Benchmark ride
Fantastic November weather today, bright clear skies, not too windy, and clean crisp air. It has actually been like this for a few days but I had been praying it would hold out for the weekend.
Today's ride was over 100 km through the Surrey Hills and into Hampshire over the Downs. A perfect opportunity to put in a benchmark ride against which I can compare my progress through the winter. I'm not going to be too scientific about it.
General Feeling
Distinctly average this morning. I didn't feel too sprightly at all and thought that I might turn back early, thankfully this didn't happen.
Climbing
Poor today, lots of spinning and not a lot of speed. I didn't expect much given the time off the bike. Must do better!
Distance/endurance
Unexpectedly decent. I really thought that I would suffer much more than I did today, by the mid-ride break I was crying out for a coffee and stuffed down two bananas. Back out on the road I felt surprisingly good on the return run. I think the running may have helped here recently, even when I'm tired I can still turn the gears over and keep things ticking along rather than getting that feeling of turning squares.
Speed
Around fifteen minutes slower than the summer time for this ride. No pushing big gears at any point today, partly because of the ride profile but mostly the fear of blowing up on the return leg. Still, consistent leg speed and comfortable position throughout the ride.
All in all, a just satisfactory start to the winter, let's hope the weather stays like this.
Comments:
...at the minute I can only fit in one ride a week so I do a 3hour+ early morning, moderate terrain. I ride it tempo from the off and when the power inevitably crashes off in the final quarter, I have found that as long as the pedals are turning over, very little time is lost by the finish; say 10-15minute...even if it feels like hours at 1mph!...the speed is reduced but the effort still remains in the legs...
I believe this is where the gains are made on long winter rides, similarly to go out early on empty and not eat at all expecting to bonk just before home...what does everyone think of this stratergy for stretching the system?
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