robjh
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire - almost Essex
I did wonder whether it was referring to the bands or primeval reptiles. There may be some crossover.Didn't see any of those on my visits, but I did see a Mastodon!
The Imperial Century A Month Challenge Chatzone
- Thread starter Rob S
- Start date
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Got mine done yesterday. If I'm honest it felt a bit of a chore at first. However once I got going and it warmed up I felt fine. I stopped at just shy of 50 miles for a coffee and something to eat and this powered me through the rest of the ride. The hills felt tough and the average was slow, but hopefully that is the toughest 2 rides of the year ticked off.
Febs done . 3 weeks ago I tweaked a muscle in my back which resulted in 10 days off the bike . My back has massively improved but is not 100% but I wasn't exactly looking forward to today's ride . Took my Defy as it has a less aggressive position than my TCR. Heading out to Market Bosworth 10 miles from home then completed 4 loops around the area and home for the grand total of 100.27 miles . Picked this route as it's a flat as possible 2800ft of upness .My back was fine while I spun along but really struggled to put power through the pedals . Sitting on the sofa now resting an achy back
Tribansman
Veteran
Great effort in the circumstances. The motivational power of a challenge eh?! I've been having issues with my neck all year, which has meant the two I've done so far have been a real chore rather than enjoyable, esp as it was freezing too. Doubt i'd've finished them if I wasn't in this challenge / wanted to keep up with ridiculous personal target around my Eddington number.
Am planning another local century on Saturday, just to test out if it's any better over a long ride. If not, may have to think about seeing a physio and/or bike fit although god knows when that will be.
The main enjoyment I'm getting from cycling at the moment is the (super low intensity) spins with my 7 year old, although he's noticeably upped his pace since last year!
sittingbull
Veteran
- Location
- South Liverpool
March done 
....... but it was tough, very tough. I headed for Delamere. On the way I crossed the newly refurbished Runcorn Bridge and had my own cycle lane. This was my first real climbing since a few rides last summer. By 40 miles my legs were pretty much "gone". This wasn't helped when every time I stood up to stomp on the pedals my new chain was slipping on the 4 smallest cogs. Totally my own fault for not going on a short test ride first 
It was pretty much a grey overcast day but despite a dry forecast I got caught in some heavy showers requiring the use of a bus shelter then a bridge for shelter. At 60 miles I was nearing home and considered bailing but struggled on to 80 when I got my second wind. Overall it wasn't fast, it wasn't pretty, but the sense of achievement on finishing was all the greater for it
....... but it was tough, very tough. I headed for Delamere. On the way I crossed the newly refurbished Runcorn Bridge and had my own cycle lane. This was my first real climbing since a few rides last summer. By 40 miles my legs were pretty much "gone". This wasn't helped when every time I stood up to stomp on the pedals my new chain was slipping on the 4 smallest cogs. Totally my own fault for not going on a short test ride first It was pretty much a grey overcast day but despite a dry forecast I got caught in some heavy showers requiring the use of a bus shelter then a bridge for shelter. At 60 miles I was nearing home and considered bailing but struggled on to 80 when I got my second wind. Overall it wasn't fast, it wasn't pretty, but the sense of achievement on finishing was all the greater for it
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Soltydog
Legendary Member
- Location
- near Hornsea
Got my March ride done today. Had to use my last lieu day at work before the end of the month, so booked today off & it was ideal conditions, a little chilly early on, but by lunch time I was well over dressed 
Big breakfast before I set off & then managed on a couple of cereal bars & 2 bidons so no need to call at home, but boy was i hungry once I did get home 
I ventured a little further afield today, but never more than 20-25 miles from home & 3200ft is about as much climbing as i can get in without going further afield 
Big breakfast before I set off & then managed on a couple of cereal bars & 2 bidons so no need to call at home, but boy was i hungry once I did get home I ventured a little further afield today, but never more than 20-25 miles from home & 3200ft is about as much climbing as i can get in without going further afield 
Marchs ride ticked off 101 imperial miles . A similar ride to Febs rode out to Market Bosworth then completed 3 large loops of 26 miles then home . Even managed less elevation than Feb with only 2641 ft of upness . Bit quicker today as back on the TCR, the back held out but a bit sore now
Got my March century done on Sunday. Fairly cold day, but nice and dry. I managed to get another 9 veloviewer tiles along the way. The lack of regular riding has definitely taken its toll. I really felt it on the last 25 miles, particularly as there was a nasty headwind. Stopped in Lenham for a coffee, and got chatting to a couple who had been out walking. Turns out that he is a member of the Fridays and we had of course met in the middle of the night on a ride!
Got out yesterday after taking a day's leave. I decided to celebrate my new found freedom, by doing some new roads and riding to Ashford then getting the train back. What a pleasant day it was too. Bit cold to start but warmed up by the time I stopped in Groombridge for lunch. I sat on a park bench and for the first ride in months felt comfortably warm sitting outside. All the climbing 5900ft was mainly in the first 60 miles and then I had a nasty cold headwind for most of the second half. However, it really makes a difference to be able to ride somewhere new and I am gradually ticking off my plan to do all the veloviewer tiles in Kent. I even got to do a bit of gravel riding on my Trek Domane road bike!
sittingbull
Veteran
- Location
- South Liverpool
April completed Having lost my mojo a bit meant I hadn't ridden this month, so I set a comfortable pace and enjoyed the sunshine 🌞 I headed out to Macclesfield but stopped short of the Cat & Fiddle climb. There was a headwind on the way out but it pushed me home I still get a buzz from watching 99.99 rollover to 100.00 on the Garmin no matter how many times I see it.
Having lost my mojo a bit meant I hadn't ridden this month, so I set a comfortable pace and enjoyed the sunshine 🌞 I headed out to Macclesfield but stopped short of the Cat & Fiddle climb. There was a headwind on the way out but it pushed me home I still get a buzz from watching 99.99 rollover to 100.00 on the Garmin no matter how many times I see it. May's ride done and dusted
Out the door nice & early at 6.45am for a very nice Kent pootle. I wanted to be home before the predicted storm hit. I managed that, but for the last hour the wind picked up, becoming very blustery, which made for tough cycling at times.
But a great days cycling nevertheless. May's Imperial Century ride done and dusted.
Imperial century #7 for the year, #295 over all & Imperial month 126 in a row
Poor little Mervyn, only 3 days old.
Out the door nice & early at 6.45am for a very nice Kent pootle. I wanted to be home before the predicted storm hit. I managed that, but for the last hour the wind picked up, becoming very blustery, which made for tough cycling at times.
But a great days cycling nevertheless. May's Imperial Century ride done and dusted.
Imperial century #7 for the year, #295 over all & Imperial month 126 in a row
Poor little Mervyn, only 3 days old.
Soltydog
Legendary Member
- Location
- near Hornsea
Got mine done today. I'm off work this week & was hoping for some nice weather & today's forecast was about as good as it got Gentle headwind all the way out, small hail storm around mid ride, got a touch chilly at lunch stop & last 20 miles home into wind again 👍
Today was also the ride that took my Eddington number to 100
Gentle headwind all the way out, small hail storm around mid ride, got a touch chilly at lunch stop & last 20 miles home into wind again 👍Today was also the ride that took my Eddington number to 100
