Check it out!!!!

Three months ago I was resigned to missing all of this year's targets, and I have now hit the most unlikely one of all.

Having lost over 30 kilograms since July, I am now below my 95kg target for 2011. All I have to do now is stay below it.

I have the incentive. The Wild Edric Sportive showed me what I can do if I put my mind to it, and the next big target is next year's Etape.

On the basis that I will be recording the journey of all 10 of us keen cyclist's from work to the Etape, I will now close this blog, but look out for next years when I have it set up at:

http://twotours.blogspot.com/

Three go Wild in Shropshire (and Wales)

As an end of season tester myself and two colleagues, all three of us keen on doing next years Etape, entered the Wiggle/Kilotogo Wild Edric Sportive at the end of October.

This 98 miles has over 2,000 metres of climbing, more than the Cheshire Cat, so the primary goal was to achieve a similar time to the 7:20 that I did at the end of March. At least that way I would know that this year hadn't been too damaging.

Being a little late sorting ourselves out, Brett, Andrew & myself rolled out about 10 minutes after the first starters, but immediately found fragmenting groups on the road. Brett and I dug in and got on a group of 6, Andrew missed it, got shelled out the back, and wasn't seen again all day.

Arriving at the bottom of the climb to the Long Mynd, it was apparent that something was awry. I could still see Brett after the first pitch upward, indeed I could still see the whole group. Some of them did drag off into the distance over the next 2 miles, others did not. In fact, others appeared from the far distance and were left behind. For virtually the first time on a UK Sportive, I was passing other riders uphill. Thankfully, I realise that giggling out loud is frowned upon and I managed not to do it. The 20% descent of the Burway into Church Stretton was damp and 'interesting' but it wasn't until 5 miles later that I came across the aftermath of a rider using his face to brake on the greasy road surface. He was a mess, and certainly made me concentrate on riding more carefully for a while. Until a HUGE group came past at mega-speed and, for once, (again a virtual first) I managed to get on the back. Not only that, but I also got into as well as onto the group, and was a contributor as we then averaged 40kmh for the next 25 minutes.

Arriving at the first feed, I saw something I have never before seen on any Sportive. Brett. He was just leaving as I arrived, and whilst I didn't see him again until the end, he was not that far in front. The real draggy climbing starts as the route goes out through Montgomery and Kerri, but I still managed not to be overtaken by too many, and keep up with most. A small walk was taken on Kerri Hill (300m at 19%) with the legs threatening to cramp up. Cramp was a worry, but not one I have suffered from in a good while. The reason for this was evident later in that I was going much harder than normal.

After the climb to Cilfaesty Hill on the Welsh border, the next 12 miles is mostly downhill to Knighton, and a complete blast. After Knighton, to Clun the road tortures you some more by constantly gaining and then losing height, but after Clun, the last 10 miles flattens off a bit. After Clun, I hit the afterburner, and was amazed to find that I actually had one. The last 10 miles were done in 34 minutes, but unfortunately were just a bit to slow for me to hit an unexpected landmark.

Silver Medal time on the Wild Edric is 6:34:00. I finished in 6:38:10. Utterly spent, but well pleased. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect that I would get well inside my Cheshire Cat time, let along miss the Silver standard by just 4 minutes. In fact, my ride time was 6:29 so actually on the bike I was inside the time. I'm loving this being lighter thing.

October - Month of the Audax

Well, having been a lazy git for months, September's realisation that "it can't go on like this" led to a flurry of audax entering.

Once my own Audaxes were organised and all riders accounted for, I turned my attention to getting the fat boy in shape. Weightwatchers was joined, and audaxes entered.

First up, The Welland Wonder 100 with my wife in close attendance. On arrival, we were greeted by 10 minutes torrential rain, during which we cowered in the car and pondered the wisdom of our attendance. Within 15 minutes of starting, all such thoughts were banished as we freewheeled through the grounds of Stanford Hall. 5 minutes later, and my chain was once more wrapped around my bottom bracket refusing to co-operate. A rotor chain saver has subsequently been fitted, both Mr Schleck and myself having learned from experience. The route is quite lumpy to begin with, but once we ended up North of the start at Husbands Bosworth the countryside is splendid. As a fellow rider remarked, "if they hadn't found coal and iron ore here, it would be better known than the Cotswolds", maybe not, but I can see what they meant. Finishing at shortly after 3:30 our first 'proper' ride for ages finished in a fairly standard 6:30.

2nd October saw Rourkies Cat & Fiddle Challenge, and the first visit by Mrs H to the Cat & Fiddle Climb. Whilst the A roads were a bit busy, neither of us struggled with the climbs and by now I was beginning to notice that breathing on a climb was less of a problem. Nevertheless, the customary 50mph was achieved on the descent from the Roaches to Blackshaw Moor (love that descent). Not only did we have a good 4:40 on the bike, but I also caught up with Mark, seemingly for the first time since Etape 2008. Too long.

Quick, we're getting fit, enter another one. 8th October for Discovering Shropshire. This one had everything, long drawn out climbs, mental descents, a crossing of the Iron Bridge itself, and chickens trying to scrounge the obligatory bacon sandwich. This 120km ride is a gem! We were blessed with good weather, and the views were superb. The fact that much of the last 20 miles is downhill doesn't hurt either.

Next weekend, and the keenness continued unabated with entry to the Centurion Challenge. Starting near Cirencester, this involved a plummet from the Car Park to the start that promised late afternoon pain (though in the end we hardly noticed). The first few miles are on little travelled roads, little travelled by anyone including Gloucestershire County Council as the surface was not brilliant. Nevertheless, the drop off of Painswick Beacon and subsequent climb back up (after cake) promises good training for next year's exploits (more later). Rolling out onto the Severn Plain, this ride then has to regain lost height, which it does at a place called North Nibley. My wife will never forget this place, as the 200m of 17% climb left her gasping for almost asthmatic breath before a feed station with a view at the top of the hill. Rolling gradually upward, there was a brief period of 'rambling' on a 20% section before another swift run into the finish. Another cracking ride for next year's calendar.

Finally, I was dispatched on my own to North Wales for the Clwyd Gate Audax, a hilly affair with 2.25 'scenery points' (climbing points for the uninitiated). This saw me going well for most of the day, on a cracking route with many alpine style climbs, and a visit to the seaside. Further evidence of reducing weight was provided with my fastest time ever up the Horseshoe Pass, faster event than 2008 when I was in full-on Etape training mode. Bodes well.

Throughout this year, I have been somewhat 'flat' and uninterested. By the end of these 4 weeks, I was again coming to the realisation that, if I ever have to give up my possessions one-by-one, they will have to pry my bicycle from my cold dead hands. I'm loving this again!