Well - made a few of firsts for the season today. First number 1, as suggest above, was cracking the imperial century with a leg busting 106miles through Aberdeenshires finest. First number 2 was twice breaking 50mph on the descent from Cairn O'Mount - sweet!!! :-) First number 3 was a cracking skid coming into a wet corner... Luckily I stayed up... Average speed 16.8mph, which considering the distance I was well chuffed with. Leg muscles felt okay - kept them well topped up with various drinks and gels and such. Other bits are well sore though especially knees and @rse... Took a few hills in the the first 50 including the Cairn O'Mount monster, which seemed somewhat less of a beast today - I measured it at 2.1miles long, starting with 45secs of 1:6 and finishing with about 3mins of 1:7. Average speed up it a mere 6.9mph. Takes 18mins to climb! 25 sprocket essential...
Last 40 miles were flat back to Aberdeen - couldn't face more climbing (The route I had planned had another 150m ascent upto 300m). Managed to keep the big ring going all the way back though- 53x21 or 19 nearly all the way with the very odd 23 or 17 bits. 85 to 90rpm / 18 to 20 mph.
Had a bit of bike trouble as well today - bike started making this clicking after ~40miles which I sounded like dodgy bearings. When I stopped for food at 63miles and noticed that the quick release of the rear wheel was loose! Wheel was all over the shot - hopefully no lasting damage but will probably need to get it looked over as there seems to be a fair bit of play in the hub.
Other highlight of the day was the bird life, which included the usual stuff plus buzzards, a heron, a swan and a pair of Ostriches! How bizarre...
Will be an easy week this week as I suspect my knee will seize tonight and I'll be hobbling badly tomorrow. Just pleased there are lifts in the office...
Total mileage for the week 130 - probably my highest total since I was last in France 8 years ago...
Cheerio,
Col.
Nathan Evington
28/02/77 - 03/11/07
About Nathan
Nathan, was a big chap in more ways than one. He was always to be found at the centre of the action, telling it exactly as it was – loudly!
In fact, Nathan was in such a hurry to make his impact on the world, he arrived on a cold February morning 8 weeks early. He was so premature that he spent his first month in hospital, and at the time was one of the youngest babies in Hedon Road hospital to survive!
Cycling played a huge part in Nathan’s life. He loved the film American Flyers and watched it many times. In it, there is a scene where the main character does the "torture test" which involved running on a treadmill for as long as possible before ending the test by hitting the "chicken" switch. After Nathan’s diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in 2004, he was actually quite excited to discover that he would be required to do his own "torture test" and spent a good deal of time psyching himself up for a good performance. In fact, he was so determined that it was ultimately the doctor, his Mum and the technician who had to drag him off, as Nathan refused to give in himself.
Cycling also revealed Nathan’s talent for remembering facts and figures. He was our very own walking cycling encyclopaedia. He loved to test his friends and show off his knowledge, and he was always the person you would want on your pub quiz team.
Nathan was determined to live life to the full, and unbeknown to his Mum he began playing in a football team a few years ago. The cat was out of the bag when a new football trophy took pride of place on the mantelpiece one evening. Nathan was very proud of himself and his team-mates, although I am reliably informed that Nathan was valued more for his enthusiastic participation, rather than his football talents – which led to his shots on goal just missing the target – 100% of the time!
Nathan was the life and soul of any party and loved to dance. He would always take to the dance floor first, and was quite happy to dance alone. However, his infectious enthusiasm always encouraged others to join him.
Nathan was a kind man, and always generous to a fault – on the benefit of his Mum and brother. He had a very special sense of humour – one he shared with his brother – and left his mark on everyone he met.
Sunday, 4 May 2008
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2 comments:
One hundred and six miles?!?!?!?! that's very, very impressive. Have you got that stomach bug that you could send me......
Crikey, you've done that, the other Col plans something similar next week I think - TG will be very concerned. Excellent ride, keep it up.
It was a fluke though! I'll be back down to more a sane distance next weekend, probably back to around the 70 mile mark, but with a hillier finish.
I can actually walk today as well. Not sure I could ride a bike though...
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