It’s been a good day today, was slightly worried about the weather this morning as it is the day of the local village fete. But it has turned out well, sunny with a bit of a breeze. Warm if you are walking about and nice and cool to cycle in.
I spent this morning doing some web bits, have upgraded the wordpress software that runs this site. Was a bit worried but everything seems to have worked. Then general errands the rest of the morning, trimming the hedge, assembling more Ikea furniture etc etc. But I’m sure that’s not why you’re reading this!
Went out for a cycle by myself around 3:30pm. I wanted to focus the day on hills. As this is an area where I am weak on. So started the easy way by going down Gedges hill and into Paddock wood, turned into Warrington Road, Straight over at the Elm Tree, and on to Rams hill. As I turned right I saw a cyclist to my left coming up the road. I was determined to stay ahead of him! But having watched a fair bit of the Tour de France I didn’t want to be that runaway sprinted who then looses all energy at the end. So going up the long gentle (ish) slope I made sure I paced myself but also was determined not to slack. When I got to the crossroads in the centre of Horsemonden I stopped for a quick swig of squash and looked back. He was nowhere to be seen! Result! Or I then thought more likely he could have turned right on the road I can out of as I hadn’t seen him since joining the road.
I followed the main road through Horsemonden, suprisingly doing the 30 mph speed limit on some of the small slopes though still being overtaken by cars. Just outside of Horsemonden I waited till I reached the hill before powering up it. As it was fairly short I could do this then recover as I free wheeled back down. Then began the long ascent into Goudhurst. I took this at a steady pace and while it was tiring had no problems. Was looking forward to leaving goudhurst down hill! However I got stuck behind cars so had to stick to their speed, though I still managed to overshoot where I wanted to turn off! Though probably as I wasn’t looking for the Junction.
Here I joined cycle route 18 and took the standard route back to Matfield. Went past the Village green which was still a hive of activity with the Fete.
Stats
Distance 17.85 Miles
Time 1hr 13 mins
Pace 4:07 mins per mile
Avg Speed 14.5mph
Total climb – 1577 feet.
Pleased with this, I feel I am comfortable over long distances but need more practice on hills, both to improve my hill stamina and just find the perfect way to attack them!
Thanks to Natalie for lending me the Lance Armstrong book I mentioned in my last post, I will enjoy reading it!
Charles Barsley works in eCommerce and in his occasional blog writes about his interests of eCommerce, Search Engine Optimisation, Photography, Cycling and anything which catches his interest!
