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2nd January 2024
I cycled to work, for the first time in nearly a year, and loved it. A medical check-up a couple of days later confirmed that there was no damage and at last I can think about serious cycling again. My thinking has evolved a bit, now I am working on the North Coast 500, a circular route from Inverness around the North coast of Scotland and back to Inverness. I’m giving myself 18 months to get fit and prepare.
21st January 2024
A trip to Hill Head, along the coast to Stokes Bay and back, a bit over 20 miles without any major climbs. Left soon after dawn.
27th January
Early morning ride, Hill Head via Titchfield, along the coast to Stokes Bay then back via Hardway. It was lovely, a great sunrise when I was on way around, but breezy. 20.8 miles, average speed 13.3mph. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
3rd February
Hill head run again, in much the same conditions. Starting to feel fit again, muscle in my damaged leg building up. Strong head wind along the seafront again, F5-6. 30.7 miles, 13 mph average. Loved it.
Got chatting with Steve and Chris over lunch, about long-distance cycling. Garry got excited!
4th February
Portsdown Hill then back via Southwick. A bit of hill climbing, for the first time in a year, lovely views from the top of the hill then through countryside coming back. On of the advantages of an early start – before sunrise in this case – is the wildlife. I saw two large hawks, one being chased by a couple of crows. I also saw an owl, and there were deer in the fields.
I’m quite surprised how fit I’m getting, so quickly, and I can feel the muscles in my left leg, the injured one, starting to build back up.
17th February
The Hill Head run again, but now I’m pushing myself a lot harder. A total of 40 miles in 3hours. At an average speed of 13.3 MPH. My bike computer cancels when I stop for traffic lights etc, so this is a true speed record.
I need to fuel better, and I need to avoid pushing myself too hard on the first half of a long run. For longer runs I will need to hydrate more, especially when the weather gets warmer. I also need to have a proper meal within about 90 minutes of finishing a hard run like this.
My muscles were aching the next day, but I had recovered by the Monday (19th).
24th February
A very cold morning (forecast 1 degree C). I chose a shorter run with hills, up Portsdown Hill and back around Southwick. I started before dawn and watched the sunrise over Portsmouth from the top of the hill, lovely. Saw lots of wildlife including hares, deer and a hawk.
Got very cold going downhill, and when I got home it took a shower, a cup of coffee and about half an hour before I had warmed up.
25th February
Another very cold day. The run was Titchfield, down to Hill Head, along to Stokes Bay, on to Haslar near Gosport then back to Hill Head. Then repeat. The wind was against me for a lot of it and by the time I got back I was knackered and very cold. Total of 40 miles, 55 for the whole weekend.
4th March
Decided to try a longer route to work this morning, down via the old Lee on Solent road, now mainly a cycle path, then along the coast before heading inland. Total of twelve miles.
It was a lovely morning, bright sunshine if very cold. Brilliant ride, very little traffic and lots of wildlife. I saw a pair of grebe dancing, even a deer in the field, and took some lovely photos of the sunrise. To be repeated.
Together with the shorter ride home this means I do around 20 miles per day, with a longer run over the weekend when I get the chance. I’m really enjoying it.
11th March
Another long ride, down the Eclipse route, via Hardway and Haslar to Stokes Bay, along via Lee to Titchfield Haven then back along the same route. A total distance of 30.44 miles, average speed of 15.1mph, max speed of 23mph, steepest gradient of 7.6% and I burned 1346 calories.
16th March
‘The Butchers Loop’. Titchfield butchers for some lovely thick lamb Barnsley chops, oxtail and a couple of good, thick, pork chops., in all £30. Then on to Hill Head, Lee on Solent and back via Newgate Lane. A total of 13 miles, meaning I’ve done 110 this week. It was a lovely morning by the Solent, clear and bright.
23rd & 24th March
Up to London to watch the Tideway Head of the River rowing race with Dan & family. Around 400 crews took part, on the same course as the Boat Race but in the opposite direction. The crews start at 10 second intervals and timed for the result. Both Dan and Garry have raced it, and both hated it! Very cold morning and the crews looked frozen as they marshalled for the start, but good to watch from the comfort of a lovely pub over a delicious lunch.
Spent the night at Dan’s and had a lovely dinner with them.
29th March to 1st April.
Easter weekend.