statts1976uk

Have you looked at the Cannondale CAAD range, bit more heavy duty than the road bikes but seem to ride very well

It was over 10 seconds, damn near killed me! Luckily it was on the Saturday to allow me to recover!

Had my first go in a wattbike in Saturday in the cycling hub in Inverness and was really impressed with it, I managed 1310 and 1327w which apparently is quite good for a man of my age and build. I was happier that my power distribution both times was 50/50. Great bike of kit, definitely going to see if I can incorporate it into my gym routine.

Mine was just a touch over 5 hours, a little disappointed but expected. It goes to show that no matter how many hours are put into the gym it’s saddle time that matters. I took out three inner tubes, I gave one away halfway up the KoM stage thinking I’m doing ok and then straight after the downhill section I had my own puncture so was a bit nervous. Next year I’ll be better prepared but I did enjoy it.

Etape Loch Ness done and I certainly felt the lack of saddle time in training. Great organisation again this year with plenty of support vehicles on the route. Only downside was that the start was a bit of a shambles, I was scheduled to start at 0637 but didn’t cross the line until after 7. Saw a couple of ambulances tending to people out on the course, hope it was nothing serious.

I always planned on doing the Etape Royale but never quite managed to be able to schedule it in but hopefully it gets resurrected soon.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-43925101

Heading home to pick up my bike and head towards Inverness for this weekend’s Etape. I’ve had nowhere near what I wanted in saddle time so I’ll not be hammering it round. This is closed roads riding at its best, we should definitely have more of this in Scotland.

Thanks @dorlomin, definitely not overkill in fact quite the opposite. I’m going to bookmark this page so I know where to find that post in future. Definitely very informative and something I’m going to use in future!

When I first started I thought I was doing quite well with the leg presses until I read that Laura Kenny did more and she’s tiny!!

Been working squats, leg presses etc. There was a really good article in cycling weekly a couple of weeks ago but I started in January. I had never really bought into the protein shakes, supplements etc and maybe it’s had an effect maybe it’s the placebo effect but that with a change in diet seems to have helped.

Got a 45 miler done yesterday and felt ok considering I’ve not had as much saddle time as I’ve wanted this year but the gym strength work has helped with the hills. I’ve got a few days off next week so hoping to get out and about with maybe the Friday before the events doing more hill work before heading north.

Two weeks to Etape Loch Ness, is everyone’s preparations going to plan?

I wonder how many drivers tend to give horse riders as hard a time after all these are larger and generally slower objects on the road. Thankfully I haven’t had any issues recently on the road, I try to be courteous to other road users as it’s just easier for everyone to get along and go to wherever they need to be.

Excellent, hopefully the weather is going to be good this summer as I’m wanting to get out on the hills and make record climbs this year. I was out briefly yesterday but really felt the benefit of the gym work on the short, sharp climbs.

Some good events and medal opportunities today for Scotland in the velodrome. I quite like the Hoy and Balding commentary team. Considering he’s a professional motor racing driver that Hoy fellow seems to know a lot about cycling, haha!!! red dot incoming 5,4,3,2,1.....

Cameras are a good idea, has anyone tried one of the rear light ones? Stalker incoming 5,4,3,2,1......

Etape Loch Ness rider details now online, be patient as the website has crashed a couple of times. Stalker incoming 5,4,3,2,1.....

They are saying it’s the new golf, obviously the kit is more expensive but it’s how a lot of people are networking. It’s no coincidence that golf courses are closing down and more and more people are spending good money on a bike.

That looks crazy and anyone who completes that will have some sense of accomplishment! Good luck to whoever does it!

I hope so, the roads are there for everyone and if these drivers can’t follow the law then they must be punished. I’m surprised he has the time to spend on the cycling forum what with driving 4-5 hours everyday, advising multi-national companies and making up surveys! I’ve found a company that will print cycling tops so I might get one to promote my new cycling body for the Ochil Hills race, I’m going to call it Cycling Advisory Support Team or C.A.S.T. for short! Red dot in 5,4,3,2,1....

No injuries though I hope, I think I’m going to invest in a rear light with a camera and start using the go pro got the front.

I haven’t seen the Edinburgh Night Ride on the calendar this year, I’m not sure if that’s because Meadowbank is closed. That’s normally not a bad one but it is open roads. What we need are some more closed road events this summer, maybe a few more central ones in Perthshire, Strathclyde and Fife. I am thinking about doing the Ochil Hills one but not sure if that’s closed road. https://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/events/ochil-hills-100-sportive/ negative feedback in 5.4.3.2.1.... ETA: and there is our favourite Walter Mitty cyclist stalker almost on cue!

Glasgow to Edinburgh is a good one, I normally do that as part of Pedal For Scotland. I’ve never done the Caledonia but I’m planning on doing Suie Classic in Inverurie and PoppyScotland.