Fellas be honest. When was the last time you spent a significant amount of time with your partner doing something that you'd really rather not do? So... we're talking shopping in John Lewis for soft-furnishings; laying down bathroom floor tiles at her mother's house when you could be watching a TDF highlights; hunting for baby clothes for her Aunt in Next or going to watch Sex in the City movie and missing the Crystal Palace mid week crit (thank God it rained!) Now I should point out that none of this testosterone-blocking nonsense can be attributed to the lovely Stephanie G.
But! - oh yes there has to be a but - a month ago she suggested that we do a 70 mile sportiv. What in early March?...Together?. No! No! No!...lets pretend she didn't say it. At the time I was overcome emasculation anxiety and I secretly hoped she'd suffer Sportive Amnesia till at least May. No such luck she reminded me about it constantly and in the end I relented...
So imagine, me (AdeMerckx) pegged at a 13mph average while lots of blokes ride blithely past. Arrgghhhh!!!!!!Ok so it wasn't that bad - but these Sportiv things are surely meant for the summer, right?. Who wants to be riding for six hours on a late winter/early spring afternoon? Go on the Addiscombe Forum to see reports from me (Toks) and Stephanie.
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Spotlight On...Andrew Green
Name
Andrew Green
Who do you race for?
Addiscombe CC
What type of races do you do?
General rule of thumb is try everything. I’m basically a tester (all distances although my first 50, 100 and 12hr were all last year) with some Palace crits thrown in just for a bit of fun. I also did a couple of Herne Hill track leagues, a MTB race and a few cyclo cross last year which I really enjoyed.
In the grand scheme of the results I’m very much pack fodder, but just enjoy it. One of the things I like about TTs is the fact that they give everyone of any ability the chance to race, and compete against themselves to try and keep improving, whilst also cometing against the best in the country at the same time.
Where do you race?
Locally as there is plenty around. I’d rather do local courses where I can compare times and see friends than travel for hours to chase a fast course.
Briefly describe a typical training session -
Err, not applicable. I don’t do any structured training or sessions as I ride how I want to when I want to, not to what a schedule tells me as it would rob the enjoyment of cycling for me.
I commute 14 lumpy miles each way 3-4 days a week which are useful “free” miles, and I like long rides. Sometimes I’ll go harder than others, or throw in the odd interval during the ride, but only when/if I want to. No rides are that easy pace and the local terrain means there are always a few hills (I like to disprove the myth that small light people are good climbers!), and I ride fixed wheel quite a lot through winter – people will always argue ‘til the cows come home about whether that’s good or not, but I do it because I like it. That tends to give me a reasonable base and then I race myself fit with some early season Sporting TTs.
HRMs, Powertaps and the like are the work of the devil.
What are your Goals for this year?
PBs at all distances from the 700 yard Bec Hill Climb up to 12 hour TT.
To keep encouraging club mates to have a go at any type of racing. If you don’t like it don’t do it again, but if you don’t try you could miss out on something you’d love.
What have been your best races so far?
My 25 PB last year which was on a perfect day, my first 50 was okay timewise and introduced my to what could easily become my favourite distance. The 12hr, after the first 3-4 hours. The first 4 hours were miserable in persistent rain and starting in the dark on a horrible road, but after that once on to the circuits it was great. Superb atmosphere and camaraderie amongst competitors and all the support crews
Andrew Green
Who do you race for?
Addiscombe CC
What type of races do you do?
General rule of thumb is try everything. I’m basically a tester (all distances although my first 50, 100 and 12hr were all last year) with some Palace crits thrown in just for a bit of fun. I also did a couple of Herne Hill track leagues, a MTB race and a few cyclo cross last year which I really enjoyed.
In the grand scheme of the results I’m very much pack fodder, but just enjoy it. One of the things I like about TTs is the fact that they give everyone of any ability the chance to race, and compete against themselves to try and keep improving, whilst also cometing against the best in the country at the same time.
Where do you race?
Locally as there is plenty around. I’d rather do local courses where I can compare times and see friends than travel for hours to chase a fast course.
Briefly describe a typical training session -
Err, not applicable. I don’t do any structured training or sessions as I ride how I want to when I want to, not to what a schedule tells me as it would rob the enjoyment of cycling for me.
I commute 14 lumpy miles each way 3-4 days a week which are useful “free” miles, and I like long rides. Sometimes I’ll go harder than others, or throw in the odd interval during the ride, but only when/if I want to. No rides are that easy pace and the local terrain means there are always a few hills (I like to disprove the myth that small light people are good climbers!), and I ride fixed wheel quite a lot through winter – people will always argue ‘til the cows come home about whether that’s good or not, but I do it because I like it. That tends to give me a reasonable base and then I race myself fit with some early season Sporting TTs.
HRMs, Powertaps and the like are the work of the devil.
What are your Goals for this year?
PBs at all distances from the 700 yard Bec Hill Climb up to 12 hour TT.
To keep encouraging club mates to have a go at any type of racing. If you don’t like it don’t do it again, but if you don’t try you could miss out on something you’d love.
What have been your best races so far?
My 25 PB last year which was on a perfect day, my first 50 was okay timewise and introduced my to what could easily become my favourite distance. The 12hr, after the first 3-4 hours. The first 4 hours were miserable in persistent rain and starting in the dark on a horrible road, but after that once on to the circuits it was great. Superb atmosphere and camaraderie amongst competitors and all the support crews
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Arsenal - Luton - Arsenal
Today was down as an interval day. But how could I incorporate intervals into a 64 mile commuting trip with a fat rucksack on my back. Yes the challenge was to execute 6 x 4 vo2 max intervals going to Luton and 2 x 20 threshold intervals on the return to Arsenal. Essentially I waited for long draggy bits and hammered it where I could on the outward bound journey. I seem to recall St Albans to Harpenden and then Harpenden to Luton were the best spots.
On the return journey I tried to ride at threshold for significant portions mostly where traffic lights and junctions were not present. I arrived home knackered, showered changed and got myself down Soho. More intense atheletic experessionism? Yes but in the musical form. Myself and some friends had a great evening out at Ronnie Scotts
On the return journey I tried to ride at threshold for significant portions mostly where traffic lights and junctions were not present. I arrived home knackered, showered changed and got myself down Soho. More intense atheletic experessionism? Yes but in the musical form. Myself and some friends had a great evening out at Ronnie Scotts
Monday, 23 February 2009
Wakey Wakey Rise and Ride
5.20am: occasionally when lucky I can wake up at this hour and fall sleep again for another two more. Today however, "The Sleep Mummy" left me stranded, troubled and restless. I'd been awake for at least 30 minutes so there was only one thing to do!
6.00am: I had most of my cycling gear on except for my cleats. I was sitting with Steph's' Mum in the living room trying to decide whether I could squeeze in yet another spoonful of Quaker oats. Even for two early risers conversation was fairly muted; Jade Goody was on the TV but I couldn't really take in or hear what was being said.
6.30am: The beginning of a 3 hour round trip to Richmond Park began. An ETA of 9.30am had been assured. I think Steph's Mum thought I was a little crazy to be riding my bike so early in the morning but she didn't say. After all with crazy types its often best not to say nothing.
6.40am: I was soon cruising through Peckham at a speed that was not gonna be sustainable for 180 minutes, so I knew there would be a pay back. There were a few young people rocking from side to side near taxi ranks. I couldn't tell if it was the music they'd heard or whether they were simply trying to stay warm
6.45am: I had stopped outside a set of traffic light and two Nigerian cleaners outside a chain of Tesco were speaking in voluble Yoruba. My recent trip to Nigeria means my Yoruba has improved greatly and even in that brief moment at the traffic lights I caught every word they said. I'm not convinced the fat bloke will have a girlfriend for very long once he reveals his big secret to her.
7.00am: I met the first cyclist of the day riding in the opposite direction. He's bike was very dirty. I bet he wishes he'd cleaned his chain the night before just like I did
7.05am: I was doing my LA impression dancing across Putney Bridge
7.15am: I entered Richmond Park for the first lap. As always my pacing was slightly off and when I began the second anti clockwise lap up the main hill my paced dropped off significantly.
8.12am: I began the 4th lap clockwise. There were a number of slower cyclists plodding up the main drag and I ticked them off one by one. At the top I caught a lone roadie and he stuck it out with me up on the steep climb. We took a couple of turns each but I finally pulled away from him on the descent
8.45am: I left the Richmond Park area and heading back to where I had been was elite rider Warrick Spence Feeling quite fatigued I nodded; with a confident smile he nodded back coolly.
9.45: after a trip to Tesco's to pick up some lunchtime goodies I arrived back at Stephs...
6.00am: I had most of my cycling gear on except for my cleats. I was sitting with Steph's' Mum in the living room trying to decide whether I could squeeze in yet another spoonful of Quaker oats. Even for two early risers conversation was fairly muted; Jade Goody was on the TV but I couldn't really take in or hear what was being said.
6.30am: The beginning of a 3 hour round trip to Richmond Park began. An ETA of 9.30am had been assured. I think Steph's Mum thought I was a little crazy to be riding my bike so early in the morning but she didn't say. After all with crazy types its often best not to say nothing.
6.40am: I was soon cruising through Peckham at a speed that was not gonna be sustainable for 180 minutes, so I knew there would be a pay back. There were a few young people rocking from side to side near taxi ranks. I couldn't tell if it was the music they'd heard or whether they were simply trying to stay warm
6.45am: I had stopped outside a set of traffic light and two Nigerian cleaners outside a chain of Tesco were speaking in voluble Yoruba. My recent trip to Nigeria means my Yoruba has improved greatly and even in that brief moment at the traffic lights I caught every word they said. I'm not convinced the fat bloke will have a girlfriend for very long once he reveals his big secret to her.
7.00am: I met the first cyclist of the day riding in the opposite direction. He's bike was very dirty. I bet he wishes he'd cleaned his chain the night before just like I did
7.05am: I was doing my LA impression dancing across Putney Bridge
7.15am: I entered Richmond Park for the first lap. As always my pacing was slightly off and when I began the second anti clockwise lap up the main hill my paced dropped off significantly.
8.12am: I began the 4th lap clockwise. There were a number of slower cyclists plodding up the main drag and I ticked them off one by one. At the top I caught a lone roadie and he stuck it out with me up on the steep climb. We took a couple of turns each but I finally pulled away from him on the descent
8.45am: I left the Richmond Park area and heading back to where I had been was elite rider Warrick Spence Feeling quite fatigued I nodded; with a confident smile he nodded back coolly.
9.45: after a trip to Tesco's to pick up some lunchtime goodies I arrived back at Stephs...
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Spotlight on...John Heaton Armstrong
Name
John Heaton-Armstrong
Who do you race for?
Fit-For/Cycles Dauphin
What type of races do you do?
Road Races
Where do you race?
Mainly the South of England, but also going to Belgium, Italy and France this year. Considering Wales...
Like anyone, my training varies a fair bit throughout the year. Most winter training rides are between 3-6hrs, with a number of intervals thrown in. As the season begins and progress, the volume goes down and the quality becomes the focus.
I like nothing better than a long ride around the Hampshire countryside. I normally ride with one or two friends, and we'll do a hard hour towards the end of the ride, before stopping for a coffee, then spinning home.
What are your Goals for this year?
Win races! Support my team and get it running well and smoothly, and enjoy being on the bike. Improving in body and mind is always important.
What have been your best races so far?
It is rare that I don't enjoy a race, but those that stand out for me are those where I've worked very hard, regardless of the result. For me, getting a one/two with my teammate Andy Davies in an SERRL race (after an 80km break) stands out. This may sound a little strange, but I find the whole day of going to a race enjoyable - working really hard, seeing friends, chat after the race - it all contributes.
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Arsenal - Ascot - Arsenal
This week I decided to commute to a sign language course being held on Tuesday and Wednesday at our head office in Ascot. With racing days fast approaching the chance to rack up 160 miles across two days was something even an anti-mile muncher like myself just had to take. The clement weather obviously helped to seal the deal so I got going at 6.20am on days and returned around 7pm.
Riding at 21mph-24mph on the A30 in heavy traffic isn't something I'd really recommend; indeed coupled with a big heavy ruck sac I can feel the evidence of my toils on my right shoulder this morning. Yesterday night after arriving back into town a dude on a fixie blasted past me just at the approach near Regent's Park. Now there's nothing wrong with this behaviour in principle even if it is on my home patch. However such blatant demonstrations of speed must never be tolerated from individuals who choose to cycle in annoying luminous green jackets.
Now of course jumping on some one's wheel feels a bit like cheating sometimes. The fact that he was spinning away at 120rpms's and panting like a greyhound meant it felt like blatant robbery. lol!!! Chapeau to the guy he carried the ferocious intensity up Camden Road and then stuck to my wheel when I finely decided that I'd taken enough of an advantage of his athleticism. I finally dispatched him on Seven Sister Road before turning off at Finsbury Park station towards Arsenal.
Riding at 21mph-24mph on the A30 in heavy traffic isn't something I'd really recommend; indeed coupled with a big heavy ruck sac I can feel the evidence of my toils on my right shoulder this morning. Yesterday night after arriving back into town a dude on a fixie blasted past me just at the approach near Regent's Park. Now there's nothing wrong with this behaviour in principle even if it is on my home patch. However such blatant demonstrations of speed must never be tolerated from individuals who choose to cycle in annoying luminous green jackets.
Now of course jumping on some one's wheel feels a bit like cheating sometimes. The fact that he was spinning away at 120rpms's and panting like a greyhound meant it felt like blatant robbery. lol!!! Chapeau to the guy he carried the ferocious intensity up Camden Road and then stuck to my wheel when I finely decided that I'd taken enough of an advantage of his athleticism. I finally dispatched him on Seven Sister Road before turning off at Finsbury Park station towards Arsenal.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Riding in Essex
ACC's Keith Lea called it just about right. I was a little concerned about my enforced three and a half weeks off the bike back in late December early Jan. Keith suggested it should take a month to get most of my fitness back and I'd say he was just about right. So when Mr Phil Sheehan suggested a visit to Essex last Sunday for a 4 hour ride it was a chance to test my condition against a good 2nd cat. We got going from Manor House station and rode briskly towards Enfield where we met up with Adam Tranter who is now a journalist/photographer, but used to race as a Junior back in 2007 for the Merlin Development Squad. I had an idea that Phil was riding quite strongly so expected quite a feisty ride. I had know idea what shape Adam would be in but when I heard he's put on a little weight and hadn't ridden much I can't lie :-) :-) :-).
Phil led us up towards Epping forest and as I predicted jumped away on the first and most significant climb of the day. I kept things in slow burner mode an hung back with Adam. Once we'd left Epping forest Phil's Garmin navigated the rest of the our mini Tour of Essex. Having played things safe behind Phil's wheel for most of the ride in the last ninety mins I began to push things on the climbs. Myself and Phil had to hold back a little so we didn't drop and indeed loose Adam all together. Eventually with Phil's 12.30pm deadline approaching we headed back through Barnet and pushed things Team TT style (well me an Phil did;-))all the way. A good testing ride, Phil especially was quite impressive
Phil led us up towards Epping forest and as I predicted jumped away on the first and most significant climb of the day. I kept things in slow burner mode an hung back with Adam. Once we'd left Epping forest Phil's Garmin navigated the rest of the our mini Tour of Essex. Having played things safe behind Phil's wheel for most of the ride in the last ninety mins I began to push things on the climbs. Myself and Phil had to hold back a little so we didn't drop and indeed loose Adam all together. Eventually with Phil's 12.30pm deadline approaching we headed back through Barnet and pushed things Team TT style (well me an Phil did;-))all the way. A good testing ride, Phil especially was quite impressive
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