My experience so far

[Nigelnaturist]

http://app.strava.com/activities/27085012

Out again today, after 50 miler on Sunday and with quads and other muscles that I didn't know I had killing me, didn't think I would be up to it so soon.
I am amazed how quickly I recover from a ride.
So anyway looked on O/S map for the highest point within easy riding distance and plotted a route through it.
Why are the uphill bits nearly always into the wind? 10-15 miles was worst took 26 minutes to cover 5 miles.
where as 20-25 only took 16 minutes huge difference.
32.24 miles in 2:14:32, 14.8mph my slowest to date but am still happy, was wet, windy and with more climbing than I have done before, and a guilt free large bowl of beef stir fry at the end

Just the way it is,I wish I could manage 14.8mph, well done.
I did 25.17 miles @ 12.1 mph, had quite few stops, more a transport thing, but I did set 4 p.b.'s and 5 2nd fastest times, and while I know 50ft per mile is no great climb rate, this for me however is no longer in my top ten of climb rates.
http://app.strava.com/activities/27097415

 

[simmi]

http://app.strava.com/activities/27248084
Last ride for a few days so revisited my course from tuesday, although I was happy with tuesdays ride was a little diappointed that my average speed had dropped below 15mph for the first time.
32.9 miles in 2:07:39 15.5mph nearly 7 minutes quicker well chuffed (course was 0.3 miles shorter second time, a slight crease in my route needed ironing out)
Weather was better still windy but no rain and a bit warmer.
I can now start those 12 hour continental shifts demon free.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

http://app.strava.com/activities/27248084
Last ride for a few days so revisited my course from tuesday, although I was happy with tuesdays ride was a little diappointed that my average speed had dropped below 15mph for the first time.
32.9 miles in 2:07:39 15.5mph nearly 7 minutes quicker well chuffed (course was 0.3 miles shorter second time, a slight crease in my route needed ironing out)
Weather was better still windy but no rain and a bit warmer.
I can now start those 12 hour continental shifts demon free.

You might have a slower avg m.p.h. but you got 6 p.b's.

 

[simmi]

Yeah Nigel I have been looking at those p.b's they highlight the work I need to do on climbing.
Basically going up I am in the bottom 10% coming down I am in the top 50% enough said

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Yeah Nigel I have been looking at those p.b's they highlight the work I need to do on climbing.
Basically going up I am in the bottom 10% coming down I am in the top 50% enough said

I was bottom let only bottom 10%, but the point is they are p.b.'s which mean its an improvement, especially today as it was quite blustery and your first three sections were into it, to me thats an improvement. In fact on all your sections you did well even to get a 2nd best is going some on all but one section.

 

[400bhp]

Great stuff.

Can I suggest something? Don't focus too much on times and averages. You might find the fun starts to wane after a while by doing that.

 

[simmi]

Great stuff.

Can I suggest something? Don't focus too much on times and averages. You might find the fun starts to wane after a while by doing that.

It's a very valid comment, and long term think you are correct.
Once my weight and fitness are where I want them I am sure I will redirect my forcus.
I am 43 now so know within quite a short time my performance will start to move in the other direction.
At the moment though it gives me a great sence of achievement and satisfaction to see proof that my fitness is improving and my weight is reducing.

 

[simmi]

Have now hit the 2 stone mark I am now 196lb a total loss of 31lb.
2 new rides of note the first whilst visiting my Mum who lives near Bath.
http://app.strava.com/activities/27875977
Great ride this, through Bath traffic was manic but no problems, climb out of Bath was hard then again up to Peasedown st John. Into Kilmersdon you ride down the famous "Jack and Jill Hill"
Through Bradford on Avon which is very pretty.
Total climbing 3321ft way more than I have done before.

2nd ride way yesterday
http://app.strava.com/activities/29133585
Didn't enjoy this ride, OK for 20 miles then had a puncture, only got a micro pump with no gauge and couldn't get enough pressure into the back tyre.Found it hard to regain my rythem after the half hour stop. Soon after lost my route on my Garmin edge 500, then near the end was cut up at a junction which caused my 3rd clipless moment. Last 15 miles were hell, don't think I Bonked but was not far off.
will need a few days rest before my next trip.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Well done, I weighed myself today for the first time, clothes with walking boots, 82Kg (180lb or 12st 13lb). I used to usually weigh about 14 1/2 st.