The Dean and Poor Student - DONE

Was it hot!!

The Dean is the most beautiful ride. The Cotswolds, Forest of Dean and Malborough Hills. I didn't appreciate the Malborough/Wiltshire region before, but it is stunning and wonderful to ride (on a couple of occasions walk!) through. A horrible climb, but coming up to Pewsey Hill with the chalk white horse is impressive. Wiltshire is known for the chalk white horses (not just Uffington): Wilthsire White Horses .

Coming out of Shipton, I saw a barn owl, which then flew alongside me for quite a while. Lovely! In the Forest of Dean, I saw a group of wild pigs. Heard them first, so I was on the lookout.

Both rides were absolutely beautiful in this weather. It was the third time I've done the Poor Student this year, and the best.

I did the Dean in under 18 hours and the Poor Student in under 12 hours. How consistent: 6 hours per 100km, which includes breaks. What I learnt this time is what challenges hot weather brings. I used wet wipes to freshen up every now and again, bought water at every opportunity, but I got sweat rashes in allsorts of areas and don't know what to do about that! It also takes some time to get ready in the morning, I should allow 30 mins. Eating takes time!

The YHA was also a good way to simulate disturbed LEL sleeping. Since it was so hot, the window of the dorm was left open so we could hear the traffic, the trains and the road works (or was I dreaming that?).

I am encouraged by this for LEL. I'm beginning to believe that I'll do better than my planned worse case scenario ... but I'll stick with that plan. Anything better will be a bonus. I'm imagining if I had to do both days all over again - but I'd probably walk the steepest hills, and that's OK.

Only three weekends to go. The thought of that makes me nervous. What kind of training is left to do? I have nothing planned except not do any night riding, no more coffee, no more alcohol ... That seems like a lot of doing nothing!

Quite a short ride report for such a two-day effort!

The Dean 300 and the Poor Student 200 Routes

Here is the Dean 300 route, double click to enlarge.


And the Poor Student 200 route.

Both maps from bikely.com

The Deans 300 and the Poor Student 200 PERMS

Next Sunday/Monday will be my last big push before LEL. I am going to similate day 3 and 4, and ride a very hilly 300 (3900m climbing compared with 3467m LEL climbing on day 3) followed by a 200 (2000m climbing compared with 1190m LEL climbing on day 4). Its almost like a 600, but with some sleep in between (I hope!).

I can get the train to Oxford on Saturday evening and stay in the youth hostel. On Sunday I'll start riding at 4:45 and set off again the following day at 7:20. Good luck to my room mates!

I've been given a wonderful cycling book written by the one and only Eddy Merckx (thank you meim!) where I saw the ergo handlebars I now want! Lets see if Prologue Cycling can help me out - just need to find time to get to the shop. You'll read LEL advise, and its all about minimising discomfort. Hands and feet take their toll. For my feet I'm going to revert to my racing shoes, and for my hands .... extra tape or maybe an ergo bar (please be in stock!).

Super Randonneur!

LEL Start

Yesterday, I rode the first 100km of LEL and back. Couldn't resist taking this picture of course. The first stop at Gamlingay is on Stocks Lane.

If the weather on LEL is going to be like yesterday, it will be perfect: slightly overcast with the sun coming through every now and again.

It was a really good trial run. Having got used to reading the routesheet, which is in a different format from other Audaxes, will be helpful. I am now going to spend time reformatting the pages: add alternate row shading, highlight 'immediate left/rights', highlight '1st exit at second roundabout'.... all the things which catch you out when you get tired (or even not so tired!). Having been at the Lea Valley Youth Hostel and ridden the first 100km will help to settle my nerves on the day.

I was able to do this trial run with the help of our ex-neighbours, the Nesbitts, who have moved to Barnet, East London. I stayed with them on the Friday and set off early on Saturday. Ali has offered to take me to the LEL start and even pick me up from the end. That is such a wonderful offer!! And will make a world of difference.

Do you remember the Bryan Chapman Memorial ride report BCM Ride Report, where I wrote about an angel who tapped me on the arm and said he was going to make sure I'd make it to the end? This person is known to the Nesbitts because he was their architect for their house conversion. Now I can't wait to see Mel again and have a good natter with him.

LEL Riders

Interesting post on the LEL website, giving a breakdown of riders per country:

STOP PRESS: Target reached for Bfd! Keep giving!

Thank you to all my supporters who donated towards Bees for Development. The target of £1400 was reached in June with still six weeks to go.

To set a target of £1400 was very ambitious I thought at the time. But £1 per km is something that struck a chord in me and couldn't let it go. I am absolutely amazed that the target has been reached already and donations are still coming in.

Its all left for me to do on 26th July!

Thank you so much!

The Summer Warmer 200

Quick update (sorry no pictures this time).

Seems a long time ago since I did the Bryan Chapman Memorial ride. Its time to get back in the routine of weekend Audaxing.

This weekend was a 200km ride in Buckinghamshire, starting in Great Kingshill. My aim was to ride out of my comfort zone as much as possible.

I averaged 21.6km/hr. I'm very happy with that, because my LEL calculations are based on 20km/hr. It took 9:45 hours to cycle 230km (excluding stops).

It was a wonderfully sunny day, with a great route, going out to the Guildord/Hazelmere area.

Next Saturday, I'll be cycling the start and end of LEL. I'll go out from about 7AM for 6 hours and then return. It will be interesting to see what distance I cover. On the Sunday, I'll do a repeat for the three Richmond Park laps, which I did last Saturday and aim to beat my time (too bad to publish!).

Hill Climbing in Spain

I took the opportunity to do some cycling while on holiday in Andalusia. Hired a bike and selected a route with three dizzling descents (read cruel climbs). Did four days in a row. The first was the hardest because I didn't get the bike till lunchtime, so it was very hot. The second day, I set off earlier, then it was very foggy in the hills. The third day produced the best time and I slept all afternoon. The last day, was my treat day, and I did the route anti-clockwise.





The snapshot below is from a video which you can play by clicking here. Make sure the sound is on.