Been a bit Frustrating

 I had to travel with work twice last week.  Bad thing about that is it leaves me in a lot of pain and unable to cycle so not been able to get out. 

Tonight just after 7, Karen tells me she does not want to go to Choir.  Scrambled around and got my cycling gear and headed down.

 Choir was brilliant.  I have two solo parts including something I have always wanted to do.  Bring him home from Les Mis

Wee Update

Been far too tired to write the blog, not like me. The charity ride really hurt me. I covered 50 miles in just under 4 hours which was far too fast. Come the early hours of the morning, my left knee went and I had to stop. Tried sleeping for 4 hours but was still pretty bad so I gave up. Managed a metric kilo so not complaining.

Wasn't able to ride for a few days after that.  I have been told to try Rouvy as it is more realistic.  Problem with Zwift is it feels more like a game.  I'm finding the downhills don't really match what it is like and it does not give me a chance to stop pedalling and take on fluids.  Rouvy was a complete game changer.  I rode a virtual route in Japan and it was simply stunning.

So far this week, I have just done a spin to the docs for bloods.  I have 2 site visits (tomorrow and Friday) and SNCL on Sunday so my cycling time this week is going to be limited.  I am really glad I am 150 miles ahead on target this year!  Hopefully I can get back on track next week. 

 Totals for the year 306 miles and 7,631 feet of climbing.  HVR is back above 50 so I am happy

Council Madness

 I like the route I take onto the moors.  There was a shorter route but the road was closed off for building works.

Heading down for the weekly weigh in and there is a sign telling us that they are closing that road for 4 months.   AAARRRGGGGHHHHH.

Can't complain too much about fat club today.  Lost another 3.5 pounds, 52 lost so far with at least 48 to go.  Slimmer of the week for the second week running.

Getting back was interesting with the goodies.  If I win it again next week (which is a possibility given what I am going to be doing) I am going to suggest it is raffled.

Thoroughly Soaked

 Rode into work this morning.  Got utterly soaked.  Not been able to cycle for the last three days due to illness :(.  Had an amusing moment when I got a mile in and noticed I had my cycling longs inside out!

Came to ride home and as soon as I hit the road it was a 50mph headwind and driving rain.  Even with my cycling glasses on, I could not see where I was going.  No way I was risking that so headed for the train.

Got to Hairmyres and detrained.  By the time I was home I was utterly soaked again!  Really not my day

Week 1 of 2023 Finshed

 From a cycling point of view, has been fantastic

118.9 miles cycled this week which I am really pleased with.  Means I have a complete week now in the bank in case I am not able to cycle for a week.  Great start.

2 rides today, both on Zwift.  First one was in France, I thought the sprint finish was the end of the ride, woops, didn't get the completion as I did not finish.  Ah well, will learn that lesson!  Ride was lumpy and quite enjoyable.

Second ride was Paris, found the course really boring.  Will do the reverse to complete it but can't see me coming back to the map as it is not interesting at all.

What a great Day

 Woke up this morning and felt ok.  Decided to go for it!  Fitted my new power pedals last night so first time actually knowing how much power I put through my legs,  Was really surprised how much power I have available to me.

Just got past Fenwick, two massive puddles later and found my front brakes had gone!   Had to gently come to a stop and re-tighten.

Today's lesson?  Check where you are standing when stopping to take a pic...

Was a fantastic ride.  Really have to do this with Karen one day!

Tomorrow

Sitting here wondering if I am capable of cycling tomorrow.  Went to Fat Club this morning. Annoyingly I am 1/2 lb off of 3.5 stone lost.  Now 48.5 lost 51.5 to go.  I just want to get over the halfway mark.  Hate it when it teases me like this.

On the plus side, I was slimmer of the week.  Getting the goodies home was fun on the bike, had cans stuffed into my cycle top pockets :D

This afternoon, my backside finally decided to let go and in style.  Been hoarding crap for a few days now and no matter how much fiber, it was not for shifting.  Did weigh myself this evening and I am 2 lbs lighter than I was at weigh in!

The dilemma is what to do about tomorrow.  I am supposed to be going for a 40 miler and I am really looking forward to it, but if the body is like this, it ain't happening.  I do have stuff I can take to stop me going but I need to get as much out as I can first.  Will have to make a decision on it in the morning and switch to the trainer if need be.

The wind was horrific today when I was riding, really had to concentrate to keep myself level!

On the plus side, my new pedals have arrived and that's me fully set up now.  Can't think of anything else I want to add to the bike (possibly some bags for trips we are thinking of doing).  

London Calling

Today was the first map rotation I have seen, we now have London and Richmond.  There is not much in Richmond but London looks quite ripe for exploration.

First ride was checking out Watopia Waistband to decide which one to use.  To be honest, I can see pros and cons for both and it is going to be a hard decision as to which one to use;

Next ride was London.  Didn't fancy a really short one so plumped for the 7 miler.  Really enjoyed it and was in a group for most of the ride which is unusual, I am normally dropping people or being dropped!

25 Miles completed today, 51 for the week so well over target.  (need to be doing about 50 miles a week to hit target) so I am happy to get some extra miles in the tank for times I can't get out.

bortaS bIr jablu'DI' reH QaQqu' nay'

 I did two rides on Zwift today.  One in the afternoon and one in the evening.  I need to test out how I am going to approach the 24 hour challenge as full gas is not an option.   Tried to keep in Zone 1 / Zone 2 but it is very hard to do as I just want to put the power down.

Second ride was a revenge ride as Euan trashed my fastest time on the 6 Line.  Dropped 3 minutes off my best time.  Euan then went for it and beat his best time by over a minute but is 40 seconds slower than me.  That will not last long methinks.

The maps rotate tomorrow and we have the pleasure of London.