Weekly Rides

I've just been doing a weekly ride at weekends usually on a Saturday for an hour or two lately, plus 2 or 3 commutes to work. Along with weekly swim and a gym session, plus a long Sunday walk and gardening on our allotment it keeps me pretty fit. I did a ride the other day which looked a bit like a fish!

 



I've been recording my activities on Strava - so have neglected this blog a bit. I still keep toying with the idea of a round Europe unsupported ride.

Ride to Birmingham

I set off today at 06:20 to cycle to Birmingham, where my wife is visiting our niece. It was nice and cool at the start, but soon warmed up. Had a coffee at Winslow service station, travelled on through Buckingham and Stowe. There were loads of classic sports cars on their way to Silverstone.

I stopped for a sandwich and cold drink then carried on to Warwick, where I had a quick look at the castle and some old bits.

I stopped for another coffee by Hatton Locks - all 21 of them! 

The road was signpost to Solihull where I went, only to realise that it was a bit far east. After a bit of wiggling I made it about 3pm. 97 miles. Route here https://www.strava.com/activities/171116092

Strava

I've started using Strava on my iPhone, partly so I can track a friend who's cycling to Devon and back. I've used it a couple of times so far on rides to work, once with my phone attached to my handlebars. It seems quite a fun app, and gives some interesting stats. I might see whether using my road bike for commuting is faster - although I prefer using my hybrid in busy traffic and on bumpy roads. My user details are http://www.strava.com/athletes/5479170

Norfolk

Nicky and I have been staying in Catfield, Norfolk and did a 30 mile bike ride yesterday by the coast and around Hinkling Broad in the sunshine, and wind.

Stewkley

I've just had a pleasant 24 mile round trip on my road bike in unseasonable summery weather. I did a couple of commutes to work last week on my hybrid. I haven't done that much exercise lately, as I managed to strain a knee training for a half-marathon and have had a cold or flu. But I'm better now and have transferred my running place to my son. Next weekend we're off to Norfolk with bikes, so it's bound to rain!

Spring rides

I haven't been doing any particularly long rides lately, just commuting to work once or twice a week and the odd weekend ride. Last weekend I did a 15 mile ride up over Ashridge and saw some bluebells poking through. Then on Sunday Nicky and I did a slightly longer ride to Stewkley and back via the Red Lion pub at Marsworth (25 miles).

I've also started doing some training for the Ashridge Half Marathon on 22nd June. My longest run since school is 10km about 5 years ago, so it will be quite a challenge. I'm just looking to finish though by a mixture of jogging and walking!

Skiing the Col du Tourmalet

I spent half term skiing with my wife and our 2 sons in the Pyrenees and had good weather and snow. The area included a famous pass used in the Tour de France, although the pass is only snow free in the summer.

I was pretty stiff at the start of this last week and had a work conference away, but I did a 22 mile ride this afternoon in springlike conditions.

Lunch at Winslow

The weather was sunny and quite mild, so Nicky and I cycled to Winslow for a light lunch in a cafe. 35 mile round trip.

Afternoon Ride

I've just done a 25 mile ride on my hybrid this afternoon over Ashridge to Eddlesborough then across to Mentmore via the great train robbers bridge and back through Wingrave. I didn't fancy a full days ride like last Saturday which seemed to take a day or two to recover from. Anyway it was wet this morning and I had my Tesco shop to do as usual. The hybrid made a pleasant change on the bum, and was only slightly slower, with an average of 12.2 mph. Mind you the comparison is difficult as today was shorter - but hillier 

Ride in the Sun

The weather was clear and sunny today, if a little cold, so I set off at 8:30 for a decent ride. Stopped for a coffee at Winslow then across Aylesbury vale and uphill to Brill. Then went on to Long Crendon for a cafe lunch. Back via Thame and Longwick, where I bought a tea from the garage and drank it sitting on sacks of coal. I was feeling pretty weary by the end of the ride, at 2:30. 61 miles total, average speed 12.6 mph.

Xmas Rides

I managed to fit in 3 rides over the holiday period on my road bike, in between the showers, including a 23 mile ride on Boxing Day in the mist - with the sun breaking through.

I was given an iPhone 5 case for my bike by one of my sons, but haven't tried it out yet. We also got a cycling book called 'Escape Routes' with short round trips in England. I plan on doing a fair bit of cycling this year to keep fit, however the only long trip we have planned is a tour of East Anglia in May with Nicky my wife. We'll carry our own luggage and stay in pubs and B&Bs.
My wife, eldest son and I all made resolutions to loose some weight this year, and apart from a low fat, high fibre diet, I'll be continuing my regular jogging, gym and swimming sessions. I did a 7 km run on Monday on often muddy footpaths. I'm 12 stone now, and hope to get down to 11 stone by Easter.