Road to improvement 2012

Dermot Illogical

I rested up on Monday after the Orwell and Carlow spins. Back in the saddle on Tuesday, I went along to hear sage advice (thanks 07lapierre, beastie & raam) on negotiating the Corduff circuit used by Swords for Wednesday's race. I had hoped I would make my debut in Wednesday's race but work put paid to my plans. I did make it over to see the finish though.
I did the Stubborn Mule sportive on Saturday and was going along nicely until I punctured about 20k in. I more or less did the rest of it by myself. I ended up taking a couple of wrong turns but got it mostly right for 107k @ 28.3km/h. I managed to get my 2nd sunburn of the year as well. The farmer's tan is coming along nicely.

Mon: Rest
Tue: 44km Swords CC Corduff course intro
Wed: 73km commute and return via race
Thurs: 50km commute
Fri: 50km commute
Sat: 155km including Stubborn Mule sportive
Sun: 50km commute

Weekly total: 422km
YTD: 5633km

Lusk Doyle

Nice weekly total. I thought I was doing well with 800+ last month and you did half that in a week! The commute makes some difference in the mileage. I have no commute to work so suffer in that regard.

Dermot Illogical

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

Nice weekly total. I thought I was doing well with 800+ last month and you did half that in a week! The commute makes some difference in the mileage. I have no commute to work so suffer in that regard.

Yeah, I reckon the commute must be worth 700-800 or so per month by itself. I hope to stretch it out a bit over the summer as well. I figure I can get 3 or 4 days a week where I don't have to carry a rucksack if I organise myself a bit better. Then the long long long way home becomes an option.

Dermot Illogical

I felt a bit tired during the week, so when work and social commitments got in the way of cycling I didn't complain too hard. The result was an easy week. I did a spot of marshaling at the Swords CC race on Wednesday. I originally intended cycling over but ran out of time so drove instead.
On Friday I went for a short spin with junior but rested otherwise. No long weekend spins due to work.

Mon: 50km commute
Tue: Rest
Wed: 46km
Thurs: 50km commute
Fri: Rest, with a short unrecorded spin
Sat: 25km commute
Sun: 25km commute

Weekly total: 196km
YTD: 5829km

Dermot Illogical

A much better week. The weather really helps
I felt more energetic this week, and even got my first race in on Wednesday. I also got over to Garristown for the course intro on Tuesday which I found very useful.
I rounded out the week with a couple of club spins and a spot of marshaling at the Ras. Now sitting at home applying aftersun.
Great weather, long may it last!

Mon: 50km commute
Tue: 94km commute and Swords circuit intro
Wed: 130km commute and Swords league race
Thurs: 51km commute
Fri: 38km spin over to Howth
Sat: 136km Swords spin plus a bit extra
Sun: 121km Swords spin plus Skerries for the Ras

Weekly total: 620km
YTD: 6449km

G rock

RT66 wrote: »

Weekly total: 620km

Jeebas!

Dermot Illogical

G rock wrote: »

Jeebas!

Yeah, I was quite happy with that total.
It wasn't planned, and felt easy enough. I got in 538km a few weeks back and thought that might stand as my weekly record for a long time, but this weekend just worked out nicely.

Dermot Illogical

Garmin data for May 2012

Count: 53 Activities
Distance: 1,930.56 km
Time: 70:45:44 h:m:s
Elevation Gain: 10,314 m
Avg Speed: 27.3 km/h

Dermot Illogical

A handy week mostly. Raced again in the Swords league and really enjoyed it. I can see why it's so popular.
Work messed with the mileage a bit but I'm not all that bothered after a very good month in that department last month.

Mon: Rest
Tue: 50km commute
Wed: 122km commute and Swords league race
Thurs: 25km commute
Fri: 25km commute
Sat: Rest
Sun: 50km commute

Weekly total: 272km
YTD: 6721km

Dermot Illogical

A poor week. Lots of commitments stopped play.

Mon: 78km Club spin
Tue: Rest
Wed: 42km commute
Thurs: Rest
Fri: 50km commute
Sat: Rest
Sun: Rest

Weekly total: 170km
YTD: 6891km

Dermot Illogical

Slightly better week, but no big spin.

Mon: 50km commute
Tue: 50km commute
Wed: 50km commute
Thurs: Rest
Fri: 72km spin
Sat: Rest
Sun: 50km commute

Weekly total: 272km
YTD: 7163km

Inquitus

So RT66 are we attacking off the top of the hill, or off the last bend tonight?

Dermot Illogical

Inquitus wrote: »

So RT66 are we attacking off the top of the hill, or off the last bend tonight?

If I feel anything like I did cycling in this morning I'll be trying to catch up at the top of the hill and continuing straight on at the last bend

Dermot Illogical

Had an easy start to the week, with a couple of commutes. I didn't think I would make it to the Swords CC race on Wednesday but I managed to just about get there. Thoroughly enjoyed the race, even though the nags head just doesn't suit me at all. I ended up resting the remainder of the week bar Saturday where I had a ball at the Tour de Burren. From the start it was fairly obvious it would not be easy. The wind was fairly strong, and never behind us. I stayed with the front group until the 1st climb when the group broke up. Went up the climb in my own time as I knew there were more climbs later on to conserve energy for. As it happens I probably was too conservative. I did the rest of the event on my own. Shortly after the 1st descent the heavens opened and stayed that way for a few hours. The food stop was a bit earlier than I expected, but welcome all the same. I stuffed my face. There were a few more climbs which turned out to be handy enough, the last one being corkscrew hill. I had made this one a monster in my mind, but it turned out to be a pussycat. It's actually a really nice climb I think. At this stage the weather had improved and I knew there were no more climbs to conserve energy for, so I skipped the final food stop and went as quick as I could from Lisdoonvarna to Ballyvaughan, covering that 28km at 33km/h pace. Parked the bike and had a rake of pints. What else could a body ask for?

Mon: 50km commute
Tue: 50km commute
Wed: 102km commute and club race
Thurs: Rest
Fri: Rest
Sat: 160km Tour de Burren
Sun: Rest

Weekly total: 362km
YTD: 7525km

Lusk Doyle

That's some distance to date. You have twice my distance covered!

Dermot Illogical

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

That's some distance to date. You have twice my distance covered!

To be fair, the commuting makes it reasonably easy. I'm aiming for at least 1,100km per month. If I can do that for the full year I'll be delighted. So far, so good. Another 90km or so and this month will hit the target.

Dermot Illogical

Garmin data June 2012

Count: 34 Activities
Distance: 1,153.48 km
Time: 42:51:34 h:m:s
Elevation Gain: 5,440 m
Avg Speed: 26.9 km/h

Dermot Illogical

A good week, with a decent amount of ground covered. I finally got around to tackling Howth from steepest road on the village side. It's going to feature regularly I think. I also acquired a Benotto road frame from Holyboy. It shall be my winter project. If I can get it anywhere close to the condition of my Benotto track bike I'll be a happy camper.

Mon: 50km commute
Tue: Rest
Wed: 75km commute and spin around Howth
Thurs: 54km commute
Fri: 50km commute
Sat: 50km commute
Sun: 50km commute

Weekly total: 329km
YTD: 7854km

Dermot Illogical

I didn't really have much time for the bike this week. I was off work so missed out on commutes. Other commitments and crap weather didn't help.
Still, I got out a couple of times midweek and Saturday made up for a lot.
Wednesday's spin around Howth took me up the village side going left at the church for the first time. I have to say it's an enjoyable little climb. Managed to break into the Strava Top 10 on the descent too, which was nice.
The crap weather on Friday got me onto the turbo for the first time. The Sufferfest video made it bearable, but I really am going to have to change the saddle on the turbo bike. It's the only bike I don't have a 4ZA Stratos saddle on, and it hurt. It's easily fixed, so no big deal.
Saturday was lovely. Didn't want to get off the bike it was so nice out. Pity we don't have more days like it.

Mon: Rest
Tue: Rest
Wed: 35km spin around Howth
Thurs: 56km spin North Dublin & Howth
Fri: 1 hour turbo session (Sufferfest Fight Club)
Sat: 139km club spin plus a bit extra.
Sun: 50km commute

Weekly total: 280km
YTD: 8132km

Dermot Illogical

Crappy weather is sapping my motivation. It's like I only have to look at a bike and the heavens open. Mileage tailing off as a result.

Mon: 50km commute
Tue: 50km commute
Wed: 50km commute
Thurs: 25km commute
Fri: 25km commute
Sat: 45km spin around Howth
Sun: Rest

Weekly total: 245km
YTD: 8377km

Dermot Illogical

Did a little bit of work on the Raleigh so stuck to the Ridley this week. I'm heading to Italy next weekend for a few weeks and I can't decide which bike to bring. The Ridley is better geared for the big climbs, but if I might be leaving whichever bike I bring over there for future visits. Also, I have transport over sorted for a bike, but not back (yet).
Whichever one goes will need some work. The Ridley needs a new BB & chain/cassette. It has 12,000km on it with one chain/cassette change very early on and the BB is the original so I wouldn't be happy bringing it to mountains without doing that first. If I bring the Raleigh I'm definitely going to need to swap out the cassette for something granny-ish. It's a 7 speed, so limited with what I can achieve there. I'm leaning towards the Ridley.
Anyway, this weeks totals. I managed to get into a couple of Strava top 10s, and consolidated a KOM along the way as well.

Mon: Rest
Tue: 49km commute
Wed: 50km commute
Thurs: 49km commute
Fri: 72km commute + spin over to Ratoath for beer.
Sat: 22km spin back from Ratoath
Sun: 50km commute

Weekly total: 292km
YTD: 8669km

Dermot Illogical

Garmin data July 2012

Count: 41 Activities
Distance: 1,189.11 km
Time: 44:38:31 h:m:s
Elevation Gain: 5,799 m
Avg Speed: 26.6 km/h

Dermot Illogical

A few commutes and then I brought the bike to Italy for it's holidays.
No shortage of mountains so should help in my preparations for the SKT and Giant's Causeway.

Mon: 49km commute
Tue: 50km commute
Wed: Rest
Thurs: 49km commute
Fri: 12km http://app.strava.com/rides/15013187
Sat: 25km http://app.strava.com/rides/15040011
Sun: 19km http://app.strava.com/rides/15313119

Weekly total: 204km
YTD: 8873km

Dermot Illogical

This was probably my most enjoyable week's cycling to date. I'm even starting to enjoy hills. The weather in Italy has been fantastic, and I've found some like-minded people to go cycling with. Local knowledge has been very useful in seeking out some good routes, and some great little bars for the obligatory espresso.
I've probably done more climbing in this one week than I've done for the rest of the year, or at least it feels that way.
Monday we went to the beach, an 87km spin over some fairly undulating terrain, and were rewarded with a fantastic descent into Formia.
Tuesday I went out on my own to do a bit of exploring.
Wednesday I went for a climb in the morning and a group spin in the afternoon which went over a road closed to motorised traffic due to parts of the tarmac having fallen into the valley below. The result is a 14km stretch of road used almost exclusively by cyclists.
Thursday I went for a short spin by myself and on Friday we went for a group spin to Lago di Cardito. A lot of climbing was done to get there. A road sign advising of a 20% gradient wasn't lying. A very enjoyable cycle, and a route I hope to revisit.
Sunday's spin included what was probably the toughest climb I've ever encountered. It shows up as a Cat 3 on Strava, but it's over a very bad surface which makes it very tricky. Standing up causes the rear wheel to spin on the gravel surface so sitting is the only game in town. I was absolutely on my limit going over the top. Great fun!


Mon: 87km http://app.strava.com/rides/15504109
Tue: 30km http://app.strava.com/rides/15705285
Wed: 65km http://app.strava.com/rides/15867641 & http://app.strava.com/rides/15922283
Thurs: 33km http://app.strava.com/rides/16115171
Fri: 67km http://app.strava.com/rides/16239611
Sat: Rest
Sun: 37km http://app.strava.com/rides/16740147

Weekly total: 319km
YTD: 9192km

smacl

Makes for some great reading, now how to convince my missus that the next family holiday should be in the hills of Italy.

Dermot Illogical

This was another very enjoyable week on the bike. Cracking weather, sunshine and high temperatures. I sought out as much climbing as I could, something I wouldn't have dreamed of previously but which now has become very enjoyable.
I used Strava to look for a Cat 1 climb but couldn't find any close enough to have a go at. However, I did find a HC climb not too far away. So I did that one on Saturday. I can honestly say I've never done as much climbing in my life. I enjoyed it very much all the same. 24km of ascent with switchbacks all over the place. The road was like Sally Gap with the amount of cyclists and motorcyclists. On the way over to do the climb I took some guy's KOM on a segment I had noticed on Friday. He doesn't have an Italian name so in my imagination there's some poor fecker in England cursing me having received one of those horrible strava notifications

Mon: 64km http://app.strava.com/rides/16854945
Tue: 50km http://app.strava.com/rides/17032777
Wed: 61km http://app.strava.com/rides/17323149
Thurs: 23km http://app.strava.com/rides/17506217
Fri: 50km http://app.strava.com/rides/17638723
Sat: 94km http://app.strava.com/rides/17830809
Sun: Rest

Weekly total: 342km
YTD: 9534km

Dermot Illogical

Holidays are over for another year. I left my bike behind so will have to go back next year
I'll also have to get a new one here

Garmin stats for the holidays.

Count: 19 Activities
Distance: 838.23 km
Time: 40:20:11 h:m:s
Elevation Gain: 14,214 m
Avg Speed: 20.8 km/h
Avg HR: 124 bpm

Dermot Illogical

This week saw the end of my holidays. I ended up leaving the Ridley behind me in Italy so now I know where I'm going next year...
I'm very happy that I brought the bike with me as I got a lot of climbing in and overcame a lot of my climbing fears while I was at it. I will however need to get a new bike here though as the Raleigh doesn't have any climbing gears, and I'll need them as hills is my new favourite hobby.

Mon: 30km http://app.strava.com/rides/18324673
Tue: 56km http://app.strava.com/rides/18491591
Wed: 33km http://app.strava.com/rides/18580709
Thurs: Rest
Fri: 46km commute
Sat: 49km commute
Sun: 50km commute

Weekly total: 264km
YTD: 9798km

Dermot Illogical

A quiet week aside from the SKT on Sunday which well and truly pushed me to my limits. In preparation I had changed the cassette to give myself a chance at completing the climbs. The best I could get was 40x28 in the end, which was just about enough to get me over the hills. I was determined not to put a foot down on any of the SKT climbs, and succeeded in that. Definitely one of the hardest cycles I've ever done, and very enjoyable too. Somewhere on the way around I hit 10,000 km for the year to date, which is nice...


Mon: Rest
Tue: 50km commute
Wed: 49km commute
Thurs: Rest
Fri: Rest
Sat: Rest
Sun: 164km SKT Waterford

Weekly total: 263km
YTD: 10,061 km

smacl

Fair play on 10k ytd, frightening distance, I've much less than half that covered. And 40x28 is not a low gear, not surprising you're pelting along