The secret life of a 1st cat

[-Adam-]

I am Lance Armstrong

Stu is Jan Ullrich

This morning Stu and I were aiming to do about 5 hours down to Ditchling and back. The plan was to meet at Walton-on-the-Hill at 9.30.

Now admittedly when I woke up and looked out the window, the weather was not looking too welcoming, it was wet, dark and cold. Great. So as I expected, shortly after 8.30 my phone beeps, and it's Stu... ''Hey Adam, not going to ride today, im feeling a bit rough this morning''. Duly he was texted back with the information that he is indeed a tart! So I was on my own.

With the Ipod charged I set off into what was not quite as cold a morning as yesterday, but not far off, and much less sunnier. Anyhow, a lovely route down saw me pick up the club run down to Faygate, across the dual carriageway and up to Colgate and onward. Down some lanes that PVT would be proud of, Spronketts anyone!? After about 2 and a half hours I arrived at Dolly's for my cappucino and cinamon toast, which duly recharged the legs. Off I went, back up more PVT approved lanes, Streat Ln, Slugwash Ln... barely a car to be seen. I did however need to use the road from Ardingly to Copthorne however, which was a bit slow due to the unusual wind direction. After then it was up to the Newchapel circuit, onto Bletchingly (where I spotted Dominic out on some secret training also) and then the Merstham drag, which was pretty tough after such a long solo ride. Back upto Coulsdon and home.

And you know actually the weather wasn't so bad. About 5/6 degrees, heck, even the sun came out a few times. I did just make it home before it rained again though.

145.6km without a wheel to suck, now thats a proper training ride.

5:15 on the bike
29km/h av
152bpm av
1405m of ascent

Like I say, Stu stayed in bed and missed out. But then I guess thats why he only just kept his 2nd cat licence huh. And he's already paranoid about his weight!!

This is what it takes, the will to train when your competitors can't be arsed.

Vive le Vélo

[Sylv]

Nice! I set off at 6.30am and it was even worse - started drizzling after about 10min, I was starting to regret getting out early for a pre-work ride. Then it got better, by the time I was showered the sun soon appeared! So I went out again at lunch for a run

Stu can't be Ulrich though if he's worried about his weight at this time of year?

[Andrew G]

Nice little ride report Adam, and making me dead jealous. Spronketts and Slugwash are superb roads, as is the Ardingly area. Had to settle for a normal commute of 14 miles each way, the morning was fairly unpleasant as I'd only just got to the top of Spout Hill when the drizzle became annoying enough for me to stop and fish out my waterproof. blessing in disguise really as it meant I stayed nice and warm.

Winter riding = Full mudguards make life soooo much nicer. Also got some Northwave Fahrenheit boots which are just lovely, couldn't recommend them highly enough.

[Dominic]

I have to say Adam you looked very smooth and dare I say fresh. I was wondering how far you had been. Mind you you only beat me by 4 hours and that was with a puncture

Keep it up!!!

[-Adam-]

Hi Dominic, you're too kind. I was really keen to get home by then, and I knew I still had the two b*stard climbs up to the A25 to go, otherwise I'd have joined you for another hour or so!

The weather was ok Marco, but it never really got warm. My gloves were annoying me from time to time to I was taking them off as and when I could. Had them off most of the way back.

Lime green never suited me much Sean, although I was impressed he was in the move at the Japan Cup on Sunday. I wish I had more time, I'm too tired to do the uni work I should be doing now

I don't understand why Slugwash Lane is such a Tunnell favourite, it's pretty rolling! And ridden northbound as part of the second half of a long ride, it's really quite a tough road.

Still, just gotta get this sort of ride into the routine as a twice per week thing... I can't wait to start racing again, it's sooooo much easier

[Stu Merckx Man]

sounds like a nice ride.

i did want to come, but my chest felt tight and painful, and ive been coughing up stuff all day!

[-Adam-]

Today's session was cross training at its most diverse, clambering across the roof of Hampton Court Palace. And before you ask, no I wasn't trying to rob the place! I was on a uni trip there for building heritage purposes. Nobody ever told me East Molesey was quite such a nice place for an afternoon pint... oops, better not let the coaches see this page! Still, Guiness is good for you, isn't it!?

So, how'd you like them chimney's...

[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/2989051157_58b3a86363.jpg?v=0[/img]

Or, after careful negotiation, my new ''grace and favour'' pad... third window from the left, top floor... nice.

[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/2989906290_0652f5ea4d.jpg?v=0[/img]

Like the views?

[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2989049425_309c6f5765.jpg?v=0[/img]

[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/2989051823_e51c13e432.jpg?v=0[/img]

And don't forget recovery is the most vital part of any training reigime. So tonight it's 106 minutes sitting down for Quantum of Solace, which is apparently based on a book which is solely a conversation between Bond and some other guy, and hour after then end of Casino Royale... quite how this is translated into a feature film I eagerly await to see...

[Snoop Doug]

nice pics....is that hoodie on the roof doing an elephant impression?

[Michelle]

Great photos Adam, I do like the chimneys.

Secret life of a 2nd cat.

Friday 31st October

I get every 4th Friday off, so decided to do a huge LBP ride. Unfortunately I went south east which was not a good choice as there were lots of hills (cue going up them at 5 mph) and it was icy to start and wet with slippery leaves, so I couldn't push on the way down.

After 1 hour 50 my legs got the 'kicked by a donky' feel again, but no toooooo bad. After 2 hours 30 I got a bit bored and wanted to head home. After 3 hours I was finding it hard to keep my HR down, think I got to the can't be ar$ed stage. Finished famished having done 3 hours 45, not many miles, and not very fast.

Spotted - 4 cyclists, numerous cows, a few cars especially on the B roads, 2 great views from impromptu hedgerow toilets, 2 roads that looked like cross courses, one mucky bike.

[-Adam-]

I must say Michelle, I did feel sorry for you today. When we went past you I promise you, my LBP was the last thing on my mind! All I wanted to do was get warm, stay warm, and get home. So fair play to you for sticking to it.

Back to the secret life, has anyone seen Avenue Q? It's fantastic, just saw it this evening, if your easily offended, I wouldn't reccomend it however! But there are some real comedy moments! And for a touch of real life comedy, as usual my apauling time keeping lead me to miss my last train home... in quite humourous fashion (well I can laugh now I'm home anyway). On the tube, through Embankment and we stop in the tunnel, some idiot has pulled the emergency alarm on the train in front, nice one. 4mins 37seconds til my train departs. Into Waterloo tube, 3min 57seconds to go... So I literally sprinted up the escalators, nigh on jumped the barriers, up onto the concourse... Normally the Epsom trains go from platform 1, I'm standing by platform 18 Cue, more sprint cross training down the length of the station... no trains!? Where the hell is it?? 67seconds to go... I look up, sh!t, its on platform 15... I literally just ran past the bas!ard! Argh! Sprint back to platform 15, and skid onto the platform just as it rolls out. Once again... sh!t!!

So on the Surbiton train I get, and straight on the phone to see who's out and about, and sober, and driving... and who I can call a favour from. Luckily, there was such a suitable candidate... so home I got. Although the poor lass has only been driving a month, I was very very scared!

Still, another 4 hours on the bike tomorow. Please don't rain!

[mlocke]

Adam,

Yep I saw it a year ago and it was hilarious. I absolutely wet myself and cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone - easily offended or not.

Locky

[Marky Mark]

You lucky sod Adam.

I worked over West Molesy for 4 years, I love that part of the world.
Quality pictures you took there. I have stolen them and made copies, hope you don't mind.

MM

PS I get every Friday off

[Marky Mark]

Adam, did you have a filter on your camera?

[Michelle]

Mark we must get together to do some lbp riding on our Fridays as we seem so in harmony in terms of required HR

[-Adam-]

Hi Mark, nope, no filter on my... er 'camera'. Said camera was actually my Blackberry, so hardly a high quality tool of photography. I find the photo's always come out quite grainy on it, especially when uploaded to computer. Still, it serves a purpose.

A puppet and puppeteer from Avenue Q... seriously, go see it!
[img]http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v367/225/19/719705340/n719705340_4787801_7164.jpg[/img]

The Bond film on the other hand, well, I liked it. But it's definately dividing opinion!

So the final training session of last week was four hours with my new team, accompanied by Matt Green and Tom Copeland. So if you know who they are, you can imagine it wasn't all that easy! Anyhow, my coach has issued me with my training now, so this week at least is looking a touch easier.

Just 45 mins on the rollers today for active recovery, easy! I do have to do 3 10min blocks in the 53X12 (on the road) tomorow however, not so easy...

Enjoy!