February half term training rides

LEJOG.... I can do it! 36 days until I start!

I’m feeling really good about the distances...

Why?? Because I’ve just done 3 days of cycling in a row this half term and then a further 2 rides and covered about 200 miles.

The weather was kind with no rain at all and certainly no ice or snow which I had worried about getting in the way of the training. This was the last block of time I had to prove to myself that I could get up every day and cycle around 50miles.

Saturday Day 1 - up towards the airport and out to Clevedon and back - 35 miles

Shorter ride today as we needed to get back for the afternoon - Emily and Tom were going to triathlon and Mum and Dad were going for afternoon tea! We left the house about 9.15... I’m going to have to get quicker at getting ready... mum says I faff around a lot! I’m trying out new kit this week. As I only had one of everything, we had to buy more - I can’t live in the same clothes for 21 days in April! The new bib leggings, long sleeved jersey and socks are really comfy.

We cycled out to Ashton court, through Barrow Gurney and up to the airport. There were quite a few hills but nothing too bad. We ate lots of jelly babies and cycled on quite a few cycle paths which were clear and not too muddy. We stopped at the marina in Portishead to buy food. I had a chicken Caesar wrap from Waitrose! It was cold and windy down by the water so we got going quickly and headed home.

Sunday Day 2 - Bristol to Bath and beyond to the two tunnels- 55miles

I did over the 50mile distance today. I was a little grumpy getting up, but as usual, as soon as I got on my bike my mood improved. I think it’s just the effort of getting ready (and turning off the film I was watching on TV!) We cycled a circular route: Filton, Bradley Stoke and Chipping Sodbury cycling on quite a few cycle paths next to main roads. We went beyond Bath towards Bradford on Avon via the very cool 2 tunnels - they were very dark with music installation in the middle. We then stopped for lunch at McDonalds! Really healthy I know! I told dad it contained all the major food groups so by definition was good for me! Then we cycled home on the bike path and down past Bristol Harbour and up bridge valley road to finish our 3000ft of climbing for the day. I saw one of the teachers from school who gave me a cheerful wave which was nice. 

When I got home I felt tired, but ok. Soaking in the bath was nice!

Monday day 3 - Bristol to Cardiff International Swimming Pool! - 48miles

I LOVE the leisure pool at Cardiff! It’s got 4 different slides including a bowl one where you go round and round like a washing machine and then drop out the bottom!

Dad said that if we wanted to go, we would cycle there. 

I was definitely grumpy this morning... didn’t want to cycle, but again as soon as I got on my bike I was fine. Made it out the house on time as well... result. Both our legs were tired today, so we were slow to get started. I have been stuffing wine gums and jelly babies (thanks auntie Fi for the supplies) for the last 3 days and dad says he’s totally sick of them. I definitely didn’t have enough to eat during the morning as I got a bit grumpy and kept asking dad if mum could pick us up on the way past, but eventually we found a massive superstore and dad treated us to a slice of hot pizza, a steak and cheese bake and 2 bars of chocolate to share which cheered me up no end... it was really windy all the way today - in our faces so really tough going. We got to the pool at about 2.45pm. Mum and the twins were already there. We had 2 hours on the slides and playing hide and seek in the pool and then went to Las Iguanas for tea.

Dads got to get up at 3 am for work tomorrow - he is really tired! Think I’m bouncing back from each ride better than him!

Thursday morning day 4 - ride out with the twins across the downs to have a play on the pump track - Not very many miles at all, but lots of fun!

Tom was on his mountain bike and so was finding it very heavy on the road - I got a bit frustrated at having to go slow, but didn't fancy going on ahead either.

Saturday day 5 - up to Tintern Abbey and back - 45miles

This was the first ride I have done with a cycling club and although I was really worried about cycling with other adults, I really enjoyed it - I rode out with BS10 Cycling Club who were really friendly. It was better riding with them as I kept my pace up more and had less stops. The weather was glorious... so sunny and hot. We stopped at the cafe in Tintern for hot chocolate and cake and still covered 45 miles in under 5 hours. I need to remember what that feels like so I can pace myself better by myself during LEJOG

Things I’ve realised I’ll need to get right if I’m going to be able to get up each day and cycle for 21 days:

• I need to eat little and often otherwise I’ll get grumpy! 
• I need to eat better... I can’t live on jelly babies and wine gums for 21 days - bananas and flapjack would be much better!
• I need to keep my clothes organised in the camper van so I don’t loose things and can get dressed quickly otherwise I’ll drive my mum mad!
• I’ll need lots of warm clothes to put on when we stop for breaks - I get cold easily - and warm comfy clothes for the evening,
• Mum has been reading up on preventing saddle soreness etc... but that’s too much information for me at the moment!

On Sunday the 3 of us are going to the velodrome in Newport for the second time - I loved it last time... once you get the hang of how fast you need to go to get up the side of the track, it’s really exhilarating - I'm really looking forward to it!

That’s it for now...back to school next week.

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