Author: admin

Day 2 Fowey to Moretonhampstead

by admin, posted in The Ride

Monday 5th June 2017

MAP

The route notes from Peak Tours said that today was going to be one of the hardest we would do. What they forgot to mention was the gale force winds and torrential rain – I must remember to ask for a refund due to false advertising.

The day started well enough with a great breakfast in the hotel then once ready all meeting up at the ferry in Fowey. The weather was overcast but the previous nights fore cast had said strong winds and heavy rain so we all dressed for this. The climbing started immediately with a long hill from the ferry landing point – no time to warm up. The rest of the morning followed the up and down pattern of yesterday but with longer steeper climbs – we had climbed 900 meters in the first 26 miles. The rain fell on and off but it was mostly just drizzle.

We had a nice lunch in a pub near the ferry ramp for our second boat trip of the day to Plymouth. The rain had stopped and we were hopeful that it would improve. Some hope, as soon as we got off the ferry the heavens opened and the rain did not stop – in fact it is still raining now at 8:45 in the evening. After getting lost in Plymouth we eventually found the cycle path to Yelerton which is about 10 miles up an old railway. After Yelerton the real fun of the day began the climb up Dartmoor. Yelerton to Princetown is 6 miles, all up hill very steeply. The water was running down the road like a river in many places and once we started to climb so we were exposed to the wind which by now was near gale force. Across the top of Dartmoor to 2 Bridges and then to our stop at Mortonhampstead  was very difficult.

I now need to get all the items in my bike bags and clothing dry – even my money is wet. I have a nice room in the Post House B & B in Mortonhampstead. No pictures today. It’s a shame really because I think that todays ride would have been wonderful in nice weather with fabulous views across the moor.

Todays stats:-

62 miles

2,130 meters climbed

6 hours 21 minutes

average speed 9.71 (compared to yesterdays 11.92)

Total to date:-

127 miles

3,522 meters climbed

11 hours 47 minutes riding

Lets hope for better weather tomorrow.

 

Day 1 Land’s End to Fowey

by admin, posted in The Ride

Sunday 4th June 2017

Map

After a good breakfast at 7:30 it was pack the bags, sort out the bike and sort out what to wear. I had set out my cycling clothes last night but got up this morning to poring rain so quick change of plan to wet weather gear.

We all met up outside the hotel at 8:15 for the 7 mile ride to Lands End. When we got to Lands End the sun came out so it was all change again. The place was crawling with cyclists at 9 o’clock on a Sunday morning, all taking the pictures at the famous sign. There were  3 groups setting off for John O’Groats – 20 Americans/Canadians taking 3 weeks a charity group  with about 15 people taking 10 days and us. Plus there were others just doing the ride with all there gear on the bikes.

We eventually set off at about 9:30 with the first ride to the morning “brew stop” at about 12 miles with a few ups and downs and nice flat section through Penzance. Take a look at the brew stop supplies and the view from the car park.

Eat what you like
The view

Lunch stop was another 21 miles on with a great many ups and downs. I think that the front in Penzance is the only flat bit of Cornwall.

Hungry cyclists devouring a mountain of sandwiches and bean pasta.

After lunch the real climbing started. First we cycled 5 miles to the King Harry chain ferry once again up and down. Long wait for the ferry to go while a huge ship was tugged up river. It only just fitted the river.

Look at the size of that.

After the ferry was the first of two long steep climbs. This one was about a mile long and had gradients up to 16% – had to stop half way up to start breathing again. The second monster come after the afternoon brew stop and only about 3 miles from the finish, this was not as long but went up to 18% – once again needed a breath brake.

Totals for the first day:-

65 miles

1,392 meters of vertical climbing

5 hours 26 minutes riding

Average speed 11.92 mph

The problem with these steep ups and downs is that it can take up to 5 minutes to get up them but you only get a 1 minute rest on the way down.

My hotel in Fowey is right at the top of the hill but I have nice room,

Hotel at the top of the hill

Had a nice meal in Fowey but it was a long steep walk back – as if I needed any more hills today.

Looking forward to tomorrow with even more hills than today.

Day 0 Hampshire to Cornwall

by admin, posted in Preperation

Saturday 3rd June 2017

After the farewells it was off to Cosham station to start the adventure. A last farewell to my long suffering wife who has put up with my tales of hills climbed and miles covered over the past months – not to mention the list of jobs around the house promised but forgotten (I said not to mention that).

One of the things that has worried me over the past few weeks has been the 3 trains required to get me and the bike down to Lands End. Not so much the trains but the two changes that had to be made between trains – only 10  and 12 minutes with a change in platform each time. Any delays could have been a major problem. I can now report that everything went perfectly all trains on time, GWR staff very helpful and each change of platforms completed in good time.

I was meet at Penzance by the Peak Tours guides as arranged and driven down to St. Just to the Wellington Hotel in the centre of the town. See picture below.

The Wellington Hotel,
St. Just

Had dinner tonight with all the other riders, about 26 in all, and they all seem very nice. Will get to know them better over the next few days. I have forgotten most of the names already, maybe I should suggest we all wear name badges.

Early night now as we have breakfast at 7:30 tomorrow then off to start the adventure.

 

1 week to go

by admin, posted in Preperation

Sunday 28th May 2017

Very nearly there, final week of serious training done. This week I have cycled 206 miles over 5 rides and climbed 3,024 vertical meters in the process. Wednesdays CTC ride alone was 72 miles and 1,039 meters climbed. During this coming week I shall just be doing 2 or 3 gentler rides to keep the legs working.

The closer I get to the ride the more I seem to be worrying that the training has not been enough. It is only once the ride starts will I know for sure but I am certain that I have not been as fit as I am now for a great many years.

Peak Tours have been in touch with the final route notes and satnav files. Once these have been printed and the Garmin devise loaded it will all ready to go.

I will do a “0 weeks to go”  blog next Friday then hopefully a daily blog for the adventure as it unfolds.

All I have to do now is pack my bag and check that I have every thing I need and it all works.

2 weeks to go

by admin, posted in Preperation

Nearly there, very close to the Grand Depart (Tour de France term). Another good week on the training front with 125 miles and 2,031 meters climbed. The climbs included 3 times up to Ditcham Park School, at the top of the South Downs, which is a 100 meter climb over 1 mile. See picture below for proof I did it – quite some view from the school playing fields. The picture was taken by one of the teachers that lives up there and had just come back from a ride – every ride he does ends with this climb.

This next week will be my last for full on training before the ride so I will try to do better than this week. I have to say that I am very pleased with were my fitness is now.

Need to start thinking about what to take with me and start collecting it all together. Probably need to cover all types of weather – we are going to Scotland in mid summer.

Weight still going down but still overweigh according to the NHS website.

Last week I mentioned the new mirror (the third so far) so I am pleased to  report that it works very well.

Really getting excited about the adventure now.

3 weeks to go

by admin, posted in Preperation

Sunday 14th May 2017

Where does the time go – 3 weeks today I will be on my way to John O’Grotes.

Training still going very well 4 rides this week covering 151 miles and 1641 meters climbed. More miles than last week but less climbing as the CTC ride was along the coast not up the South Downs. I am still very pleased with where I am on the fitness front. Next 2 weeks will have more climbing as that is the area that will give most benefit on the ride.

Regular readers may remember that I was very excited with 9 weeks to go about my new mirror. Well bad news this week it broke. I think it would cost more than the £1.73 that I paid for it to send it back to China. Therefor I have invested in a new one see picture below.

This one is on the down tube and you look between your legs to see what is behind. Not to sure about this one but will give it a go, can always revert to the one that attached to my glasses.

Nothing much else to report this week, I just keep getting more excited about the challenge to come.

 

5 weeks to go

by admin, posted in Preperation

Sunday 30th April 2017

This weeks training targets reach easily – total miles nil, no meters climbed. Wonderfull week in Rye, East Sussex. Plenty to see and do and the weather was kind to us, must return soon and see the things we missed this time.

Now starts some serious training sessions over the next 4 weeks then tapper down for the week before the big ride. This week I shall ride on 5 days with rest days on Tuesday and Friday. The ride days will consentrate on hills and not worry to much about distances. The CTC ride on Wednesday looks to be a good hilly ride.

Probably put on a couple of pounds this week as the scones and cakes always looked so tempting – back to sencible eating tomorrow.

6 weeks to go

by admin, posted in Preperation

 

Sunday 23rd April 2017

Another week completed and just 6 to go to the big day. Last week was very good, missed the miles target by 10 miles but did a lot of good hill work. Nearly 1,800 meters of climbing including 6 times up Old Winchester Hill. I keep surprising myself with the progress that has been made over the last 6 weeks since all my training has been all on the bike. There is a hill near me called Road Hill that runs from near The Bird in Hand in Lovedean to The Farmers Arms in Catherinton. The first 150 meters of the climb is 16% and over the past 25 years I have failed miserably every time I have tried it. There are only 2 options if you stop on the Hill, roll back down or walk to the top, as it is to steep to restart cycling. On Friday I climbed the hill for the first time – great feeling (once my breathing and heart rate returned to normal).

Weeks to go.   Target       Achieved

Week 19          7 hours      7.5 hours

Week 18          7 hours      8.5 hours

Week 17          8 hours       8 hours

Week 16          9 hours.      9 hours

Week 15        10 hours       10.5 hours

Week 14        10 hours       10 hours

Week 13         100 miles    91 miles

Week 12.        110 miles    132 miles – 1975 meters of climbing.

Week 11         120 miles    84 miles – 1001 meters climbing.

Week 10.        130 miles   130 miles – 1425 meters of climbing

Week 9           140 miles   152 miles – 1,339 meters of climbing

Week 8           120 miles   70 miles – 928 meters of climbing

Week 7            120 miles.  110 miles – 1,793 meters of climbing

The plan for the next 6 weeks is to have a low activity week this week, as we are away in the caravan for most of it. Then 4 weeks of high mileage and good climbing followed by a gentle week before the big ride.

Weight came down another pound this week so pleased with that.

Pulled all my cycle kit from the cupboard to see what I still need for the ride. Basically I have all I need already, cycle tops just never seem to wear out, I have two that are over 20 years old and look as good as new.

Looking forward to the gentle week coming up and visiting East Sussex.

 

 

 

7 weeks to go

by admin, posted in Preperation

Sunday 16th April

Not a very good week for reaching this week’s target of 120 miles including 3 hours of hill repetitions. Achieved just 70 miles on 3 rides but with 928 meters of climbing. The bike service on Tuesday ran into Wednesday which resulted in missing the CTC ride, good news is that the bike is working very well. Also I had forgotten that this weekend is Easter so other things took presidence over riding a bike. Yesterdays 40 mile ride was very good and made up for missing out during the week.

Weeks to go.   Target       Achieved

Week 19          7 hours      7.5 hours

Week 18          7 hours      8.5 hours

Week 17          8 hours       8 hours

Week 16          9 hours.      9 hours

Week 15        10 hours       10.5 hours

Week 14        10 hours       10 hours

Week 13         100 miles    91 miles

Week 12.        110 miles    132 miles – 1975 meters of climbing.

Week 11         120 miles    84 miles – 1001 meters climbing.

Week 10.        130 miles   130 miles – 1425 meters of climbing

Week 9           140 miles   152 miles – 1,339 meters of climbing

Week 8           120 miles   70 miles – 928 meters of climbing

Week 7            120 miles with 3 hours Hill reps

Not much else happened this week. I changed the pannier rack and bag for a lighter large saddle bag – picture below.

New saddle bag

As on the big ride all my luggage will be taken ahead all I need to carry can be in the two bags on the bike now.

Weight still coming down but only by 1 pound this week. More rides this week should help with the weight but I am not going to stress about it.

Only 7 weeks to go is motivation enough to get out and ride this week. CTC ride this week has a number of hills so, hopefully, I will go on that. Other rides this week will consentrate on hills.