This week I’ve mostly been playing with bikes…
Training with Powermeters, HR monitors and Coaching plans is all well and good, but when the sun comes out like it has this week I reminded myself that you have to have a little fun too. Through the bank holiday weekend I had one day off, but I still managed to ride every single day.
Good Friday was chilly and wet, but commuting by bike to work always makes you feel better and there’s no issue with parking. My legs felt good on the climb up Tea Garden Lane to work. On Saturday the weather was just about as average, but I had the chance to dip out of work for a few hours to test ride the new Parlee Altum R. The new frame climbs really well even on the greasy rough surface of Yorks Hill. Any day where you can squeeze a couple of hours of riding in has to be a good one!
Sunday was about as good as it gets – Sunny, cool and a nice early SDW club ride was a great way to start the day. Back home for some recovery pancakes and then I was off to The Velo House to watch Kristoff obliterate the competition in the Ronde. Then up to Bedgebury with one of my mechanics, Mike, to smash the best bits of the trails. The sun was still shining and the trails were dusty!
The Monday morning commute was hard and stressful – as you can see from the picture below, but after work Mike and I headed up to Rotherfield this time to throw our bikes over some more bumpy terrain. I love riding these trails with someone faster than me – I can feel myself learning and it’s sweet to be out-of-my-depth, even after years of riding. Having said that I reckon I was still pretty rapid chasing after Mikes wheel!
I was tired on Tuesday so I only rode for 3 hours. It was nice and quiet so I was able to keep it fresh by doing some of the trails backwards – I’m not sure if the “black run” is better going up or down but practising wheelies in Bedgebury has got to be better than being in the gym!
Results;
1st – Glen Whittington
Glen rides for the Southborough & District Wheelers. He races Mountain bikes in the UK National XC Points and Eastern XC Series, Road bikes in the Surrey, South-East and Eastern Leagues, TT in the South East Region and ‘Cross in the LCCA League. He receives personal support from Helly Hansen, The Velo House, Scott Bikes and THE.ÆIGHT.BICYCLE.CØMPANY.
Glen runs The Velo House with Olly and Matt, a coffee shop, workshop and bike shop welcoming all cyclists and even well behaved non-cyclists. We’re based at 5 St.Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9GW – 01892 554 505 – glen@thevelohouse.com.