Cycling News
October 2006
Over 12 hours into the day already and its 6.45pm as I
commence the climb from the hamlet of La Vega Riosa .....
Read the full report of the Cycling Challenge - click here
September 3 only 2 days to go
Well it should be only 2 days to go but its now 3 ?
Reason being that Easyjet have cancelled the flight
out now Brian and I will fly out Wednesday instead.
Unfortunately due to commitments we still have to
fly back on Thursday afternoon which is a shame.
However that is the least of my worries as an upset
stomach and a bout of diarrhea put pay to my final
serious training session prior to the big challenge.
I feel weak and very tender but just hoping that
the final 48 hours will give me enough recovery time.
What else can go wrong before were due to leave ?
August 13 only 3 weeks to go
Looking OK entering the final month of preparations.
Yesterday drove up to Castleton in North Derbyshire
for more on the mighty mile climb up Winnetts Pass.
Whilst a 20% incline does not sound totally crippling
there's no respite and gets tougher the higher you go.
This baby is twice as hard as Sutton Bank which is 25%
Today I pledged to climb it three times in succession.
First time from Castleton to warm up and by the steep
last 300 yards I'm sweating a lot despite cold weather
at 9.30 and breathing heavily but I make it to the top.
Turn round at the grid and down to the bottom grid
and up we go again dropping down a gear this time
and surprisingly its a seems little easier breathing.
Third climb I drop down to the bottom crawler gear
and it's no problem at all and I feel good at the top.
Good session of climbing and a vital lesson learnt
to warm up properly which I clearly did not do.
But hey - hat trick on Winnetts ain't bad !!!
July 23 only 6 weeks to go
Past fortnight has again been pretty good
apart from a mishap last Thursday night.
Whilst on an attempt of my usual route of
hills around the Crich area I had a nasty fall.
A left hand bend on a narrow remote road
was totally covered in dust and loose stone
which when encountered, the front wheel slid
away and I hit the road on my elbow and hip.
Result was a very bloody arm and bruising
but after a minute to recover I remounted
and completed a very good 2 hour session
on climbing on a very warm summer evening.
Congratulations to Floyd Landis and Phonak team
on winning The Tour De France this weekend.
However I cant help feeling it was a bit tame
after this years Giro D'Italia in late May/ June.
Sadly the scourge of drugs tainted the event again
July 9 only 8 weeks to go
Pretty good training week was concluded
I thought ! on Saturday night with a visit
to my regular venue of Crich in Derbyshire.
I love these hills and Holly Lane is a toughie
which my old mate Martin and I start with
and round a few more culminating with a
17% beauty into and though Holloway village.
After 1 hour 45 mins of climbs and descents,
surprisingly, I still feel really good and strong.
however just as I begin to descend on the way
back to our original starting point at Bulls Bridge.
Bang I hit a pot hole and the Kevlar band tyre
on the front goes down flat as a pancake.
It was a 5 mile walk back pushing the bike
(yes I know you should have an inner tube)
and you've guessed it - down came the rain.
It was another 1 hour 15 mins of walking
making a 3 hour training session in total
and I didn't feel so great by the end of it !
July 2 only 9 weeks to go
Decided to drive up to the Yorkshire Moors
for a testing double header of steep climbs.
Sutton Bank on the A170 Scarborough Road
was first on the agenda with a gradient of 25%.
Surprisingly this proved to be relatively comfortable
with my new Cannondale bike's low gearing proving
a wise investment and providing less need for strain.
As one would expect on a main holiday route road,
the odd idiot driving a car gave cause for concern.
Whilst 25% incline sounds very impressive - in reality
this was a breeze compared to Winnetts Pass as it
has respite areas and doesn't grind you relentlessly.
Now for the big one just 20 miles down the road.
Rosedale Chimney Bank whilst only 1,390 metres,
it has a worrying gradient of a mind blowing 33%.
Having read about the notorious 2 hairpin bends
that beats many a good cyclist I tentatively start
and climb such steepness that I have never seen
on any road in England or indeed anywhere else.
Not surprisingly there are few vehicles using the road
which helps me to concentrate on the job in hand.
Up and up around the first hairpin which is crippling.
Soon after the second one bends the opposite way
and whilst I'm sweating and puffing so far so good.
Well over half way and I feel I'm sure to crack this,
when for a split second I must have lost concentration
and slightly leant a little more upright (not backwards)
resulting in the bikes front wheel lifting off the ground.
Sadly my natural split second reaction saw me panic
and regrettably have to put a toe down on the tarmac.
Motionless and distraught with total disappointment,
I stand and ponder the possibilities for about a minute.
Conclusion of thoughts are no way I'm not getting up this.
Thankfully after a slightly sideways move I get going again.
Obviously concentration is now intense on leaning forward.
I want to get out the saddle but dare not on such an incline.
At the top onlookers smile and shout "well done" to me.
Whilst appreciated it is scant consolation after a stop.
Although I pedalled every inch up this brutal climb,
a toe down is a failure as far as I am concerned.
What was almost an incredible day - is now a good day.
At the top a sign declares - cyclists please dismount,
obviously considered to steep to even ride down.
I do ride down it, all be it very very cautiously
and gather my thoughts on the days events.
Conclusion is - a big step forward -
but you aint that good yet !
June 2006
After a winter using the training bike in the gym
back out on the road again now with a real bike.
If they call Jose Enrique Gutierrez "El Buffle"
which is "The Buffalo" as he weighs 78 kilos.
What does that make me at 88 kilos ?
No answers necessary thank you.
Dieting and pledged to drop 3k - 7lbs.
Did Derbyshire's Winnets Pass yesterday.
At 20% its not as steep as The Angliru
but its a very tough mile without respite
and at 80 degrees was a good work out.
Immediate repeat attempt proved too ambitious !
February 2006
So far there are just 2 of us making the trip to Northern Spain.
Myself and Brian Haywood who I did The Ventoux with in 2005
As the campaign gears up and season starts this will increase.
We seek an event manager to help handle various aspects like
sponsorship and other important non riding duties of the event.
January 2006
Looking for Team Members and Sponsors
News of this year cycling challenge in L'Agiliru in North Spain, will appear here. We are currently looking for cyclists and sponsors.
TV Interview for Central News
The interview was broadcasted on Central News on 7th July 2004
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Click here for more photos from the interview.
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