On Friday night we took my bike to our trusty Local Bike Shop (thanks again Dave at Cyclezone) and did a proper setup check to try and address the "contact patch" issues I'd been having.
Changed and checked saddle angle, fore and aft position and a new stem (20mm shorter) all done and felt good on the turbo.
Rode out yesterday (solo as P had a mechanical just before we were leaving) on a 27 mile loop that we've used before. looping out past Bramshill, down to Fleet, round Farnborough and back via Frimley and Camberley. There are 2 notable hills, from Eversley the road rises gently towards Heckfield Heath with the last km ramping up consistenly, with the last 50 or so metres up to the junction being rather steep. then the road drops for 500m then another 1km climb.
The last time we rode this way I struggled on both, yesterday I managed both without stopping (quick breather after the first ramp) and specifically the longer one went well (it also ramps up in the last 200m)
On the whole, the ride went well, not fast, it was never supposed to be, but steady and a LOT more comfortable than I have been.
I'm also improving my pedal stroke, clearly evidenced by the fact that my quads are a little achy today. Out of the saddle climbing is starting to feel a little more natural again too (remember that I used to ride a LOT 20 years and several stone ago. though I'm now nearly 2 stone lighter than when I started road riding again last May). I also felt really good at the end despite a lack of sleep (late night and an early F1 GP), and really ropey nutrition on the Saturday (I really didn't eat enough at all for a number of reasons).
More chat with the charity and we appear to have arranged support drivers and a vehicle (this is a surprise as we had planned to use our trusty Freelander) and a couple of "training days" with them.
I am hoping to sit down on Tuseday/Wednesday and put together the announcement proper. I'm also going to start firming up the actual route this week.
5 months to go...
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