IanT
http://www.sprocketwaffle.co.uk
What another great weekend.
Having hit the half-century last weekend, I resolved to better both distance and time this weekend.
My regular riding buddy was away, so it was going to be a solo effort. I sat down with Garmin and planned a route from my home (Leigh on Sea in Essex) through Rochford, Hullbridge, Battlesbridge, South Woodham Ferrers, Burnham on Crouch, Maldon and then home via some circuitous route. All in, just a nat's short of the sixty (which I was sure I would make up somehow or other).
Hit the road at 09:30 on a very cold and murky Saturday - with the sun trying it's best to be seen. Cocked up the navigation on the Garmin, so just decided to follow the road signs and rely on memory (from when I used to ride a similar route as a motorcyclist).
It was cold, the route was hilly, could not feel my feet after about 10 miles and, without my mate in tow, there were just the voices in my head to keep me company - but I had a great time.
Although I did not hit my full 60 miles (thanks to some dodgy navigation on my part - thank God I'm not a pilot!!!) I did hit a couple of personal bests. The highlight for me was the longest spell continuously in the saddle without a break - 39 miles - but I was also pretty happy with the time (54.5 miles in 3 hours 28).
For anyone who knows this route, it's pretty undulating (dare I say hilly!!!). And, on the way back, there are two short, sharp climbs - the hill in Hullbridge and Ashingdon hill. I am pleased to say that I did not whimp out on either - and actually managed a half-decent out of the seat effort up the last steep part of the Ashingdon hill (about 48 miles in). Even better than that, though, was making half-decent progress up the Hullbridge hill, whilst two MTBers were walking their steeds up it.
After all of that, the wife insisted that we take the MTBs to the local woods for some off-road action yesterday. She went flipping mental and it was a real hoot watching her get the Trek properly sideways through a couple of turns. We both ended up covered in cr@p and absolutely peeing ourselves with laughter.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again; my weekends were never this good before I was cyclist!!!
Having hit the half-century last weekend, I resolved to better both distance and time this weekend.
My regular riding buddy was away, so it was going to be a solo effort. I sat down with Garmin and planned a route from my home (Leigh on Sea in Essex) through Rochford, Hullbridge, Battlesbridge, South Woodham Ferrers, Burnham on Crouch, Maldon and then home via some circuitous route. All in, just a nat's short of the sixty (which I was sure I would make up somehow or other).
Hit the road at 09:30 on a very cold and murky Saturday - with the sun trying it's best to be seen. Cocked up the navigation on the Garmin, so just decided to follow the road signs and rely on memory (from when I used to ride a similar route as a motorcyclist).
It was cold, the route was hilly, could not feel my feet after about 10 miles and, without my mate in tow, there were just the voices in my head to keep me company - but I had a great time.
Although I did not hit my full 60 miles (thanks to some dodgy navigation on my part - thank God I'm not a pilot!!!) I did hit a couple of personal bests. The highlight for me was the longest spell continuously in the saddle without a break - 39 miles - but I was also pretty happy with the time (54.5 miles in 3 hours 28).
For anyone who knows this route, it's pretty undulating (dare I say hilly!!!). And, on the way back, there are two short, sharp climbs - the hill in Hullbridge and Ashingdon hill. I am pleased to say that I did not whimp out on either - and actually managed a half-decent out of the seat effort up the last steep part of the Ashingdon hill (about 48 miles in). Even better than that, though, was making half-decent progress up the Hullbridge hill, whilst two MTBers were walking their steeds up it.
After all of that, the wife insisted that we take the MTBs to the local woods for some off-road action yesterday. She went flipping mental and it was a real hoot watching her get the Trek properly sideways through a couple of turns. We both ended up covered in cr@p and absolutely peeing ourselves with laughter.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again; my weekends were never this good before I was cyclist!!!
