Lessons From the Bike

It's been fantastic, with the exception of Wednesday, to get some dry miles on the wheels. Amazingly 150 from Monday to Friday. On Friday I had a great idea, as I had done a few miles already I thought I would take out the Time Trial bike for a 25 mile ride. I normally only do 10's on it but there is a first time for everything. Having rolled down the road I hit the first of several hills and found the gears were stuck below the 13 sprocket which meant I either span really quickly up the hills or ground my way up them in the 54 at the front. Still it was a good ride if a little uncomfortable and of course being a TT bike it is harder going on the body and very twitchy on the bike.

Lesson One - check the bike before you go out.

13 hours later and it was off on the Orbea through Heswall, Neston, Puddington and down into Chester, to treat myself to a new Fizik cherry red full carbon saddle from 69 cycles. Well order it anyway, it will look great once its fitted. I've been testing saddles from there for about eight weeks now and I am finally happy enough to invest in a top bit of kit. The only bad thing about the solo ride was the headwind against me all the way into Chester, 27 miles the morning after a session on the TT bike

Lesson 2 - don't hammer it the evening before a long solo ride.

I stopped at Eureka for a well deserved coffee and cake before finishing with 54 on the clock not the longest ride but a good one after the week I've had taking it to over 200 for the week and of course the second 27 with the wind behind is always a joy.

THe other thing I have been trying is experimenting with my drinks. I have tried just using water for anything less than 25 this week. Well hitting Irby I got severe cramp in my left leg for the first time since 1986.

Lesson 3 - keep hydrated and top the minerals up, cramp hurts!!!!

Tomorrow is back to the track to finish my accreditation with some work behind the derny so should be great fun. Only problem - side kick Ade got himself sent to China, not the cleverest thing to do, still more on that tomorrow.