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04-20-08, 06:54 AM
Got an organised ride next week. Not too hard and only 40 miles but decided to see if the legs were up to it this morning--SO out nice and early on Boreas to see how far it would be to cycle to the event instead of getting the car out. Ride went ok and got a couple of decent hills in but it is 20 miles to the ride-then it will be a 40 and then the 20 back. Might be possible but I don't fancy a 6 am start on a sunday. See how I feel next week.
Got home and weather was warming up so got out the TCR for my usual Sunday ride for a cup of coffee. Down to The seafront and I was hungry. So a large black coffee and a macaroon and a piece of healthy Fruit Tart. Of course its healthy-It has fruit in it. The mere fact that it tasted too good to be healthy is beside the point.
Where to go now? We have a basket of a hill that is 16%. It is not easy and what makes it worse is that it is on a narrow lane with lots of traffic. The way out to it was up the usual Zigzags that are only about 8% for a mile. I did intend to take the Path along the side of the 16% as it is safer and is only a constant 8 to 10%- but just as I got to the turn off for the path-3 mountain bikers started on the hill. Not one to be shown up by others- even if they do look fitter and younger- I decided to tackle the steep version.
Only 50 yards in and ONE MTBer stopped. As I passed him he muttered something about self fornicating and I chased on. Still hadn't reached the steep bit but just as I caught them- the other two stopped. "too steep for me" one of them said as the other one fell off his bike into the hedge. Problem was that I was now committed. It is too early in the year for me to do stupid hills like this but the others were looking. No choice- ride on.I was already in the lowest gear and I never knew my cadence could drop that low without falling over. I was out of the saddle and leaning as far forward as I could and a drive way to a house came up. Quick look behind to see if any cars and all I saw were the three MTBers walking up the hill and looking at me. There was no way I could stop in the drive for a rest now so press on. Got over the worst bit and just carried on to the top. I did stop there just to be able to gloat over the fit riders with far lower gears that had walked. Then I looked at the heart monitor.It has either gone faulty or I had just reached the highest reading in my life. 181 and I was still standing- but the HR was dropping now so no problem. Waited for 5 minutes and the mountain bikes had not appeared so press on for home.
That hill had taken it out of me so I just pottered on home to my daughters. She was in the front garden so she took a couple of pics of me on the bike. Believe it or not- I don't have many of them and the side view of me is in front of their house with their two beamers in the drive. The one of me going away shows you what shirt I was wearing today so feel proud of that shirt. The rest of you now have to get out and get some pics of the shirt in action.
So what are the firsts of the year- First of all is that 16% hill. I am not fit enough to do it at present- so that is the earliest in the year for me. Secondly was the fruit tart- Never had that before and it is yummy. And although I did change bikes- I rode my age today. 65.4 miles- but I dare not tell you the average speed. Well put it this way- I have never done a ride that slow in my life but I did break into double figures. Just about. And that heart rate figure -as I said- it may be a glitch in the reading- but I knew I was working hard- Just not that hard.
Just hope I don't meet any more over adventurous Youngsters on the road that have to be shown what an older rider can do.
Got home and weather was warming up so got out the TCR for my usual Sunday ride for a cup of coffee. Down to The seafront and I was hungry. So a large black coffee and a macaroon and a piece of healthy Fruit Tart. Of course its healthy-It has fruit in it. The mere fact that it tasted too good to be healthy is beside the point.
Where to go now? We have a basket of a hill that is 16%. It is not easy and what makes it worse is that it is on a narrow lane with lots of traffic. The way out to it was up the usual Zigzags that are only about 8% for a mile. I did intend to take the Path along the side of the 16% as it is safer and is only a constant 8 to 10%- but just as I got to the turn off for the path-3 mountain bikers started on the hill. Not one to be shown up by others- even if they do look fitter and younger- I decided to tackle the steep version.
Only 50 yards in and ONE MTBer stopped. As I passed him he muttered something about self fornicating and I chased on. Still hadn't reached the steep bit but just as I caught them- the other two stopped. "too steep for me" one of them said as the other one fell off his bike into the hedge. Problem was that I was now committed. It is too early in the year for me to do stupid hills like this but the others were looking. No choice- ride on.I was already in the lowest gear and I never knew my cadence could drop that low without falling over. I was out of the saddle and leaning as far forward as I could and a drive way to a house came up. Quick look behind to see if any cars and all I saw were the three MTBers walking up the hill and looking at me. There was no way I could stop in the drive for a rest now so press on. Got over the worst bit and just carried on to the top. I did stop there just to be able to gloat over the fit riders with far lower gears that had walked. Then I looked at the heart monitor.It has either gone faulty or I had just reached the highest reading in my life. 181 and I was still standing- but the HR was dropping now so no problem. Waited for 5 minutes and the mountain bikes had not appeared so press on for home.
That hill had taken it out of me so I just pottered on home to my daughters. She was in the front garden so she took a couple of pics of me on the bike. Believe it or not- I don't have many of them and the side view of me is in front of their house with their two beamers in the drive. The one of me going away shows you what shirt I was wearing today so feel proud of that shirt. The rest of you now have to get out and get some pics of the shirt in action.
So what are the firsts of the year- First of all is that 16% hill. I am not fit enough to do it at present- so that is the earliest in the year for me. Secondly was the fruit tart- Never had that before and it is yummy. And although I did change bikes- I rode my age today. 65.4 miles- but I dare not tell you the average speed. Well put it this way- I have never done a ride that slow in my life but I did break into double figures. Just about. And that heart rate figure -as I said- it may be a glitch in the reading- but I knew I was working hard- Just not that hard.
Just hope I don't meet any more over adventurous Youngsters on the road that have to be shown what an older rider can do.