I've been a bit slack on reporting the last 4-5 weeks. Life has been busy of late. I seem to have been improving as I've found myself top of my age group (70-74) on a number of Strava segments. I only ever compete against myself but there is satisfaction in seeing this.
Yesterday's ride was an important one; a hilly club ride which gave me 44.35 miles and 4068 feet of climbing, not quite the Golden Ratio but close enough. This was my biggest post RTC climbing ride and I felt hints that if I can shift 5kg and put in some training I might regain some of the ability I once had.
It was pleasing in a number of ways; I wasn't last up all the climbs, picked up a couple of PBs but only short sprints which don't really count, and took on one of our notable Lancashire climbs. Those who know the
Ribble Valley will know the mighty Birdy Brow is a Cat 3, 1.2 mile climb averaging 9.5% with a 600 yard stretch at 14%. At 15:44 I was five minutes below my PB of 10:29 in May 2020 when I was probably at my peak. I am very pleased as I controlled my pace and breathing, reached the top breathing easily and it was nowhere near as tough as I recalled. All round a good ride.
To my surprise on hilly rides I have naturally settled in to selecting a gear, setting my pace and riding up. This is in stark contrast to a few years back when I saw climbs as something to be attacked. I guess it's an unexpected age thing.