Week 6 - Another 50 miles

Monday

So I cycled in to work after a fairly rubbish night's sleep. In the classroom, my eyes were stinging and I was so tired that I felt myself nodding off at my desk between lessons. I managed to cycle home, but when I was faced with the prospect of an hour of weight training, my willpower wasn't enough. To not feel entirely useless, I did some ironing instead.

No exercise, no junkfood, no alcohol

Tuesday

I woke up feeling much better!

In the evening, Lucy and I went along to wish happy birthday to Jess. Of course, I had a beer with Jonnie. Unfortunately, there was no time for exercise today.

No exercise, no junkfood, alcohol

Wednesday

Not a great night's sleep, but I got up feeling okay. I cycled in to college. It was a lot colder than I expected and I was glad I was wearing two pairs of gloves. When I arrived at college, I discovered there had been a power-cut in the area! Staff and students were standing around in the car park. I got to hang out with James and talk about brake pads. 

It wasn't long before the power was back on and the college day could continue.

After lessons, Michael and I did another workout in the college gym. I then cycled home to make a protein-rich dinner and to drink some milk.

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

I woke up feeling pretty good and looking forward to breakfast.

It was a very cold and wet day! I used the car. 

After lessons, I went along to the college gym for another session. Later, I took Fred the dog to the vets. Back home, then back to fetch Martha from work, then back home again for two bowls of homemade spaghetti bolognese.

College workout, no junkfood, no alcohol

Friday

I cycled to work while Lucy went swimming. In the afternoon, we had some training on a teaching and learning method know as interleaving - where the students have different tasks to do which require lots of different skills, rather than just focusing on one skill (e.g. division). After this, I cycled home and then got ready for dojo.

Sensei Jason was in charge today and he did a great lesson for young people - they didn't get chance to get bored! We started off with some intense stretching followed by some fast-paced combinations. Then a blast through Kihon Kata. Suddenly, he had the crash mats out and we were doing break falls! Just as I was getting in to that, the focus pads came out and the young people were practising their punches and kicks. Then we were in groups for kata, and then the lesson was over! Phew. One hour flashed by in what seemed like 10 minutes. It was obvious to me that this lesson was a sort of example of interleaving - we didn't focus on developing one skill, but did a session that required several different skills to complete. Maybe Sensei Jason was at our teacher training and I didn't spot him?!

Home for dinner and glasses of water.

Karate, no junkfood, no alcohol

Saturday

Today I washed the car. It was a mild and sunny day, and I enjoyed being outside. When I'd finished, the car was still hideous to look at, but at least it was gleaming in the sunshine.

Today's Karate session was a good one, mainly because Sensei Gary came along and got everyone working on the pads. He also demonstrated some self-defence techniques which meant that I spent a lot of time on the floor!

Back home, I decided that I needed to workout so I spent an hour throwing some weights around in my man cave.

Karate, weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol.

Sunday

Another long bike ride - today we had planned a fifty miler heading through Langley and Luddington, to end up at Wilmcote after 35 miles. It was a slightly chilly start but the day soon warmed up a little, which meant I was sweating in four layers, two pairs of gloves and a balaclava! 

As is often the case with us, we found it almost impossible to ride together! Today, Jonnie was either romping away off the front or about 50 metres off the back, depending on the terrain! At least James and I managed to have a nice chat as we rolled along. What we all noticed today was an increased level of aggression from drivers, a general disregard for our safety. We are travelling along wet, often muddy country lanes. However, Audi and Discovery drivers don't seem to care about this and will drive dangerously close and/or overtake on blind corners. It's just dangerous. The worst for me, however, was on the descent off the Widowmaker in Langley where a farmer in a pick-up truck dragging a trailer went blasting by on narrow lanes, overtaking myself and James on blind bends. If anything had been coming in the other direction there would have been an almighty smash. Some people are just idiots.

The big concern of the day was the ticking and clicking noise coming from the bike. I was 99% convinced that it was the bottom bracket that had finally cracked and given up the ghost. The bike had been completely silent for the first few miles but it got gradually louder and louder as the ride went on.

Anyway, I enjoyed today's ride mainly because I was feeling energetic and full of beans! When we turned west, James and I took it in turns to ride into the headwind. I dug in along the Luddington stretch but it was a real leg punisher and I was glad when James took over up Binton. By now the bike was ticking and clicking constantly. I was careful to ride it gently up The Wall so as not to crack the bearings completely. As soon as we arrived at Wilmocte I examined the bike and was stunned to find that the bottom bracket was solid and silent. The noise seemed to be coming from the front wheel. This was more expensive than a new bottom bracket...

After a quick visit to Yvonne and a slice of always excellent homemade cake, we leapt back up onto the bikes and headed north for the final 14 miles, the bike ticking and clicking annoyingly all through Aston Cantlow.

However, as the miles went by, the noises became less, to the point where the bike was almost completely silent for the last three miles - whirring like a new bicycle fresh from the shop! I have no explanation for the ticking and clicking noise that came and went in the space of 50 miles. If I think about it too much I'll drive myself barmy!

I was rather behind the chaps by the time we arrived at Jonnie's road and the sprint was on. I launched myself from the junction, turning myself inside out to get past James in the last few metres. Afterwards, James just giggled at me and said he wasn't sprinting anyway. Which is a shame because I always enjoy the sprint.

In the evening, Jane and Dodgy Debbie came over for dinner and I had one too many beers while playing some great music!

The first of too many!

Cycling: 50 miles, junkfood, beeeeer!

Week 5 - Best Cake Ever!

Monday

After work, I got on with some weight lifting. After an hour of lifting, I got on with making dinner and drinking beer.

Weight training, no junkfood, booze

Tuesday

I cycled in to work and back. Then did an hour of weight training. Then I shocked my liver by drinking tea instead of beer!

Weight training, no junkfood, no alcohol

Wednesday

I cycled into work again. It was rather cold and I had to defrost the car for Lucy before I left. I was wrapped up for arctic conditions but by the time I got to work on the 10-ton mountain bike I was a bit sweaty. Even my hands weren't too bad, but then I was using hand warmers and wearing two pairs of gloves!

After lessons, Michael and I headed to the college gym for a 45 minute workout. We listened to some romantic soft rock tunes followed by some terrible 90s RnB. I blame Michael entirely. I followed the same workout plan as last week apart from one set of bench presses which was 5kg heavier. Always push, always look to improve, no matter how small or slow the progress.

Speaking of slow, I then pedalled home against a headwind. My muscles were aching mightily, but in a good way.

At home, I made beef chill con carne full of fresh ingredients, and then stuffed my face (and belly) full of it! Once again, I surprised my liver by not sipping glasses of craft ale with my dinner.

College workout, no junkfood, no alcohol

Thursday

I woke up with a sore arm. I was aware of a little twinge at some point last night, but today, the ache is obvious. It's my left shoulder really, where I landed on it 9 years ago when I crashed my mountain bike on the ice. The plan was to use the college gym again tonight, but the ache in my shoulder let me know I should rest it. It was one of those rare occasions when I listen to my body. 

In the car today. A very cold morning and I had to defrost the car. Work was okay: some students are getting the idea, some aren't. After lessons, Lucy and I picked up Lily and brought her back for a lovely evening of video games and chicken dinner. Winner! After dropping Lily off, I made a cup of tea and went to bed. 

No exercise, no junkfood, no booze.

Friday

In the car again. Two good meetings in the morning and then loads of paperwork in the afternoon. A very productive day! 

In the evening, I was the instructor for Friday night dojo. Before the lesson, I spent 10 minutes bashing the heavy bag with punches, elbows and roundhouse kicks.

There were a lot of karateka in the dojo including two white belts, a least six black belts, and all the colours inbetween. To make matters even more challenging, the class next door was blasting out very very loud dance music. I had to yell at the top of my voice to give instructions. I kept it simple! Kihon for most of the lesson followed by kata at the end.

My voice was rather hoarse by the time I got back home for dinner.

I watched a bit of TV with my feet up. When I stood up to do the washing up, I found that I had an ache in my right knee, my good knee, to the point where I had to sit down again for a few minutes! It must have been the heavy bag work earlier that strained my knee although I certainly didn't notice it at the time.

I went to bed at 10pm without having any Friday night beers.

Karate, no junkfood, no booze

Saturday

I was up early to eat breakfast and get stuff done. When Lucy got up I had another breakfast! After this, we went shopping for compost, brake pads and other stuff. Lucy needed the car this afternoon so I cycled in to the dojo.

Today was the assessment for kihon (basics). I'm pleased to report that I was able to give a pass to most of my students. Only three didn't pass. I'll make sure that I give extra time to these three students every Saturday. I'm sure they'll be up to standard very soon.

I cycled home feeling good. 

I cracked a couple of beers before heading out for a curry with Lucy and our lovely next door neighbours. I ended up having a bit too much of a good time...

Karate, no junkfood, alcohol

Sunday

I woke up at 3:30 with a large hangover and a bit of balti belly...

I tossed and turned until I eventually crawled out of bed at 6.

By 9am I was with Jonnie and James and about to set off into the lanes. I was admittedly a little relieved to learn that Jonnie was also feeling the effects of a good night out with mates. We set off into a warm wind, glad that the roads were dry and that we could feel our fingers and toes. I struggled for the first fifteen miles or so. My legs felt like lead and my hangover wouldn't let me put the effort in like I needed to. However, by the time we made out way through Aston Cantlow (thanks James!) I was feeling more like my old self and was glad to get on the front to help out.

With the wind behind us in Luddington, we decided to take it easy, have a chat, and save some energy instead of going hard to make up time. The average speed was still okay.

Then, at long last, we arrived in Wilmcote and it was time for cake.

As usual, Jane the master cake maker provided a fantastic choice of homemade cakes. This week, we had to choose between lemon drizzle and coffee cake. It was an agonising choice, but I decided to enjoy the coffee cake.

It was amazing.

By far, the best cake I have ever tasted. No-one else could possibly have made a cake this good.

I will think of it often. I'll tell the grandkids about it.

The best cake ever.

After finishing my cake, my cheeks still wet with tears of joy, I forced myself to get back on the bike. This week, we all set off together. After a few hundred yards, we spotted Lucy and Dodgy Debbie driving along to visit Jane. We said hello and then sped off along Featherbed Lane towards Snitterfield. By now, I was feeling stronger and was beginning to go well. James, however, was in a different league. He launched himself up the climbs and Jonnie and I did our best to struggle up after him.

At High Cross, Jonnie hurled himself down the descent, quickly followed by James. Suddenly, just as I began to follow them down, I developed a nose bleed. I kept going until I got to the bottom and then pulled over to try to stem the flow with my handkerchief. It had made a sticky mess of my bike and my high-vis jacket. After the nosebleed had slowed, I carried on after the chaps. They had stopped and had actually started back to find me. Jonnie asked me if I was having a stroke!

Well, we continued on, sometimes the wind helped us, other times it turned into a nasty headwind. We eventually got back to Jonnie's after 52 miles, 2500ft of climbing and with an average speed a little above our target.

Back at home, I cleaned the bike from top to bottom and then lubed it up. I did some ironing, picked Mouse and Cassie up form the airport, and finally got to sit down with my dinner and a couple of beers!

Cycling, junkfood, beers