End of week 7 - already!

Time is flying by far too quickly. We are already at the end of week 7 in our training schedule.


This week has seen us do 2x15 mile rides, with thanks to Verity Pearson and Julie Alabaster for undertaking sitting duties.


Our weekend ride was a 27 mile ride round South Cambridgeshire villages. We were finally given a break with the weather and had a dry, sunny ride (although slightly windy). We had intended to do 30+ miles, but time constraints meant this was not possible. As well as Liz's knee causing some problems too.


Anyway, today's ride (with sitting from Sally and Adrian Jones again!):

Finished Cycle: 15 Jul 2012 13:13:44
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120715-0937.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120715-0937.kml
Ride Time: 2:40:27
Stopped Time: 9:15
Distance: 27.05 miles
Average: 10.11 mph
Fastest Speed: 25.67 mph
Ascent: 486 feet
Descent: 507 feet
Calories: 1718

If you would like to help support our cause, any donations would be gratefully accepted.


http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/simsgocycling

Cambridge big bike ride (and a bit).

Last Sunday, Kev and I took part in the Cambridge bike ride, and Holly joined us.

It was a lovely 12.5 miles around Cambridge and surrounding villages and despite the rain (torrential during some parts) and Holly's bike being both too small for her AND with the brake dragging on the wheel (which we only realised when we got home - poor girl) we completed this ride.

We extended the ride slightly by parking at the Maddingly Road Park and Ride and cycling to and from the Start/Finish line - making our family ride 17 miles in total.
It was a ride route that was lovely though, making the most of Cambridge's many cycle lanes, parkland and towpaths. It was interesting to see the rowers practicing on the Cam and taking in the beautiful Cambridge buildings. A fantastic city all round.



Finished Cycle: 8 Jul 2012 13:30:08
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120708-1031.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120708-1031.kml
Ride Time: 2:06:51
Stopped Time: 51:13
Distance: 17.29 miles
Average: 8.18 mph
Fastest Speed: 14.99 mph
Ascent: 642 feet
Descent: 580 feet
Calories: 1137

Holly about halfway round with her Mountain Dew!

The rain - hiding in the bus shelter for 5 mins as it was so bad. Holly does not look impressed!

Holly and Me at the finish line.

Holly and Daddy with their medals

Kev and Me at the finish line.

Training going well - blogging been a bit slack!

Apologies to those who have been waiting for our latest thrilling installment! Our training has been going very well. However I have totally slacked off in the blog-writing.


Anyway, the weather has not prevented us from going out. Last night we did a brief 15 mile ride around the local South Cambridgshire villages. It did not let up in the rain once! Nice.


Finished Cycle: 12 Jul 2012 21:17:16
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120712-1918.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120712-1918.kml
Ride Time: 1:26:02
Stopped Time: 4:29
Distance: 15.00 miles
Average: 10.46 mph
Fastest Speed: 22.70 mph
Ascent: 292 feet
Descent: 263 feet
Calories: 979


 Last Monday we had another sitter in which allowed us to complete another 15 miles
Finished Cycle: 12 Jul 2012 19:18:11
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120709-1912.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120709-1912.kml
Ride Time: 1:28:50
Stopped Time: 1:09
Distance: 15.56 miles
Average: 10.51 mph
Fastest Speed: 24.04 mph
Ascent: 242 feet
Descent: 216 feet
Calories: 1057





We are now at the end of week 7 of our training schedule. With weekly long rides on Sunday and week-time rides on both the exercise bike and on the road (babysitters depending) we are heading nicely towards our target of 54 miles on the 16th Sept.

Weather troubles and sore bum

End of week 4 - 12 to go!


The great British weather is not known for being reliable. And I really don't mind cycling in cold and heavy rain. Honestly (ok, would prefer it dry but it is not an issue). What IS killing us, is the wind. High wind speeds that make even the tinniest slope feel like Mount Everest. As amateur cyclists, we have not got used to this yet, and am hoping that we will not have to.


If the powers that be could see it so the wind holds off between now and September 17th I would be very grateful!


Anyway, despite the weather, today we went out for a 26 mile ride. It would have been a lovely ride had the heavens not opened and totally soak us about 1/4 into the ride. And had the winds not been so strong that Dorothy's house was seen sailing over our heads!


In addition to today's ride, I have completed 2 12 mile rides this week and 2 exercise bike rides too (been feeling bit ropey so limited my rides). Kev has been more dedicated than me, completing 3 on-road rides, including one 20 miler (though that was by mistake!)


But we are getting there. Just need the sponsorship to go up now. So if you want to sponsor, please visit our donation page http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/simsgocycling - any amount will be very gratefully received.


Thanks

Finished Cycle: 24 Jun 2012 13:04:07
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120624-0954.kml
Shortened Google Maps URL: http://j.mp/Lrtumg
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120624-0954.kml
Ride Time: 2:48:30
Stopped Time: 21:26
Distance: 26.34 miles
Average: 9.38 mph
Fastest Speed: 22.84 mph
Ascent: 498 feet
Descent: 493 feet
Calories: 1803

End of week 3 - and all is good. A Father's Day cycle.

And at the end of our 3rd week of training for this ride (only 13 more weeks to go) we are still making good progress.


Hills are seeming more possible (tough but do-able), distances are seeming shorter, weather conditions are less limiting.


But still a long way to go. Once again HUGE thanks go to Mummy and Daddy Jones for the babysitting services.


Week 3
Mon or Tues: 20 ‐ 25 mins
Thurs or Fri: 20 ‐ 25 mins
Sat or Sun: 1½ hrs


This was our guidance for this week.


This is what we achieved:


Liz:
Week 2
Mon: 30 mins exercise bike
Thurs: 12 miles (70min)  on the road bike ride
Fri: 12 miles (65min)  on the road bike ride
Sun: 20 miles (2hour) on the road bike ride

Kev:

Week 2

Mon: 30 mins exercise bike
Thurs: 12 miles (70min)  on the road bike ride
Fri: 12 miles (65min)  on the road bike ride

Sat: 5 miles (25 mins)  on the road bike ride

Sun: 20 miles (2hour) on the road bike ride

No lovely pictures this week as I forgot my camera, but our ride today was  fab (until we hit Flint Cross and the A505 to Royston). The road between Royston and the Wimpole roundabout is a nice fast 5 miles, and the cycle path past Wimpole Hall was very nice.

Finished Cycle: 17 Jun 2012 12:15:35
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120617-1009.kml
Shortened Google Maps URL: http://j.mp/L5sTq8
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120617-1009.kml
Ride Time: 1:58:38
Stopped Time: 7:31
Distance: 20.73 miles
Average: 10.49 mph
Fastest Speed: 21.36 mph
Ascent: 378 feet
Descent: 378 feet
Calories: 1481

If you would like to sponsor us on our venture (and we would be VERY grateful if you did), please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/simsgocycling

Midweek cycle - ride number 4. Horrible headwinds.

Just a quick blog post today - a squirmy baby means typing is not the easiest task!


Anyway, as we are struggling with getting people to help is train in the week (my kids aren't that bad!) we have done individual rides today - both around an hour.


Kev's route took him just up the B1198 to the Wimpole roundabout and back.


I went a slightly more scenic route, up to Wendy, through Bassingbourn and home. 


The only problem faced today was killer headwinds - even on downhill bits it was tough pedaling! 



Finished Cycle: 14 Jun 2012 15:59:13
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120614-1442.kml
Shortened Google Maps URL: http://j.mp/LmLTg4
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/87c0/5850/4f83/90df/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120614-1442.kml
Ride Time: 1:11:09
Stopped Time: 1:56
Distance: 12.14 miles
Average: 10.24 mph
Fastest Speed: 23.77 mph
Ascent: 90 feet
Descent: 107 feet
Calories: 754

End of week 2 training

Week 2 & 3
Mon or Tues: 20 ‐ 25 mins
Thurs or Fri: 20 ‐ 25 mins
Sat or Sun: 1½ hrs


This was our guidance for this week.


This is what we achieved:


Liz:
Week 2
Mon: 20 mins exercise bike
Tues: 95min on the road bike ride
Thurs: 25 mins exercise bike
Fri: 30 mins exercise bikeSun: 2 hrs

Kev:

Week 2

Tues: 95min on the road bike ride

Thurs: 45 mins exercise bike

Fri: 45 mins exercise bike

Sat: 45 mins exercise bikeSun: 2 hrs