The Horseshoe Pass

It looks like a small innocuous squiggly line on a map. The 3 dimensional version however poses some serious questions about fitness. Myself and the Clarkster decided it was time that the Horseshoe was shown who was boss. Just to make it more difficult we planned a 45 mile route with the Pass as the prize at the end. What we didn't realise was just how hilly the rest of our route was. 45 miles is a doddle I told him! 45 miles over some big hills in the pouring rain wasn't such a doddle.

Actually we had a great time despite the rain. We chose to climb the steep side from Ruthin. The idea was we could get the pain over in a short, sharp shock. It wasn't as hard as we had expected although I won't claim for a second it was easy. Ric is as fit as a butcher's dog with legs like pistons from years of weight training and, more recently, rowing. I therefore didn't feel guilty about using him as a windbreak when we were on the top of the hills! He was riding his old Raleigh which is almost 20 years old and despite some disagreements with his front chain ring it munched up the miles with ease. The carbon geeks of today would probably run away in fear if they saw a 15 stone bloke on a bike made of iron girders flying down the horseshoe at speeds over 50mph (according to our computers!!!!) For my own part I had put a chain ring with one less tooth on the front than standard. Actually the smallest I can get on a 130bcd chain ring (if that means anything to anyone) It helped and I never struggled with any climbs all day.

We both agreed it was a good measure of fitness and we will most definitely go for it again.

Weekend Fun

Saturday was a long day. Chester won the Law College Sevens in a convincing showing. I managed to raise around £35 just by collecting from the few that were spectating. Thanks to last years Senior Colts side who all donated to the cause. They also looked to be probably the second strongest side there. They must have had some good coaching somewhere in the past eh? Mind you, I did my best to undo all of Platty and Dave Craven's work.

It was also "Cartwheel jnr's" 30th at the club in the evening. James Bond was the theme so Amanda and I went as Solitaire and Baron Samedi. I stayed off the drink so I could ride this morning (Sunday). We managed to squeeze around 50 miles in before the rain came down. I am now pretty tired though! I have now completed 800km on my new bike. Still not under 30 mins on that time trial yet. Need to shave 20 seconds off.

Hope you like the pics from Lee's do. Amanda and yours truly on the left. Dr. Paul Evil Hayes in the middle and James Bond (who does not need more cake in my opinion!) on the right.

More mileage, more pain!

I went to the time trial on Thursday. There were some serious cyclists there and I even got whupped by a young 'un! OK, so now there is a target set. I won't lie, it was hard. Ten miles as fast as you can go. They were flying and I, needless to say, was not. Still, it was an experience and I'm going to keep turning up to see how much I can improve.
With that done I ventured back out with the road club again on Sunday. Really enjoyed it as they are a pretty friendly bunch. We went just short of a whopping 70 miles on this one! Both legs were aching but quite a bit of soreness in the scar tissue in my thigh and knee in the evening and today. Still that's probably a sign that it's breaking some of it down. We all live in hope! Neck and shoulders felt it too. All in all though, not as frightening as it sounds and in a sick way, quite good fun.
Weather doesn't look too great this week. Will need to keep an eye out to see when I can squeeze in some miles. Once my legs feel a bit stronger that is. Thursday I'm aiming to get under 30 minutes on that 10 mile time trial.