Indoor sprint!

The winter weather having set in in a major way recently, it is perhaps no surprise that the blog has suffered a lack of entries - me being a bit of a fair weather rider after all. Did get back on a bike briefly yesterday as part of a fund raising Crawlathon (in Crawley!) but indoors on bikes kindly lent by Evans Cycles. It was a team event and I did a 10km stint as part of the 45km cycle part of the triathlon event, averaging around 48kph. Quite a creditable speed, but nothing on one chap who did the whole 45km on his own in a superb time of 50 minutes. Prior to the ride I had also done a 850m stint in the swimming event - my real speciality!

I must get out on the bike when I have some time over Xmas, I realise I am missing it. Maybe a winter sportive?!

Autumnal pleasures

Last Saturday we escaped down to France for a few days - A computer issue preventing me from updating the blog whilst actually down there. After the first day, the weather was glorious, sunny and warm, with temperatures well into the 20's most of the time.

Between the demands of further garden development work and that of Mrs M who expressed a forceful desire to spend a day at the coast at the charming old town of Collioure (south of Perpingan) I managed to get a few sorties in on the bike. Very much needed after more than a month without being able to get out in the UK. All the rides were a reasonable length of around 90 to 120 minutes, using the usual circuit of quiet back roads around Mirepoix, Chalabre, Leran and the like. Also found a beautiful new route out towards Les Pujols, which took me through some fabulous little hamlets or a narrow road where I did not see a car for over half an hour! Of course all that cycling required indulgence in the favoured French pastimes of eating fine food and drinking local red wine and Blanquette.

Also discovered the outline route for next year's Tour De France - very pleasingly the Pyrenees are later and will go through Mirepoix on a Sunday. The following day the start is from Pamiers for the first time, before heading into the Pyrenees proper. Should be good...

Guildford Cycle Challenge 2009 - Sunday 27 September 2009

Got a full morning's pass from She Who Must Be Obeyed to take part in the Guildford Cycle Challenge. This was my first ever cycle sportive and in honour of the occasion SWMBO got up before 7am to cook me a pre ride omelet. What a star! She could get a job any day as team support on the Pro Tour. This set me up wonderfully for the ride of around 90km - I had chosen the Challenge option rather than the Epic at 130km, not least because I had to be back in Forest Row by 2pm in readiness for a punter come to view the Yellow Peril - see my other blog if you need to know more!

I set off at the head of a group just before 9am at a reasonable pace and was rather hoping someone would have caught me up. Instead what happened is I missed a route sign and blithely carried on, with around 20 others following me like Lemmings. After about 10 km I realised something was wrong and stopped. My fears confirmed I then had to lead the group over an extra climb to rejoin the official route further down. After that I shot off like a scalded cat so no one would pass any further comment.

The first half of the course was gently undulating and the weather was superb throughout. After that the weather stayed the same but the course changed, starting with a vicious 21% sudden ball tearer of a climb and a number of other Surrey Hill climbs following. Stopped a couple of times on the way for refreshments and arrived back before lunch, just over 3 hours of actual cycling. Only one nasty accident seen and no aches to speak off - Definitely something I will do again. Maybe even the 'Hell of The Ashdown' next March!

Back in Blighty

Was allowed an afternoon pass to get out for the first time since returning from France mid-week. Completed the out and back route up past Goat and in the direction of Haywards Heath as I had done back in May. The weather was blustery and distinctly autumnal though. Despite that I completed the outward leg in 37.49 and back in 37.15, thereby knocking 45 seconds off my previous time. Despite the copious amounts of red wine and cheese whilst away, I must definitely be a bit fitter now.

Riding, riding and more riding (are we in Yorkshire?!)

Five more glorious days have passed in France and on four of them I was out on my bike. In fact I had cycled eight days in a row befoore deciding to have a 'rest day' yesterday as the old legs were starting to feel a bit fatigued. Was also getting quite alot of stick from the trouble and strife, even though none of my rides have been beyond the two hour mark. So yesterday spent alot of the day laying the foundations of a deck with my son Lawrence instead (he is very talented at that sort of thing), before heading out for a lengthy meal at the Commerce restaurant in Mirepoix. Today felt refreshed and recorded my fastest average speed all year and also went past my total mileage for last year! Finished a hugely entertaining biography of the late John Mortimer too, as well as finding time for an evening stroll with Mrs M to keep her sweet.

Wind and rain

Very Autumnal type day here, quite a contrast to the previous two days. Still, decided to brave the wind and set out after lunch in the direction of Limoux. After a small 3km climb after about 30 minutes the rain began and kept me saoaked all the way back - the second climb of the day (The Col De L'Espinas) was over 8km in length, not steep except at the top but pretty miserable because of the climatic conditions. The descent on the rain-soaked roads was quite hairy in places. Feeling stronger every day but sure was glad to reach the dry at Les Senies!

Daily routine

Have got into a good routine of getting out for a ride every day so far- 4 days on the trot. Saturday was hot and overcast and I went out with Nick (10) for a circuit to Camon and thereafter for a ride out through Belloc. Yesterday was very hot and sunny in the low 30's and I completed a mainly flat course out towards Pamiers and back, meeting Ro and Lawrence for a drink in Mirepoix on the return. Today was very breezy, but undeterred I went up to Puivert and back, some 55km round trip with the return leg being completed some 8 minutes faster than the outward leg! Feel I am now really getting into the swing of it!

Back in the Pyrenees via Bilbao!

Arrived back at Mirepoix this afternoon, after spending a couple of expensive days in Bilbao. Greeted by a humid overcast day and with the usual metre high weeds in the garden (having grown like that in just over a month since I was here for the Tour De France). Attacked and dealt with them straight away and within 3 hours of arriving was out on the bike with an opening short Camon circuit - caught a French chap up and we rode together for the last few kms. I put the hammer down a bit and tried half heartedly to lose him but he had no problem staying with me. Mind you he had about a 10 year advantage on me! Hairy legs though and as we know shaved legs can make all the difference. Looking forward to the next 10 days here...

Like driving a car without sat nav

After spending the day in hot muggy London what better than to get home to sunny Sussex and get out for a shortish evening ride. Got on the bike to find the computer was not working - felt a bit weird without it, rather like being in the car without sat nav! Still decided to ride without it and it was strangely liberating not worrying at all about average speed, distance etc. I still knew how far I had gone as it was a regular circuit through Hartfield and back round to East Grinstead. Came back to a house full of ladies as my better half had organised a Jamie at Home evening which seems to involve significant quantities of Pinot Grigio and some very loud conversation. The chocolate brownies that were made are a definite plus point though.

First time in a week (no not sex!)

Being busy at work and going to see your beloved parents over the weekend are not conducive to getting out on your bike, so last evening was the first time in over a week. Even then was a bit restricted on time as a result of Mrs M laying on the emotional pressure about being left alone with Mr Savignon Blanc too long. Also the enticement of the smell of something delicious in the pot! So chose a 33km outing around Ardingly way to stretch the old legs. Way too much traffic in places but felt better for it.

Mont Ventoux?... er no

The changeable weather continues but Saturday was ok enough to get something in in the afternoon, down round Haywards Heath way. A crosswind hampered progress on the way back, but I gamely struggled on! Returned to watch the closing stages of the battle up Mont Ventoux where Contador, the Schleks Armstrong, Wiggins and others gave their all.

Rain in the Forest

Felt re-energised this week, probably from watching all the exciting Tour action in the Alps where the battle for Yellow has really hotted up. Monday evening I rode to Uckfield. Used the A22 on the way down. Whilst it was fast, it was also nastily busy, so came back through the lanes via Nutley. Last night I was out again, this time across to Tunbridge Wells. The rain came down heavily on the home run, quite refreshing in a way. The roads though are in a bad way, potholed from all the recent bad weather and slippery to boot. Some of the potholes are like moon craters and would cause you a nasty problem if you hit one on a bike. You certainly have to concentrate on the road ahead around here. Oh to be back in France!

A blast ...

Managed a short blast around Hartfield and East Grinstead before the bad weather set in last night - the sky being lit up with massive lightning streaks and deafening thunderclaps very soon after I had arrived home. What struck me on my ride after being in France was the traffic volume. Not nice.

Taking it easy..

After yesterday's exertions I opted for an easy early morning ride of just over an hour. The weather was again perfect with no wind! Ended the ride in Mirepoix with a grand cafe creme in the square, where there was a painting and sculpture weekend. Returned to Les Senies with lunchtime baguette jammed into the rear pocket of my retro Carrera jersey.

Le Tour 2009

Beautiful hot cloudless day in the Pyrenees today. I was up early and with bike and various food and refreshments packed was out of the door soon after 7am. Headed straight for the slopes of the Col D'Agnes via Massat, the final climb of the day for the Tour De France. Eventually found a passable spot about 6km from the summit and had the foresight to turn the car so it was facing down the mountain for a quick escape after it was all over. But first I was on my bike up and over the summit- quite steep and already very crowded with spectatours shouting encouragement. Obviously not really a good idea to launch straight into a strenuous climb without some warm up flat, but I coped. Stopped for the obligatory photo at the top at 1,57o m then it was a plummit down the other side towads St Girons. I turned off to climb the beautiful 942m Col du Saraille which also had some petty steep sections, especially early on. From there it was back to Massat and the balance of the climb of the Agnes back to my car. The last 2kms were a real struggle against 'Le Bonk'. It was a long wait for the publicity caravan and I occupied myself in the traditional manner, eating bread and cheese and reading. The usual cheap items of tat were slung from the caravan, although I fancy this year rather less than nomal. Perhaps it's the credit crunch taking its toll! The riders started to come through mid afternoon and the leading groups were going up at a pace that defies belief. Hats off to them. Poor old Mark Cavendish the sprinter was in a group some 20 minutes down who seemed to be going little faster than myself at my best. Or so I would like to think! Thyere were still some stragglers after that. Now back at Les Senies feeling exhausted. I think it will be a more local flatter jaunt out tomorrow.

Le Vent

Yes the wind is back with a vengence. Today it was sometimes a full on headwind and at others a debilitating cross wind. It never seemed to be behind me. It took an awful lot of effort to get round today's circuit. I had opted for a ride from the house, as tomorrow will involve alot of driving to watch the tour go through on either the Col De Port or Col D'Angnes. Today's climb was the Col De St Benoit near Chalabre which only goes up to 600m but still felt hard probably becuase of the heat and yesterday's exertions.

No pain no gain

Got the morning flight down to Toulouse. After an early lunch I popped the bike in the car and headed off to Foix - weather not too great, overcast and threatening rain. After parking up I headed out towards St Girons and immediately warmed my climbing legs up on the Col del Bouiche which featured in last year's tour. Some 6km in length but not too steep. The road over the other side was busy though and none too pleasant. After around 20 minutes I turned off at La Bastide De Serous and headed up a small road meandering up the valley to Nescus. At around the 25km mark the road started to narrow and head seriously upwards as the main climb up to near the summit of the Portel began (I think it is the climb of the Col de Jouel but I am not 100% sure). The climb was made harder as the road had been regravelled, so that every time I stood up out of the saddle the back wheel would slide under the load. Altogether it was a toughie 12km climbed starting at around 5oom and ending up at 1375m making an average gradient of over 7%. Certainly stopped a few times and not just to admire the stunning views! At the top it was a fabulous wide road down all the way virtually into Foix, some 25km making around 6okm in total. I certainly felt like I deserved that beer!.

Cold Turkey

Am stuck up in the wilds of Leeds and not been out on the bike for a week - so getting withdrawal symptoms. Compensated with a couple of runs over the past two days. Felt weird after all the cycling. Still off down to Toulouse Thursday morning for a few days of cycling Nirvana and also to watch a stage or two of the tour - that is hotting up after yesterday's stage three and the wily old Lance snatching some 40 seconds over some of his rivals in a main bunch split. Team time trial starting soon... that will be interesting!

Heatwave

Tonight was the first opportunity I had since coming back from France on Monday morning. The temperature has been sweltering around the 30c mark and my office has been like a sauna. once it had cooled down a bit this evening, I slipped out for an hour or so still working up a big sweat. feels good now though! Also greatly looking forward to the start of the Tour on Saturday and Armstrong's return....

Back again

Madly drove down to Mirepoix overnight on Thursday, arriving at breakfast time yesterday morning. We are back this time with Seb, our eldest (just back from 3 months of travelling around the Far East on a Gap tour) and his girlfriend Aly. Seb had been bragging as usual, this time about how he was going to 'whip my arse' on the bike - so at the first available opportunity we were out, Seb asking me to keep it short before we had even started! He is actually very fit but cycling is not at the top of his sporting activities and he has the build of a sprinter not a hill climber. Still once kitted out he bore more than a passing resemblence (at least when stationary) to Mario Cippolini (The Lion King) the legendary sprinter and womaniser. We completed a short 30km loop with one medium climb. He survived and I am sure will come out again sometime. He definately did not whip my arse on this occassion though. This afternoon was much hotter and I completed a longer 68k ride via Chalabre, along to Puivert then up over the Col de Babourade to Belesta. From there it was up and over another couple of mini climbs either side of Leran and back to Les Senies and home. The heat certainly made it more demanding and I had run out of water completely just before the end.

Chalabre and beyond

Today saw me out after the obligatory visit to the Monday morning market in Mirepoix and before lunch. The wind was still there but more of a crosswind on my route today, down to Chalabre and then on through to La Bastide sur l'Hers (where we had viewed a huge but decrepit town house back in 2007). From there it was the short climb up and over to Larouque d'Olmes. On that stretch I felt like a rider from the 1950's as they were resurfacing the road and it was at the gravel stage. Any moment I expected to be confronted by a flat but my luck was in. From there I was buffeted by the crosswind all the way back to Mirepoix and a welcome lunch outside.

Windy as usual

Took my son Nick out with me for the first part of my ride today. He is 10 and has a nice little mini racer which he rides at a very reasonable pace (around 22kph on the flat). He still has a bit of trouble changing the old style gears. Unfortunately we had not gone very far before he fell off for no particular reason - no broken bones but grazed shoulder, side, arm and leg and a little bit of shock to go with it. Got him up and going again as quickly as practical as I felt this was the best way not to dwell on it. We did a steady 3km climb which he has done before. He managed it well, seated all the way and I am sure he will be up to the challenge of something bigger now. He certainly thinks he is!. Altogether we did about 20km before meeting up with my better half Ro. She had very sensibly had opted for a flat ride along the local old railway track now converted for cycling and walking. I then carried on out past Mirepoix to the village of Vals and back again - out with a vicious headwind all the way, the benefit definately being felt on the way back as I bowled along at over 40kph!

France yipee

We took the very early flight down to Toulouse this morning leaving behind brilliant sunshine. Greeted here by a very overcast damp day but still good to be here at our French retreat near Mirepoix. Got out for a nice fast loop round Camon which is one of my favourites. Traffic free as usual and incoroprating a fairly gentle 4.5km climb up through woods to get my legs adjusted again. Hopefully will try something more demanding later in the weekend - Although the final very steep climb back up to our house at the end of each ride is always a challenge!

Significant French climbs completed previously

Here is a list of those Alpine and Pyrenean mountains already conquered or struggled up:

Alps

1. Col du Galibier

2. Col du Telegraphe

3. Col du Lautaret

4. La Toussuire

Pyrenees

1. Montsegur

2. Col du Peguere

3. Col de Port

4. Col de Mente

5. Hautacam

6. Col du Tourmalet

7. Bonascre

8. Col de l'Aspin

9. Col de Peyresourde

10. Col de Portet D'Aspet

11. Col de Palliheres

Kent foray

Not a pleasant day at work with some tricky issues to deal with. Hence, easily enticed out by another sunny evening and headed into Kent, tackling Groombridge Hill (recently resurfaced) - varying gradient and good practice for France and the mountains. Going through Tunbridge Wells the weather took a sudden turn for the worst. Turning back, I was faced with a blustery headwind which needed an extra push to beat.

Recovery ride

I was right - spent most of the week with a bout of tonsillitis which kept me off the bike for a few days. It now seems to be pretty much banished, so was out this afternoon on a recovery ride - also testing out the google maps GPS facility on the Crackberry Which seems to work quite well. Should be a godsend in the Pyrenees later in the summer. 

Break in the weather

The weather has been a bit mixed for the past few days but was good enough on Saturday afternoon for a ride in the Haywards Heath direction - not particularly enjoyable as a result of a vicious headwind on the way back. Have since been laid a bit low with what I fear is another bout of tonsillitis.

Cooler weather

Noticable change in the weather last evening, cooler and with a hint of rain to come. Managed to fit in a Nutley circuit including up to the top of the forest and the fast long drop back down into Hartfield. Passed the 3,000kms point on my Bianchi UK bike during the ride.

3 counties

Really needed my evening ride today, after very stressful day rushing from meeting to meeting in the heat. My lovely wife had cooked up a delicious macaroni cheese which I wolfed down before setting out - good fuel and I felt strong. Did a 40 km loop taking in Sharpthorne, Turners Hill, Lingfield and East Grinstead - In the process taking in 3 counties: East and West Sussex and Surrey.

Sticky Sunday

Gloriously hot cloudless Sunday in the Ashdown Forest. Chores of gardening and barbecuing out of the way, I was able to get out in the afternoon for a 80 minute blast around the roads of the forest - quite a few of which are having much needed resurfacing repairs. Was still very hot and sticky, with quite a gusty breeze in places. Came up behind a group of 5 riders cycling in formation near Haywards Heath and greatly enjoyed shooting straight past them and out the front - Admittedly they did seem to be taking things rather easy!

Returned to watch the nail biting Giro finish between Memchov and Di Luca - Menchov deservedly winning it by less than a minute after falling heavily on the cobbles of Rome in the last kilometre of the finale time trial. Looking forward to see Lance and the others in action in the Tour in just over a month.

Bank holiday bliss

The weather forecast for today was the usual bank holiday wetness closing in. So woke early and was out on the road at 6am on a loop through Hartfield, Groombridge and around Tunbridge Wells. Was as traffic free as you are ever likely to get in Sussex - I did not see a car for the first fifteen minutes and even after that there was only the odd vehicle out and about.... Just like it usually is when going out from my Pyrenean base near Mirepoix. The hour and an a half without having breakfast first is probably about the limit though before the bonk sets in. Soon after my return the heavens opened and the rest of the day has been damp at best.

Lunchtime ride

The guys at Future Cycles had done their stuff - so me and newly fixed bike went on a lunchtime out and back ride from Forest Row up to Goat and then through back roads to somewhere near Haywards Heath. 

Was quite pleased as I took 38.28 on the outward run and only 37.21 on the return, even though the far point at turnaround was at a lower elevation. Quite a few other riders out making the most of the weather.

Sunshine

A beautiful sunny day in Sussex, am off to collect my Bianchi from the repair shop - last weekend whilst out on a ride near Oxted a link in the chain gave up the ghost, jamming the derailleur and leading to the drop out being bent beyond repair. Hopefully the boys at Future Cycles have done their stuff.

In case you are wondering

My blog title is biking slang for an easy ride, which normally what mine are (bike rides that is), although I think some would disagree. See here for useful source of biking slang http://kba.tripod.com/slang.htm which has some classic terms in it.

Welcome to all

Welcome to my new blog, where I will be sharing with you all the ups and downs of my cycling life - well at least as and when I have the time and inclination!