End of Jan

End of the month, and on the whole, a good month for training. Especially given the adverse weather conditions, working away from home a bit and illness at the start of the month!
Feelking good at the moment, weight at about 11st 2 which isn't so bad, and looking forward to the Spring, better weather and more cycling!

Langbar

Got out on an early-bird ride this morning. Five of us out - Harry Q, Mark, El Cid and Cacophony.
A beautiful clear morning - no rain or wind for a change! The sky was a fantastic milky blue with a wonderful half-moon and Venus clear in the east. Magical.

We went out to Cavendish Pavillion, and then back over the big climb past Langbar, and then down Carters Lane and up "conker hill".

I was the slowest on the ride which I'm going to blame on my fully laden shopping bike!

The forecast is for winds, gales and then snow over the next few days, so I may not be out on my bike for a few days!

London Again

In London for the last two days (and actually visited the Birmingham office on the way back). Managed an hour in the gym this morning with 30 mins on the treadmill and some core stability work.

Hoping to get out in the morning for a ride!

Windy again

Hard ride this morning. Strong wind for the first half out to Conistone. But it was dry which was a rare treat after the last few weeks (months?). El Cid, Cacophony and Harry were out which is the hard-core group of riders at the moment.

El Cid (as always) was the strongest but Harry is riding strong as well.

Great ride though - very enjoyable.

I'm in Lonodn for a couple of days so not sure what I'll get done, but am going to aim again for another ride next Sunday.

Windy

The end of another week - a windy end at that. I really can't rememver winds as strong as they were this morning. However, I'd decided I would do an early-bird ride and with some trepidation set off to the meeting point at 0630.

Not surprisingly, there was no-one else there!

I thought that while I was out I'd do a few hill-reps round our rather hilly town. The conditions were so atrocious that I was nearly off a few times and decided to call it a day after a couple hills.

Later in the day there was some discussion over how safe it was: forum thread.

As I said, what does not kill us makes us stronger - I've been set upon by black ice, torrential rain, failing brakes and hurricane winds over the last few weeks - how much scarier can the Tourmalet or climb to Hautacam be?

The wind continued all day and caused problems in Leeds where I work. The Victoria Bridge was closed, and I heard that our local airport was closed. But for once the trains were ok and was home early as my daughters and wife (helping) are out at the our primary school disco tonight.

I also visited the GPs this morning and got my doctor certificate sorted out for the Etape.

Feeling very confident and looking forward to a good ride on Sunday.

Getting to work

The trains where still out this morning, bu managed to get one to Shipley and then pick up the Leeds & Liverpool canal towpath right into Leeds.

Not a great workout but interesting, and managed to get me to work.

The trains were back when I came home. I may cycle home tomorrow as I've left my bike at work.

Flooding

Managed an early ride on Friday, and a longer one Sunday morning. However, this was after a night of heavy drinking at some friend's. So not a "quality" ride, but at least it simulated how ill I will probably feel towards the end of the etape!

Yesterday saw severe flooding in Yorkshire, but I was in London with work.

So I've had a couple of days rest - hopefully either ride, run or both tomorrow. The trains are still not running so I may be forced to cycle anyway!

Rain again - but no ice

Got out on my bike again yesterday - no other early birds out so I went over the moor again and onto the canal into work. No ice this time!
Rest today as busy at work.

Back on my bike

Managed to get on my bike today, and joined the "Early Bird" ride out to Bolton Abbey and back, before catching an early train to work. The whole ride was in complete darkness with rain and flooded back-lanes but it was still great fun.

Another canal run

Went for a run on the canal at lunchtime - another fast time and I felt strong. Still a bit battterd and bruised after my fall on Friday but no lasting damage.

Unfortunately, I found out that I didn't make it into the Fred Witton sportive ride in May, despite getting my entry in on the day entries opened. I guess there must have been a lot more than the 1,000 capacity who also applied that day and I was just a bit unlucky.

Instead I've entered (successfully) the Lakeland Loop event on Sunday 13th April. There are lots of my cycling friends entered too so it should be a good day out.

Waist deep

Went for a run on the moor today - our standard "long route" of about 12-13 miles. Great fun as always, although with all the recent rain it was even boggier than normal. At one point, a step in a large puddle ended up me being in waist deep!

Overall a slower run than we have done it in, but a good benchmark for the year.

Dumb and dumber...and a lie in

I was determined to get on my bike yesterday (Friday) and cycle into work. When I saw the fog I thought I'd take the scenic (and safe) route over Ilkley moor. However, up on top it was pure black ice on the tarmaced sections and I ended up pushing my bike most of the way. I also had a few minor spills which were not much fun. Anyway, got to work in one piece and I've learnt my lesson - the climb from my house (at 100m asl) to the top of the moor (400m asl) reduces the temperature by a few degrees and it is colder up there then I may imagine.

Today I had a day off to nurse my aches and pains!

Rain, Rain

Wet again today - didn't manage to get on my bike. Went for a good run at lunch and I'm feeling strong. Hopefully I'm going to cycle to work in the morning. I really ought to do some cycling soon!

Indoor Cycling

Been in London with work for a couple of days including an overnight stay. Managed to get into the hotel gym for an hour though. Sat on the exercise bike for 40 minutes - hard to know how this helps with my overall training but at least it kept me out of the bar!

Back to the canal

Feeling sore after yesterday's exertions - but my cold is lifting and my sinuses clearing. Had a good run with Richard at lunchtime - one of our standard "canal" routes along the Leeds and Liverool canal. Posted a PB of 33:19 for the "milepost/golf-course" option. I reckon we could get that as low as 32:00 during the course of the Spring, which will set us up nicely for maybe a 90 minute half-marathon attempt (if we can find one locally).

Pennine 10k

Completed the "Pennine 10k" today - a very hilly running race in and around Brighouse in West Yorkire. Finished in a time of 42:33, 47th out of 291 finishers. Slightly disappointed in this as I reckon I have a fast 10k in me this year, but after having been ill for a week and a half it wasn't too bad. It was also the hilliest 10k road race I have ever done!
My old friend Pete T and I have always spoke about trying to do a 10k in (minutes) in less than your age in years. I'm hoping that this year could be the optimum time for me!
Jason U also ran with me today - his first 10k race and put in a staggeringly good time of 48:10, which on that course was a great effort. Well done!
Spent a lovely afternoon with Jason and his family afterwards.

The rain is crashing down outside, but I'm planning to be on my bike in the morning.

Getting better.. and Lance up the Hautacam

Feelinga bit better today but still not well enough to train. Instead I looked up Lance's amazing ascent to Hautacam in the 2000 Tour de France . It was amazing ride and he killed everyone, even leaving the great Pantani in his wake.

Amoxycillin

No training today. Still feeling pretty rough with a sore throat and bad ears adding to my list of symptoms.
However, some good new in that my visit to my GP resulted in a prescription for Amoxycillin (250mg three-times daily for 7 days).
Otherwise, my lungs are quite clear so should be able to start training in a few days time.
Just as well as I have a 10k (running) race planned for Sunday - the Pennine 10k from Brighouse.
I'm running with an old friend so will be nice to catch up with him and his family afterwards. It's a hilly course but I have been running well recently so was thinking of trying for a sub-40 minute finish. We'll see what illness and a dose of Amoxycillin does to my times.

Still ill

My exertions over the Christmas period (both on the bike and whilst partying) have left me with blocked sinuses and a sore throat.
Struggled in to work today, but am ofter to see Dr Foster tomorrow am before work to see if I can get something to sort me out.
I also need my doctor's certificate for the etape signing - not sure if it will be a good time to ask for it!

Start of the Year

On the July 6th 2008, I along with about 8,000 other amateur cyclists will be tackling a stage of the Tour De France.
This event is called the Etape Du Tour .
Obviously this sort of things needs some fairly serious training, and as today is the first day of 2008, it feels like I should start my training diary, as I haven't been able to start my training.

So last night we were shaing the hospitality of the famous Nottingham cyclist "Le Chat".

Drinking and dancing till 4am in the morning was maybe not the best way to kick off the training but it was a lot of fun. I'll post some photos soon."Le Chat" is doing the Etape as well.But I did a couple of great rides with the Ilkley EBs over Christmas, and my old friend Harry Quinn(Lilac) is riding well - possibly better than me.