Half of Spurn Head

Sneaked a 200km DIY in yesterday in case we don't manage the 300 next weekend. Had a bad feeling about it being the final weekend of the month. Anyway, I'd submitted an entry for an easy 200 a few weeks ago as a standby. The weather was looking good, no rain forecast, it was windier than they'd lead us to believe though.

Can't really work out why my route included Knottingley instead of Castleford, it would mean doubling back to Ferrybridge if I wanted to take the back roads to Howden. I use these roads all the time but rarely the main road, the last time I used the main road was January in the dark, so, with the tailwind I decided to go for it. Traffic was light and on my own it was absolutely fine. Fast, no real turns, made it to Howden in 1 hour 15 mins. including the stop in Knottingley. By the way here is the route The ride down to Thorn wasn't as bad as I'd feared, it's very exposed out here, no shelter from the winds. I turned and headed west directly into the wind, I was travelling much slower hoping that I'd find some shelter in the lanes. No chance. Short stop in Askern, affixed route sheet for the next section which I didn't know so well. This was a tough section, cool wind in my face, sun and hills. Heavy going, I was gald to get to Woolley Edge services and sit down for a while, some coffee and more food. I was getting too hot so I removed my tights for the first time this year. The next section is also hilly but I went better, maybe it was the food or the fact I was no longer overheating. The roads became more and more familiar and I felt better with the ride.

I first did this ride in 2005 as my recce. for Spurn Head 400 but turned for home at Mamas & Papas near Huddersfield. just had had enough that day. On Spurn Head itself it was dark for the stretch I did yesterday, stars shining bright above me. I don't remember much about it to be honest, I was with others and probably very very tired with it being my very first 400km.

It got quite cool as I rode up Calderdale to Mytholmroyd, dull, low cloud. Quick stop, put tights on and headed east with the tailwind. I felt a bit funny, cold and shaky. At Sowerby Bridge I put my gloves and gilet on again, and managed to relax on the downhill roads. It is all quite easy cycling to Dewsbury especially so with the tail wind. Dewsbury isn't my favourite West Yorkshire town and I didn't want to leave my bike just anywhere. I found a control on the way out of town and completed the last 9 km home with consummate ease. Got home before it got dark, didn't get to try my new lamp !

A New Year

It's been a while but I am still here. Still cycling. My hip is in pretty good shape, I am getting some fitness back now after a pretty good winter. The gym work is paying off (I shall probably talk more about this), my cycling is good for the time of year, my weight is good. The weather is getting better and generally I am looking forward to a good spring and summer. My ride plans are taking shape, Easter Arrow at Easter and LEL in July.

You might notice a new addition on the right, my 2009 LEL micro Blog. My plan is to update this as I do the ride so you, the reader can track my progress on line.

Wetherby 100

Not sure how this RR is going to go, it’s a very benign ride, 100km in North Yorkshire and maybe a little bit of West Yorkshire. I rode there, 30km from The Chateau, that part went very well, cool with a little drizzle. I can’t remember what time I set off, about 06:45 I suppose. Some of my clubbie who were doing the 200 with it’s 08:00 start said “I’ll see you at the start” but I didn’t really expect to be there in time. About half a mile from the start hall I saw them all rolling down a hill, “morning, morning, morning” shouted I. So gets there at about 07:05 and sat around chatting to the organiser and his helpers who also happen to be clubmates of mine. No one else whom I knew showed up L and I wondered what sort of ride I’d have, you see sometimes I am not too good at making new friends but today I was on form. “Just follow Martin” said Peter as we waited for the hour. I think I was the most sporting looking rider there, these 100s attract a different set of riders to what I am used to, I must confess feeling a little over dressed, thankfully I had a rack an mudguards on my Hewitt !!

Off we go, sure enough everyone sucked my wheel, I split the group pretty quickly and four others hung on, perhaps that’s too strong a word, I wasn’t challenging them or trying to drop anyone. In Garforth after about 10km I need to switch my gilet and armwarmers for my rain jacket. I stopped at a red traffic light and told the others what I was doing, no one waited of course when the light went green. I thought I’d catch them up. I rode on alone, in the rain. I moment of indecision in Barwick-in-Elmet and I lost a minute or two. I pushed on, I know these roads very well and on arriving at the A64 I saw my prey, the busy main road probably delayed them. They were delayed a bit more when they failed to see the turn for the bridleway. They stopped soon after and shouted back to me as I waited for them to U-turn. It was wet and muddy but thankfully not very long. I could have navigated us directly to the first control at Thorp Arch but first we had to find an info control at Wetherby Racecourse, I wasn’t sure about this as I don’t go that way very often, the 2007 Easter Arrow was the last time. I was leading us by now, I was in this position for most of the day but I didn’t mind that as it meant I kept out of other peoples spray. The gate to the racecourse crept up on us, I noticed it as a truck overtook, we stopped and u-turn and had a brief conflab about the turn. We went onto the racecourse but couldn’t see the info L On through to find a locked gate for our exit. Climbing over a wet steel gate made of tubes is not easy in Look cleated shoes, I did not want to fall. I made it. No info here either but plenty of rain. On to the control, I led again and we arrived while John the organiser was still there, he set off 20 minute before us to give the stamps to the controls. He was angry about the locked gate and couldn’t see the info either.

The next section to Copmanthorpe is quite nice in the sunshine and not too bad in the rain. I got my head down and sucked the rest alone, I know the roads. The York-Selby path was used for 9km and it was wet and muddy, my bike that was cleaned only yesterday is now filthy and no longer purring alone L. Some lunch at Selby Bus Station café, John was there still and they have a picture cut from Arrivee on the wall taken on Christmas day last year.

The final 20km took less than an hour, easy. The while ride was easy for me, I am very pleased. The 30km home took just over an hour so all in all an easy day that shouldn’t have been that easy. I think I need some more challenges now.

Wiggington 100

I did my first Audax of my comeback last week. The Wiggington 100. 100km, I rode to Leeds station, got a train to York and rode up from York station. With the homeward journey I did about 85 miles in total for the day. A flat(ish) easy ride and not too quick. I was fine, as I expected to be. I rode with a few people I knew from York and Leeds, some CTC riders who are nice people. I really enjoyed my day, a couple of nice trian journeys and a nice bike ride. Car free isn't too bad, the trains are fun and stress free.

Riding in the North Riding

Physiotherapy continues, we are doing advanced hip/core exercises. I probably should have done these before , they are recommended for cyclists so I think I'll probably come back stronger than before.

I did 57 miles last weekend in three bites. 10 miles from home to the station and back, 47 miles from Skipton station to Gargrave where I met my friends then across to Wharfedale, up to Buckden and back to Skipton, via Gargrave. Cool and drizzly weather, gritty, wet and muddy roads. Could have been better conditions but it was nice to be out with the others again. I hadn't see one of these guys since well before I crashed. I was very pleased with the way I went though, not the route, I mean how I performed. Not as strong as I was, I still not dare do much out of the saddle riding. I never did much out of the saddle before anyway and I am strong enough in the saddle now anyway. The interval training in the gym seems to have paid off.

So some motivation is back, I need to keep at it, keep making arrangements to meet people to get me out.

Walk Tall

Well, I am declaring that I can now walk properly again. Most of the time. If I am careful I think my limp is hard to detect, I still feel some stiffness in my hip and sometimes my foot. Not very often though. My six month x-rays and appointment revealed some ossification on my pelvis where the screws were inserted. Not a problem at the moment since they are not close to my joint. My next appointment with the surgeons is in one years time, they must be happy enough. I am happy enough, I can do most things now. I walked a bit too far this week and made my hip ache, some gym work and rest sorted it out. Cycling is OK, been riding to work a few times each week. My strength is coming back, I need to pile the miles in now and lose some weight. It is good to be riding to work, much preferred to standing around at bus stops.

I'm on the road again

How time flies. Since I last wrote to you I have made more progress along the road to wellville. Been cycling, yes, I'm back on two wheels. An easy 46km-er, metric isn't as easy to say as imperial, a twenty seven miler. Flat with four other members of the club. No Problermo. I felt fine physically, a little tired but otherwise OK. Pleased with myself that I felt comfortable and confident once again. Since then two more rides to test myself on hills, still no pain but obviously acute lack of fitness, it's going to be hard work over the next few months.

My walking is improving, I can nearly walk properly, I still feel an ache in my foot and also now in my hip, it's quite deep and a new sensation. Not too much to make me wince though. A casual observer probably would be able to tell I have a limp at the moment. I am pleased, I think things will continue to get better. The cycling leaves me feeling good, it makes the aches in my foot and hip temporarily disappear. Still doing the gym work too though once I start cycling to work I'll change that routine and do less cardio and more strength/stability exercises.