A Year's Progress

We've come along way in a year, Amanda and myself......

Just over a year ago, we cycled a sportive event called the Hampshire Hilly Hundred - Amanda to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society and me, to help her along the way and provide support.
Amanda found it very tough and completed the 98 (or so) miles in a little under 8 hours.

Yesterday we did the route again (starting from home to increase the miles a little bit), as training for next weeks Dragon Ride in Wales, where Amanda is set to complete 75 miles and I will complete 126 miles, as further training towards the Etape Du Tour in July.

I got home from work and we hit the road at around 10am, heading towards Twyford to intercept the route and soon ran into the first hill of the day - White's Hill, leading to Owslebury. We have cycled this a few times since but vividly remember how much of a shock this hill was when we first did it last year. Turning of the main road, not long after the waterworks building, the road narrows to a single track and works its way through woodland before suddenly steepening from nowhere and reaching 17%. It's not long but tricky if you are not expecting it. We both found it considerably easier than in last May though.

We have also come along way in terms of our knowledge of how our bodies will react and the kind of nutrition we need to have in order to keep going - Jelly babies seem to be the best discovery. Plenty of instant energy, easy to digest and you can take them in small amounts, and most importantly, regularly. With a good breakfast, plenty of water and an electrolyte drink to aid hydration and prevent cramping we managed our nutrition throughout the day.
Winchester Hill and Beacon Hill are not as challenging as they once were and once over them we headed northwards and on towards the top section of the route on the far side of the M3.
At 50 miles in we stopped at Overton to refresh our supplies (not the same scenes of desperation eating ( see earlier post) that greeted my solo trip past here in December).
We timed our most sustained eating for the 3 or four miles immediately before Watership Down but in truth this hill has lost most of it's reputation. It consists of two steep sections with a flat run in between. It was so tough last year because it comes 62 miles in and we were a good deal less fit back then ( we were also both 10 pounds heavier).
As we approached Farley Mount, with around 90 miles on the clock, I realised that if we took the most direct route home from here we would not reach the 100 mile mark.
I indicated to Amanda that we would need to go all the way back to Twyford and then home to make sure we went over the ton. She was now becoming very tired and fortunately for me, could not catch me up to strangle me.
We arrived home more than an hour quicker than the year before and did five miles more. Our average speed was 2 mph faster and I certainly had a good bit more in the tank, which was a welcome confidence boost.
Onwards to Wales now for the Dragon Ride, which I am really looking forward to as Wales is a place I hardly know and I will hopefully have some pics and video to give a flavour of the day.....

Al Goes to Fat Camp - Day 3

As many people had left on the previous evening, it had been decided that only one group would go out on the final day for a short 30 mile ride to stretch our legs. It had also been decided that the group would go at a nice steady pace as everyone was tired and like myself, faced a substantial trip home.
Heading North out of Skipton the ride was just that, a nice gentle roll round. Then a rider had a chain snap, and the group took a few minutes out while a repair was made.
As the morning progressed I became increasingly aware of a new rider that had not been with us on the previous days. He clearly had fresher legs than us and was determined to force the pace, although it was funny to watch as the group "hung him out to dry" and no one followed him, forcing him to stop and wait - with a thoroughly disgruntled look on his face.
It was inevitable though that as the end of the ride came, the stronger riders began to pull away from the group and a bid for first to the hotel was being made. Everyone let the new face sit on the front and just sheltered behind him, knowing that he would simply ride himself into the ground, and so it proved.
We entered Skipton on the final run in and myself and the new guy managed to anticipate the traffic and pulled far enough clear of the rest that they would not be able to catch us back up. From there, I simply sat on his wheel and waited until about 500 yards to go before sprinting to the finish and leading the way into the hotel car park in a completely meaningless and childish display of waining strength - still, I was really pleased to have finished strongly, it's good for the confidence levels.
It brought to an end a thoroughly enjoyable and informative weekend and one that will hopefully set me up nicely for the Etape in what is now less than two months time.
I am now really starting to look forward to the trip to France and with the fundraising having gone well in the last month or so, I feel that things are now starting to come together.

Anyone that reads this blog and would like to sponsor me for either Parkinson's UK or the Alzheimer's Society can do so by clicking the following links  http://www.justgiving.com/Alex-Hawkes-Parkinsons-UK or http://www.justgiving.com/Alex-Hawkes-Alzheimers - Many thanks in advance.

In the meantime, here is a short video that I have created showing some of the sights of the weekend.

Al Goes to Fat Camp - Day Two

Once again I rose early on the Sunday morning and, with only a little soreness in the legs, was very glad that I had taken the time to stretch my muscles before going to bed the night before.
This ride, the second of three was slightly shorter than the first day at 60 miles and only had three climbs of note.
Breakfast was duly dispatched and I readied myself and the bike for another fast, long day in the saddle with the fast group, and to my surprise, all the same people put themselves up for the challenge for a second day (although one would later drop back into the slower groups after suffering cramp).
We headed off again through Skipton but then turned North West and on to the first climb of the day, Scosthrop Moor, which was challenging but more memorable if truth be known for the descent into Settle which was fast, twisting and utterly unnerving thanks to a rippled road surface which constantly threatened to destroyed any control that you had over the bike. More interesting though was that at the bottom, the welcome into Settle was in the form of cobblestones - ouch!!
The first feed station was located here and after a short session of taking on all the food and drink that you could we turned right and with the warning "make sure you are on the small ring here" (i.e. your easiest gears, indicating a nasty climb). They were not kidding, immediately the road narrowed and swept left, steepening rapidly. Fortunately this was short lived and the, now single track road levelled and followed a hedge line before meeting up with the main road.
A right turn later and we began the main climb of the day - Heading almost North from Stainforth, we turned into what was again a howling wind and the road was very steep at the start.
To use a cycling commentary term, the steepness of the road, coupled with the headwind "blew the group to pieces" and I ended up in the second of four groups, trying to play a cagey game by shielding behind another two riders. Eventually though, one rider dropped away and just myself and Darren continued to the top.
The gradient had now relaxed somewhat and although the wind got even stronger as we ventured further out on to the moor. Courtesy of www.sportivecentral.com

I was becoming aware of a mountain to our left-hand side , and it looked strangely familiar. It almost looked like a forehead...... Darren told me that it was Pen -y - Ghent. Now it made sense as I had been camping there with my Dad many years ago when we did the Three Peaks walk.

 Quite a sight. This just about signalled the summit and a long flat stretch which then descended (very steep and fast again), to Halton Gill where the second feed station awaited.

The next section followed the river Skirfare before swinging left over open grassland over to the far side of the River Wharfe, through Hebden and the delightfully named Appletreewick.

A quick descent and a sharp right turn over a very narrow bridge and we were nearly at the final climb - Halton Moor. The group had to stop though as Darren's chain had snapped. He indicated to us that we should carry on (as luck would have it the owner of the local bike shop was in the pub nearby having Sunday lunch and just happened to have his tool kit in the back of his van).

We pressed on up what was a very nice steady climb. My legs were very tired though and I got dropped on the climb and ended up finishing the ride on my own - my only comfort being that I did get back to the hotel a creditable second.

Better still, we were back in time to grab a quick shower and watch the football. I sat there and stuffed my face with all the post ride recovery freebies that we had been given.

Another ride tomorrow and not too sure whether the legs will be up for it.

Al Goes to Fat Camp - Day One

What a fantastic thought that my Mum and Dad had last October, to send me to training camp in the Yorkshire Dales, organised by Sports Tours International.
I laughingly referred to it as "fat camp", but I knew all along that this would be a hard three days and no laughing matter at all.
Having researched the routes in the week leading up to the trip, I realised that this would be hilly terrain to say the least and that at least two of the climbs were in my book of 100 greatest cycling climbs, notably Buttertubs Pass and Fleet Moss.
And so it was that I set off Northwards after being at work, and after making good progress, then hit a huge traffic jam on the A34 and sat in the car with the engine off for over half an hour. Some six hours later, and thoroughly worn out after a long drive and a 4.30 am start, I arrived at The Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton and got checked in to my room. A single occupancy was a sound idea since I knew that rest would be a premium and I could "spread out". Before I knew it, the time had reached 7pm and it was time for the welcome meeting and a briefing on how the weekend was likely to pan out. Three groups would go out each day to accommodate a range of cycling levels. The question now dawned, which group to go in, and this became the topic of conversation over dinner with a group of guys many of whom had completed previous Etapes and had fascinating stories to tell of their exploits.
We all retired early and I continued to contemplate which was the best group to go with... this thought stayed with my right through until the next morning.
I awoke early as I often do and found myself with some time on my hands before breakfast was available so I got all my kit lined up and pottered down for a leisurely pre ride fuelling session, before we were set to meet up for the ride at 9am. The plan was that the slowest group would go out first, followed by the middle speed group, with the fast group going out last. I was toying with the idea of going with the second group but after chatting to the leader of the fast group, I thought to myself that I had come here to train, not to just amble round and take it easy - the fast group it was.

We set off on what was a 90 mile route with four notable climbs, although the road was never really flat at any stage...... Heading North out of Skipton the early part of the route was gentle enough, and the pace was fast but no so fast that weren't able to take in the increasingly beautiful surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales
Our ride leaders indicated to us that the first climb of the day had arrived as we passed through Buckden, known as Kidstones. Profile from www.sportivecentral .com

This was a lovely climb with a few steep sections and sweeping hairpin bends but it was more notable for me for that fact that my chain jumped off during a double gear change. Just as I tried to use the front derailleur to re align my chain, I felt a hand on my back, pushing me for just long enough for me to get my chain back on without stopping. It was Darren, one of the ride leaders who has been alert enough to see/hear what had happened and helped my out before it became a problem - a great help.

Following a fast descent and a water stop we proceeded towards the second marquee climb of the day - Redmire Moor. Approaching from the south west you see the impressive site of Castle Bolton on the left, before climbing up onto open moorland. Profile from www.sportivecentral .com

As you can see this is a significant climb and with the strong headwind, this was a climb not to be underestimated. I really enjoyed it actually as I always think that you might as well make the training as difficult as possible.

The descent was pretty scary, I found. Paul, Darren and a couple of our guys fairly hurtled down this narrow, twisting, wall-lined road. The howling wind gusted and did it's best to throw you off line. I just held on tight and went down as fast as I dared.

The next stretch took us through rolling Dales countryside and past river (although fairly dry) and on towards Thwaite, which signalled the first major climb of the day - Buttertubs Pass, rated at 8 out of 10 in my book of cycling climbs. Profile from www.sportivecentral .com

Turning left off the main road, the start is not too difficult but ahead you can see the road steepening and swinging first right and then left in alpine-hairpin style.

The pace had been quite hard up to this point and a few of the guys had been left behind. meanwhile Alistair, who I had been chatting to and, it turns out, lives only a couple of miles away from me shot off. Not attacking but just riding away, and having established that he is a triathlete, I made no attempt to try and keep up with him.

Alistair was waiting at the bottom of the descent and I joined him to wait for the others to catch up. Glancing south and saw what appeared to be a road going over a very steep hill in the distance - it looked familiar too, having had a good look at the climbs prior to the ride. Yes it was the final climb of the day, Fleet Moss - the highest road in Yorkshire and it looked horrendous from this distance. Profile from www.sportivecentral .com

We headed through Hawes and just as the 100 Best Cycling Climbs indicated, the road climbs steeply at first before all but levelling off. It really is toying with you though as, once you pass all the farm buildings, all you can see is a really big hill, and the road simply takes the shortest route over it. No hairpins to soften the gradient, just straight up and over, and it it just gets steeper and steeper, finishing off with a brutal section of around 20% when your legs are in tears. Once over the road flattens before a short final 18% ramp to complete the climb.

The descent that follows is terrifying - twisting blind corners, uneven road, very steep and a cross wind. Concentration is the key and by the time we had got to the bottom my eyes were nearly popping out of my head.

The final section of the ride seemed to take for ever as my legs, arms and wrists were all tired and all I wanted t do was get back and rest (and have a beer).

We all gave it our best effort to get back to the hotel and with a few mile to go, myself and Alistair had dropped the rest of the group, and the two leaders had gone back to make sure that they were OK.

The two of us eventually reached the hotel together and shared a handshake as we came into the car park together.

A few beers, a seminar on the Etape route and a hearty supper later, my head hit the pillow and that was the end of the end of day one.....