Made it by the skin of my chattering teeth…
Today, thankfully it didn’t rain (which I’d chosen over the bitter weekend weather) first time in Richmond Park in months, 84kms. Full winter clobber
https://www.strava.com/activities/6325932505
17th. 54km on a familiar ride around Epping Forrest. The Wahoo on the bike said I’d averaged 25km/hr – a new record (first and last 10km in London with lots of lights) disappointingly Strava has this at 24.9! Likely last ride in shorts this year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/6270739106
3 points new cumulative total 46 November.
I was hoping to beat the Nudge: October 3 points. Running total now 43
Target 50 points for the year with a 50km and 50 mile per month.
Perhaps my lowest monthly total yet. Despite having new bike, lots of golf/holiday trips meant little time. Having these targets has once again proved a bonus. Took bike to Cornwall and wondered how I would even get up the hill out of the village! Sadly Mrs. Chap was unwell on the day designated for cycling so I missed out. Lack of practice means I'm starting to worry about loosing the "climbing legs" I was developing. But less traveling until the end of year so plan more cycling - need to get to my target of 50 points.
First time Cycled out side London and Essex into Hertfordshire - but just following my nose wasn't very exciting here. Will return after some research.
86km 21st
https://www.strava.com/activities/6146656969
Standard 50km ride round Epping Forrest etc. 14th Oct.
https://www.strava.com/activities/6112741491
September
Bought a new bike! Who could say no to a Giant? What with the fitting, revised cleat position, straighter legs, wider saddle and handlebars plus less riding this month it was a trial coming home into the wind. It will take a little time to get used to it and the bike is just what I was hoping for. Found out that 32mm tubeless tyres are excellent for exploring non tarmac surfaces. 86km today.
https://www.strava.com/activities/6023495280
Have been concentrating on getting my swimming back to how it was a few years ago (before a shoulder op.) So after 1500m in the Olympic length Lido I set off to explore south London. 12 09th 50km
https://www.strava.com/activities/5948849589
August 3 points
A couple of lovely non qualifying rides in Scotland. Dying to go back.
Used Ride with GPS to plan a route back form Brighton (train down) and I was really impressed with the quiet well paved roads it chose. A couple of gravel paths near Sutton and a nightmare bit of A24 were slight belmishes but |I had a great time. My longest ride 130 km and easily the most meters climbed. 12 08
https://www.strava.com/activities/5782121920
Regular 50km ride up to Epping Forrest. 10 08
https://www.strava.com/activities/5770825743
Total points to end of July 34
First time taking a bike on holiday allowed me to explore around Great Orme, Llandudno. I’m delighted to see a stage of the Tour of Britain will finish at the top of it. First time I tried I had to stop for breath twice. Second time made it. YEEEEEEEES
Only one qualifying run, from Betws-y-coed down to the coast and around the Great Orme. Thought it would be a really fast run down but B-y-C is only 30m above sea level. Still it was Lovely and hopefully the first of many trips.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5579664454
Home and a familiar route for 50km
https://www.strava.com/activities/5646846542
Finally. We’d all be feeling ill this week but the test came back negative. Coughing therefore no excuse to get out and do a 50 miler before rains hit the last two days of the month. Proving once again this thread is an inspiration. Visited some new lovely quiet roads and an old haunt, but coming back along the A13 was a BIG mistake.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5707093572
01/06/21
53KMS
Started off with a ride up to Epping and tried incorporate more of the hills.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5395825336
10/06/21
Went out to see a bit of Essex and it turned into 100km. Found lots of new fun roads and allowed myself to get a bit lost.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5447010222 This kind of exploring is the most fun I have on a bike and its really not so good in winter.
Fell over while clipped in – for the first time - at the end and suffered for a couple of weeks after,so only 2 qualifying efforts this month.
May Summary
Still struggling to find time to ride but... Sun is shinning, shorts are wearable at all times and I'm still finding new roads.
27th May 70kms inc some off road. Just followed my nose over new and old favorites.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5366462779
20th May fun to follow the Lea northwards and then back via Epping Forrest 50kms
https://www.strava.com/activities/5328701873
9th May. 82kms and nearly 700m of climbing! Great fun
https://www.strava.com/activities/5268466856
April
Made sure I went out today (last day of the month) and planned an interesting ride. Went to take photo's to show my Mum of houses she'd lived in St Margarets, Teddington, Thames Ditton and Surbiton. Followed towpath I used to cycle 50 years ago when I was more interested in the fishing! Home via Richmond Park. Surprisingly knackered but so pleased I kept the 50 mile challenge going.
30 04 21 85kms 211m climbed
https://www.strava.com/activities/5218571312
First update half way through month.
Change of emphasis – we have a holiday cottage booked near Snowdonia in July and I need to spend a lot more time climbing in preparation.
3rd Happily I’ve discovered the Road out of east London through Grange Hill, Chigwell Row and Lambourne End. Not to busy and nice hilly challenge. Allows me to loop round to Epping Forrest. Will explore even more once we get some sun!
58km and first time more than 500m of elevation.
https://www.strava.com/activities/5062792078
7th Pretty much reversed above and added in Mott St.
Wahoo died about 7km from end but had been far enough. Oddly the distance was close to the last time I looked at it but the elevation seemed to finish higher?
Showing 53km and 629 M
https://www.strava.com/activities/5086675814
11th Similar to first. Past Bobby Moore's house and round to enjoy a cuppa and Flapjack at High Beach
56Km, 517 m climbed
https://www.strava.com/activities/5108145560
Points total to 31st of March . 17 = 3 +7+7
Still on for both 50km and 50 mile. Self set target for year 50.
March
Started on the 7th with the Swains Lane hill climb, Regents Park Peleton Combo 52 km
https://www.strava.com/activities/4905671471
16th Up to Epping Forrest 50 km
https://www.strava.com/activities/4956017602
21st Back to Epping 55km but this time sought out hills. Most m gained on a ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4985135354
Wanted to do a new longest ride aiming for 100km+. Headed West up river into decent wind that died when rain arrived. Thereafter it swirled, viciously, but I stuck to it! Well pleased. By following Thames Valley I only had 200m of hills. 105km
https://www.strava.com/activities/5008210356
Warm today only a single Jersey and shorts needed. No over shoes or ToeThingy, or Beenie. 50km with some tough hill work in the middle of Epping Forrest
https://www.strava.com/activities/5046100746
February
2nd 60 kms up into Epping Forrest and beyond!
https://www.strava.com/activities/4733087561
6th Back to Epping 51kms
https://www.strava.com/activities/4743973095
Lost 8 days with the snow and cold - Ice is for drinks!
15th 58kms Straight North through Epping and Back
https://www.strava.com/activities/4791163479
21st 50km Brutal Swaines Lane and then time trial round Regent’s Park x 5
https://www.strava.com/activities/4824097367
25th Richmond Park x 4. 90kms aka a fifty miler!
https://www.strava.com/activities/4847636860
28th Epping first 400m climb. 51kms t
https://www.strava.com/activities/4865736354
January
17th of January headed due to north through Epping Forest towards Harlow and 62 km
https://www.strava.com/activities/4635871172
No stopping me now. Headed across London to circle Richmond Park 3x – my first ever 50 mile ride. 82kms 27 01 21
https://www.strava.com/activities/4689567485
Just time 31 01 21, for a more interesting trip North, towards Epping then Stableford Abbotts, Abridge, Chigwell and home. 57km
https://www.strava.com/activities/4711534391
Edit. Looking back (in May) I see that I set my targets as the 50 mile ride each month and a total of 50 points for the year.
53.4 Kms 1 point
