The Runcorn Bridge

After the bad news of last night I knew I had to be careful today, that didn't change the fact that I had to do a recce ride today. Fortunately the ride itself was quite short and flat. I met Jen on the train and we headed over to Merseyside, this time the ride started in Speke. Once we got on the trans-pennine trail Jen started demanding geocaches (I think someone is hooked!

The first couple were fine, although I let Jen do the scrrambling through the bushes this time. But then we got stuck, the clue being a slab and no slab nearby. Never mind we moved on to the next by the bridge. No luck again but time I think it was us as it was a difficult one, one I'd like to retun to. One last one had me scratched to pieces and then we got the train home. (before I broke myself we had talked about riding).

Next week I have two days in schools in merseyside so train times are planned, work is giving me an easy week mileage wise the week after so hopefully the back will improve. I've even taken the advice on ibuprofen and I'm taking it. So heal back heal!

Broken

Well it seems I really am broken this time. I had the weird bum/leg/back pain again so tried massage/exercises/stretching with no luck. So after another night of waking up in the night I emailed mills physio with a help fix me plea. Today I headed over to hebden bridge after work, ok riding up the road to her house on my fixie my not have been sensible but it was too much of a challenge (i made it just!)

Anyway she poked, prodded and did lots of clever and painful things but the muscles in spasm just wouldn't relax. So i'm now taped up and have to try and rest as much as possible including no long rides where 5miles counts as long! I'm still hobbling when walking but no way can this get worse so I'm being sensible, already asked for an easy rota for next week at work to cut down the miles. Anti-inflamitories taken, tomorrow will be heat/ice etc.

Guess that means the end of exploring on my commute like this morning, just followed my garmin and found a nice path. Although I wasn't quite on the right bike for it!

On the track again

A post on the Mills Cycling Club forum about a track session went up the other week and I was quick to sign me and Ali up. It was a late one running 8pm-10pm and I was working in Warrington so I had lots of excuses for being slow.

We were asked to go on the track if we were 'experts'. Ali and I didn't think we were in that category but apparently being accredited meant that we were. So we went on and a huge long line formed as we warmed up. After this I made the decision to drop to the 'intermediate' group as my twitter friends were in it and I like to talk at people! The first session was the same for both groups, standing up on the bends. I've tried this before during intervals at a cyclechat session and did not enjoy it. This time after the first couple I started to feel more comfortable.

We did a couple of other skills and then time for a chaingain in pairs, I like this as I seem less scared with someone next to me. I grabbed fellow Velocake rider Tim and we worked together, I thought we communicated well and did a good job of dropping back into the line. We also tried to speed the group up a little.

Meanwhile Ali was still flying round with the huge group of 'experts'.

Reminded me I do like the track, when is the next cyclechat session?

8/30

An early one today which is always a challenge for me but I'd offered to lend Kate a light for puffer and since Jumbly is running with her today I headed over to drop the light off with her before she left for the peaks, where they are doing something silly like running up hills in the wind and the rain. It was very windy on my way over and a bit drizzly but I was enjoying being out there. Back home again just as it was getting light with 1hour35mins on my garmin. Then to add to the smug feeling I did a core workout, always on my mind to do but something I never get round to, and then stretched. Brilliant start to the day!

Track time

I got an email on friday asking if me and Ali fancied joining the cyclechat boys at the track on sunday. Obviously even I knew me riding was a silly idea but Ali was keen. So we headed down at lunchtime. It was great to see some of the forum regulars as I don't go on cyclechat that much these days. There weren't many of them so the coach had them riding lots. It looked tiring but fun. Hopefully i'll be fit enough for the next one.

Oh and at long last we collected our track accreditation cards.

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Photos and improvements

First things first the official photos are up here. Not sure which ones I'll buy yet.

I decided to have a look at my times from the night stage this year and last year. Since the stage was the same, only when we did it and weather conditions from the week were different. Last year we did this stage on the first day so legs were fresher. This year it was Day 4.

Last year I finished the stage in 32:53 this year 28:52. This is a huge improvement! Comparing the winning female times (25:18 this year and 24:39 last year) there isn't that much difference. I am definetly a lot faster. Looking at it this way suprised me, I felt I rode the night stage badly. Other stages can't be directly compared but overall I think I am a lot faster.

In fact if it wasn't for the stage on the day my knee was sore I would have finished 3rd singlespeeder, I was third in two of the special stages - not bad as the only female!

If I do this event again I will have to do some training for really short stages, I did some short xc races this year and cross races throughout the winter, but they are all at least an hour long. Nothing like racing for less than 30minutes. I also think short stages like that are one place where gears really work!

Overall I am pleased with transwales, I think the fact it didn't hurt as much as last year made it harder to appreciate it! I am definetly more suited to longer distances than trying to go fast over a very short distance. Would I go back? Definetly the riding is amazing. But I think its time to find a new challenge!

Musing on transwales

The week disappeared so quickly. It got to the end and I was sad. The next two days were spent so down. I couldn't see any positives from the week and I felt like I was pretty rubbish. Today it is time to move on from that. The tent is drying, clothes are in the washing machine. It won't be long till the next adventure!

I don't think I appreciated what going to transwales singlespeed on a fully rigid meant. This was just my bike. I have to say I got so many positive comments during the week, as well as regularly being called mad!

The linking stages went really well. I think I was stronger than last year and I am definetly better downhill. A lot less people were going past me and I actually passed some. I was still feeling strong at the end of the week and still finishing in the top half every day. The special stages though were hard. At the first I was about a minute off the podium and I never got any closer. Last year I felt like I was making time up on the climbs, this year everyone was passing me. I gave it my all and it was never good enough. Now looking back I think that I would have been faster in the special stages with gears. But also how can I expect to be fast over such short distances? I knew the format didn't suit me. I didn't realise how strong the field would be this year. All the girls riding were fit and fast! None of us missed a stage.

In a few days I am sure I will be buzzing with the achievement, at the moment I am just down, I think I had got used to riding everyday and now I don't know what to do! The tempatation is to go out riding loads but I know if I am being sensible I should take it easy till kielder100, I have the miles in my legs now I don't want to overdo it!

Transwales 2009

Day 1

86km 1650m climb

Day 1 was billed as 80km but my Garmin recorded 86km, other reports say 90km, but it was a good day in the saddle. My hands finished buzzing so I'm not sure a whole week of fully rigid is going to be a good plan. But I'm happy with how I am riding downhill! Most of the day was spent riding with Phil another singlespeeder. On the hills we would catch people up - or walk at the speed they were riding. Then when the road went down they spun away on us. We had 7 hours to complete the stage and I was comfortably within that. But I couldn't chance going a lot slower.

I saw Ali loads today as she chased me round which was exciting! back at camp and I couldn't find my cradle for charding my Garmin, plan at the moment is to use Ali's - which ruins her riding plans. Fingers crossed it turns up!

Day 2

85km 2523m climb

Yesterday Ali headed out on one of the rides I had plotted with one of the other support crews. They had a bit of a trio adventure, with stampeding cows, overgrown trails and vertical slopes to drag the bike up! Oh and in the end a friendly farmer to explain a better route than the one I had plotted!

We set off again at 9am to do 85km with a 11km linking stage in the middle. They told us some of the the climbing had been cut out of it. The day started with a 16km road section, where after we all turned round due to heading out of the town the wrong way, I ended up in the lead group for about 5 minutes. At which point the road went downhill and everyone pedalled off on me. The day was good with most of the climbing rideable and some great descents. It was fun riding down a descent fully rigid when others walked. It felt hard today and there was a lot of climbing before we reached the start of the special stage.

Soon I was on the start line with a promise of only 1km of climbing. After 10m the thought of riding fast uphill stopped and it was down to survival! There was definitely a lot more climbing than they had said! I was dreading Climach after a really bad ride last year. This time apart from twice when people stopped in front of me I rode all the descent and it was just one climb I had to push up (the guy with gears in front walked it as well). I was pleased with how I rode it but no idea how the time will compare (we have the Italian ladies marathon champion here!)

I got back to the Marie Celeste - car wide open, stuff all over the place, no Ali. Turns out she was chatting!!!

That evening while I had a hot shower, Ali cleaned my chain link by link, it might even be cleaner than when it was new!

During the day Ali spent her time looking for a new tent pole after one of ours snapped during the night. She found the most helpful shop in the world (Llani Leisure). They couldn't find the right pole, despite ringing practically the whole of wales and taking out all the poles in the shop. She then helped ali come up with an ingenious soloution.

Day 3

75km 2300m climb

After the pub last night I couldn't get to sleep. My knees were sore and I slept really badly. On waking I unlocked the car and struggled to get to it, the car locked itself just as I got there. I nearly collasped in pain and lay on the floor for a while before unlocking the car and getting onto the drivers seat. This is where Ali found me and was ver concerned about how I looked. I really thought my race was over!! Some painkillers and strapping and I was alble to walk. The plan was to try and get to the first water stop being careful and walking most of the climbs. I got there feeling not too bad. I was sure I was further back in the field than the previous two days. I had loved the trail we had been on - we even crossed the river of doom from last year, only this year it was gently lapping around my shins not up to my chest.

Then was the special stage. I had planned to take it easy but that went out of the window and I went as hard as I could, it was slow though compared to other times. But I was just happy that I had completed it!

On my way to the lunch stop I passed Ali talking pictures so stopped at the cafe and she bought me chocolate cake while I enjoyed my sandwiches. Then it was on my way. Lots of plodding and lots of pushing up hills. After one of the hills I met Ali who had rode over to meet me. We headed back to the last drinks stop before she drove to make camp and I walked/rode the last section.

I made cut-off by 30minutes which was pleasing seeing as I had had such a bad start to the day. We were in a tiny campsight on a slope, but I got my first good nights sleep.

I'm down to 5th now overall. I'm just not fast enough over short distances.

Day 4

65km 2100m climb

Today was amazing riding. It felt like constant amazing views and fantastic descents. It was either singletrack or rocky downs. We also did the seven river splashes from last year. Less scary when the water level isn't as high. I was feeling good all day and I arrived at the lunch stop buzzing!

Night stage was hard. My 30 second guy (Phil) caught me very quickly, I just had nothing in the legs on the uphill. I even had to walk a couple of bits and near the top my bike made an almighty noise. Which I had no idea what was, but sounded like the rear brake. Stopping and rotating the wheel backwards seemed to sort it. Then it was downhill, I was riding poorly to be honest, but some shouting at myself to look where I was going seemed to help.

Day 5

74km 2700m climb

We woke up to rain and wind. Lying in the tent it sounded so loud! Getting up it wasn't as bad as it had sounded. But I was still in full waterproofs. We climbed up fireroads, some walking was required but it was mainly riding. Then we hit some muddy singletrack. Lots of screaming from me as I slid my way down but I was impressed to nearly ride it all which is a big improvement. It was a long way to the first water stop and I ate half my lunch there. This turned out to be a good plan as after loads of the Brechfa red and black trails - which had me wondering if rigid was a good idea - we arrived at the start of the special stage. Ollie and I arrived at about the same time but I went and rode it straight away (after a bit of chatting) whereas he had lunch. Which meant he had to queue for a while before riding the stage. My legs felt fine but lacked power on the steeper stuff. so today I decided instead of blowing up after 500m like last night I would just ride. One or two bits were a struggle to get over but there was only one push and some downhill was done without braking.

The other thing today is I realised what Jenn meant about a hand position for downhills when I don't need to brake. That was where I was on the fireroad downhills today!

I left with the army guys but lost them on an uphill section when I walked. I was back just within the cutoff but I think it will be extended as the special stage was closed for a while.

Today was the end of the special stages, with only two more linking stages to go.

Day 6

65km 2400m climb

Woke up to rain again in the morning. But by the time we were riding it had stopped. We started on the road where people came past me with ease but once the climbing started I felt strong. We seemed more strung out today so it was easier to stay on the bike, yesterday I was stuck behind traffic that was just a bit too slow. We did a lovely bit of trail that could have been very boggy. Before lunch there were two climbs I walked. But after lunch the two big climbs were a nice gradient to climb. One of them was a climb from last year that I found really hard geared! We did one of my singing descents from last year and I cleaned it. Last year there was carnage and medics waiting at the bottom. The stage turned out 5km shorter than advertised so I was back with over an hour to spare.

Got back to the Marie Celeste again but this time eventually found someone who explained Ali had gone riding. Later on I find out she had got herself lost on the forest fireroads and had ended up following the signs for tomorrow and having another trio adventure without me!

Day 7

60km 2000m climb

The last day and I couldn't believe it! We set out and my legs felt strong. We did some of the trails Ali had rode yesterday and she was waiting at the first water stop. After that my legs felt good on the hills and we went across some moorland which really strung the field out. After a nice descent it was some cycle path which was slow going as it was so busy - I had forgotten it was saturday - before lunch, where Ali was waiting with cake. Here they had some girls to put squirt tattoos on, I was confused they weren't lubing my chain, turns out hire-a-blondes don't do that! After lunch apart from one climb and descent where Ali was waiting again which felt a bit like cut-gate-lite it was all road and before I knew it I was back, disappointed to finish and wanting more. How could it be the end?

We went into town for food and then stayed for the prize giving. I got a special prize for riding the whole event on a rigid-singlespeed. Just as we were leaving the squirt guys gave me a spot prize of a bottle filled with Jelly Babies, I was excited everyday I saw them handing them out!

So its the end...................what next is the question?

Getting nervous

Rich decided to try and use me as a model for one of his pics at SITS, needless to say I'm not great at that.

I had lots of lectures that racing at SITS was not ideal prepartion for transwales, but for me it was good - now that my shoulder is less sore. I now feel a bit more confident and I had a great weekend. It also took my mind off transwales, now though I am feeling really scared. Last year the aim was just to finish and I was so pleased with my podium finish. This year I have set myself the crazy challenge of singlespeeding but I know I would love to get on that podium again. Think is it depends more on who else is there than me in lots of ways. I'll never be one of the really fast girls! I am faster than I was but that puts me in the average as oppose to slow category now. Still I need to concentrate on packing etc now and not on worrying!

Do you think a short ride would be so bad tomorrow?

A summer evening!

Today I had only 30 miles to cycle to and from where I was working so I planned a mountain bike ride with Odile in the evening. We arranged to meet at the Hare and Hounds in Holmecombe. I had to ride home fast to be in time and amazed myself with a 15.5mph average. It was then onto rigger and off on the ride over. We had a great ride in the sun on dry trails, but I didn't really test the forks - although the cobbles hurt! Once back at the pub we met Ali and had some food and a couple of drinks before heading off home.

A great way to spend a summer evening!

March Roundup

A good and bad month. Some good adventures this month and the peaks epic was an unforgettable ride! After planning it and getting up so early it was amazing how well it went. But the bad was also there. I didn't do a century ride - although plenty of metric century's - and I didn't run the last two weeks of the month. So next month its back to riding a century and getting my trainers back on. I think I need to find a running partner to run once a week with, only thing is they have to be my speed and ability - everyone I know who runs is a whole lot better!

The figures:

17.65 miles running
314.10 miles moutain biking (254.61 singlespeed)
65.48 miles cyclo-cross
246.55 mile road

16309m of ascent


Progress on targets:

1. Run at least once a week Failed :o(
2. Run 300miles in the year 26% complete
3. Cycle an imperial century a month Failed :o(
4. Cycle 8000miles in the year 24% complete

In a spotlight

I met up with a few people over at Rivington for a night ride. I want to push myself a bit more by riding with other people more. There ended up three of us and we headed up onto winter hill where donk had to leave us as he was having chain jumping off issues. Back up the boggy cheeky trail from Belmont. Halfway up there was a car stopped on the road shining a very strong light on us, very odd. They eventually went and I was glad I wasn't on my own. We split on Georges Lane and I headed home. It was lovely up there and it was nice to ride with others.

26.95 miles @ 8.5 mph
857m ascent

February Roundup

An odd month, I got my cross bike at the end of last month and did my first cross race this month. But there has hardly been any mountain biking! I have found motivation hard in the last couple of weeks but still there have been two century rides.

The figures:

22.73 miles running
51.84 miles moutain biking (all singlespeed)
139.58 miles cyclo-cross
427.85 mile road

15220m of ascent

The two century's were both great fun, the first being a ride to edale for cake! The second being my first audax ride.

Progress on targets:

1. Run at least once a week Still on target
2. Run 300miles in the year 20% complete
3. Cycle an imperial century a month Two this month!
4. Cycle 8000miles in the year 16% complete

My first Audax

Today I rode my first Audax. It was a 120km route from Rochdale. Once I rode there and back I worked out it would be 100miles, that would be my 2nd of the month. Just think this time last year I had never rode an imperial century! The plan was to meet a bunch of guys off cyclechat at the start so at 7:30am I headed out off to Rochdale, it was a little chilly but I was in less clothes than I have had to wear in a long time. I made good time and had time to relax at the start. Soon we were off, a group of five of us in total. The route started out with a general introduction before some hills, mainly steady climbs as oppose to short sharp steep stuff. Evetually we ended up in Waddington for a nice Cafe stop and to get our cards signed. Then it was back to Rochdale for out free pie! Then we headed off our seperate ways. A really good day and great value at £5 compared to what you pay to enter a sportive!

107.32 miles @14.2 mph
2146m ascent

January Roundup

This month has been a great start to 2009. I have made a good start with my targets and my mileage is up on January last year. I also found out I get to do transwales! It's not a suprise I did more mileage really as last January I was only starting out to build a base from nothing. Anyway here are the figures:

36.31 miles running
284 miles moutain biking (all singlespeed)
20.81 miles cyclo-cross
337.03 mile road

14800m of ascent

It's been a good month with some real highlight adventures. Some of the best have been my first singlespeed ride in the peaks, meeting kate on that ride - she seems nearly as crazy as me! The ride last weekend with Vix where I did 63 singlespeed miles. Oh and completing my first 100miles of the year. Along with Ali coming out riding more. If every month is like this month I will be happy!

Progress on targets:

1. Run at least once a week Done for January
2. Run 300miles in the year 12% complete
3. Cycle an imperial century a month January's completed
4. Cycle 8000miles in the year 8% complete

An amazing Birthday present!

Today I turn officially old according to Ali! I got up to an exciting box to open. Seeing as we weren't meant to be doing presents this year it was very exciting! I was made to wait to open that box and open other presents, Jon had got me some cool stuff! (A wired keyboard, we have a silly wireless one that stops working when it feels like it! A DVD about Lance and the all important bottle of wine). Then I started on Ali's box, inside there were lots of little parcels I had to open them in a certain order and the first one was an entry form for transwales!!! To say I was suprised was an understatement, it had been agreed if we could afford it Ali would do it and I would do support! We have even been planning her training (well I have!) The remaining parcels were the all important, Ali washing my bike, Ali putting the tent up, Ali and mel transporting my stuff, Ali cooking me food. I am so lucky and so excited! Only one question left, do I do it singlespeed?

Book Review - Marcus Trescothick Coming back to me


A man who starts a book talking about breaking down in tears in the corner of Dixons at Heathrow airport is a brave man, when that man is an England cricketer subject to media scrutiny that man is even braver.


In this book Marcus Trescothick takes us through his development as a Cricketer to his eventual retirement from international cricket.
Depression is a hidden illness and one which isn’t really understood. As Marcus states in this book his reaction to anyone suffering previous to his experience would have been “pull yourself together”.


The honesty in which he explains why he few home from cricketing tours and how he refused to accept his illness for a long time is both interesting and hopefully helpful to some who are suffering as well or know others who are. That a high profile sportsman has suffered like this will hopefully help in some way to remove the taboo over depression.


This book is certainly worth reading and I highly recommend it.

Rounding up 2008

Well 2008 has been a big year for me, I started this blog I started riding more. I entered transwales and finished, on the podium. I have discovered how much I enjoy long rides and managed my target of 6000miles in the year easily. I think this year I have rode more miles than the rest of my life put together.

My three targets for the year were:

1. Ride 6000miles - Done by the 28th September
2. Run once a week - Failed
3. Ride approximately 50/50 road/off-road - 48/52 close enough
   

Onto mileage for the year:

Total Cycling: 7922.99 miles

Road Cycling: 5145.29 miles

Off-road Cycling: 2777.70 miles (of which singlespeed 1437.28 miles)

Running: 199.24 miles

Then there is timewise. It varied but I'm not sure I'll ever have this sort of time to devote again.

All in all a fantastic year. I finished 3rd at hit the north, 3rd in transwales. I also completed some hard 100mile sportives, this time last year I couldn't have imagined that. So this year was a success.

Here is looking forward to 2009.

2009 plans

I'm still not sure on my plans for 2009. I am hoping to do the etape du dales again and will try and get into the Fred Witton in the lakes, apparently it is very over-subscribed. I already have entry for the legbreaker and have entered a couple of running races. But as my main event I'm not sure. At the moment I can't afford transwales and Ali still says she wants to do it. I think I might try and do a few 12hour races and one 24 hour race solo, not sure how I will go staying up for 24 hours though, I don't seem to be capable of staying up lae anymore I just fall asleep.

I am also thinking of trying to get into the three peaks, another event I believe is hard to get into. Then I am going to do most of the NWCCA events next year so that I have enough couting events.

What are your plans?

Another week down

So the last week has gone and hasn't been a great one mileage wise. But there have been positives in that I passed my SMBLA Trail Leader assessment.

Plans for the week were:
2 x singlespeed rides
2 x running
1x longish road ride

So what did I do?
I went running once,
did one singlespeed ride
and one road ride.

I haven't been with it since Thursday really, I found Wednesday so tiring, no idea if it was having to conccentrate for a period of time or the driving. I don't drive much anymore now Ali seems to do more of it. Thursday was a write-off I can't remember the day but I'm sure I did nothing. Onto Friday and I made sure I did my errands. Saturday was nice with the tree. But sunday i felt rubbish, stomach was unsettled, then I went to bed, wish I could have stayed there all day but Ali sensibly ensured I got up.

Anyway its a new week and although I'm still not with it, I'm hoping things improve, get through today and back to normal service I think.

So plans for the week I'm unsure, I would like to get out singlespeeding and one long road ride as it keeps the miles up nicely. Also get out running a couple of times, I'm sure Ali needs to go running so maybe we'll run together.