If you'd like to see more, I've created an album here.
Thursday 8 August 2013
RideLondon Photos
I took a few photos over the weekend, and have now got a few shots from photographers around the route. I'm really pleased with how they capture the day.
If you'd like to see more, I've created an album here.
If you'd like to see more, I've created an album here.
Monday 5 August 2013
What a day. Long Live Legacy
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| Being wished luck by a cycling star |
First things first, though, I had to register on Saturday at ExCel. I met Becca and Chris there, and also met Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Joanna Rowsell, which was a real treat. It was my first time back at ExCel since the Olympics, so the feeling of anniversary celebrations was strong. We also said hello to the guys at the Cancer Research and BHF stands, who we were doing this in aid of.
With an early start yesterday from the Olympic Park I decided to stay over in Stratford - waking up to a view across the park with the first riders already starting to arrive was really inspiring.
Becca, Chris and I rolled into the park not long after 6am. The weather couldn't have been kinder; dry, not too hot and not yet too breezy. By 7am we were in our 'holding pen' with 500 or so other riders, then it was our turn. A count down, a hooter and we were off.
From the Olympic Park to the first hub point at Hampton Court Palace was 25 miles, and without doubt the best 25 miles I've ever ridden. On fully closed roads we crossed the very centre of London; Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, the City, Embankment, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly and Knightsbridge before crossing Chiswick Bridge, doing a beautiful circuit of Richmond Park and onto Hampton Court Palace (and more Olympic reminiscing).
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| The team at Hampton Court Palace |
At Hampton Court we regrouped as a team, refueled and all too soon it was time to leave the sights of London behind. The next 23 miles to the next hub point were the least interesting of the ride, heading through SW London suburbs and into the Surrey countryside, but we rode together chatting.
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| Riders at the Newlands Corner hub |
From Newlands at mile 47 to the third and final hub point at Leatherhead at mile 73 the route undulated through some fantastic English countryside, and made two now famous climbs.
The is the leg I'd been really training for, doing extra Chiltern climbing to be as prepared as I could be. I rode ahead alone and indulged myself on the steep climbs and fast descents on closed roads. Leith Hill came first, relatively steep but not too exciting or scenic. Unlike Box Hill, which although the easier climb was stunning. Beautiful scenery, billiard-table flat tarmac, and a great atmosphere, I loved it.
Leatherhead was a chance to take a break, relax and reflect whilst waiting for Becca and Chris to join me after my break away. We wanted to finish together and support each other through the last quarter of the distance, which was made easier with the breeze starting to pick up from the south west, pushing us home towards London.
By now there were crowds starting to build, cheering and clapping the riders on. The support and atmosphere was amazing, and I loved seeing so many people wearing London 2012 t-shirts and waving Union flags. Thanks to everyone who turned out.
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| Seeing the girls at Whitehall |
Becca and I both started cheering and celebrating with 500 meters to go, at which point Chris opened up a sprint and there was nothing left to do but join in. We sprinted down The Mall!
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| We did it! |
Our journey isn't quite over yet as there's a last bit of fundraising to be done, however our sponsorship pages for the British Heart Foundation (here) and Cancer Research (here) and looking very healthy.
I'm only just coming down from a real high. It was an amazing, incredible experience, right up there with the best things I've had the opportunity to do. The whole event was extremely well organised, so thanks to the whole Prudential RideLondon team, and to the Chiseled Whippet for making this happen. If you get the chance to do it next year, then do.
It struck me on the way round that not only did London 2012 give us an amazing month of sport, it continues to give great sporting experiences through events like this. Long Live Legacy!
Tuesday 30 July 2013
The finishing touches
I had a great weekend putting the finishing touches to my preparation for the Ride100.
On Sunday I did my last ‘endurance’ ride of my training programme, covering 50 miles at 16 mph (this ride on Strava). The wind blew, and the heavens opened at one point, but all went fine.
The chance even arose to stop at Chorleywood Cricket Club on my way round and see Fraser bowl a couple of overs for the Cavaliers.
I went out for 15 miles as well tonight, and this largely brings my training to and end, maybe just one last spin later this week to complete the effort. My Strava logs all the time I’ve spent on my bike this year, training for the ride. And whilst it doesn’t include the gym and spinning work I did over the winter, it does shows this year on my road bike I have:
I’ll keep remembering all the training I've done, and the sacrifices made, come Sunday as I work my way around the 102 miles. I’ll also get inspiration from starting at the (Queen Elizabeth) Olympic Park, which is where I spent Friday night and Saturday for the Anniversary Games. It was great being back, and whilst much of the park is still a building site I could see across to the Copper Box, where ride starts on Sunday, and the Velodrome, scene of such cycling drama this time last year.
Roll on Sunday!!
On Sunday I did my last ‘endurance’ ride of my training programme, covering 50 miles at 16 mph (this ride on Strava). The wind blew, and the heavens opened at one point, but all went fine.
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| Chiltern back roads. And rain |
The chance even arose to stop at Chorleywood Cricket Club on my way round and see Fraser bowl a couple of overs for the Cavaliers.
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| Cavs amongst the wickets |
I went out for 15 miles as well tonight, and this largely brings my training to and end, maybe just one last spin later this week to complete the effort. My Strava logs all the time I’ve spent on my bike this year, training for the ride. And whilst it doesn’t include the gym and spinning work I did over the winter, it does shows this year on my road bike I have:
- Completed 51 training rides, spending over 85 hours (three and a half solid days) in the saddle
- Ridden over 1,250 miles, the equivalent of riding from London to Casablanca
- Climbed nearly 52,000 ft, the same as riding from sea level to the top of Everest and Kilimanjaro!
I’ll keep remembering all the training I've done, and the sacrifices made, come Sunday as I work my way around the 102 miles. I’ll also get inspiration from starting at the (Queen Elizabeth) Olympic Park, which is where I spent Friday night and Saturday for the Anniversary Games. It was great being back, and whilst much of the park is still a building site I could see across to the Copper Box, where ride starts on Sunday, and the Velodrome, scene of such cycling drama this time last year.
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| Back at the park last weekend. Where it will all start next weekend |
Tuesday 23 July 2013
Power to weight ratio
In his now infamous book The Secret Race, Tyler Hamilton describes a conversation he had with a doctor who told him “to win the Tour de France you need to be very, very fit, and very skinny”.
I’m not, clearly, trying to follow in Froome and Wiggo's footsteps and win the Tour, however this quote does succinctly encapsulate that cycling performance is entirely relative to one’s power to weight ratio; the fitter and lighter you (and your bike) are, the faster you will go.
Improving my fitness and losing some weight were my original aims for dusting off my bike last Spring, and cycling really has made a huge difference to my well-being. It has become a truly virtuous circle; the more weight I’ve lost the quicker I’ve got on my bike, and the more cycling I’ve done the more weight I’ve lost.
And now (coupled with a rather dramatic improvement to my diet) I’ve reached my target weight. At 11st 7lbs (73kg), I’ve lost a full four stones, 25kg. With weight making such a difference to cycling performance, cyclists are obsessed with trimming a few grams here or a few grams there from their equipment, yet my whole bike weights less than 10kg, so I’ve lost the equivalent of two and a half bikes from my body weight!
I don’t plan to lose any more. In fact I’ll probably end up around the 12 stone mark after the Ride100 is finished. Either way, the very crude body mass index (BMI) suggests that I’m now a healthy weight for my age and height.
The key thing for me is healthy weight. My weight loss has been relaviely dramatic (and very expensive, as I’ve had to buy an entire new wardrobe!), yet I’ve been suprised by the number of worried comments I’ve attracted, from family members to well-meaning colleagues. I’m far from underweight, with no intention to lose any more, yet it feels like almost like a reflection of how generally overwight the country has become that by just being a healthy weight I’m starting to appear worryingly thin to some. It’s all very novel for me.
One long-term positive for my family and I from me losing this weight is that I’ve improved my chances of avoiding a range of illnesses, including heart disease. Exercise and good diet are championed by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), and the money we’re raising will help fund both their research and their communication and education activities. You can sponsor us for our efforts in the Ride100, to benefit the BHF, here.
And next Sunday, I hope all this work will enable me to set a reasonable pace through the Surrey Hills. Not that it will be easy, of course. Three time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond captured this perfectly in his famous truism about cycling; “It never gets easier. You just go faster”.
I’m not, clearly, trying to follow in Froome and Wiggo's footsteps and win the Tour, however this quote does succinctly encapsulate that cycling performance is entirely relative to one’s power to weight ratio; the fitter and lighter you (and your bike) are, the faster you will go.
Improving my fitness and losing some weight were my original aims for dusting off my bike last Spring, and cycling really has made a huge difference to my well-being. It has become a truly virtuous circle; the more weight I’ve lost the quicker I’ve got on my bike, and the more cycling I’ve done the more weight I’ve lost.
.JPG) |
| With apologies for the toe nails |
I don’t plan to lose any more. In fact I’ll probably end up around the 12 stone mark after the Ride100 is finished. Either way, the very crude body mass index (BMI) suggests that I’m now a healthy weight for my age and height.
The key thing for me is healthy weight. My weight loss has been relaviely dramatic (and very expensive, as I’ve had to buy an entire new wardrobe!), yet I’ve been suprised by the number of worried comments I’ve attracted, from family members to well-meaning colleagues. I’m far from underweight, with no intention to lose any more, yet it feels like almost like a reflection of how generally overwight the country has become that by just being a healthy weight I’m starting to appear worryingly thin to some. It’s all very novel for me.
One long-term positive for my family and I from me losing this weight is that I’ve improved my chances of avoiding a range of illnesses, including heart disease. Exercise and good diet are championed by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), and the money we’re raising will help fund both their research and their communication and education activities. You can sponsor us for our efforts in the Ride100, to benefit the BHF, here.
And next Sunday, I hope all this work will enable me to set a reasonable pace through the Surrey Hills. Not that it will be easy, of course. Three time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond captured this perfectly in his famous truism about cycling; “It never gets easier. You just go faster”.
Tuesday 16 July 2013
Training update
My training over the last couple of weeks has been going largely to plan. I’ve been doing a lot of riding; according to my Strava been out nearly every other day during the last four weeks, spending over 21 hours in the saddle, climbing 15,000 ft and covering 335 miles at an average speed of 15.7mph.
For one reason or another, the one thing I’ve not managed in the last fortnight is a long, endurance ride. I’ve done 30 odd miles a few of times, but life has just got in the way to prevent a longer ride. Not ideal, but I’m not too worried. There are still nearly three weeks until the Ride100, and I hope to ride 50 miles this Friday, and again next Sunday.
Sunday was good fun, as Becca and Chris came over and we rode together. The only problem, other than the 30 degree heat, was the party I’d enjoyed rather too well on Saturday night. It turns out, though, a decent stretch of legs on a bike is quite a good hangover cure. This was our last ride together before the 4th of August, and was really helpful to practice our slipstreaming. What a difference it makes!
All the joining instructions for the Ride100 have now come through, plus more information from Cancer Research. I’ve worked out a schedule for the day to ride to, and am basically ready to go. Just got to hold my form and keep my weight where it is for two more weeks and I’ll be off. I really can’t wait.
For one reason or another, the one thing I’ve not managed in the last fortnight is a long, endurance ride. I’ve done 30 odd miles a few of times, but life has just got in the way to prevent a longer ride. Not ideal, but I’m not too worried. There are still nearly three weeks until the Ride100, and I hope to ride 50 miles this Friday, and again next Sunday.
Sunday was good fun, as Becca and Chris came over and we rode together. The only problem, other than the 30 degree heat, was the party I’d enjoyed rather too well on Saturday night. It turns out, though, a decent stretch of legs on a bike is quite a good hangover cure. This was our last ride together before the 4th of August, and was really helpful to practice our slipstreaming. What a difference it makes!
All the joining instructions for the Ride100 have now come through, plus more information from Cancer Research. I’ve worked out a schedule for the day to ride to, and am basically ready to go. Just got to hold my form and keep my weight where it is for two more weeks and I’ll be off. I really can’t wait.
Wednesday 3 July 2013
Up and down, up and down
Do a 50-60 mile endurance ride, "as hilly as possible", the training guide read. Now, living in the Chilterns, that was a challenge!
Luckily, I'm not the first person to try work out what this might look like. The annual Chiltern 100 sportive does just that, offering three different routes. I decided to 'borrow' their Corto Fondo route, modified to start and finish in Berkhamsted.
This provided 54 miles of cycling, with hardly any flat; three and a half hours of going up or down. I took it rather leisurely, but job done - my ride on Strava.
Just four more 50 miles endurance practice rides left now before the big day. A month tomorrow...
Luckily, I'm not the first person to try work out what this might look like. The annual Chiltern 100 sportive does just that, offering three different routes. I decided to 'borrow' their Corto Fondo route, modified to start and finish in Berkhamsted.
This provided 54 miles of cycling, with hardly any flat; three and a half hours of going up or down. I took it rather leisurely, but job done - my ride on Strava.
Just four more 50 miles endurance practice rides left now before the big day. A month tomorrow...
Tuesday 2 July 2013
The longest ride; to Henley and back
I had a big circle drawn around Sunday, 23rd June in my training plan for many months. I've been trying to follow a training plan for the last couple of months to build towards the Ride100, and on this date it simply read "Endurance: 65-70% of event distance on a hilly course".
Why the big red circle? 70% of event distance (70 miles) is the longest single ride I needed to complete during my training. In itself, it stood out as a pretty unthinkable achievement just a year ago. For these reasons, I decided to try to do something special for this milestone.
I had an idea; why not ride to Henley and back? It was at Henley last March where I had the fitness test that suggested I really needed to change my lifestyle, an event that marked the first step on the journey that will culminate on The Mall in just five weeks time. And, as luck had it, Henley is 35 miles from Berkhamsted.
I planned a route, not going the easy way, rather cycling up to Stokenchurch and then down through the wonderful Hambleden Valley, a special place for my family and I. In my mind I pictured a glorious, sunny midsummer day to it in...
... yet the forecast leading up to the 23rd was far from promising. A high pressure system had just broken down, and a summer storm system had pushed in from the west. I was to be very lucky that the predicted rain held off, yet as I headed out on my ride into a really strong headwind I knew it was going to be hard work.
I push into the wind, though, riding the oh-so-familiar road to Tring before crossing to Wendover. From here it was out towards Chinnor, a dull road at the best of times, before hitting the long climb into the Chilterns and up to Stokenchurch. From there to Henley it was downhill all the way, through some of the very best scenery in the south of England.
I am, though, pretty biased, as one reason the Hambleden valley is so special for me is that my wife and I were married here. Another reason to take this route to Henley.
Leaving the valley behind it was a short but blustery cycle along the Thames valley before I turned into Henley Business School for a well earned bit of flapjack and a sit down. And then, it was largely the same route home.
5 hours 20mins after setting off, I made it home again. Removing the time taken for stops it took me 4 hours 40mins of cycling, an average of 15.1mph. Averaging 15mph, over 70 miles, with a headwind and 3,400ft of climbing, is something I'm still really proud of. It's probably my greatest sporting achievement since winning my primary school cross country, aged 10 (although I don't remember being quite so shattered following that). Here's my ride on Strava.
It was a huge day. A ride with real meaning, and one that gives me huge confidence as I look ahead to August 4th and the 102 miles that await. It gives me the confidence to think that I will be able to complete the challenge I set myself, and I will be able to collect the sponsorship from everyone who has so kindly support my efforts so far. Raising money for Cancer Research and the British Heart Foundation is why I'm doing this, and writing this blog, and all contributions are hugely appreciated. Our donation page for BHF is here, and Cancer Research is here.
Why the big red circle? 70% of event distance (70 miles) is the longest single ride I needed to complete during my training. In itself, it stood out as a pretty unthinkable achievement just a year ago. For these reasons, I decided to try to do something special for this milestone.
I had an idea; why not ride to Henley and back? It was at Henley last March where I had the fitness test that suggested I really needed to change my lifestyle, an event that marked the first step on the journey that will culminate on The Mall in just five weeks time. And, as luck had it, Henley is 35 miles from Berkhamsted.
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| I made it - At Henley Business School |
... yet the forecast leading up to the 23rd was far from promising. A high pressure system had just broken down, and a summer storm system had pushed in from the west. I was to be very lucky that the predicted rain held off, yet as I headed out on my ride into a really strong headwind I knew it was going to be hard work.
I push into the wind, though, riding the oh-so-familiar road to Tring before crossing to Wendover. From here it was out towards Chinnor, a dull road at the best of times, before hitting the long climb into the Chilterns and up to Stokenchurch. From there to Henley it was downhill all the way, through some of the very best scenery in the south of England.
I am, though, pretty biased, as one reason the Hambleden valley is so special for me is that my wife and I were married here. Another reason to take this route to Henley.
Leaving the valley behind it was a short but blustery cycle along the Thames valley before I turned into Henley Business School for a well earned bit of flapjack and a sit down. And then, it was largely the same route home.
5 hours 20mins after setting off, I made it home again. Removing the time taken for stops it took me 4 hours 40mins of cycling, an average of 15.1mph. Averaging 15mph, over 70 miles, with a headwind and 3,400ft of climbing, is something I'm still really proud of. It's probably my greatest sporting achievement since winning my primary school cross country, aged 10 (although I don't remember being quite so shattered following that). Here's my ride on Strava.
It was a huge day. A ride with real meaning, and one that gives me huge confidence as I look ahead to August 4th and the 102 miles that await. It gives me the confidence to think that I will be able to complete the challenge I set myself, and I will be able to collect the sponsorship from everyone who has so kindly support my efforts so far. Raising money for Cancer Research and the British Heart Foundation is why I'm doing this, and writing this blog, and all contributions are hugely appreciated. Our donation page for BHF is here, and Cancer Research is here.
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| A suitable reason for a traffic jam in my mind |
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