United We Fell . . . .

Scott Long Legged Sportive - 16 miles in and a fast downhill section with just five miles to go to the first feed station.  The surface was greasy - and small rivulets were running down the country lanes.  Dave T had neglected to turn on his stopwatch - so I told him we were roughly on target for a 17.5 MPH average (Gold) given that were 43 minutes in to the ride.
The bend tightened - and Dave was in front of me - the back wheel skidded - a touch on the brake - and he was off - in front of me . . . .
. . . i downed my bike and we both went crashing in to the nettles and mud - the rivulets of fast running water making the feeling of skidding and lying in the road even more uncomfortable.  Dave was shaken - and his tights were ripped, legs cut and the road was littered with waterbottles and gels.  I was OK - years of rugby taught me never to look at ones injuries but to asses by feeling.  the left cheek of my arse hurt - but nothing serious - my left shin was cut - nothing serious - and my arm left shoulder and arm hurt again nothing serious.  My Altura shorts held up - but the Mavic sprints underneath had a hole.  I could ride.  Dave had  his moral shaken -wet - covered in mud - arese exposed to the world and depressed - he came off worse then me.  He sacked it off at the feed station five miles later where I left him beig attended by St Johns doing an excellent job.  I went on alone.
Wow - what a sportive - this was a beast.  70 miles - with Leith Hill (45 miles) and Barhatch - the wall - at 54.  This was a sportive designed by people who knew the area and loved their hills.  The weather made it all the more challenging - after 2 weeks of incessant rain - today we were met with incessant drizzle.  I kept the cagoul on at all times - and was wet through from start to finish.
The Garmin stats show 5hours elapsed time  - but I lost about 45 minutes sitting on the side of the road with Dave and while he was gettign patched up - hoping he would carry on.  My moving time as 4.19 hours - and this is a little more like it.  I didnt stop at the last feed station - nor would I have at the first one.
the climbs were treacherous getting out of the saddle meant rear wheel lost traction, the descents even worse - days like this are what life is all about - this was one for all the commuters - not the fair weather week-end warriors and kudos to all the finishers.
Best part of the day - passing the bloke on the train who was a bit snooty.  He was sitting on the side of the road at Barhatch pondering his life in the rain - as I pushed painfully passed him.
I nice sausage in a bun at the end and a cycle to Gomshall for the train - job done.  Now - sort out the rattle on the bike, wash the clothes - oil the chain - heal the wounds and the Oxshott Sportive next week.  All I really need is to feel the sunshine and a rise in temperature - one can dream.

Goals, Giro and Geordie Nation

A mixed week.  Highs include a visit to Stamford Bridge and first hand witnessing of two of the greatest goals ever scored there courtesy of Cisse.
Typically - the Chelsea masses left early - having given their team stick - allowing me to finish my prawn sarnies in the CQS Box in comfort.
Lows - breaking the motorcycle key in the Honda at 4AM the following morning - on the way to Blackfriars DR site to meet an engineer.  This prompted a 50 quid taxi journey.
Oh - and with the Long Legged sportive on Sunday - the rain still has not stopped - and shows no sign of stopping.
100 miles cycled up to now - mainly wet - all on a fixed wheel and with another 100 in front of me tomorrow, even though I bought the mudguards in late Feb - I already  have my moneys worth out of them.
The big decision now - shorts or "tights" (prefer shorts), short-leeve or long-sleeve (could be a short sleeve day if I could find my arm warmers) - peanut butter sarnies or gels.  Surely it has to be a shoe covers day - and definitely cagoul - all of which annoys me.
The Long legged garmin profile will not load up - so I am riding "blind" unaware of the early stages of the course - but painfully aware of Leith Hill and White Down at the end.
Praying for a tail wind early on - and not really siure whether to push for a fast time - or just get some miles in my legs.  I will let Davey T dictate the pace - and try and lead him around the race after the first feed station.
Just enough time to put the money won on bet365 (Pappa Cisse to score first at 7/1) on Geraint Thomas to win the TT as the Giro kicks off today - and as Hugo has pointed out - we appear to have Eurosport UK enabled on the TV.

Oh the Pain

Sunday's ride called off.  It was pouring - and on the walk to the DLC for the consolatory  go on the spining bike I did notice a tree was down - the road was flooded and shuddered at the thougth of taking on Leith and White Down in these conditions.
At the David Lloyd - I put in half an hour at 250 watts - which - I am assured is roughly 500m climb - or a quater of the Col Du Madeleine.  Jeez - this is going to be hard.
On a sunnier note - I have a seat in the box for the Newcastle United / chelsea game at Stamford Bridge.
And on another sunnier note - my February bet on Roy Hodgson paid out at 16/1.
And Hugo and I know that we will be seeing an all Ireland Heineken Cup final at Twickenham as Ulster take on Leinster.  The chance to see Brian O'Driscoll at last.
Back to the bike and the Etape Prep.  The cancellation of the sportive left my miles and elevation for April a little lower than I wold have liked 510 miles (down on March's 685).
May is a big month - with the Long Legged Spotrive this sunday - followed by the Oxshott sportive and then the re-arranged Wiggle Ups and Downs.  The chance to put some big miles in and a shot at the Gold time for the Wiggle.
Hello to the Duchess :)  Love you loads.
x x

April Showers ! ! !

A tough week - four commutes on top of the sunday ride.
The decision to forgo the Sandown Sportive in favour of the Wiggle Ups 'n' Downs sportive may backfire.  A week of rain - and forecast rain for tomorrow (the day of the sportive) have led organisers to abandon the Epic (100) mile ride.  I have dusted down the cagoul - bought a pair of overshoes (previously deemed unnecessary on my commute as I happily splosh my feet around for an hours discomfort) and am bracing myself.
Havent spoken to dave yet - but I dont think he will be keen.  The Gold time attempt is surely out of the window too.  Have to settle for silver - or - heaven forbid bronze.
My reckoning as as follows:
As a commuter - I am more used to riding in painful weather
My gear is ok
this is good training for the etape - as I have been informed to expect the unexpected.

Hopefully an update will be posted tomorrow or sometime after.  Fingers crossed the weather improves - or I can dig deep and pull a quick time out the bag.

Other instances of note - the tour of britain culminates with a surrey hills ride - all the favourites - Leith Hill, Ranmore etc etc.

Here's hoping.

Rainy Week.

Worst week ever for rain.  150 miles+ this week - though no improvement on time.  I resisted the urge to enter the Sandown Sportive - in favour of a training ride with Dave tomorrow (Sunday).
Hopefully this willbe an attempt on the hill climbs for the Sportive next sunday and a sub one hour for the first three climbs.
Looks like I wont be able to do the bovington 100 mile sportive - as I have to work on Sat 12 May, this is a big blow.  I spoke to someone at Sandown today who said it was a good event - with lots of rolling coastal climbs.
Bed early - and a 9Am start.  Poewr down in Hong Kong means I will have to be available around 13:00.
Bit depressed - though I know the next two sundays are good sportive events - and Dave and i hope we can get a Gold time next week.

Lazy Easter Sunday

Another week - and not much accomplished.  Easter came and went - and my bad organisational skills meant that I did not take my bike onteh family vacation to Dorset - which would have been ideal - as there is plenty of juicy hills that looked ripe for climbing - especially a long drag of Lyme Regis.
Tomorrow is a training day - and in preparation I have purchased some Look style pedals (saw an advert inthe bike of Cycling Weekly) and Mavic shoes (thanks to Cycle Dauphine - half price)
Exited as I thinkk these pedals will make the Ranmore and Leith torture trail a little more bearable.
Only 60 miles this week - so I need to bump up the elavation and mileage tomorrow.
there are two sundays left before the Gold medal attempt in the Wiggle ups and Downs sportive - the first three hills will be attempted tomorrow with an attempt on 51 minutes (daves record).

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.