With apologies to Clare for blatant plagarism in the heading! But today was the return to the New Forest. What was most encouraging was that, after a few weeks concentrating on the Purbeck hills, this ride didn't seem too difficult.
The route was out via Burley, tackling the steepest hill from Ringwood. Then on to Brockenhurst, across Rhinefield, over the A35 and up Ornamental Drive to Bolderwood. This was the hardest section, into the wind and up the hill. The first part is about medium on the steepness scale for about 1.5 miles.
Then it is a gentle uphill, but that goes on for another 3 miles until the descent into Ringwood, past the Alice Lisle pub. 55 miles altogether by the time I got home. Only little worry is that the knee started to protest after I got off the bike. Hope its OK by the morning.
5 days to go!
Ahem...I was just thinking that when I read your kind reference to me!
ReplyDeleteHow's the knee this morning? It sounds like you've really been putting it to the test lately.
I'm becoming slightly worried ahead of Friday, as whilst you have been building it up, my training (as I've said before) has been going in the opposite direction. Indeed yesterday's mere 50km ride on the flat wasn't easy and still took 2hr20 - hardly anything more than leisurely.
You will be fine! I'm sure that what you have already done will be enough and with the added effects of being in a group, it will you will sail through. At the briefing session, there were people who had done nothing at all - I think they might struggle, but you have put in a huge amount and I think a slackening off is probably the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThe knee is much better this morning. I think that it was because I haven't done too much over the last couple of weeks. Just hope it lasts out next weekend. It was OK until I got off the bike and then it registered as bing pretty sore.
See you Thursday!