7th August
I decided to do part spinning part road biking toady. So I attend the 1st spinning class at 5:30pm but missed the 2nd to go out on the bike. Spinning was good, change of bike position tonight, so we were in rows. I took the back row, along with the regular, dedicated spinners, bar J & J who like to be near the air con, no point me sitting by it, It makes no difference to the amount I perspire. The class was good, wore my bib shorts, which appear to make me go faster, I should have worn them sooner!
Back home, quick change and out on the bike with Mark. He has brought me a speed and cadence sensor, to help me keep pace, I didn’t realise how difficult it is to keep at 80rpm all the time. The weather was good, a little breeze but nothing too bad, nice enough weather to just wear a short sleeved jersey. So out on the open road, 17km out and I’m getting saddle sore, which is not good, definitely going to have to look at a different shaped saddle. So we decide to head back, as our new mantra is, shorter rides but more of them to get us going. So I’m enjoying the ride back when this middle aged male on a hybrid over takes us, not a problem, I have no issue with a fellow enthusiastic cyclist pushing themselves to the limit. However, when it becomes apparent that this person had only over taken us to beat us and now keeps looking behind, smiling and then slowing down, it drives me a little crazy. You see I wasn’t even trying as he over took me, so the fact that he thinks that he is fitter and better cyclist, it’s like red mist falling in front of my eyes. He’s about 800m in front of us, it could have been further, I’m not good with distances. So I begin to speed up a little, Mark tells me, “Lucy stop what you’re doing, behave and let it go”. I lower myself down on the handle bars and getting into sprint mode, smirk at me; I will give you a run for your money. So off I go, for someone watching from a far, it must have been a sight. This guy in bright yellow cycling along, every now and then turning to look behind. When he sees us closing in, he peddles as fast as he can. So for those who Know Red Road, the road ends on a bad junction in Berrow, approach with caution! I was hitting 35kph, on the flat, my heart was pumping and I had him in front of me, about a bike length in front as the end of the road approached I decided that A – he would slow down and B – I’ve made my point. He took option C and just cycled on to the road without even pausing, lucky for him there were no cars. Mark was quite impressed with my sprint and decided that all we needed was a person on an electric bike, 100m in front of me gesticulating at me and I will have no problems going over the mountains, anyone fancy that job?? An enjoyable evening ride, looking forward to tomorrow evening J
8th August
So I set the old alarm for 6:00am, not a chance of getting up, I tried but unless its work, I have no motivation currently, no matter how hard I try. So I decide we shall have an evening cycle ride instead, so it gets to 6pm and I look at Mark and say are you ready? The response is not so enthusiastic so I tell him to get his kit on and let’s get going. Mark has changed my bike seat and swapped it with his old road bike seat, fingers crossed it works. Again a lovely evening, not too breezy, perfect cycling conditions. Bike seat appears to be working out ok, so hopefully less saddle sore from now on. We cycle up Bleadon Hill, I can tell that my fitness has improved because I’m not in the easiest gears and I manage to stand all the way up the hill J A good ride, now need to start making the evening rides longer, at least 50km, the last 2 have been 30km.
9th August
My legs are really aching today, not sure why, really want to go out on the bike but it’s a no go today. I do make it to spinning but I really feel it in my legs, a no energy day today, things will get better next week.
12th August
Due to the arrival of a new addition to our little family today, I only managed a double spin. Class was busy, a good work out, Penny pushing us, which is always good. Legs felt much better tonight and I’m noticing I’m riding in a harder gear when sprinting, which is good. Just need to work on my sprint pace standing up next, a great class. Penny’s away next week, it will be interesting to see how I fair with a different instructor.