Sunday morning and it was raining! A bit of a shock to the system having got used to the dry and pleasantly warm conditions and the fact we hadn't been out in the wet for weeks.
The previous evenings forecast had warned of this, but only showers, not persistent stuff and mist as well. It was commented upon as the four of us(me, Steve, Simon and Mark) rolled away that punctures could well be a problem again. How true this would be!
I had in fact entered a road race but elected not to ride as I couldn't face the thought of another drubbing by people a lot older than me and a 90 mins drive each way to Epsom! So, I had "sold" the plan to do at least 80 miles and get lots of climbing in to the others during Friday's pub session. Everyone was more than willing.
Our planned route took us first to Burghclere, then Kingsclere, down a lane with a ford where the water was at least 2 foot deep so the footbridge did the trick and over to Brimpton. Steve wound up the pace big time for the Brimpton sign and took it easily as a car coming in the opposite direction made a last dash for me too dangerous.
We then dropped down to Woolhampton with another ferocious sign sprint - this time I got my own back. After crossing the A4 and a short climb is was onto Bradfield at speed - 23mph then Pangbourne and Whitchurch on Thames where Simon got the first puncture of the day and showed how not to use a gas canister to reflate the tyre, most of the CO2 escaping into the atmosphere and freezing his hand at the same time. A navigational error by me took us down a narrow, but fast lane which came to an abrupt end in a farmyard! We turned around and I punctured almost immediately.
The others were so impressed with my tyre changing prowess, particularly without tyre levers, I let it go to my head and completely forgot to check the tyre for other foreign objects. No sooner had I pumped the tyre up than it was hissing again and the procedure had to be repeated. What a prat!
Within a hundred yards or so there was a loud PISSSST! No one knew at first, but it soon became clear, Mark was the next victim of the dreaded road flints.
Mark confidently set about changing the tyre and gave a perfect demonstration, much to all of our amazement, of how to use a gas canister to reflate a tyre. It was impressively, almost instant. "Wow" we all exclaimed. But our amazement was very short-lived. Mark quickly noticed that his inner tube was bulging, like a small hernia, through a nasty cut in the sidewall of his tyre. We tried a repair but the same happened again and he decided to call his wife for a rescue, it would only be a matter of time before there would be a loud bang and another flat.
I totted up the cost of my "navigational" error in my head - 3 inner tubes, 1 tyre - about £50. Sorry guys - at least I had been a victim too!
We left Mark to be picked up as the weather improved to descend at speed into Goring, climbing up Streetly Hill(easier than last time!) then onto Compton, East Ilsley and Farnborough. At Farnbough it was clear time was ticking on and no one wanted to be out until mid-afternoon, so we took a left there to return towards home via Wnterbourne, Bagnor and Stockcross.
The last few miles were a bit of a grind and I felt empty. My hot cross buns that had worked so well during my 100 mile ride last Saturday just didn't do the trick today and nearly every time I tried to eat one I nearly choked. Steve's ham sandwiches seemed far better. Maybe also it was because I only had part of my important first feed, a banana which broke in half and did a lap of my front wheel before being jettisoned off behind.
Nevertheless, we did do 67.5 miles and nearly 4,000 feet of climbing so not bad. The "lost" hour faffing around with punctures would have seen us comfortably get over the 80 miles mark.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Weekend of 17th/18th April - By Chris
This was a weekend to savour! The forecast lived up to the promise of clear skies, light winds and warm days - over 18 degrees centigrade.
After all the concerns about Simon's knee injury and whether we would get a ride as a reserve team. Sadly, Steve, Simon and I weren't able to do the Antelope RT 3 up team time trial. Simon was delayed in Calais, waiting with thousands of others for a ferry following the closure of all UK airspace due to the volcanic cloud covering the country. The organiser had called me on Thursday evening to confirm our ride only to be told it looked unlikely we would be there due to the uncertainty about Simon's return.
I had already resolved earlier in the week that if we didn't ride the team time trial I would do a "big ride". So on Saturday morning I set off with Steve to ride a 100 mile route around Berksire, Hampshire and Wiltshire. First we completed a clockwise loop of Newbury ending up at Hannington and then St Mary Bourne At this point, about 45 miles, Steve peeled off for home as planned and left me to carry on heading south to Stockbridge and then west to Grately before turning north to climb up the Chute Causeway. The views were fantastic but I wasn't really in the mood for sight seeing after 75 miles.
I ran out of food(3 hot cross buns - half of one consumed every hour) and drinks after Chute and the shop in Shalbourne was closed. I had no option but to hang on and stop in Kintbury for an energy drink and chocolate bar. With only 13 miles to go to complete the Century I was reinvigorated and found the last part of the route fairly easy, completing the 100 miles in 6:50. Approx 14.5 mph, quite pleasing considering the 5500 feet of ascent.
Sunday was billed yet again as an easy ride and lived up to this although my companions, Steve and Mark persuaded me to climb up Walbury Hill to Coombe Gibbet and then the long ascent to Faccombe. My legs felt fairly fresh and surprisingly I enjoyed both climbs and in fact the whole 28 mile ride at an easy pace.
A good training weekend. Hopefully we will get the whole group out again soon with Simon now home and only Stuart not around - stranded waiting for a flight from Las Vegas. Can think of worse places to be stranded though!
After all the concerns about Simon's knee injury and whether we would get a ride as a reserve team. Sadly, Steve, Simon and I weren't able to do the Antelope RT 3 up team time trial. Simon was delayed in Calais, waiting with thousands of others for a ferry following the closure of all UK airspace due to the volcanic cloud covering the country. The organiser had called me on Thursday evening to confirm our ride only to be told it looked unlikely we would be there due to the uncertainty about Simon's return.
I had already resolved earlier in the week that if we didn't ride the team time trial I would do a "big ride". So on Saturday morning I set off with Steve to ride a 100 mile route around Berksire, Hampshire and Wiltshire. First we completed a clockwise loop of Newbury ending up at Hannington and then St Mary Bourne At this point, about 45 miles, Steve peeled off for home as planned and left me to carry on heading south to Stockbridge and then west to Grately before turning north to climb up the Chute Causeway. The views were fantastic but I wasn't really in the mood for sight seeing after 75 miles.
I ran out of food(3 hot cross buns - half of one consumed every hour) and drinks after Chute and the shop in Shalbourne was closed. I had no option but to hang on and stop in Kintbury for an energy drink and chocolate bar. With only 13 miles to go to complete the Century I was reinvigorated and found the last part of the route fairly easy, completing the 100 miles in 6:50. Approx 14.5 mph, quite pleasing considering the 5500 feet of ascent.
Sunday was billed yet again as an easy ride and lived up to this although my companions, Steve and Mark persuaded me to climb up Walbury Hill to Coombe Gibbet and then the long ascent to Faccombe. My legs felt fairly fresh and surprisingly I enjoyed both climbs and in fact the whole 28 mile ride at an easy pace.
A good training weekend. Hopefully we will get the whole group out again soon with Simon now home and only Stuart not around - stranded waiting for a flight from Las Vegas. Can think of worse places to be stranded though!
Monday, 12 April 2010
Chiltern Big Dipper - 11th April
With the rest of our crew unavailable through injury I (Steve) was the only one fit enough to attempt the 100 mile Chiltern Big Dipper. This event is new to the calender and I can see it becoming a favourite. A good course on quiet roads and the dry spring weather helped. The organisers had a few teething problems at the start with some minor delays registering and the signage on the course could have been clearer, but I am sure they will learn from this for next time.
So how was it?.... The route is 103 miles long and includes category 3 and 4 climbs with a total ascent of 7505ft. I completed the whole route in 7hrs 36mins which works out an avg. 13.6 mph. Looking at the results I was in the bottom half of the field of 130 and guess I am a bit dissapointed with that. However on the positive side I did finish.... and my muscles aren't aching today (Monday).
The highlight for me was the spectacular chiltern scenery with red kites swooping above along the way. Low points were two close shaves with vehicles / pedestrians. In the first I was almost taken out by a car driver pulling out of their drive without looking. Thankfully we both took evasive action otherwise I would have hit the bonnet at >20mph. The second near miss was an old lady who decided to walk out onto the road without looking. She would have been toast if my 85kg had hit her at speed.
But the biggest frustration for me was mechanical problems with my bike. Both front and rear derailleurs need adjustment. My chain was thrown off the crank several times when changing up to the big ring and on the rear the chain was 'jumping' between gears. I have now read the Shimano maintenance instructions so will be sorting that out this week. However the scariest moment was when my rear brake lever came loose when I attempted to brake hard on the first big descent. After a serious wobble I managed to keep control and slow down using the front brake only. I don't like descending at the best of times so this really spooked me. I knew I would be unable to repair the lever quickly so took the rest of the descents very gingerly using the front brake.
The other 'learning' point for me was my physical preparation. A weeks skiing (with all the alcohol that involves), followed by a week entertaining house guests (more alcohol) was not ideal. I tried to manage my nutrition and hydration on the day but fatigue was starting to kick in at about 80 miles. I will have to be better prepared come July.
In summary this was my first ever 100 mile sportive and all the winter training certainly helped me get round. However my preparation ignored nutrition and bike maintenance. I won't be making that mistake again.
So how was it?.... The route is 103 miles long and includes category 3 and 4 climbs with a total ascent of 7505ft. I completed the whole route in 7hrs 36mins which works out an avg. 13.6 mph. Looking at the results I was in the bottom half of the field of 130 and guess I am a bit dissapointed with that. However on the positive side I did finish.... and my muscles aren't aching today (Monday).
The highlight for me was the spectacular chiltern scenery with red kites swooping above along the way. Low points were two close shaves with vehicles / pedestrians. In the first I was almost taken out by a car driver pulling out of their drive without looking. Thankfully we both took evasive action otherwise I would have hit the bonnet at >20mph. The second near miss was an old lady who decided to walk out onto the road without looking. She would have been toast if my 85kg had hit her at speed.
But the biggest frustration for me was mechanical problems with my bike. Both front and rear derailleurs need adjustment. My chain was thrown off the crank several times when changing up to the big ring and on the rear the chain was 'jumping' between gears. I have now read the Shimano maintenance instructions so will be sorting that out this week. However the scariest moment was when my rear brake lever came loose when I attempted to brake hard on the first big descent. After a serious wobble I managed to keep control and slow down using the front brake only. I don't like descending at the best of times so this really spooked me. I knew I would be unable to repair the lever quickly so took the rest of the descents very gingerly using the front brake.
The other 'learning' point for me was my physical preparation. A weeks skiing (with all the alcohol that involves), followed by a week entertaining house guests (more alcohol) was not ideal. I tried to manage my nutrition and hydration on the day but fatigue was starting to kick in at about 80 miles. I will have to be better prepared come July.
In summary this was my first ever 100 mile sportive and all the winter training certainly helped me get round. However my preparation ignored nutrition and bike maintenance. I won't be making that mistake again.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Sunday 11th April - A not so easy, easy ride!
Chris, Simon and Mark and elected to take an "easy" ride in view of the recent injury problems to Chris and Simon. Steve was out at the Chiltern Dipper 100 mile sportive.
The "easy" ride got off to a fast start. Although the Sydmonton sign wasn't contested, after forcing the pace over the next climb, the Kingsclere sign was a full on competition, taken by Simon. No evidence of the knee injury then. The summit had been crested at 19mph and after a fast decent there was a big sprint for the sign.
After Kingsclere, the route went up White Hill and then up to Hannington with a fast descent to Overton. On the road from Overton to Whitchurch there were a couple of flat out sprints with both Chris and Simon ignoring their injuries of the previous week.
The gradual climb up the St Mary Bourne valley then commenced. Simon peeled off home at Binley to leave Chris and Mark to continue up to Vernham Deane and then descend to Shalbourne. After that it was a slog into wind through Inkpen, East End and home with 50 miles covered in just over 3 hours.
50 kms Team time trial for Chris, Simon and Steve next Saturday and probably an "easy" ride again next Sunday. We'll see!
The "easy" ride got off to a fast start. Although the Sydmonton sign wasn't contested, after forcing the pace over the next climb, the Kingsclere sign was a full on competition, taken by Simon. No evidence of the knee injury then. The summit had been crested at 19mph and after a fast decent there was a big sprint for the sign.
After Kingsclere, the route went up White Hill and then up to Hannington with a fast descent to Overton. On the road from Overton to Whitchurch there were a couple of flat out sprints with both Chris and Simon ignoring their injuries of the previous week.
The gradual climb up the St Mary Bourne valley then commenced. Simon peeled off home at Binley to leave Chris and Mark to continue up to Vernham Deane and then descend to Shalbourne. After that it was a slog into wind through Inkpen, East End and home with 50 miles covered in just over 3 hours.
50 kms Team time trial for Chris, Simon and Steve next Saturday and probably an "easy" ride again next Sunday. We'll see!
Friday, 9 April 2010
More injuries for the Wayfarers Wheelers Etape team! By Chris Boulton
You may have read about the exploits of some of the team members at the water jump on the ski slopes of Les Arcs last week and also have seen that I struggled home after the Bank Holiday 25 mile time trial.
Well, now I know why I came to struggle home!
By Wednesday morning my thighs had become very swollen and even more sore than they had been immediately after Monday's time trial. However, I soldiered on and still took part in a 10 mile time trial on Wednesday evening with my eldest son, Albert.
After an uncomfortable ride, by the following morning I decided I needed some medical attention so booked myself an appointment at a sports injuries clinic in Harley Street, just around the corner from my office.
On entering the physiotherapists room, I was asked what the problem was and explained that I was a cyclist and during an event on Monday I had developed a soreness in my inner thighs. I then showed him the swelling. His first question was "What have you been doing to get an injury like that on both sides, it can't be from cycling?"
I explained that I had ridden the two time trials and that the problem first seemed to appear halfway around Monday's course and then I had struggled home. "But what else?" came the question again. I responded that "I was skiing last week and did a water jump"
"Ah ha" he said. "That will be it, you have probably strained your groins leaning back as you went across the water and the cycling has made it worse". His subsequent examination and manipulation of my muscles confirmed this initial diagnosis.
Phew I though, nothing serious then. Twenty five minutes later, after lots of checks and stretching together with a massage on my thighs and £100 paid, I was on my way to Boots for some Ibuprofen gel, to take the swelling down.
"Just take it easy for 3 days and I shouldn't need to see you again" were the physios parting comments!
So the water jump of a week before had led to me having two rather uncomfortable rides and missing training for the whole week. I won't be doing one of those again. Luckily, the ski season is almost over so there is no chance!
Well, now I know why I came to struggle home!
By Wednesday morning my thighs had become very swollen and even more sore than they had been immediately after Monday's time trial. However, I soldiered on and still took part in a 10 mile time trial on Wednesday evening with my eldest son, Albert.
After an uncomfortable ride, by the following morning I decided I needed some medical attention so booked myself an appointment at a sports injuries clinic in Harley Street, just around the corner from my office.
On entering the physiotherapists room, I was asked what the problem was and explained that I was a cyclist and during an event on Monday I had developed a soreness in my inner thighs. I then showed him the swelling. His first question was "What have you been doing to get an injury like that on both sides, it can't be from cycling?"
I explained that I had ridden the two time trials and that the problem first seemed to appear halfway around Monday's course and then I had struggled home. "But what else?" came the question again. I responded that "I was skiing last week and did a water jump"
"Ah ha" he said. "That will be it, you have probably strained your groins leaning back as you went across the water and the cycling has made it worse". His subsequent examination and manipulation of my muscles confirmed this initial diagnosis.
Phew I though, nothing serious then. Twenty five minutes later, after lots of checks and stretching together with a massage on my thighs and £100 paid, I was on my way to Boots for some Ibuprofen gel, to take the swelling down.
"Just take it easy for 3 days and I shouldn't need to see you again" were the physios parting comments!
So the water jump of a week before had led to me having two rather uncomfortable rides and missing training for the whole week. I won't be doing one of those again. Luckily, the ski season is almost over so there is no chance!
Monday, 5 April 2010
Some of the Wayfarers Wheelers hit the ski slopes and get a little wet!
The ski resort of Les Arcs 1950 would be a great base for Etape training with a serious "hair pinned" climb from Bourg St Maurice. Sadly, Chris and Simon didn't have their bikes plus the road was covered in snow most days anyway, so the ski slopes provided daily exercise for the budding Etape cyclist's and the other Wayfarers Wheeler on the trip, Chris's son Albert.
Albert
Chris
Simon
Albert
Chris
Nothing much to tell apart from a (hopefully) minor knee injury to Simon and some fun on the water slide - see 
pictures and guess who got the wettest!
pictures and guess who got the wettest!Simon
Suttie romps home as the Wayfarers Wheelers ride Bank Holiday 25 mile Time Trial
Only three riders from the Wayfarers Wheelers made it out today for the Newbury Road Club 25 mile Bank Holiday time trial - Chris and Steve, fresh from the ski slopes and Marwood. Others had better things to do on a Bank Holiday or are injured. Of the Tourmalet team, Pete has now been joined by Simon with what is hoped should be a minor knee problem after an off-piste wipe out.
The day dawned dry but with a blustery westerly wind. Steve and Chris set out to ride the 14 miles to start of the time trial near Aldermaston and were joined there by Marwood.
Given consecutive start numbers, the intrepid trio started off a minute apart. Steve first, followed by Marwood and then Chris. Of the Wayfarers Wheelers contingent, Steve romped home first with a time just of 1:12:05 followed by Chris with 1:21:39. Sadly Marwood punctured after only 6 miles but still put in a creditable 1:30:19. The event was won in a time of 1:00:22 so the guys still have some work to do to be competitive!
After the event, Chris and Steve left Marwood, who was headed north, to retrace their earlier route back to Highclere with Chris struggling with what seemed like cramp in his inner thighs! The pace was slow and into wind but despite a few threatening clouds the weather remained dry and the two completed a overall mileage for the day of nearly 55miles.
A big sportive next week, the Chiltern Dipper 100 miler!
The day dawned dry but with a blustery westerly wind. Steve and Chris set out to ride the 14 miles to start of the time trial near Aldermaston and were joined there by Marwood.
Given consecutive start numbers, the intrepid trio started off a minute apart. Steve first, followed by Marwood and then Chris. Of the Wayfarers Wheelers contingent, Steve romped home first with a time just of 1:12:05 followed by Chris with 1:21:39. Sadly Marwood punctured after only 6 miles but still put in a creditable 1:30:19. The event was won in a time of 1:00:22 so the guys still have some work to do to be competitive!
After the event, Chris and Steve left Marwood, who was headed north, to retrace their earlier route back to Highclere with Chris struggling with what seemed like cramp in his inner thighs! The pace was slow and into wind but despite a few threatening clouds the weather remained dry and the two completed a overall mileage for the day of nearly 55miles.
A big sportive next week, the Chiltern Dipper 100 miler!
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