Maltloaf's Cycling Journal

[maltloaf]

22 miles this afternoon. Cycling during the week now is getting hard to fit in so it's a treat when I do manage to get out.

started out slowly and thought I'd struggle to get an 18 after around 3 miles but the speed steadily increased and I was going well towards the end.

Very happy to turn in a 19.3.

The missus is off all this week so all being well I should be able to get out a few more times.

[tips]

Just a heads up in case you miss it m8, but there is a good Cycling Special on this Thursday at Aldi.

[maltloaf]

Saw it mentioned on another forum yesterday but thanks for the heads up. I think I will be picking up one of their pro jackets if they are the same as last year's. I didn't get one last time around and regretted it.

If they are the same as last year's, they are like a thin neoprene type material, a bit like the pro racers wear. I'll be checking them out.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuy...ling-jacket-1/


Be wary of any shorts/tights/trousers. I have had a couple of pairs from the Aldi/Lidl ranges now and they have all caused me problems with bad stitching causing rubbing where you don't want rubbing !! Can't fault the shirts I have had from there though. Last year's winter jerseys were as good as my £50 altura one.

[maltloaf]

Amazing to get out two days in a row. A bit slower than my current pace but still pretty good.

A stiff head wind for the first 4 miles or so saw me just taking it easy, which impacted the overall average. I tried hard in the later stages to get over 19mph but it wasn't to be !

[tips]

Another heads up m8. The daily mirror is printing a £5 off at Aldi voucher if you spend £40 or more, in tomorrows paper and it can be used from tomorrow.

[maltloaf]

In prep for next weekend's tour ride I redid my 60 mile Severn bridge loop.

Went out a bit too quickly for the first 20 or so miles and also didn't stop half way like last time so I suffered in the last 20 miles with a sore back and cramp in my thighs. Still thoroughly enjoyed it though and glad to have got some proper miles back in my legs.

[maltloaf]

Did 24 miles on Thursday in prep for this weekend's Tour Ride. Just about clung on for 19MPH average but only just.


Today I did our local cat 3, for only the second time. It would have been a great time (for me) but I had to stop to let a herd of cows go down !

[maltloaf]

Dis the 2014 Tour Ride today/ 52 miles and waaaay more climbing than I'm used to, but made it up them all without stopping. Loved this ride plus an amazing surprise at the finish line, Mark Cavendish handing out the medals.

[Fear345]

He looks so thrilled to be there

[maltloaf]

He was very chatty as it happens. Very happy to sign stuff and talk to people.

[maltloaf]

Nice 30 miles yesterday, except I rode through a horrible storm of rain and hail on about 10 miles. I have never been so cold, wet and uncomfortable on a bike.

Almost turned back home but kept going. Finished the ride in bright and warm sunshine !

Felt really strong all the way through but was glad to get back for a shower.

[maltloaf]

Wanted this ride to be a fair bit longer but don't go out until 5pm and got caught out by the fading light (forgot my front light).

Changed it into a fast blast and was in the mid 19's until I hit the headwind for the last 4 to 5 miles or so and it dropped away.

[maltloaf]

Great ride yesterday, 18mph wind (according to my bbc weather app) meant my progress for the first 15 miles or so was at a snail's pace.

I decided to head for Selsley Hill as I'd only been up it once and I wanted to see if the hill was as bad as I'd remembered it.
It wasn't. I got up over it comfortably and went on my way. I then realised I was near one of my regular little climbs, Cam Pitch, so I went up over that too.

For someone who used to avoid hills like the plague this is great. I have now got confidence in myself that I can get up over them all, so I don't avoid them. In fact I go looking for them.

After Dursley, I turned towards home and finally had the wind behind me. Flew for the next 15 miles or so and the average recovered a bit to 17.1

Loved this ride, I felt massively strong and felt like nothing could stop me.

[maltloaf]

Fisrt ride for over a week, a 32 miler. Lovely weather out for the fact that it's almost November. Almost perfect cycling weather apart from the 10mph wind. Had a lovely tow off a mobile crane from Frampton to Eastington, the bloke kept looking round, I think he was amazed to see a fat bloke on a bike keeping with him at 24mph lol

A great ride all in all except for the puncture on 31.9 miles which blew a hole in the side of the tyre. I had to put a spare tube in and blow it up only slightly, to limp the last section home.

[maltloaf]

Been thinking about this for a while. Got out there and did it today.

My first ever 10km rum. Really proud of myself and more than comfortable throughout. Very very happy.

[maltloaf]

Garmin connect is playing silly buggers today so will have to post a strava link.

My legs have been really sore since my 10k run so I had a couple of days off. Got out today for an hour or so though.

First trip out for the winter tyres as it's been raining pretty non stop and the roads are really greasy.

A really enjoyable 20 miles, apart from a torrential downpour on about 15 miles.

http://www.strava.com/activities/214782976

[maltloaf]

First ride for a week again. Too busy with work and home life.

An hourish spare so did a quick 23(.8) miles. Found it quite hard going actually but really happy to still be in the 18's in the second week of November. Normally pace drops off a cliff once the weather turns and the winter tyres are on but still good

[maltloaf]

Only ride again this week. Had a ride out with the local cycling club. Bit slower than I'm used to but had a nice push with a couple of the faster ones towards the end which got the heart going.

Really enjoyed riding in a group though, it's lovely to have some people to talk to rather than just racking up mile after mile at 100% effort and can see this being an every Sunday morning thing.

[maltloaf]

2 shortish rides this weekend.

Tried and failed to ride around the local cycling club time trial yesterday. Couldn't find the start and then missed another turning completely!
The light then went really quickly and I had to ride home in the dark which I'm not very happy doing. I must charge my lights up (and remember to take them!)


Today I was due out with the club but had a family commitment so I went out by myself for the time I had spare and got a decent 22 miles in. Found it quite hard going actually but I did actually make it around their time trial course as part of this ride today !

[maltloaf]

three rides to report ...

Had a major blow out on this, up a fairly puffy climb too. Big hole in the side of the tyre. Patched it up but only managed another 2 miles. Had to get the missus to come out and collect me



This one was a very slow but fun ride with the local cycling club. Quite frustrating stopping to wait for the group but they showed me a lovely route I wouldn't have found on my own



Today I wanted to go over Selsley hill (which was where I had my blowout) to get that pb off the books.