2020 RR X CCC Today was suppose to be the big grand finish.
25.10.20
Ride 12 - 114.83 miles to go.
After a week off, I was looking to finish in style with one last big ride.
Today was suppose to be that day.
114.83 miles left and wouldn't it be great to do that in on go.
All week looking at the weather forecast and it did not leave much hope of it happening. Then on Friday the forecast for Sunday suddenly looked promising.
I really psyched myself up for this and maybe that is the first error that I made. Usually when I do 80 plus miles. They are rarely planned in the days or weeks before. I just get up early, head out and see how I feel. This one was different. I am doing an event and wanted to push myself physically, mentally and do that century ride, taking in new locations along the way.
Up early, a little food (never eat lots before a big ride - this was a second error!) The forecast predicted a 30% chance of a shower at 9am. Lets head out earlier then.
7:45am - Ready. Set. Go!
8am - I hit the first little kicker, not even 2 miles away from home and out of nowhere this dark cloud just appeared. Directly over my head!
Here we go - 2020!
I just shook my head and thought this just ain't going to go to plan. Within another mile I was fuming, cursing out loud to myself, slowly getting soaked. The weather forecast said 9'fcuking'am not 8am!
My clothing are decent shower proof items. And usually I can ride on in all weather but, this is late October and the rain is now becoming 'freezing'. Add blustery cold winds in to the mix and no matter how hard you are working and that your body is keeping you warm. Wet attire in these conditions soon makes things miserable.
Regardless, I needed to battle on.
I could see the beautiful blue skies in the distance to where I was heading and thought, we are good.
My route was to take me to Buxton and on to Bakewell before sweeping back towards Manchester and home.
You can see the route below. (My only image/photo in this blog - I was too upset to get any whilst out and about).
The three climbs out of Stockport - absolutely blew me apart! (the first also including the small downhill section!)
My thinking was to take them nice and steady knowing today was a big climbing day. Up and down for a good 50 miles.
It didn't matter how easy you tried to take them. They were just outrageous (well in those moments to me they where). The blustery winds didn't help at all. Felt like a whirlwind constantly whipping around you.
Hitting Buxton was a huge relief. 41.5 miles and 3,332ft of elevation in 3 hours and 20 minutes. Well, lets just say that it was a battle.
Pulling up at the train station, cold and shivering. I found myself in the exact same position as in Ride 1 over in Chester. I had to listen to my head and it was telling me to just get back to Manchester. See how you are then and take it from there.
The journey back was great. Train to myself. Snug and warm. One of the stops was Hazel Grove. A place I know well, with the earlier outbound route taking me through it.
Being a little warmer, I had to have a word with myself. With only another week left of the RR X CCC and to clock the target of 525 miles. I needed to box more miles off.
Knowing home was around 25 miles away and conditions much improved to that over in Buxton. I did a quick calculation and told myself lets get to 75 miles for the day. (33.5 miles needed).
I hit start on my Garmin and just over a couple of hours later. I was home.
Totally gutted for a ride I had planned not to work out in the way I was hoping for.
But four things…
1 - Don't psyche yourself up for any ride! I am not a professional!
2 - You gotta fuel better dude!
3 - English weather sucks! (nothing new there).
4 - Less than 40 miles to go!
485.2 miles down. 39.8 to go. 27837ft climbed.
Ps - Your support would mean the World to me and even more so to The Arthritis Foundation…
>>> MY DONATION PAGE
Ride 12.
D. 75.03 miles. (41.48 + 33.55)
E. 4530ft. (3322 + 1207)
Ride 12 - 114.83 miles to go.
After a week off, I was looking to finish in style with one last big ride.
Today was suppose to be that day.
114.83 miles left and wouldn't it be great to do that in on go.
All week looking at the weather forecast and it did not leave much hope of it happening. Then on Friday the forecast for Sunday suddenly looked promising.
I really psyched myself up for this and maybe that is the first error that I made. Usually when I do 80 plus miles. They are rarely planned in the days or weeks before. I just get up early, head out and see how I feel. This one was different. I am doing an event and wanted to push myself physically, mentally and do that century ride, taking in new locations along the way.
Up early, a little food (never eat lots before a big ride - this was a second error!) The forecast predicted a 30% chance of a shower at 9am. Lets head out earlier then.
7:45am - Ready. Set. Go!
8am - I hit the first little kicker, not even 2 miles away from home and out of nowhere this dark cloud just appeared. Directly over my head!
Here we go - 2020!
I just shook my head and thought this just ain't going to go to plan. Within another mile I was fuming, cursing out loud to myself, slowly getting soaked. The weather forecast said 9'fcuking'am not 8am!
My clothing are decent shower proof items. And usually I can ride on in all weather but, this is late October and the rain is now becoming 'freezing'. Add blustery cold winds in to the mix and no matter how hard you are working and that your body is keeping you warm. Wet attire in these conditions soon makes things miserable.
Regardless, I needed to battle on.
I could see the beautiful blue skies in the distance to where I was heading and thought, we are good.
My route was to take me to Buxton and on to Bakewell before sweeping back towards Manchester and home.
You can see the route below. (My only image/photo in this blog - I was too upset to get any whilst out and about).
The three climbs out of Stockport - absolutely blew me apart! (the first also including the small downhill section!)
My thinking was to take them nice and steady knowing today was a big climbing day. Up and down for a good 50 miles.
It didn't matter how easy you tried to take them. They were just outrageous (well in those moments to me they where). The blustery winds didn't help at all. Felt like a whirlwind constantly whipping around you.
Hitting Buxton was a huge relief. 41.5 miles and 3,332ft of elevation in 3 hours and 20 minutes. Well, lets just say that it was a battle.
Pulling up at the train station, cold and shivering. I found myself in the exact same position as in Ride 1 over in Chester. I had to listen to my head and it was telling me to just get back to Manchester. See how you are then and take it from there.
The journey back was great. Train to myself. Snug and warm. One of the stops was Hazel Grove. A place I know well, with the earlier outbound route taking me through it.
Being a little warmer, I had to have a word with myself. With only another week left of the RR X CCC and to clock the target of 525 miles. I needed to box more miles off.
Knowing home was around 25 miles away and conditions much improved to that over in Buxton. I did a quick calculation and told myself lets get to 75 miles for the day. (33.5 miles needed).
I hit start on my Garmin and just over a couple of hours later. I was home.
Totally gutted for a ride I had planned not to work out in the way I was hoping for.
But four things…
1 - Don't psyche yourself up for any ride! I am not a professional!
2 - You gotta fuel better dude!
3 - English weather sucks! (nothing new there).
4 - Less than 40 miles to go!
485.2 miles down. 39.8 to go. 27837ft climbed.
Ps - Your support would mean the World to me and even more so to The Arthritis Foundation…
>>> MY DONATION PAGE
Ride 12.
D. 75.03 miles. (41.48 + 33.55)
E. 4530ft. (3322 + 1207)