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Its all Downhill from Here
I started my winter cycling training recently.
I cycled 30 miles on Christmas eve, 30 miles on Boxing day and 35 miles today. Very slow average speed - 15-16 mph. But, it is good to get back out on bike after 3 week lay off in the Dominican Republic.
Some Recent Blog entries from cycling Info:
The Future of Cycling - some reasons to be optimistic.
I have started a new blog dedicated to just cycling.
I will be writing articles on training, equipment, the UK racing scene and possibly the continental racing scene.
First blog entry was on Winter Cycling Training
This blog is updated very irregularly.
I have not been racing much this year. But,I have been enjoying training. My favourite route at the moment is through 3 big hills in the chilterns.
Most improved rider of the year award goes to andy sherwood, who astonished the massed spectators at Weston at the Green, with a 22.15.
Surely a sub 20 is on the cards next year. His 2up partner is certainly looking forward to a good result next year.
Here it is.
1 17 Steve Golla 00:19 05:09 05:21 05:31 05:27 21:47 2 15 Andrew Sherwood 00:20 05:16 05:37 05:32 05:30 22:15
Today I won the Didcot Phoenix 25 mile TT in a time of 56.25. Ed Silverton, also of Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team came in the middle of the field with a time of 1.05.??
Two week ago I did 56.00 and came 11th.
I haven't raced that much this season, I'm hoping to peak in October....
Next weekend is the CTT National 10 mile TT Championship in Sawtry on old A1.
I have done one 10 mile TT this year 21.36 on the old H10/1 course in Aldermaston.
Based on the true story of Graeme Obree
Graeme Obree broke the prestigious world hour record, in an unconventional style. He built his own innovative bike - including bits from an old bmx and a washing machine. He came up against opposition from the UCI, who wanted to ban his unorthodox position. The real life of Obree (in his own autobiography) is a harrowing tale of a fight between depression and sporting glory. But, his breaking of the world hour record is one of the great moments in cycling history. - Remarkable for a rank amateur reaching the pinnacle of the sport. Movie Site for The Flying scotsman http://www.mgm.com/sites/theflyingscotsman/
Finished 3rd in A5 Rangers 31 mile hilly Time Trial.
My time was 1.17.00
1 Matthew Bottrill De Rosa Road Team 01:13:16 36.14 2 Stuart Wright API Metrow 01:16:24 37.56 3 Richard Pettinger Sri Chinmoy CT 01:17:12 37.24 4 Michael Broadwith Arctic Shorter Rochford 01:18:03 38.47
Cold day
Training this week has been light due to having to work full time. 2 interval sessions on Tues and Thursday
First 10 mileTT on Sat
Live 2 Bike is a cycling website helping people to find the right bike for their needs.
The main principles of the website are:
1 – Helping new/returning cyclists find the perfect bike for their needs, from the many hundreds out there in the market.
2 – Allowing them to find their local independent bike dealers to purchase it from.
3 – Putting them in contact with their local cycling clubs to ride their new bike with.
Second Race of the season. I came 1st in a time of 1.15.07 average speed about 25 mph. Quite a hilly course.
I was quite pleased because last year I did 1.21.00
It was quite windy and on some descents the bike got blown about a bit. I may have been better of using a deep section Zipp 404 rather than a disc wheel. However there was about 8 miles of flat on a crosswind. People say in a crosswind a disc wheel can act as a sail.
Next week is another hilly TT 31 mile.
Sunday 4th March. Brill Hilly 16 mile TT.
First race of the season. I came 1st out of 20.
My time was 43.08 I think.
One thing I noticed is that riding a Time Trial bike you use slightly different muscles to your road bike. I shall need to spend more time training on my time trial bike to get used to the position
There was very little to separate the top 6. David Miller said these were "the most important 3 miles" since coming back from his doping ban. He now feels he is "Getting back to his old level"
His victory bodes well for his chances in the Tour de France prologue to be held in London this year. David Miller says for this year
"My main goal is to regain my spot atop the heap in time trials. The ideal scenario is to win the prologue at the Tour this year in London and then win the world's."
Paris-Nice
Prologue top 10
- David Millar (GB), Saunier Duval, 4.7km in 6:01 (46.869 km/h)
- Roman Kreuzinger (Cz), Liquigas, at 0:01
- Sébastien Joly (F), Francaise des Jeux, at 0:02
- Luis Sanchez (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, same time
- Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery Channel, s.t.
- Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 0:03
Beryl Burton Memorial Garden
Beryl Burton was an extraordinary cyclist who dominated Women's British Cycling for over 30 years.
Beryl Burton won the BBAR title for an unprecedented 25 consecutive years!
In 1968 Beryl was invited to take part in the prestigious Grand Prix De Nations, which for many years was the unofficial World Time Trial Championship. Although not officially part of the race Beryl was set off first and completed the 73 Km course in an average speed of 41Kmph
In recent years cyclo sportives have been one of the fastest growing branches of cycling. They are not races but provide a challenge for all different kinds of cyclists. Generally they involve covering a set distance in a certain time period. There is usually a recommended time limit which is fairly generous. It is then upto the individual cyclists how fast they would like to ride. It can be ridden in a semi - competitive spirit if you wish; often the leading group will be quite fast. But equally cyclo sportives can be enjoyed as a leisure ride. Cyclo sportives have done more than anything else to combine the racing fraternity with the leisure rider.
The length of cyclo Sportives can vary tremendously from short 40 mile to a full length of a tour de france stage (120miles +) the Etape du Tour. It is advisable to not bite off more than you can manage. If you want to do a 120 mile sportive it is advisable to have ridden at least a 70 or 80 mile ride before stepping upto 120 miles.
For more information on UK cyclo Sportives visit: Cyclo Sport - home of UK Cyclo Sportives
Arguments against making helmets a legal requirement.
- The benefits of cycle helmets are often overrated. Helmets are designed for impact at low speed. They would reduce the impact of some head injuries but unfortunately in many accidents they wouldn’t be able to stop serious injury.
- Compulsory Helmets would deter people from cycling. The health benefits of cycling far outweigh the risks associated with cycling. In an age of an ever increasing obesity related illnesses it is more important to get people cycling and improve people’s fitness.
- On average, 1 child per year is killed from head injuries whilst cycling. In most cases a cycle helmet would have been insufficient to prevent injury. However the number of children who are unfit and will die early from obesity related illnesses such as heart disease numbers in the 1000s. Cyclists live on average 2 years longer than non cyclists.
- What is Purpose. The purpose of the bike will determine to a large extent how much you buy. If you are new to racing I would advise not spending large sums. You can get a good starter bike for £500, the benefits of spending £3,000 are quite marginal and are only really felt when you are really fit and have experience racing.
- See what you are buying. If you do not have much experience buying a bike it is highly advisable to buy from a local shop. True it may be a little more expensive than buying online, but if things go wrong it can be quite difficult to start sending a bike back and forth mail order. A local shop should be able to give practical advice.
- Try riding the bike before buying, it should feel comfortable and be of the right size. Don’t be tempted to get the wrong sized bike just because it is on special offer. The right saddle height and size of frame is one thing that cannot be compromised.
Best cycling accessories
- A Bell. Some cyclists are a bit disdainful of a bell but if you are a commuter you will find a bell invaluable. Generally pedestrians do not look at traffic, often they rely only on hearing. A bell is invaluable for making your presence know. A bell will bring greater cooperation than shouting at people in anger. I can’t say I have a bell on my racing bikes but on my commuter bike it is very useful when cycling around Oxford.
- Lights. If you drive around Oxford at night, you notice 1) how many cyclist ride without lights and 2) how difficult it is to see them. It is really dangerous. Because even at the best of times cars often don’t see cyclists. It makes me laugh when people ride with a helmet but without lights. A helmet is of little benefit when a car knocks you off. Lights may prevent countless accidents.
- Fluorescent strips. Fluorescent strips are nearly as effective as lights in increasing visibility. They may not win you style awards but safety is my highest priority. Needless to say I haven’t got round to putting them on my racing bike though.
