Hello blog readers.
Look at my bad ass self go! Out for another ride after I went out yesterday! Plus I shall be running this evening with my club!
I had the day free after I dropped my little dude off at school. So I just pottered about the house with the dog (seems I have become a dogminder too!) and then I decided that it was time for me to get out and do something. So I got myself changed into my cycling gear, I was going to try and get a PB on the Blackbrook laps.
I started up to Farringdon and then turned around and came back! Although the sun was shining brightly, it looked really warm out, but I felt cold. I had decided, because it looked like so lovely out there, that I would just have my spring/autumn cycling fleece on, but boy was I wrong. My top layer is windproof as well as shower proof, and it was what I was missing when I first left the house!
So, suitably dressed I started out again, feeling much warmer, in fact I was thinking that maybe I should have just swapped layers, rather than add a layer, but I just wanted to get going so there wasn't any going back to drop off one of my inside layers! I didn't have any expectations of getting a PB, at least that was my thoughts as I was riding along to the beginning of the first lap. "If I just keep it to under the hour that I am happy with that" But actually I wasn't! I always have no expectations when I set off on my solo efforts, so this time I decided to change my attitude, blimmin well try and get a PB! Simples!
So I just pedalled, I felt like I was pedalling harder and a few times I felt like saying "Stuff if, it's too hard" But it's only an hour long, then I can rest up for the rest of the day.....until running club time of course! I decided to play a game, see if I can beat the lights, that will keep me motivated. If the lights were green then I had to try and get there before they turned red, and if they were red then I had to get there just as they turned green, so there would be no stopping. I failed.....each time. It made me laugh though, me racing against lights!
My legs were feeling pretty tired, and I was wondering if maybe, just maybe, I would be faster today. The last lap to do and I pedalled as hard as I could, up Blackbrook and over the little humpback bridge, I turned left and headed for the lights for the last time. Just along this bit I had to pull up on my brakes......a pedestrian decided to walk straight out in front of me! It's not as if I was invisible, I am a big fluorescent bird on a bike! At least I missed her anyway
I rode through the park, still pushing it hard, and down the road. I was already preparing myself for the inevitable, "It felt slower today" I said to myself, and I switched my Garmin off as I got home! "Oh well" I knew it was. But when I got in, took my shoes off and then checked again, it was 56 minutes! Yes, go me! I am sure that is a PB!
Geeky stats!
<iframe src='https://connect.garmin.com/activity/embed/1094855341' width='465' height='500' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Tuesday, 22 March 2016
Monday, 21 March 2016
Evening All!
Hello blog readers.
It's been a while since me and the Old Boy went cycling in the evening. Things have kept our evening cycling well and truly banished, work, tiredness, but mainly weather! This evening it was quite a pleasant evening. When I got outside my house with my bike I had thought that maybe I have too many layers on! But we will see! I would rather take a layer off rather than get too cold!
We were only going to do a tiny little ride, 10 miles or less, just to get back into the habit of getting out during the evening! I programmed my oven to stop cooking at 9:00 so we had to be back for that, it was already 7:30 by the time we got out of the house. Our route was just the little one up through Jubilee Park the on the way to Bromley, taking in a locally know landmark.....David Bowies house where he used to live!
It was a good ride, not particularly fast, but getting used to riding in the dark again. I'm not particularly fond of riding in the dark, the lights of the cars are blinding, and staring at the Old Boys flashing back light is enough to cause hypnosis!
I had forgotten to switch on my Garmin, and remembered only after getting to Crestview Drive! But so only about half a mile is missing. Mind you, the Old Boys Garmin read 9.10 miles, How that has happened I don't know so I think I like his geeky stats!
Here's mine, with the missing half mile clearly shown, with a good stretch of the imagination it makes my route look like a tuning fork!
It's been a while since me and the Old Boy went cycling in the evening. Things have kept our evening cycling well and truly banished, work, tiredness, but mainly weather! This evening it was quite a pleasant evening. When I got outside my house with my bike I had thought that maybe I have too many layers on! But we will see! I would rather take a layer off rather than get too cold!
We were only going to do a tiny little ride, 10 miles or less, just to get back into the habit of getting out during the evening! I programmed my oven to stop cooking at 9:00 so we had to be back for that, it was already 7:30 by the time we got out of the house. Our route was just the little one up through Jubilee Park the on the way to Bromley, taking in a locally know landmark.....David Bowies house where he used to live!
It was a good ride, not particularly fast, but getting used to riding in the dark again. I'm not particularly fond of riding in the dark, the lights of the cars are blinding, and staring at the Old Boys flashing back light is enough to cause hypnosis!
I had forgotten to switch on my Garmin, and remembered only after getting to Crestview Drive! But so only about half a mile is missing. Mind you, the Old Boys Garmin read 9.10 miles, How that has happened I don't know so I think I like his geeky stats!
Here's mine, with the missing half mile clearly shown, with a good stretch of the imagination it makes my route look like a tuning fork!
Monday, 14 March 2016
Hello Blackbrook.....Again!
Hello blog lovers.
I saw on the Facebook page that the Panagua ladies will be going on a challenging hilly, speedy (12 mph, that's speedy to me!), non-stopping ride today. I just knew I would struggle to keep up with them. I want to keep my riding fun with the odd challenging hill to make me feel alive thrown in. I have been practising, doing my laps, trying to at least keep to a steady 11 mph speed. But that is without the hills!
So this morning, instead of rushing about, making sure I had everything ready, (I do panic and fuss when I'm meeting the girls). There's usually a little more to remember than just my door key, and I still usually forget something. But just going around Blackbrook Lane laps, well, all I really need is my bike! One hours riding, non-stop as fast as I can, and all local so I don't need to carry a drink! No cake stop, no chatting having a laugh! But, I am getting fit, I am on my bike and........it's getting warmer!
It was quite chilly this morning, I was thinking I had the better deal than the ladies! When I left my house to start my training the sun was shining brightly! Yup, I love riding in the sun! It was still a bit chilly but I knew that I would warm up as I did my exercise today. What do you think about on a ride? On a solo ride? Just you, or in my case, me!
1. I wonder if there are going to be any plonkers about today!
2. I had better get a good time today.
3. I wonder what the girls did today!
4. Here we go, lap 1 of 4.
I was at the beginning of Blackbrook lane! Always on this first lap now my thoughts are
1. Right, first one done! (I know, only just started and I'm wanting it done!)
2. See you pot hole, just three more times I'm passing you!
3. Blimey, I got to do this three more times?
4. I hate this bridge!
5. Can I get to the lights before they change..........no!
I always seem to get caught at the lights along the top! Thats ok at least it's a breather! My thoughts normally continue along that vein until the last lap, then I start getting happier thoughts, like,
1. Yes, nearly finished
2. I can't wait for my cuppa.
3. What shall I have for my lunch.........oh yes, I remember!
4. I don't think I got a PB today!
5. At least this is the last lap!
6. Where were all the plonker drivers today!
7. I miss riding with the girls!
Just the last little bit through the park to do, I was really trying to keep the speed up. My feet were feeling a bit cold, but the rest of me was just nice and toasty. Why does my feet always suffer!? I rode back along Whitebeam and turned into my road. To me it felt slow, what with the wind that seemed to be head on on the way up Blackbrook and on the way down Southborough Road, How is that possible! Maybe a little cyclone had developed just in that area!
So my geeky stats. I actually put them up on my Facebook first thing, mainly because I still got under the hour, which I am pleased about. But something that made me feel really confident was a comment from Debbie saying that I actually cycled faster than they did this morning! Ok, so they probably had a few hills thrown in there to slow them down! But, I will take that! I will soon be able to 'stray fresh looking' on one of our less challenging (for the girls) rides soon!
I saw on the Facebook page that the Panagua ladies will be going on a challenging hilly, speedy (12 mph, that's speedy to me!), non-stopping ride today. I just knew I would struggle to keep up with them. I want to keep my riding fun with the odd challenging hill to make me feel alive thrown in. I have been practising, doing my laps, trying to at least keep to a steady 11 mph speed. But that is without the hills!
So this morning, instead of rushing about, making sure I had everything ready, (I do panic and fuss when I'm meeting the girls). There's usually a little more to remember than just my door key, and I still usually forget something. But just going around Blackbrook Lane laps, well, all I really need is my bike! One hours riding, non-stop as fast as I can, and all local so I don't need to carry a drink! No cake stop, no chatting having a laugh! But, I am getting fit, I am on my bike and........it's getting warmer!
It was quite chilly this morning, I was thinking I had the better deal than the ladies! When I left my house to start my training the sun was shining brightly! Yup, I love riding in the sun! It was still a bit chilly but I knew that I would warm up as I did my exercise today. What do you think about on a ride? On a solo ride? Just you, or in my case, me!
1. I wonder if there are going to be any plonkers about today!
2. I had better get a good time today.
3. I wonder what the girls did today!
4. Here we go, lap 1 of 4.
I was at the beginning of Blackbrook lane! Always on this first lap now my thoughts are
1. Right, first one done! (I know, only just started and I'm wanting it done!)
2. See you pot hole, just three more times I'm passing you!
3. Blimey, I got to do this three more times?
4. I hate this bridge!
5. Can I get to the lights before they change..........no!
I always seem to get caught at the lights along the top! Thats ok at least it's a breather! My thoughts normally continue along that vein until the last lap, then I start getting happier thoughts, like,
1. Yes, nearly finished
2. I can't wait for my cuppa.
3. What shall I have for my lunch.........oh yes, I remember!
4. I don't think I got a PB today!
5. At least this is the last lap!
6. Where were all the plonker drivers today!
7. I miss riding with the girls!
Just the last little bit through the park to do, I was really trying to keep the speed up. My feet were feeling a bit cold, but the rest of me was just nice and toasty. Why does my feet always suffer!? I rode back along Whitebeam and turned into my road. To me it felt slow, what with the wind that seemed to be head on on the way up Blackbrook and on the way down Southborough Road, How is that possible! Maybe a little cyclone had developed just in that area!
So my geeky stats. I actually put them up on my Facebook first thing, mainly because I still got under the hour, which I am pleased about. But something that made me feel really confident was a comment from Debbie saying that I actually cycled faster than they did this morning! Ok, so they probably had a few hills thrown in there to slow them down! But, I will take that! I will soon be able to 'stray fresh looking' on one of our less challenging (for the girls) rides soon!
Monday, 7 March 2016
Hello Blackbrook My Old Friend!
Hello blog lovers.
So this morning I was feeling a tad delicate after celebrating Mothering Sunday with a couple or so of pink stuff in bottles! Was very nice! And I could remember reading that the Panagua Ladies were going to be hitting some hills! Hills and speediness plus delicate disposition just didn't sit very well at all with me. I let the ladies down very gently!
I had another couple of hours to get over my delicate situation and into my cycling gear. I wasn't sure how I was going to do today, I mean the last time I was on my bike was on the 17th Feb! That's like nigh on 3 weeks ago! What have I been doing?! The sun was shining, that's always a good start, there were blue skies and the school traffic had obviously all gone. Perfect for a training run. If those Panagua ladies are doing what they said they were doing I am going to need to build up my strength and speed!
With the sun shining brightly through my darkening glasses thoughts of yesterdays indulgence of grape juice came painfully back, knocking loudly in my head! The ride will do me good! My Garmin was ticking away the time. Time that I want to be under the hour for when I get back! I was surprised at how windy it felt. I could hear the wind yet the trees didn't seem to be moving! Maybe it was me that was moving fast! when I turned on to Oxhawth Crescent I looked right, to make sure that there were not cars coming, 1) because it's a safe thing to do and 2) because I wanted to be the only person riding pass the traffic signal thing that tells you how fast you are going. Usually I ride pass it at 15 mph, today however I rode passed it at 18 mph!
Maybe it's not going to be too bad. I started the first lap of Blackbrook, My head was already feeling tons better, lets get this session done! I could see that the sunshine is not going be with us for the whole of the afternoon, I just hoped that it will stay until then of my training ride. The second lap is always good, half way there, and it don't feel like it's only halfway, thats how short these laps are, but doing them I cover 11 miles! On my second lap and for the rest of the laps there were some w...... rather impatient people in their motor vehicles wanting to get passed me at skinny parts of the road, at the people crossings, at roads with cars parked at the side! Why must they do that!?
Anyway, with the fourth and final lap done I head on home, I wasn't feeling confident that I had a PB, as I felt a bit tired on the last two laps, but the telling will be on the Garmin! I was very pleased when I got back and saw that I had indeed kept it under the hour! so, geeky stats for you!
So this morning I was feeling a tad delicate after celebrating Mothering Sunday with a couple or so of pink stuff in bottles! Was very nice! And I could remember reading that the Panagua Ladies were going to be hitting some hills! Hills and speediness plus delicate disposition just didn't sit very well at all with me. I let the ladies down very gently!
I had another couple of hours to get over my delicate situation and into my cycling gear. I wasn't sure how I was going to do today, I mean the last time I was on my bike was on the 17th Feb! That's like nigh on 3 weeks ago! What have I been doing?! The sun was shining, that's always a good start, there were blue skies and the school traffic had obviously all gone. Perfect for a training run. If those Panagua ladies are doing what they said they were doing I am going to need to build up my strength and speed!
With the sun shining brightly through my darkening glasses thoughts of yesterdays indulgence of grape juice came painfully back, knocking loudly in my head! The ride will do me good! My Garmin was ticking away the time. Time that I want to be under the hour for when I get back! I was surprised at how windy it felt. I could hear the wind yet the trees didn't seem to be moving! Maybe it was me that was moving fast! when I turned on to Oxhawth Crescent I looked right, to make sure that there were not cars coming, 1) because it's a safe thing to do and 2) because I wanted to be the only person riding pass the traffic signal thing that tells you how fast you are going. Usually I ride pass it at 15 mph, today however I rode passed it at 18 mph!
Maybe it's not going to be too bad. I started the first lap of Blackbrook, My head was already feeling tons better, lets get this session done! I could see that the sunshine is not going be with us for the whole of the afternoon, I just hoped that it will stay until then of my training ride. The second lap is always good, half way there, and it don't feel like it's only halfway, thats how short these laps are, but doing them I cover 11 miles! On my second lap and for the rest of the laps there were some w...... rather impatient people in their motor vehicles wanting to get passed me at skinny parts of the road, at the people crossings, at roads with cars parked at the side! Why must they do that!?
Anyway, with the fourth and final lap done I head on home, I wasn't feeling confident that I had a PB, as I felt a bit tired on the last two laps, but the telling will be on the Garmin! I was very pleased when I got back and saw that I had indeed kept it under the hour! so, geeky stats for you!
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