Not enough training

Found a great route on GPSies.com last weekend, downloaded it to the Garmin. 32miles starting a few miles up the road ideal. Had all Sunday free so off I went. I used to do 30miles downs rides quite often. I also decided to use the hardtail for the day, as I’m considering using it in July so ought to see how it is for a longer ride. I love the direct power transfer the feeling of all your effort going into turning the wheels. Little bit of a surprise when you forget you haven’t got the usual 5 inches of shock absorption under your behind. Its an interesting route, going mainly over trails I’ve done before but put together differently to how I would plan a route, seeming to go into and back out again of every available valley. Great training but I was all in by the time I crawled home, 36miles and 4000ft of ascending and 5 hours. That pace in July will barely fit into the available daylight hours, so I’ve not only got to triple the distance but I’ve somehow got to up the pace too. As for the hardtail, really pleased with it most of the time; although I did get a puncture on the rear and the forks are too long really so it’s difficult to keep the front end down on steep climbs. I also missed the forgiving nature of full suss later in the ride when tired and line choice becomes a bit lazy.

Jimdub and raa are coming out for some training miles in a couple of weeks, so I guess it is time to MTFU.

I started a pilates class on Tuesday too, I found this really helpful in my training before the C2C some I’m hoping that again it will help this time, but with working away from home a couple of days most weeks it is going to be difficult to get the miles in.

The new bike should be arriving in the next few weeks, hopefully I’ll have it by May bank holiday weekend, but that depends on Orange’s schedule not mine L.

Got out on the road bike, 28miles today, nice weather at the time, pub lunch managed to stay off the beer too. Roped in some logistical support for July today, so its starting to take shape.

Driving to Peterborough tonight, hopefully it wont rain all the way, although it's looking like there's an even chance.

Interesting couple of weeks

I've been getting out and about a bit the last couple of weeks. Trying to get my weekly milage up by degrees, managed 30-40 for the last 2 weeks, including turbo sessions. A couple of weekends ago managed to get a South Downs ride in, covered a quarter of the target distance in just under 3 hours, unfortunately I dont think that pace is sustainable for 100 miles, I'd love to do it in 12 hours, but I think a little realism needs to come into it.
Last weekend we were visiting family and I managed to sneak in a 10 miler up at Lee and Cragg quarries, blimey proper full on trails the climb from the car park started higher than Ditchling Beacon what we call a high point round here. Some great trails though, and friendly northerners at every turn. I was talking to a guy about his new white Orange 5 just like the one I've ordered (more of that later) who challenged me as to why I needed a new one, I think he eventually accepted the 'fancied one' argument, my more technical justifications didn't seem to cut it. They got me back on the right track after my slight detour through a wind farm (pictured).

Further on I was chatting to another couple of riders who were having a breather and offered they offered me some of their hot Oxo! I then caught up with a local called Dave who was recovering from the flu (!) and he led me back down off the moors and through the quarry on one the best singletrack I've done in ages. This youtube clip covers some of it although not me but as damp. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq78FhBC8Fk great stuff (a lot faster than me too). I was finished when I got to the car, he headed on back up for a bit more, he was the one getting over flu!

Dave has offered to take me out and show me some more next time I'm up there, which is very generous, lets hope these miles I'm trying to get in will pay off!

This week I've been over in Bristol for work and managed to get over to Ashton Court and tried out the Red and Blue trails there, again good fun, but by then my legs seem to have run out of steam. Everytime pedalling was required I found the tank was empty. Not where I wanted to be with my training. So decided to take it easy for a couple of days, eat well and plan to hit the downs again this weekend.

So I've ordered a new bike, hope to be getting it by the end of the month, very excited. Started by bidding on an ebay bargain, ended up with a great deal from SunsetMTB in Cardiff, wont tell the full story here but I'm quite excited, but have to wait for Orange to build the frame and paint it for me! I've gone a bit mad with the upgrade options too. Not actually sure if its the right bike for the SDW, but it'll be great for fun trails and trail centres. Just need to get my skills up to scratch.

I think thats enough rambling for now.