Since I last wrote I have been training hard and spending more money!
A couple of weeks ago I went to Greenwheel cycles in Peterborough www.greenwheelcycles.co.uk where I had a bike fitting. This is worth every penny (£60 in this case). I was thoroughly measured up and put on a turbo trainer on my bike to assess my riding position and style. After a few tweaks I was already feeling more comfortable. The following day I met Simon and Phil in Northants where we went on our first 'group ride'.
Simon was awesome, you could tell he cycles loads, and his bike was in another league...about £5500 worth!!! you would have thought he had an engine fitted the way he went up the hills..and on the subject of hills, where I live in the Fens there aint any, so you can imagine how I lost my sense of humour after about the 10th big hill! Actually it was not too bad, and Phil was a great help, two of you struggling is always better than one.
We did about 42 miles, having stopped at 32 miles for a coffee and a slice of Lemon Meringue Pie, to help with the carb intake!! (learnt that from Roger)
I drank two bottles of powdered sports drink, and had two energy bars and a gel (which was awful) You realise how important hydration is when you start doing any kind of distance.
This ride certainly spurred me on as two days later I was out doing a 32 miler, followed by a 28 the next day and then hitting my new goal of a 50 miler a few days later. This was a real milestone for me. I set of at 0930hrs on a really lovely day, armed with two bottles of drink and two energy bars. The main problem I had was the heat though...can you believe it, April, and its over 80 degrees! I made it though, 50.63 miles in just over three hours. I immediately hydrated with some recovery drink. I then fell asleep for an hour watching the football. I woke up and jumped in to our new hot tub...MISTAKE...I got serious cramp on the inside of my thighs, and did it hurt. I was beginning to think I would not get back out the tub. I then had another sports drink with a pinch of salt. This seemed to work and I did not have any further cramp attacks!
I have purchased another cycle jersey, new wireless computer, two carbon bottle holders, new socks, Scott shoes, pump, and various energy bars and drinks. Its not cheap cycling, but you get what you pay for, so buying quality gear pays of in the long run.
The next big challenge for me will be the Norwich 100 in June....!!