Just a Quickie!

Having spent Saturday traipsing around Birmingham shopping I wasn't in the best frame of mind to go any great distance today. I hadn't actually planned to go out at all but couldn't resist the fantastic weather. With no route in mind I just set off and cobbled together a few bits from my local rides to make a new circuit - Enjoyed the short but sweet 27 miles in blistering sunshine.

Earlier in the week I managed to get Sue back out on her bike for a 10 miler around the lanes towards Roddington - wonder's will never cease - she actually enjoyed it and didn't suffer anywhere near as much she expected - more will follow no doubt?

Gold, Silver or Bronze?

Was my result at the Midlands Monster Gold Silver or Bronze? I have been trying to find how these awards are calculated at various sportive events. Well apparently there is NO definite way & it is generally decided by the organisers of the event - I did get a bit of feed back on a cycling forum to try using the following calculation - 1st 10% of finishers = Gold, the next 33% of finishers = Silver, with the remaining entrants taking Bronze status. There are a few other factors to consider, like the terrain & the age of the cyclist - but then its starts to get messy.

Here's how I faired for the 73 mile Midlands Monster -

1. Of 153 entrants I finished in 75th place with a time of 04:52:54

2. By contrast the fastest finishing time for my event was 59 minutes quicker at 03:53:34

3. Whilst the slowest finisher was 2.5 hours back on my time at 07:26:03

4. Working on the % basis my time rated me a Bronze medal, missing Silver by 8 minutes.

All in all I am happy with my time & I will continue to use the % calculation until I find something more concrete - I now aIso have an official event time as a target to bench mark against.

Photo courtesy of George Burgess Photography - Event photographer

The Midlands Monster

My 2nd Sportive of the season was a much better affair all round than my 1st outing! The location was superb, the Rolliston Forestry Centre was a perfect base for the event - great facilities - great sign on very smooth & free energy bar/gels to start the day. Set of about 8.25 am - good pace as we settled into a bunch of about 20 riders for the opening 10 miles of so. The 1st climb of the day sorted a few riders out straight away and was only a hint of what was too come, the main climb of the day was tough & relentless with each turn the road continued to climb until we reached the village of Stanton & a very welcome feed station - well stocked with cake, fruit, energy gels & drinks.

After 10 minutes respite we where on our way again & the road continued to ascend the lower peaks of Derbyshire - we finally crested the top riding across a short stretch of exposed high road where the wind fair ripped into you making the going extremely tough. After a couple of exhilarating descents at 45 mph we arrived into the town of Ashbourne, missing out the final feed station [for 103 milers] we rode on & it was here we encountered a brutal short climb - a real lung buster - too our credit we all beat this climb but it took its toll on many others as they resorted to the walk of shame [dismounting]. I lost Lee & Darren after this climb as Darren tired & they fell back - I pushed on for the final 25 miles over fantastic rolling country lanes finally catching a group of 4 riders who I used as pacemakers to get me to the finish. Back at the Rolliston Forestry Centre I recorded a respectable time of 04:52:54 getting beneath my personal 5 hour target [Lee & Darren came in 20 minutes later]. Free pasta at the Cafe & a certificate recording my time for the event rounding off an excellent day. 'Highly Recommended Event'

Monster Ride

Not that today's ride was a monster it was just prep for Sunday's Midland Monster Sportive. Haven't done any commuting as planned this week - decide to do a hilly ride down into Ironbridge Gorge this afternoon to make up for it. Only 22 miles but the hills make up for shorter distance and it was good prep for the Monster.

I've mapped the Monster route for my Garmin 705 - got my energy drink & bars ready - just need to give the bike a clean & I'm primed & ready to go. Weather forecast doesn't look too healthy at the minute [Heavy Showers] we will have to wait & see what Sunday brings?

I know I said I wouldn't?

I know I said I wouldn't be riding this weekend having twisted my back earlier in the week but the pain had subsided & I'd done my chores this morning & a bit of shopping so I decided to give it a go before the big match this afternoon. Nothing too taxing or strenuous a loop I used several time last year when training for the London to Paris event. 36 miles on A&B roads riding out to Newport - coming back along the Shrewsbury/Crudgington road I turned out at High Ercall past through Roden & over Haughmond hill before finally heading for home along the old A5. Great weather for cycling - sunshine but not too warm - shorts & short sleeves for the first time this year!

To round off the day Chelsea are Premier League Champions - I'd have settled for 1-0 when the title is as stake but winning 8-0 was just icing on the cake.

Zero! Zip! Zilch!

Zero - Zip - Zilch - that's how many miles have done this week - not good prep with the Midlands Monster on the horizon? I managed to twist my back on Wednesday afternoon whilst at work, so I have been in a bit of discomfort leading up to the weekend. It has started to ease off during today [Saturday] but rather than tempt fate I don't think I will be riding on Sunday either.

I will try & get a couple of short evening rides in during the week & possibly go out Friday afternoon & Saturday morning for short rides of 30 miles or so to turn the legs over.

I need a new pair of tubs for the bike - noticed a few tiny splits appearing & dug out a couple of pieces of flint - the last thing I need on the Monster is to blow a tyre? Considering Michelin ProRace3 [maybe 2's as thats what I ride at the minute] or Continental GP4000 - decisions, decisions?

No Commute but still managed a weekend 50

Commute came to a halt this week, too much work & crap weather, well that my excuse, maybe I'm just being lazy?

Anyway, I did cycle to work Saturday morning & then do a 50+ mile ride out to Prees Heath Nr Whitchurch mainly along excellent traffic free lanes, we were doing a good pace up to the 40 mile mark - then Darren pulled up with a tight hamstring - so the last 10 miles from Shawbury where a bit steadier but 3 hours 20 minutes was still OK. There is the odd section [couple of miles actually] of busy A&B road when you have to dice it with the traffic - just keep your wits about you! As a bonus we managed to dodge any of the forecasted rain showers - all in all a really enjoyable ride.