This week has been fairly light in terms of training volume, but, high in terms of intensity. Just two rides so far – Tuesday and Thursday. Each day was heading off to ride up a few hills as fast as I can.
I have timed myself up many hills with cycling distance of Oxford. Tuesday was off to Brill hill (3.42) Today was off to Watlington climb (3.54) and the A40 climb up Stadhampton (5.08).
I tend to choose the hills, where I will have a tailwind, as it gives you an artificially created sense of being faster. If you’re going to suffer up hills, why not get a little help?
Riding on the new Trek Madone 6.9 is making a big difference on the climbs. Either that or I’m fitter this year – hopefully a combination of them both. Anyway, mid way into each session, the heavens opened and the rain came down, which is a pretty good excuse for turning back home 
This weekend I have another 100 mile time trial along the flat roads of Cirencester bypass. My mind is all focused on sprinting up hills at the moment, looking forward to hill climb season, I will need to get psyched up for a very different kind of race on Sunday morning 6am start.
I’ll be soon moving to Oxford, and like you I enjoy climbing. Can you recommend any routes?
My current hill training route has 2100m of climbing spread over 100km. I think it’s unlikely that I am going to find that type of route near Oxford.
You are not wearing hemlet? Glad to see I am not the only one doing racing without Hemlet too bad I am the hospital currently because of a bike accident due of not wearing hemlet.