Cycling and more.
This blog started as a way to broadcast my photography and how I created it, to document my thoughts about it. Then I talked about my other passion; cycling.
But with the events of 2020 it became much more.
I opened up about my depression. At first it was easier to type here than talk. Please click on the Macmillan cancer support link to sponsor my half marathon run in May.
And this year; well I'm sure you know how I started 2022. Link.
It's for a good cause and would be a test for me. I've been riding with Oxted CC and Matt for a while, as well as on the trainer. I hoped to be fitter and stronger than I was in 2019, I'm certainly lighter.
For the first time Oxted CC had a few riders, so I wasn't alone; quite a few supporters too.
I didn't know how to approach it this time. I was still getting over a cold, and I'm not as fit and strong as I was. So no standing up, I wanted to keep my heart rate in check. But still put as much as I could into the attempt.
The rider behind me made up the minute gap quickly and went passed me like I was standing still.
I did beat my last time so that was good. I did it in 2:38:08.
The title was to be my start time for the BEC CC hill climb on White Lane, my first proper race. Albeit only a short one.
The last hill climb I did was in 2019, read about it here. This was a charity fundraiser so no pressure.
It's a tough hill.
I plan to compete in more events next year. There are a number of local Time Trials that look appealing. Whether this will result in me improving my bike or buying a new more specialised one I don't know. Cost will be a factor, so it may be upgrades for marginal gains as the professionals say.
Unfortunately the gentle ride on Saturday didn't end well. I was nearly home, having ridden at low intencity when I came off on some wet leaves.
I'll spare you the gory pictures of my knee and hip. I woke up on Sunday with a stiff hip. I could pedal but applying max force really hurt. The road bike had a bent gear change so it was unridable. I went to meet Matt on the mountain bike, gently again. See previous post.
So my competitive debut will have to wait until next year.
It was that time again. The Waller Lane hill climb organised by the Caterham Roundtable. Last yearI did it in 2:59. I wanted to beat that time.
I went out yesterday, just a short ride to the bus stop with Matt. It was raining as I left the house, but stopped quickly. I really needed to get out, and I'm glad the showers didn't persuade me not to.
Last year I was pushing harder on the hills during rides leading up to the climb. This year I have ridden more miles than normal. And acquired a new to me bike. Lighter and a better fit. Last night watching the Giro d'Italia for inspiration. The last week is all about hills, so it was good motivation.
Road cycling is the only sport I watch, I think because I could almost see myself doing it. Not racing maybe but cycling all day with nothing else to think about it. In 2011 two friends and myself cycled to Paris; a brilliant four days. The next year it was the same group and two days for the South Downs Way.
I cycle every weekend for twenty to thirty miles and I wouldn't miss it. Chatting during our tea stop is equally relaxing. But it's only for an hour or so, and then back to real life.
I'll try to do a few all day rides this year, via a pub for lunch.
There were less people lined up so my turn came round quickly. An interesting bike was a very old tandem.
They had a couple of test starts, the weight and gearing meant a run up and pushers were needed. They started after me so I don't know if they made it to the top. It looked like it would have been tough.
The starter announced my name and the age group I was in; 40 plus. He did say I looked just old enough. Which was nice.
I started off faster then last year, which may have been a mistake, about half way up I began to wilt. But I got a second wind and as the last third flattened off a bit I managed to change up gear and accelerate. And my time; 2:49. So I was a little quicker than last year, but not as fast as I had hoped.
I remembered to press the record button before the start this time.
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The day finally arrived, but how did I get here? I saw the posters for the hill climb last year but it was too late for me to sign up. I kept an eye out and a few months ago I saw the event on Facebook. The hill climb is a very old event, (here is a bit more info about it) dating back to the 1890's. Back then it was run by Catford Cycle Club, nowadays it's the Caterham Round Table. The confirmed booking meant the training had to begin. During my weekend rides I attacked hills harder than normal. It surprised me how quickly this extra effort improved my pace and stamina. White Hill Lane, Gangers Hill, Tandridge Hill Lane, any hill in fact is still not easy but is less of a strain. Yesterday, it was time to prepare the bike. This is where every gram counts, so I took off the lights, and the pump. I also decided I would be leaving the backpack that normally carries food, tools and my camera at home. And lastly I inflated the tyres to max PSI. It's all about speed, not comfort.
This morning it was cereal, coffee and some chocolate. I hoped the coffee and chocolate wouldn't be considered performance enhancing substances. When I signed on, there were no awkward questions, so all good. I accepted the extra weight of the GoPro was worth it to have a video of my climb. I was thinking about the start so much, I forgot to press record before the off, only remembering after a few peddle revolutions. If you listen carefully you can hear my breathing getting more laboured.
So what was it like? It was raining hard as I left my garage, but within minutes it stopped and the weather was perfect after that.
Waining at the start
It was very busy at the start but I had booked early so I didn't have to wait too long. Before I had much time to think about it I was at the start wondering how hard I should push early on. The riders leave at one minute intervals so it was a little depressing to hear them count down the next rider before it felt like I had gone very far. There were a few people cheering everyone go past which was nice. All I wanted was not to get overtaken, some of the other riders before me had gone off at a high pace, including kids, a bloke on a Brompton and another with his daughter on a seat behind him. My time was 2:57, definitely the fastest I had climbed the lane, but still a little disappointing. Next time I'll do better.
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