Back in the saddle

Well, after best part of a year off the bike almost entirely with brief attempts between work to get some fitness back prior to that I am now hopefully back on track for some targets next year. Inspired by watching the Tour and a friend pestering me to get out on the bike for many months (I had run out of excuses) I ventured out a few weeks back.

In true style I had not really eaten that much and then with the wind in the hair, sun on the back and legs feeling good I headed out, only to have someone steal my legs half way round a 57km circuit and then be faced with the brutal reality of how much fitness I had lost. Crawling back home I could have been passed by my 96yr old gran on the slightest of hills as my remining leg refused to put out any power (ok, stupidly I had not taken any drink or food with me as well, thinking I was 18 again). So, with brutal reality check in place my focus was drawn back into what was really needed to do something next year.

The next few rides were better and around 2-3hrs with one jaunt at 88km and 863m of climbing http://app.strava.com/activities/70515802 although still feeling like I was being robbed somewhere along the ride. That said I am trying to keep my heart rate very low and just get the miles in as if it was a winter ride and not 30C, which means base trainign when everyone else is trying to rip each others legs off on the Sunday club runs.

The most important discovery I have made this time around (appart from all the revalations as to why my previous training did not go as far as it could) was the main problem I was having regarding long rides and saddle sores. After 3 hours it was usually a case that it started to get uncomfortable and that was with the best bib shorts I could find after many trials over the years. The cumulative day on day effect also created constraints with days in the saddle turning to pains... The time limititing factor stole an element away from longer rides and some of the freedom the bike actually gives you. So, this time around I tried a more radical solution, which involved a shaver (I did not try and enter the Veet commedy list) and removing any potentially offending hairs (nearly all of them). The next ride out was completely different with no issues (appart from my legs wanting to drop off towards the end of the ride) and this will hopefully pave the way for a great training plan.