Sportive: Colossus 100m.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Sportive: Colossus 100m.

Another early alarm, 5.15, & we lost an hours sleep last night as the clocks went forward! Set off on schedule for Milton Keynes Sportive, Colossus 100m. I'd promised to do this one with a mate, Mat who was a Vodafone employee & had organised the charity rides that they have done for a few years now, which Julie has ridden. This was his first Century ride.

Made it to MK in good time & although getting signed on was not the smoothest I was early enough to avoid the bigger queues that built up behind me. This was to be the maiden event for the new bike. We met up & set off around 9.20 as a group of 6 or so. Once out of the City it was clear that there was a good wind again & I was prepared for a steady day & happy to be on the front to help the guys along. Although there were some good sized groups which I felt we could have hung onto we didn't & it wasn't long before we were a core of 3, Mat, myself & Peter, Mats local ridding buddie of Shuttvr

We stuck together for the day, Mat having a couple of flats, well one really but he missed the cause whilst repairing.

We got round in just under 8hrs, not the fastest of times but Mat was pleased & I was pleased for him completing his first 100m rise.

Well done Mat...

AUDAX: North Notts Sleepy Villages, 150km.

AUDAX: North Notts Sleepy Villages, 150km.

An eight o'clock start today so it was an early alarm call this morning. Arrived in good time to collect my Brevet card & ready myself & the bike. It was overcast & didn't seem too windy but I was clearly deceived as the first group of 6, which I was in, arrived at Rosies, 30mins ahead of schedule!!! After tea & toast we were away again bound for Southwell for the next break. We hadn't been going too long when the guy in front of me managed to overlap wheels with the guy in front of him & trying to save himself, which he did, managed to take out the rider on his right. He took a heavy tumble whilst those of us behind stayed clear. We had a break of around 10mins here whilst the faller recovered & regained himself. The next group came along & we set off agian but soon left the faller & another rider to take it steady to the next stop. The 4 of us from th efirst group were soon onto the front of the newly formed group & worked hard to Southwell, the wind was still generally in our favour. More food & drink at Southwell & away again, 5 now, knowing this last section would be the toughest with a headwind all the way home & with several steady long drags, the same route back as 2 weeks ago. Once out in the open I was finding it increasingly harder to stay with them & 2 of us got dropped off. We worked hard all the way home & got back just about 4-5mins behind.

Had a great ride & not too disappointed about getting dropped, I'm scheduled to do another 100m tomorrow!!!

Over Cannock Chase - First Ride on the new bike:

Over Cannock Chase - First Ride on the new bike:

Collected my new bike yesterday & was hoping for good weather today & it came, so I waited for the mist to lift before setting off. Just off the estate & bumped into Adam, he was going my way so we rode together for the first 25k, to the other side of Swarkstone Causuway, that made a pleasant change. Soon after we seperated I was onto the 10mile pan flat section along thro' Willington to Hilton & Hatton, past the Salt Box Cafe & thro' Tutbury. Form here the route rolls along to Draycot in the Clay where there's a 10% climb on the A515 before swinging right off of the main road & down to Newborough where a right & a few more undulations bring you to Abbotts Bromley. A right going into & a left going out of take you over the Blithfield Reservoir & on to the back of Rugeley. Swinging right avoids the main road & after a right/left over the A51 it's thro Colwich & the Hayfields before turning left at Tixall. Out at Milford & no stop at the Cafe today, now it's starting to climb around the far side of the Chase to Brocton where it's left to test oneself up the 15% climb to the top of the Chase, it's a better route than sticking to the main road & I wanted to see how I would get on up here on the new wheels, fine! A couple of lefts & it's not long before I'm back into Rugeley centre, a quick stop at a garage to top up the water supplies & onward along the main road all the way to Elford, that's a good long section on the A513 but the wind is favorablly behind me, as planned so I push as hard as I can for as much as I can. Left & back into the lanes thro' Clifton to the A453, left & left again. Nearly there, rolling down past the polytunnels to Netherseal where right at the church up to the A444, right & left & climb from Acresford back to the village. The day was again great, enjoyed riding the new bike, as the front end is a bit lower than I'm used to it'll take a bit of getting used to but it's gonna be GREAT!!!

Mothers Day Easy Spin.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Mothers Day Easy Spin.

Just an easy spin out today after a good workout yesterday. Very strong wind tho' so out into that & back with assistance!

AUDAX: Three Fields 108km

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for AUDAX: Three Fields 108km

Did this ride with Julie last year but she wasn't up for it this year. The weather was much better than last year, no rain but we did have a good wind to ride home into. The field soon settled down with a group of eight of us soon off the front. Two of the guys stopped for, I don't know what so, it was six of us full gas to the first check in at 46km. One of the guys stopped for coffee there whilst the rest of us set of on the next leg to Southwell at 75km. I was struggling thro' this section & got dropped but I wasn't the only one, two of us got dropped on the way to this stop & we weren't together. The breakaway trio were still getting their cards stamped & taking comfort when I rode in. I quickly got my card stamped & took comfort & four of us set of on the last leg back to Alfreton. I suggested to the guys that didn't think I'd hang on to them all the way back but I don't know what happened. This was to be the, in my opinion the hardest section as there are several drags & we had the wind in our faces. As we got into a rhytm we started to work the thro' & off to good effect & despite my lack of confidence of staying with them I managed to do as much work if not more than the other guys, at least one missed lots of turns & another missed several of his turns. I just don't know where it came from but I rode back into Alfreton so strongly I couldn't believe it! One others questioned if I'd injected myself at the last stop & the others commented on me getting a second wind.

Just a wonderful ride & a really good workout!

What a lovely day for a 150k ride:

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for What a lovely day for a 150k ride:

What a fantastic day for a long solo ride! Took the best bike out & went over to Harby Hill & back over Beacon Hill & added a loop for good measure. Non stop sun, virtually no wind, what more could you ask for!

Rain Stopped Play:

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Rain Stopped Play:

Julie & I planned a steady 50mile ride for today but it was colder than we thought & soon after we set out the fine drizzle turned to rain. We decided to er on the side of safety & sensibility & abandoned the ride.

Sunny Afternoon Ride:

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Sunny Afternoon Ride:

Managed to get another ride in this afternoon, sunny but cold & dry so it was my first ride this year in the U.K. on my best bike!

An easy afternoon ride: Tuesday 2nd March.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for An easy afternoon ride:

An early finish today meant I was able to get a weekday ride in this afternoon, can't remember the last time I managed to do that.