Category: Rides and exercise

Monday: Work. I’ve just had a look at the Google Analytics statistics for yesterday. I normally get about 150 to 200 visits a day. Yesterday it was 3,415. Which is pretty amazing.
The bike wants sorting for tomorrows time trial this evening.
Work went badly at the end of the shift and I ended up stopping an extra hour to sort it out on  Bank Holiday of all times. Put some air in the tubular tyres for tommorrows time trial as I start at number 7. I’ll try and get around to all your comments as soon as I can.
I’m a bit rusty for the time trial but I’ve give it a go as things can only get better.
Back up to speed with the comment replies I think, all are welcome.

There are a lot of comments coming through that mention inspiration but I didn’t see it that way, I was just doing something to help myself.  I’ve been running the site  for a few years now and Janes article has unleashed massive interest. I still remember the struggle of those early rides as the extra weight absolutely kills you on hills.  I’ll endeavor to update the pages across the top and keep it relevant to those looking to make that change in their lives.

The Weekending Posts that I write about now are what I do day to day now along with Big Ride writeups.

For those starting out on a new plan the dieting industry needs a before picture which in my case was pretty hard to come by.  For all those following Weightwatchers and Slimming World plans and others the main problem is that they are an industry and don’t teach you the essential exercise component of weightloss.

Don’t be afraid to post a comment, I don’t bite  I’m trying to help.

Tuesday: Work, followed by time trial.
Came home through Liverpool as I didn’t want the congestion of the Runcorn bridge. This is the first event of the Birkenhead Northend club time trial series. It’s also my first outing in the new club kit. Tempo has just put a picture of me up on Facebook which shows the colour clashes with my usual Discovery channel kit.
They call time trials the race of truth as it is just you against the clock. That may be true but there is a lot more to it when you are up against your peers.
You set off at minute intervals on a fixed course timed to the second. Tonight’s was the Brimstage 7 which starts on the doorstep.
Starting at Heswall Hills it’s half a mile up a rise to Gayton Roundabout. This is hard to judge as going all out tends to leave you in deficit on the Chester High Road (A540) which is where you should be fast.

 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/3685580

Feel free to look at all the data as I was maxxed out for a lot it, every time I looked down it was looking at 177 BPM.  There was traffic at Gayton roundabout but it was Ok if a little tight. Then it started to shower, not much of a problem until the turn for Thornton Hough. Slackened off for the turn as it may have been slippey and managed to miss one pothole by the Grange only to hit another. All this time I can make out my minute man in the distance. Wasn’t too pleased with my speed over the crest by the 7 Stars as it dropped to a little over 15mph. Which is much the same as last year. Next obstacle is the roundabout on the Clatterbridge- Willaston road. Two cars pass ok but a third can’t wait a couple of seconds and chops me up then stops as a car may have been doing a full circuit but didn’t.
I was miffed.  Next up was the Drayton Motor roundabout, this went Ok and I was still gaining on my minute man Brother James. I finally drew alongside and passed him at the roundabout as cars allowed a bit of a draft. The time 18.33 which I’m pleased with(it could have been a lot worse). Average 23.2 mph. 

Had a pint in the  rugby club with Liverpool-Chelsea match on the screen and rode home.
Going to be a nightmare tommorow, best apply myself to the job. The Liverpool supporters taking it quite well taking heart in putting 4 past Chelsea.

Wednesday: Work, last day. MOT time for the Scenic means I’ll  be under it tomorrow by the sound of it.
Thursday: First day off,  the Scenic got a new exhaust. Had a look at the handbrake and took it for an MOT which it passed. Called in at Europa pools and booked a spinning class as now you get 2 hours parking free if you have an Invigorate card, finally they are using some common sense.
Spoke to Louise after a hot class as she has just restarted after getting her leg broke by a Liverpool Echo van.  Mentioned that Barbara had finally found the site after me writing about her classes for over two years.
I didn’t want a war between the instructors over whose was the hardest class. Tonight was a 707 calorie class by the way.
Home via Lidl which has cycle shoes and helmets along with track pumps on offer. If your starting out after seeing the BBC story this is where I started. It’s great value and you need to start somewhere.
I’ve bought the shoes before. They take an SPD cleat and you can walk in them.
Friday:Rain stopped play in the morning so I read Cycling Plus. There is some good stuff in it this month.
Including a ride based on the Horseshoe Pass. Now it’s a tough climb but nothing like the Old Horseshoe Pass. It’s too narrow to send the Milk race up or any race but gives you a sense of achievement when you’ve done it.
If your looking to start on the road I’d recommend Cycling Plus as it’s the only publication based on road riding. The Mountain Bike magazines don’t feature any road content as they are wholly off road.

107 Dining Room for lunch, should have stuck with the one course for a fiver but thought I’d try the two for £8 as there was more selection. Couldn’t fault it but it’s going to take some burning off.
Had a look at the GarminConnect link for Tuesday as I’m now third in the Northend time trial handicap league. I’m only 2 BPM off my max for this year which is 184 BPM, no wonder it felt hard. Tempo sent me the pics he took at Gayton roundabout and I’ve got my raceface on them all.

Margaret’s spinning class at West Kirby, thought I had scewed up the HRM settings as all the instructors want to know how many calories are burnt in a class. After looking at at wrong page for 45 odd minutes  it was 637 calories which is about right.

Sort the bikes out when I got home, a light dinner and watched a DVD. Blog to keep up to date.
Saturday: Ride day. 81 miles and 1537 Metres of climbing, deserves a seperate write up. Had a great day ended going up the Horseshoe Pass for good measure and doing a lot if not all the Cycling plus ride. Great day for a ride

I’ll post more on the ride write up.

Sunday: Another nice  day for a ride. Locked out of my GarminConnect account which is not a good start. Not planned to do a ride today as it is a Jack day. Took a trip out to Carrog to see the steam engines.

Monday: Work
Tuesday: Work
Wednesday:Ride day. Missed all the rides by the time I got to the Eureka. Fitted the tri bars to the Trek so it was time to give them a try.  The weather forecasts haven’t been too good lately promising rain and then it doesn’t. Decided on a Wirral rideas it’s not that bad a place to do a ride.

Had to stop and take a picture of this. It deserves a place in the Warrington CTC Cycleways book.
New Brighton boating lake so it sees a fair bit of traffic.

Took to the Wirral way at Parkgate leaving at Caldy village stopped at Morrisons and then it was along he front at Hoylake. There was a lad on a mountain bike that didn’t take too kindly to being passed so he retook me by the lifeboat station. There is a strong tailwind and I was pratting around. With the gloves off it was time to engage the big ring and go into time trial mode. Cranking it up I’d repassed the mountain biker and was doing over 30 mph 31.9 to be exact.

By Harrison drive I’d rejoined the cycleway and should have stopped to take some pictures of the kite boarders. That or the wind shifting the sand across the beach. I’d got off the bike to carry it over the sand that had drifted across the path and then got sandblasted as the wind funneled the sand over the coastal defence.
Another stop in Vale Park had everybody sitting outside in the sun.
Then on to Woodside to look at the U-Boat which is now open.
44 miles.  Cleaned the bike when I got home, the chain having a lot of sand in it.
Lifestyle and Weight Management followup class, this month the topic of conversation was about maintaining focus.
Thursday: Second spinning class at West Kirby had me late for the class. One of the girls stopped me after the class to ask how far we had gone as she has entered a 26 mile charity ride and is unsure how long its going to take. As she is doing 2 spinning classes back to back and goes hard I’d think it would be under two hours once she changes the tyres on the mountain bike.
Gym afterwards for 45 minutes, picked up the comic on the way home from a congested Tesco’s.
Followed Tour de Tweets on twitter as there is no cycling on Eurosport.
Northend club night.
Friday: Bought a new laptop eventually and transfering data across didn’t quite go to plan.
Saturday: A late start on a brilliant riding day. Rode to the Eureka via Parkgate and Denhall lane.
Spent an hour or so at the Eureka chatting in the sun. (added all this later after the Sundaypost)One of those I was talking to was Terry Galvin who picked me upon a Eureka 50 mile ride a few years ago.
Keith Boardman was there and Carol turned up after a ride to Summertrees.
It’s really amazing the number of people I’ve come across in my relatively short cycling career each one a character in their own right.

Back via the missing link, Eastam, Raby Mere, and the coastal cycle route. 44 miles. Punctured at Seacombe  due to hitting a pothole. That wasn’t so bad but pumping it up with a mini pump was a chore.
Sunday: Work.  Had a few comments already about the BBC article more of which later.

Confessions of a Weightloss Cyclist.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7953197.stm

What a day this has turned out to be. I started off driving through Brimstage and had two Pheasants darting across my path. Listening to the radio there was comment about making kids eat porridge in the morning and why it won’t happen. I’ve just had Quaker Oat Granola and 3 berries and it tasted fine to me and I’ve been eating it for the last years.

A couple of weeks ago Jane Elliot from the BBC contacted me through the site and we arranged a phone interview. I didn’t post anything on the site as thing’s don’t always turn out the way you see them.
That’s all changed today as her article was posted on the BBC website.
It’s a good article and I thank her for it. The response has been overwhelming with lots of comments coming in. (all of which I’m trying to respond to)
They are dotted all over the site so don’t fret if you haven’t got a reply yet.
I look at the Google stats from time to time and guess they are about to go through the roof.

Stayed up to watch Paris- Roubaix on Eurosport which is burning the candle at both ends.

Ran the spelling checker over the page as the laptop is suffering from a sticking keyboard and is missing letters and spaces amazing what you can miss.

Monday: More decorating, managed to get a cancellation for Barbara’s spinning class which is just as well as the woman in front of me was trying to get a cancellation too. Full class with 4 first timers. Good class. 
Twe2.com settings altered as the volume of texts is flattening the battery on the phone.
Tuesday: Gym and a spin. Gave out the site address to one of Barbara’s first class. Beryl asked how many calories I burnt when she saw the HRM. It’s around 600 calories for 1 class and 1100 for 2 classes. You have to go hard to achieve these numbers though.
Gym for some weights and ran 1km on the treadmill at 9.9km/hr.
Shower and home for lunch.
More decorating.
8PM X Bike class at Guinea Gap. No space on the 7PM class but there are only 6 bikes. Spent the afternoon washing all the kit. HRM chest strap battery has given out. The Toy’s cadence sensor has had a new battery.  Not as many position’s as a spinning bike but it exercises a totally different muscle group. Particularly upper body due to the adjustable damped spring loaded handlebars.
Wednesday:  Ride day. A dry day would be nice.
A cool start with it brightening up later meant many would be overdressed. A Discovery windshell over a winter jersey would be enough. The usual Franks Breakfast proving to be too much again on another tough ride. Tried out the Brimstage 7 from the Clegg to see if I was up for it. 24.9 mph with no Time Trial bars or carbon wheels mean it’s going to be tough.

 
Took a picture at the start and then it was time to play catchup again.
Just when I though I was getting on the back before Woodbank a CTC group with oncoming traffic meant I couldn’t make the turn in time. Caught them up a the A5117 lights and headed out with them along the cycle path.

All went well until the lights at Queensferry, here Carols group had caught us up and then I got asked if I was sure I was in the right group by going out with the big hitters.  It was fair comment and I’d opted to go with the big hitters. Soon to be undone. I was soon off the back on the climb to Hawarden , a lorry had split the group on the roundabout and I never made it back on. Things didn’t get much better as I’d only the destination and not the route. Where I took a route to Higher Kinnerton taking the walkway  over the dual carriage way the others took the main road to Hope. CTC habits die hard.

First serious climb was the Steps: B5102 from Cefn-y-Bedd look at the profile on the link to see how it got it’s name. Halfway up I stop at the turnoff to Brybo to look at the Edge, a lorry driver says my mates are waiting for me at the top but it was not to be.

Second serious climb is from Minera to Worlds end, it’s no use saving a gear as it’s that steep your not going to get into it once into the climb. It’s another climb with a couple of turns in it that hide the summit. There is a white house that you can see from the other side of the valley that looks a long way up and is.

This is the Ford at Worlds End, one way or the other you’ve had a decent ride to get here. It’s a tough climb from Minera and it’s a tough climb towards Minera. The Fford is treacherous for a cycle, I always take the stones.

This is the bottom of the Old Horseshoe Pass which is a hard climb it’s about twice as steep as the Horseshoe pass and peaks at 21% but a lot of it it is 16-18%. Engage your lowest gear or you’ll blow up by the cattle grid.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2884477  

Thursday:Morning spinning class at West Kirby no calories counting as I wasn’t wearing the HRM. I hadn’t had breakfast and forgot the water bottle. Ended up getting a Lucozade sport drink from the vending machine which was just as well as the bike didn’t have a bottle cage.
Tough class because of heat lack of fluid and still suffering from yesterdays ride. Gym afterwards for some weights and 2km on the rowing machine.
Picked up the comic on the way home but refused to pay £3.99 for 225g of blueberries.
I go through a lot of soft fruit and it all adds up.
The Toy got a dose of looking at and was found a lot wanting. Front wheel wanted truing so it went to Colin at Wheelbase. The rear wheel had the cassette removed the wheel not spinning too freely but couldn’t be sorted. The lockring on the cassette came off on yesterdays ride an I was doing 30 mph at the time. The chain was too long and has had 2 links taken out, rejoined with a Shimano pin.
The 705 is a year old and I’ve broken another bracket.  Other than that it’s been OK the altimeter fault sorted itself out.
Back on the bike the Look Keo classic pedals are worn out the outer bush has worn a ridge in the axle. Time to upgrade to something better bearing in mind I’ve spent more on cleats. Probably going to go for Ceramic bearings for the rear wheel.
Missed the Northend chaingang.
Friday: Last day off, read the comic from front to back, going to pick the wheel up and go out for a short ride. Entry for Sunday in the post, it’s full with 150 riders with me in the final group.
It’s going to be fun getting to Overton which is going to be very busy. No entries on the line.
Picked the wheel up from Colin went shopping and turned up for Margarets Spinning class.
During the day I’d swapped batteries as the cell voltage was low. Margaret’s also counting calories tonight.
The HRM has been erratic lately and it’s the failing battery on the cheststrap.
Tough class and after another good stretching session the number was 725 calories.
Shower and home.
Transporter 3 to watch on DVD.
Saturday:Work. Plotted tommorrows ride on BikeRouteToaster http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=40605 

Sunday: May format this at a later date.  Turn up at the parking for the event to see a grass track event underway.  In the Event the event  was over subscribed with over double last years entries.  There was an excellent spread at Overton (as usuall), the halfway distance.  With  150 riders on the roads in blocks of 10, with the slower riders  going off first you would think there you’d be problems. Due to the large entry the opposite was true.

I’d chatted with others at the start waiting for the sign on time with groups often going off at ten minute intervals. Someone had a tyre go down rapidly on the line probably due to the tube being pinched.
Just before we set off a guy in Astana Kit goes past on a Trek Madone this was a cue to set off in pursuit.
It’s a 2 mile drag up to the junction and I didn’t make any headway with him turning off somewhere before the Straight Mile Road. I felt a lot better going up Marford hill this time expecting the control to be at Borras Head. Due the numbers and congestion it  been moved to a layby further down the road.

The good news was parts of another group were in sight. I’d caught them up by Holt and the lights on the bridge had stopped the others. A green light was another cue to hare across the bridge to get a bit of momentum for the climb through Farndon. Holt and Farndon are a common section of the ride on the outward ride and the return.  If you let a satnav route you, you’d bypass all this and let it take you down the A534.

From now on it is a flat big ring ride, which it has been since Borras Head. Pass another puncture just after Crewe by Farndon, it can happen to anyone.

 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2956729

Monday: Off for 12 days. Time to catch up on a few things. Barbara’s spinning class at West Kirby and then the gym. Ran a mile at 10 km/hr, cross trainer and intervals on the Technogym side stepper, weights shower and home.  305 Course question about this weekends Cheshire Cat. It’s on BikeHike. Started to sort the flat out which dragged on to 7 with another trip to Wickes. Quantum of Solace £7 in Tesco but not on BluRay, grrr.
Tuesday: More of the same. Spinning class at West Kirby, more work on the flat and it looks like I have missed the good weather. Booked an X bike class at Guinea Gap for 7 so dining late tonight.
This weeks ride video were New York and San Francisco, only being part of the class the rest being instrctor led.
Saw Lances twitter about picking the Times up and there being nothing in  it about Mark Cavendish,s Milan San Remo win. Radio 4 picking up on it. Plenty of press about him crashing and breaking his collar bone.

Managed to get Stans Horseshoe Grimpeur into the Edge after a bit of work. With two climbs of the Horseshoe pass and a lot more it will test anyone. Haven’t worked out if I’m off or not.
Wednesday: Ride day delayed due to a call system fault.  Winter bike and a water proof jacket out to the Eureka with only Merseyside CTC (who start late) and Keith Boardman left. They had been to the Plassey too and had a tale about it.
Home via the missing link but diverted on to the Wirral Way as I’d never ridden the Hadlow Road section. It’s all hard surfaced to Heswall now with no mud or puddles. Left it at Parkgate and stopped for some water. Then it was back into the wind with the Edge showing 7.5 mph at one stage. Then it started to rain and this was a cue to take the Wirral Way again by the Boathouse.
18 miles, should have toughed it out as it turned out brighter later and Eurosport dropped the Track champs.
Thursday: Car is getting a new cambelt, bikes going in the back and going to treat it as a ride day. Too risky not to change the belt when you’ve heard a few horror stories.
Dropped the car off and headed off along the front at Hoylake. Not many people about but it was early and blowing a gale.

Vale park Cafe was closed with Woodside closed for refurbishment. Looks like they are doing a good job of the U-Boat there.
Called in at Europa pools to see what spinning classes are on and the good news was that Louise has started doing her classes this week after beaking her leg on a run.
Out via the Missing Link to Ness Gardens for a Cafe stop, the rain clouds blowing over the Dee meant it was time to move on. I’d stopped to take a picture on Denhall lane and virtually had to ride downhill the wind being that strong.

Took to the Wirral Way at Parkgate  and followed it through to West Kirby. No phantom tacker this time.
The Council were doing work on the track at Thurstaton and had left the gates open. Next thing a car is going down the Wirral Way with a kid asleep in the back.
His reversing better be good as there is no way of turning around.
Picked the car up from Hoylake put the bike in the back and gave it another clean when I got home. 45 miles not a bad day after all.
Bike chain went in the ultrasonic bath for a clean as although there is no spray from the front guard the rear guard was pouring water over the chainset on the wetter parts of the morning.
The goldline chainlube is not attracting the grit like the oter lubes.
Pauls Twe2.com backup and running with a load of texts coming through wishing Lance Armstrong a quick recovery.
Watched the World Track Champs on Eurosport and Team GB is not having it all their own way.
Friday: Easy day, read “It’s not about the Bike” until I had to put it down to go to the cinema with Val. Watched “Knowing” but felt shortchanged by the ending.
World Track champs on Eurosport when I got home and refitted the chain to the winterbike. Twittered a bit too.
Saturday: Sorted the flat out, no ride.
Sunday: Antony Gormleys “Another Place” was busy but you couldn’t see anything as the tide was in.
Barbara’s Spinning class at West Kirby.

Rode out to the Eureka Cafe with the intention of doing my first decent ride of the year. Rode out on empty for Franks Breakfast which was going to have a bearing on the first part of the ride. CTC were going to Trevor Arms and Carol had The Plassey by Bangor on Dee in mind.

While waiting for the ride to assemble Allan Negus turned up on his recession busting new toy. Rode with Allan with the CTC, always immaculately turned out, slows down before the cafe stop so not to arrive in a sweat. Lots of summer bikes out now mine included. Amazing what a bit of sun can do. Picked up a set of car keys on the A540 on the way out.

Seventeen on the ride and I nearly missed it as it was off up the road after this picture.
Went down the outside of the traffic to catch them up at Woodbank an oncoming lorry driver flashing me onto the back of the group.

All was going well with me playing tailgunner with John on the back. That was until the roundabouts at Rossett where a lorry gaped us from the group. We fell of the back with Vicky leading the charge up the Gresford hill.

John called it a day further on and headed to Holt. I was playing catchup until Llan-y-Pwll.
Last through the lights at Cross Lanes the elastic snapped again with Barry going for it on the rolling road.

Once a ride gets to a certain size the front has no connection with the back.  There were times when we held up traffic because those on the front didn’t hear the shout to single out. This was on solid white lines those at the back did but the message didn’t reach the front.  This time it was OK  but there are times when the motorists get agressive. Usually ending in them speeding past and chopping up the front outside rider.

Turning up the drive to the Plassey I glanced down to the Edge to see the gradient at 10%.

Parked the bike up and joined the others on the benches outside to order.

This was my cake stop, it tasted as good as it looks and that is without the optional ice cream or cream.
I’ve already had a Eureka breakfast in me so anything more will be too much.

This was Barry’s Lasagna, you can’t fault the place for any of the food.  Got berated by Lisa for not taking pictures of the views “Why’s he taking pictures of the food”.
There were shots I wanted to take like the two lambs running along side us bleating away but the windshell meant I couldn’t get the camera out. 

 

 

  

Took a turn on the front on the way back, there is another shot with Barry on the front but as I sped off to get a shot from the roadside he chased me down and nearly ran into me as I pulled up sharply.

 

 This was the resultant picture.

   

That little dot in the distance is Barry going off the front. I’m off the back a bit.
I join the back again to see Barry going off the front again.
Had another stint at the front and came of at Aldford as the Saighton 10 I haven’t ridden yet and wanted to see what it looked like.
Carol and Barry were on the back with a car or lorry between us next thing they are gone. Lisa goes back.  I thought there had been a mechanical but no. The camera case wormed it’s way out of the pocket and Barry thinking it was my wallet stopped for it. Thanks Barry I owe you one.

Carol and Lisa opt to take the cyclepath through Chester and avoid whats coming next. Backford Hill. It’s not the hill that is the problem it’s what goes on up it. Not a problem for me as five of us missed the lights but you know whats going on up front.
True to form there is a break and it’s hard enough getting on the back of the group after a change of lights.

It’s steady then to Chapel Lane where my rattling bike (unthreaded valve stem rattling on the rim) takes a change of tone, like something is going to drop off. Found nothing and met up with the others at the Eureka. Everybody has had a good ride and it’s been a great day. Rode home via the Missing Link with Barry and Vicky until she turned off.
72 miles, best ride of the year so far but there will be others, a lot more others.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2616698 use the player button, it’s really good.

Monday: 88.2 kg this morning, so yesterdays short ride and spinning class did have a result.
9.30 Spinning class at West Kirby followed by the gym. HRM had me doing 500 calories in the class but it was more as it stops counting when doing chest presses.
One of the class mentioned how hard it was and I’d tend to agree.

Gym afterwards for weights, 1 mile run and the crosstrainer and another 2km on the rowing machine.
I’d set the crosstrainer to count calories and see how long it took to burn 284 calories off ( a Mars bars worth). The resistance was set midrange with the display showing 150-160 watts. 32 minutes later I was done. Part of my problem with weight gain was hitting the vending machine at work because I wouldn’t be getting anything to eat for a couple of hours.
Two Mars Bars a day will make you gain a pound a week or 52 pounds a year (3stone 10pounds if you prefer Imperial) .
Sort my dads Skype out.

Booked an X bike class at Leasowe. Hopefully this will see me through the 88 kg Colnago weight limit in the next day or so. It will also give me a chance to see if the leg muscle soreness returns.

Only six bikes and a shorter class at Leasowe with a bike empty from someone that booked and never turned up. The Liverpool and London videos were played after some exercises to get newcomers used to the moves. Saw the icons that tell you whether to increase or decrease the resistance this time around.
As the bikes are brand new I didn’t have any problem with slippage this time. Can’t give you a calorie figure as I forgot to wear the cheststrap. Shower and home.
Tesco finest pizza for tea 620 calories, always read the label.
Tuesday: Booked in for the second spinning class at West Kirby as the first is full. Probably the gym beforehand like last week.
87.6 Kg this morning so the trend is still down.
A few weights in the gym before the class.
I was under the impression that this was going to be an empty class but all the women from the Pilate’s class piled in.
This turned out to be one hard class partly because of the fast tempo throughout it. One section was the closest thing to climbing at speed which is just what I need. The HRM hit 184 BPM on this stretch.
Shower and home for lunch.
Had problems with Outlook only getting it sorted after 5.
Another spinning class at West Kirby not as intense as this morning but still gave it a good go.
No Barloworld for the Tour.
Wednesday: Ride day. Report coming up. Route http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2616698
Thursday: Work for the next four days. Back up to 87.6 kg so I was dehydrated on yesterdays ride. The scales read 87.2 kg yesterday.  More writing for yesterdays ride and updated a few links for the CTC page.
Friday: Work. Wrote the above post. Sorted out a washing machine. Need to sort out some after work routine even if it’s half an hour on the bike once the clocks go forward.
Saturday: Work. Deleted 240 odd texts that twe2 had sent me and flattened the battery. Sorted a few more links out here and there and checked my spelling on a few pages which can be patchy on some words. Hope to stay up to see Cavendish on Milan SanRemo. Did some pressups and I’ve lost form.
Sunday: Work.

Monday: Waited in all morning for someone who didn’t turn up. Watched Paris-Nice on Eurosport and washed my kit and that was about it. Should have jumped on the Tacx. Blogged
Tuesday: The right side of 89 kg this morning so the weight is slowly coming off. Weather looked a bit grim for the day so it was off to West Kirby for a Spinning Class and a session in the gym.
No space for the first class so it was off to the gym to hit the machines.
Sidestepper for 10 mins, ran a mile which felt OK. Cycled at 100 rpm for 10 mins to see if I’m cut out to be a Lance style high cadence rider. Guess I’m not.
A gel before the spinning class which went well then a 2km Row which took 10 minutes. Some weights and then a shower. Took a Rego recovery drink to see if they work.
Weather nice and bright when I got out so perhaps I should have chanced it.
Settled down to watch Paris-Nice on Eurosport. Rang up about an X bike ride and was told to turn up 15 mins early and enjoy the class.

Turned up at the Sports Centre in Everton Valley paid my £4 and did my first class. I ended up burning 850 calories which is a new record. It is more like mountain biking with the added advantage of SPD pedals.
Friction is controled by a twistgrip. Couldn’t quite get the hang of the freewheel as needed all the resistance in to stop it slipping.
A video is projected on the wall which in parts is computer generated similar to a Tacx Catalyst ride.
Other parts are filmed in Liverpool and should be put on YouTube, they are brilliant. Must have been done by a courier with no fear. Jumping red lights and a host of other transgretions it is really good to watch and sure beats the hell out of staring at a spot on a wall of a squash court.
Wednesday: Work. 88.5 kg this morning so the Christmas excess is coming off but at a slow rate.
Legs know about it today so yesterday wasn’t a waste.
Lifestyle and Weight Management Followup class tonight so I’ll be off early.
11 turning up.
Had to modify my Twe2.com settings as the texts were getting out of hand. Deleted over 500 with someone mentioning LanceArmstrong in, the setting is now @LanceArmstrong so only his should come through. TourdeTweets on twitter gave good updates on Paris-Nice with RaboBank dishing another battering to the peleton.
Thursday: Work followed by Northend club night. Signed up for the Time Trial series again so I’m going to have to get my finger out now. Also thinking about track accreditation (pink slip) as I’ve already done the taster sessions. Daves got a new 705 for his Majorca training camp using BikeHike to plan his courses.
Caught the end of the Tirreno-Adriatico on Eurosport. An interesting point came up at the meeting regarding the recent Eddie Soens race, average speed for one of the riders was 26 mph with a max of 37. Now I know why I keep getting dropped in TLI roadraces, they are fast events right from the off.
The Club has a good facebook page with Barrys excellent training ride writeups, the club website is not being updated. The only problem I foresee is that you can’t get to see what’s happening on facebook without being a friend.
Friday: Work.
Trixter vids on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFJtIlu5kNs&playnext_from=PL&feature=PlayList&p=327B2BB593DD0297&playnext=1&index=18

Deleted the Trixter search comment as I’d spelt it wrong and entered Twixter which is probably due to too much time on Twitter lately.
Saturday: Work.
Last Wednesday at the LifeStyle and Weight Managet followup class I picked up some of the British Heart Foundation booklets there are 23 in the series dealing with all aspects of the heart and health. Here’s a link to the High Blood Pressure one.
http://www.bhf.org.uk/publications/view_publication.aspx?ps=1000140
The legs have finally recovered from Tuesdays efforts, the X bikes hitting a different set of muscles.
Paris-Nice on twitter had Alberto Contador blowing up 4 km from the end. No evening repeat on Eurosport means I’ve missed it. The Toy is getting an airing early tommorow as the trainer tyre is coming off tonight.
The bag got a dose of looking at removed a tube, a spoke key and a pair of pliers. The long nose pliers came out when I found the tweezers tucked away.
Sunday: Ride day, well a short one.

 

The Toy came out today, out for 8:30 and I set off for breakfast. Headed down to Parkgate and on towards Neston. Here I picked up Chicago Dave in his Barloworld kit. He thought I was Barry and we stopped at Neston Cross for Barry to arrive. Barry on his best bike too. Barry is leading the 9 oclock group ride so the Eureka was fairly empty. Took the group photo above and went back in to see the others. Spoke to Ray and a few others I haven’t seen for a while.

Come leaving time there as no space left for parking your bike and Allan took my spot bringing out his Scott CR1.  It was best bike weather today and I’m heading back via the Missing Link on National Cycle Route 56. I’m heading back as others are heading out and everybody is enjoying the fine weather.

The rest of the day was a Jack day with a trip to Loggerheads and Royden Park for the minature trains. Steam this week and busy it’s a slick operation running 4 engines and three trains.
Home for Paris-Nice finish.

Margarets Spinning class at West Kirby, tough class. Mentioned the X bike class I did at Everton Valley and how many calories I burnt.  Had a good day today, thinking about the next three days off now.
Paul has had 500,000 texts through Twe2.com with steady growth.

Monday:  Last day off. Restday as I can’t get out. Picked up Cycling Plus at Tesco’s along with another 3w LED torch. The torch was the better buy as C+ fell short this issue for me.
Might set up the Tacx for tommorrow.
Tuesday: Work folowed by some flatpack office furniture assembly without instructions. Sorted out my entry for the Spring 50.
Eureka is CLOSED tommorrow.
Need a new cassette for the Iceni after Saturdays ride as the new chain on a worn cassette was nothing but trouble. Chain riding up the sprocket teeth as it was loaded up.
Had to turn the audible text alerts of for Twe2.com 184 unread.
I’m spending far too much time looking at bling kit  like this.  http://www.sub7bikes.co.uk/product.asp?pID=156&cID=41

An absolute bargain at £97 for a mere 18g, a similar price to a class A drug.  What must my saddlebag @ 1 kg be worth. Priceless actually as I’ve only abandonded one ride and that was when the chain split and ripped off the rear mech. Great days as the bike was only a couple of weeks old. I nearly cried. (hanger bent too)
The late Mel Vasey had me back on the road in two days.
Didn’t patronise me when I was big and asked whether wheels would take my weight.
Two years since he passed away, a while since I stopped crossing myself as I rode past the site. 
UK roadside shrines haven’t taken off in a big way as they have in some countries, but they are there.
Wednesday: Work, jumped on the Toy when I got in had a look through the ride and came up with the Mortirolo TT. Only 5.8 miles but it took me an hour and 2 minutes. A lot of it is around 11% with some 15% bits. The I-Magic doesn’t support much over 6% so it slows your roadspeed down. Down to 4mph in places which is about right as the other day I was going up Grange Road out of West Kirby (10%) and I was down to 5-6 mph. The Gavia is which is on the same DVD is twice a long and a bit much after 12 hours at work.
Used the Cycleops front wheel riser for the first time, works, offering 3 or more height options.
Looks like a base for a traffic cone.
Thursday: Work, comic on the way home. Looked at some Time Trial items on Ebay. Janices comment below proves what a small world we live in. Lance Armstrong now up to 276 thousand followers, unbeleivable the power of Twitter. Other than that it was Darwin night on TV so watched most of that, the Beeb doing what it does best at at times.
Friday: Work, last day.
Saturday: Read the comic from cover to cover, good stuff on diets and Steve Cummings training plan for the week. The price of Shimano stuff is going through the roof with the strong Yen. A new cassette from Wheelbase sorted out the Iceni chain jumping under load. Two rings worn the rest looked OK.
The Polo sidelight was even worse than the first one. Battery had to come out for this one along with the housing.
Called in at Quinns, not a lot of road race bike stuff in there since Mels demise. New houses around the back shows how long it is since I last called in. Looked at laptops as this one is full to bursting and can’t hold any of the Tacx DVD’s.
Sunday: Was going to go out for an early ride but picked up Lance Armstrongs book “It’s Not About The Bike” and didn’t put it down.
Minature trains again this week at Royden Park.
Barbara’s Spinning class at West Kirby wrapped up mixed week.

Monday: Work first of four days in. Woke up to the phone going daft with texts coming in about Lance Armstrong. Pauls new site WWW.Twe2.Com doing the business and steaming them through. This has the making of something big. I’m up to 200 texts in two days now.
Tuesday: Work, booked most of July off, phone going daft again. Added BarlowWorld to Twe2 searches.
Wednesday: Work, got told a headlight and a sidelight were out so it was a trip to Halfords on the way home. Now the £100 bulb change is with us it’s time to loose some more flesh by changing them myself. The sidelight bulb proved to be a right struggle and the headlight needs the fuel filter removing. Sceduled in Friday Morning for that one. Phone going daft with Twe2 texts.
Thursday: Work. Picked up the comic on the way home.
Friday: Sorted out the blown headlight bulb on the Polo, not a five minute job on modern cars. Then turned my attention to the Iceni. Fitted a new freewheel I picked up from Colin at Wheelbase and then replaced the front brake block which were worn. Proved rather difficult as the locating screw was seized in the alloy housing.
Margarets spinning class at West Kirby, 650 calories a great stretching routine.
Asked about the Twixter bike classes as no one seems to be doing anything about them.
Saturday: Ride day, my only real opportunity for a ride this week. Got to make the most of it.
38 miles to Chester and back, Eureka for breakfast and then on to the River Dee cycle path.
Met up with the NorthEnd at the Eureka, sorted a map problem out on a 705 and showed Chicago Dave the 705 maps. Was told the story of how he got lost in europe following a stage and didn’t know where and the name of the hotel he was staying.
Sunday: Jack day, minature railway ride in Grosvenor Park, Blue Moon Cafe for lunch and back to feed the squirrels which are really tame. Booked a spinning class at West Kirby.
Twe2.com has really taken off for Paul with over 200,000 txts sent.

Monday: Work. Tour of California on late, a bit too late after a 12 hour day. Lance got his TT bike nicked, he’s now got 105,000 followers on Twitter.  Levi had a good ride after loosing a minute to Mancebo of Rock Racing bad boys on Sunday. Good to see it on Eurosport Live.
Tuesday: Work. 3 years ago today I was 19 stone and signed up to the lifestyle and weight management course, I’ve never looked back.
Wednesday: Work. Final day, desperately need to get out on a bike but it’s not to be. Watched the Tour of California when I got in. Sprints are going to be good this year with Cavendish and Boonen both in form.
Thursday: Spinning class at West Kirby followed by the gym. Row 2km run and weights. Did another session on the side stepper and it does seem to verify that high cadence is better. The machine ask you to step at a certain rate to varying resistance. Higher resistance demands slower stepping. At a low resistance it sets a steprate of 186 spm. This had me at the 400 odd watt level. Upping the resistance and lowering the steprate had me back down to 325 watts. Its still hard work and the heartrate is just below the red zone. Picked up the comic on the way home and there is an article on Lance and his high cadence technique. They also had a pop at him for Twittering everything and cutting them out of the loop. I’ve got news for Cycling Weekly, Lance has over 120,000 followers now which is twice the circulation of the comic.

Not only that the letters page is full of the usual British mentality of lets knock anything that gets to the top. This week it’s the track team. 
Sorted the Iceni chain out by giving it an ultrasonic clean and lubing it with some fancy chainlube I got from Eureka Cyclesports. Testing it out tomorrow. Don’t EVER EVER buy Finnishline Wet Lube it is truly useless, it’s taken me four years to reach this conclusion. It attracts every bit of grit and dirt that the front wheel throws up and this on a bike with extended front mudguards.
Starting to think about what rides I’m going to do this year which maybe a bit late in the day. Time trials are on the list as I need to do a 10 in less than 25 mins.  The Tour is at the top of the list and I’d really like to be on the Ventoux, that and the time trial at MonteCarlo.
This years Team Kit (any team) is looking expensive now with the bottom dropping out of the pound. £80 for a jersey takes some justifying.
Friday: Ride day, got a few things to sort out a few things on the way. Delayed the ride for an hour to let the frost thaw. Took Route 56 and had a trip up Resthill for the first time in a while, picked up a prescription and then called in at Wheelbase to order a new freewheel for the Iceni. The rebuilt freewheel is still noisy. On then to Hamilton Square which is very quiet these days and then on to Seacombe to pick the prom up. Tea and cake in the park and then on to New Brighton and Leasowe.
Called in at the Leisure Centre to see about the Twixter bike sessions. Took my bike in with me as it doesn’t look like an area to leave even a locked bike outside.
Maybe something next week as they have to get someone to take the class and then publicise it.
On to see Brian when I managed to get out of the estate, turned on the map to see where I was. Then on to Hoylake to see about a price for a Polo cambelt change. Then onto Morrisons at West Kirby for an Afternoon Tea.  As I was locking the bike to a post two were having a go over a disabled parking bay. One guy has been waiting 10 minutes for it and someone in a scenic drives straight into it.
Inside it’s not much better, with slow service and lack of seating. Morrisons in West Kirby must have the oldest customer base anywhere.
The woman opposite me is having fish and chips and when I look around nearly everyone is having them.
Call of nature and then head out to unlock the bike. Just about to get on my way but  give another cyclist the nod and see his bike, a Trek. Chat with him about the bike which he got from Harry halls in Manchester.
It’s an early Trek Madone that he’s had for about 10 years and still looks good. Turns out he’s 80 years old and still riding a carbon bike. Goes the shops on it and rides to Chester on it. He makes my day.
Straight up the hill and down the other side at 30 mph and then up Thurstaton cutting which can be scary with a lorry on your wheel. Pulled in to let the lorry pass which was greeted with a toot.
There no need to wind everyone up just because your in the right all the time. This is a narrow road with double white lines. Cycle path past the Cottage Loaf with a stop at Tesco pharmacy. Had a few strange looks while I was waiting, mind you I was in the Discovery kit, could have been worse it could have been the Slipstream Argyle.
Home for 32 miles.
Gave the bike the once over when home only to discover the chain worn out. New chain from Wheelbase went to CycleSurgery for The Lance Armstrong training manual and had a look at the Pearl Izumi kit with  40% off. A bit plain when when you like team kit.
Borders for Cycle Sport and then home. Settling down to watch the Tour of California time trial.
Saturday:  Fitted new chain to the Iceni, changed a tyre on the motor to keep things legal and had a look in a few bike shops in Chester. Can’t justify £5,000 for a time trial bike to do a few club 10,s. 20% off Treks for Feb at the Edge.
Sunday: Jack day, Paul’s  http://www.twe2.com doing well with an article in the DailyPost last week and a conference call with venture capitalists next. Called in a Formby Cycles to look at some nice bikes and kit. Specialized Transition TT bike for £2k but with Aksium wheels. Armstrong now at 152,000 followers. Can’t really justify another bike for time trials but I can dream.
Had some mail from Dave about the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool 2009 ride now with a 90 mile option.
http://www.pennineevents.co.uk/Events09.html
looks like it clashes with a certain event that starts in Monaco that I want to be at.
Anyway it’s a great event if your looking to ride an organised event for the first time.
Various distances, go for it and surprise yourself.
Wild Wales entries are now open, 600 entry limit, not for the fainthearted. About as hard is it gets without being in a race. A piece of welsh slate that you value at the end of it. Triple or Compact reccomended.