The Horror of Littondale

Today was a tough, tough ride and for once I was off the back, cast adrift in a place of despair, pain and suffering I am not used to!

It was a long early bird ride - Arncliffe and then over to Malham - a road I did not know. It was also the "a" team out - probably the fastest group of early-birds (well, fastest considering we are all middle-aged fathers-of-many).

There was a strong headwind all the way out, and by Arncliffe, after having done a couple of hard stints on the front, I was dead. This was not helped by not wearing my rain-jacket and being thoroughly soaked through.

A quarter of the way up the climb, the headwind was so intense that I had to stop and unclip, and push for the final section of the steep bit. The ignominy!

And in case you aren't sure what ignominy means, from dictionary.com:
1. disgrace; dishonor; public contempt.
2. shameful or dishonorable quality or conduct or an instance of this.

I felt awful from there on in, and struggled home to suffer for the rest of the day.

I'm obviously not feeling well, so a few days off the bike is planned. Which is a real shame as I have three days off work and the weather is starting to look good.

The other day I waxed lyrically about why and how I felt so strong, and today I don't know why I felt so bad.

The above text is littered with excuses though, which is a bit of a kop-out.

Perhaps it was just a bad day at the office.

A hard week catches up with me

Struggled out of bed to the sound of torrential rain and made it down to the meeting point for 630am to meet the other Early Birds.

Everyone else saw sense and chose to stay in bed, so I cycled down to Cavendish and back. There were strong winds and driving rain on the way back and I went straight to my train cold, wet and very weary. Spent the rest of the day trying to warm up.

Still, it's been a good week's training. Over the last 7 days I've ridden 5 times (in total maybe 11 hours of riding, 160 hilly miles) and ran once (5 miles).

I've come though it with no mishaps.

Tomorrow is rest day and then a longish steady ride planned for Sunday.

Stan Ogden

Out with the Early-Birds this morning - 5 out - a good turnout.

We did the Langbar climb followed by a ride out to Cavendish and back. It's quite tough doing the big climb first thing, as there is no chance to get warmed up. Still, I felt really good on the climb, even leaving Bob a little behind. I hadn't actually clipped in one of my cleats to the pedal as I was having problems with a torn overshoe!

However, we all rode well, as we were back home within an hour. I then had some time to kill before my train so I went up with El Cid and then carried on the steep climb to the top of the tarmac near Silver Wells. I amazingly found it quite easy, getting nowhere near my lactate threshold as I normally do on that very steep climb.

I bombed down without a stop to admire the view, and then did another loop round Wells Rd and Queens Rd again, at pace, and without getting out of breath.

So after having quite a tough week following Saturday's epic ride, I was amazed to see me riding so well.


I was trying to figure out if I'd done something differently in preparation, and was reminded of an old (from the 70s) episode of Coronation Street. Stan Ogden, a classic anti-hero of British Soap has a dream in which he sees a horse winning a race. The next day the horse wins, but he doesn't back it. The rest of the episode shows how his missus, Hilda, and best mate Eddie Yates try to re-create the conditions of the day before hoping he will have a similar dream and forecast another winner. He has to do the same things in the same order, the same food and so on.

So, as to me re-creating my form from this morning, it is interesting that I ate quite differently last night and this morning from I normally do. For reference, and for my own fading memory, I had:
- tea of filled pasta with pesto and a tomato salad at about 7pm
- chopped banana with single cream (slightly on the turn)
- at about 10pm I had the munchies and had 3 weetabix with full-fat milk
- this morning, there was no bread for my normal toast, so I had a giant bowl of Weetos with milk, and two cups of coffee

Is this a winning formula? I will try again one day, but not for tomorrow.

I don't think Stan ever had the dream again, or at least they couldn't interpret the dream he was having, and kept picking the wrong horse. So for me, was it the banana, the weetabix or the weetos which did the trick?

Easy Run

No cycling today, but back to work.

Got off the train a couple of stops early and had a gentle run back (about 5 miles) at about 7:20 mins/mile pace.

Langbar, Carters and Wheatley Lane

An early post for a change!

Another glorious morning in Wharfedale! Bright blue skies above the residual snow lying high on the moors.

It is still sub-zero, with icy patches on some roads.

El Cid, Cacophony and Richard joined me on the Early Bird ride.

The others did Cavendish and back as there were some tired legs and work commitments to attend to. I did Langbar, Carter's Lane and then up Wheatley Lane. My new bike climbs well and it felt like I was fast on the climbs but it's hard to tell when you are riding alone.

I have some cable adjustments to attend to on the bike, which will tax the outermost extremes of my bike maintenance skills over the next few evenings.

I was back before any of the family awoke, and we have a trip to a local Farm Park to look forward to for the rest of the day (I'm off work).

A Perfect day.

Bank Holiday

I did the early bird standard Monday ride down to Cavenish this morning - on my own. I wasn't expecting anyone else to be there but somehow it suited me to be out at that time.

Perhaps my body is now so used to being up and out for 630am that I'll never ride at a sociable time again. I also knew that El Cid and Cacophony would not be riding so it felt somehow right that we had some representation out in case anyone else showed up.

In the afternoon we drove across to Liverpool to visit my Mum and Dad and went out for a nice lunch, and then visited my sister and her family before returning. We also had the chance for brisk walk along the seafront at Crosby where my sister lives.

It is a rugged and atmospheric stretch of sand, blessed currently with Antony Gormley's "The Other Place". It is my favourite piece of installation art - an amazing array of lifesize cast-iron figures looking out across the Irish Sea.

Easter Snow

A rest day today - I was going to go for a long fell run, but woke to find several centimetres of snow.

Instead of going for a run, my eldest two children and I went for an early morning play in the snow.

Great fun.

As it was Easter, the day was then filled with a combination of wine, chocolate, roast lamb, more wine and more chocolate.

A good chance for my body to recover after yesterday as well.

Blizzard

Well, we made it.

5 riders set off at 7am. There had been some snow overnight and it was bitterly cold (the view from our house is to the right showing the conditions). I know it doesn't look too bad, but we are at 100m asl and that is the lowest we'd be all day, climbing eventually to the highest road in Yorkshire at the top of Fleet Moss (565m).

I was joined by our spiritual leaders El Cid and Cacophony, and Harry and Stefan.

El Cid's suggested that as we would be heading into a 20mph headwind all the way to Hawes, that we should proceed single file with a 1 mile turn on the front each.

As soon we headed past Cavendish and headed due north the snow started. We then had about 10-15 miles or pure tortuous riding into a blizzard.

When on the front the snow blinded us so we could hardly see where we were going. Our speed was dropping to single figures, even on the flat, and the uphills into the wind almost brought us to a standstill.

Still, we kept our shape well apart from a few times when I broke rank to take an early turn on the front. Shouts of derision from the pack and a stern talking to by El Cid soon showed me the error of my ways - I was only trying to help though!

I was on my new bike and after a few posts ago saying we needed to have some adventures together, then we certainly had one today. It performed really well in the conditions and I felt comfortable on it, apart from the saddle which I need to adjust.

By the upper reaches of the river Wharfe the snow had ceased and then we just had the climb to the top of Fleet Moss to contend with. I pushed hard and tried staying with Stefan, managing to stay within spitting distance to the top.

There were some fantastic views - it was like being in the Alps in Winter (well almost).

At the top we said our goodbyes to Stefan who was heading back home.

We then just had the long steep descent to Hawes which was keeping us from our breakfast.

However, the snow and ice were lying on the road and we had to gingerly descend giving way to snow ploughs. The conditions were treacherous but we all made it down in one piece - just one fall as Cacophony decided to go through a 2 foot snow drift (soft landing though).

After a greasy breakfast and lots of tea to fortify us, Harry and I set off east along Wensleydale, while El Cid and Cacophony headed west towards their destination in the Lakes.

We then had a lovely stretch on the back road through Askrigg to Aysgarth, and then swung south and along and up Bishopdale. The snow descended on us again, but the wind was not in our faces and not quite as bad.

We made it back to Wharfedale and our home territory and arrived home at about 2pm, about 82 miles since we set off.

At the end, both Harry and I felt good, knowing we had conquered what are probably the worst conditions either of us have cycled in for a while, put in over 80 miles and 6 hours of cycling, but still felt pretty strong at the end.

(A photo from the top of Fleet Moss and of Aysgarth Falls follow - courtesy of Harry)

Good Friday

We had a nice gentle ride this morning, down to Cavendish and back.

The weather is turning wintry again as some strong Northerly winds are bringing in sleet and snow over the next few days.

Our long ride is still planned for tomorrow, but it's going to be tough. We are planning on heading mainly north along the Wharfe and then over Fleet Moss to Hawes. As well as climbing to 565m asl, we will be heading into a 20mph wind bringing sleet with it. It shall be an experience.

I have just received some (encouraging?) texts from El Cid:

"Ready for action men! I have a plan for us to take on and master the headwind. Tomorrow, we ride!"

"Eat, service your woman and sleep. For the trials which await us promise hardship and danger. We must be ready"

"Bade farewell to the kinder"

A fast descent

Out with El Cid and Harry this morning - Cavendish followed by a detour through Addingham Moorside on the way back home.

It's a really nice climb and I felt strong all the way. I even managed a fast descent from the top which is something I rarely have the belief in my bike handling (or my bike) to manage.

It's Maunday Thusday today, so a long weekend off work ahead of me.

Big ride still planned for Saturday, but the weather looks grim.

Of bikes old and new

Out for a glorious ride this morning - beautiful blue skies above Wharfedale as we rode out to the Cavendish and back.

And more importantly, I finally got out on my new bike. I am very happy with it and it performed really well (better than I did as my new bike is Shimano and all my other bikes have been campag, and I struggled a little shifting gears).

It felt fast and effortless at times - very responsive cornering and braking which I'll have to adjust to!

Picture of the new bike in the front room, to the right.

The bike is a Focus Cayo Expert (2007). I think we are going to be good friends.


But as pleased I am to have my new bike, it is sad to relegate my old "Graham Weigh" to summer hack.

My Graham Weigh was bought some 6 or 7 years ago, and feels like an old friend and we've been through some great adventures together.

The 10-15 triathlons
The 3 trips cycling in the Alps
The commutes, the leisure rides, the holidays
20,000 mostly happy miles

It was with me when we crested Alpe d'Huez just a few hours before watching Armstrong take Basso to claim a 6th Tour De France.

It was with me when I looked deep into my soul cycling the Col de La Madeleine (for the second time that day) in the fading light knowing I had to get to the top as I had the car key!

It was with me when I beat Kelvin on the Ashbourne Duathlon.

It was with me through all the bad falls (Huddersfield 2006 - ouch!).

It was with me on those early morning commutes from West Bridgford to Derby with Nip and James, hurtling along in a 3-up in the wind and rain.

It was with me on the Leeds-Huddersfield rides, getting lost and discovering West Yorkshire.

It was with me on the great rides with Nip and Stefan over Snake and Holme Moss.

It came on the Ferry to Zeebrugge, discovering Genever in the morning and happy times drinking beer in the afternoon.

Some great times I will never forget. But I'm sure my new bike and I will form a similar bond once we have the chance. We have the Tourmalet to look forward to, and Hardknott and Wrynose in a few weeks time!

Below are some of those memories, and yes, the road sign at the bottom of Madeleine was the reason for the photo!

Well Again!

So after my last post on Friday, I was feeling like a stinking cold was coming on.

Well it did, and on Saturday I woke up feeling pretty rough. However, I made a great decision! Rather than ignoring how I felt, taking some ibuprofen and going out on my bike, I decided to rest.

So I took it as easy as possible on Saturday and Sunday.

On Monday I was feeling a lot better - and although I was back at work, generally felt stronger through the day.

Today (Tuesday), I ventured back on my bike for a "storiths" ride with the EBers, and felt really great - 100%.

So a couple of 1-2 hour rides over the next few days and I'll be fit and well for our planned big ride on Saturday.

And the lesson learnt?

IF I'M NOT FEELING WELL - REST DON'T RIDE!

Not Again!

Can't believe it - I have another cold!

I curtailed my ride this morning and just did a gentle 1 hour ride, but I have steadily felt worse all day. I was going to have my long ride tomorrow morning but not sure I will. What is best - to rest or keep my legs turning?

Another tough ride

A tough ride with the EBers this morning - fast back, Curly Hill and then Wheatley Lane with its stupidly silly 16% gradient.

Bob was out again, and his cheerful enthusiasm seemed to spur us on to go fast - maybe too fast. I for one am hopeless at judging pace.

Recovery and some other blogs

Wintry weather again today - I had a gentle run, getting off the train a stop early. Still feel a bit tired after yesterday's ride, but I'm planning on going out again in the morning.

By the way, here are some other blogs which I've come across:

My old friend Harry is keeping a similar one to mine: http://harrys-2008-training.blogspot.com/

Bob, a local fell-runner and cyclist of many an interesting tale: http://www.cyclosport.org/members/myBlog.aspx?mid=2647&size=5

This is one from another first-time Etape'r who I've come across and communicated with (lots of technical stuff and interesting metrics on this one): http://etapedutour2008.blogspot.com

And this is one I came across from last year's etape - the posts about the race itself make interesting reading: http://www.etapeorbust.blogspot.com/

Langbar, and a man called Torres

Six early-birders out this morning, in blustery but dry conditions. Cavendish Pavillion followed by the wondrous climb past Langbar, just below Beamsley Beacon.

Felt great on the climb, but think I'll give tomorrow's early-bird ride a miss as I think it took it out of me. What also took it out of me was several more pints of black sheep (leftovers from the christening) whilst watching the mighty reds despatch Inter Milan at the San Siro.

Attached is a picture of the great man himself, Fernando Torres.

Back to normal

Back to work after the long weekend. Had a terrible night's sleep last night - 3 pints of Black Sheep, two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon and a table full of rich food at yesterday's party was the main problem.

Also, the excitement of watching West Brom get into the FA Cup Semi-final with my mother-in-law who is die-hard Baggies didn't aid my digestion.

A gentle run along the canal at lunchtime helped sort me out.

I'm hoping to cycle Tues, Wed, Thu and Fri with the Early Birds, and then a long ride on Sunday.

Le Chat and Harry Quinn

Well, today was my youngest daughter's baptism - and a chance to catch up with some old friends.

You can find the christening photos on facebook, but the one here is of a couple of buddies who will be joining me on the Etape. Harry Quinn(Lilac) on the left - (he's a HMHB fan) and Jason "Le Chat" on the right of the photo.

Today we swapped tales of not quite doing enough training.

I'm in the middle - can you see how small I appear? This has got to be a benefit when climbing up mountains on bikes, surely?

The Red Kite with the Early Birds

4 keen early-birders out this morning.

An old favourite ride up Norwood edge, round the reservoirs and back.

We saw a Red Kite which was skirmishing with a rook about 20 metres from us.

I felt strong despite the efforts yesterday, and we all rode well (all 4 are doing the long White Rose Classic ride - for John and Richard it will be their first attempt, but I think they will do well on June 8th!)

Day off tomorrow! My youngest daughter's baptism so it shall be a special day.

The Beauty of Littondale

Well, I managed the ride.

Despite it being quite wet setting off at 630am, I felt keen to keep to my plan of doing my long ride.

After waving goodbye to the early-birds at Cavendish Pavilion at 7, I set off in good spirits. There was a stong headwind all the way out along Wharfedale and Littondale to Halton Gill. I rode well and kept it solid all the way.

The climb out of Halton Gill is one of my favourite climbs - the view back along Littondale is a marvellous site. Today, especially, it was beautiful. The sun broke through the clouds and illumited one side of the u-shaped valley. The Skirfare also caught the glint of the sun and looked like a silver serpent as it wound its way across the bottom of the valley. Amazing.

At the top I was accosted by 200-300 sheep. I think they were expecting some food from me!

Once under Pen-y-ghent, the wind was a devilish cross-wind which buffeted me all along silverdale.

I punctured on the steep descent into Malham and enjoyed the respite as I leisurely repaired it.

I did the whole ride in about 5 hours, which was a pretty good effort. I was pleased as I finished feeling really strong - I could have done it again (or so I thought!).

Right now the Tourmalet and Hautacam hold no fear for me.

Lambs and Deer

Back with the Early Birds today. A nice 20 miler with a steep climb towards the end up Addingham Moorside. Saw a field full of Spring lambs on the way out (and an unfortunately dead deer on the side of the road on the way back).

I felt quite strong for a change, although Mark dropped off the pace early as he wasn't feeling well, Cacophony's chain fell off and El Cid was at best heavily hung-over and at worst still drunk! It was nice to be on a lighter bike, but my new one is still wrapped up (despite having it since December - a tale for another Post!)

Tomorrow I have a day off work and am planning a longish ride (~70 miles) with a few nice climbs - it is effectively the Route 2 ride of the White Rose Classic, minus a bit at the start.

Back in the Gym

Working away in Swindon for the last three days. Managed to spend a couple of hours on both Monday and Tuesday night in the gym - yesterday I managed a 1 hr 45 min session on the exercise bike which was tough.

Today I travelled back and had a rest day.

Back on the (real) bike tomorrow!

Lost Weekend

Managed to sleep in and miss the ride I was going to do on Saturday. Today was Mother's Day so it was breakfast in bed for my wife, lovingly made by our daughters.