Tuesday, 18 June 2013
New wheels
Exciting news - after much deliberation, Gillian has invested in a shiny new bike. I am now going to be chasing her back wheel when we hit the road on Thursday evening as she has been training on an old Giant bike until now, which was rescued from the back of the garage! She will be off like a rocket on the new dream machine with fully functioning gears and lightweight frame. Exactly what is needed two weeks before the Manchester Great Cycle. Bring on the speed.
Monday, 17 June 2013
Fundraising update
We are now into our last 2 months of fundraising, as all our funds have to be in by 9 August. We can't thank everyone enough for their generosity in helping us get to the total below and achieve our target of £6,000; but as this is such a great cause, we have moved the goalposts and set a new target of £7,000.
If you would still like to support us, please take a moment to visit our Just Giving page - http://www.justgiving.com/CubanWheels where you can still make a donation. Every penny donated will help in improving treatment; and more importantly, raising awareness of breast, cervical and ovarian cancers and their symptoms so that they can be caught and treated early - saving lives.
MANY THANKS!
If you would still like to support us, please take a moment to visit our Just Giving page - http://www.justgiving.com/CubanWheels where you can still make a donation. Every penny donated will help in improving treatment; and more importantly, raising awareness of breast, cervical and ovarian cancers and their symptoms so that they can be caught and treated early - saving lives.
MANY THANKS!
Sunday, 16 June 2013
One for dad
Today is Father's Day, so today's cycle was for dad. He passed away in February, so our route today was to Altrincham Crematorium to visit the gardens where he was laid to rest.
Rather like the practice of dedicating your yoga practice to someone as a part of the meditative process, dedicating this cycle to dad felt almost as good as giving him an actual gift would have done.
We took a pleasant, undulating route out from Marple, via Poynton. After skirting Alderley Edge we enjoyed the steep descent down from The Wizard Inn (I almost came off as I met a Landrover head on on a bend as I was up out of my seat flying down the hill - the back wheel skidded on the wet mud as there was no weight directly on it. Fortunately, I had enough speed to stay vertical and made it to the bottom of the hill intact).
We were trying to push our speed today in preparation for the Great Manchester Cycle, which both Gillian and I have entered (partners in crime Chris and Ian are also cycling) - it is 2 weeks today, and the aim is to complete the 52 mile course in under 3.5 hours and avoid the dreaded Broom Wagon. Target average speed is 15mph - decent.
http://www.greatcycle.org/default.aspx
The winding, but largely flat country roads of Ashley and Dunham were perfect for this, as was the weather - cool (bit breezy) but not cold, with some sunny spells. After a tough hilly cycle last weekend to Buxton, which I struggled with, this felt terrific. I could tell that I have improved - I am getting into higher gears to go at a steady pace, and enjoying cruising along. I even passed a couple of other cyclists today for the first time. Perhaps those stinking hills are paying off after all!
It was exactly 30 miles to The Crematorium and we did it in 2 hours - target pace! We sat and ate a sandwich and oat bar and chatted to dad. There were a lot of people there doing a similar thing and it was heart-warming to watch them coming and going.
The cycle home was tougher as there was a bit more uphill, and the increase in speed was taking its toll on our legs, but we kept it reasonably steady and made it back in 4:25 (average speed 13.5mph). With a bit more work over the next 2 weeks, I am confident we can do it! After all, the roads will be closed, so no stopping for junctions or traffic lights.
Rest day tomorrow, then it's back to spin class for more intervals!
Rather like the practice of dedicating your yoga practice to someone as a part of the meditative process, dedicating this cycle to dad felt almost as good as giving him an actual gift would have done.
We took a pleasant, undulating route out from Marple, via Poynton. After skirting Alderley Edge we enjoyed the steep descent down from The Wizard Inn (I almost came off as I met a Landrover head on on a bend as I was up out of my seat flying down the hill - the back wheel skidded on the wet mud as there was no weight directly on it. Fortunately, I had enough speed to stay vertical and made it to the bottom of the hill intact).
We were trying to push our speed today in preparation for the Great Manchester Cycle, which both Gillian and I have entered (partners in crime Chris and Ian are also cycling) - it is 2 weeks today, and the aim is to complete the 52 mile course in under 3.5 hours and avoid the dreaded Broom Wagon. Target average speed is 15mph - decent.
http://www.greatcycle.org/default.aspx
The winding, but largely flat country roads of Ashley and Dunham were perfect for this, as was the weather - cool (bit breezy) but not cold, with some sunny spells. After a tough hilly cycle last weekend to Buxton, which I struggled with, this felt terrific. I could tell that I have improved - I am getting into higher gears to go at a steady pace, and enjoying cruising along. I even passed a couple of other cyclists today for the first time. Perhaps those stinking hills are paying off after all!
It was exactly 30 miles to The Crematorium and we did it in 2 hours - target pace! We sat and ate a sandwich and oat bar and chatted to dad. There were a lot of people there doing a similar thing and it was heart-warming to watch them coming and going.
The cycle home was tougher as there was a bit more uphill, and the increase in speed was taking its toll on our legs, but we kept it reasonably steady and made it back in 4:25 (average speed 13.5mph). With a bit more work over the next 2 weeks, I am confident we can do it! After all, the roads will be closed, so no stopping for junctions or traffic lights.
Rest day tomorrow, then it's back to spin class for more intervals!
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
Girls night out
Today it is summer. A perfect clear blue sky and warm breeze, and I am out of work on the dot of 5 as Gillian and I are finally off on a cycle together. We have struggled to co-ordinate our schedules over the last few weeks, so a ride together was long overdue.
We decided to meet in Cheadle Hulme as it is a pretty central point between Didsbury and Marple and easy to get to. Gillian had worked out a loop which linked up to a couple of roads I recognised from my weekend cycles.
Despite training separately for the last few weeks it was great to discover that we are both at a similar level and we were comfortable cycling along at the same pace, just taking it steady enough to have a bit of a chat along the way.
We passed a lot of people who had had the same idea and were enjoying the evening sunshine - plenty of greetings of 'lovely evening' as they pedalled by with smiling faces. Cyclists are a friendly bunch!
After just over an hour we separated and headed back home - a respectable 23.9 miles in the bank. I was also pleased that it was not too painful getting back in the saddle after Sunday's 75 miler. Tender, but not painful!
I think this may be a regular Tuesday date for us. Hope so.
We decided to meet in Cheadle Hulme as it is a pretty central point between Didsbury and Marple and easy to get to. Gillian had worked out a loop which linked up to a couple of roads I recognised from my weekend cycles.
Despite training separately for the last few weeks it was great to discover that we are both at a similar level and we were comfortable cycling along at the same pace, just taking it steady enough to have a bit of a chat along the way.
We passed a lot of people who had had the same idea and were enjoying the evening sunshine - plenty of greetings of 'lovely evening' as they pedalled by with smiling faces. Cyclists are a friendly bunch!
After just over an hour we separated and headed back home - a respectable 23.9 miles in the bank. I was also pleased that it was not too painful getting back in the saddle after Sunday's 75 miler. Tender, but not painful!
I think this may be a regular Tuesday date for us. Hope so.
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Clippin' Marvellous
My mission this weekend was to invest in some proper cycling shoes, as the running trainers I have been using so far are a bit too soft to cycle in for several hours over longer distances. I decided that I would take the plunge and go for clip in pedals as well, as they have been recommended by a lot of my friends and work colleagues who cycle a lot. They are much more efficient as you can push and pull the pedals. They are also much more supportive with the shoes locked in to position. Just have to get them out in time before you come to a stop!
We headed to the Evan's store at The Manchester Velodrome and were in there for about and hour and a half on Saturday morning. I came out with shoes, pedals, a cycling top, 2 new pairs of shorts (buy 2 get one free on apparel!), grease, a weird tool that Chris picked up (I haven't developed much interest in the maintenance side of things yet, but must remedy that sometime soon), new inner tubes and a new water bottle. There wasn't much left in the store!
Chris fitted the pedals and we spent a while with our bikes propped against the hall wall, practicing clipping in and out before advancing to the drive. First test run was down the drive, finishing on the grass at the back, so that if I fell over it was a reasonably soft landing (not a fan of grazed elbows full of grit!). All went well so we ventured round the block a couple of times with no mishaps.
It was agreed that we were good to go on our Sunday cycle.
Fast forward through a 75 mile ride (longest yet!) - same route as last week, but with an added section out to Jodrell Bank and Goostrey (stop off in Tatton for lunch as usual), and I am pleased to announce that the clip in pedals were a success. :D Only one minor mishap - I stopped when Chris wasn't expecting it, and he braked and ended up on the grass verge, but at least it was a soft landing - no lasting damage done!
We headed to the Evan's store at The Manchester Velodrome and were in there for about and hour and a half on Saturday morning. I came out with shoes, pedals, a cycling top, 2 new pairs of shorts (buy 2 get one free on apparel!), grease, a weird tool that Chris picked up (I haven't developed much interest in the maintenance side of things yet, but must remedy that sometime soon), new inner tubes and a new water bottle. There wasn't much left in the store!
Chris fitted the pedals and we spent a while with our bikes propped against the hall wall, practicing clipping in and out before advancing to the drive. First test run was down the drive, finishing on the grass at the back, so that if I fell over it was a reasonably soft landing (not a fan of grazed elbows full of grit!). All went well so we ventured round the block a couple of times with no mishaps.
It was agreed that we were good to go on our Sunday cycle.
Fast forward through a 75 mile ride (longest yet!) - same route as last week, but with an added section out to Jodrell Bank and Goostrey (stop off in Tatton for lunch as usual), and I am pleased to announce that the clip in pedals were a success. :D Only one minor mishap - I stopped when Chris wasn't expecting it, and he braked and ended up on the grass verge, but at least it was a soft landing - no lasting damage done!
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Increasing the miles
It is becoming more and more time consuming to work out cycle routes as they get longer and longer. The challenge over the next few weeks is to increase mileage in the saddle to be as ready as possible for the London to Surrey 100 on 4 August.
I decided that it would be much more sensible to head for the gentle undulations of the Cheshire countryside rather than the stinging hills of the Derbyshire peaks. Little did I know that Cheshire has a few surprises of its own!
Click here to see last Sunday's route - 55 miles
Click here to see this Sunday's amended route - 60 miles
Chris and I set off nice and early on Sunday to make the most of the day; armed with directions written on a piece of paper that fitted into my pocket, and back up OS map; we headed out along the Middlewood way - a former railway line that runs from Rose Hill Marple to Macclesfield (about 10 miles). It is a lovely traffic-free route, very popular with walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders.
We came off at Pott Shrigley to tackle our first climb and give our legs a bit of a burn. The views from the top are very impressive - the whole of Manchester lies at your feet. Then comes the flying descent down the other side, which I can enjoy so much more now I have invested in glasses. Still getting used to the sound of bugs as they ricochet off them!
We spent the next couple of hours winding our way through the country lanes of Cheshire enjoying the countryside and the cycling. These quiet roads are really popular with cyclists and we were constantly exchanging greetings with groups as they sped past at high speed. Cyclists seem to be a very friendly bunch!
We were heading towards Tatton Park - Chris had had the brainwave to stop at the cafe in the park for a bite to eat as there are plenty of tables outside in the sheltered stable courtyard, so you can keep an eye on your bike while you re-fuel. This has been our pit stop of choice for 2 weekends on the trot now, and I can recommend both jacket potato (with beans and cheese and a side of coleslaw), and the full English breakfast. My mph dropped off a bit for the first few miles after the latter though!
The climb to the top at Pott Shrigley on the return was a lot tougher once we had almost 50 miles under our belts, but I am getting rather good at gritting my teeth and made it to the top with some huffing and puffing.
The plan now is to stretch this route by a few more miles next week, then will have a week of lower mileage and hit some of the hills round Marple before the next mileage increase.
I decided that it would be much more sensible to head for the gentle undulations of the Cheshire countryside rather than the stinging hills of the Derbyshire peaks. Little did I know that Cheshire has a few surprises of its own!
Click here to see last Sunday's route - 55 miles
Click here to see this Sunday's amended route - 60 miles
Chris and I set off nice and early on Sunday to make the most of the day; armed with directions written on a piece of paper that fitted into my pocket, and back up OS map; we headed out along the Middlewood way - a former railway line that runs from Rose Hill Marple to Macclesfield (about 10 miles). It is a lovely traffic-free route, very popular with walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders.
We came off at Pott Shrigley to tackle our first climb and give our legs a bit of a burn. The views from the top are very impressive - the whole of Manchester lies at your feet. Then comes the flying descent down the other side, which I can enjoy so much more now I have invested in glasses. Still getting used to the sound of bugs as they ricochet off them!
We spent the next couple of hours winding our way through the country lanes of Cheshire enjoying the countryside and the cycling. These quiet roads are really popular with cyclists and we were constantly exchanging greetings with groups as they sped past at high speed. Cyclists seem to be a very friendly bunch!
We were heading towards Tatton Park - Chris had had the brainwave to stop at the cafe in the park for a bite to eat as there are plenty of tables outside in the sheltered stable courtyard, so you can keep an eye on your bike while you re-fuel. This has been our pit stop of choice for 2 weekends on the trot now, and I can recommend both jacket potato (with beans and cheese and a side of coleslaw), and the full English breakfast. My mph dropped off a bit for the first few miles after the latter though!
The climb to the top at Pott Shrigley on the return was a lot tougher once we had almost 50 miles under our belts, but I am getting rather good at gritting my teeth and made it to the top with some huffing and puffing.
The plan now is to stretch this route by a few more miles next week, then will have a week of lower mileage and hit some of the hills round Marple before the next mileage increase.
Saturday, 11 May 2013
A 'quick' evening cycle
After the success of our mountain biking in Spain we returned to a warm and sunny Manchester full of enthusiasm and decided we must make the most of the wonderful spring weather and get out on our bikes in the evening after work.
So at 6:30 on Wednesday evening we were to be found heading out along Strines Road towards New Mills. I had hastily plotted out a route on mapometer.com which seemed to head over the hills and avoid too many main roads. It went through a green area on the map - looked nice - seemed OK.
http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_3123169.html
It wasn't long before the climbs started to get steeper and our legs started to burn! We were rewarded for our efforts though with marvellous views over the Derbyshire hills and were accompanied by cute bleating lambs a lot of the way.
I had remembered the road names for the first few turnings and we were doing well. I assumed that it would be easy to find the road back after that, but I didn't factor in that we would be on tiny country roads with no street names - so easy to take a wrong turn - so we had to stop twice to ask where we were and amend our route. Next time I will be more thorough and write directions on a post it for my pocket.
The sun was setting as we finally headed back in to Marple at 10 to 9 - a glorious red sunset to distract us from our hunger.
I have discovered that - when hungry enough - a cyclist can stretch, shower and make a veggie pasta in 20 minutes!
So at 6:30 on Wednesday evening we were to be found heading out along Strines Road towards New Mills. I had hastily plotted out a route on mapometer.com which seemed to head over the hills and avoid too many main roads. It went through a green area on the map - looked nice - seemed OK.
http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_3123169.html
It wasn't long before the climbs started to get steeper and our legs started to burn! We were rewarded for our efforts though with marvellous views over the Derbyshire hills and were accompanied by cute bleating lambs a lot of the way.
I had remembered the road names for the first few turnings and we were doing well. I assumed that it would be easy to find the road back after that, but I didn't factor in that we would be on tiny country roads with no street names - so easy to take a wrong turn - so we had to stop twice to ask where we were and amend our route. Next time I will be more thorough and write directions on a post it for my pocket.
The sun was setting as we finally headed back in to Marple at 10 to 9 - a glorious red sunset to distract us from our hunger.
I have discovered that - when hungry enough - a cyclist can stretch, shower and make a veggie pasta in 20 minutes!
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