Flying solo

Well, a wee bit disjointed this week-end, John is enjoying a family Easter and no doubt tucking into lots of chocolate, Hindo is away sparking clogs in his native Chorley and the Doc has man flu so it was left up to the founding father to fly the flag for the carbonauts today.

 

Headed off from Avoch 8:45am and headed for Ullapool, thought I would try and crack the 100 mile mark for the 1st time, however a combination of a dodgy back, a cough, rain and wind I made it to Corrieshalloch Gorge before deciding enough is enough. How is it I had a headwind both bloody ways!!!

 

Found it really hard on my own, quite strange really missing the other 3. found myself shouting "hole", which must have seemed odd to anyone that saw me.

 

Back in Avoch 4:15pm, did not stop for any lunch although I did stop at Tarvie tea room and for a cuppa and a chat with the very nice girl there.

 

Another 1st for me today was a puncture, on the way back had to stop opposite the Ord distillery where to my surprise a very nice and attractive young lady come out from one of the houses to ask if I was okay, must have been the tights that attracted her.

 

Anyway, puncture fixed and home for an estimated 88miles, also thought it would be nice if we crack the 100 miles together.

 

The lonesome carbonaut

Beer beats water for hydration

GRENADA, Spain(UPI) -- Researchers at Granada University in Spain said drinking beer after strenuous physical activity can be beneficial for the body.

The scientists said their study found beer can help dehydrated people retain liquid better than water alone, The Telegraph, a Britsh newspaper, reported Friday.

Professor Manuel Garzon, who led the study, said the bubbles in beer can help quench thirst and the carbohydrates in the beverage can help make up for burned calories.

The study involved a group of students asked to perform strenuous activities at a temperature of about 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Half of the students were given a pint of beer after their exercise and half were given a pint of water. Garzon said the hydration affect on the beer drinkers was "slightly better" than the sober group.

Juan Antonio Corbalan, a cardiologist who has worked with Real Madrid football players and Spain's national basketball team, told The Telegraph he has long recommended beer to professional sportsmen after exhausting activities, as the drink is optimal for rehydrating the body.

 

This is going to be a good trip !!!

Bob

Protein Intake

Well, I don't think I'll be running short of Protein any time soon....

 

....since I swallowed about 300,000 small flies between North Kessock and Redcastle this morning.

 

I'm telling you, it's like it's raining sand on your helmet when you pass through a swarm of these things - and guaranteed you'll have one in the corner of each eye by the time you pass through them. That's even when wearing glasses whilst cycling..

 

Not a great experience and I'm looking forward to them disappearing in the coming weeks/months!

 

John

Sunday Cycle - Black Isle Tour!

The Carbonauts arranged a Sunday Cycle this week since Bob was back from the US and everyone was again available. The plan this week - a circular tour of the Black Isle.

I left Inverness around 10:25am and met up with Grant and Keith in Tore. They had cycled in from Kirkhill and Muir of Ord respectively. From there, it was off to Avoch to meet with Bob. Unfortunately Bob was still struggling with a chest complaint, but, being the champion that he is, decided to come along with the lads anyway.

From Avoch, the team headed through Fortrose and Rosemarkie before staying on the main road and towards Cromarty. Up to this point, we were benefiting from a tail wind which helped push us along, however that all changed when we left Cromarty and began the Westward return journey. The wind was a-howlin' in our faces all the way through Jemimaville, where Keith realised that he had a broken spoke. Undeterred, the team pressed on towards Balblair before splitting at Shoreton. Keith wanted to get back whilst his wheel was able to carry him and poor Bob was stilling feeling a bit poorly..

Myself and Grant headed along the B9163 through Alcaig and into Conon Bridge where we treated ourselves to a fly Ice Cream since it was such a stunning day! You can't beat a Magnum....

From Conon, it was onto the A862 and through Muir of Ord and Beauly before Grant peeled off left and up towards home (Kirkhill).

I continued along the A862 and back through Inchmore and Bunchrew - arriving home in Inverness around 3:50ish.

Total Distance: 67.7 Miles
Average Speed: 14.9 mph

John

Cycling to Work

Cycled into work Tuesday and Wednesday - the wind finally seems to have dropped to an acceptable level on the ride in on Wednesday!

 

Due to this fact, I managed to get into work in around 49 minutes (13.7 miles so average around 16.6 mph)

 

I plan to cycle in for the rest of the week also and myself and the rest of the Carbonauts are looking to arrange a cycle for Sunday although currently no firm plan as to destination.

 

John

Sunday In The Sunshine

What a fantastic day weather wise. Left work after lunch and cycled to North Kessock and up to Tore again. Unlike Saturday I carried on to Conon Bridge on the A835 hoping to get up to 40 miles for the day. Next time I'll use the cycle path on the other side of the road as it was a wee bit busy with fast traffic. However if I'd stayed on the path I wouldn't have got the fantastic freewheel down the hill to Conon - 30 mph most of the way! Back through Muir of Ord and home to Kirkhill. Disappointingly (!) only 35 miles for the whole day but my arms got a bit of sunburn so maybe just as well. Sunblock definitely required for next long trip. The other definite bonus of the warm weather is no more runny nose issues!

 

Back a bit sore today but I put that down to gardening and then searching for my dogs in the dark on the Aird last night. Just don't ask...........

 

Grant

First Blog

Well the peer pressure has finally got to me and I've decided I better start blogging as well. Today is Sunday and I've got used to the idea of cycling uphill into the wind for a couple of hours with my fellow team members. However with Bob in the USA and with me being Duty Manager we decided to do our own thing this weekend - so I've missed out on the pain fix.

 

To make up for it I've cycled into work yesterday and today - only 6.5 miles each way. To get a decent run on Saturday after work I went along to North Kessock, up to Tore and then back to the Muir and home again - around 30 miles for the day altogether. Today I'll aim for 40 before I end up at home.

 

With the sun shining it was time for the shorts this morning, I hope the pale legs didn't frighten too many people!

 

Hope to start cycling to work this week, depends on being able to stop the sheep feeding duties at home, otherwise have to get up far to early. If I can get this started - with a long ride home - then the tedious work on the Turbo can be saved for rainy days.

 

Will update on the sheep progress later!

 

Grant