Here we go again - Etape '09

2009-06-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

MONDAY 15th June - 5 weeks to go

Miles last week 70 (70 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 1352 (-895)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 0.0lbs (-0.0 lbs, +9lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

So, after the marathon that was Highclere not cycling during the week.... but out for a quite 20 miles and then out with Rupert for 50 miles around Hampshire on Sunday. Great ride, beautiful weather and feeling better on the hills. Psychological its great to see that we can pop out on a Sunday and do 50 miles at 16.5 mph without much trouble.

Heading down to Mallorca next Friday so some good riding over three days, with a bit of luck this will be very helpful.

Bike still squeaking and looking not very well looked after... going in for a service this week, going to feel ashamed when they see it and I expect a fairly large bill....

2009-06-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

MONDAY 8th June - 6 weeks to go

Miles last week 165 (165 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 1282 (-925)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 0.0lbs (-1.0 lbs, +9lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Well this was the week we did the Highclere Magnificat.... absolutely brilliant 130 miles with 2500m climbing. Six of us started, Me, Rupert, Ben, Ben's brother Dom, Steve and Steve's neighbour, Paul. I learnt one lesson I already knew - on a ride like this you must be in a group. I was in a very fast group of Marines going along the Test Valley until we hit a hill and I was shelled out the back... thereafter it was an 80 mile TT for me. Very lonely, windy and slow. It should be much easier in the Etape to grab onto a group, but never never head out on your own, much better to wait for a group. Somethink we all learned last year on the ToI.

After exactly 100 miles the route went past Rupert's front door! I realised I was about half an hour behind him but still intended to call in and see Marie on my way past, but when I got there who was standing by the gate waiting for me but Rupert. Anyway, nothing for it but to have a cup of tea and some cake and join Marie for a spot of sunbathing by the pool.... it was great of him to wait for me as the final 30 miles would have been fairly miserable on my own. We stayed longer than we should have but it meant we missed the downpour that caught many of the other riders near the end. After Mari's cake felt fairly good on last bit until three miles from finish we both got a puncture.... so all in all only time for two very quick beers before heading home for a plate of Lasagne and a bottle of Borolo.

2009-06-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

MONDAY 1st June - 7 weeks to go

Miles last week 55 (55 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 1117 (-985)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 1.0lbs (0.0 lbs, +10lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Couple of rides this week but one of them around the surrey hills with Paul. Five hills including Box and Leith plus a new one going up to Peaslake. Great ride in lovely sunshine, hills slow but getting up them. Disappointing 9:55 for Box Hill which puts me firmly last on the Bikeradar Box Hill challenge.

Weight still being stuborn... something to do with all those busness lunches I have to have ;-))

2009-05-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

MONDAY 25th May - 8 weeks to go

Miles last week 107 (107 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 1062 (-850)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 1.0lbs (0.0 lbs, +9lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

That's better, only 8 weeks to go so a bit of effort called for. A cycle with Neil Mc in Richmond park on Wednesday evening, an outing with Steve H in the surrey hills on Friday and a usual outing with Rupert on Sunday added up to a better week than usual. 9.30 up Box Hill which is on a par with this time last year, hills feeling reasonably OK but a long way off Ventoux. The Highclere Magnificat in a couple of weeks is going to be a good indicator of how I am doing... 126 miles and 3000m of climbing, going to be tough.

Then off for three days in Mallorca with the boys so a couple of good days there should be helpful.

Bike making an appawling squeaky noise from around the cranks... god knows what that is, need to plan a service.

2009-05-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

MONDAY 18th May - 9 weeks to go

Miles last week 21 (21 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 956 (-937)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 1.0lbs (0.0 lbs, +9lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Hmm, not much to report.....

2009-05-11T01:04:00.000-07:00

MONDAY 11th May - 10 weeks to go

Miles last week 110 (110 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 935 (-775)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 1.0lbs (-1.0 lbs, +9lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Only 10 weeks to go and more training and weight loss needed. Hampshire Hilly Hundred with Pete and Rupert this weekend. Fantastic course and beautiful weather, Hampshire looking at its best. Very hilly course, though nothing very serious so did not have to get off and push at any time. We had signed up for the full 100 mile course but the muppets organising the route decided to close this as it was getting late so simply took the sign down that showed where it diverted from the shorter 77 mile course. Totally confused us but by the time we found out we were too demorialised (having had two other detours) to re-trace our steps and do the full one - pity as we missed out watership down which is meant to be a challenging climb.

Got round in a fairly swift time and got up all the hills, however, on that performance not encouraged by the etape.... running out of training time, my only hope is to loose and stone and hope that does the trick.

Good old London Irish, great win over Harlyquins in the semi final of the premiership... next week the final.

2009-05-03T00:37:00.000-07:00

MONDAY 4th May - 11 weeks to go

Miles last week 90 (90 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 825 (-513)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 2.0lbs (+0.0 lbs, +7lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Well, where did those 6 weeks go? No blog entries for a long time. Too embarrassed, very little cycling and weight going up and up... this is not looking good. However, weight slowly coming back down again and we did the White Horse Challenge last weekend, so encouraged to start blogging again, and more importantly loosing weight and cycling some miles.

Living in London a bit more these days during the week is really taking its toll on training. Where it used to be just Thursday night, its now usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Effectively means no mid week cycles. Last year used to get our or use my indoor trainer during the week.

But the numbers do not lie... 800 miles so far this year, 500 down on last year!! That's going to be tricky to catch up... and half a stone heavier.... hmmm. Just looked again at cycling video of course, its really much more difficult than last year, especially for non climbers like me so weight is going to be a determining factor.

Great ride last weekend though, WHC... me, Rupert, Paul, Ben and Alan plus saw Steve at the finish. Last starters at 9.30 we shot off at a very fast pace, soon into a well organised chain gang.. after a while saw lone figure in the distance but for some reason not gaining on him as fast as I thought we would. Reason soon became aparent when we did catch him and nip into his slipstream - he was going bloody fast. By this stage we really had been signing those cheques that may have been difficult to cash later and all agreed to slip back and bring the pace down a bit... first 20 miles in just over 20mph average... phew. Fantastic country after that, never knew there were so many white horses in Wiltshire. Did know about Averbury rings though, the thinking man's Stone Henge. If you get a chance go and walk around them, we settled for riding through the middle of them...

First very steep hill, can't remember the name.. on the approach very windy and to his disgrace I saw Rupert hiding in the slipstream of a very fat girl. Looking around I saw a very skinny girl I had overtaken hanging in my slipstream so fair's fair I guess. When the hill kicked up to 17% I had had anough and was off and walking.... chapeau to those that cycled past me.

On and on we went knowing that the last hill was steep... as we turned right into it we could see all the way up.... Rupert struggling in front had to get off... I cycled past him. Somehow I knew this would spur him on and sure enough as I had to get off who should pass me but Rupert. There was then a very steep section round a blind corner, I pushed the bike around that and re-mounted to do the rest, feeling very pleased with managing it. My sussipisions were confirmed later when Rupert confesed to going past me and dis-mounting round the blind bend! The run in from the top was rolling but fast and fun..... met Steve at the finish and off for a beer at one of the murkyist pubs I have ever been in (and that's saying a lot).

Great bank holiday from the family eating out bit - Smiths of Smithfield for a bit of steak, Bentleys for the obligatory oysters and Sheekeys for a fishy grub up... but not so good for cycling zero miles.

2009-03-23T04:53:00.000-07:00

MONDAY 23rd March - 17 weeks to go

Miles last week 28 (28 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 480 (-114)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 2.0lbs (+1.0 lbs, -0.5lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Only out once again this week... difficult week due (a) to St Pats day and (b) final of six nations. Very good lunch in Corrigans of Mayfair, though the service is diabolical - I've been there three times now and its so bad don't think I'll be going back.

Fantastic final match of six nations, Ireland taking, IMHO a deserved victory, by the skin of their collective teeth. Was hoping to get out on Sunday after the match but was feeling a bit tired with all the excitement.

Weather, lovely now though, very spring like, so should be more options for getting out on the bike. Thought now turning to Mallorca.... may be able to get down there for a week.

2009-03-16T02:01:00.000-07:00

MONDAY 16th March - 18 weeks to go

Miles last week 65 (50 road, 15 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 360 (-120)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 1.0lbs (+2.0 lbs, -0.5lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Better this week, the weather has really improved so a couple of outings plus a spin session in London. Out with Rupert and Ben for the usual route, Ben faster than us combined with another 'Tour de France' rules, ie points on the hills meant we got around in a very fast time despite windy conditions.

2009-03-16T01:58:00.000-07:00

MONDAY 9nd March - 19 weeks to go

Miles last week 50 (50 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 410 (-142)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 1.0lbs (+0.0 lbs, -1.5lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Still not doing much cycling..... :-((

2009-03-02T11:10:00.000-08:00

MONDAY 2nd March - 20 weeks to go

Miles last week 76 (76 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 360 (-120)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 1.0lbs (+2.0 lbs, -0.5lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Only one outing this week but it was our first sportive of the season, The Surrey Rumble. 78 miles around the surrey hills including a skirt around Leith Hill. We managed a very respectible 16.5 mph average and at the 50 mile mark it was nudging 17mph. Mainly due, it has to be said, to our very own Brian O'Driscoll, Paul, who, whenever the pace was slackening would head to the front and up the pace for mile after mile. I felt pretty good apart from a bad patch at about 40 miles when I felt like I had no energy... but the boys looked after me and after a while I felt fine again. Got to keep eating on the ride....

2009-03-02T11:08:00.001-08:00

Monthly roundup - February 2009

Miles this month 81
Mileage compared to last year -196
Total miles this year (delta last year): 198 (-196)
Weight change -2lb (15st 1lbs)
Body fat change : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

very poor month for cycling, partly due to the weather, partly due to spending more time in London during the week. Spring is definitely in the air though, so feeling much more confident about March. No plans yet for a week cycling holiday so must start thinking of that... Stephen Roche would be an obvious choice again but we are having our summer weekend there with the RPRC so perhaps try something different.

2009-02-22T12:36:00.000-08:00

MONDAY 23rd February - 21 weeks to go

Miles last week 50 (50 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 283 (-176)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 14st 13.0lbs (0.0 lbs, -2.6lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

A bit better, cycling on Saturday and Sunday but nothing during the week again. Pete was over and we met up with Rupert for usual circuit from Well followed by a couple of beers and a great beef lunch prepared by Ros... Decided to introduce a Tour de France scoring system this time for the 6 'hills' on the ride, plus one sprint. Great fun and really added to the interest in the ride.

2009-02-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

MONDAY 16th February - 22 weeks to go

Miles last week 15 (15 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 233 (-226)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 14st 13lbs (-3.0 lbs, -0.6lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Nothing to say, disappointing, can't call myself a cyclist... however, for some reason lost a fair bit of weight, not sure why but there you go.. under 15stone for first time in a long time, now lets keep it there.

2009-02-09T00:46:00.000-08:00

MONDAY 9nd February - 23 weeks to go

Miles last week 20 (0 road, 20 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 218 (-201)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 2.0lbs (+1.0 lbs, -2.6lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Pathetic, all I can blame is the weather... worse snow for 20 years meant that cycling on the road was impossible, however, only managed one gym spin cycling session. Good start to the six nations though, Ireland putting up a great showing against a very good French side.

2009-02-02T00:30:00.000-08:00

Monthly roundup - January 2009

Miles this month 198 ( road, 37 indoors)
Mileage compared to last year -108
Total miles this year (delta last year): 198 (-108)
Total ascent 6500 feet (2000m)
Weight change +1lb (15st 3lbs)
Body fat change : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

First month of 'serious ' training and dieting has seen little of both. On the plus side have managed to get over to Leith Hill and done a few laps of Richmond Park, but otherwise not too much cycling. Have officially now got a winter bike, by putting mud-guards and lamps on the Bianchi - just as well as fell off on ice and threw it down the road, would have been pretty upset to see the Cervelo sliding away... bad enough for the Bianchi.

Also, in the good old tradition of finding all sorts of things to do other than cycling, I got the film of the route from Cyclefilm - well worth watching but did worry me a bit about the hills before Ventoux, they seem fairly serious.

2009-02-01T13:09:00.000-08:00

MONDAY 2nd February - 24 weeks to go

Miles last week 38 (28 road, 10 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 198 (-108)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 1.0lbs (-1.0 lbs, -2.6lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Oh dear, a very good start to the week including a spin class in London with Neil but then the weekend a bit of a disaster due to a trip up to London. Had thought to cycle up on Saturday but bitterely cold and a very slow start to the day meant I took the car instead... but I did bring the bike just in case I fancied a bit of Richmond park action on Sunday. Late start to the day and lunch at Union with all the girls meant cycling out on Sunday too. Couldn't resist the Union burger either so a double whammy.

Currently trying and failing to find accommodation for Etape as the Gites we were interested in only take weekly bookings... continuing to look for a suitable hotel this week. Also, finalised our annual RPRC cycle weekend in Mallorca this year... one of the riders, Alan, who lives in Bath has also entered for the White Horse Challenge so looking forward to seeing him then.

2009-01-25T04:45:00.000-08:00

MONDAY 26th January - 25 weeks to go

Miles last week 47 (47 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 160 (-80)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 1.0lbs (-1.0 lbs, -2.6lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Out for a training run into the Surrey Hills with Rupert, Paul, Steve and his neighbour. Very icy morning and Steve came off cycling to meet us over at Puttenham. Good warning to us all and we set off fairly gingerly. Two steep but short climbs up onto the surrey hills then down into Dorking and up Leith Hill. Feeling pretty good and the hills, although tough, not as bad as I think I would have found them at this time last year.

However, looking back on my blog for last year, it does seem I was taking it a bit more seriously and getting out a bit more on the bike - down 80 miles on what I had done in January already. Last year was getting in two or three sessions a week including indoor bike... perhaps spending the last couple of weeks in London mid-week is not helping.

Weight not moving... not really taking that as seriously also - too much curry this week plus outings to Corrigans Mayfair (v.good) and Mercer in the city (OK).

2009-01-18T09:38:00.000-08:00

MONDAY 19th January - 26 weeks to go

Miles last week 8.5 (0 road, 8.5 indoors)
Total miles this year (delta last year): 113.5 (-56.5)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 2.0lbs (+1.0 lbs, -6lbs)
Body fat : 26% (+1%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Hmmm, a pretty poor week on all fronts - due in one instance to spending four days in London and also to developing a very bad chest infection on Friday which meant I could not spend Saturday and Sunday cycling. Which is a pity as the weather was pretty good in parts. Still not feeling very well, hope it does not hang around for long.

Got an e-mail from a friend, Steve Huxter, saying, in part inspired by our attempt at the Etape last year, he has bought a bike and entered it this year. I told him we were doing it again, so now another training partner. Steve lives in Guildford so we are planning a little outing next weekend.

2009-01-11T23:49:00.000-08:00

MONDAY 12th January - 27 weeks to go

Miles last week 40 (20 road, 20 indoors)
Total miles (this year/last year): 105 (+85)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 1.0lbs (-0.0 lbs, -6lbs)
Body fat : 25% (-0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

A frantic week off the bicycle trying to organise our entry to the Etape. With e-mails whizing back and forwards to Asia/Europe and USA we have now all been confirmed (apart from Rupert who just has to pay 25 quid to his doctor for a certificate). So, the team is as last year with an addition of Pete, my brother-in-law.

As for cycling, a little 1hr time trial on the indoor bike, disappointing average power of 212 watts versus a pb of 240 watts last April, and an outing with Rupert on Sunday around our usual circuit. This time we were joined by Ben, a cyclist from Farnham, whom we bumpted into on a ride a couple of weeks ago. He's pretty keen and is sure to be joining us again.

No damage done to the bike from last week's spill, though Rupert reports that the rear mudgard I put on collects water perfectly and sprays it straight at the rider behind - well at least it stops my bottom getting soaked so I'm OK.

2009-01-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

MONDAY 5th January - 28 weeks to go

Miles last week 65 (65 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles (this year/last year): 263 (+200)
Climbing 2,800ft (850m)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 3.0lbs (-0.0 lbs, -7lbs)
Body fat : 25% (-0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Week after Christmas split between London and Hampshire. Ride out with Paul to Richmond where we did the obligatory three laps, feeling sluggish but Paul going like a whippet particularly up the hills. A disappointing 1hr 9mins or thereabouts, but a reasonable de-brief in the boardroom. Then an attempt to cycle to Hampshire from London... as I cycled along the Bayswater Road I realised I'd made two mistakes - first, it takes three not two hours to do and secondly I left later than I intended, 3.00 which meant it would be dark well before I got home.

As I cycled through Richmond Park the sun was just below the trees and it was getting noticably (even) colder... stopped off at Evans bike shop in Kingston to buy some lights, still deluding myself that it was possible to traverse the surrey hills without dying. Big new shop with only one cashier (three other shop assistants helping customers discuss sprokets) and a queue of five at the till... I waited then the cashier pushed off to deal with a customer. After a few minutes I asked in a loud voice where anyone could take our money... only to be met with a sneer from the assistant/bike enthusiast next to me. If there is one thing that annoys me is retailers not doing the simple things right, so I put my purchases on the counter and flounced out shouting 'In this economic climate you deserve to go bust and all of you loose your jobs if you can't even take money off customers'... I felt good but it was still getting much darker and colder and I had no lights.

Begining to worry, those dark surrye hills were 20 miles or so away... but then I saw a sign to Surbiton and something told me it was on my train line home.... a quick detour and next thing I knew I was on a warm train surrounded by commuters. A few stations on and who should pop into the carriage but Grace...

On Sunday out with Rupert for the usual circuit. Felt unusually sluggish but managed to keep up with him (just!)... on the last few hundred metres was belting along the narrow lane far too fast and hit an ice patch... front of the bike disappeared from under me and I had my first ever crash on a bike. Very un-nerved, Rupert had to help me to my feet, and a bit bashed - shoulder, hips thigh and ankle very sore. Bike a bit twisted, saddle out of true, bar tape ripped and chain off, but otherwise seemed to be OK. Just pleased it was the Bianchi not the lovely carbon Cervelo which may have been a bit more fragile.

Main lesson is to always wear a helmet... the only thing I really remember is hitting my head really hard on the road....

2009-01-04T10:20:00.000-08:00

MONDAY 29th December - 29 weeks to go

Miles last week 21 (21 road, 0 indoors)
Total miles (this year/last year)
Climbing 1,100ft (330m)
Weight (delta week, delta year) : 15st 3lbs (-0 lbs, -7lbs)
Body fat : 24.8% (-0%)
Tantia body type 2 (obese)

Lots of discussion about what cycling challenges for the year ahead, top of our list was the Marmotte, however, as I was about to sign up realised that its the day after the Rugby Leavers Ball.. so won't be able to do that. We also looked at the Quebrantahuesos in the Pyrenees which had great reviews, but Paul couldn't make that. So we are going to go for it again and do the Etape. This year its Mt Ventoux a mountain we stumbled upon a few years ago not knowing much about cycling. On our trusty mountain bikes we cycled 40 miles to the bottom and then started riding up... I had a tactical puncture on the way up and retired but of us all only Peter and Rupert made it to the top... so it is possible, although the Etape is going up the more difficult other side.

Weight shot up over the last couple of months since coming back from Tibet (14st 1lb) so have to get a hold of that over the next month or so. However,