I really like point to point rides, but ending up miles from home at the end of the ride is generally not a good outcome. Consequently most of my P2P rides have been on supported trips like the Chamonix to Zermatt or have involved riding self supported with all my own kit like the Trans Cambrian Trail. Having the option of a lift home in the car is a new variation on me. It is however the option that let me ride up to Bury, crossing for the first time in my life Rivington on a bike. The rider names from the Commonwealth Games road race in 2002 are still painted on the road over to Belmont.
To the Ranges
Having ridden east and north, I decided that it was time to head south and try and find the path to Hightown the next settlement down the coast from Formby towards Liverpool. I knew it existed, I’d spotted the cyclepath sign whilst out driving with the kids. I could remember exactly where it was, but it looked clear enough on google maps. I was wrong. It wasn’t the right path and a white road became a double track which became a single track and the next thing I’m at the perimeter of the Altcar Ranges with the Army shooting at things.
I skirted the red flagged area, but the bath turned literally to sand which is not ride-able over any distance on a road bke with 23mm slicks so it was hike-a-bike until I eventually found the path I was looking for. Once into Hightown another white road descended into track as I headed for Little Crosby but from there it was all on the black top. I ended up in some of the less glamorous parts of Merseyside which I decided (based on the number of boarded up houses and funny looks from the locals), was not the place to be on a road bike, in disco slippers wearing lycra. A swift exit followed, back to the tranquility and relative wealth of rural Lancashire for the rest of the ride.
The Hunted
Decided to up the stakes in terms of the turbo riding and purchased my first Sufferfest video, opting for The Hunted. It was very good, the time just seemed to go really quickly and there was good variety in the session. I’ll be downloading more.
End of Month Blast
On Friday once I’d done half a days work (although officially on holiday) it was time to head out on the bike. Looped further South East than previously into one of those winds that makes you check that the brakes aren’t rubbing constantly then it was up and through Ormskirk before heading home.
The plan for next week was riding everyday and so I entered one of the Strava challenges -1250km in the month of June, but shortly afterwards (about 10 minutes) we discovered our eldest son has come out in Chickenpox so that’s that plan scuppered and I don’t have the turbo or the Wahoo unit back from warranty replacement.
Ups and Downs
Having done the hills to the west of Durham last week I thought that I would do the run to the coast this week. This should really have been do the hills to the east of Durham. It is not flat, but there are some pretty interesting ups and downs to contend with. The road surfaces are some of the worst I’ve ridden. Rough tarmac at it’s worst – making the bike vibrate and bounce around. Amazingly it seems to have taken just over two hours to do less than 25 miles.
Now here’s the rub. I actually planned the route using Strava’s route planner and then was a bit put out by the difference in numbers recorded on the actual ride. I made a couple of detours, so I’ve just cloned and edited the planned route to represent the one I did. Strava’s route planner says:
35.3mi Distance and 2,681ft Elevation Gain
So why does the ride I actually did only come in at:
24.3mi Distance and 1,635ft Elevation Gain
To put a further twist on it, the Wahoo app I use to record the ride has logged it as:
23.2mi Distance and doesn’t show elevation gain.
Now why Strava corrects the data that is exported to it from the Wahoo app, I am not sure, but in th east it’s always seemed more plausible information.
I conclude that the Strava route planner software is just incorrect in its calculations. I had thought that the Wahoo / Strava issues was related to the recorded data via the speed sensor, but given that’s kaput at present I am at a loss to explain it – they both seem to use the same Google data.
All I know is my legs feel like they’ve done some climbing this evening and more than last week although Strava reckon’s it’s actual 20ft less climbing than that ride.
In other news, the turbo session yesterday evening seems to have buggered the speed sensor on my Wahoo SC bluetooth unit. The cadence still works and even a brand new battery purchased via a dash into the city this morning has refused to resurrect it. It’ll be off back to Wiggle for replacement.
Longest ride in years
Over 50 miles on a bike. I’ve not done that in a long time, but I did manage it today and actually felt good the whole ride. Even managed to set a new PB on one of the final stretches to home. Strava is good for letting you know when you think that you’ve had a good ride and match this agains past rides on the same roads. Stepping up the mileage seems to be working. More hill work during the week this week and perhaps a trip to the seaside in County Durham.
It was windy out there, but I just seemed to find a tempo that worked for me and pressed on (had achy knees on a couple of occasions). Stopped on Marine drive and took a photo across the Ribble Estuary – you can see Blackpool Tower…
Turbo Sweatfest
Sweaty sesh on the turbo tonight. Daft Punk: Discovery as tunes and 16.3 miles in 30 minutes. Might have to start taking this training seriously.
Eshing Great
Was going to session the turbo yesterday, but it rained, rained, lashed it down and rained some more so I skipped that and went food shopping. Wise move as tonight was epic. Really in the rhythm on the climbs and seemingly endless descents at warp speed. Beautiful evening and warm enough for just shorts and jersey.
That was windy
Decided to head south and pick up the disused railway line that turns out to be the Trans Pennine Trail that you can join from the road between Sefton and Maghull. It would be fair to say that the surfaced section didn’t last long before it became smooth trail and then Singletrack.
Came back onto tarmac and headed across to Ormskirk, picking up the quiet A59 and heading up towards Preston. Ended up passing Martin Mere having explored a few route options that descended into private gravel roads.
Chuffing windy ride all in all – really suffered on the final push across the moss to Birksdale. Saw loads of chain gangs out during the ride.
Turbo’d
Another sesh on the turbo tonight, much better training and cooler as it was drizzling a bit and helped keep the body temperature down. Chemical Brothers: Dig Your own hole provided the tunes as I put out 15 miles in 30 minutes. Given I only did 10 in 32 minutes in the first session I can quite pleased with progress – further gains will be harder to match.
I thought I would say a few words about the tech. I am using a Wahoo Bluetooth heart rate chest band and one of the combination cadence and speed sensor. Its all Bluetooth 4.0 kit so uses very little energy and isn’t a constant drain like older Bluetooth technology.
The only limitation I have discovered so far is that the speed sensor seems to reach its limit at just under 50mph, you can sprint as hard as you like, but I am yet to see the magic five-o appear on the screen. In terms of use, just start the Wahoo fitness app on the iPhone do the sesh, then when it’s finised share the work out with Strava and you’re done. The app has a clear simple display showing all the basics.
Pretty pleased with it so far and can’t think of anything I’d change. I stick the phone on a window ledge in front of me when on the turbo in the back yard or in a jersey pocket on a ride. I looked at the Wahoo bike computer, but really don’t think I’d use it and there is no way I am going to bar mount the iPhone. If I had the cash I’d be tempted to bring a Kickr trainer back from a trip to the US. They look awesome, it would be cool to be able to do a virtual training ride up Alpe d’Huez with the turbo constantly varying the resistance along the climb.
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