Along with all the hunners of other folk who start off the new year with great intentions, I took out a 'special deal' on a short-term membership with our local sports centre. I'm still on holiday from work so, to make sure I get my money's worth before the novelty wears off, I went along to two classes this morning.
The last time I was at a 'Body Balance' class was only a few weeks ago - under the heat of the sun, with the waves crashing in the background - in our beloved Club La Santa sports resort in Lanzarote. Today's class was just a tad different - under the glare of the strip lights with the air conditioning buzzing in the background - but I thoroughly enjoyed it all the same. I'm not supposed to do any high impact exercise, so I have to settle for the more placid stretchy sort of class. However, I did still work up a good sweat this morning - even though no burpees, turnsteps or jumping-jacks were involved!
Immediately after having my body balanced, Alex joined me for a 'Velocity Light' spin class. Now, I've only every been to one spin class before and I didn't really like it. I couldn't hear the instructor, I couldn't get to grips with the gear lever and I couldn't keep up with the rest of the class! But, I shouldn't have let one unfortunate experience colour my opinion and I'm glad that I gave spin another go today! I loved the class - a good teacher, loud music but a louder microphone, and a much better grasp of how to get the most out of the spin bike. For me, it doesn't come close to cycling outside, but I'm very much a fair weather cyclist and classes like this should add a wee bit of variety to the monotony of sitting on my turbo trainer at home watching the telly!
So, there we go, the training's kick-started. I guess I should really think about doing the same with a nutrition plan...but there are still a fair few Christmas sweeties in the cupboard to be demolished...yup, one step at a time me-thinks. Don't want to be taking things too seriously after all...
Monday, 4 January 2016
Sunday, 3 January 2016
Looking back and ahead
I used to post fairly regularly, but it's only once in a while now that the notion takes me. So, this might turn out to be my first and last blog post for a while!
Since I last wrote, I've started working part-time with Breast Cancer Care which (ironically) meant I had to pull out of the Women V Cancer Cycle Africa challenge in October. Consequently, I kind of lost my cycling mojo a wee bit and haven't clocked up very many miles. However, the few miles that I have clocked up were bagged in some really lovely places and I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them.
Action for Charity, who organise the Women V Cancer challenges, let me defer my place and I'm now very much looking forward to cycling in Tanzania in June - with the glorious added benefit of learning from the experiences of all of my friends who were there when I should've been there last October! The consensus seems to be that the ride was very much tougher than expected. So, I'm aiming to be as fit as possible before I travel to Africa. I'd like to be well prepared for the heat, the distance, the off-road tracks, the lack of sleep, the big hills and anything else that Tanzania decides to throw at me!
I think I'll try to keep a record of my training exploits here during the course of the next 6 months. Like all best laid plans I might not stick to it and, even if I do, it might not make the most interesting read! I'm not going to get too hung up on the prettiness of the prose! It's more about simply sharing my experiences and thoughts as I go along. My bletherings might be of interest to nobody, but it might give me more of an incentive to keep my training up! That's what I'm hoping.
Having a quick look back at last year, I didn't cycle all that often, but when I did I was usually somewhere lovely and usually having a blast. Alex and I decided to make the very most of our 50th birthday year - no big parties but, plenty of lovely get-togethers and adventures with family and friends, a couple of special holidays, some great weekends away and some fantastic rides in fantastic places.
Last year threw us some not-so-great stuff too, but there usually does tend to be some brutal to go with the brilliant. That's just life, and I guess it's what makes celebrating life all the more essential! And, that's something that I do take pretty seriously!
We started our #HavingFunAtFifty last February (I know, I know...succumbing to the hashtag...) when Alex turned 50 and we intend dragging it out for as long as we possibly can!
I thought I'd jot down my favourite 2015 rides (some short, some tough, some at home, some abroad - but all a whole lot of fun):
March
Grand Canyon South Rim - 9.4 and 12.3 miles
Ventura Pacific Coast - 15.2 miles
Monteray - 11.4 miles
Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito - 18 miles
April
Kippen - 7.6 miles
Bridge of Allan - 25 miles
Kippen - 7.6 miles
May
Glasgow/Bowling canal path - 27.3 miles
Tay Forest/Aberfeldy - 32 miles
Kinbuck - 7.6 miles
Women V Cancer Ride the Night, London - 62.2 miles
June
Birnam/Dunkeld trails - 13.1 miles
Kippen - 8.6 miles
Strathyre/Killin - 32.8 miles
North Third - 14 miles
Round Arran - 59.5 miles
July
Barra - 8.8 and 24 miles
Marlow - 28.2 miles
August
Loch Katrine - 26 miles
Bridge of Allan - 23.5 miles
Coll - 16 miles
Tiree - 14 & 23 miles
December
Lanzarote - 21.4, 27.1, 13.7 & 21.6 miles
Christmas Day at home - 8 miles
Some of my ultra running friends probably ran more miles in a month than I cycled in a year! I definitely need to up the mileage! But, in doing so, I'll be making sure that the pleasure's not taken out of my cycling as I don't ever want it to become a chore.
So, the training kick-starts tomorrow. Come on 2016, let's be having you!
Since I last wrote, I've started working part-time with Breast Cancer Care which (ironically) meant I had to pull out of the Women V Cancer Cycle Africa challenge in October. Consequently, I kind of lost my cycling mojo a wee bit and haven't clocked up very many miles. However, the few miles that I have clocked up were bagged in some really lovely places and I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them.
Action for Charity, who organise the Women V Cancer challenges, let me defer my place and I'm now very much looking forward to cycling in Tanzania in June - with the glorious added benefit of learning from the experiences of all of my friends who were there when I should've been there last October! The consensus seems to be that the ride was very much tougher than expected. So, I'm aiming to be as fit as possible before I travel to Africa. I'd like to be well prepared for the heat, the distance, the off-road tracks, the lack of sleep, the big hills and anything else that Tanzania decides to throw at me!
I think I'll try to keep a record of my training exploits here during the course of the next 6 months. Like all best laid plans I might not stick to it and, even if I do, it might not make the most interesting read! I'm not going to get too hung up on the prettiness of the prose! It's more about simply sharing my experiences and thoughts as I go along. My bletherings might be of interest to nobody, but it might give me more of an incentive to keep my training up! That's what I'm hoping.
Having a quick look back at last year, I didn't cycle all that often, but when I did I was usually somewhere lovely and usually having a blast. Alex and I decided to make the very most of our 50th birthday year - no big parties but, plenty of lovely get-togethers and adventures with family and friends, a couple of special holidays, some great weekends away and some fantastic rides in fantastic places.
Last year threw us some not-so-great stuff too, but there usually does tend to be some brutal to go with the brilliant. That's just life, and I guess it's what makes celebrating life all the more essential! And, that's something that I do take pretty seriously!
We started our #HavingFunAtFifty last February (I know, I know...succumbing to the hashtag...) when Alex turned 50 and we intend dragging it out for as long as we possibly can!
I thought I'd jot down my favourite 2015 rides (some short, some tough, some at home, some abroad - but all a whole lot of fun):
March
Grand Canyon South Rim - 9.4 and 12.3 miles
Ventura Pacific Coast - 15.2 miles
Monteray - 11.4 miles
Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito - 18 miles
April
Kippen - 7.6 miles
Bridge of Allan - 25 miles
Kippen - 7.6 miles
May
Glasgow/Bowling canal path - 27.3 miles
Tay Forest/Aberfeldy - 32 miles
Kinbuck - 7.6 miles
Women V Cancer Ride the Night, London - 62.2 miles
June
Birnam/Dunkeld trails - 13.1 miles
Kippen - 8.6 miles
Strathyre/Killin - 32.8 miles
North Third - 14 miles
Round Arran - 59.5 miles
July
Barra - 8.8 and 24 miles
Marlow - 28.2 miles
August
Loch Katrine - 26 miles
Bridge of Allan - 23.5 miles
Coll - 16 miles
Tiree - 14 & 23 miles
December
Lanzarote - 21.4, 27.1, 13.7 & 21.6 miles
Christmas Day at home - 8 miles
Some of my ultra running friends probably ran more miles in a month than I cycled in a year! I definitely need to up the mileage! But, in doing so, I'll be making sure that the pleasure's not taken out of my cycling as I don't ever want it to become a chore.
So, the training kick-starts tomorrow. Come on 2016, let's be having you!
Saturday, 13 June 2015
More of the unusual
I'm a fair weather cyclist, usually. I don't venture out on my bike when it's raining or windy, usually. But this has been a week for me doing unusual things (cycling on my own, then cycling with someone who wasn't Alex) so I continued the trend today by venturing out with Alex for a 13 mile cycle in the rain.
As is often the case when we're heading out for a cycle on an unknown route, I wasn't sure whether to take the road bike or hybrid, but after a few rides on the hybrid recently I was itching for a wee shot back on my road bike. Decision made, we drove into Stirling and set off from Whins of Milton out New Line Road, past North Third reservoir and up the hill a bit (two years on and I'm still not great with my route descriptions!) This would be a very scenic route in the sunshine...as it was, it was a bit dreary...
...but we did manage to keep smiling all the same...
Most of the time we were fine on the road bikes, but I think the next time I would use my old hybrid. The gravel on the wet roads was a bit dodgy on the downhills, and the bumps and holes were a bit uncomfy all the way (apart from the few stretches of new tarmac - bliss!) However, nothing spoiled the fun and, apart from Alex really feeling the cold on the way back, we had another great ride.
I'm really pleased with my training this week; a fair few miles and trying a few things that are a bit unusual for me. Hopefully all standing me in good stead for Africa where, I'm sure, I'm going to be experiencing plenty of things that are just a tad unusual...
Click here for the map my ride profile of today's cycle.
As is often the case when we're heading out for a cycle on an unknown route, I wasn't sure whether to take the road bike or hybrid, but after a few rides on the hybrid recently I was itching for a wee shot back on my road bike. Decision made, we drove into Stirling and set off from Whins of Milton out New Line Road, past North Third reservoir and up the hill a bit (two years on and I'm still not great with my route descriptions!) This would be a very scenic route in the sunshine...as it was, it was a bit dreary...
...but we did manage to keep smiling all the same...
Most of the time we were fine on the road bikes, but I think the next time I would use my old hybrid. The gravel on the wet roads was a bit dodgy on the downhills, and the bumps and holes were a bit uncomfy all the way (apart from the few stretches of new tarmac - bliss!) However, nothing spoiled the fun and, apart from Alex really feeling the cold on the way back, we had another great ride.
I'm really pleased with my training this week; a fair few miles and trying a few things that are a bit unusual for me. Hopefully all standing me in good stead for Africa where, I'm sure, I'm going to be experiencing plenty of things that are just a tad unusual...
Click here for the map my ride profile of today's cycle.
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Another first
There's just no stopping me this week! After venturing out on my bike on my own for the first time a few days ago, today I took another plunge into the unknown and ventured out for a cycle with someone who wasn't Alex!
Lesley is an old friend from my school days and, through the wonders of Facebook, we've re-connected after many years of, well, not having anything to do with each other. After reading about each other's cycling exploits online, she asked if I'd like to accompany her on one of her training rides (in preparation for her participation in the Rob Roy Challenge next week) and I'm so glad she did!
We cycled 32 miles along (and up and up and down..) National Cycle Route 7 from Strathyre to Killin and back. It has to be one of my favourite routes, and yesterday Lesley and I were lucky to have chosen a perfect sunny day for it. The scenery is simply stunning. From the bluebell lawns in the enchanting forests around Strathyre and Balquhidder, to the breathtaking views over Loch Earn and down into Glen Ogle and finishing with the magical Falls of Dochart in Killin. It's a route that shows you Scotland at its most beautiful best, and I absolutely love it.
The route has some pretty challenging hills - especially one particular zig-zag killer above Loch Earn - but for every up there's a spectacular view and a fantastic down. It was the first time my old hybrid had been properly tested since its recent service - the new tyres, with much better grip, worked a treat (though I was a tad slow behind Lesley whizzing down the hills on her slicks!), the gear changes were much smoother (though I still have problems sometimes when I hit the hills and did have to deal with the chain coming off at one point - and I managed it, all by myself! Go me!), and the suspension was fantastic. My saddle, however, sadly hadn't been serviced and it squeaked, and squeaked, and squeaked ... the whole way. Lesley's mettle was well and truly tested...!
Hopefully our jaunt out today will have added something as worthwhile to Lesley's preparations for the Rob Roy Challenge (16 mile run followed by 40 mile cycle) as it has to my preparations for Cycle Africa. And hopefully the squeaking won't have put her off cycling with me again...
For those of you interested in such things, click here for today's ride's Map My Ride profile - and while you're doing that, I'm off to apply some oil to my saddle....
Lesley is an old friend from my school days and, through the wonders of Facebook, we've re-connected after many years of, well, not having anything to do with each other. After reading about each other's cycling exploits online, she asked if I'd like to accompany her on one of her training rides (in preparation for her participation in the Rob Roy Challenge next week) and I'm so glad she did!
We cycled 32 miles along (and up and up and down..) National Cycle Route 7 from Strathyre to Killin and back. It has to be one of my favourite routes, and yesterday Lesley and I were lucky to have chosen a perfect sunny day for it. The scenery is simply stunning. From the bluebell lawns in the enchanting forests around Strathyre and Balquhidder, to the breathtaking views over Loch Earn and down into Glen Ogle and finishing with the magical Falls of Dochart in Killin. It's a route that shows you Scotland at its most beautiful best, and I absolutely love it.
 |
| Lesley and Loch Earn |
 |
| Falls of Dochart |
Hopefully our jaunt out today will have added something as worthwhile to Lesley's preparations for the Rob Roy Challenge (16 mile run followed by 40 mile cycle) as it has to my preparations for Cycle Africa. And hopefully the squeaking won't have put her off cycling with me again...
For those of you interested in such things, click here for today's ride's Map My Ride profile - and while you're doing that, I'm off to apply some oil to my saddle....
Tuesday, 9 June 2015
Doing it by myself
I cycle with Alex. Other than during two women-only Ride the Night events, every time I've been out on my bike - over the course of the past two years - I've had Alex by my side (...or in front of me, or behind me - depending on the prevailing wind!). I would never have got on my bike, that day in Arran when I became hooked on cycling, if it hadn't have been for Alex's gentle persuasion and encouragement. And, that's the way it's carried on. Gently (well, most of the time anyway) encouraging me, boosting my confidence and supporting me during every ride. That's the way I like it - cycling's something we do together and I definitely don't want that to change.
However, I've decided it's time that I plucked up the courage to get out on my bike on my own sometimes. I need to up my training in preparation for Cycle Africa and that means sometimes heading out for a cycle when Alex can't manage. (Plus, Alex is, at last, almost injury-free and back running again, and I definitely don't want to hinder his progress with that! Running will always be his first love - as far as sport's concerned - so it's important that he can get out and do it now that he's able to again.)
Now, some of you will be thinking I'm a right numpty for having to 'pluck up courage' to cycle on my own, especially those of you who do that all the time and don't think anything of it. But for me it's a bit of a big deal. I've worried irrationally about how I'd cope if I got a puncture, what I'd do if I fell off my bike out in the middle of nowhere, and how I'd manage without having Alex to gee me on and have a blether with! My daughter reminded me last year, during Ride the Night when I hit a pothole and sustained a double puncture then went into a bit of a meltdown at the thought of trying to change both inner tubes, that we were 'strong, independent women' then proceeded to get stuck in to fix the punctures. I'm proud that my wee girl has grown up into such a capable and independent young woman - and I wish I had half of her self-confidence! It was a great example of what Ride the Night is supposed to be all about; women doing it for themselves...
So, the other day I plucked up some courage and ventured out on my road bike on my own for a very short cycle along the main road from our house. And it was fine. And today I ventured out on my old hybrid for a short cycle along one of the bumpy back roads from my village. And it was great!
Today's ride was only 8 miles along a quiet country track (with a nice wee stop in our neighbouring village for a scone!), but it felt like a bigger accomplishment. I've risen to one of my own personal challenges on the road to Tanzania.
I won't be on my own in Africa, I'll be with a bunch of incredible women and I'll be well supported, but I want to go there with with the confidence that I can look after myself and cope with any situation that might arise, without worrying that I won't have Alex there to fall back on.
And after today's little ride, I feel like I've taken a big step towards that. I'd still much rather be with Alex when I'm out cycling than be on my own - but that's just because I enjoy his company so much. Not because I'm worried that I can't manage it on my own.
It's left me thinking that my daughter might be quite proud of her old maw..!
However, I've decided it's time that I plucked up the courage to get out on my bike on my own sometimes. I need to up my training in preparation for Cycle Africa and that means sometimes heading out for a cycle when Alex can't manage. (Plus, Alex is, at last, almost injury-free and back running again, and I definitely don't want to hinder his progress with that! Running will always be his first love - as far as sport's concerned - so it's important that he can get out and do it now that he's able to again.)
Now, some of you will be thinking I'm a right numpty for having to 'pluck up courage' to cycle on my own, especially those of you who do that all the time and don't think anything of it. But for me it's a bit of a big deal. I've worried irrationally about how I'd cope if I got a puncture, what I'd do if I fell off my bike out in the middle of nowhere, and how I'd manage without having Alex to gee me on and have a blether with! My daughter reminded me last year, during Ride the Night when I hit a pothole and sustained a double puncture then went into a bit of a meltdown at the thought of trying to change both inner tubes, that we were 'strong, independent women' then proceeded to get stuck in to fix the punctures. I'm proud that my wee girl has grown up into such a capable and independent young woman - and I wish I had half of her self-confidence! It was a great example of what Ride the Night is supposed to be all about; women doing it for themselves...
So, the other day I plucked up some courage and ventured out on my road bike on my own for a very short cycle along the main road from our house. And it was fine. And today I ventured out on my old hybrid for a short cycle along one of the bumpy back roads from my village. And it was great!
Today's ride was only 8 miles along a quiet country track (with a nice wee stop in our neighbouring village for a scone!), but it felt like a bigger accomplishment. I've risen to one of my own personal challenges on the road to Tanzania.
I won't be on my own in Africa, I'll be with a bunch of incredible women and I'll be well supported, but I want to go there with with the confidence that I can look after myself and cope with any situation that might arise, without worrying that I won't have Alex there to fall back on.
And after today's little ride, I feel like I've taken a big step towards that. I'd still much rather be with Alex when I'm out cycling than be on my own - but that's just because I enjoy his company so much. Not because I'm worried that I can't manage it on my own.
It's left me thinking that my daughter might be quite proud of her old maw..!
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| Just the cows for company today |
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Monday, 13 April 2015
Learning that short rides can be rewarding
Until this morning, I hadn't been out on my bike at all since our return from the States, mid-March. A combination of the lurgy along with a few weekends of wet windy weather have provided perfectly plausible excuses for leaving my bike in the garage.
However, I've not been totally detached from cycling as I've been watching some fantastic racing on the telly. The Paris-Roubaix yesterday was so exciting! Jeeso, so many cobbles! How do they do that on a road bike??! And, some of the cyclists risked getting hit by a passing TGV train when they jumped the level crossing barriers! Absolute eejits!! (But, I'm ashamed to say, quite entertaining to watch...)
However, I've not been totally detached from cycling as I've been watching some fantastic racing on the telly. The Paris-Roubaix yesterday was so exciting! Jeeso, so many cobbles! How do they do that on a road bike??! And, some of the cyclists risked getting hit by a passing TGV train when they jumped the level crossing barriers! Absolute eejits!! (But, I'm ashamed to say, quite entertaining to watch...)
Of course, I would never do anything so stupid when I'm out on bike. I might be a not-so-serious cyclist - but I do take my safety (and the safety of everyone else on the road around me) very seriously indeed.
Anyway, I digress, This morning I did manage a very, very short cycle but, even though it was very, very short, it was very very tough! A paltry 5.6km (3.5 miles)!
I'm writing this post one hour since arriving back home and I still have lung burn! I clearly have a long way to go in improving my fitness before riding 100km through the night in London at the end of May, and definitely before riding 350km across Tanzania in October.
What I learned today though is that training doesn't always have to be about clocking up lots of miles.
I hardly ever get lung burn during, or after, one of our long leisurely rides. Even if they've included big hills. So, I'm not sure what was so different about the very short ride I did this morning. I guess it was because I cycled fairly fast, and I included a couple of steepish hills, which I also managed to cycle up fairly fast (well, fast for me!).
I absolutely love our long, leisurely rides - cycling for me will always be mostly about exploring, taking in the scenery, the freedom, managing a few more miles, feeling chuffed about getting to the top of big hills, and the indescribable pleasure that I get from whizzing down said big hills. But the short ride this morning taught me that the sprints can be just as rewarding as the marathons.
I felt like I'd really 'worked out'. I broke a big sweat after only a few miles and I could hardly breathe when I was finished. Until now, I'd felt that a few miles on the bike didn't really 'count' as training. But, I've learned today that that's not true. It's how I do the miles, as well as how many I do, that really matters.
I guess I got a bit of a buzz from cycling hard and fast, even if it was only for a few miles. Maybe there's the makings of a serious cyclist in me after all! Though, no matter how seriously I ever take my cycling, I'll never, ever feel the need to try to out-sprint the TGV...
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
Cycling in the States
Alex and I took ourselves off for a fantastic two week holiday in the States - our 50th birthday present to each other. We
hired a car and travelled around 1800 miles across California, Nevada
and Arizona. I absolutely loved the whole experience (though, if I could do it
again I’d by-pass Las Vegas...) and was often overwhelmed by the
beautiful landscapes we were lucky enough to drive, sail, walk or cycle round, through or across.
The first cycle (and walk) of the trip was one I’ll never, ever forget...
And, the same could be said for the last...
I think it's safe to say I had an 'awesome' time in America. And, it was just the perfect way to kick start my training for a certain other cycling trip, taking place on another continent, later this year...
Monday, 9 February 2015
Walking, instead of cycling, on sunshine
I live in an ordinary wee house, in an ordinary wee village, that happens to be surrounded by some extra-ordinary scenery. As much as I love exploring it on my bike, sometimes a wee walk just hits the mark.
Friday, 6 February 2015
Hoody haverings
I've actually managed to record another instalment of my video diary already! Just a wee short one this time (and not a rhyme in sight!)
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
Turbo talk
I've got out of the habit of rambling into my phone and recording wee videos while I'm out on cycle rides, but I thought it might be a good idea to keep a record of this year's experiences during the build up to Cycle Africa in October. I don't think I'll be appearing on any red carpets any time soon though...
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