2000 up.
Yup, 2000 miles for the year cracked today.
A nice 37 mile ride with the boss saw me surpass the 2000 'milestone'.
A good Spring saw the majority of the miles racked up, but it's been a bit quiet this last month.
My birthday on the 19th May saw the reintroduction of alcohol in my life after abstaining since New Years Eve. Funny how you never forget how to drink... Cycling has taken a backseat.
On my birthday, before the first beers of the year, I had a little trundle to one of my favourite spots on the River Test. Full Greg LeMond mode 😊
A couple of rides a week at best, some without any saddle time at all. I'd been on around 1800 miles since my birthday, but, back on it this week. Time to crack on and hopefully hit 4000 by the end of the year. That would be my best complete year on the bike, ever. I think.
A good enough target to aim for.
These first 2000 miles has seen me drop 3 stone in weight and massively improve my cycling fitness at least. The old Chris is almost back, some of my more recent friends are yet to meet him.
Been fat for too long.
Funny how as you get older you notice how specific fitness can be - I can comfortably cycle 50 miles, but 2 laps running around an athletics track would seem like a marathon these days.
I hope to rediscover my old running days too, but that will have to wait a bit yet.
With over half the year to go, good fitness and 2000 miles in the legs, I should be ok to rack up the final 2000 miles, maybe more!
There is a curve ball though. At the beginning of July I start a new job.
Working for a Unitary authority, I will once again be required to drive to Newbury and back each day. At best a half an hour commute, then the necessary 'park in a side street somewhere and walk the remainder to the office.
I've done this for many years as a warden, it should be ok, but I wasn't cycling then, so the loss of 90 minutes a day of 'my time' wasn't so important or perhaps noticeable.
Quality of life.. It's always been kind of a motto for me.. I need to keep reminding myself that the extra money (not much) will offset the travelling time... Well, for now at least.
There may well be an opportunity to cycle to work occasionally? I hope so. A productive commute is always a better one, and diesel is getting spectacularly expensive!
Positive. I need to remain positive... Change is a good thing...
So, what is next on the challenge list?
The longest day is approaching. Sounds like the ideal time to do a 'ride through the night'.
Sunrise to sunset. Something i've never done but have fancied doing for a while.
Riding to Greenham Common and then cycling through the night and then riding home. Sounds good.
Cheddar Gorge and the Brecons - the weight is coming off, meaning the hillier rides are now becoming more of an option, and then there is the whole ' Ventoux' thing.. Seems a bit odd now as my friend has ridden the actual Mont Ventoux a couple of times this week, but it's something new, so we will try it for the craic.
Just fitted power cranks on my training bike - there's an added bit of motivation / fun to be had.
Onwards and seemingly upwards.
A nice 37 mile ride with the boss saw me surpass the 2000 'milestone'.
A good Spring saw the majority of the miles racked up, but it's been a bit quiet this last month.
My birthday on the 19th May saw the reintroduction of alcohol in my life after abstaining since New Years Eve. Funny how you never forget how to drink... Cycling has taken a backseat.
On my birthday, before the first beers of the year, I had a little trundle to one of my favourite spots on the River Test. Full Greg LeMond mode 😊
A couple of rides a week at best, some without any saddle time at all. I'd been on around 1800 miles since my birthday, but, back on it this week. Time to crack on and hopefully hit 4000 by the end of the year. That would be my best complete year on the bike, ever. I think.
A good enough target to aim for.
These first 2000 miles has seen me drop 3 stone in weight and massively improve my cycling fitness at least. The old Chris is almost back, some of my more recent friends are yet to meet him.
Been fat for too long.
Funny how as you get older you notice how specific fitness can be - I can comfortably cycle 50 miles, but 2 laps running around an athletics track would seem like a marathon these days.
I hope to rediscover my old running days too, but that will have to wait a bit yet.
With over half the year to go, good fitness and 2000 miles in the legs, I should be ok to rack up the final 2000 miles, maybe more!
There is a curve ball though. At the beginning of July I start a new job.
Working for a Unitary authority, I will once again be required to drive to Newbury and back each day. At best a half an hour commute, then the necessary 'park in a side street somewhere and walk the remainder to the office.
I've done this for many years as a warden, it should be ok, but I wasn't cycling then, so the loss of 90 minutes a day of 'my time' wasn't so important or perhaps noticeable.
Quality of life.. It's always been kind of a motto for me.. I need to keep reminding myself that the extra money (not much) will offset the travelling time... Well, for now at least.
There may well be an opportunity to cycle to work occasionally? I hope so. A productive commute is always a better one, and diesel is getting spectacularly expensive!
Positive. I need to remain positive... Change is a good thing...
So, what is next on the challenge list?
The longest day is approaching. Sounds like the ideal time to do a 'ride through the night'.
Sunrise to sunset. Something i've never done but have fancied doing for a while.
Riding to Greenham Common and then cycling through the night and then riding home. Sounds good.
Cheddar Gorge and the Brecons - the weight is coming off, meaning the hillier rides are now becoming more of an option, and then there is the whole ' Ventoux' thing.. Seems a bit odd now as my friend has ridden the actual Mont Ventoux a couple of times this week, but it's something new, so we will try it for the craic.
Just fitted power cranks on my training bike - there's an added bit of motivation / fun to be had.
Onwards and seemingly upwards.
Good man Chris and well done on the new job. Proud of you for getting back into it. I know how hard it is to do, as I have just done it myself! Fitness takes a lot longer to come back, and I've noticed that any sort of top end efforts are absolutely rubbish, so more base is required before pushing it too much. Keep it up, you inspired me to get back on the steed, and if I can crack 4k miles this year, I will be very surprised! All thr best mate. GK
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