No Sleep Til Dunsfold

To sat June's been a bit hectic would be a bit of an understatement. On the sixth, you know, I rode the complete Paris - Roubaix, the following weekend I found myself in the orthopaedic ward to have pins removed from my broken elbow. This was done under general anaesthetic and my consultant told me to expect a couple of weeks off work. My plan to have a reunion with my old flatmates from Uni was in tatters. We were aiming to compete in the Action Research "Ride 24" road relay at the Dunsfold Test Track, better known for being the venue for the filming of "Top Gear".
Coming to after the operation, I was surprised to realise that I felt good, "must be the drugs" I thought, but as time went by I found no pain at all, in fact I only had a couple of small, neat wounds and half a dozen stitches. Perhaps we could do the ride. On Thursday I made up my mind "I'm in!"
Friday was a bit manic as I found packing a nightmare, in the end I filled the car with everything that might possible help me. I picked up Cobbleshock from Gatwick and we headed to Haslemere to meet JJ at his brother's.
Richard and Shelia were perfect hosts making us welcome and cooking a lovely pasta meal served with plenty of Rioja. We retired early mindful of the weekend ahead.
Arriving at Dunsfold we realised that we were perhaps under equiped, out two man tent and gazebo being somewhat inadequate when compared to the marquees everyone else seemed to be erecting.
As we chased around setting up camp and bikes, my old friend Nugg turned up quickly pitching in to get the bikes numbered and set up.
Retrophoenix phoned to say he'd be late!
At ten to twelve, I was ready to do our first stint, we'd drawn 19th on the grid of 88 teams so decided to attack from the gun to sort the wheat from the chaff. I made the front before the first corner and put it in a big gear for the fast tailwind back straight. Peeking under my arm I was pleased to see a long string gasping in my wake. A strong group soon established itself at the front and it became clear that knowing how to ride in the crosswind that was blowing across the long, long runway was going to be crucial.
We decided that an hour at a time would be an efficient way to tackle the event, and I duly handed over the reins to our leader Cobbleshock, JJ followed on and whilst he was getting stuck in millionaire businessman RetroPhoenix made his appearance. At this stage we were sharing the lead with a couple of other teams, but worringly Team Sky Estall Express were more interested in attacking rather than working together, every change we made saw them launch an attack, and eventually the elastic snapped, we had a tactics meeting deciding to stick to our own plan, work in groups and save our strength for the morning.
As night fell, so did the the temperature. The race however continued to be hot and I found my midnight stint a lonely time trial, the landing lights of the runway blurring my vision as I struggled to keep up the pace on the much darker back straight. Finishing I headed for the solace of a massage, and some comfort food, before climbing into my ski suit and sleeping bag in a vain attempt at sleeping. I was dreading the 4am shift, but with it being June the first hints of daybreak were appearing and my spirits were lifted as the sun crept over the horizon. We were doing well to hold on to second place but had to keep things together to hold off team 77 who were just 1 lap behind, Team Sky were still in a commanding position having put a second lap into us.
Twenty hours in and we switched to 45 minute stints, knowing that Sky were going to stay on top we just hoped to lift the pace a little to make sure of second, this proved top be a good plan as we soon had another lap on team 77.
By eleven the crowds were huge, our final hour was to be two lap sprints, hopefully taking less than 15 minutes each so that we could get in 8 more laps before the mid day finish.
RetroPhoenix did a great job at the end to bring us home with 187 laps completed, thats 536 miles at over 22 mph! Sky Estall Express, took overall honours with 191 laps, and we were pleased to also take the veterans win.
Biggest cheer of the day went to Frenchman Jean Michel Teppaz who rode solo completing 137 laps or 393 miles!
With results ready within 10 minutes of the finish it was a thrill to receive the applause of the massive crowd, and share a few moments with some of the best friends anyone could ask for.
The usual question, "Would I do it again?" Oh yes! It's a fantastic event with absolutely first class organisation.
Thanks to; Cobbleshock, JJ, RetroPhoenix, Rich, Sheila and family, Sarah and the team at Action Research, BMI massage and everyone who gave up their time to make it such a memorable event.
www.action.org.uk/get_involved/ride24

As I was saying yesterday...

As you can see there's still quite a bit of snow hanging around here in Kent. These pictures were taken this afternoon during my training ride. Needless to say I did have to retrace my tracks a bit. Still managed some quality miles on treated roads between the snowdrifts. Incidentally the pictures were taken at the top of the North Downs between Doddington and Lenham.

Details of the ride; www.garmin.com/activity/24752292

Whinging about the cold

I've finally had enough of everyone whinging about not being able to train! True we've had the coldest winter I can remember, but an excuse not to train? No.
So, here's the rub; First, what's wrong with the turbo? "Boring" I agree but it's a means to an end, do swimmers moan about lengths of the same pool being boring? No they get on with it, THEY ARE TRAINING!
Anyway what stops you from riding on the road? Too cold? Get real, mountaineering in tweed jackets in the 20's was cold. With today's high tech fabrics there's no need to freeze, X-C skiers manage to survive when it's well below zero.
Ice on the roads? Back in the 80's I arrived in Brittany from a Majorcan training camp. Having put in the hard miles for three weeks I was alarmed to find the roads around our village locked in perma ice! The solution? Wellies, ski jacket and a 4 Km walk to the nearest treated road, boots and coat left in cafe whilst I rode laps of the main road. Bonus was a coffee when I finished training and nice warm boots for the walk home.
All this got me thinking, what are we out training for? does it matter where we train (So long as it's safe)? Do we need to ride a circular route? I don't believe we do. You're training for races, not cycle touring.
So when its icy I get onto the nearest treated road and ride up and down it, and if it's really too bad I hit the garage and the turbo.

Cobbleshock

In response to Cobbleshock's recant Blog regarding the importance of quality rest in your training programme;
It hasn't always been this way; Way back in the winter of 1984 Cobbleshock, Retrophoenix and I were students in Eastbourne. Cobbleshock was a fresher and RP and I were third and second years respectively. It might be an understatement to say that RP and myself were somewhat competitive; We were both First Cat racers and our competition often continued over into training.
On this particularly miserable January day the three of us set off in bitter conditions to do a "long one", RP and I set the tempo on the front as we braved the biting wind and occasional sleet and hail storms. Up and over Beachy Head we pushed, each turning the screw a bit tighter as we tried to half wheel each other into submission. This punishment continued for an hour or so, neither of us prepared to submit to the will of the other. Finally having turned into the wind to head North through Piddinghoe RP turned to me and spoke his first words for an hour "Matt's gone"
I looked around, Cobbleshock had indeed "gone" he was nowhere in sight. We pottered on for a mile or so to give him the chance to catch up, nothing. We turned around and retraced our tracks for a mile or so, still nothing.
We decided he'd had enough of the cold and wet and binned it, feeling slightly guilty we pressed on, our ride truly becoming a "big one" of five hours or so.
Returning to Eastbourne, we thought that it would be nice to check that CS was OK so we pulled by the halls of residence and popped up to his apartment. His roomie was in; "Hi Brad, seen Matt?"
"Er, no wasn't he out with you two?"
We explained how we'd lost him, but assured Brad he'd be back shortly, (it was getting dark after all), and we were feeling genuinely guilty, remember?
RP and I rode down to our flat for showers, and dinner before deciding that we really ought to check on CS again. So off we went back across town to his halls. Here we found the shell of the man formerly known as "Cobbleshock" Still kitted out in the full 80's winter regailia from the tip of his Duegi overeshoes to the top of his peaked winter hat, he was crashed out on his bed, fast asleep just the way he'd stumbled incoherently into the room.
Brad elaborated, "He wobbled in here, fished an old Mars bar from the bin, scoffed it and passed out"
Eventually we roused him and over a cuppa he recounted his tale of woe. " Lads, I was so tired. We've done so much training this month and it was so cold, when we turned at Newhaven I'd had it, I shouted but with the wind must have been deafened you both. I stopped and went onto a pub to try and buy chocolate. Then I decided to shelter from the weather in a bus shelter, I must have dozed off for a moment or two. When I woke up I was really concerned I'd still not have the energy to get home when, by pure chance Robin's mum drove by and gave me a lift."
Clearly Cobbleshock's learned from our mistakes!
Cobbleshock, is this how it was?

Another crappy December day

So dark when I woke up. Didn't fancy getting out of bed, but forced myself. Weather was miserable all day, first summoned to Boss who kindly informed me that I hadn't been successful in my application for my job which I'd been doing for 15 years, he then went on to suggest I should be interested in pensions! Ha! They have to maintain my pay for three years, so there is a silver lining, I guess.

Staff training at the end of the day was pointless as was unable to log on to do the work. Balls!

Curry was good though.

Going to have a little ride on the turbo trainer tonight, should be pleasant as this is my recovery week after three hard weeks.

Broken elbow hasn't improved much recently, 12 weeks since accident now. Half way to getting the pins out.

So only 9 days left at work before Xmas, hopefully the New Year will see improved fortunes.

Nice pic of Eddy, inspirational for my ride in the Paris Roubaix Sportive on 6th June, think not succeeding at interview could be good for cycling career!

November

Highlight of month was Club coach trip to Ghent for the Six Day. As usual some people underestimated the power of Belgian beer!!!

It was great to meet up with some old friends, some of whom I hadn't seen for years. Racing was thrilling and kids loved getting some autographs.

Rains have been Biblical and consequently I've not been too bothered by my injured elbow, as I've got down to some serious turbo training. Pins are now sticking well out through skin so my op to remove them can't come too soon.

With Christmas on the horizon we went shopping in Maidstone yesterday. What are people like? Stupid, fat and ugly, that's what! I can't believe some of the sights!