Yesterday I did the Lincoln GP. Following a reroute around a road closure the "short" route was extended from 55 to 63 miles. I wish they would stop calling them "short" !
Really nice day for it, welcome change from the Rutland two weeks ago. The route was very well signposted and marshalled and the finish in front of the cathedral was very nice. There is a huge sting in the tail for those who haven't done this one - the final 1/4 mile or so is up Steep Hill which lives up to it's name and is cobbled to boot!
This was my furthest distance so far and I was pleased to finish in 5:03. I surprised myself too by getting out of the saddle and sprinting up Steep Hill. Got half way up and died, had to get off for a bit but then got back on and finished in the saddle. Very tired but happy to have done that after 63 miles.
After 7 months of cycling now the difference in my fitness is amazing to me. I never struggle with my breathing now - with mild Asthma that's a big plus. My calves have (dare I say it) definition! At the end of a ride I tend to struggle with all-round tiredness rather than one part of me dying.
The only exception to that is my rear end. I'll search the forums on here for advice on saddles, not sure whether to persevere with the thin Selle Italia which came with my Planet X Kaffenback or to try something else. The obvious temptation of a big comfy saddle would seem to be a bad idea for long rides, my brief research tells me. Perhaps something like the Brooks B17 Narrow.
Anyway, after the Rutland experience where I came close to throwing the bike in a ditch yesterday was a nice change.
Really nice day for it, welcome change from the Rutland two weeks ago. The route was very well signposted and marshalled and the finish in front of the cathedral was very nice. There is a huge sting in the tail for those who haven't done this one - the final 1/4 mile or so is up Steep Hill which lives up to it's name and is cobbled to boot!
This was my furthest distance so far and I was pleased to finish in 5:03. I surprised myself too by getting out of the saddle and sprinting up Steep Hill. Got half way up and died, had to get off for a bit but then got back on and finished in the saddle. Very tired but happy to have done that after 63 miles.
After 7 months of cycling now the difference in my fitness is amazing to me. I never struggle with my breathing now - with mild Asthma that's a big plus. My calves have (dare I say it) definition! At the end of a ride I tend to struggle with all-round tiredness rather than one part of me dying.
The only exception to that is my rear end. I'll search the forums on here for advice on saddles, not sure whether to persevere with the thin Selle Italia which came with my Planet X Kaffenback or to try something else. The obvious temptation of a big comfy saddle would seem to be a bad idea for long rides, my brief research tells me. Perhaps something like the Brooks B17 Narrow.
Anyway, after the Rutland experience where I came close to throwing the bike in a ditch yesterday was a nice change.
