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.