Leith and Let Die

The Wiggle Ups'n'Downs - rearranged after the atrocious weather at the beginning of May.  And what a good call that turned out to be.  The weather on sunday was perfect for cycling - not hot, just cool enough.

 

This was my third of a three pronged back to back sportive event in my quest to prepare for the Etape Du Tour.  It should have been my first - thankfully it was my last.  It was a tough nut to crack.

Ninety six miles of hurt and a mocking northerly to make the return journey all the more difficult.  The sportive started with a climb up Ranmore Hill.  The tempo was quick - lots of very keen riders and it wasn't long before I was being overtaken by the group that started behind me.  Unlike the previous week's frantic pace, the quicks on this event were individuals and the attacks seemed to be pretty isolated and uncontrolled and I didn't feel the urge to "follow that wheel".  Some of the riders I did pass later, some I never saw again.

I now feel I know the North Downs as well as I knew the back alleys and rec's that I played on as a child.  I could map the potholes on White Down - and know where I am on Leith Hill by how much lactic acid is in my legs.

This sportive   once again - stacked the pain in the last 25 miles - which was ideal for the Etape.  Leith Hill and WhiteDown all making an unwelcome appearance in the last fifteen miles. 

 

I had a sports massage on Friday and I felt terrible for the first twenty miles.  I mulled the possibility of following the Fun route at the split - and a Sunday lunch in front of the telly rather than a gel in front of the backside in front of me ! ! !  the legs worked themselves out

 

The summary according to Garmin:
05:58 moving time - 06:08 elapsed time (missed gold by about 6 minutes - 11 of which were spent at the second feed station in a queue for water).
1,744 m elevation - this is a little over the Col de Madeleine, and about a third of ACT I in total !
2,592 calories - thats good to know - I can tuck in to a few more mars bars tonight then.

I still havent stopped beating myself up about missing the gold - but that is life.

On a brighter note - the Veho camera was trialled - and a link to the footage will appear shortly - though it is still a bit wobbly.

Lazy Sunday

Small training ride with David T today.  Over to Dorking - up Ranmore - the hill that never fails to flog me -> down to Dorking and up Box Hill.  Coffee and cake in Cycles Dauphine and an ogle at the cycling porn of Cervelo frames and beautiful Colnago bikes.
That reminds me - do the lottery this week.
Home and back out with Lisa on the MTB to the Star.  This is not good Etape training - as it involves a shandy - a roast dinner then back to david Lloyd for a cookie and coffee and catch the end of Newcastle United beating Liverpool.
After a 200+ mile week last week - and hearing that Cav did Box Hill (6 times) on friday - I feel there is some justification in having a relaxed day.  This will turn in to a relaxed week - as Good Friday will mean only four days of commute.
Its just such days that Etapes are failed.  However - I know I have the distance in my legs - and I must climb harder climbs than Ramore and Box Hill to train seriously.
Dave and I have targeted the Wiggle Ups'n'Downs 80 mile sportive.  the first three climbs are within us - and the last one (probably Leith Hill) we have ridden a number of occasions (dave more than me).  If we can get lucky on the straights and downhills then we should get a reasonable time.
There is a LongLegged sportive on the following week-end - and this also has a few Surrey climbs included.  As I sup tea and and reflect on a lazy day I comfort myself with the upcomming sportives and the Fixie ride to work over the next four days.