BeSpoke
Reged: 28/11/2008
Posts: 1490
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2008 marked a return to cycling for me after a long long lay off (I'm 45 years old and hadn't cycled since my early 30's).I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed it. Makes me wonder why I let things slip for so long.
At the start of my year (actually March 2008), my fitness was at a really low ebb and my weight...well you get the picture.
My first commute to work (about 13.5 to 14m) took 1 hour and 30 minutes (average of about 9mph including regular rest stops) and I had to make the return journey with the help of a train....lots of aches and pains that week I can tell you.
By July I had lost 2 stone and I had got the time down to 50 minutes in and 55minutes return (average of about 17-18mph in the country and 15mph in town). Nothing spectacular, but a massive improvement for me.
I maintained my fitness by commuting 3 times a week and adding the occasional weekend ride.
I underwent minor surgery in early October which kept me off the bike for a few weeks and recently the number of rides has faded to an average of one or two per week due to the weather.
My last ride (Friday 21st) took 55minutes in and just over an hour back. It was windy and I was recovering from a cold, but I took that to mean that my fitness has suffered a little over the last couple of months. No matter...onwards and upwards.
So my goals for 2009:-
1) I'm still a little overweight and so want to shift about 10 pounds.
2) I want to push my average speed up to around 20mph. I'm not sure how to achieve this one just yet but reading around the subject would suggest that I include some intervals, core and leg strengthening exercises in my training....Any tips on this would be gratefully received.
Edited by BeSpoke (21/12/2008 11:25)
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bigoldsideofham
Reged: 23/12/2007
Posts: 3223
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Good effort, keep it up.
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newhero
Reged: 23/09/2008
Posts: 253
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First event for yonks this year. I did the Cumberland Challenge on very little training and I was creeping the second half (before the power gells kicked in). Seven hours, including feeds. Was knackered but well chuffed to get round at the finish.
Would love to do it again in 09 and train properly for it this time. Although it is a realy tough course, the organization and marshaling are excelent and I think I could duck under 6 hours with the proper preperation.
If you fancy a realy tough chalenge on quiet roads in beautifull countryside, give the Cumberland a go, but prepare for hills.
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