endoman
Senior Member
- Location
- Chesterfield
So to weeks after getting the Focus and about 9 since starting cycling I did my first 50 mile ride this afternoon.
Quite enjoyed it, but it was pretty windy at times and I got soaked when the heavens opened. Riding past farms when it has just rained gives an interesting pong!
3000 feet of climbing, which is not a lot round here, I tried to get out into the flat lands of Notts, and some nice rolling bits lead to an average speed of 15.6 mph which as my aim was simply to get round I'm pleased with. Daren't goo too quickly down some of the hills as there were puddles and wet cow shoot everywhere. Nearly came off twice on the flat as I looked down to see how much liquid I had left, veered toward the verge and an overhanging tree / bush, but just about kept on.
Had planned a cafe stop but it was shut, so I carried on and nibbled on my malt loaf, had a couple of bottles of fluid which was plenty.
Bit tender in the nether regions, but not too bad, legs felt fine, got up all hills including a nasty 14% one, without too much bother.
Next target I think is 100km, then I have a 100 mile Sportive in York mid August, and the Manchester one early September.
Heart rate was 15 bpm lower going up the steepest hill than it was doing it a week and a half ago, so might be getting fitter?
Stag do over the weekend to damage all the hard work, but will be back in the saddle on Monday.
Quite enjoyed it, but it was pretty windy at times and I got soaked when the heavens opened. Riding past farms when it has just rained gives an interesting pong!
3000 feet of climbing, which is not a lot round here, I tried to get out into the flat lands of Notts, and some nice rolling bits lead to an average speed of 15.6 mph which as my aim was simply to get round I'm pleased with. Daren't goo too quickly down some of the hills as there were puddles and wet cow shoot everywhere. Nearly came off twice on the flat as I looked down to see how much liquid I had left, veered toward the verge and an overhanging tree / bush, but just about kept on.
Had planned a cafe stop but it was shut, so I carried on and nibbled on my malt loaf, had a couple of bottles of fluid which was plenty.
Bit tender in the nether regions, but not too bad, legs felt fine, got up all hills including a nasty 14% one, without too much bother.
Next target I think is 100km, then I have a 100 mile Sportive in York mid August, and the Manchester one early September.
Heart rate was 15 bpm lower going up the steepest hill than it was doing it a week and a half ago, so might be getting fitter?
Stag do over the weekend to damage all the hard work, but will be back in the saddle on Monday.
