2014 and we're off....

So far this year I've rode 399miles although only 36 were on the open roads. All the rest have been on the turbo trainer, why? Well I used to get paid to be wet and sweaty as an infantryman so now I prefer not to.
The weather this year as you all know has been miserable for the most part and the winter sunny cycling days have been when I am working. My job takes me out into Surrey, Kent and the leafy burbs of SW London where seeing all the cyclists out on their rides make me want to run them off the roads (joking).

Finally on Wednesday I managed to get out for my first real ride, it was great I felt good and stronger than when I finished last autumn. The hills I could climb without dying a death of franticly changing down (or is it up) to meet the gradient, I actually on a couple went the other way and churned out a harder gear. However after 30mi I was tiring and at the end of the ride I was ready for a bath in the old Radox muscle bubbly stuff. With that ride I now need to start mixing it:  The turbo for strength and real rides for endurance.

I have many of the Sufferfest videos and they are great for maintaining focus and enthusiasm in the garage. The music leaves a bit to be desired sometimes so I have on occasions turned it down and put on my own. This has its limitation though as you can miss the gunshot (for attack) or the screech of brakes (for slowing). So I keep the video in a good place to see it when a visual comes on.  All in all I am impressed with the investment in a turbo trainer and the videos they’ve kept me going through the winter and I’ve improved.

Turbo Trainer: Let the Sufferfest begin

I could never imagine cycling on a turbo trainer but a winter on the Carrera TDF my cheap Halfords bike was so demoralising I decided to get a turbo trainer. Jill made me sell my 1yr old Carrera TDF which I did for £200 to a mate I included a load of stuff with the bike so we both got a good deal. I waited with my finger poised on the "Proceed with order button" on TREDZ website for Alex to call saying the monies in my account. As soon as I got the call in went the order for next day delivery A Minoura B60-R and Schwalbe trainer tyre came in at £150 (with a free Lunar R2 rear light).........
Variety is the name of the turbo trainer game. BUT: How boring and easy it it to give up on a turbo? For me very easy.

Having recently moved I had my own piece of manspace a turbo and my pride and joy my TREK

Next Motivation: after much cyber surfing I discovered THE SUFFERFEST.
The Starter Kit for £23 was what I went for as they said: New to Sufferlandria and not sure where to start? Our Starter Pack includes three essential videos: 1. The Downward Spiral: Short, sharp and ultra-high-intensity intervals. 2. Angels: Long climbs with brutal attacks and 3. The Long Scream: A 30:00 time trial requiring maximum concentration.
The Downward Spiral I did first 

I think the bottom right pic of me shows what doing what the video says (well displays) will do to a person.

I've completed all 3 now and wow enterPAINment is what it is. So: IWBMATTKYT (look it up on Sufferfest).

I think this winter I am going to make massive strides in my cycling prowess. Its such hard work and you only get what you put in obviously, but I am motivated by what's on the screen so it will work for me. Some are motivated by stats on the computer screen to get them through a turbo ride but again how boring. All in all I'm looking forward to this winter. Thanks Sufferfest, Minoura, Schwalbe & TREDZ.

New bike and a new era in cycling.

I decided at the back end of 2012 that if I continued to ride that I would get myself a better bike. Jill agreed that I could spend £800-900, which would give me an upgrade to probably a Specialized Allez. However the more I learned the more I thought that by punching through the £1k budget I could get a much better grade of equipment to an Aluminium with carbon forks or even a full carbon bike.
   So over many a month of cycling and browsing the interweb I came across the TREK Domane with IsoSpeed according to TREK: IsoSpeed decoupler gives you an incredibly smooth ride. It was described on youtube as "when you get punched in the face you get the pain of impact with fist and the force of your head going back. IsoSpeed on your face you would feel the force of going back BUT NO PAIN. With all my ailments and injuries this seemed like a brilliant idea.
   Then I discovered PEDALON a shop in TADLEY that stock the bike I was interested in and if you bought from them you get podium points. The more you spend the more points you earn and what do points mean? Yep prizes!

I ordered the bike which after the sizing I was told the 54cm Halfords bike was too big as I am a 52cm cyclist. No wonder I was never comfortable.

Oh the podium points came to 24 from the choice I had I went for the following equipment:

Shimano R540 SPD SL Black - 4 Points 39.99

Shimano R088 Road Shoes white - 9 Points 79.99

Pair of Bontrager Race All Weather HC Tyre - 5PP 53.98

6 Bontrager Innertubes - 1 Point 32.94

Pair of SIS Bottles 600ml - 1  Point 1.89

Pair of Bontrager Race Lite Bottle Cages - 1 Point 16.99

Cannondale Airport Nitro Floor Pump - 3 Points 29.99 The total price to pay £1200 just the price of the bike WOW! All pictured above.

Well it aint a Garmin but...

 With all my tooing and frowing about whether to get a Garmin 800 for crimbo I have taken to exploring the expanse that is the Greater Chavingstoke area using OS map to route, then plot the roads onto a piece of paper, finally having waterproofed it and strapped it to the handlebars. It served me well.
Although no Garmin or mapping could prevent my first real tumble as I rounded a bend the wheels went from under in some compacted mud on the country road and down I went.I was not going fast and fortunately no one was behind me.

I did not realise until I got home that I had also ripped a small hole in the sleeve of my new waterproof jacket. Not impressed however sewing kit out and quick mend followed by a touch of glue to seel the repair.

I now have also come to realise why there is a vast array of clothing out there, the Dhb bib was not warm in the nether regions and the little fella was not a happy bunny down there. Time to shop again me thinks....

Ignorance or Arrogance from other riders

In the last week I have been out and about in the Basingstoke area. On my last two rides I have passed many a rider in the opposite direction than I. I smile, wave a hand and if I'm not breathing out my backside will say a hello. I can honestly say that only 3 have acknowledged my existence. 4 if you count the fella in a white jersey black tights who rode Huish Lane yesterday morning: http://app.strava.com/segments/1441705 . He looked at me as if I had a second head when I said Good Morning. 

I survived the night....

The road is long and arduous, my path to wellness bestrewn with many obstacles. Perils await by way demons who did malevolently fashion such an accursed malaise! Woe betide thee to enter my room, for I am but the fallen one! Fear not - Though death may stalk thee, it is death's sweet embrace that shall bring me comfort... And so I must gather my strength to run, to run towards the light.

MAN FLU suffering and cycle suffering challenge.

Well despite being full of cold (man flu) and not able to go out for a ride today, I signed up on Strava for:

Cannondale’s Oktoberfest with Tim Johnson

Can you match Tim Johnson’s fall training plan? 60 gritty hours in 3 weeks?

Between Oct 20th and Nov 10th knock down 60 hours of run ups, off camber turns, or standard gut wrenching hours in the saddle. 

This will certainly set me off in the right way. Although I cannot do the first day as I'm on a 12hrs 0700-1900hrs shift. But there again I might get up really early.

STRAVA OKTOBERFEST LINK