Training

Team Ventoux update ..

As some of  you may know my mate Mand suggested that she would cycle Ventoux with me this summer as an incentive to get me out of my post-op bed and onto my bike.  It is a worthy notion and I embraced the idea with pleasure.  So did her husband, Pete ... I think.  Actually I think there was not much pleasure or embrace in it, but he did agree to do it with us!

Obviously Brigid would do it and Sam said she would love to do it too and have it as a focus for her own health goals this summer.

We've all been training, each in our own way:  Pete by kicking his bike, and swearing a fair bit, the rest of us by more traditional methods.  I think we will all be able to get to Chalet Reynard.  I think at least one of us will be waiting there will the rest complete to to the very top ..but it is all good.  The rain has slowed us a bit, but I think it'll be good and now it is only a couple of weeks till we do it.

We decided that while we were doing it we could raise some money for The Douglas Macmillan Hospice.

You can sponsor us via this website, the money goes direct to the Dougie Mac:


http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=SusanWilde&pageUrl=3

Cycling

I am pleased to report that I am cycling quite a bit now.  Yes, a couple of my plans for Sunday rides have had to be cancelled for health reasons, but overall I am regaining some strength and had a lovely run out with Mr K yesterday, enjoying the unseasonable WARMTH!

We left here at 12 and got back at 6.30.  We managed to get to West Kirby.  On the way back we used a train for about 15 minutes, and did some dossing about and very slow peddaling, but feel really good to have been able to manage this ride again.

 It is largely flat, along the West Wirral way which is pretty, great views out across the estuary to Wales as you get near to the end but there are some grimmer bits to do around Ellesmere Port.

Reckon we must have done about 40 miles.

Last Tuesday Mr K introduced me (and B) to a ride back from B's school along the River Weaver and the Whitegate way to Cuddington, and then we came back through Norley and Kingsley.  It is my new fave ride around here, the Whitegate track is lovely.  B and I did it after work on Monday too.  I have left the odometres at home, but is must be at least 20 miles round trip with a few bits of climbing on the sections nearest to here.

B is delighted to have had two rides after work with me ... and we are thinking that when I am stronger and the nights are longer we can extend this ride through the Delamere forest and up Dark Ark Lane.

Gently does it ..

I ducked out of the first planned training ride with the whole Team Ventoux -- I was too tired, etc etc weather etc. etc and then  Mand and Pete ducked out of it too .. although the mighty B and her faithful acolyte, Sam, soldiered on through the snow up on Axe Edge.

hope to get a little video of this here soon ...

This week, Andy and I went out on Tuesday March 6th.  Just a little run  out on the path to the other side of Chester.  Nice, but tired me, really a LOT!

Stats:
2 hours 36 minutes,
46.3kms (for some reason the odo is in kms?!? that is nearly 30 miles) 
average 17.7.kph, which is only 10 mph .. rather feeble!  
max 44 kph (about 27 mph).

Longnor Ride

This is Sam's mapmyride version of this training ride, not sure she has allowed public access, though
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/71131550

Training Rides

As a personal goal and motivation to keep up my fitness we are aiming to do Mont  Ventoux again,  this summer. We will be doing it  as a team with Sam,  Mandy and Pete, to raise money for the Dougie Mac hospice.

Over the Feb 1/2 term B and I did a few miles in Wales.  Felt very good considering I've been  three months more or less off the bike. Not to forget the major lung surgery in January 2012.  haha ..

Sat Feb 25th:  Sam, Suze and B went out to Longnor for my first climb.  Doing hard battle with the wind we managed up to Axe Edge from the village  ..  it's a lovely circular ride, only 12 miles all in, but it is a slow steady climb and perfect starting point  for the big ride in the Summer.

Training Ride profile