Leith Hill training ride

Up early for a ride around Surrey Hills yesterday with James Crask. An excellent 4 hour session with loads of hills and singletrack. Heart rate up for most of the day - a few more of these and I'll be on track for July!

Gym session with jackie tonight and another ride in the park tomorrow. Easter weekend coming up so loads more riding.
  

Thumb Update

The physio has now seen the thumb and thought I must have been very brave! There is defo nothing broken but the ligament has been weakened so much the bones are now super mobile which is what hurts as I ride along. Thus they have strapped the thumb as attached and I have to try and ride strapped up! Also my tendon hurts......

first mid week ride!!

Dug deep and ventured out on my first mid week ride this evening. Managed a quick lap of the Park (11/2 hrs) which is strange in the dark with no lights. Slight twinge from the left knee for a few moments but nothing like usual - so far so good. Rained on the way home.

Been plotting my new bike.

Keeping up with the Detsiny's...

Great bike - that is going up a league! But you can't ride something like that without matching team tops, serious lycra and shaved leg action. I'm jealous and gonna have to get something new myself now.

We should talk pedals and saddles.

Just need to book the travel arrangements and get the razor out!

New Wheels!!!

The big news is I am the proud new owner of a new Rocky Mountain Bike - and its looking fabulous. Unfortunately I didn't get to pick it up in time to ride it but its gona get a thrashing soon enough.

My knees are sore this week after putting in some miles yesterday. I think my pedals are a bit off. When I tried to adjust it I broke it so I gave up! Next time I'll leave that to Aram.... The saddle is also dreadful and I think that contributed to the misery!

one step forward two steps back

All been going well with the neck and back but a v bad 'stomach complaint' has meant only able to get out for a 1.45hr ride this morning. Still looking on the bright side I seem to have lost about 2 pounds of weight - down to 69kg on parents digital scales which would mean I have lost about a stone since Christmas!

Went to se the Bike Whisperer on Tuesaday for a bike fit as part of trying to get to the bottom of my sore left knee. It was a bit odd - he knew his stuff but basicall works out of his living room (image below). We swapped to some new pedals (from some very worn Bonty RE 1s) and plenty of grease to keep the float free and went out today and haven't felt any knee pain. Long way to go but fingers crossed. 

Going to start riding mid week this week...

Day of Rest

Monday was a day off after the busy weekend. Tonight I intend to hit the weights section! Bring it on.

Bikes & my Birthday

Thanks to all those who have been so generous with Birthday presents this year. Its much appreciated. Anything bike related is good! Have got lots of bike vouchers and bike stuff in general - excellent.

Saturday - Aram and I hammered the local lanes and hills around my parents - excellent ride and not chucking down with rain either. Found some new routes that will be good for Summer.

Sunday - rode from my parents to Reading to trial some new bikes at a big shop. Had a ride on a very nice Trek 2010 bike and a very nice Rocky Mountain 2009 bike too - which is in the sale. Ah descisions descisions! Luckily this time I didn't smash the bike like the last one I took to Wales which came back destroyed and totally unsaleable.

Now to get some campervan hire action going!

Just give!!!

I've set up a just giving site for Aram for Macmillan cancer support, please log on a dig deep - http://www.justgiving.com/Aram-Wood - Charlie xxx

Tiring weekend

Followed the rides as set out in the training schedule this weekend - they look easier on paper than they do in real life!

Did a 4 hour hill session with Stevie on Saturday around Marlow. Excellent workout - 40 miles, 1200m of climbing, burned 2500 calories - but completely exhausted by the end of it. Went past the windmill from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang but Caractarus Potts not at home. Went out again this morning but only managed 2 hrs 20 mins - 1300 calories - which was shame as nice and sunny but just too tired to stay out longer. Met Nick and did a lap of the Park together. Will do another heavy weekend of rides next week then have a rest week.

Booked flights to Mallorca for the final push in mid June.

Stan Laurel

At last a weekend with sun and without rain. The training programme also turned up! Feeling like back in control. Managed a couple of rides - a 3 hour jaunt on the south downs with James C on Saturday morning and a 2 hour spin around the Park (in HR zone 1 and 2 - the training programme starting to have an impact) on my jack jones this morning. 

Been sorting out travel arrangements to Italy (going to milan on Thrsday 15th July) and a week training in Mallorca in /3 week of June.

Bumped into Tough Guy at a Ce Roc themed birthday party. Cycled all the way from Blackheath tp Shepherds Bush then back to Blackheath at 1am in the freezing cold. Now that's tough!

Also wondering whether I am starting to look a bit like Stan Laurel.

The hamsters wheel

Back in the gym last night on weights and tonight on CV. Good progress but can't wait until light & weather changes so that I can get out of the gym and cycling during the week.