Cheshire Cat - 30 Mar

What a great day. The weather was perfect and another excellent course. Official Time: 6h39.
Positives: Much quicker than expected, started quick and finished really strong. Also won a bet, so I'm a Pro3Race trye richer.
Negatives: Didn't make it up Mow Cop without walking. In itself not a problem, but I did feel weak on the climbs. At around the 100km mark, this will be the same stage the Tourmalet will kick upwards. Not a great sign.
155km - 154/184bpm - 24.4/23.1kph - 1475m - 5130kcal

Training Update - Week 12/26

Distance: 141.5km (year 2,030km)
Longest Ride: 79km
Weight: 96.4kg -0.2kg (year -5.2kg)

The Machine

Frame - Litespeed Siena 06-08 (L)
Forks - Easton EC90SL
Wheels - Mavic Ksyrium Elite 07
Groupset - Shimano Ultegra 6600/SL
Handlebar/Seatpost - Ritchey WCS
Stem - Easton EA70
Saddle - Selle Italia Signo Special Edition
Tyres - Michelin Pro3 Race
Pedals - Look Keo Carbon Ti
Computer - Polar S725X

Weight - 7.8kg (without pedals)
Gear Ratios - 50-34 - 12-27

Preview: Cheshire Cat - 30 Mar

Next weekend it's off to Cheshire for the first long sportive of the year. It's 155km (just short of 100 miles - similar distance to the Etape)

Cheshire Cat 2008 - Long - 568cc

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

However at about 1000m of climbing it's a fairly flat route:

With the exception of 'Mow Cop', also known as 'the killer mile. The first half is a steady 10% (1:10), the second half a ridiculous 25% (1:4). If you don't know what that looks like....

At this stage of the year, I'll be happy with 8h00 for the course (if the weather's ok). It would be nice to get up Mow Cop non-stop (there's a medal if I can).

Burnham - 22 Mar

Another horrid weekend. Mad wind and snow meant only two smallish rides. (104.5km in total)
74.5km - 144/173bpm - 24.2/22.9kph - 750m - 2200kcal

Training Update - Week 11/26

Distance: 265km (year 1,888km)
Longest Ride: 90km
Weight: 96.6kg -0.1kg (year -5.0kg)

Balcombe - 16 Mar

What was meant to be a quick Sunday spin turned into a battle against the wind and the rain. And the cold and a puncture. Ahhhh!

57km - 137/167bpm - 22.8/20.2kph - 705m - 1730kcal

Ashdown Forest - 15 Mar

One of the few good days of the year so far:

Ashdown Forest and Pooh Highlights (1590m)

http://www.bikely.com/

Profile:

82km - 142/170bpm - 20.9/20.4kph - 1375m - 2700kcal

Training Update - Week 10/26

Distance: 139.5km (year 1,623km)
Longest Ride: 53km
Weight: 96.7kg +0.6kg (year -4.9kg)

Bad week. Wind meant cancelling a couple of days.

Surrey - 8 Mar

Shorter spin this weekend. Bad weather, lots of wind. When will the sun come out???
51km - 145/178bpm - 21.9/21.0kph - 700m - 1680kcal

Training Update - Week 9 / 26

Distance: 189km (year 1,484km)
Longest Ride: 119km
Weight: 96.1kg -0.8kg (year -5.5kg)

Ditchling Loop - 1 Mar

Long Ditchling loop including Ashdown Forest on the way out and Turners Hill on the way back.
108.5km - 147/183bpm - 22.9/20.1kph - 1335m - 3650kcal

Weight Update - Feb