Monday 16 May 2011

Cycle training - a chore or a reward?

It's weird to think that only six or so weeks ago I signed up to London 2 Paris. At the time, I thought I was mad for putting pen to paper on the whole thing and confirming my place on the gruesome cycle, but boy how times change.

When I first pledged to blog updates on my progress, I must say most of my training days I would round up. 11.5miles turned to 12miles when I told company about it, with 65 minute cycle rides turning to hour-long cycle rides as my pace would seemingly seem quite good.

These days, I'm taking 22-mile (actual 22-mile, or to be exact 22.3mile) "detours" on my way to/from work, and taking casual trips to swanage via the breath-taking Old Harry Rocks that would see me muster a rather tasty 32-miles in the day.

What's more, the roads where I live when not at uni are moreorless country roads. It only takes four or five miles for me to get out of the 'smoke' and into country lanes, where I can really get stuck into training. I've only been home for less than 24 hours and already can't wait to get in the saddle again.

Let the games re-commence.

P.S. As a side, unfortunate timing and partial laziness for not checking earlier, the circle line was completely closed yesterday in London. For anyone travelling home from Waterloo with a bag, this wouldn't matter. For those carrying bikes, it meant first escaping Waterloo, since only Embankment allow bikes, and getting there to find out the only tube line you're allowed a bicycle on is shut. Commence 3-mile journey, holdall en-tow, through the streets of a bustling Sunday afternoon in London. What's best of all - I actually enjoyed this. Not once did I panic, pance, or query where the hell I was going. Top.