Well today I did some more serious training. When I say serious, I mean, not just my commutes to work etc.... They're only a maximum of 4 miles each way. Today I did a total of 48.4 miles, 4 hours 26 mins 55 secs (they are just as important LOL).
I had arranged to meet a friend in Eye, Suffolk. Although I'm not sure it should be Suffolk as I got some strange looks saying "you're not from round 'ere" like you get in Norfolk ;-)
Anyway, I set off around 8:40am to give me nearly 3 hours to get there. I tried to start off gently, as they suggest, but unfortunatly every way out of Ipswich normally entails some kind of hill. This time I headed out along Westerfield Road (B1077) which is a steady long incline. The B1077 takes you all the way to Eye and the only time I've been along this road is when we go to Debenham (town, not the shop) at Christmas time. It's normally dark whenever I drive along this road, so it was nice to actually see some scenery.
http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/brookesy/2ptabb7mgvuge9mk
You can check out the route and some of the photos I took en-route.
My main aim was to get to Debenham as I knew how far from Ipswich that was and then that Eye wasn't too further. On reaching Debenham I did take a picture of the church in the daylight :-)
The next point of interest, apart from the whole Suffolk landscape, was Aspall's. For those not from round here, and those tee-totaller, it's the local cider round here.
http://www.aspall.co.uk/ to see the history of it......been there ages!!! You need to check route back for the photos of the orchard/sign
http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/brookesy/1anmq9gj8sad2bf1
You will also see a nice picture of a funny looking man, no it's not Vince ;-)
Throughout the ride I went through various mindsets. "I can't do all the way to Paris it'll kill me" "I can do all the way to Paris I'll be fine" Most of these weren't at the hill points. Yes going up hills were killers, but you normally have a down hill at some point. Most those thoughts were when I was going along flat bits.
I arrived at Eye approx 11am with a slightly below average of 10mph average speed. However I'm not too worried about the speed it's more the endurance.
I met my friend at the Beard's cafe (a quaint little cafe) at 11:30 and had a spot of lunch, had good catch up, and discussed some business.
I then set off for home at approx 1:30pm. I think the fact that Eye doesn't have a train station (that I know of) prevented me doing my Colchester trick of biking only one way. I knew I HAD to bike back and surprisingly it felt good. The worse bit was America Hill, Witnesham. I knew this was going to be the worse hill, as it's the best hill going TO Eye (top speed down it). I MADE IT up America Hill without stopping. There was a slight incentive. A woman had pulled out of her house on her bike just before the hill. She had a monkey backpack (I WANT) with a massive bicycle pump sticking out......er......"get a smaller handheld one". Anyway, she didn't look a regualr cyclist but was obviously going to try and get up the hill. So, me, being the professional cyclist (ha ha ha)......had to make sure I got up it. Once on the home straight I had to decide which route to take in Ipswich. If I went the way I left, that would involve more hills. So I decided to go the longer way around (Colchester Rd/Heath Rd/Landseer Rd) to prevent more hills.
I arrived home around 4pm and decide to follow advise and have a cold (ish) bath. Aaaarrrrggggghhhhh!!!! It's suppose to help the muscles.....I'll let you know tomorrow!
It's now 9:35pm and I am beginning to ache, especially the back of shoulders, but the proof is how I feel tomorrow........watch this space
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
NEW BIKE :-) :-) :-)
He kindly purchased me a new bike for my birthday, especially for the bike ride.
It is a Claud Butler (good make) Explorer 100 Hybrid. For those non-technical people a hybrid bike is a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. It's lighter than a mountain bike, but sturdier than a road bike.
It is a lot lighter than my other bike, which had dual suspension so it was very heavy. I could tell the difference straight away when I rode it away from the shop.
Saturday, 14 January 2012
I've signed up!!!!!!
I've done it and signed up...........not to the war..........to do the London to Paris cycle ride!!!!!
http://www.helpthehospices.org.uk/getinvolved/fundraising/events/cycling/arch-to-arc/#.TxFc-KMlqC4.blogger
There's no turning back now!
June 14th-17th 2012
That gives me 5 months to get seriously training/fundraising. I have set up a fundraising webpage
http://www.justgiving.com/Louise-Brookes2012 however I'm not expecting people to necessarily start donating now as I appreciate it is just after Christmas. However, I needed to set it up to give me the motivation to get going.
I had been thinking of doing the ride for ages but could never work out when or for what charity to do it for. Then, last week there came an advert on the Colchester United website advertising this specific ride. I looked at it, spoke to Vince, and decided this is the one. I kept thinking about it for a few days then finally yesterday, Vince birthday and the day my nan died 5 years ago, I signed up to do it. I'm doing it in memory of my nan who died of cancer, also my sister-in-law who died of cancer. The help for hospices seemed a good cause. It starts at Wembley, the home of English football, which is another passion if mine. And it is a challenge, 244 miles in 3 days, which I thrive on.
Bring it on.......................
http://www.helpthehospices.org.uk/getinvolved/fundraising/events/cycling/arch-to-arc/#.TxFc-KMlqC4.blogger
There's no turning back now!
June 14th-17th 2012
That gives me 5 months to get seriously training/fundraising. I have set up a fundraising webpage
http://www.justgiving.com/Louise-Brookes2012 however I'm not expecting people to necessarily start donating now as I appreciate it is just after Christmas. However, I needed to set it up to give me the motivation to get going.
I had been thinking of doing the ride for ages but could never work out when or for what charity to do it for. Then, last week there came an advert on the Colchester United website advertising this specific ride. I looked at it, spoke to Vince, and decided this is the one. I kept thinking about it for a few days then finally yesterday, Vince birthday and the day my nan died 5 years ago, I signed up to do it. I'm doing it in memory of my nan who died of cancer, also my sister-in-law who died of cancer. The help for hospices seemed a good cause. It starts at Wembley, the home of English football, which is another passion if mine. And it is a challenge, 244 miles in 3 days, which I thrive on.
Bring it on.......................
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Happy New Year - 2012
Hello there, apprently the last time I blogged was 17th August 2011.........o dear, didn't last that long.
So, what have I been upto since then:
Well in September-December didn't really do a lot of cycling. The odd commute to work and the army, I did cycle to Colchester in October but only one way (Vince picked me up in the car as we went to the zoo in the afternoon). I haven't managed or tried to get to Norwich yet, but I will possibly in the spring.
Why have I started to blog again now: is it because it's the new year, a new start? Or maybe I'm bored and decided just to write on here? Or am I cycling in these wintery conditions.
Well it's a bit of all three. I hear you say "why cycle in the winter?" It's not really by choice. For those not on facebook won't necessarily have heard that I had a little accident in my car.
If you look close enough you will see that the angle of the front passenger wheel is not right!
The next image is a closer up shot
Not pretty :-( The wheel is completely broken of the driveshaft and as you can see quite a deep indentation of the other vehicle.
Fortunately no-one was hurt......and further forward and Vince could have taken the full force of it. I have to admit 50% liability for the accident however the guy who hit me was going too fast as well.
The unfortunate part of all this is that the insurers have said they're not prepared to fix it due to the age of the vehicle :-( :-( still waiting for them to come and take it and value it to see if I'll actually get any money back of it (after excess)
SO.......hence the cycling.......as I have no car. I can use Vince's when he's not using it, and I have driven it today. The first time driving since the accident (was a bit cautious) but managed to get back behind the wheel. However, Vince needs his car for work so I'm having to use my cycle a lot more.
Thankfully Santa (aka Mum) was kind enough to buy me some new lights and a new saddle
little did I know that I would get to test them out so soon and regularly. The saddle is a female specific posh one.......good for long rides (regular riding).
So far this year: Biked home from friends 1/1/12 then to work (care home 4miles) and back home.
2/1/12 bike to work (4miles)
3/1/12 bike home (4miles) then from home to the army (2miles) then from the army to work (4miles)
4/1/12 home to dr's and back (3miles)
Tomorrow I'll be going to the lifehouse (hostel) which is only 1 mile away, but it's the coming home that is the problem as it's uphill. Although I am getting used to the hill and the more I do it the easier it'll get........I hope.
I'll try and keep going with the updates again........see how long it lasts ;-)
Watch this space :-)
So, what have I been upto since then:
Well in September-December didn't really do a lot of cycling. The odd commute to work and the army, I did cycle to Colchester in October but only one way (Vince picked me up in the car as we went to the zoo in the afternoon). I haven't managed or tried to get to Norwich yet, but I will possibly in the spring.
Why have I started to blog again now: is it because it's the new year, a new start? Or maybe I'm bored and decided just to write on here? Or am I cycling in these wintery conditions.
Well it's a bit of all three. I hear you say "why cycle in the winter?" It's not really by choice. For those not on facebook won't necessarily have heard that I had a little accident in my car.
If you look close enough you will see that the angle of the front passenger wheel is not right!
The next image is a closer up shot
Not pretty :-( The wheel is completely broken of the driveshaft and as you can see quite a deep indentation of the other vehicle.
Fortunately no-one was hurt......and further forward and Vince could have taken the full force of it. I have to admit 50% liability for the accident however the guy who hit me was going too fast as well.
The unfortunate part of all this is that the insurers have said they're not prepared to fix it due to the age of the vehicle :-( :-( still waiting for them to come and take it and value it to see if I'll actually get any money back of it (after excess)
SO.......hence the cycling.......as I have no car. I can use Vince's when he's not using it, and I have driven it today. The first time driving since the accident (was a bit cautious) but managed to get back behind the wheel. However, Vince needs his car for work so I'm having to use my cycle a lot more.
Thankfully Santa (aka Mum) was kind enough to buy me some new lights and a new saddle
little did I know that I would get to test them out so soon and regularly. The saddle is a female specific posh one.......good for long rides (regular riding).
So far this year: Biked home from friends 1/1/12 then to work (care home 4miles) and back home.
2/1/12 bike to work (4miles)
3/1/12 bike home (4miles) then from home to the army (2miles) then from the army to work (4miles)
4/1/12 home to dr's and back (3miles)
Tomorrow I'll be going to the lifehouse (hostel) which is only 1 mile away, but it's the coming home that is the problem as it's uphill. Although I am getting used to the hill and the more I do it the easier it'll get........I hope.
I'll try and keep going with the updates again........see how long it lasts ;-)
Watch this space :-)
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Tour of Spain - Vuelta a Espana
On Saturday the tour of Spain starts. Check out the official web page for the top information
http://www.lavuelta.com/11pr/en/recorrido/vuelta.html
Starts in Benidorm, heads south to the Sierra Nevada, across to Cordoba, along the border of Spain/Portugal, across to Salamanca, into the north-western part of Spain, and across northern Spain to Bilbao before heading to Madrid at the end.
They cycle about 2000 miles over 23 days (only 2 days not cycling).........that's pure endurance.
I cheer on Team Sky
http://www.teamsky.com/
and or Mark Cavendish (Isle of Man) http://www.markcavendish.co.uk/ from HTC high road. He is the best sprinter on a bike in the world. He does approx 100miles THEN sprints to the end!!!
Looking forward to this new event (in my brain).......although it's been going for about 66 years
I just never knew :-)
http://www.lavuelta.com/11pr/en/recorrido/vuelta.html
Starts in Benidorm, heads south to the Sierra Nevada, across to Cordoba, along the border of Spain/Portugal, across to Salamanca, into the north-western part of Spain, and across northern Spain to Bilbao before heading to Madrid at the end.
They cycle about 2000 miles over 23 days (only 2 days not cycling).........that's pure endurance.
I cheer on Team Sky
http://www.teamsky.com/
and or Mark Cavendish (Isle of Man) http://www.markcavendish.co.uk/ from HTC high road. He is the best sprinter on a bike in the world. He does approx 100miles THEN sprints to the end!!!
Looking forward to this new event (in my brain).......although it's been going for about 66 years
I just never knew :-)
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Didn't succeed :-(
Today I'd planned to bike to Colchester and back........I managed to bike to Colchester (that isn't much of a challenge now), but not back.
I decided that I would bike there, go and see Mr Smith then bike home. I went to the Priory centre first to help Juliet, and didn't leave till about 12pm (due to sitting and having tea/chat). I went along the A137 http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/61922596 as that is the easiest route TO Colchester. I find it good as I can pace myself, and know exactly where I am in relation to reaching my target.
First mark point is the house I left my motorbike when I got a puncture (not too far from Ipswich)
Second mark point is Manningtree railway
Third mark point is the big strawberry at Foxash (where I sometimes took Rob Swan to football)
Fourth mark point is Ardleigh
Then I'm at Colchester :-)
I then had to cycle the other end of Colchester to see Mr Smith (past the train station). It was 2pm by the time I got there. We was sat catching up on all the gossip/news, and we were talking for longer than I'd originally planned. By 4:40pm I decided I couldn't ride home for 2 reasons. Firstly that I wouldn't get home till late and secondly I couldn't be bothered. So I got the train back. Plus the thought of cycling past the train station then cycling home..........couldn't work out the logic ;-)
Once I got back to Ipswich I had to bike from the station to home, didn't make it up Lansdeer Hill without stopping.
I'm now feeling tired zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzz plus Colchester United are losing which is making me fall asleep.
The tour de Espana starts on Saturday which I'm going to try and watch. Never knew there was a Tour de Espana until I've started following the professional cycling calender. Come on Team Sky, or Mark Cavendish (HTC highroad) for the sprints.
Seen some nice bikes advertised on facebook today
They are from the
Should anyone want to buy me one, feel free :-)
I decided that I would bike there, go and see Mr Smith then bike home. I went to the Priory centre first to help Juliet, and didn't leave till about 12pm (due to sitting and having tea/chat). I went along the A137 http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/61922596 as that is the easiest route TO Colchester. I find it good as I can pace myself, and know exactly where I am in relation to reaching my target.
First mark point is the house I left my motorbike when I got a puncture (not too far from Ipswich)
Second mark point is Manningtree railway
Third mark point is the big strawberry at Foxash (where I sometimes took Rob Swan to football)
Fourth mark point is Ardleigh
Then I'm at Colchester :-)
I then had to cycle the other end of Colchester to see Mr Smith (past the train station). It was 2pm by the time I got there. We was sat catching up on all the gossip/news, and we were talking for longer than I'd originally planned. By 4:40pm I decided I couldn't ride home for 2 reasons. Firstly that I wouldn't get home till late and secondly I couldn't be bothered. So I got the train back. Plus the thought of cycling past the train station then cycling home..........couldn't work out the logic ;-)
Once I got back to Ipswich I had to bike from the station to home, didn't make it up Lansdeer Hill without stopping.
I'm now feeling tired zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzz plus Colchester United are losing which is making me fall asleep.
The tour de Espana starts on Saturday which I'm going to try and watch. Never knew there was a Tour de Espana until I've started following the professional cycling calender. Come on Team Sky, or Mark Cavendish (HTC highroad) for the sprints.
Seen some nice bikes advertised on facebook today
They are from the
Should anyone want to buy me one, feel free :-)
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Back on it............
Ok, so I haven't been on here for nearly a month :-( because I haven't been doing a lot of riding. A mixture of reasons: weather, being too busy looking after garden, and being away on holiday.
While Vince was away from the 9th July I was responsible for looking after the garden. It wasn't a simple job of just watering. It involved watering, weeding, pruning, spraying, cropping (blanching and freezing)..........took a good 1 1/2 hours each day, so didn't have time for any big rides. I may have biked to work a couple of times but nothing major.
The 2nd week the weather was terrible. It was raining most days, which I didn't mind too much as it saved time with the gardening, but it really wasn't cycling weather (unless you're in the Tour de France). This is the first year I've ever watched the TDF and I must say I was impressed........they are the professionals!!! http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/COURSE/us/le_parcours.html
Vince came back on Thursday 21st, however I then went away on the 23rd. I did think about taking my bike with me to Cheltenham (music school) but then reality kicked in and decided that I wouldn't have time, or the inclination to do any biking while I was there.
I have set myself a new challenge for next year though, I want to try and get up Leckie Hill (Leckhampton Hill).
http://www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/leckhampton_hill.asp?area=Leckhampton%2C+Bath+Road
for those around the area, or who have been up it know how much of a challenge that will be.
I returned from holiday on Saturday 30th July, and knew that I needed to get back on my bike (after eating like I had for the past week). I coudn't bike to the army Sunday morning as I had to take my instrument(S) back. I did bike in the evening though which felt good.
I then got back on the bike to cycle to work on Monday. Tuesday I biked to the Priory centre (such a long distance!!!!!! 0.7miles) Wednesday had to take my car to the garage so I put my bike in the car and cycled from the garage to work. At 8:30pm it decided to chuck it down, mixed with bit of thunder, so a colleague (very kind one) offered to put my bike in her car and give me a lift home :-)
When I arrived home Wednesday night I had a big parcel waiting for me :-) my mum had sent me some waterproof trousers, a cycle helmet and some new boots (courtesy of a famous postal delivery service.......better not advertise it). I was quite surprise the cycle helmet looked ok. The boots were brilliant and the trousers were.......a little on the large size but still ok.
I had to bike to the hostel thursday morning as my car was still in the garage. The problem was that it was slightly raining which meant I got to check out the waterproof trousers. They did the job, even if I do need to adjust them. I collected my car at lunchtime so put the bike in the back of the car again.
So today I decided I needed to get back to some bigger rides. It was looking rather cloudy so I just popped over to Felixstowe and back (20mile round trip) via Aldi's on the way back to get some shopping. I was back in time for the kick-off to the new season :-) and what a start 4-2 win away from home COME ON THE U's!!!
I hope to bike to the hall tomorrow, subject to the weather :-)
Even with only little bit through the week still clocked up about 35 miles this week :-)
http://www.mapmyride.com/
It's good to be back :-)
While Vince was away from the 9th July I was responsible for looking after the garden. It wasn't a simple job of just watering. It involved watering, weeding, pruning, spraying, cropping (blanching and freezing)..........took a good 1 1/2 hours each day, so didn't have time for any big rides. I may have biked to work a couple of times but nothing major.
The 2nd week the weather was terrible. It was raining most days, which I didn't mind too much as it saved time with the gardening, but it really wasn't cycling weather (unless you're in the Tour de France). This is the first year I've ever watched the TDF and I must say I was impressed........they are the professionals!!! http://www.letour.fr/2011/TDF/COURSE/us/le_parcours.html
Vince came back on Thursday 21st, however I then went away on the 23rd. I did think about taking my bike with me to Cheltenham (music school) but then reality kicked in and decided that I wouldn't have time, or the inclination to do any biking while I was there.
I have set myself a new challenge for next year though, I want to try and get up Leckie Hill (Leckhampton Hill).
http://www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/leckhampton_hill.asp?area=Leckhampton%2C+Bath+Road
for those around the area, or who have been up it know how much of a challenge that will be.
I returned from holiday on Saturday 30th July, and knew that I needed to get back on my bike (after eating like I had for the past week). I coudn't bike to the army Sunday morning as I had to take my instrument(S) back. I did bike in the evening though which felt good.
I then got back on the bike to cycle to work on Monday. Tuesday I biked to the Priory centre (such a long distance!!!!!! 0.7miles) Wednesday had to take my car to the garage so I put my bike in the car and cycled from the garage to work. At 8:30pm it decided to chuck it down, mixed with bit of thunder, so a colleague (very kind one) offered to put my bike in her car and give me a lift home :-)
When I arrived home Wednesday night I had a big parcel waiting for me :-) my mum had sent me some waterproof trousers, a cycle helmet and some new boots (courtesy of a famous postal delivery service.......better not advertise it). I was quite surprise the cycle helmet looked ok. The boots were brilliant and the trousers were.......a little on the large size but still ok.
I had to bike to the hostel thursday morning as my car was still in the garage. The problem was that it was slightly raining which meant I got to check out the waterproof trousers. They did the job, even if I do need to adjust them. I collected my car at lunchtime so put the bike in the back of the car again.
So today I decided I needed to get back to some bigger rides. It was looking rather cloudy so I just popped over to Felixstowe and back (20mile round trip) via Aldi's on the way back to get some shopping. I was back in time for the kick-off to the new season :-) and what a start 4-2 win away from home COME ON THE U's!!!
I hope to bike to the hall tomorrow, subject to the weather :-)
Even with only little bit through the week still clocked up about 35 miles this week :-)
http://www.mapmyride.com/
It's good to be back :-)
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