60 mins on the Turbo

60 minutes on the turbo for me straight from work tonight. Can't wait for light nights so that I can get out on the road after work. 

60 Minutes of Fight Club @thesufferfest at 81rpm average, max 128rpm

Suffering in the Moors!

Certainly was cold up on the Moors today! After driving through to Middlesbrough to meet James we left the Rudds Arms in Marton @ 9.00am and headed out for Great Ayton.

Route: Marton - Great Ayton - kildale - Commondale - Castleton - Houlsyke - Fryup - Castleton - Kildale - Great Ayton - Marton
Activity: Cycle
Shortened Google Maps URL: http://j.mp/dHeMtw
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/57ff/6606/4b6c/b05a/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20110220-0846.kml
Started: 20 Feb 2011 08:46:56
Ride Time: 3:13:40
Distance: 43.55 miles
Average: 13.49 miles/h
Fastest Speed: 34.85 miles/h
Ascent: 2200 feet
Descent: 2268 feet

The ride started well nice, quick and easy out to Greaton Ayton, out through Little Ayton on onto Easby. This is were we said goodbye to nice, quick and easy for the rest of the day! We turned left and started the slow long drag up towards Kildale up and down. As we cycled through Kildale I explained to James about the first Climb out to Commondale that I had experience from the week before, 'it's a monster, try to carry some speed into it off the decline but be cafeful of the sharp left hand turn just before the climb.'

So over the cattle grid we went and and into the sharp left hand turn and immediately began the climb. I sat up in the saddle and begun to tap out a steady rhythm. I could tell that James obviously wasn't feeling himself as he would usually be leading me up the climb. Instead he was trailing behind zig zagging across the road to get up. At this point James declared he must stop as he was feeling sick! I shouted back that I would continue on to the top as I didn't want to stop on the climb.

I reached the top and grabbed a quick drink whilst waiting for James to play catch up. A little time passed and I wondered if I should make my way back down to check on James. Just as I was mulling this over James appeared over the brow of the hill looking exhausted. He explained that he had actually just through up the Jaffa Cakes that he tried to squeeze down just before the climb. He told me he had not had any breakfast and I pre-warned him of the energy that was going to be required to get over some of the climbs today! Bad Mistake! James was looking and feeling terrible.

After a couple of minutes catch up we had a steady descent down towards Raven Gill campsite were James took a breather before the next climb out onto Commondale.

James taking a well earned rest after suffering on the climb up to Commondale.

This set the scene for the rest of the Morning, James wasn't feeling well at all but soldiered on. He suffered up every climb but got there eventually without giving up. Myslef on the other hand, I was feeling quite good again. I was attacking on the Climbs and getting up and over them feeling quite good. Half way round though the route we had planned showed that we should head up a long climb to Rosedale and onto the ridge of Westerdale. The sight of this climb made us both feel sick. Due to the way James was feeling we decided best to opt out and divert the route back to Danby and out to Castleton.  

We stopped in Castleton on the return leg and refulled in the local shop. I took this chance to capture some pictures of the bikes outside the local pub.

We headed out of Castleton towards Westerdale in hope of an easier route back to Kildale. I promised James that it would be the last of the big climbs and that it would be a nice easy descent back to Kildale.

How wrong I was to be proved.

After descending from Castleton we were faced with a long steady drag up towards Baysdale and then a turn off back towards Kildale followed by a quick descent back into Kildale. After the last sharpe incline we were on route for home.

Jmaes starting his last climb of the day back up to Kildale, nearly there!

We picked up the tempo with James on my wheel and made quick work of Easby - Little Ayton & Great Ayton before arriving back in Marton. James continued on home to suffer quietly while I turned into the Rudds Arms, loaded the bike back on the car and off home.

Really enjoyed this again except for the freezing weather. Same can't be said for James unfortunately who really did suffer all the way round! I'm sure he'll be back fighting fit next week with me suffering on the back.

Another thoroughly enjoyable ride in the Moors.

Bring on the Captain Cook Challenge in 2 weeks, I'm ready for you!



A Morning in the Moors!

After last weeks successful outing with @jamesg747 and @benauty it was decided that this week we should up things a little further and hit the North York Moors this Saturday. I took charge again and decided to plan a route. I had a look at The Captain Cook Challenge Sportive that is coming up in March and decided that as we are think about taking part in this we should have a look at that route. So it was planned that myself and Ben would drive through to Acklam in Middlesbrough and meet James for 9.00am before heading for Greaton Ayton and picking up the route of the new Sportive. So we were all set and just waiting for saturday to arrive. After checking the weather forecast in the middle of the week it was said that Saturday should be a cracking day! Lovely Sunshine! Great Stuff. 

Unfortunately later in the week James realised he wasn't able to make it so it was to be just myself and Ben.  No problem we will still have a crack at it I though.

Saturday Am:

I wake up to realise that the glorious day that I had been promised hadn't arrived! Instead lots of rain, dark and gloomy is what greeted me. I started to wonder weather I should just cancel and what would be going through @BenAuty 's mind, would he want to still go out in this. Decided to go for it, up, dressed, bike in car, I was ready! Soon had Ben's bike in the car as well and we were off through to Middlesbrough. It was decided that because of the dreadful weather we would start a little closer to the moors, Great Ayton. 

So we parked up, threw the bikes together and we were off. 

Heading out of Great Ayton past Suggits we soon realised that there was going to be no piggy backing on wheels today due to the water laying on the roads, the constant spray made it very difficult to follow a wheel. 

 I had pre warned Ben that although I had planned the route I was a little unsure of exact directions, So we would be following signs for were I knew we had to head, village by village. I thought this shouldn't be a problem and I knew roughly which direction we should be heading for. 

We make quick work of exiting Great Ayton and onto Easby before the road started to kick up gently for the first time towards Kildale. There wasn't much to worry about here and Ben and myself were passing Kildale Rail Railway before we knew it. 

A nice decent was next on the cards heading for the cattle grid before looking up to see the first monster of the day directly in front of us. I flew ahead over the cattle grid deciding that I wanted to carry as much speed into the start of the climb as possible! Bad idea, I approached the first hairpin bend too fast and nearly over cooked it leaving the road at the other side. After pondering what could of happened I got on with job in hand a commenced the 1 in 4 climb up onto Commondale. Ben had opted to slow for the cattle grid and was a little further back at this point. Climbing has never been my strong point but I made light work of it reaching the top through the last hairpin right and onto a relatively flat plateau at the top.

 I took a break at the top to capture a few pictures and wait for Ben to reach the summit. 

It soon became apparent as I looked back that @BenAuty must of had some difficulty he was off the bike pushing. As he reached me he explained that after having to zig zag across the road to get up he got stuck on the camber and came off. This then made it extremely difficult to get momentum back up to finish his ascent. After examining his bike first then himself there was no damage so we could continue on. Conversation turned to how difficult Ben found the climb and it was like nothing he has ever done before. I think he was starting to wonder what he had let himself in for. 

This ascent as usual was followed by quite a quick decent along Brick Row and on towards Raven Gill campsite. Ben's heart then sunk as I pointed out that Sandhill Bank was lurking in the distance. Again I carried as much speed into the climb as I could, working my way through the gears before reaching the final cog and settling into my rhythm for the climb. I managed to stay seated most of the way up before jumping out the seat for the last push over the top. I gave myself a little smile as I realised that I was climbing very well, better than I have done before. (Must be those couple of excess pounds I have been trying to shift, almost at my racing weight! not) 

Once again I took the time at the top to capture a few pictures. 

 It wasn't long before Ben was appearing over the top of the climb although unfortunately it had beaten him again. He was off the bike again having to push over the last few metres. I could seen Ben's spirits were low although he still managed a thumbs up for the pic!

 I explained to Ben that I knew exactly how he was feeling there is nothing more demoralising than having to push you bike up a climb feeling beaten and in pain. I had been there on a couple of occasions last year, my first time in the Dales. I tried to lift Ben's spirits by explaining that he was doing well to be attempting such climbs, after all today was still his second longest ride ever after last week!

We jumped back on our trusty rides and off again a nice little decent over Commondale giving the legs a little deserved rest. We motored on turning right at the 'T' junction and a fast section towards Castleton. As we approached Castleton we were faced with a very steep decent, we took no chances in the wet conditions and stayed on the brakes most of the way down through Castleton. Climbing slightly again and we reached the village centre. For the first time I began to question which way we should be heading next, I couldn't quite remember the route of the Captain Cook 50. I pulled my Iphone out the back pocket and loaded up my maps, unfortunately I was faced with no data signal in the Moors, I would have to use memory and my fantastic sense of direction :-). I soon remembered the name Danby, this is were we must head to next. So we took a left at the top and a little decent down before a sharp last minute right to begin another short climb out the other side of Castleton.
We made light work of reaching Danby, soon through and out the other side, flying past The Moors National Park Centre. At this point I started to think we may be a little lost and I was worrying that I did no longer know where we should be heading. On through Houlskye another name I thought I recognised so I announced that we must be heading the correct way.
We powered on through and saw a sign for Leaholm this must be right. We climbed through the village and up to the cross roads. Again I decided to check my Iphone to confirm that we were on the right track but again no luck! All this did was make me feel more unsure of were to head for next. A local rambler passed and must of seen the look of confusion on my face as he asked were we were heading. I told him we wanted to loop back round towards Kildale. this was met with a little confusion as he announced that we would be better off heading back the way we came! Not what I wanted to here that would mean doing the monster climbs and descents in reverse! No. In my ignorance I told Ben that we would carry on towards a sign I saw for Fryup this seemed right! This seen right until I seen the next sign, stating that we were heading for Rosedale! I did not want to be heading for Rosedale! Although I was feeling good I was not feeling up to conquering the 10/10 1 in 3 Rosedale Chimney just yet. I also thought that the Chimney would definitely break Ben today. This thought made me take a quick right round the back of Leaholm and heading back towards Fryupdale and Danby.

This again was a quick section on not the best of roads. (lots of pot holes) We then faced another decision to make, do we head up what seemed like another beast of a climb towards Fryupdale or head directly back the way we came towards Danby, Castleton etc. The steepness of the climb towards Fryup made our mind up! Lets see how we manage retracing our steps. So we powered on towards Danby and through into Castleton, turning right in the village centre and down the outskirts of Castleton before starting the climb back up to Commondale.

I think we both forgot about the long steep decent we had done into Castleton earlier that now turned into a long long steep climb out towards Commondale.
It didn't appear that long, so now knowing where we were heading I jumped out the saddle and powered up the steep section staying out the saddle all the way. I thought I had reached the top before the road turned right and continued up into the distance on and over Commondale. I got myself in the zone and found my rhythm, sitting back down and spinning up towards the turning left for Kildale. Ben was not far behind, he was now finding his own rhythm on the climbs, ascending at his own pace and proving to himself that he could do it! Well done mate. We reached the turning for Kildale this meant two last climbs of the day the opposite side of the climbs that Ben found difficult earlier in the day. Down we went on the brakes again past Raven Gill campsite before climbing up, another long slog along Brick Row. We lifted the tempo and descended again before the last big climb of the day just before Commondale. After riding on ahead again I stopped to wait for Ben and took this opportunity to capture the last shots of the day, picturing the first great climb up towards Commondale.

With only about 8 mile left we got our heads down and raised the tempo and made light work of it. Typically the sun began to shine as we arrived back in Great Ayton. 

Great morning out. The Moors is definitely one of the best places to get out on the bike. Fantastic descents, leg breaking sharp ascents & long tedious climbs that test everyones mental state. 

I am yet to find out exactly were we went wrong with regards to following the original planned route but I will have a look for next week.

Great training today I now feel like I am ready for anything. Fantastic first effort @BenAuty , look forward to doing it again next week with @jamesg747 in tow. 

Bring on the Captain Cook Challenge and Rosedale Chimney! :-)

Stats:

Route: Great Ayton - Kildale - Commondale - Castleton - Danby - Leaholm & Return.
Activity: Cycle
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/57ff/6606/4b6c/b05a/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20110212-0907.kml
Shortened Google Maps URL: http://j.mp/ih3YeB
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/57ff/6606/4b6c/b05a/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20110212-0907.kml
Started: 12 Feb 2011 09:07:42
Ride Time: 2:45:31
Stopped Time: 28:36
Distance: 35.53 miles
Average: 12.88 miles/h
Fastest Speed: 29.95 miles/h
Ascent: 2227 feet
Descent: 2282 feet
Calories: 0
Official: Yes

You may also want to check out @BenAuty 's blog for his account of today's ride. May be from a different perspective. http://benauty-l2p.blogspot.com

training tomorrow

No training for me (James) tomorrow but Adam is out with @benauty and doing the route as planned. The Moors, plenty of hills and decents!! watch this space for the blog tomorrow!!

Gutted I am missing out!!

leg session

Leg session 7/2/11:

Warm up: 10min cycle on the spinner

Lunges x 4 sets of 10

Squats x 4 sets of 8

Triple extensions x 5 sets of 5

Hamstring curls x 3 sets of 10 (only because I have weak hamstrings, physio, suggestion)

Jump squats x 3 sets of 10

Extras:

Shoulder presses stood up x 3 sets of 8

Chest presses x 3 sets of 10

Reverse rows x 3 sets of 8

In addition, managed to split my shorts during the triple extensions!! nightmare!!

Killer leg session for the 1st one of the season and have a feeling I will be suffering all week!!

Ben Auty - London 2 Paris 2011: My first long distance training ride

@BenAuty blog about our ride yesterday. Very entertaining read, check it out.

Ben Auty - London 2 Paris 2011: My first long distance training ride: "It was always in the pipeline that I was going to have to get out on the bike and ride further than my previous furthest distance. The Londo..."

1st 100km of the year!!

Our second training session together saw us meet the first 100km of the year. Adam and I gained a new member of our training team, Ben Auty. Welcome to the team mate.

As usual we arranged to meet at Wynyard Cricket Club (Adam and Ben cycling from Hartlepool, me from Middlesbrough), however shortly before meeting up I suffered the first puncture of the day in Billingham. Neither Adam or I had packed any spares and it took Ben to come to our rescue!! Valuable lessons learnt!!

After mending the puncture we set off towards Bishopton and Ben had his first taste of a climb on the run up to Carlton were we past a couple of fellow cyclists. Once through Bishopton Adam arranged for us to turn right and head towards Sedgefield however these roads were new to us and ended up with a couple of wrong turns.

Once back on track we headed towards Sadberge, under the a66 towards Middleton St George. Think the wind was behind us on this stretch as we virtually flew towards Hurworth. No additional trouble with the bikes and things were going well. Through Hurworth and towards Croft we decided to look for a coffee stop at around 35miles. Raffles Restaurant at The Croft Hotel were very welcoming.

After the stop we headed out towards Northallerton but took a sharp left and headed towards Worsall and Yarm. By now we were starting to feel the burn but at least our feet weren't cold. This is by far the longest Ben had ever been and although fatigued he was doing well.

After a right turn towards Yarm High Street and battling the traffic we headed out through Eaglescliffe towards the outskirts of Stockton and Darlington Back Lane, were I managed to snap a couple of pics whilst riding (not recommended if you value your phone). Once on the outskirts of Stockton we took a right and headed back towards Carlton were ever slight uphill started to send the exercise burn through our legs.

Last climb was up towards Wynyard Hall. Steep and short we all gritted our teeth and powered up as we knew the end was nigh!! We departed again at Wynyard Cricket Club and Adam and Ben traveled down the A689 towards Hartlepool and I headed back to Middlesbrough via Billingham.

Around 1km from home I ended up with my 2nd puncture of the day and ended with my walking the rest of the journey home in my socks and cycling shoes in hand!!

Not the best end to a great days cycling but what a day!!! Next week I think we should be heading into the moors to tackle some killer climbs!!

Training

An hour on the turbo trainer for me after work tonight, almost killed me. Did the Fight Club video from @TheSufferfest extremely hard work. http://www.thesufferfest.com Training aids to play on your Ipod, iphone, Computer or DVD. Great motivational tool for a quick workout.