Benchmark Training Ride - the first "50"

On Sunday we did our first 50 mile ride.
The route was planned to go along the A30 towards Virginia Water and then drop off to Chertsey, Sunbury and Kingston so that we could pop into the Specialized Concept Store and Sigma Sport.

The profile was interesting, the first couple of miles took us to the highest point and from then it was mostly rolling up and down with a down bias until we reached Chertesy. The route from there to Kingston and back is , basically , flat.

Interesting trip out, linked up with a couple of riders around Shepperton and then I went a little hard on the front for several miles (mental note - don't do this on distance training rides, you idiot). A little shopping (overshoes, rain capes) and a nibble later and we headed back.

The wind (now a cross/head) had got up a bit and kept the temperature and speed down.

Climbing up through Virginia Water back to the A30 was pretty easy, but then the return to the highest point (just outside Camberley) was basically 10 miles of "up"...was just about managing until the climb out of Bagshot, where I had to climb off for a few mintues and some energy chews before tackling the last ramp to Camberley.

Having got over that, I got back into some rythym and the last 3 miles home were fine.

P managed fine the whole way round, I am the weak link when the road goes up.
This is being compounded with "contact patch" issues on my behalf.. not sure which of Saddle angle, bike setup, clothing, position etc are to blame, but OWWWW... the constant shifting to support this was tiring me out, with that and the last 16 or so miles basically being uphill, I found I was no longer responding with the bike and any bumps were catching me out and bouncing me into the saddle.

This is the main reason that my shoulders and neck hurt today as I was so tense trying NOT to get bounced. So...yeah...made 51 miles intact (mostly)..this was, for us, a benchmarking test as it's the longest we've ridden together and also the first real ride on the Roubaix (a.k.a "Michelle") and the Synapse (a.k.a "not named yet", but sworn "at" a bit)..

On the whole, we think the ride was a success and gives us a marker of where we are with 6 months to go.. much to work on..but ....well....if it was easy...etc....

Bike Update

Things are a little quiet on the discussions and planning with the charity front at the moment. so..

We now have both bikes and they have been serviced by our trusty local bike shop (thanks to Dave @ Cyclezone in Crowthorne).

Currently I've only had a brief (10 miles at 0 to -1 degree temperatures) check ride on mine plus a couple of turbo sessions. P has an additional road test under his belt and they are feeling good.

Mine - 2011 Cannondale Synapse 5 Carbon -105..
Sweet looking, light , nimble and comfortable (SAVE micro suspension)..really liking the direct response when I push the pedals harder.

P  - 2008 Specialized S-Works Roubaix - DuraAce
Second hand find. Ridiculously light and nimble, and as close to a pro team race bike as we are gonna get (saying this, I know Liquigas have used the Synapse in Paris-Roubaix rather than their normal SuperSix). It really is a nice bike.

Hoping for a longer ride out this Sunday.

No doubt pics will follow at some point..

Oh. and my 2011 Ridley EOS is now up on Ebay...if anyone is interested in a good 58cm sportive/winter bike...have a look http://tinyurl.com/7lgls9m

Edit - the Ridley has now been sold - Edit

Good News

Today is a good day on the project..

Last night I collected and assembled my "ride" bike - a 2011 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 105 and this morning I've had an email from the charity with which we hope to work which looks like it sorts our biggest worry in planning this...more info to follow when we announce the charity etc in the coming months.

Should be picking up P's "ride" bike on Saturday too....