Trek Madone 5.2

Trek Madone 5.2 (Image from Trek website)

The weather has been awful again.To compensate, I've been looking at bikes. I don't need another one right now, but, I like to keep an eye on the developments from the few manufacturers which I know make larger frame sizes (62-64cm). The Trek Madone 5.2 is a thing of beauty. I particularly like the 64cm frame option and of course the ultegra finishing kit.

The important geometry facts are that it has a maximum seat height of 90cm, a standover height of 84.1cm and a rather long wheelbase of 101.8cm. Thats just slightly bigger than my Cannondale Six. You can buy it in a rather splendid electric white and blue but for me, the stealth black would do just fine.

Details can be found at http://www.trekbikes.com/

Just one more thing, It costs £2850. Which is a lot of money.

A Little Lumpy

It certainly will be a little lumpy. A sportive on your doorstep is too good to miss. Billed as being 59 miles long with 4073ft (1241M) of climbing, its going to be murderous on the knees. The route runs out from Haslemere and down to South Harting; a lovely spot on the South Downs. The website describes the journey from thereon as that "You will encounter your first ascent of the South Downs up the North face of Harting Down" - Gulp! It goes on. "This year we are sending you back over the Downs three more times before you return towards Haslemere, only this time with a last hurrah over Blackdown, the highest point between the (North & South) Downs".  Well, thats daunting! The only good news that they're telling me is that "We have pared it down it bit from last year, cutting out climbs at the end over Marley Heights and Fernden Lane". Lord knows what the epic (100 miles) is going to be like. I'll stick with the standard.

A ride taking in Marley Heights or not, this will be a monster. The details, should you wish to join in with the insanity can be found by following the link below,

http://littlelumpy.co.uk/

My training regime has already started with a ferociously paced 90Km up to Leith Hill and back via Holmbury St Mary (bagged yesterday - Saturday 21st.) The Saturday club ride is a step up in pace versus that of the Sunday version. I was taken to the edge of my current ability just keeping up. I took a turn on the front a couple of times, albeit briefly. The average speed was about 16mph and given the total ascent was over 800m, I was shredded.

Midweek training sessions have to be the norm now, rain or no rain. Longer, faster riding on a Saturday and a roller session somewhere in between should be expected. Dedication.

I'm not going to predict a time for the lumpy, but to come in over the line without being burnt out would be enough to aim for right now.

Il Pleut des Cordes.

Officially the South East of England is in drought. It hasn't stopped raining since Sunday. Admittedly this wont cure the drought but it has put paid to enjoying an hour or so of riding after work. Bicycle riding just isn't pleasant when its tipping down, even less so when accompanied by blustery wind.

I could get the rollers out, but that requires more motivation than I currently have. Its been a dull, energy sapping week at work just to add to the generally grey ambiance.

I can only look to the weekend for a spin out and in that thought there is hope. Glancing at the club calendar, there's a ride out to Abinger Common, via Cranleigh and Leith Hill. Even in the rain this could be a good ride. Very good coffee stop too I seem to remember.  

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=33044

Undoubtedly, rain or no rain, there will be an abundance of cyclists out towards Leith Hill. Its the cycling Mecca of the South East and will be awash will club shirts and fine bicycles. Last time I was out this way the climb up through had an almost Tour de France feel about it, the roadsides littered with cyclists enjoying a drink and a rest in the glorious weather. I'm not expecting the same atmosphere this time.

Lest I forget, the little lumpy sportive will be coming up in May. I need a few longer rides under the belt, interspersed with a few short ones. Thing is, anything over 100Km inevitably takes you to the seaside and that probably means more wind and more rain.

2012 - Fulfilling the Promise

Its mid April and I've made the best start to a cycling year since 2009. The difference, I expect this year, is that I have the motivation to keep going. I became a bit dispondant after last years accident and had put on a bit of weight. 2 sportives in the bag already and a frequency of riding that I have found beneficial to increasing my performance, continuing weight loss and general well being, I'm feeling good about 2012. I'm back riding on a very regular basis with the club too. The company of other riders has been great, they're a friendly bunch and my riding has improved massively because of them, even in such a short space of time.

I wont lie, the first sportive was tough. The Hell of Ashdown - it was just that. A harsh winter put paid to a sufficient training regime and as a result I found the ride tough going, unrewarding and thoroughly demotivating. A missed turn (lets say poor marshalling) that added an extra 15KM to my ride didn't help. My time was awful and I felt suitably dreadful. As I look back on the ride now I largely think about the scenery, the great route and the way that my 2012 cycling effort was kick-started albeit brutally.

In my last blog, I listed out a number of events I was going to enter. Further to this, I'm going to publish my achievements to chart my steady progress and add an element of motivation.

The Southern Spring Classic

Good weather, good preparation and a cracking route through the tri-county area (Surrey, Hampshire & West Sussex border) all made for a pleasing day in the saddle. I opted for the 80Km Route, which you can view by following the link below.

http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=352393

I highly recommend this sportive. The route takes you through some surprisingly good countryside and quiet roads. The major climbs were mainly towards the end, the climb up iron hill to the finish post being the most gruelling. As this was the innaugral ride over the new cycle path atop the devils punchbowl (apparently!) the scenery along the section from Thursley and alongside the new section of the A3 was spectacular.

I posted a time of 3Hrs 20mins, which although is by far not my best, I usually average about 15-16mph on my own, but having spent the week leading up to event by working some very odd hours in the morning/night, I am fairly pleased with the progress. Subsequent club rides have been faster still.

The Tall Rider. Preparing for yet another slog uphill!

So who could of thought it? regular riding with company improves your technique! Tea and cake adds motivation! And lest us not forget, with cycling, you only get out what you put in.