winter training - roads are permanently damp.
After a gap of over 2 years, I finally managed a 100 mile cycle ride. It took 5 hrs 20 mins. It was fairly quick until the last 10 miles home into a headwind, which felt very sluggish.
The first 40 miles I cycled towards Cirencester on fairly flat roads. Probably the highlight was taking a wrong turning and ending up on busy dual carriageway for the last 5 miles to Cirencester. There was a slight tailwind and the draft of the cars made my speed shoot up. From 18-19mph I was comfortably flying along at 25-27mph. After being on very quiet back roads, it’s such a difference cycling on a dual carriageway. The noise of the cars flying past, the speed, exhilaration and intimidation. Despite being a bit of a speed junky I was actually glad to turn off and regain the peace of the winding Cotswolds lanes.
I ate about 8 cereal bars and two bananas on the ride.
I think if you are cycling 100 miles, it is good to have a few 60 mile rides under in your legs. Also, If you do make a big jump in mileage take it at a steady pace for first 50 miles.
But, when cycling 100 miles in winter, I don’t like the idea of hanging around at slow speeds. I’m sure cycling 100 miles is much more fun in summer than December and the wettest month on record…
Bananas fit nicely into your back pocket of a cycling jersey, only trick is to make sure they don’t get squashed
odd question, but i cant work out the answer:
Where/How do you carry bananas?
Well done!
I’m hoping to attempt my first 100 mile ride in 2010 (85 has been my furthest so far) … I’d best get off the computer and on with those 60 mile winter rides then.