Training Update - Week 21/26

Distance: 182km (year 3,920km)
Longest Ride: 140km
Weight: 95.8kg +0.2kg (year -5.8kg)

Preview: Alps Training Week - 30 May

Next weekend we're off to the Alps for two long days of training in the mountains.

DAY 1 (Sat) - Morzine - Colombiere Loop - 148km - 3500m

The route includes a number of climbs. The longest and most famous is the Colombiere. A climb of 16.3km at an average gradient of 6.8%.

DAY 2 (Mon) - Route Roc D'Enfer - 107km - 2900m
After a rest day, we'll hit the full route of Devil Rock. It takes us down towards Lake Geneva, then back up over Col du Jambaz and Col du Ramaz before finishing with the hors category Col du Joux Plane. An 11.6km climb at 8.5% (been over this twice before and it hurts!!)

Gran Fondo Cymru - 25 May

Out to Snowdonia, for what should have been a huge 200km with 3000m of climbing sportive. Mass failure. The rain was bad, but the wind was beyond anything I've experienced before. According to the met office it was 33mph with gusts upto 50mph. I felt everybit of that, while trying to claw my way over the Ranges. Had to settle for the Medio (shorter) route, which was still good. (although technically I cheated as I went the wrong side of the lake back to Bala - on bad advice, which made my route a few km shorter). It's a sportive I'll be back to complete next year - if the weather improves!!!
140km - 145/171bpm - 20.3/19.4kph - 2225m - 4950kcal

Training Update - Week 20/26

Distance: 194.5km (year 3,738km)
Longest Ride: 163km
Weight: 95.6kg +0.5kg (year -6.0kg)

Hampshire Hilly 100 - 18 May

Started too quick, one puncture, not enough food and didn't stop for water. Official Time: 6h51. Learnt a lot. Good course, very quick.
163km - 149/179bpm - 24.3/23.7kph - 1940m - 4925kcal

Fred Whitton - Photo

Taken towards the top of Newlands Valley. Just over half way in the Fred Whitton.

Preview: Hampshire Hilly 100 - 18 May

The Hampshire Hilly Hundred. Quoted as 160km and 2400m of climbing, but should be more rolling a less harsh than the last couple of weeks (in theory!). A bit hard to find info on this one, but I'll set a target time of 7h15.

Training Update - Week 19/26

Distance: 293.5km (year 3,544km)
Longest Ride: 179km
Weight: 95.1kg -1.0kg (year -6.5kg)

Fred Whitton - 11 May

Bike rides are not meant to be like this. The heat, the hills/walls to climb. clutching for more brakes on the steep descents. Official Time 10h19. Over my target, but little over halfway it was simply a matter of survival. Horrible experience, or great day? I'm not sure
177km - 141/177bpm - 17.0/18.4kph - 3260m - 6625kcal

Training Update - Week 18/26

Distance: 223km (year 3,250km)
Longest Ride: 139km
Weight: 96.1kg +0.5kg (year -5.5kg)

Preview: Fred Whitton - 11 May

The Lake District is not meant for cycling, but along with 1000 others, we're heading up their next weekend for probably the toughest of all the UK sportives. It's 180km with about 3400m of climbing (I've seen anywhere between 3000 and 4300m quoted). It'll be a long, long day. Some of the climbing is at 33% (1:3), so there's a good chance of some walking!!. Target time: 10h00, but I'll be really happy just to finish.

Forest of Dean - 4 May

Heavy rain early, but otherwise a good day. Lots of climbing. Really tough course which had no real flat sections to work as a group. Managed 6h55.
138km - 145/174bpm - 19.6/20.1kph - 2445m - 4795kcal

Team Shirt & Start Number

Our team shirts have turned up. Clearly designed by more than person!!!
Also have our start number for the Etape. I'm 3594. Should get going within 20 mins of the start.

Preview: Forest of Dean - 4 May

And so the climbing begins. This weekend I'm in Wales taking on the Forest of Dean Classic. Not too long at 138km, but it's the most hilly so far. 2400m of climbing is about 600m more than I've done in a day before. Slightly more agressive target of 7h00. Could be a tough day, then just one week till the Fred Whitton.....