Strathconon

A lovely saturday morning and not playing golf. I therefore decided it was perfect to do a small run in preparation for tomorrow.

 

Left home at approx 9.10 am and headed out towards Marybank via Aultgowrie. Takes in the initial route from Tuesday night with a great descent at the end. As commented on previously by Bob and John, you do get this sense of loneliness out on the road when not surrounded by other Carbonauts. In order to relieve this feeling, for the first time I took the MP3 player and was serenaded along by ZZ Top, The Smiths, Scooter, UFO and finally The Hamsters.  Might think about compiling a competitive music collection CD to rival Power Ballads and Driving Ballads. Call it "Hindos LEJOG training Power Cycling Ballads".

 

Anyway, now not feeling so alone, I carried on up Kinnahaird (although I keep saying it never gets easier, I keep being drawn to go up it) and finally into Contin. From there took a left towards Loch Achilty. Nice single track road which is by far not one of the best road coverings ever, but some good undulations and several surprise elevation changes. Testing climbs. Only short but good. Finally reached the half way mark at 15 miles at the Meig Dam.  Decided to stop 5 minutes and take in a few carbs and a drink. Quite a warm day and having not long been up, breakfast was still not kicking in.  Will be important to ensure on LEJOG, that we have rest after breakfast to ensure it is in the system.  Whilst there bumped into an old fishing buddy from the Scrabster days a few years ago. Alex. Had a chat with him and he has offered a donation to the sponsorship. Bonus.  Thanks Alex.

 

Cracked on from there and down back towards Marybank. Never realised but a headwind all the way, but still maintained a good pace.  Had a few stupid mistakes on gearing selections which really threw me out. Finally reached Marybank and after 7.4 miles of headwind, I was sort of changing my mind about tackling back up The Brae back to Aultgowrie. It is a good descent, but hills are sent to try us. As we have all said and it is an entry at the beginning of the blog pages, "Pain is temporary, Quiting lasts forever". With this in mind, chose to go up the Brae. Believe me when I set off, I wasn't looking forward, but head down and before I knew it, I was at the top. Had to stand the last 50 yards or so, but got there. A nice gentle climb followed. Most of the run back from there to Muir is gentle undulations again with  a few testy rises, but nothing major. Back into the Muir and up Balvaird and back home. 

 

Final distance, 28.5 miles (by CatEye) in 1 hour 39 mins riding time. Average 17.2 mph.  Cracking warm morning, but a bit chilly in the shade. 

 

It will be good to get back out with the boys again tomorrow for a nice merry jaunt out east this time.  Looking forward to it. Lets just pray there aint much wind, as it is pretty open out there.

 

Anyway, off now to chill and do some weeding in the back garden. That time of year again.

 

Hindo

Sunday Plan - Morayshire

You've heard of the 'Rumble in the Jungle' and the 'Thrillah in Manilla' but now, The Carbonauts bring to you: "The Foray into Moray" as the team head for Elgin on Sunday 1st May in an atempt to break the 100 mile barrier for the first time, as a team and individually.

 

The plan is to meet up at Tore around 7:30am on Sunday morning then head towards Inverness and out to Elgin, via Nairn and Forres.

 

This is sure to be the toughest training run so far but the team feel ready for it. We have just 7 weeks until we travel to Lands End so completing this objective will give us a huge lift and will prove that we have what it takes to hit the 100 mile mark in a day.

 

I may even bring my camera along on Sunday to capture some photos from the trip!

 

Cheers

John

Cracking Part 2

Well, the other week I went around the Strath as I reported, a total of 27.4 miles in 1 hr 40 mins.

 

Tonight with Martin Kerr, threw in another twist with a good climb up to Marybank, followed by good descent. Into Strath up Kinnahaird and then back through Dingwall, Tore and finally Mulbuie. Altogether a total of 29.4 miles by the CatEye in 1 hr 42. Average speed, 17.2 mph.

 

I must admit I had a sidewind out of Strath, but kept the average speed up. Up to Tore was a bit of a torture with a headwind. However, Tore top Muir was another 28 mph constant run to the Muir (aided by that tail wind).  Flagged a bit due to not much drink back towards Muir, but got second wind. Through the S bend near Brians, was picking up again and motoring, when 2 guys passed me. What????  Needless to say it was a motivator to stick with them until Mulbuie turn.

 

Headed off up the hill, which never seems to get easier and back home. Tea waiting (thanks Pet). Love Ya. xxxx

 

Anyway, now chilling and having early night.

 

Cheers

 

Hindo

Three Quotes

To be a cyclist is to be a student of pain....at cycling's core lies pain, hard and bitter as the pit inside a juicy peach. It doesn't matter if you're sprinting for an Olympic medal, a town sign, a trailhead, or the rest stop with the homemade brownies. If you never confront pain, you're missing the essence of the sport. Without pain, there's no adversity. Without adversity, no challenge. Without challenge, no improvement. No improvement, no sense of accomplishment and no deep-down joy. Might as well be playing Tiddly-Winks.
Scott Martin

 

I have always struggled to achieve excellence. One thing that cycling has taught me is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it's not going to be satisfying.
Greg LeMond

 

Cycling is unique. No other sport lets you go like that - where there's only the bike left to hold you up. If you ran as hard, you'd fall over. Your legs wouldn't support you.
Steve Johnson

 

 

John

Even darwin had a bike

Bob

Easter Sunday - The Hill from Hell

Woke up this morning and was almost tempted to leave cycling for the day since I would be riding solo anyway, and it was Easter and there were Easter Eggs....but that's not the Carbonaut way!

Decided to head for Drumnadrochit with an eye on 'that hill' between Drum and Beauly.

I left home and through Inverness Town Centre then South/West down the A82.

The A82 is not the greatest road to cycle on at the best of times as cars often travel a bit too fast for my liking but today was even more hectic as most people were out and about for Easter. I had one or two occasions where cars slipped past very close to me which made me a bit nervous - obviously hanging back and waiting until the other carriageway was clear was not a suitable option for them...!

Anyway, despite a headwind (do they just WAIT for Sunday cyclists!!??) I got to Drumnadrochit in good time. I then branched off west towards Milton..

So I decided to tackle the big hill with its 15% Gradient for 0.75 of a mile. Doesn't seem too far but it's ALL sheer climbing. I had to get off, about 600 yards into the climb and that really broke my rhythm and my spirit if I'm honest. I got off the bike a further two times before reaching the top of the climb. My bike was in it's lowest gear, I tried sitting and standing for sections but I just could not work through the climb. Once at the top though, it was a pleasant run down towards Beauly, Inchmore, Bunchrew then home...a route which is becoming very familiar to me!!

Distance covered today was around 41 miles - my average speed was 16.1 mph which I think is pretty good since the big climb held me back at 5 or 6mph for its duration. I also missed the other Carbonauts today. It's amazing what a difference it makes even having another 1 team member with you as opposed to cycling solo.

Reflecting on the run, I am really pretty disappointed about not making it all the way up the climb without getting off the bike. I had only cycled about 19miles before I tackled it so I felt I was reasonably fresh. Thankfully this small section is pretty exceptional and I shouldn't expect to face it every day - but there's still the lingering desire to complete it properly...maybe with the support of the rest of the carbonauts.....

John

Lancashire Expedition

Well, after having to go to Halifax last week, I felt guilty about the fact that I would be leaving the buike behind. Staying down for the weekend, and knowing that it would be an early finish Thursday, decided that a ride was the perfect way to finish the day.

 

With 24 degrees that day, I knew drink was the most important.  So changed at my Mums and got the stuff together and off. Took a route out from Chorley down to Euxton and then along to Standish and Worthington. As I knew my brother goes to work on his bike, decided to wait the 10 minutes and ride home with him. 13 miles down at that point. And more importantly, some good climbs.

 

After chatting at my brothers for 1/4 hour or so, I got on my way and headed out of Chorley again in the opposite direction towards Bolton. Took a route out over Rivington into Horwich and then to outskirts of Bolton. This takes in probably one of the best dragging hills anywhere. 6 - 7% for approx 2 miles but busy.

 

From bottom of there headed out to Westhoughton and another good climb, before heading back to Chorley via Coppull. that is where I grew up and was good to cycle round there for the first time in approx 27 years. Much quicker too these days coem to think of it.

 

Finished up back at Mothers at a final 42.7 miles in 2 hr 42 mins. Just 15.5 mph, but not surpising with the climbs. Some only short but a test.

 

Had no other mishaps like Bob and punctures, but a pleasant ride.  The main event for me was on Monday when I managed to find a shop which would repair spokes (well replace). Nice chap in Green Machine in Horwich. Thanks for your quick turnaround on that job, much appreciated.

 

Back home now and gonna go and cut my grass.

 

Cheers

 

Hindo