Time: 3 Hours 53 Minutes
Distance: 64.56 Miles
Weight: 14st 5lb
Totals: 28 Hours 22 Minutes, 463.57 Miles
Two solo days coming into work and with the advent of April comes the return of the cold snap. I have been trying to avoid looking at the milometer so I can spend more time looking at the scenery. It really is beautiful countryside around these parts and well worth sitting up and taking notice!
1,536.43 to go!!!!
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Friday, 30 March 2012
20% (1 Mile Short!)
Time: 2 Hours 21 Minutes
Distance: 39.72 Miles
Weight: 14st 4lb
Totals: 24 Hours 29 Minutes, 399.01 Miles
How frustrating to be 1 mile short of the 20% target. I specifically cycled the long way home last night to clock up enough miles to achieve the target and then blow it by being 0.99 miles short. So I'm 1 mile off 400 for the year and 1 mile off 4000 on the bike in total. I'll achieve the feat when I get to the bypass on my way home tonight!
The ride in today was tough as I was flying solo. Nobody to shield me and nobody to encourage me. Still made good time though and still stayed in the saddle for the whole journey. Only had two gears left when I hit the Glemsford hill and used them both going up but thankfully didn't feel like I needed any more!!
1,600.99 to go!!!!
Distance: 39.72 Miles
Weight: 14st 4lb
Totals: 24 Hours 29 Minutes, 399.01 Miles
How frustrating to be 1 mile short of the 20% target. I specifically cycled the long way home last night to clock up enough miles to achieve the target and then blow it by being 0.99 miles short. So I'm 1 mile off 400 for the year and 1 mile off 4000 on the bike in total. I'll achieve the feat when I get to the bypass on my way home tonight!
The ride in today was tough as I was flying solo. Nobody to shield me and nobody to encourage me. Still made good time though and still stayed in the saddle for the whole journey. Only had two gears left when I hit the Glemsford hill and used them both going up but thankfully didn't feel like I needed any more!!
1,600.99 to go!!!!
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Tough hills
Time: 1 Hour 59 Minutes
Distance: 33.52 Miles
Weight: 14st 6lb
Totals: 22 Hours 8 Minutes, 359.29 Miles
The hills today were tough. The pace set was good at first. I was a bit tardy and so pushed us up to a 22mph from home to Little Waldingfield and everything felt fluid and easy. I am even regaining confidence with the downhill sections and sweeping corners - Hurrah! Then the long inclines happened and we ran out of gears, so much so that I actually didn't think I'd make it up the last tough climb into Glemsford. I did though! Recovery time is getting quicker as well - although I definitely need to catch up on some sleep!!
1,640.71 to go!!!
Distance: 33.52 Miles
Weight: 14st 6lb
Totals: 22 Hours 8 Minutes, 359.29 Miles
The hills today were tough. The pace set was good at first. I was a bit tardy and so pushed us up to a 22mph from home to Little Waldingfield and everything felt fluid and easy. I am even regaining confidence with the downhill sections and sweeping corners - Hurrah! Then the long inclines happened and we ran out of gears, so much so that I actually didn't think I'd make it up the last tough climb into Glemsford. I did though! Recovery time is getting quicker as well - although I definitely need to catch up on some sleep!!
1,640.71 to go!!!
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Like Summer, but cold...
Time: 1 Hour 26 Minutes
Distance: 24.22 Miles
Weight: 14st 4lb
Totals: 20 Hours 9 Minutes, 325.77 Miles
So the weather is being very cruel. We're starting the day in nice bright sunshine but it's bitterly cold so we have to truss up like your average Antarctic Explorer. Then as the day goes on things warm up so by the time we ride home our 3 layers and thermal overs are making us arrive at our destination hot and very red!!
Last night was a struggle, the legs just didn't want to play and Jody had to blow me away once we got to Lavenham as he TT'd back to Sudbury. I kept him in sight once he'd stretched a lead but just couldn't catch back up for the tow! C'est la vie!
1,674.23 to go!!!!
Distance: 24.22 Miles
Weight: 14st 4lb
Totals: 20 Hours 9 Minutes, 325.77 Miles
So the weather is being very cruel. We're starting the day in nice bright sunshine but it's bitterly cold so we have to truss up like your average Antarctic Explorer. Then as the day goes on things warm up so by the time we ride home our 3 layers and thermal overs are making us arrive at our destination hot and very red!!
Last night was a struggle, the legs just didn't want to play and Jody had to blow me away once we got to Lavenham as he TT'd back to Sudbury. I kept him in sight once he'd stretched a lead but just couldn't catch back up for the tow! C'est la vie!
1,674.23 to go!!!!
Monday, 26 March 2012
Prague and the extended break
Time: 3 Hours 28 Minutes
Distance: 58.59 Miles
Weight: 14st 8lb
Totals: 18 Hours 43 Minutes, 301.55 Miles
Okay, so we went to Prague last week for our first break of 2012 and it certainly impacted the progress on bike. However, cycling aside for the moment, Prague is a glorious city. We went mid week (Monday thru Thursday) to avoid any stag or hen parties but ended up competing with Italian school trips instead (more later...).
The hotel (paid for with Tesco vouchers!!) was brilliant and we ended up with a suite with an upstairs super king size bedroom. It was on the edge of the old town so only five minutes from the old town square making everything easily accessible on foot. We must ahve walked miles over the four days! Places visited included the castle (a must see), the clock, Charles Bridge, the Fountains, the Jewish Quarter, a bit of the new town and we even took an excursion out to Karlstjen Castle and the long climb up that hill (on foot!).
The Italians though. They clearly use Prague as a school trip venue but the kids (80% of them) clearly are not interested - so much so that whilst visiting the Cemetry where all the Jewish victims of the occupation are buried (a shocking and emotional place) they showed a blatant disrespect for the place and ruined what should be a meditative and soul searching place.
Back on the bicycle on Friday last week I felt good during the morning but crap going home, although I buried mysefl for Jody from Lavenham to Sudbury because I felt guilty. Then having the weekend off I really felt off my game again this morning, even though we did the 23 Mile route in an hour and fifteen minutes.
Hopefully I'll be back on form by the end of the week!!!
1,698.45 to go!!!!
Distance: 58.59 Miles
Weight: 14st 8lb
Totals: 18 Hours 43 Minutes, 301.55 Miles
Okay, so we went to Prague last week for our first break of 2012 and it certainly impacted the progress on bike. However, cycling aside for the moment, Prague is a glorious city. We went mid week (Monday thru Thursday) to avoid any stag or hen parties but ended up competing with Italian school trips instead (more later...).
The hotel (paid for with Tesco vouchers!!) was brilliant and we ended up with a suite with an upstairs super king size bedroom. It was on the edge of the old town so only five minutes from the old town square making everything easily accessible on foot. We must ahve walked miles over the four days! Places visited included the castle (a must see), the clock, Charles Bridge, the Fountains, the Jewish Quarter, a bit of the new town and we even took an excursion out to Karlstjen Castle and the long climb up that hill (on foot!).
The Italians though. They clearly use Prague as a school trip venue but the kids (80% of them) clearly are not interested - so much so that whilst visiting the Cemetry where all the Jewish victims of the occupation are buried (a shocking and emotional place) they showed a blatant disrespect for the place and ruined what should be a meditative and soul searching place.
Back on the bicycle on Friday last week I felt good during the morning but crap going home, although I buried mysefl for Jody from Lavenham to Sudbury because I felt guilty. Then having the weekend off I really felt off my game again this morning, even though we did the 23 Mile route in an hour and fifteen minutes.
Hopefully I'll be back on form by the end of the week!!!
1,698.45 to go!!!!
Friday, 16 March 2012
Beep Beep
Time: 1 Hour 57 Minutes
Distance: 32.95 Miles
Weight: 14st 5lb
Totals: 15 Hours 15 Minutes, 242.96 Miles
This morning we got beeped at. Not because we were doing anything wrong. Just because it took a couple of nanoseconds for Jody to get back into my slipstream so some impatient woman could go past us in her car. The tractor that followed us from preston through to Lavenham didn't even get that precious!
Today we tackled the Chelsworth, Bildeston route with a couple of long inclines. I felt good for it and didn't even have to get up into my biggest sprocket. Nice to see the weight coming off as well!!
1,757.04 to go!!!!
Distance: 32.95 Miles
Weight: 14st 5lb
Totals: 15 Hours 15 Minutes, 242.96 Miles
This morning we got beeped at. Not because we were doing anything wrong. Just because it took a couple of nanoseconds for Jody to get back into my slipstream so some impatient woman could go past us in her car. The tractor that followed us from preston through to Lavenham didn't even get that precious!
Today we tackled the Chelsworth, Bildeston route with a couple of long inclines. I felt good for it and didn't even have to get up into my biggest sprocket. Nice to see the weight coming off as well!!
1,757.04 to go!!!!
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
10%
Time on Bike: 2 Hours 3 Minutes
Distance: 34.65 Miles
Weight: 14st 7lb
Totals: 13 Hours 18 Minutes, 210.01 Miles
Another 23 mile inward journey today saw me make the first milestone of 2012 - target 10% complete. At the current rate I will probably smash it sometime in July or August. The extra mileage is at least doing me some good weight wise whilst at the same time making me tired. Last night was a struggle to force myself to take the 10 mile route home when all my legs wanted to do was go up Tesco hill for a 5 minute burst! How on earth am I going to cope with Badminton tonight?!!
1,789.99 to go!!!!
Distance: 34.65 Miles
Weight: 14st 7lb
Totals: 13 Hours 18 Minutes, 210.01 Miles
Another 23 mile inward journey today saw me make the first milestone of 2012 - target 10% complete. At the current rate I will probably smash it sometime in July or August. The extra mileage is at least doing me some good weight wise whilst at the same time making me tired. Last night was a struggle to force myself to take the 10 mile route home when all my legs wanted to do was go up Tesco hill for a 5 minute burst! How on earth am I going to cope with Badminton tonight?!!
1,789.99 to go!!!!
Monday, 12 March 2012
Early Start
Time on Bike: 2 Hours 4 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 30.54 Miles (32.6 Miles on Google Maps)
Weight: 14st 9lb
Totals: 11 Hours 15 Minutes, 175.36 Miles
This morning Jody met me at 7:30 for our first "big ride in". I had planned a 23.1 Mile route taking in all the usual haunts, getting us to work just before 9am. The ride was cold, foggy and dew drippy. On arrival at the office my toes were very cold and took a few minutes to warm up and my hip now aches when I move (and it had stopped doing that over the weekend but then I hadn't been on the bike!). The ride home will be a sedate 10 miles in the warm once the day has burned the fog away.
Friday night myself and MBJ went our with friends ten pin bowling. We're by no means brilliant at it but MBJ acquitted herself well by winning the first game with some lovely strikes. I came a poor second / third (not sure which). Then Saturday we saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. What a lovely film, brought a tear and a smile and a feel good feeling..
1,824.64 to go!!!!
Distance Travelled: 30.54 Miles (32.6 Miles on Google Maps)
Weight: 14st 9lb
Totals: 11 Hours 15 Minutes, 175.36 Miles
This morning Jody met me at 7:30 for our first "big ride in". I had planned a 23.1 Mile route taking in all the usual haunts, getting us to work just before 9am. The ride was cold, foggy and dew drippy. On arrival at the office my toes were very cold and took a few minutes to warm up and my hip now aches when I move (and it had stopped doing that over the weekend but then I hadn't been on the bike!). The ride home will be a sedate 10 miles in the warm once the day has burned the fog away.
Friday night myself and MBJ went our with friends ten pin bowling. We're by no means brilliant at it but MBJ acquitted herself well by winning the first game with some lovely strikes. I came a poor second / third (not sure which). Then Saturday we saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. What a lovely film, brought a tear and a smile and a feel good feeling..
1,824.64 to go!!!!
Friday, 9 March 2012
Hills!
Time on Bike: 1 Hour 33 Minutes
Distance: 26.35 Miles
Weight: 14st 7lb
Totals: 9 Hours 11 Minutes, 144.82 Miles
Started on the hills last night. Went up to the top of Melford and down to Bridge Street and then the hill up to Lavenham. Felt good. Not too arduous. So this morning I tackled the main route that I was doing at the end of last year and apart from cursing the Lavenham incline it was pretty much business as usual. Think this means I'm back on track.
Spent the last half an hour printing my maps off to get actual distances for future posts. Have even worked out a 23 mile route for the mornings when there's plenty of cycling time!
1,855.18 to go!!!!
Distance: 26.35 Miles
Weight: 14st 7lb
Totals: 9 Hours 11 Minutes, 144.82 Miles
Started on the hills last night. Went up to the top of Melford and down to Bridge Street and then the hill up to Lavenham. Felt good. Not too arduous. So this morning I tackled the main route that I was doing at the end of last year and apart from cursing the Lavenham incline it was pretty much business as usual. Think this means I'm back on track.
Spent the last half an hour printing my maps off to get actual distances for future posts. Have even worked out a 23 mile route for the mornings when there's plenty of cycling time!
1,855.18 to go!!!!
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Mr Producer
Time on Bike: 1 Hour 9 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 19.55 Miles
Weight: 14st 8lb
Totals: 7 Hours 38 Minutes, 118.47 Miles
Really pushed it this morning. The weather was good and I felt like I needed to really start getting the season underway. Yesterday the bike was taken for a service and though I thought it needed major surgery it turned out all it wanted was a tweak on the gear set up and a straightening of the rear wheel. Excellent!
If anyone reads this I recommend Malcolm Borg at The Cycle Clinic in Glemsford.
I find myself cursing the fact that I am chairman of the musicals society. It is a thankless job and results in me becoming Mr Producer for every bloody show. I have now got 5 weeks to do the programme (which I enjoy), learn my part, build the set, arrange for everything to co-ordinate, sort out sound effects etc etc etc!! This man's work is never done! And now I find that the Proclaimers will be in Ipswich on 5th November when I have the penultimate rehearsal before the next show - do I book or am I too bloody concientious?? Let you know tomorrow!
1,881.53 to go!!!!
Distance Travelled: 19.55 Miles
Weight: 14st 8lb
Totals: 7 Hours 38 Minutes, 118.47 Miles
Really pushed it this morning. The weather was good and I felt like I needed to really start getting the season underway. Yesterday the bike was taken for a service and though I thought it needed major surgery it turned out all it wanted was a tweak on the gear set up and a straightening of the rear wheel. Excellent!
If anyone reads this I recommend Malcolm Borg at The Cycle Clinic in Glemsford.
I find myself cursing the fact that I am chairman of the musicals society. It is a thankless job and results in me becoming Mr Producer for every bloody show. I have now got 5 weeks to do the programme (which I enjoy), learn my part, build the set, arrange for everything to co-ordinate, sort out sound effects etc etc etc!! This man's work is never done! And now I find that the Proclaimers will be in Ipswich on 5th November when I have the penultimate rehearsal before the next show - do I book or am I too bloody concientious?? Let you know tomorrow!
1,881.53 to go!!!!
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Taking it easy
Time on Bike: 53 Minutes
Distance: 14.10 Miles
Weight: 14st 10lb
Totals: 6 Hours 29 Minutes, 98.92 Miles
Following the "accident" I find myself slowing down a lot as I go into corners or even just down hill when I know there's a slight bend at the bottom. It's fear, I know. I had the same problem with downhill after my over the handlebar experience in France when I was 19. Coming down a massive hill on my way to the swimming pool with Benoit, in Tournus, I discovered the local authority had shingled the road. The bike wasn't my own and thanks to the state of the road and the bike I ended up with a front wheel wobble that resulted in a head first dash onto the asphalt and holes in elbow, hip and knee. The elbow bears the scar to this day! Same elbow, hip and knee that I damaged last week!!! We never learn.
1,901.08 to go!!!!
Distance: 14.10 Miles
Weight: 14st 10lb
Totals: 6 Hours 29 Minutes, 98.92 Miles
Following the "accident" I find myself slowing down a lot as I go into corners or even just down hill when I know there's a slight bend at the bottom. It's fear, I know. I had the same problem with downhill after my over the handlebar experience in France when I was 19. Coming down a massive hill on my way to the swimming pool with Benoit, in Tournus, I discovered the local authority had shingled the road. The bike wasn't my own and thanks to the state of the road and the bike I ended up with a front wheel wobble that resulted in a head first dash onto the asphalt and holes in elbow, hip and knee. The elbow bears the scar to this day! Same elbow, hip and knee that I damaged last week!!! We never learn.
1,901.08 to go!!!!
Monday, 5 March 2012
Blown Away
Time on Bike: 1 Hour 19 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 14.60 Miles (more!)
Weight: 14st 10lb (darn it!)
Totals: 5 Hours 36 Minutes, 84.82 Miles
Totals severely hit today thanks to the mightiest winds I've had to face and being slowed down to just above 10mph for half the inward journey. The wind was so strong that at times it was all I could do to stay upright! Not only that, but there was also a modicum of rain which lashed my face (initially the left side and then, for the second part of the journey, the right) and kept me cursing my stubborn stupidity. Should have used the car!
So basically I've done the same distance of about 10 miles each way between Friday afternoon and now (so 20 miles for the mathematically challenged) but because my silly speedo won't show the distance readout I have to work from total average speed (which just dropped to 17 from 17.2) times by total time. I must buy a new speedometer!!!
1,915.18 to go!!!!
Distance Travelled: 14.60 Miles (more!)
Weight: 14st 10lb (darn it!)
Totals: 5 Hours 36 Minutes, 84.82 Miles
Totals severely hit today thanks to the mightiest winds I've had to face and being slowed down to just above 10mph for half the inward journey. The wind was so strong that at times it was all I could do to stay upright! Not only that, but there was also a modicum of rain which lashed my face (initially the left side and then, for the second part of the journey, the right) and kept me cursing my stubborn stupidity. Should have used the car!
So basically I've done the same distance of about 10 miles each way between Friday afternoon and now (so 20 miles for the mathematically challenged) but because my silly speedo won't show the distance readout I have to work from total average speed (which just dropped to 17 from 17.2) times by total time. I must buy a new speedometer!!!
1,915.18 to go!!!!
Friday, 2 March 2012
Pea Soup
Time on Bike: 1 Hour 8 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 19.50 Miles
Weight: 14st 8lb
Totals: 4 Hours 17 Minutes, 70.22 Miles
Jody joined me this morning for a ride which owed more to the old pea soupers of London town than anything. The fog was dense and impenetrable and so the ride was cold and damp. So cold and damp, in fact, that my injured leg is now aching like the chill has penetrated to the bone.
Just a small upadte on the crash situation (see February post!) - scarring is minimal and bruising is now in evidence. It hurts on initial movement but eases up very quickly. Hopefully a relaxing weekend will see away with the majority of the pains!!!
1,929.78 to go!!!
Distance Travelled: 19.50 Miles
Weight: 14st 8lb
Totals: 4 Hours 17 Minutes, 70.22 Miles
Jody joined me this morning for a ride which owed more to the old pea soupers of London town than anything. The fog was dense and impenetrable and so the ride was cold and damp. So cold and damp, in fact, that my injured leg is now aching like the chill has penetrated to the bone.
Just a small upadte on the crash situation (see February post!) - scarring is minimal and bruising is now in evidence. It hurts on initial movement but eases up very quickly. Hopefully a relaxing weekend will see away with the majority of the pains!!!
1,929.78 to go!!!
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Foggy March
Time on Bike: 1 Hour 11 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 20.35 Miles
Weight: 14st 8lb
Totals: 3 Hours 9 Minutes, 50.72 Miles
March dawned mild and foggy. As I prepared to leave home (getting the bike out the garage, putting on the helmet, gloves etc) I was tempted to leave off my under helmet beany, thinking that the day was warm and sunny. I decided to leave it on and was I glad I did. As I hit the back lanes and country roads (only a mile or so from our edge of town door) the mists rolled in and in parts I was confronted with fog.
One day off the bike yesterday due to meetings and taking Joe to school which gave the injuries from Tuesday time to heal a bit. I still feel stiff when I start moving after a prolonged stationary period (like when sitting eating or wtaching Tv or reading or - you get the picture) but then things move quite freely and I'm bouncing around again.
1,949.28 to go!!!
Distance Travelled: 20.35 Miles
Weight: 14st 8lb
Totals: 3 Hours 9 Minutes, 50.72 Miles
March dawned mild and foggy. As I prepared to leave home (getting the bike out the garage, putting on the helmet, gloves etc) I was tempted to leave off my under helmet beany, thinking that the day was warm and sunny. I decided to leave it on and was I glad I did. As I hit the back lanes and country roads (only a mile or so from our edge of town door) the mists rolled in and in parts I was confronted with fog.
One day off the bike yesterday due to meetings and taking Joe to school which gave the injuries from Tuesday time to heal a bit. I still feel stiff when I start moving after a prolonged stationary period (like when sitting eating or wtaching Tv or reading or - you get the picture) but then things move quite freely and I'm bouncing around again.
1,949.28 to go!!!
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Fall in the Winter
Time on Bike: 1 Hour 10 Minutes
Distance Travelled: 20.06 Miles
Weight: 14st 8lb
Totals: 1 Hour 58 Minutes, 30.37 Miles
Today was the first fall, the first time I've crashed off the bike. Coming round the corner in Lavenham the smooth road surface, the wet roads and my speed (and to some extent my over confidence) all contributed to the wheels skidding out from unedr me and me taking a slide along the road. One grazed hip, elbow and knee later. All my clothing has to show for it is a small hole in the knee of my trousers and the black muck of the road up my sleeve! Have tended to my injuries and am now starting to feel the bruising in my back and collarbone. Don't think I'll be going to badminton tonight, certainly not after I've cycled home!!
1,969.63 to go!
Distance Travelled: 20.06 Miles
Weight: 14st 8lb
Totals: 1 Hour 58 Minutes, 30.37 Miles
Today was the first fall, the first time I've crashed off the bike. Coming round the corner in Lavenham the smooth road surface, the wet roads and my speed (and to some extent my over confidence) all contributed to the wheels skidding out from unedr me and me taking a slide along the road. One grazed hip, elbow and knee later. All my clothing has to show for it is a small hole in the knee of my trousers and the black muck of the road up my sleeve! Have tended to my injuries and am now starting to feel the bruising in my back and collarbone. Don't think I'll be going to badminton tonight, certainly not after I've cycled home!!
1,969.63 to go!
Monday, 27 February 2012
Back for 2012
Time on Bike: 48 Minutes (not)
Distance: 10.31 Miles (again not)
Weight: 14st 9lb
Totals: As above
First time out this year and the figures do contain about 3 miles from the tail end of 2011. But it's only fair I give myself a head start as I did do about 2.5 Hours on an off road bike at the start of February which I have no other record for apart from pictures of me caked in mud!!
This morning was tough! I was packed up like a donkey heading into the hills and the bike was keen to show me that 4 months break was too much to just slip comfortably back into the saddle. I ended up on the small cog just to keep the legs spinning. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll get some form back and lose some of the puppy fat!!
Targets - 2000 Miles (I've decided not to be over ambitious!). 14st exactly.
1,989.69 to go!!!
Distance: 10.31 Miles (again not)
Weight: 14st 9lb
Totals: As above
First time out this year and the figures do contain about 3 miles from the tail end of 2011. But it's only fair I give myself a head start as I did do about 2.5 Hours on an off road bike at the start of February which I have no other record for apart from pictures of me caked in mud!!
This morning was tough! I was packed up like a donkey heading into the hills and the bike was keen to show me that 4 months break was too much to just slip comfortably back into the saddle. I ended up on the small cog just to keep the legs spinning. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll get some form back and lose some of the puppy fat!!
Targets - 2000 Miles (I've decided not to be over ambitious!). 14st exactly.
1,989.69 to go!!!
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