Crash, crash, and crash again

Now I remember why I didn't go out riding last winter in the ice... 

Not one, not two, but three bloomin crashes on one ride! 

There was me thinking, let's go out for a ride with the guys, a nice 80 or so easy winter ride to burn off that Christmas dinner (or the boozing)! 

Woke up late (standard) and rushed around to get to Matt's in time for meet & depart. We were on our way to Comberton from Burwell which was about 18 miles ish. 

We were going at a fairly sprightly pace for a winter morning which was nice. Until that wonderful right hand bend through Barton. 

Before I knew it, I was sliding on my side for a good few seconds at a fairly decent pace. From my Garmin I can guess I was going about 18mph or so. Just seeing the pavement sliding underneath me and the searing pain through my arm and thigh. Being helped off the road on to the path I got that sick feeling, dizzy and in shock. My 2nd only crash. Another rider came down behind me in an attempt to not run over me. We both took a battering. Bikes ok and a moment to assess the damage, ripped jersey and arm warmer as ugh. 

Soldier on, only a mile till we meet the others in Comberton. 

Once grouped up, I made a slight adjustment to my saddle. We were off again. On the knowledge of the crash we took it steady for the first 10 miles or so. Then in Gt Barfield, slippery roads and an already tensed up nervous body on a bike, I felt my wheels sliding around underneath me. And once again my bike went one way and I went another, into the kerb and over on the left. At least I seemed to balance out the pain across my body. 

At this point I wanted to call it a day. Phoned the mother who surprisingly didn't seemed too concerned and suggested I phone my brother who lives nearer. Father didn't answer his phone and brother was looking after my poorly niece. With no rescue and a sinking feeling in my heart I decided I had no choice but to carry on. I didn't want to hold the group up any longer. 

On we went, gingerly. Some areas on the ride we had to get off and walk due to too much ice. 

At a turning point, the three chaps and I decided to call it and make a turn back towards Suffolk, in the know that we were a good 40 miles away. 

Going slowly still, we came across a road which just glistened. I began to slow down to get off my bike and walk. Not wanting to risk my battered body anymore. But it seemed my bike had other ideas. Before I even got to a point of unclipping, about a foot or so from the verge and down I go. All I can think is the camber of the road and the ice underneath my tyres. Wheels went left, I went right. Straight down with full weight onto my elbow. The pain I felt does not compare to anything I have felt before. Crumpled in a heap on the floor, friends came to my aid. I was shocked, in so much pain and mentally exhausted from the two crashes before. 

Luckily in a turn of fate, a couple who just pulled out of their drive down he road saw my sorry state and said we could go back to theirs. Matt called his wife who instantly jumped in the car to come and collect us. The two other Suffolk chaps made a call to be collected too. 

I felt awful, bringing the ride to an abismal  end. A trip to a long wait in a&e and luckily news that my elbow isn't broken. 

I can safely say that I shall never ride in icy weather again! 

Bit of thigh road rash from under DHB thermal tights! 

Got a bit of swell on after a&e 

After a&e 

Latest photo bruising nicely 

Outside the box

Yesterday was a ride full of interesting little events! 

First I popped on my new saddle from Aprire Bicycles - Prologo Kappa DEA! Love it! 

The only problem with getting something new is that it seems to take a little getting used to. For me it seemed I was sitting so wrong on my bike. Maybe it was because I'd got a men's saddle before so I sat differently? Who knows but my god was I uncomfortable for the first 15 miles. 

My legs felt like absolute death too, oh and my lungs were burning. Probably because I'd ran a half marathon on Sunday and they were both screaming for some down time. Oh well. 

I always go for little rides with Matt, he's a good chap! And is happy with me stopping now and then to fiddle with my new bits! Yesterday was no different. After about 15 miles I'd had enough, I wasn't getting any more comfortable - back was hurting (lower back) and my legs felt like they were giving anything out. We stopped and checked my seat height, apparently if you sit on the saddle, have the pedal at the lowest point and see if you can put your heel on it it's a good measure for seat height! Who knew!! 

Ok so I couldn't event get my heel on the pedals smug gearing my seat was way too high! I took it down half a cm, still couldn't reach!! Bloomin eck it must have been way too high - hence back pain! Moved it down a bit more, and it seemed to sit well. 

Off we went - my god did that feel weird, I felt really squished up then. But after a short while I got used to it and my back pain went. 

Lucky for me, the new saddle was a dream to sit on! Less pressure on the 'front' for the ladies reading this! I also felt for the first time that I was actually sitting on my sit bones (the boney bit in your butt) and not... You know where! 

Check out the saddle 

Ok so that picture was taken when... Yes I got a puncture! We were at about 20 miles in. Going really nicely in the evening summer sun! Downhill, about 28mph, BANG! I could feel air rushing round my ankles and I went down the hill. Back wheel started to wobble... Great! Puncture! 

We stopped, had a look at the wheel.. Well that would explain the air I could feel - check out the slice in my tyre! 

A good cm in there! Must have been a bit of flint or something. 

So after taking the tyre off one side, pulled the tube out, checked the tube and there was a lovely 0.5cm whole! We fiddled with the new tube getting it back in, now both dripping with sweat after stopping! Fiddling with my new little pump, and I suddenly thought back to the last time I had a split in a tyre. When we pumped up my tube last time, it went bang pretty much straight away as the tube popped out the hole and pinched. Last time someone had an old bit of tyre they'd kept in their bag and we used that as what they referred to as a 'boot'!! 

GENIUS! 

I thought, well I don't have a tyre spare, I don't have a cut up tyre, I can't fill it with grass to relieve the pressure around the hole. So... What about tearing the old tube up (with my teeth) and putting a bit inside the tyre between the tyre and the new tube to barrier it. 

Pumped up the tyre - not too high - about 50psi. 

Somehow this little gem of an idea got me home - 8 miles (ish) at still a decent rate. And still got my sweat on! 

30 miles in the bag. Now get me a Thai! 

The last TT, PB & league winner

Wednesday was a sad day :( the last club time trial of 2014 - except the Hill Climb which I can race as I'm conveniently on a hen do 😆 

I had over the last two weeks or so suddenly got this insane competitive urge. I sat and trawled through the club records online (although they only go back to 2011) to find out what the records were for the women's times on all our courses. Making a list of course, time and rider, I found that I am about a minute off or just under. 

Having made adjustments to the bike mentioned in my last post, I wasn't 100% confident in getting a good time at the time trial. But hey ho, last one and only 5 miles. Give it a bash :) 

Unfortunately with nights drawing in the TT start times get earlier. Even leaving work earlier I was still rushed to get there. Banana shoved in my mouth & a swift journey over to Fordham. Join the queue to sign on. Quite a lot of riders tonight!! 

I think I did about 3 miles warm up (not enough) but I didn't want to risk musing my time. 

Number 23 tonight. In my mind I was thinking about the records. The last time I did Fordham I did 14.04. The record is 12.38. Whoosh!!

However knowing at the start line that there were traffic lights on the course, chances of people getting PB's were slim. Few female riders too that night. 

Off I go and I swear, but even a mile down the road and my legs were feeling like lead. Click to a lighter gear just to rotate them faster (increase cadence I think it's called). 

Turn the corner, I got a good line. Look down at my Garmin, 28mph! Major confidence boost. Kick on Rusty. 

2.5miles down, think I was averaging 22-23 mph at that point. But knowing the headwind was on the way back there was little chance of me improving that. 

Nearing the lights, Rory (who had passed me at about 3 miles) was in my sight. He was slowing for the lights, I pressed on and timed it perfectly, I went through green, looked left and they had just turned amber. Perfect! Now crack on! 

4miles, ish 12min something. Not going to get there in 30 seconds! But try and get as close as I can. I see Matt who went off before me. I gain on him & we cross the line at the same time. 

13.05. HAPPY DAYS! It's not the curse record, but that's the long term goal. It's a good 59second PB! 

I'm now beginning to wonder what the possibilities are if I stop / slow down triathlon and focus on cycling!! 

To top it off, I have secured my place at the top of the women's league in our club time trials (although few members took part). But I guess, you can only race against those that rock up on the day and as long as I push myself to beat my own times, I'm happy. 

Riding positions... FRUSTRATING

So last night I went out for a ride with my cycling bud having altered my position on my bike as recommended by various people. 

OUCH! 

Basically, I'm new to all this so I don't really know how I should be positoned so take advice from wherever I can get it really, in the hope that it may improve my riding and get the most out of my thunder thighs. 

So I flipped my stem (turned it upside down) which lowers my handlebars. However by doing this they are then further away from me making me reach more. 

I have also been told that my seat could go up a touch. I do this. Half a centre meter. 

With my reach increased, I figure that I should just move my seat forward as I often find myself sitting on the nose of the saddle which is really uncomfortable (especially being a female)! It's a men's saddle so is already pretty uncomfortable. 

Honestly, that was the most uncomfortable 19 miles of my life. My back started to hurt at the bottom. I felt I wasn't pushing hard at all. I felt twitching as I couldn't hold the bars where I used to. 

Frustrated. 

I've got an Olympic tri on Sunday in Portsmouth and now I'm horrified that I'm going to be in great pain over a mere 26 miles. 

Damn! 

But I huess on a plus it was nice to get out and chase the sun over some hills with good conversation... Oh and I got to wear my new Wiggle Honda kit :) 

Silver lining. 

WHOAAA that was hard...

Last night's TT. OH MY GOD!

I took a half day from work in an attempt to get some swimming done in the afternoon.. best laid plans and all that. 5.30pm clocked.. oh crap I need to get going.

6pm cycle over to Red Lodge for the time-trial. It's about 9 miles there so at an average pace of about 18.3mph I got there in good time for a crucial natter. Chatting is becoming a bit of a problem for me I think.. Maybe one day I will focus on the ride. Paid up, got my number 23 and Bob comes over with a shiny skinsuit, different to the one he lent me last week. This one is a club one with longsleeves and MUCH tighter, very tight on the thighs - a standard problem of mine.

Elegantly (or not), I got changed in the back of Andrew's blacked out truck. Praying no one would open the door. Number pinned on.. more nattering. Quick photo with Bob - my kit man!

I was a bit worried about pushing it as my knees had been feeling terrible all day after last nights 6.5mile run with Kerry. I was scared to over do it and then ruin myself just before Ely Triathlon next weekend.

Right, 7pm time to spin the legs a little bit again to get the blood flowing after the ride over. I'd raised my seat a little last night and it seemed to feel more comfortable in the TT position, but I still desperately need a woman specific saddle - OUCH. The problems of buying a men's bike.

Over to the start line (more nattering). 22 was off, I started my Garmin, rolled up to the start line. 30 seconds to go, Mark held my seat, I clipped in. He joked I was like a "coiled spring ready to explode". That calmed my nerves as I felt the excitement wave over me. 5 seconds. Go.

Off I push up to the roundabout, and on, and on, and on. The wind was pretty brutal, I was blowing around quite a bit. Shuffling around on my seat trying to get comfortable. My mind stressing about my legs and also the competition of trying to get my best time.

I'm out by Isleham now, it's open fen land so the wind just cuts across. I change up and down my gears to try not to stress my legs and keep the mental strength going. I feel better when my legs are going faster, even though my speed hasn't really changed from going down a gear. Mentally it helps me. Then I push a harder gear for a bit.

I spot someone in the distance and it's like a switch flipped. I was on one.. pushing harder. I want to catch them. I close in.. only to find that it's not a fellow TT racer. DAMN! Well at least I would have pushed harder over that time.

Through Chippenham and out towards La Hogue (they do the BEST CAKE!) Zipping round the S bend trying not to break, I see another rider. I see the yellow number. As I close in I see it's Bobbie, the new lady that came tonight. Number 20. That means I've closed the gap 3 minutes.

Stay focussed.. don't get over excited I was trying to tell myself. I pass her and say "well done" and get my head back in the game again. Pushing up the last hill and my quads are burning. In fact my whole legs are burning. My lungs felt like they were going to implode.

Last stretch, 1 mile to go. Pushing down hill I clock 28.6mph. I'm frustrated as I just can't push to 30mph. There was nothing left.

I see the timekeepers. Change up another gear and just grind the last few hundred meters.

FINISHED!

Cool down, back to the start. Resume nattering. Mark comes back with the timesheet. I knew I had a PB but wanted to see whether Mel had smashed me again.

I look down, I look up at Mel. I've beaten her for the first time this year. I got 24.04, Mel got 24.25 how on earth that happened I don't know. But we have a good exchange of congrats. She's a great rider and I have been trying to catch her for weeks. We joke it's because she is too relaxed from her holiday and I'm too pent up from not having been away this year (except Paris of course).

A quick catch up with Bobbie, she went the wrong way on the course. It's easily done if it's your first time so next time she will fly!

Home time. A very, very slow ride home. My legs just weren't working - which I think is a good thing. I pushed hard tonight.

And it paid off.