Let's hope this weather goes on a bit longer. While my wife complains she needs rain for the garden, I'm pretty happy with how it is. Got out at about 7:30 am and spent 4 hours 35 mins going round the New Forest. Some roads I've not been along before and a couple of hills I didn't know existed. Numerous ponies, of course, wandering around as if they own the place, which they do, really. A herd of cows sheltering from the sun under the bridge where the A31 goes across the road I was on. So plenty of sun and plenty of shade as well. Just about every cyclist in Bournemouth had the same idea as I had, but not too many around until about 10:00 am.So after three bottle of water and 3 cereal bars (OK, one of them said 'Mars' on the outside), 70 miles completed in 4 hours 16 mins cycling time. I'm paying the penalty this afternoon with a lot of soreness in the dodgy knee, but that should settle down over night. An excellent week, 227 miles. Next week will be a lot less. Primera will take some more money from me on Thursday - the bike needs a service as I've done 1900 miles since Easter and next Saturday is the briefing session for the ride in September.
That is a much better start to the week. 43 miles between the morning and evening, again doing the round trip to Sandbanks. Had to get a new mileage device on Saturday and it has a calories burned indicator. So I can now see that I have well and truly burned off the mars bar that I had during the ride. This could be a useful device. At least I can be sure it is recording all the miles as well.
Well, we all have to have a time off every so often. Only 130 miles because of other commitments. Another visit to a MNDA event today so not able to do the usual Saturday morning run. I'm hoping to make up for it this coming week with a target of at least 200 miles. At least the weather forecast looks encouraging. The question is whether it will be the New Forest or the Purbecks next Saturday.
And it did my Primera the chance to relieve me of some more money (helmet, inner tubes, Cateye mileage device etc.).
That was tough. As far as Swanage is fine, but going westwards up to Langton Matravers, the hill seems to go on a long time. The views from the top are pretty good though and I found myself looking down on Corfe Castle. That was rather satisfying. There was one hill I was very glad to be going down after that, but I suppose I'll have to tackle it the other way in a couple of weeks time.
So only 41 miles, but I lost 35 minutes at the ferry while it waited for the Cherburg departure and a cargo ship to come in. Must have been 15 cyclists on the ferry which again proves that cyclists get up early.
Much nicer than dodging the roadworks. Managed to get out fairly early and completed 64 miles in the New Forest, 3hours 44 minutes of cycling time. There were scores of ponies from the top of the hill at Bransgore onwards. I missed the turning that I wanted in Burley and ended up in Brockenhurst, but when you are surrounded by the wonderful countryside of the forest, it doesn't matter too much what routes you take.I caught up with a group of three out for their training and they were going slowly so I went past them. This obviously woke them up and they went past me and into the distance. I'd done 45 miles by then, so wasn't too bothered.And if you measure 64 miles in km, it is just over 100. So I'm feeling pretty pleased, if a little aching in the left knee.
Another 50 miles on and there's the puncture. I'm glad I found it this evening as I'm hoping to get out early tomorrow morning!
Does anyone know how to do more than 3 miles in Bournemouth without finding roadworks? All set to make best use of the lovely evening and found myself in queues of traffic. So altered the plans and went round some of the less attractive parts of Bournemouth and Poole. Still took in Sandbanks, going past the Haven Hotel, but got there just as the ferry disgorged about 100 cars and a group of cyclists out for a Sunday afternoon stroll. I think the moral is that early mornings are the best times for training. Still clocked up 33 miles though, to go with the 19 in the morning.
It's just occurred to me that it's been 1300 miles since the last puncture (just after Easter). I'm going to check that I've got a spare tyre with me tomorrow ...
