Today's was a short ride, I went off on another solitary ride early, must be the weather, it was raining at the top so my teammates got that right! On the main ride we went up through Tinajo on a really rough road, as soon as we hit the rough stuff there was a shout, someone had a problem. We soft tapped it to the top of the hill and stopped. Eventually found out that one of the Muppetboys had broken a wheel, since I had just bought the Cervelo off them there was a little concern! Fortunately it was the wheel from the other bike and after a quick replacement from the car we were on our way. These organised bike camps can be very good; it would have taken ages without this type of support.
It was a cold day today and I didn’t get out of arm warmers all ride, first time this trip, couldn’t have got much above 24 degrees, so Jackie and I spent the afternoon trying to be British and get a suntan on a cloudy and windy day sitting by the pool. We British can behave very strangely. Most people there were indeed British or wrapped up like it was winter! Big meal tonight its another long ride tomorrow with a final climb on Tabayesco; feeling much stronger for all these miles so it should be fun.
Monday, 25 February 2008
A long garlic day
24th Feb 2008
After the first couple of days where the rides are relatively short and sharp on each of the training weeks here they stick in the first proper training camp length ride. This consists of riding around most of the island, you can go further - the Iron man course is 180K but does include repeating bits. The day’s ride consists of 155k including the climbs of Tabayesco windmill side, Mirador, Tabayesco proper, back of Fermes and finally Timanfaya. The group I did it in was led by Laurent from the La Santa Green Team. He sat on the front the whole day - Wish I had the strength to do that. He is a former pro rider though, and still rides in Lanzarote all the time for La Santa. Anyway, I still did a bit of hors d’oeuvres by sticking in a 22K ride before the stretching with Geoff. This meant that if I did a ride to the La Santa village and back I would make more than 180K. Nope, I did NOT do that! It was a lovely day, spent nearly 7 hours in the saddle, ate 5 energy bars, 4 cheese and ham rolls, 10 energy gels and drank about 9 litres of SIS Go, that would make a saint fart! We went to a really nice restaurant for dinner with Gary and Sarah, it’s called Mezza Luna, real nice and loads of it with masses of garlic. Now, what looks like a ‘half moon’? Yep, a clove of garlic, so we should have expected that. Still by far the nicest restaurant I have been to on the island.
Big thank you to Big John for letting us use his laptop otherwise the blog would be very sparse. He is incredible by the way, after ten days of training he is a man transformed we’ll be calling him little John soon.
We went to dinner early to get Gary and Sarah’s boys back early for the pool competition. When we got up to go we found half of the Stratford crew were also in the restaurant, first time I had been there myself, these boys and girls (Miranda and Natasha) find the best food on the island quick! So in the taxis to get back for the training camp pool competition and a race down the hill, we got the boys back in time and then got roped in to play as well by Alex. Thx mate! So I get the pool cue and we end up playing Gary and Sarah, there was a real dearth of competitors and I think if we had not played then it would have been straight to the final. I said to Jackie that we could lose real quick and be back to our drinks in no time. Next thing, Jackie has told me off for shouting at her when she mishit a shot, well it was a competition! We ended up beating Gary and Sarah only to find this put us into the Grand Final against Alex and Patrick (G and S’s boy). Now it was serious! Er, not. Except of course Wedge, a few beers and a ‘competition’ means that although I should have been backing off Jackie and I somehow ended up winning which was a bit bad ... we were playing kids. I will never hear the end of it. They gave us a bottle of champagne that was poured out for the vanquished lads, Jackie will have to do the walk of shame to receive her diploma for winning something on bike week at the gala (should be called garlic) dinner on Wednesday. Actually jackie has won loads on these camp as she is a member of the undefeated quiz team winning 4 so far, hats, bottles and some more SIS Go! cor keep this up and the camp will be self financing!
Hope you all enjoy the rambles, do let me know and don't forget to help pave the road with a little silver by going to my online giving page, thx W
After the first couple of days where the rides are relatively short and sharp on each of the training weeks here they stick in the first proper training camp length ride. This consists of riding around most of the island, you can go further - the Iron man course is 180K but does include repeating bits. The day’s ride consists of 155k including the climbs of Tabayesco windmill side, Mirador, Tabayesco proper, back of Fermes and finally Timanfaya. The group I did it in was led by Laurent from the La Santa Green Team. He sat on the front the whole day - Wish I had the strength to do that. He is a former pro rider though, and still rides in Lanzarote all the time for La Santa. Anyway, I still did a bit of hors d’oeuvres by sticking in a 22K ride before the stretching with Geoff. This meant that if I did a ride to the La Santa village and back I would make more than 180K. Nope, I did NOT do that! It was a lovely day, spent nearly 7 hours in the saddle, ate 5 energy bars, 4 cheese and ham rolls, 10 energy gels and drank about 9 litres of SIS Go, that would make a saint fart! We went to a really nice restaurant for dinner with Gary and Sarah, it’s called Mezza Luna, real nice and loads of it with masses of garlic. Now, what looks like a ‘half moon’? Yep, a clove of garlic, so we should have expected that. Still by far the nicest restaurant I have been to on the island.
Big thank you to Big John for letting us use his laptop otherwise the blog would be very sparse. He is incredible by the way, after ten days of training he is a man transformed we’ll be calling him little John soon.
We went to dinner early to get Gary and Sarah’s boys back early for the pool competition. When we got up to go we found half of the Stratford crew were also in the restaurant, first time I had been there myself, these boys and girls (Miranda and Natasha) find the best food on the island quick! So in the taxis to get back for the training camp pool competition and a race down the hill, we got the boys back in time and then got roped in to play as well by Alex. Thx mate! So I get the pool cue and we end up playing Gary and Sarah, there was a real dearth of competitors and I think if we had not played then it would have been straight to the final. I said to Jackie that we could lose real quick and be back to our drinks in no time. Next thing, Jackie has told me off for shouting at her when she mishit a shot, well it was a competition! We ended up beating Gary and Sarah only to find this put us into the Grand Final against Alex and Patrick (G and S’s boy). Now it was serious! Er, not. Except of course Wedge, a few beers and a ‘competition’ means that although I should have been backing off Jackie and I somehow ended up winning which was a bit bad ... we were playing kids. I will never hear the end of it. They gave us a bottle of champagne that was poured out for the vanquished lads, Jackie will have to do the walk of shame to receive her diploma for winning something on bike week at the gala (should be called garlic) dinner on Wednesday. Actually jackie has won loads on these camp as she is a member of the undefeated quiz team winning 4 so far, hats, bottles and some more SIS Go! cor keep this up and the camp will be self financing!
Hope you all enjoy the rambles, do let me know and don't forget to help pave the road with a little silver by going to my online giving page, thx W
Saturday, 23 February 2008
Ok – Blogs away! - Hopefully
Sat 23rd Feb!
I got my euro back and had another go at posting all these blogs!
Today was another short ride day. So the Crazy Catholic’s missus borrowed his bike, and she, Malc and me did the Tinajo, Tiagua,De Lores criterium laps clocking up nearly 50Km before the main ride. Problem was that we lost track of time so only got back to base with three minutes to go. To say the Crazy Catholic was angry would be an understatement. He led the ride I was on and drove the pace all the way round, we think he was getting it out of his system -EVERYONE was complaining at me because his partner nearly left him high and dry, and the ride pace was so high! It wasn’t my fault for pity’s sake, after all, we are all adults!! I decided to sprint off down the hill at the end, best way really just wish I could have stayed away, legs ain’t good enough...yet! Had a happy slow run with Jackie to clock a total of 135Km for the day, loverly jubbly!
Anyway thx to the Baskets Ram for the footie results shame your lads still haven’t won. Have a beer with SRAM to drown your sorrows. (Baskets, ask me if you want to know the full extent of that joke). Most of the group from Stratford seem to be Blue Noses so they should be happy with a point against the gooners. Yep Baskets, going to down another glass of the ‘carbohydrate based recovery drink’ on those results!
I got my euro back and had another go at posting all these blogs!
Today was another short ride day. So the Crazy Catholic’s missus borrowed his bike, and she, Malc and me did the Tinajo, Tiagua,De Lores criterium laps clocking up nearly 50Km before the main ride. Problem was that we lost track of time so only got back to base with three minutes to go. To say the Crazy Catholic was angry would be an understatement. He led the ride I was on and drove the pace all the way round, we think he was getting it out of his system -EVERYONE was complaining at me because his partner nearly left him high and dry, and the ride pace was so high! It wasn’t my fault for pity’s sake, after all, we are all adults!! I decided to sprint off down the hill at the end, best way really just wish I could have stayed away, legs ain’t good enough...yet! Had a happy slow run with Jackie to clock a total of 135Km for the day, loverly jubbly!
Anyway thx to the Baskets Ram for the footie results shame your lads still haven’t won. Have a beer with SRAM to drown your sorrows. (Baskets, ask me if you want to know the full extent of that joke). Most of the group from Stratford seem to be Blue Noses so they should be happy with a point against the gooners. Yep Baskets, going to down another glass of the ‘carbohydrate based recovery drink’ on those results!
Bloomin’ Tinternet
The internet cafe at La Santa seems great. I have used it twice without any issues. Now I have just sat for 20 minutes struggling though every setting there is to get this damn thing to connect. At the end of the day the wet piece of string would not work – nothing to do with me. What a waste of time. So it’s wet and Jackie and I have nothing to do, we went to hire a car forgetting this is Spain so after 13:00 everyone downs tools (including the internet!) and sods off for a siesta – bah Imprisoned in Stalag La Santa when it rains the last thing you want is to ‘Live the La Santa Lifestyle’. Right, now that’s off my chest we’re off for an ice cream as it is still nice and warm.
By the way I have had to post a load from teh last few days. This and the one before are actually Friday 22nd February
By the way I have had to post a load from teh last few days. This and the one before are actually Friday 22nd February
This and That
22nd Feb
Today I made a recovery day, yesterday was supposed to be a rest day, but what with my own ride, then the Fermes epic and then the shakedown ride with the new guys who have come in for the second week I was completely knackered today with the start of a sore throat. So just took it slow and steady with Geoff.
On the last ride with Malcolm Elliott, after my long chat with him I thought it might be best to let someone else talk to the man since he is a top British pro. I was sure others would like to talk to him about his racing days and riding the Tour De France etc so would not take kindly to me hogging the conversation. Anyway, whilst we were talking, Gary had been talking to the guy in front of me who had said he used to play Rugby and only been cycling for short time. So I dropped back a bit and Malcolm Elliott ends up by this guy, who asks him ‘So, done much cycling?!’ Malcolm Elliott’s reply was the classic ‘Oh, This and That’ I thought what a chump asking such a question of a legendary pro! So this morning a fella I met last year has turned up again for the second week, nice bloke called Mick, Fly Boy says to me ‘Is that THE Mick Waite?’, I say ‘Yes, that’s Mick... what do you mean THE Mick Waite?’, he says “well, you know it’s nice to meet people you read about all the time in the cycling mags” This reminded me of the year before last when I met Mick on a ride and said to him ‘So, done much cycling?’ and Mick replied ‘Oh, This and That’......
Today I made a recovery day, yesterday was supposed to be a rest day, but what with my own ride, then the Fermes epic and then the shakedown ride with the new guys who have come in for the second week I was completely knackered today with the start of a sore throat. So just took it slow and steady with Geoff.
On the last ride with Malcolm Elliott, after my long chat with him I thought it might be best to let someone else talk to the man since he is a top British pro. I was sure others would like to talk to him about his racing days and riding the Tour De France etc so would not take kindly to me hogging the conversation. Anyway, whilst we were talking, Gary had been talking to the guy in front of me who had said he used to play Rugby and only been cycling for short time. So I dropped back a bit and Malcolm Elliott ends up by this guy, who asks him ‘So, done much cycling?!’ Malcolm Elliott’s reply was the classic ‘Oh, This and That’ I thought what a chump asking such a question of a legendary pro! So this morning a fella I met last year has turned up again for the second week, nice bloke called Mick, Fly Boy says to me ‘Is that THE Mick Waite?’, I say ‘Yes, that’s Mick... what do you mean THE Mick Waite?’, he says “well, you know it’s nice to meet people you read about all the time in the cycling mags” This reminded me of the year before last when I met Mick on a ride and said to him ‘So, done much cycling?’ and Mick replied ‘Oh, This and That’......
Fermes
21st Feb
No Hangover – did a ride on my own then a long run with the green team and Malcolm from the club who was determined that we do the frontside of Fermes, the steepest climb on the island. SO he had told Laurent and that’s where we went. Once we had negotiated Playa Blanca and the garage where the proprietor got very hot under the collar because I had lent my 2K bike against his 2 euro knackered plastic chair! (What are these people on, do they recognise that the tourist pound is the ONLY income of the island?) Laurent was fuming! Anyway, it rained all the way out, and the grind up the hill to the roundabout at the bottom of the Fermes climb took at least 20 minutes me and Malc had been dropped by the green team at the start of the climb and as we got closer you could see these cyclists appearing again and again as they rode round and round the roundabout! From a distance it looked like they were shooting up the Fermes climb and then back down and round to do it again. Malc got to the roundabout as I completed my second circuit and then when asked if ‘we do Fermes now, eh?’ says, ‘No, let’s not bother!!’ I’m like, you what! We did all this work to get here and now we don’t do the final bit! Malc says well, haven’t you been up already? I quickly dissuaded him of THAT notion! So with cries of ‘come on, show some true Brit!’ We did the Fermes 1 in 4 slog. Made it without stopping which was wonderful.
No Hangover – did a ride on my own then a long run with the green team and Malcolm from the club who was determined that we do the frontside of Fermes, the steepest climb on the island. SO he had told Laurent and that’s where we went. Once we had negotiated Playa Blanca and the garage where the proprietor got very hot under the collar because I had lent my 2K bike against his 2 euro knackered plastic chair! (What are these people on, do they recognise that the tourist pound is the ONLY income of the island?) Laurent was fuming! Anyway, it rained all the way out, and the grind up the hill to the roundabout at the bottom of the Fermes climb took at least 20 minutes me and Malc had been dropped by the green team at the start of the climb and as we got closer you could see these cyclists appearing again and again as they rode round and round the roundabout! From a distance it looked like they were shooting up the Fermes climb and then back down and round to do it again. Malc got to the roundabout as I completed my second circuit and then when asked if ‘we do Fermes now, eh?’ says, ‘No, let’s not bother!!’ I’m like, you what! We did all this work to get here and now we don’t do the final bit! Malc says well, haven’t you been up already? I quickly dissuaded him of THAT notion! So with cries of ‘come on, show some true Brit!’ We did the Fermes 1 in 4 slog. Made it without stopping which was wonderful.
Miles of Fun
20th Feb
So another day in cycling paradise, went out early with Malcolm, he is trying to average 50miles per day this year so we went up Soo, Munique,Tiagua, then the new road (lovely lane, no traffic, one pot hole otherwise baby smooth, Malcolm found the pothole!), Tinajo, up to the church where the people bought out the statue of the Madonna during the last eruption in the 1800s and it stopped the lava just at the point where if it had gone another metre or so it would have flowed down through Tinajo destroying the village. Then back down to Tiagua back along the new road, it really is so nice you want to do it twice and then back down through La Santa down the hill.
Main ride I ended up sat beside Malcolm Elliott and we whiled the time away chatting about cycling and our love of food, so one thing in common because I can’t get anywhere near him in cycling terms. He told me a little about three week stage racing oh and revealed a world exclusive, that he is trying to position his races this year to hang up his racing boots at the end of the year.
Ride was good, then we did the TT at 16:00, very windy I went a full minute quicker than my PB of last year for this course, 26:38 – Malcolm Elliott won with 21:17. Ok – comparisons don’t go too well, he is older than me etc etc. Hey ho.
Gala dinner tonight – that’ll mean a hangover in the morning.
So another day in cycling paradise, went out early with Malcolm, he is trying to average 50miles per day this year so we went up Soo, Munique,Tiagua, then the new road (lovely lane, no traffic, one pot hole otherwise baby smooth, Malcolm found the pothole!), Tinajo, up to the church where the people bought out the statue of the Madonna during the last eruption in the 1800s and it stopped the lava just at the point where if it had gone another metre or so it would have flowed down through Tinajo destroying the village. Then back down to Tiagua back along the new road, it really is so nice you want to do it twice and then back down through La Santa down the hill.
Main ride I ended up sat beside Malcolm Elliott and we whiled the time away chatting about cycling and our love of food, so one thing in common because I can’t get anywhere near him in cycling terms. He told me a little about three week stage racing oh and revealed a world exclusive, that he is trying to position his races this year to hang up his racing boots at the end of the year.
Ride was good, then we did the TT at 16:00, very windy I went a full minute quicker than my PB of last year for this course, 26:38 – Malcolm Elliott won with 21:17. Ok – comparisons don’t go too well, he is older than me etc etc. Hey ho.
Gala dinner tonight – that’ll mean a hangover in the morning.
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
Tuesdays in Lanzarote
I’m bagging miles early in the morning before the main ride – yesterday was a Time Trial as part of a duathlon with the Crazy Catholics step daughters – they are 10 and 13. Zoe did the first run and came in second – against a field including elite triathletes ‘Go Girl!’ I then did an awful TT effort – 2 minutes slower than last year, sorry girls –finally little Rach bought us in third overall. Word of the week – Awesome!
Today rode a nice slow 20Km in beautiful windless weather. Then we did the Tabayesco 100Km ride which was actually good fun – although I think this camp needs an intensive group riding training camp because we have a lot of novices who do some dangerous things.
Another big thanks to Tri Tony - heard me going on about this ppp lark and popped a tenner in the pot, nice one mate.
I did some hard negotiating on the Cervelo – Ok Muppetboy asked for the top amount I could afford so we didn’t negotiate at all, I just bit his arm off. So come the end of the holiday I will be the proud owner of a new top bike. Need to find the money quick.
Fly Boy is bringing out some stuff to help with the Mosquito itching bites and of course the Doc is coming so all is good.
Weather is wonderful still – if this carries on we will be losing our tickets and finding jobs out here! Came up with a cunning plan, get SCC to buy the timeshare for a large apartment during these two weeks and then we can get 10% off all our food and cheap accommodation to boot!
In the Scrabble league its 1 each to the two ladies and nothing at all to me.
Yep, I think I am suffering from sunstroke.
Today rode a nice slow 20Km in beautiful windless weather. Then we did the Tabayesco 100Km ride which was actually good fun – although I think this camp needs an intensive group riding training camp because we have a lot of novices who do some dangerous things.
Another big thanks to Tri Tony - heard me going on about this ppp lark and popped a tenner in the pot, nice one mate.
I did some hard negotiating on the Cervelo – Ok Muppetboy asked for the top amount I could afford so we didn’t negotiate at all, I just bit his arm off. So come the end of the holiday I will be the proud owner of a new top bike. Need to find the money quick.
Fly Boy is bringing out some stuff to help with the Mosquito itching bites and of course the Doc is coming so all is good.
Weather is wonderful still – if this carries on we will be losing our tickets and finding jobs out here! Came up with a cunning plan, get SCC to buy the timeshare for a large apartment during these two weeks and then we can get 10% off all our food and cheap accommodation to boot!
In the Scrabble league its 1 each to the two ladies and nothing at all to me.
Yep, I think I am suffering from sunstroke.
Monday, 18 February 2008
LZ2 - quick update
A big thanks to Big John for lending the laptop - should be able to post a few more times. The internet cafe is not too bad!
Thought you might like to know the ride distances thus far:
Thurs: 30K
Fri: 90K
Sat: 90K
Sun: 158K ow! - Tabeyesco Fermes, El Golfo, Timanfaya basically most of the island!
Mon: 95K (TT - Main ride and then one with Jackie!)
(Note most mornings I do a warm up ride - La Santa, Soo, Munique, Tiagua, Tinajo and La Santa with variations normally 30ishK)
Hope you are enjoying the riding in the UK. The wind was light today which made it easier than before the wind is a big feature of riding here along with very little flat and a lot of rough it makes the mile hard to get. Still we are enjoying grabbing them.
TTFN
Thought you might like to know the ride distances thus far:
Thurs: 30K
Fri: 90K
Sat: 90K
Sun: 158K ow! - Tabeyesco Fermes, El Golfo, Timanfaya basically most of the island!
Mon: 95K (TT - Main ride and then one with Jackie!)
(Note most mornings I do a warm up ride - La Santa, Soo, Munique, Tiagua, Tinajo and La Santa with variations normally 30ishK)
Hope you are enjoying the riding in the UK. The wind was light today which made it easier than before the wind is a big feature of riding here along with very little flat and a lot of rough it makes the mile hard to get. Still we are enjoying grabbing them.
TTFN
Living it up in Lanzarote
I have now got a complete list of all the don’ts for a holiday with bike on budget airlines. For one don’t assume the luggage weight limit will allow you to take more than 2 pairs of knickers and a spare shirt! My wife’s case alone took up one third of the weight limit, best stop worrying about lightweight bike gear and get some seriously light luggage! I even took the bottom stiffener out of my soft case (yes, lighter) but it was not really to any avail so a lot of stuff didn’t come with and a load of stuff ended up in the bike box – didn’t help that I had agreed to take a 1.8Kg box of energy bars for a mate.
Another example of good practice – don’t leave anything hard loose in the said bike box, nor make it too heavy as it gets dropped if you do. The consequence is that my pride and joy has a dent in the down tube. This is SERIOUS – as it is an aluminium bike you can’t straighten it and if it cracks its goodnight Vienna. Very expensive, lucky I renewed the insurance he day before we travelled. As it happens MuppetBoy has offered to sell me is Cervelo Soloist full dura ace including the carbon wheels (to the uninitiated that means it is a very good, very expensive top bike) so a bit of a no brainer I need to negotiate and agree the price.
Forget all this though we are in Lanzarote again. Two weeks of living a bit like a cycling pro. So any differences to previous years? – The wind has changed round and they have introduced mosquitos!? Big Geoff Cooke (19 times world Champion says he has never seen them before in 15 years of working on this training camp). But the sun and warmth and the rides are fantastic. I’m told it is freezing back in Blighty which makes it all the sweeter. I could live like this all the time!
Each day is similar, we have four different speed groups and after a couple of medium distance ride days we do a long 70-100 miles ride followed by a short ride day. Today’s was a short ride, we had a new member of staff joining in, one Malcolm Elliott, who took the fast group. Malcolm is a full pro who regularly wins on the British racing scene, its his second time round at racing last time he rode the TdF, Olympics etc took a ten year break and he is now back 48 years old and still putting the best riders in Britain to the sword! Awesome. Anyway I was tired from yesterday’s ride so went with one of the slower groups. When the fast ‘group’ went by our group , Malcolm’s reputation had obviously gone before him which meant nearly all the decent riders had bottled it dropping to the next slower ride, it was hardly a group. So it was Malc, two other British Pros, a Club La Santa representative (semi pro) and one camp attendee (from Stratford of course) in their ‘group’. We had given them a 100 metre head start when I suddenly thought ‘sod it I want to see how these pros ride so let’s see if I can catch them and sit in for a few minutes’. Big John came with me and we bridged the gap cor! So now we were over the limit - how long we would last? Amazingly, although they kept going fast it was OK because every time the road went up the effort stayed the same, thus the speed did not, so BJ and I could sit at the back and be fine. So there is a message in all this to all those ‘light’ fast boys who rip yer legs off on every rise, then go slower or the same, (that is less effort) on the flat – do the work on the flat get the speed there and hold the effort level when the road rises, that way everyone gets a good ride – that was what these Pros did. Best ride I have ever had, it was only when we hit the real big climb after 30Ks that we slipped back, there is always tomorrow – so ‘Chapeau’ Mr Elliott!
I do enjoy these camps – we get out on the roads between 9 and 10 am finish the ride around lunch then chill , may be a massage loads of food and in bed by 10! After two weeks of this should be a lot stronger – but not really much leaner. The summer sun here is such a tonic. I would recommend this type of winter break to anyone, just for the lift it gives you and if you enjoy exercise then being able to indulge without weather worries is a bonus.
Another example of good practice – don’t leave anything hard loose in the said bike box, nor make it too heavy as it gets dropped if you do. The consequence is that my pride and joy has a dent in the down tube. This is SERIOUS – as it is an aluminium bike you can’t straighten it and if it cracks its goodnight Vienna. Very expensive, lucky I renewed the insurance he day before we travelled. As it happens MuppetBoy has offered to sell me is Cervelo Soloist full dura ace including the carbon wheels (to the uninitiated that means it is a very good, very expensive top bike) so a bit of a no brainer I need to negotiate and agree the price.
Forget all this though we are in Lanzarote again. Two weeks of living a bit like a cycling pro. So any differences to previous years? – The wind has changed round and they have introduced mosquitos!? Big Geoff Cooke (19 times world Champion says he has never seen them before in 15 years of working on this training camp). But the sun and warmth and the rides are fantastic. I’m told it is freezing back in Blighty which makes it all the sweeter. I could live like this all the time!
Each day is similar, we have four different speed groups and after a couple of medium distance ride days we do a long 70-100 miles ride followed by a short ride day. Today’s was a short ride, we had a new member of staff joining in, one Malcolm Elliott, who took the fast group. Malcolm is a full pro who regularly wins on the British racing scene, its his second time round at racing last time he rode the TdF, Olympics etc took a ten year break and he is now back 48 years old and still putting the best riders in Britain to the sword! Awesome. Anyway I was tired from yesterday’s ride so went with one of the slower groups. When the fast ‘group’ went by our group , Malcolm’s reputation had obviously gone before him which meant nearly all the decent riders had bottled it dropping to the next slower ride, it was hardly a group. So it was Malc, two other British Pros, a Club La Santa representative (semi pro) and one camp attendee (from Stratford of course) in their ‘group’. We had given them a 100 metre head start when I suddenly thought ‘sod it I want to see how these pros ride so let’s see if I can catch them and sit in for a few minutes’. Big John came with me and we bridged the gap cor! So now we were over the limit - how long we would last? Amazingly, although they kept going fast it was OK because every time the road went up the effort stayed the same, thus the speed did not, so BJ and I could sit at the back and be fine. So there is a message in all this to all those ‘light’ fast boys who rip yer legs off on every rise, then go slower or the same, (that is less effort) on the flat – do the work on the flat get the speed there and hold the effort level when the road rises, that way everyone gets a good ride – that was what these Pros did. Best ride I have ever had, it was only when we hit the real big climb after 30Ks that we slipped back, there is always tomorrow – so ‘Chapeau’ Mr Elliott!
I do enjoy these camps – we get out on the roads between 9 and 10 am finish the ride around lunch then chill , may be a massage loads of food and in bed by 10! After two weeks of this should be a lot stronger – but not really much leaner. The summer sun here is such a tonic. I would recommend this type of winter break to anyone, just for the lift it gives you and if you enjoy exercise then being able to indulge without weather worries is a bonus.
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Reliably unreliable!
So we approach the big training camp now - I hope over the next two weeks I will be able to give better service to posting but I do know the internet had not arrived at Club La Santa last year! They have an internet cafe which failed to download the basic homepage of hotmail for my 2 euros and at the exchange rate I ain't spending a fortune on that!!!!
The last week has been great we are having brilliant sunshine EVERY day since last Wednesday - remarkable. It has been so warm you would be forgiven for thinking you had moved to the Adriatic coast. But unfortunately for those UK bound souls the thermometer is falling back over the next two days just as the Lanza posse get out of here! You'll be freezing, and the posse? The prediction is 26 degrees in Lanzarote mmmm, luverly!
Made good use of this recent fine weather 80 miles Saturday and then Stratford CC had its reliability on Sunday (Yes, I nominally organise, just be thankful there are a few competent people in the club that make sure it actually worked!). 150 riders and we all had a great time. Picked up over 300 miles last week so I am well on target for miles, picked up a few lbs too so I am way off target on flab fighting bah!
For the second year, I punctured right at the start of the reliability - almost at the identical spot! Fixed it a bit quicker this time and another solo effort for me, finished a lot quicker and had something left so I must be doing something right.
OK, gotta go, loads to do before holidays, if I don't blog whilst there think about me getting some rays
The last week has been great we are having brilliant sunshine EVERY day since last Wednesday - remarkable. It has been so warm you would be forgiven for thinking you had moved to the Adriatic coast. But unfortunately for those UK bound souls the thermometer is falling back over the next two days just as the Lanza posse get out of here! You'll be freezing, and the posse? The prediction is 26 degrees in Lanzarote mmmm, luverly!
Made good use of this recent fine weather 80 miles Saturday and then Stratford CC had its reliability on Sunday (Yes, I nominally organise, just be thankful there are a few competent people in the club that make sure it actually worked!). 150 riders and we all had a great time. Picked up over 300 miles last week so I am well on target for miles, picked up a few lbs too so I am way off target on flab fighting bah!
For the second year, I punctured right at the start of the reliability - almost at the identical spot! Fixed it a bit quicker this time and another solo effort for me, finished a lot quicker and had something left so I must be doing something right.
OK, gotta go, loads to do before holidays, if I don't blog whilst there think about me getting some rays
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Making up for it
Two in one offer.
Forgot that I actually wanted to just say a big thankyou to those who have sponsored me so far. When I feel really bleak about the next 11,000 miles (aaaaghhh!) I just think about the kind words, thoughts of those sponsoring me. Plus of course they are putting their hard earned cash behind me. It really gives me a warm feeling, so a big thanks to the likes of Karen and Dai, I really appreciate it.
Also a quick word about my partner in crime on the Marmotte - a lifelong friend who has said yes to doing this epic ride with me in July. Now how weird is this? We met during our student days when we realised we had common interests - Beer, fags and motorsport, exercise was an anathema. Twenty years on and we have both given up fags and found these push bike thingys. My mate, Pieguy (explanations later) probably caught the bug before me when he lived in Holland. Now he resides just south of San Fran. Here's what he tells me about one of his training rides:
"mapped out a new training ride for the weekends that will take me to Mount Hamilton. Hadn't thought about riding it regularly, but I saw the Tour of California route goes that way and realized it's probably the best training I can find. They put the road in to allow them to haul construction materials up to build the observatory, so the grade isn't too steep and it's a nice long climb. The ride will be from home, down into the valley, along Coyote creek, over Metcalf (beast of a climb but only 3 miles), through the back roads, up Hamilton, fuel and water at the observatory, fast descent, back along the valley and a 1000' climb home. Probably about 80 miles and 6000'. "
I am so jealous - we just don't get climbs like that to train on. So respect, I just hope I can keep up with him in July!
Forgot that I actually wanted to just say a big thankyou to those who have sponsored me so far. When I feel really bleak about the next 11,000 miles (aaaaghhh!) I just think about the kind words, thoughts of those sponsoring me. Plus of course they are putting their hard earned cash behind me. It really gives me a warm feeling, so a big thanks to the likes of Karen and Dai, I really appreciate it.
Also a quick word about my partner in crime on the Marmotte - a lifelong friend who has said yes to doing this epic ride with me in July. Now how weird is this? We met during our student days when we realised we had common interests - Beer, fags and motorsport, exercise was an anathema. Twenty years on and we have both given up fags and found these push bike thingys. My mate, Pieguy (explanations later) probably caught the bug before me when he lived in Holland. Now he resides just south of San Fran. Here's what he tells me about one of his training rides:
"mapped out a new training ride for the weekends that will take me to Mount Hamilton. Hadn't thought about riding it regularly, but I saw the Tour of California route goes that way and realized it's probably the best training I can find. They put the road in to allow them to haul construction materials up to build the observatory, so the grade isn't too steep and it's a nice long climb. The ride will be from home, down into the valley, along Coyote creek, over Metcalf (beast of a climb but only 3 miles), through the back roads, up Hamilton, fuel and water at the observatory, fast descent, back along the valley and a 1000' climb home. Probably about 80 miles and 6000'. "
I am so jealous - we just don't get climbs like that to train on. So respect, I just hope I can keep up with him in July!
Irregular posting
Oops - Suddenly I find a lot of things are starting to fall apart!
I've had a few complaints at the lack of log! I find that really gratifying!! People are reading this - er - for want of a better word drivel! But really sorry for being irregular - I know those of you who know me know that that statement is true in so many rich and diverse ways
Right so the real question is WHY?
Back to the first statement - falling apart - I think I am in to that horrible world of 'overtraining' - either that or I have no ability whatsoever. I do not seem to be able to 'pick it up'. I can still sit on the turbo (having calibrated it) and pump away at around 240w but I am not able to really go.
So the BIG question is what to do about it - I am just over a week away from a two week training camp - so a radical change of plan is required I think. Yep, I will rest a bit.
I will review where I am again tomorrow (post massage). But I am detuning this weeks training whatever. Its Reliability on Sunday then pack and go to sunny climes! next Thursday. Can't wait.
So there may be a big gap in the posting as I know they have an internet cafe there but it is totally pants (haven't heard that for a while have you?!) I think the line speed is about 3 bits per year I remember seeing someone shoving euros into the meter last year waiting for their hotmail account to log in!
I might be able to post if I can blag a laptop from someone. Mine is the heaviest brick you have ever seen and is NOT going in the luggage it is heavier than my dream bike!!!
So resting and looking forward to a massage tonight.
One week to sunshine!
I've had a few complaints at the lack of log! I find that really gratifying!! People are reading this - er - for want of a better word drivel! But really sorry for being irregular - I know those of you who know me know that that statement is true in so many rich and diverse ways
Right so the real question is WHY?
Back to the first statement - falling apart - I think I am in to that horrible world of 'overtraining' - either that or I have no ability whatsoever. I do not seem to be able to 'pick it up'. I can still sit on the turbo (having calibrated it) and pump away at around 240w but I am not able to really go.
So the BIG question is what to do about it - I am just over a week away from a two week training camp - so a radical change of plan is required I think. Yep, I will rest a bit.
I will review where I am again tomorrow (post massage). But I am detuning this weeks training whatever. Its Reliability on Sunday then pack and go to sunny climes! next Thursday. Can't wait.
So there may be a big gap in the posting as I know they have an internet cafe there but it is totally pants (haven't heard that for a while have you?!) I think the line speed is about 3 bits per year I remember seeing someone shoving euros into the meter last year waiting for their hotmail account to log in!
I might be able to post if I can blag a laptop from someone. Mine is the heaviest brick you have ever seen and is NOT going in the luggage it is heavier than my dream bike!!!
So resting and looking forward to a massage tonight.
One week to sunshine!
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