Training is over. Ready or not, here I come.

After last Wednesday's aborted run, I have to admit I was not feeling too confident, I had seen Ben (my coach) on the Tuesday and he was really pleased with my form, so the plan was 150 miles on Wednesday and 180 miles on the Bank holiday Monday. Then taper down, just ticking over until June 10th.
I was in a real dilemma as to what to do, I had two rest days, two training days and then my last ride. Problem was that I was obviously too tired to do a 150 mile cylce ride on Wednesday, if the same happened on bank holiday Monday ........ohhhh dear! On the other hand if I went out on Monday and stormed it, would I have enough time to fully recover by Saturday 10th.
Had a chat with Ben and he cancelled Monday's ride, his view being that it would make no difference, I was either ready or not and his feeling is that I am, and at this stage I am better to be fresh for the day.

My mileage and turbo sessions have been ramping up for three months: starting at 100 road miles a week with a couple of easy turbo sessions, culminating in almost 300 miles, two gym sessions and a couple of hard 1.5 hour turbo sessions all in the space of seven days.
Although I don't feel it until I try to push myself, I am mentally and physically tired. In theory, over the next ten days as I rest and train lightly, I should peak - hopefully on June 10th!

Karpetalepsky Estate Agents have funded some cycling shirts (see picture left) and the support van. The shirts were printed by Wealden Workwear in East Grinstead, Clem not only did a fantastic job printing the shirts but also generously donated some sponsorship - many thanks Clem.

Jason of DeVer Cycles did a great service on my bike last week, it needed new brakes, cables and tyres and apparently the gearing set up was shot to bits (!) but now is smooth and slick.

DeVerCycles will be providing me with spare wheels for the day just in case of a disaster. I'd like to thank Maurice Burton for his support and advice over the last few months.

Watch this space as I will be introducing the "Backup Bandits" shortly! Heeheeheehee.

Truro to Guildford: The Cycle Route.

(Click on any of these maps to view them in full page, click the back button on your browser to go back to the blog).

Stage 1: Truro and across Bodmin Moor.

This is going to be a tough section although I will be fresh and hopefully raring to go, it is all unknown territory.I can remember driving down the A30 through Cornwall years ago, there are some steep long climbs. An early start will also be a benefit as there should be less traffic and not too warm, although on current form it could be snowing.


39 Miles down, 201 Miles to go!









Stage 2: Launceston to Exeter.

Again this will be new territory for me on the bike, but at least I will know that once I have passed Exeter I will be on familiar ground. I hope to get through Exeter around the five hour mark, although I will have to really pace myself for the first 100 miles.I think there is a long slow climb up to the Exeter turn, then it's a straight cut across town and out the other side.


88 Miles down, 152 Miles to go.




Stage 3: Exeter to Yeovil.


Now I will be getting in to more familiar territory, having done the route from Honiton to Guildford, on a training ride, I will be far more prepared for what the road has to throw at me in terms of hills and surface. Its amazing how a bad road surface leaves a marked impression not just on your backside.
There is a nasty hill going through Chard, the downhill has hairpins in it, so I won't be able to get the full benefit of going down it, and the uphill is very long and steep, I seem to remember having a fly breakfast on this section on my training ride through here.

137 Miles down, just 103 Miles to go.




Stage 4: Yeovil to Salisbury.

This is a good section, my favorite, it's fast and the road is good, generally downhill or flat with a few short steep climbs. Here is where I can expect to make up time and up my average speed.
Robbo (Andy Robbins,) former Old Actonians rugby player/coach will be joining me somewhere en-route through here. No doubt he will be running along side carrying some scaffold poles and bellowing at me to keep up.

179 Miles down, only 61 Miles to go!!!




Stage 5: The Final section Winchester to Guildford.

You may have noticed I have not mentioned getting from Salisbury to Winchester, there is a reason for this, I will be catching a train! No only kidding, Salisbury will be approximately the 170 mile mark.

My longest training has been 157 miles. The run from Salisbury to Winchester is uphill and then another 10 mile climb beyond. There is great significance in this, as I enter unknown territory of over 160 miles, well over the ten hour mark I also start a long hard climb, so I will ignore it. This section is Winchester to Guildford and that is all I have to say about that!!!
I will be going around Winchester and staying on slightly higher ground to reduce the climb up to Four Marks on the A31, then the last 25 miles or so is flat or downhill. So if I can get to Winchester I have a good chance of finishing.

240 Miles down, where's the Bar!!!!!

Over trained or scared of a bit of rain????

Set off at 05:30 this morning planning to do the same route as last Friday, 157 miles.
I was not on the road for long before I got caught in the first heavy downpour of rain, not the warmest of mornings either.
As I turned for home after 30 miles, I could see the weather was worse up ahead and soon I was soaked again, rivers running down the side of the road, and spray kicking up from passing cars and lorries.
I started to talk myself out of the ride, it was not safe (true), visibility was poor and mine was worse as my glasses were wet and steaming up (but necessary to protect my eyes).
Could have been psychological, but my heart rate average was also very low, about 7 bpm down on normal. I have been told that this can be a sign of over training and being tired.
I can't say I was happy to get home, I don't like giving up, but live to fight another day and all that. My last training ride is on Bank holiday Monday, possibly 180 miles. Lets hope the weather improves!

I'm told that log entries without photos are dull, so here is a photo of Zinzan Brooke grabbing some limelight with John who looks happy to oblige.