'Tis all in the planning ...

All this snow and ice has been very depressing and has meant a total disaster as far as any winter riding has been concerned (except the indoor variety of course, which is supposed to be bad for the serious cyclist!). Have consoled myself a little by reading the excellent book 'In search of Robert Millar' with tales of his cycling in all weathers.

Also have been busy planning some events for the 2011 season - kicking off with some early local sportives from March through to June, distances ranging from 85 to 160 kms each. The 160 km ride is the Tour De Weald and will be a stern test indeed. I have also signed up for the Guide Dogs fundraising week in the Alps in late August - I did the Pyremean one in 2006 and it was very well organised and tough but fun. Last time I raised over £3,000 and hope to do at least as well this time, by starting earlier and doing some of it online. I will just try and find someone to do it with... any takers??!

Bison!

Beautiful sunny day more like late August than late October with the temperature around 22c, just perfect. Did an out and back 45 km ride to the Bison farm, which is situated on top of a hill north west of Mirepoix. Wonderful Autumn colours and far-reaching views made it all very enjoyable. Met Mrs M and Izzy back in Mirepoix for a late afternoon coffee in the old square.

An idle wind

Arrived back at Les Senies on Monday and yesterday I donned the winter kit fir the first time and went out on one of my regular shorter circuits. It was sunny but an evil biting wind made the ride heavy going and rather chilly on the descents. Still was great to be back out there though - with early snowfalls visible on the higher slopes in the distance too.

Enough is enough

By late morning yesterday I had had my fill of painting the garage woodwork. Encouraged by the almost forgotten sense of warmth from the sun, I set out for Horstead Keynes and beyond. Soon found out that the thin October sun was not enough to keep warm on the downhill stretches. Made mental note that it is time for the leg and arm warmers again!

Drizzle

Even though I am in theory a man of leisure at the moment thanks to those b***ards at Mazars, it has again proven difficult to get out riding. Waiting for a decent day is pretty futile, so went out today and was promptly drizzled on the whole way round. Cold it was not, so it was actually quite refreshing in an odd kind of way. Bike very smooth after its first full service, much like it was when new - didn't seem to make me any faster though.

Au revoir today

Last day at Les Senies - a pity because the weather is still fantastic and my legs are just getting into the swing of things. Managed to ride very day except for a day off on Sunday and have now got past 2009's French total distance of 1,100 km too, reason enough for today's beer! Let's see if I can keep it up on returning to dear old England and its cool wet weather!

The Ariege at its best

Beautiful hot and sunny day yesterday. Another new route discovered, again blissfully quiet but alot of it on those 'heavy' roads which are more than a little debilitating. After heading towards Pamiers, I took a small road out of curiosity along a pretty valley past the village of Vira. Although only a few miles for Mirepoix, the countryside in this valley is quite different, with more rocky outcrops and moor-like patches. Good work out too with two climbs including the Col de Sarnac coming before reaching Lieurec. After Lieurec there is a long steady climb up and over to Laroque 'Olmes and the fast flat road back to Mirepoix. The cold beer in my bar was well deserved!

At last the sun!

Have been back down at Les Senies since Tuesday but until today the weather has been squally, wet and windy but warmer than the UK. As a consequence, my first two rides were shorter than I would have ideally liked - trying to squeeze them in between downpours and being battered by vicious headwinds saw to that. Still, they were a couple of my usual scenic circuits and all was beautiful in that early Autumnal way. As I am here on my own this time, I also have to worry about what I am going to cook for my tea! Normally the lovely 'er indoors sees to all that so we can repose with a sundowner when I return from a ride. Today's weather was a different matter though. After rain this morning, the sky cleared and by mid-afternoon it was cloudless and around 25c. I wasted no time in riding down the beautiful road to Limoux and then back up through several small villages on a tiny D road I had not been on before. Hardly a car too. After the village of St Couat de Razes the road suddenly steepened into the quite demanding climb of the Col de Diede. Stunning views on the way up, but aptly named as I felt I had died half way up! By the time I was home it had turned into a more respectable 65km ride. Am now not only past last year's total distance but have also hit the significant 2,000km total. Not bad for an old fart as my kids tell me I am!

Away again

UK Bianchi in for a much needed service today (over 4.500 kms with no significant attention!). Tomorrow I am quitting the miserable rain of the UK for the hopefully sunny climes and climbs of the Pyrenees and surroundings for the next week.

September - better than August

Well the weather that is, which has changed for the better with some lovely sunny days but with an Autumnal feel. Blasted round the lanes near Sharpthorne, Haywards Heath and Horsted Keynes before lunch yesterday, a few days off the bike seemingly helping me to feel refreshed and strong. Now rapidly approaching my 2009 total miles and a few days in France next week should see me well past it (no not my age).

Something different

Bored of the local roads and the miserable weather, I set off yesterday by car for the Chilterns and a windy and lumpy 50 km ride around the Tring, Ivanhoe and Leighton Buzzard areas. Very close to the area of Bucks where I spent my teenage years and still familiar in parts - After I got my first racer at 12 I used to cycle all over the county during my holidays, regularly being rescued after punctures and the like!

Missing France already

Arrived back in the dreary old UK yesterday evening - most un-August like weather, quite cold and more than the odd shower. Was able to get in several more decent rides in France before our return though, including recording my fastest ever Col de St Benoit and Chalabre circuit at 91 minutes 39 seconds, several minutes inside my previous best. That vin rouge must be good for you!

Double header and more

Notched up another couple of rides in recent days - one being a 'double header' of two Cotes in one ride, a total of 9km of climbing in a 4okm ride This was followed yesterday with a blustery day in which I discovered a beautiful new route from Camon through to Lean on very narrow roads skirting round the Lac du Leran. Miserable weather today so no riding, but Nick badgering me for him to attempt the Col De Port before we go back - That will be a big challenge for him!

Perfect Sunday moning in the Ariege

Another beautiful still and hot day dawned this morning, so got out early for once to avoid the hottest part of the day (which I usually end up riding in, and it is going to be around 30c today). Quite a few assorted cyclists out on racers, mountain bikes and rag-tag shopping trolleys. Legs felt a bit leaden though probably after the effects of my record-breaking run out on Friday evening. During the week we had decided to enjoy a 'holiday within a holiday', traveling down to the beautiful Mediterranean town of Coulliore for a couple of days. Of course bike came too and luckily Mrs M did not make too much fuss about it. I cycled the first part of the journey down there from Mirepoix to just past Quillan, a lovely route incorporating the technical descent of the Col De Portel just above Quillan. On the way back on Friday (via Andorra for duty free shopping, keeping Mrs M sweet and cheap petrol) I rode home from near Ax Les Thermes across the stunning Plateau de Sault and incorporating the descent of the scarily named Col Des Morts. This was achieved in a frenetic record breaking average speed of 4km per hour faster than ever before, helped by a gradual loss of height overall during the ride. Without the nasty headwind in places it could have been even faster.

French rain is just as wet as anywhere else

Arrived back in Mirepoix yesterday, having managed only one short and uninspiring ride in the UK in the intervening ten days. Something has happened to the usual summer weather though as today dawned damp and humid, with intermittent rain showers. After some fettling of the bikes, the sky brightened a bit and Nicholas (11) and I set off mid afternoon for a circuit round to Camon. This was chosen to give him a slightly more demanding climb than he is used to. He coped with that really well, but at the top the rain came down and the normally fun descent with spectacular views turned slippery and miserable. Soaked through, I called for Mrs M who collected Nick at Camon whilst I belted home - spurred on my the knowledge that special home-made scones were waiting for us on our return. If the weather is better tomorrow, my ride will be something more of the Latvian hooker variety - demanding, particularly on the ups and downs. And Fatrat if you are reading this, why not get your trusty steed out of the garage, dust it off and put in a few miles?. Then we can enter a Sportive together sometime!

Tour Fever!

Arrived down at Les Senies on Friday evening after the long drive South and an eventful and boozy Thursday evening spent at the soon to be closed Manoir De Gourlay near Abbeville.

Got out on Saturday to preview the following day's stage of the Tour which began near Castlenaudry and finished at AX 3 Dommes. As part of my ride I did around 25km of the route between our base town of Mirepoix and Chalabre - described as being flat but most certainly not after Leran.

On Sunday we watched the Tour itself come through Mirepoix - a baking hot day at around 30c. We managed to find some shade and passed the long wait drinking Blanquette de Limoux from champagne glasses, all very civilised. As usual with a flat stage the riders were though in no time, leaving us free to visit friends for a couple of beers. I worked those off later with a fast and flat out and back ride to Les Pujols. Mrs M proving surprisingly receptive to all things Tour related this year agreed to accompany me today to the depart at Pamiers. Weather even more scorching than yesterday. Very pleased when by accident we stumbled across the Hotel De France where the Radioshack team were staying. They were imminently about to board the coach to the stat so we were able to see Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Andreas Kloden and others at very close quarters. What never ceases to amaze me is how a pro cyclist moves about with the absolute minimum of effort and often in a very birdlike manner. Lance is also shorter than me which somehow made me feel good. After that we cruised around the start village, bought some team Sky kit and a pink hat for Mrs M and watched the slow roll out. I christened my new Sky shirt after lunch by taking a long loop out through Chalabre and Puivert to Belesta, coming back via Leran. The heat was intense and debilitating and made worse when I ran out of fluids with over 10km still to go! Still the apres ride beer was that much more enjoyable.

The heatwave continues

Got out again early on Friday morning, assisted by the impetus of a power cut at home. It was just as well I did that as later the temperatures were close to 30 c and very humid. Felt in form and strong, also it was good to spend the hour and a half thinking about the important meeting I had at midday - major career change in prorgres after being stabbed in the back last month by my current senior partner. Thinking of that bastard certainly made me cycle more aggressively!

Blood sweat and tears

By 4.30 am on Tuesday I was out of the door and in the car on my way to Dover to catch up with the 2010 Tour De France stage 3 on the cobbles of northern France. Perfect crossing with Sea France to Calais, with the sensible precaution of a full English breakfast on board. From there it was less than 100 miles to a spot near the finish near the town of Haveluy, not far from Lille.

I parked up near the 5 km to go banner and got the bike out for a little exploration of the area and a futile attempt to find anywhere selling a baguette (all closed!). I rode down to the finishing straight and then looped back round to try out the final section of cobbles (pave) they would be riding later. And boy was it brutal, even at my sedate pace. At racing speeds it must be so hard on both bikes and riders and I am not surprised it causes so many problems.

After finishing the ride, there was the long wait until late afternoon when first the publicity caravan and then the riders themselves passed by. I have never seen a flat stage with the riders strung out so much in little groups - but with Geraint Thomas and Wiggo up there near the front. Poor Lance was on his own a couple of minutes down on the leaders having suffered a mechanical issue. Got some great photos, with some riders obviously having come off.

After negotiating the usual post race traffic jam, it was plain sailing back to Calais and home, a beautiful evening rounding off a great day. No baguette found until 7pm though! Vive La Tour!

Cobbles!

Yipee! I am off to the tour in just a few hours time as I am getting up at 4am to go to France for the day to see some of stage 3 on the cobbles. At only around 100 miles from Calais it would be mad not to. Or mad to do?!

Carp Diem

The heatwave continues and I took advantage and got out early on a couple more mornings last week, after my 1066 run last Monday. On both occasions a lack of sleep during the night had a noticeable effect on my performance. Combined with the heat, it made me feel very lethargic and sluggish - especially on Sunday morning during the slog up Groombridge Hill. All being well my next ride will see me past my 2009 UK total!

1066 and all that

Bored of the local roads round me, I popped my newly cleaned bike into the back of the car and set off into Kent. Parked up in Ticehurst before embarking on a long and highly enjoyable, if tiring, loop of 1066 country. I started by heading east on a gently undulating road which took me through Flimwell and Hawkhurst. From there I struck out towards Rye, through Sandhurst and Newenden, then turning off the A268 just before Peasmarsh. I followed a pretty back road past someone wonderful country houses and spectacular gardens, ending up in Wittersham after about an hour's cycling. From there I went through Stocks and dropped down onto the flat marshes near Appledore. Then I headed south east towards New Romney, on a very busy and unpleasant main road. On reaching New Romney, I made directly for the coast at Littlestone on Sea. By now the sky was cloudless but with a strong breeze to keep me cool. By the two hour mark I had cut back inland past Lydd airport and on towards Jury's Gap and Camber. Being past lunchtime I was starting to get pretty hungry - managed to find a cafe at Rye serving all day breakfasts. Not the best thing perhaps as cycling fodder, but it was cheap calories and that is what mattered. The route immediately after lunch came as a bit of a shock as it was along a rolling ridge towards Battle, with plenty of climbing. The breakfast lay as a greasy lump in my stomach for at least half an hour, but after that seemed to kick in! By the time I had hit some cross country back roads and reached Robertsbridge, the 100k was up and I was flagging. Every small hill assumed daunting proportions until I finally reached Ticehurst again on 113km. That felt good! Fully deserved the slice of delicious Banoffee pie that Mrs M served up this evening.

Daytime riding

Have enjoyed a couple of decent day time rides so far this week - sunny good weather, although blustery head wind on both occasions. Yesterday I rode down to Piltdown to recce a pub there (The Peacock, highly recommended for a decent pint of Harveys). The route on the way back was enlivened by a tree which had fallen completely across the road between Nutley and Chelwood Gate- luckily I was able to carry my bike over, whilst cars had to turn round and go the long way round.

A new experience - A Friday afternoon ride

A sudden and unexpected change of circumstances at work meant that I spent most of the week at home and this looks set to continue. One of the few benefits of this is that I might be able to get some day time rides in, which should also keep me on the straight and narrow. So Friday afternoon saw me out on the back roads near to Ditchling for a couple of hours. Far too much traffic about as 5pm came and went, but enjoyable nonetheless. Not having ridden for a week I felt pretty fresh and sharp too...

Back in Blighty

By Saturday lunchtime we had completed the long haul back up from the South of France. I had a van to return to Horsham, so popped the bike in the back. After dropping the van off, and with temperatures only just shy of 30 c, I took the back roads back to Forest Row - These were more undulating than they had seemed when driving the van and certainly worked up a sweat. Despite feeling a bit lethargic (effects of recent shingles still lingering I think) recorded fastest average speed of the year to date.

Le vent en France

Spent most of the past week or so down at the house in Mirepoix, with the weather being indifferent for most of the time and only hotting up on Thursday and Friday. We had endured the long haul (675 miles) down from Calais in a van loaded with more furniture for the house (and bikes!) and so I was well and truly ready for a few lovely circuits round the back roads.

These were somewhat shorter than I would have liked as there were some improvements needed to help finish of the back garden. Also my fossils had joined us for the week and needed some loving attention and devotion from their only son! I did however discover a couple of beautiful new routes. However, the wind was ever present and quite strong at times, providing a challengoing mix of headwinds and crosswinds as the wind seems to change direction every half an hour or so.

On my final trip out on Thursday I was climbing a smallish mountain near Chalabre only to hear the ping of a rear spoke snapping. Luckily it did not cause to much of a wobble on the way home despite a slight rubbing of the brakes. Have brought the wheel back to the UK for repair so all will be good for my next visit.

I can also report that SWMBO's delicious scones certainly do fortify you well for a fast ride out!

Off road and on road

Fabulous weather the past few days has certainly been taken advantage of - And I don't just mean by slaving over a hot BBQ or mowing the lawn. In the interests of business development, Friday morning saw me at the top of Devils Dyke with my mountain bike (yes I do have one) for an off road challenge round the South Downs with around 25 lawyers and bankers (there is a downside to everything in life!). My bike at 15 years old, well travelled in several African countries and having no front suspension, was easily the least valuable. Being a Trek though it is virtually unbreakable and that was needed for around 20 miles of surprisingly demanding ups and downs through the beautiful South Downs near Brighton. The views were spectacular and the BBQ and beers afterwards made it all worthwhile. It was certainly better than being stuck in the office all day. Last night after a tasty Moussaka lovingly prepared by my Jamie bloody Oliver obsessed better half, it was back to road work with a lovely ride out through Haywards Heath and Ardingly. The temperature was just right, having cooled down a bit from the scorching lunchtime. Not sure the weather will last though. Still later in the week it is down to France!

Duncton Sunday Sportive

An early start saw me down at Duncton before 8.30 am on Sunday - minus Lawrence my son, who had agreed to complete the short course with me but who had decided that his pit was a better place to be after a late night out. Looking at the course and distance (6o km) before the start I was aiming for a silver result, with the slim chance of gold if I really had a good day.

All started well, tagged on to the back of a group of a dozen riders who were going along at a good pace. The group split after about 15 kms and I embarked on a lonely section of the short course. This included the biggest climb of the day up to the back of the Goodwood racecourse. At the top I missed the small turning and carried on inadvertently onto a semi-professional duathlon circuit. After dropping downhill for about a kilometre I realised my mistake and after a debate with the officials there, had to turn around and ride back up to the top. This cock up cost me about 10 minutes and I spent the next half hour in a bad mood, struggling a bit with a headwind too. With about 15 km to go the course flattened a bit and I picked up the pace to finish in around 2 hours and 22 minutes, well inside the sliver limit but around 9 minutes outside gold.

Quite pleased - well inside the average time of 2 hours 47 minutes and in the top 15, and would have been the top 5 if I had not had the route cock up! Still next time.....

Wet and windy - Must be a bank holiday in England

Truly dreadful rainy weather yesterday gave way today to squally showers interspersed with sunny spells and with a strong blustery wind. With temperatures struggling to make double digits, I prevaricated all day about whether to go for a ride or not. After lunch, put off the inevitable by tinkering with another mountain bike I had picked up off ebay, putting on bar ends, water bottle cages and the like. Eventually, much to the annoyance of Mrs M, I set out about 5pm for a chilly circuit around Danehill and Haywards Heath. Felt more like early March than May and I cannot say it was enjoyable in the least - unlike the glass of Cabernet Sauvignon which greeted my return!

The sun has got his hat on!

Beautiful weekend again, so got out today for a longer ride of around 2.5 hours taking in Ditchling (but avoided the Beacon for fear of loads of traffic, particularly with the first Brighton marathon being on. Temperature got up to around 20c, just right. Absolutely ravenous by the time I got back. Good to see alot of other cyclists of all ages and descriptions out and about too. So many more than a few years ago.

The cat is away....

Er indoors is away for the weekend, which opens up all sorts of opportunities for weekend play! Not least some free time to get out on the bike, assuming that the weather holds. May have to go over Godalming way tomorrow, if so I will pop the bike in the car and take the opportunity to explore some different roads for a change.

All hail the Bruce!

First day back online here in Mirepoix - the old computer we use here had malfunctioned last November but a English computer guy out here called Bruce took it away and worked his magic so that we are now up and running again. Weather has been passable rather than spectacular, but alot better than in the UK so we are not complaining! Today the best day so far with a fair amount of sun and temperatures up to around 18c. After lunch we decided to investigate Dottie's kitchen over in Montreal, me riding and taking the cross country back roads route. Round trip of 61 km, very pleasant apart from the cross winds. Montreal is situated atop a very steep hill, my reward being a pot of coffee and scrumptious hot cross bun. It certainly fortified me for the return leg, which I did around 5 minutes faster than the outward leg.

Yippee.... First trip of the year to France!

Off tomorrow evening for a few days Easter R and R down in Mirepoix. A cold snap is expected but so long as the rain stays away, a few rides will be on the agenda. Can't wait.

Burgess Hill sportive Sunday 21 March 2010

Last Sunday I completed the classic 115 km distance Burgess Hill Spring sportive - yes starting and finishing in Burgess Hill of all places! This turned out to be an extremely well organised and sign posted event and despite a damp start overall the weather was reasonable too.

Quite demanding for this early in the year, with 6 or 7 key climbs and around 2,000 metres of climbing all told - on a route around the Ashdown Forest and into Kent as far as Groombridge and Hever Castle. Climbs included Pillow Mounds Hill, Kidd's Hill (AKA the Wall) and Groombridge Hill, as well as the Col de Cobb - short and very steep at over 20%. The early part of the course I dispatched with no issues, but was starting to feel pretty tired by the second feed station at 80 km in my home village of Forest Row. I was met by Ro and my son Nick which was definitely morale boosting!

The last 30 kms dragged interminably on and I was afflicted by severe cramp in the thighs, necessitating a few stops along the way. Actual ride time was around 4 hours 45 minutes, with which I must say I was a little disappointed. Then again as I have done virtually no riding all winter, it is only to be expected.

Lactic Burn

After dispatching some Mother's day chores and getting in provisions to ensure SWMBO had a fabulous meal on her return from work, I was able to slip out for an afternoon round down round Ardingly. Weather somewhat better but potholes just the same - roll on France at the end of the month. Felt a bit tired again, I think that hockey in the afternoon on a Saturday is not the best preparation for a Sunday ride. Seemed to have alot of lactic build up in the thighs too, only dissipated by some lovely Chilean Merlot! Does not bode well for next week's long Sportive.

Miracle

Today was the first day of the year that approached anything Spring like - The sun was out and there was not a cloud in the sky. Still deceptively cold. I donned my winter gear and set of for a Nutley and forest circuit, feeling a bit tired after yesterday's hard fought hockey match. After about 45 minutes of an arctic breeze battering my chest I decided to turn round and head for home. By the time I was back I had lost all sensation in my feet - They weren't back to normal until half an hour of the Chelsea v Stoke FA cup match had passed! Still I was out there and that is what matters.

Valentine's day!

The cold snap continues and continues to depress me - I had been hoping to get out for a ride this morning but we again awoke to freezing temperatures and flurries of snow. So instead am opting for a swim.

Being Valentine's day it is our oldest son's birthday so Mrs M has been busy in the kitchen - we are not only having a batch of her famously delicious scones but also my favourite dessert Lemon Fluff. If I am really good it may not be the only fluff coming my way!

Another sportive

Now signed up to the Duncton sportive on 9 May - Lawrence (18) is joining me and so we are doing the short 70km ride. Should be a good route though and not so much climbing

Springtime Classic

Underlined my intentions for an earlier start to the cycling season by signing up for the Burgess Hill Springtime Classic sportive to be held on 21 March - I had tried to book a couple of earlier ones to find they were already full (Including 'The Hell Of The Ashdown' which is this weekend). There are obviously some keen winter riders out there. Anyway this one should be good as it is mostly along local routes around the forest which I know and includes both Kidds Hill and Groombridge Hill amongst a total of 1,700 metres of climbing. The total distance is 114km and I am now negotiating with Lawrence my 18 year old to see if he will join me! Better get some training in.

First ride of the year

The extended cold and snowy weather ended during the week, to be replaced by plenty of rain and low grey scudding clouds. Temperatures still hovering around the freezing mark, so miserable all round - until yesterday when there was an unexpected break in the weather with a sunny day and temperatures up to 5 C! Spurred on by this and the sights of the pro teams making their preparations for the forthcoming Tour Down Under, I decided to venture out to kick off my cycling year. Suitably swathed in arm and leg warmers, long gloves, overshoes and a bandanna under the helmet to keep my precious bonce warm, I ventured forth into the Ashdown Forest - leaving Mrs M in front of the fire unable to comprehend why I would bother at all. A nice short 75 minutes later I had completed a potholed circuit around Sharpthorne and East Grinstead and despite it being some 3 months since my last foray on a road bike (In France) and the Christmas excesses I felt reasonably OK. Not tip top, but a good average speed and a start anyway, considering my first ride of 2009 was not until early March.

2009 and all that

Well, we are now in 2010 and I never did get any further rides in in 2009 and thus did not hit my 2,000 km target.

2009 was good in that I managed 1,916 km on the road, up on previous years which were:

2006 - 1,298 km

2007 - 1,042 km

2008 - 1,630 km

Also rather pleasingly this year' average speed was up by 0.5 km an hour over 2008 and 1.0 km an hour over 2007. The secret to 2009 was more distance done in France (1,098 km).

So for 2010 the aim is again 2,000 km and in order to do that I need to make an effort to do more in the early period of the year before May. Sounds like a good New Year's resolution!