Long ride

Did a long ride into work this morning. EB ride followed by canal ride. Hard work but a good effort.

Back with Early Birds

Back with my EB chums for some local early morning fun. Did a long hard 80 minute ride - I was way off the pace having not cycled for over a week and the fell race still in my legs, but felt good to be back on my bike!

Swindon..and the gym

Spent two days working in Swindon, but managed to do an hour in the gym Monday night - a 40 minute uphill slog on the bike and 20 mins core stability. Not bad as I felt tired after Sunday's exertions and had two long days in the office (or travelling).

Ilkley Moor Fell Run

Despite celebrating my friends 40th birthday with a wine-tasting party in Nottingham last night, I ran in the Ilkley Moor Fell Race.

I managed to better my time by 2:30 (about 5%) compared to last year, so well pleased.

Canal Run

Good strong run on the canal towpath at lunchtime. Sub-zero tempearatues finally gone and replaced by wind and rain again.

It feels like we have had some extremes of weather this winter. I'm not sure if there really has been or whether I'm just more aware of the conditions as I'm trying to be out running or cycling at all sorts of unsocialable hours!

Attached is a photo from the recent frosty period which is the view from the front of our house looking North-West along the Wharfe Valley.

Frost and Mist

This week has been dominated by some extreme weather again. Freezing conditions (down to -9 C) and mist.

Not been on my bike but managed a couple of runs, one over the moor,

Rest today, and a long day working in London.

Will run tomorrow and then try and cycle Friday or Saturday.

It's the Ilkley Moor Fell Race on Sunday which I'm hoping to race in.

Dancing On Ice

Another couple of days of bitterly cold, winter sunshine. But beautiful nonetheless!

My penicillin has also kicked in nicely and I feel a lot better.

I managed to get out on my bike for both Saturday and Sunday. Yesterday, bombing down to Bolton Abbey and back in the afternoon - today, an epic 3 hour 40 mile ride in sub-zero temperatures the whole way. Did Asquith, Blubberhouses, Greenhow, Grassington and home, with Simon F and Stefan. An epic ride, and despite never really getting warmed up the whole way round, it was a fantastic morning with some breathtaking scenery.

A sore throat

I've been dogged by a really bad sore throat all week and achieved no training at all!

So after a strong week of training last week, I've now done nothing all week.

I picked up some more antibiotics yesterday which will hopefully sort me out in a day or two. Will rest tomorrow anyway and aim to do something next week.

Rest

There have been beautiful clear blue skies for the last couple of days, but my planned rest has been backed up by a sore throat and feeling a bit under the weather. This wasn't helped by a big session at the Ilkley Beer Festival on Saturday night.

So I did nothing yesterday and today, and will rest again tomorrow.

Still, the one thing I love more than being on my bike is being with my family and as it's half-term this week we've had a nice day together today and are planning another day-out tomorrow (I'm off work for a coupls of days).

February Sunshine

A great ride this morning. Glorious sunrise and clear blue skies.
Rode past cavendish, laund oak, Barden Bridge, over the top to Eastby and then on the return even managed Langbar.
John E accompanied me and as he is also doing the WRC - it was good training for him too, and he looked strong on the climbs.

A Solid Week

A solid week of cycling so far - managed to cycle Tuesday to Friday, and although feeling tired, pleased I'd done it.
There is sunshine forecast for the next few days, and looking forward to a good ride in the morning and then a day or two's rest.

The Early Birds hit 5

Five out at 630am this morning - not bad for a cold, dark, wet morning in February.

We struggled up and over Langbar, and then I did a few hill reps before catching my train.

I was slow, but felt good. I'm hoping to be out again for the next few mornings.

I've also been looking at my "race" calandar for the year.

As well as the Etape itself on 7th July, I've entered the Lake Land Loop on April 13th, and the White Rose Classic on June 8th.

I'm also thinking of entering the Helvellyn Triathlon in September - but that will mean me getting my tri gear out of the cupboard. I would even have to do some swimming! It would be a nice end of season event though so I'm still considering it.

Recovery on the canal

A brisk 4 mile flat run along the canal at lunchtime - a nice recovery. Back on my bike tomorrow (hopefully)!

A long run

There was a bit more snow yesterday (Saturday) - my daughter's football match was called off, so we all had a nice morning playing in the snow.

Today I did a long fell run with Richard, about 15 miles around the skyline round our town. An epic run and felt great at the end.

Indoor Cycling

We had some snow over the last few days - not a lot, but enough to make cycling outside a bit dangerous.

I took the opportunity of going to the gym today, and went on an indoor bike. I was trying to simulate a big mountain climb, so did 1hr 45mins of continual effort, ranging between level 17 and level 20 on the bike.

Interesting to see how different effort levels affect my HR, and also good to push on when feeling tired. All in the comfort of an indoor setting with the TV on.

It would never replace training outside but an interesting option.