personal note, this morning some idiotic mother didn't even bother looking before turning right in front of me and I nearly caught the back of her car when she was forced to stop as she had nowhere to go. I hope her under 9's didn't learn any expletives from me!

Daily Log: #1

Time on bike: 58 minutes
Average speed: 17.7
Distance travelled: 17.11 miles

Following the reset of the ometer following the 1000 mile breakthrough I have to rely on it's accuracy during it's first few readings - let's face it the mph fluctuates every time you slow down or speed up at such an early stage.
Yesterday's ride home was HOT! Had to strip naked to cool down as soon as I got in - not an unpleasant sight but meant I had to steer clear of all windows. This morning's journey in there was a cool wind which certainly assisted a bit.

The First 1000

I DID IT!

Today I have just ridden my one thousandth mile on my bike. Achievement!
I feel satisfied and healthy, happy and sweaty.

I bought the bike last year as part of a cycle to work scheme and for the most part that is exactly what I have been doing....cycling to and from work. Admittedly the journey to work is only 3 odd miles and the journey home is more scenic taking in about 10 miles. It's not been every day but as many days as has been possible.

Here are the stats:
1000 miles, 62.16 hours, 16.0875 miles per hour (average)