A lot of cycling done this week, mainly over the weekend.  Mid-week cycled what has now become an after work training ride from home through haslingden and back (roughly about 20 miles).  I managed to also fit two sessions in at the gym as the weather was wet as per usual.  We decided that the weekend would consist of myself and smit cycling to his mum and dads caravan in Pateley Bridge.  60 miles there on the saturday, then 60 miles back on the Sunday.  This was to be my longest rides so far, and about time considering the ride is sooooo close.

 The weather was again rainy on saturday, however we didn’t let it stop us!  We got very wet, although the first 40 miles of the route was ‘ok’.  The last 10 miles was REALLY tough.  We took on the big hills in the Yorkshire Dales and was met halfway up one by smits dad who had his camera pointed at us!  At the stage of one hill my legs had actually gone past ‘the burn’ and felt my muscles were going to pop!  Following the hills, there was one of the steepest hills which takes you into pateley, a well earned downhill, but knew we would have to get back up it the following day.  Did the ride in 4 hrs 45 mins.

Sunday weather wise was a much dryer day, but was windy!  In fact the wind was against us for most of the ride and it took us 5 hrs 30 mins to finish.  Greenhow hill (very steep) was the first challenge.  I had a good go at this but had to stop a number of times, was just way too steep.  At one point both myself and smit had stopped, when a cycler (who looked like he was pro) went past and managed to utter the words ”the pain!”, I then knew it was a bad hill.  The rest of the ride was hard due to the wind, at one stage I was literally blown to the kerb and fell off.  I had a ’slight’ paddy at smit at one point as thought he had got us lost, I shouted, I swore……I made it clear that I wasn’t happy!!!  We eventually got home and I collapsed into a heap!

 Bring the bike ride on I say!!!!!!!!!

A total of three times on the bike this week.  Tuesday was ‘realisation’ day for me when a colleague at work was going on leave and I thought the next time i see her I will only have 2 days to go before the ride.  As soon as I got home, my bike kit was on and I was out on my bike.  A 20 miler was enough after a days work.  Went out again on Thursday and cycled to smits mum and dads and back (18 miles).  Then Sunday did quite a tough hilly route which was approx 30 mile.  Still need to do biggy really and hopefully do this over the weekend coming.  I have also noticed that I am developing new muscles in my legs!!!!

Like smit, this week was a poor effort from me, although I had an excuse.  I have had a pain in my groin (area) for a couple of weeks and it suddenly came unbearable after a netball match on Tuesday.  I thought it was best to not do any execise for at least a week.  This seems to have done the trick and after a trip to the gym with no niggles I feel ready to get on my bike again.  Will keep you posted!

BTTF Probation Bike Ride.

Todays ride was a sponsored ride in order to raise extra money for the charity.  Myself and Probation colleagues, Jenny Heywood and Emma Squibbs cycled a distance of 30 miles.  We were joined by Smit who was lead navigator and pace maker.  The route was planned some weeks in advance and was the easiest I could find, however this was difficult due to the number of hills in and around Oldham.  We arrived at Emma’s house at 9.00am and were welcomed by bacon butties and a nice brew to help us on our way.  Before setting off we checked over our bikes and myself and Dave were shocked at how heavy Emma’s bike was (a pretty old mountain bike).  We set off at quite a steady pace with the first couple of miles being relatively flat until we reached quite a steep but short hill.  Emma and Jenny struggled up this one but soon reached the top.  There was a stretch of the ride that was up hill for almost 5 miles and this proved to be tough, however we all eventually made it to the top in one piece and re-fuelled with Banana’s and sandwiches.  The rest of the ride saw some well earned downhill action.  We finished the ride in 4 hours, and Jenny and Emma have to be congratulatesd for the hard efforts……….THANKS!!

12/06/2008

As I had yet to brave cycling to work I thought now is the time to start.  I set off at 7.00am and as soon as I set off realised I should have put some warmer clothes on!  I cycled 13.6 miles in an hour and then had to face a cold shower (due to no hot water as the boiler at work has been condemned).  I planned to cycle the same route back however must have missed a turning somewhere as at one point did not know where I was!  I eventually managed to get on the right road and was soon home.   Will aim to do this cycle at least twice a week from now on.

Todays cycle was a 30 miler from home through Darwen and back home. The route was a good one with a few hills, but evened out by the downhills, which I like! Thought my legs may suffer from the cycling done earlier in the week but in fact they felt stronger. It took a total of 2 hours to ride this route and will probably ride this a number of times again to get the miles in.