Here comes Spring ??
Ok, time for a bit of an update.
Once I'd shifted the damn lurgy that lingered for about 5 weeks or so over Christmas it was time to get back on the bike. Slowly slowly, getting the body used to exercise again, and not just the knees!
Most of the winter was going to be spent on the turbo in the garage. Something I used to fear, but the marvellous invention of Zwift seems to have made it a lot more bearable. No need for loud music, or constantly checking a slowly moving clock, I actually enjoy the turbo time now.
Odd.
I suspect about 90% of my winter mileage has been inside. The weather hasn't helped, and finishing work each day at 4.00 p.m. means the need for lights on the bike - I'm not a fan of riding in the dark around rush hour. No thank you.
This week I clocked up my 1000th mile of the winter - which was actually on par with my last proper training year, 2014.
The monthly miles have been increasing as time has gone on. All part of the plan as I try to build some fitness and lose weight.
January - 250 miles.
February - 350 miles.
March - 475 miles.
And two stone in weight lost since early December.
So what's next?
This is a year of challenges, but to be realistic, it needs to be a couple of months of base building etc first. I'm getting there!
The first proper challenge is the first weekend in May and a (randonee) ride around the Isle of Wight. 65 miles or so, 5000 feet of climbing. Just like the old Newbury Audax, but hopefully without the flooded roads, and definitely the promise of better views.
The route is clockwise this year, to space people out on the troubled 'floating bridge' in Cowes. At £16 for a return ferry from Lymington, I may well do the anti clockwise version later in the year too, if anyone fancies it.
To be prepared for the IoW ride, I need to be upping the miles on the long ride of the week.
I anticipate a ride of around 4 - 5 hours for the event. I'm not racing it, I couldn't if I wanted to. It will be a jolly trundle.
My longest ride has been just shy of 2.5 hours, so there is a little bit of work to do, but adding 15 minutes each Sunday should help me get through the day, and other challenges that will come through the year.
My training plan is the tried and tested Cyclist Bible plan (joe friel), that I've followed to the letter over the course of time. No long rides and then be knackered for days, it's more a case of building 'blocks' of workload, through the week, for three weeks, then a rest week.
Accumulative fatigue.
It's working.
I just need some nice weather please!
Once I'd shifted the damn lurgy that lingered for about 5 weeks or so over Christmas it was time to get back on the bike. Slowly slowly, getting the body used to exercise again, and not just the knees!
Most of the winter was going to be spent on the turbo in the garage. Something I used to fear, but the marvellous invention of Zwift seems to have made it a lot more bearable. No need for loud music, or constantly checking a slowly moving clock, I actually enjoy the turbo time now.
Odd.
I suspect about 90% of my winter mileage has been inside. The weather hasn't helped, and finishing work each day at 4.00 p.m. means the need for lights on the bike - I'm not a fan of riding in the dark around rush hour. No thank you.
This week I clocked up my 1000th mile of the winter - which was actually on par with my last proper training year, 2014.
The monthly miles have been increasing as time has gone on. All part of the plan as I try to build some fitness and lose weight.
January - 250 miles.
February - 350 miles.
March - 475 miles.
And two stone in weight lost since early December.
So what's next?
This is a year of challenges, but to be realistic, it needs to be a couple of months of base building etc first. I'm getting there!
The first proper challenge is the first weekend in May and a (randonee) ride around the Isle of Wight. 65 miles or so, 5000 feet of climbing. Just like the old Newbury Audax, but hopefully without the flooded roads, and definitely the promise of better views.
The route is clockwise this year, to space people out on the troubled 'floating bridge' in Cowes. At £16 for a return ferry from Lymington, I may well do the anti clockwise version later in the year too, if anyone fancies it.
To be prepared for the IoW ride, I need to be upping the miles on the long ride of the week.
I anticipate a ride of around 4 - 5 hours for the event. I'm not racing it, I couldn't if I wanted to. It will be a jolly trundle.
My longest ride has been just shy of 2.5 hours, so there is a little bit of work to do, but adding 15 minutes each Sunday should help me get through the day, and other challenges that will come through the year.
My training plan is the tried and tested Cyclist Bible plan (joe friel), that I've followed to the letter over the course of time. No long rides and then be knackered for days, it's more a case of building 'blocks' of workload, through the week, for three weeks, then a rest week.
Accumulative fatigue.
It's working.
I just need some nice weather please!
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