Training goes continental

The weekend saw my training regime go continental, with a weekend in Majorca. Getting up early on Friday morning after the farewell party the night before was no easy task, but at 7 o'clock we took off from City airport en route to the sunshine island of Majorca. Unfortunately the sun was not coming out to play on Friday, but a short taxi ride later, we made it to the well appointed luxury of Reads hotel and met fellow slammer Malcolm (stage 4), whose family owns the hotel. He set us up with two road bikes, and very soon we were on our way for an 80km jaunt across the island. Annoyingly the Garmin was up to its usual tricks and the first few kilometres could only be described as a bit of unplanned offroad action. A new plan was called for, and before long we were enjoying the quiet country lanes of the island. I had promised Jill a flat ride, but to her dismay what we got was the best part of 800m of climbing. The rain held off and before we knew it, we were back at the hotel enjoying a generous slice of almond cake and a well earned beer. The evening meal was excellent, and there were some wonderful wines at very attractive prices to wash it all down.

Saturday morning came, and it was the day of the big ride for the weekend. I had planned a 110km route and this time we set off in the right direction. Nothing, however, is easy and on leaving Santa Maria to cross the motorway we were confronted by two members of the local constabulary who requested that we stop. A little bit of arm waving and it soon became apparent that there had been an accident, and the road ahead was covered in glass. A detour was called for, but we managed to accomplish this without any drama, and soon we were winding our way through very quiet country lanes en route to Alcudia. Turning inland from the coast we headed to Pollenca, we we stopped for a pizza, but the weather was starting to turn and against a headwind and in the rain we made our way back to the hotel. Job done, and after her sterling efforts over the last couple of weekends, Jill is showing good form for cycleslam 2014!

Sunday was always intended to be a rest day, but I was getting interested by the possibility of attempting a climb over the Coll de Soller. Unfortunately Sunday brought rain, and lots of it, and deciding that I did not wished to get drenched, or indeed negotiate what undoubtingly would be a treacherous descent down to the coast,  I decided that discretion was the better part of valour and opted for a long lunch and the Sunday Times on the iPad!

Never mind, I achieved what I set out to do that weekend, and that was another two days of back to back distance riding, and to enjoy some different countryside. For those of you who are looking for somewhere to put in a bit of winter/spring training, I can thoroughly recommend the location and the package offered by Malcolm and the team at Reads.

Not long to go now, and next weekend will see a ride out west into Berkshire, with a ride down to Brighton with the Bigfoot cycle club from Bromley on the bank holiday weekend. However, if anybody has any interest in joining me on a training ride between now and when I drop my bike off on May 9, please get in touch

Mini slam weekend - 4 days, 200 miles

With the double bank holiday, I decided to set myself the challenge of a mini slam weekend. 4 days, 200 miles, come rain or shine, and under slam conditions, so good food & a couple of beers each night!

Things began well on Thursday evening with a good fill with Mrs Y at the excellent Union Bistro in Clapham. Their cottage pie is just what you need when you are facing a good few hours in the saddle the next day.

Bright sunshine greeted me on Friday morning and I was joined by Dan (Stages 2 & 5) and Rob (Stages 1 & 5) for a ride out of Clapham to Windsor and back, via Kingston, Chertsey, Virginia Water, Windsor Park, Staines, Walton, Hampton Court and Wimbledon. With a top notch service from Mr Croker's mechanic (Ben & Cycleworx in Southfields) and a few new components, the bike felt great, as was the banter with the boys. A little under four hours and 60 miles in the bag. A great start to the challenge.

A large helping of Mrs Y's home made lasagne washed down by an excellent bottle of Vergegelen V and a relaxing Friday evening watching The Masters set me up nicely for Saturday. The weather was nowhere as convivial as Friday, but at least it wasn't raining. I followed the same route out of town to Virginia Water, before heading back via Chobham and Addlestone to the in-laws in Weybridge. Another 40 miles in the bag, knocked off in 2:20, and halfway to the 200 mile target for the weekend.

Saturday night and a substantial helping of pork belly washed down by a drop of Bordeaux, and day 3 of The Masters, before an early start on Sunday to get down to the New Forest in time to put a big shift in. Parked up at The Pig in Brockenhurst, our home for the night, by 9.30am, Mrs Y & I set off on a 68 mile round trip (provided by fellow slammer Andy Neill) through the highways and byways of the New Forest. An excellent route, reasonably flat, some great scenery, too many cattle grids, and all manner of wildlife. Having dropped into an excellent chocolate chocolate shop in Beaulieu to reserve an Easter egg for collection later, it was non stop to ensure that we were back in time for the healing hands of The Pig's resident masseur, Karen, and an hour's worth of work on those aching limbs, followed by the restorative properties of a couple of bottles of Little Willy from the Dorset Piddle brewery. 168 miles down and 32 miles to go.

Unfortunately, Monday's weather was very unfriendly. The heavens had opened, and the wind was blowing in off The Solent. The ride into Lymington was somewhat of a struggle, and the cobbles down at the quayside equally treacherous. Anyway, after two hours in the saddle, and soaking wet, I hit the 200 mile target for the weekend, and made it back to the hotel to dry off, and reflect on a some solid progress in the training regime. With only £100 to go to hit the £3k fundraising target, it feels like it is all coming together. Four weekends of training left, and then it's France here I come!

Sponsorship over £2800 - hope to hit target by Easter

The first big group ride of the training regime. 60-70 of us descended upon Halfords in Mitcham on Saturday morning & set off on a 64 mile loop into the Surrey Hills. The early part followed the route known well to those who have done the London to Brighton ride, before we headed through Banstead & up to Epsom Downs. Joining the Olympic road race course, we went up Box Hill the easy way, before bumping our way down over those annoying speed bumps. What goes down, has to go back up, and the climb up to Ranmore Common was the first of three challenging climbs (not my forte!). A brief lunch in Ewhurst, followed by two climbs (the second was the worst), and then we rolled into town. Guess we still need to get our group riding in order so that we can max the benefits, but great to ride with you Merv, Andrew, Terry & Richard. All told, 74 miles miles when I got home & over 1,300m of climbing.

Needless to say, I just wanted miles under the belt on Sunday & I persuaded Mrs Y to join me on reasonably flat 34 miles in the Surrey countryside around Lingfield. Quiet roads, early evening sunshine & yes the Garmin did its usual trick on rides that crossover.

Best news, however, is that I am less than £200 from the £3k target. Here's hoping that I can get there by Easter.

Back to back rides now the norm

A great sunny day, but only five slammers in Richmond Park. Never mind, and with a consensus that we wanted something different than the usual Box Hill route, trust was placed in my Garmin & a route to Windsor & back courtesy of the Kingston Wheelers website. All was going swimmingly well (apart from Richard's puncture) until we passed Hampton & the Garmin decided to start directing us back to Kingston (have discovered that Garmins can't cope very well with rides that have a loop that crosses over!!). Trusting good old fashion common sense, we got back on track & soon we were feet up at the Fox & Hounds in Englefield Green for a well earned coffee. Back on the road, we were back in Richmond pretty quickly & by the time I got home, the ride was 64 miles.

After an hour's less sleep with the clocks going forward, I scraped myself out of bed for what has to be the norm from now on in, consecutive days of riding. A short one at 34 miles, but 700m of climbing so good practice nonetheless.

A Slam weekend!!

Down to Cardiff on Saturday to watch Wales win the Grand Slam, back in time for a fantastic cottage pie at Bistro Union, and then out on the bike on Sunday morning. Only one other Slam rider in Richmond Park (Adil from Maidenhead), so we headed out to Box Hill, and then used the Garmin to guide us back to Richmond via Epsom Downs. Very enjoyable 61 miles.

Disjointed ride, another Welsh win

A somewhat disjointed ride today. Seemingly we lost a few people in Richmond Park (exactly how, who knows), and while three of us stopped in Cobham, the others whizzed past, necessitating a chase across Surrey. Caught the group up, but it appears that group riding was not the order of the day, and I knocked it on the head just short of Ranmore Common & retraced my steps. All in all, about 57 miles, so worked out ok in the end. Home well before ko in the rugby, and yet another Welsh victory. Bring on the French!!

Fitness of a different kind...

...no cycling this weekend as it was off to Gstaad for a resurrection of the annual ski weekend after an absence of two years. Great weather, snow good if on north facing slopes, and great food/wine, though in typical Swiss fashion, not cheap. Guess I can count it as leg strengthening, even if it did little for above the waist!!