Enduro Training Day 34

Massively hungover today, so just the facts:

Set new PB over 15 miles:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/73626a2u5u9nls5b

Then cycled to Mom and Dad's and back.

Total of 30 miles of cycling on the Boardman. [Plus went to Lidl on the mtb]

Mini-workout:

80 push-ups

70 tricep-dips

75 sit-ups

3 sets of dumbell curls at 15kg

Went to Dan's house and drank 3 beers, went home and drank a whole bottle of fizz.

Ate loads of nuts, cake, ice cream, etc etc today.

Team A for the win...

Enduro Training Day 33

Here's how today went:

Breakfast: 3 weetabix with soy milk

Cycled up to the shops and back on the mountain bike.

Cycled into town and back on the road bike.

Lunch: chicken breast with two slices of wholemeal bread and some pickled onions.

Workout

75 push-ups

65 tricep-dips

75 sit-ups

3 reps of dumbell curls at 15kg

3 reps of military barbell presses at 34kg

Cycled 14 miles at Cannock Chase with some of the AMBS:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/75p18ei0tjtbv54r

On the trails: 6 oatcakes and 2 handfuls of mixed nuts and raisins

Cup of tea at Mom and Dad's

Dinner: Chicken breast with pasta and onion

Snack: 8 oatcakes with glass of soy milk.

I'm pretty pleased with my training over the last two days - plenty of exercise, no junkfood and no booze. Team B for the win!

Enduro Training Day 32

Let's start with the basics:

Food

3 Weetabix with soy milk; can of tuna with pickled onions and a wholemeal pitta; two chicken breasts with wholewheat pasta; a handful of mixed nuts a raisins.

Exercise

150 push-ups

190 tricep-dips

70 sit-ups

3 reps of dumbell curls at 15kg

Approximately 16 miles on the road bike in 1 hour and 9 minutes.

Booze

None

Today was the first time that I tried to do a Sportstracker ride on my beautiful new bike. Unfortunately, Sportstracker decided to simply stop tracking me when I was about 2 or 3 miles from home so I don't have a link for today's run.

I do have my own report however:

The weather forced me to ride at rush hour [it had stopped raining but the roads were still wet.] The traffic was so bad in places that I had to come to a full stop several times. I even had to ride on the pavement to get through Kings Heath. However, on the open road the bike was a dream come true. It was scarily fast and completely silent apart from a carbon-fibre type hum that I last heard when I was watching the Tour De France on ITV. My hands were aching from gripping the bars so tight - I kept expecting the bike to fly out from under me because it feels so light!

Here are some stats:

Number of times I failed to get my feet back in the fucking fiddly straps and clips after stopping at traffic lights: 3

Number of times I almost crashed: 2

Number of times the front wheel tottered about like Lucy at a staff party: 2

Number of times I tried to use the 'drop' bit of the handlebars: 1

Number of times I successfully managed to use the 'drop' bit of the handlebars: 0

Number of times I reached for brake levers that simply weren't there: 57643

Number of times I braked whilst trying to change gear: 2

And by Merckx it was one of the best rides ever! I swear the thing seems to flatten hills! I couldn't believe how fast I was zipping up the climbs on the way to Beckett's Farm - sometimes I didn't even bother to change gear! As soon as I get my confidence up when going downhill [and I work out what the dropped handlebars are actually for], this bike will be stupidly fast!

The only downside to this wonderful machine is that it may make things too easy. Today wasn't much of a workout - after 16 miles I was barely out of breath...

Enduro Training Day 31

I started the day with a splendid ride with Deadly Dan. We had a go at the timed Lickey Hills ride that Lloyd and Jake had been doing. Dan was hungover and the conditions were very soggy with big pools of standing water on a lot of the route, and the downhill section in the Lickey Hills very slippery.

We both worked hard, taking it in turns to lead and pull each other along the course. At one point, we encountered a group of dog walkers. One old dear stepped in front of my bike and asked me to stroke her dog. I explained that I was in a sort of race.

She replied, 'Oh, well just give him a stroke.'

What a silly old thing, I thought, as Dan sped away in the distance.

Anyway, the results are here:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/d2lqgg94sro3hlet

The rest of the day was spent at Ragley Hall with Lucy and five kids and then in the pub with my mate Elvis. In other words, I had loads of very unhealthy picnic food followed by some beers. Cheers!

Enduro Training Day 30

Well, a very exciting day:

Firstly, I set a PB for the 8 mile blast around Moseley and Kings Heath:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/ebmacdfovvbpmle6

Secondly, just as I was leaving the flat to go back to Lucy's, my new road bike was delivered, a week earlier than expected!

I took it out for a blast around Canon Hill Park, got it up to an average of 16mph, and promptly smashed into a dog that ran out in front of me. I had grabbed for brake levers that simply weren't there.

I absolutely hate the position of brake levers on road bikes - it seems ridiculous that I have to change my position on the bars before I can operate them - but I'm sure I'll get used to them in the coming months. I intend to use this fabulously fast and light bike to improve my stamina and endurance.

Looking forward to having a crack at the Lickey Hills timed run tomorrow!

Enduro Training Day 27

I visited the parents today. We had chicken, rice and salad for lunch but I also had biccies, ice cream, apple pie and coconut cake...

3 beers were consumed during the course of the day...

Cycled to Evans in Birmingham in the sunshine.

The timed bike ride was a real struggle today and I had to bite the bullet to keep my average speed above 10mph. I felt weak, sleepy and spaced-out; all I wanted to do was stop. Really not sure what caused it. [This was before I'd had any beer!]

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/5te2l4m5qnql7mno

In the evening, I did a workout:

80 push-ups

70 tricep-dips

80 sit-ups

3 reps of dumbell curls at 15kg

3 reps of barbell military presses at 34kg

PS Specialized inner tubes on sale at Evans - fiver each. But when I opened the box, they don't look anywhere near as good as the Continentals.

Enduro Training Day 26

Just the facts:

Food

3 Weetabix with Soy milk, tin of tuna with pickled onions and wholemeal pitta bread, 6 oatcakes with glass of soy milk, 4 veggie sausages with half a cabbage and potatoes [organic, from Dad's allotment], two handfuls of mixed nuts and raisins.

Exercise

Bike ride: 16.8 miles, average speed 12.7 mph

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/b2l0rcuelan5gs52

80 push-ups

70 tricep-dips

75 sit-ups

3 sets of Dumbells curls [15kg]

Booze

One and half glasses of white wine.

Had a new Shimano bottom bracket put on the bike.

Enduro Training Day 25

I crawled out of bed with my legs still aching and cycled up to the shops to get some milk. At home, I made rolled oats porridge with soy milk.

I spent the day with the parents which always means lots of fantastic food - we ate out and I had salmon and rice with salad [and also a pint]. Back at home, Mom treated me to fresh cherries with ice cream and cups of tea.

We took a long walk in the park with the dog after that [not exactly training, but better than sitting on the couch] and visited Dad's allotment.

Back at the flat, I leapt onto the bike and did my usual 8 mile blast [3 parks and some road work]. Unfortunately, Sportstracker messed up and only tracked 5 miles of the ride. The stopwatch function worked, however, and clocked me at 40:58 for the 8.1 mile ride. I can live with that.

Later, I did a few exercises:

Press-ups: 75

Tricep-dips: 65

Sit-ups: 75

For dinner I scoffed beef sausages with cabbage and spuds from my Dad's allotment.

When I realised that no-one from the AMBS was willing/able to ride tomorrow, I got stuck into the beers and am on my last [third] one as I type.

I guess I'm cycling solo again tomorrow although I may convince Lucy to join me.

Enduro Training Day 24

I woke up early after a rough night of cramping leg muscles - this has more do to with the kicking session in the martial arts lesson than Cannock Chase I think. Museli with soy milk for brekkie. Peanut butter on two wholemeal toast before my 21 mile ride of the day:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/d7coo2bk7l6md9lk

This is the Rea Valley Cycle Route which I joined at Cannon Hill Park. Heading West, it is uphill nearly all the way and the vast majority of it is on cyclepaths or through parks etc. I only had to cycle on the road for about half a mile each way. I reached some sort of nature reserve and decided to explore it when the weather was better and I'd bring some supplies [I only had water with me today]. The place looked pretty big from what I could see of it.

Back home for a veggie sausage and fish finger sandwich [don't knock it until you've tried it] and a glass of soy milk.

A mini workout in the afternoon:

press-ups: 75

Tricep-dips: 65

Sit-ups: 70

3 sets of curls with 15kg dumbell.

Dinner was beef sausages with potatoes and green beans from Dad's allotment.

For afters I had a three handfuls of mixed nuts and raisins.

Team B for the win!

I miss beer and ice cream...

Enduro Training Day 23

Up early for muesli and then to meet Deadly Dan at Cannock Chase at 9:30. We did Follow the Dog and The Monkey Trail in a decent time - certainly the fastest I've ever done it. The rock gardens presented no problem to me this time - not after my experiences on The Beast! My only regret of the day was not bothering to tackle the Werewolf Drop. I wished I'd gone back and done it now - it didn't look as challenging as it used to in the wet! Dan did it without a problem.

We only had one incident with a dickhead rider: a guy on an Orange 5 pro showing off to his girlfriend. He waited for us to start a section then took off immediately behind us shouting for us to let him pass. Cock.

Dan and I took tea and cake in the afternoon sun before I headed off to see the parents and to consume more tea with biccies followed by a ham sandwich. At home I had two chicken breasts with potatoes and green beans from Dad's allotment...and a bag of crisps. And three beers.

I watched the London to Paris video on Vimeo in the evening: a bunch of guys riding on fixies. They made a big fuss of riding 120miles in one day - but I suppose on a fixie that would be difficult. I'd love to try it on a proper road bike, however. They looked really silly going down hills...

So, even though the diet is still poor and I'm drinking more than I should [for someone who's supposed to be 'training'], it would seem that my fitness is improving slightly - if today's riding is anything to go by.

Enduro Training Day 22

I had a lie-in until 9am today!

After a cereal and skimmed-milk breakfast I hopped onto the bike to do 22 miles on the canal:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/7p07sp4drvfrseh1

Not a fast pace, but I wasn't dawdling either.

I then scoffed a banana followed by a chicken dinner with spuds and green beans from my Dad's allotment.

I had a bowl of muesli with soy milk just before I headed off for a 90 minute martial arts lesson involving lots of padwork and kicks but not much in the way of fitness tonight.

At home I devoured oatcakes and houmous and I'm going to open 1 beer tonight when I switch the XBox on.

So, a day of healthy eating - first time in ages!!

Enduro Training Day 21

On Sunday evening I was very excited to read about Dan's new build: a single-speed rigid mountain bike! I quickly invited myself along for his test ride.

So on Monday I got to Dan's before 9am and we headed off on the roads of Alvechurch and beyond:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/d68mmni9fgdah56q

We cycled a total of 17.1 miles and we even visited the Lickey Hills visitor centre for more tea and cake! I was really surprised by how Dan managed to get the single-speed machine up and down the off-road sections at such speed and he easily kept up with me on the canal despite not having any suspension.

After another cuppa, I headed home to feed the cats. I cycled to the bank in Moseley but the queue in there was mahoosive so I decided another ride was in order:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/foklvlg4rrmjscgr

This is part of the Rea Valley Cycle Route and it's a pleasant ride considering the location. I ended up back at the bank but the queue was still huge so I headed home. So that's a total of 27.5 miles of cycling, not including the cycle to the bank and back.

Diet was terrible and booze was consumed in the evening when the XBox was switched on!

Enduro Training Day 20

Today was a rest day. I went to see my parents, ate some lovely fatty food and drank some booze.

The P.B.S (Parts Bin Special)

Ok so this all started off because of a set of Kona project 2 rigid forks that I had in my parts store. I was going to ebay them, but during my research into how much I could expect for them, I stumbled upon the murky world of single speed mtbing, as many of the folks who partake in this madness run rigid forks to continue with the simple low maintenance aesthetic.

Now this was not a new discovery, having owned a fair few bikes with only one gear including a fixie, but re-kindled the desire to sample that pure simplified riding experience of not having a whole bag of gears to choose from.

There was however a problem, I had spent a fair amount on the refurb of my Dialled bikes P.A. and also have my big BMX gathering dust on the wall at home most of the time, I couldn't justify spending a heap of cash on another ride!

So I set myself a challenge to build a half decent single speed MTB for under £100. No mean feat as my last rear hub alone cost substantially more than that.
I had cranks,  a chainring, pedals, headset, forks, brakes, a seatpost and a saddle plus grips and cables going spare but that still left a fair bit of bike to find for not much cash.

Step in the members of AMBS and the very generous Ben at Venture Bikes.

I had mentioned to Ben ages ago that I was after a pub/hack bike and that if a decent sized (read massive) frame should cross his path to let me know. He came up with the goods in the shape of a classic mid nineties 20" GT Tempest triple triangle frame in one of my favourite military green hues. No longer a pub bike (although it will probably be used for going to the pub on more than one occasion)! It was now the basis of the £100 build. Ben also rustled up a set of Semi slick tyres and a set of bars, nice one.

A chance conversation with AMBS member Pete produced a set of LX Hubbed and Mavic rimmed V brake ready wheels and fellow member Lloyd handed over a virtually new Easton stem, things were coming together nicely and so far I had spent the princely sum of a fiver!

It was at this point that  I decided to start putting the dream machine together, feeling quite chuffed with my progress so far and lack of expense. This was when disaster struck!

I had committed a school boy error, the steerer on the Kona forks that had started all this were too short for the frame!!! Not willing to give up on the GT beauty, I decided the only choice was to buy a set of forks with a longer steerer as I was now itching to get it all together. A quick flick through the offerings on Ebay and I had secured a set of "Insane" formally a division of OnOne bikes, chromoly forks that I planned to remove the hideous graphics from (Mistake number two, they are lacquered over so will be staying until I can find some suitable stickers to cover them).

The purchase of a half link chain and chain tensioner and I was back in business. I completed the build today and after a quick test run up and down the road I can confirm it is possible, with a little help from your friends, to build a bike that flies for very little cash. I will be going on a full test ride tomorrow morning and will report back on how it performs.

Full specs, cost and pic of build below.

Thanks to Ben @ Venture bikes, Pete, Lloyd, Rory and the wonders of Ebay.

Frame -20" GT Tempest   donated by Ben
Forks  - Insane rigid chromoly   £40
Wheelset - Mavic rims on Shimano LX Hubs  donated by Pete
Singlespeed kit - DMR already owned
Tyres - Kenda semi slick   donated by Ben
Cranks - Primo Powerbite 3 piece   already owned
Chainring - Profile Imperial 33 tooth   already owned
Pedals - Wellgo magnesium   already owned
Chain - Clarks Half link   £15
Chain Tensioner - Gusset Bachelor   £15
Headset - Solid BMX   already owned
Stem - Easton EA30 100mm   donated by Lloyd
Bars - Easton EA 50   £5
Grips - Lock Ons   already owned
Saddle -  Unknown brand   donated by Rory
Seatpost - Push 27.2   already owned
Levers - Odd Avid Speed dials   already owned
Brakes - Shimano DX and Avid Speed dial   already owned
Cables - Clarks   already owned

Total cost £75 (All expense was funded by ebay sales of other bike tat so you could almost say that it cost nothing but think thats pushing it!!!)

Enduro Training Day 19

Can you guess how my training went today? That's right: I worked hard on the bike and then ruined it with lots of junkfood and booze.

Hmmm, seems to be a pattern developing here...

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/6rbqvolip5rb6460

Anyway, I met Deadly Dan, the only other member of the AMBS willing to train today, at 8.30 and we headed off to the Lickey Hills. I found it pretty hard going to keep up with Dan today and we got pretty sweaty on the trails. We did a bit of exploring and discovered lots of very VERY steep rocky bits and a nice bench. Then we had tea and cake at the visitor's centre! [Cheers, Dan.]

I must admit, I felt awful after the ride and Dan advised me to take a rest day on Sunday,

In the evening, I went up town with Lucy and about 6 other good people. We drank a few very expensive beers and then went home to sit up talking until 1am!

Enduro Training Day 18

Another day at Lucy's, another mass of lovely food, lovely booze and a lovely big bike ride. I did almost 17 miles including a big stint on the Stratford canal and some road work [at rush hour!]

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/f9ab102f5lb8hh8f

I got home after 17 miles, pouring with sweat and extremely hungry. Lucy had prepared the world's greatest curry made with loads of veggies, potatoes and chicken. I stuck the elbows out and got down to it with much gusto and determination. Lucy eventually had to take the pot away from me because I was in danger of doing myself a mischief. Fantastic.

In the evening, the DVD player was engaged and the cava and beer came out.

Along with cheesecake.

And jelly.

And ice cream.

Lucy reminded me that I was riding with the AMBS [Dan] in the morning so I restricted myself to just the one beer and two glasses of wine. Which is quite sensible for me these days...

Enduro Training Day 17

I had left-over apple-pie for breakfast...

Followed by Rice Krispies...

Oh well. Not the best start to the day. However, after a fish-finger sandwich I jumped on the bike and did a decent time on some road and canal work. The way back on the canal from Lapworth is all uphill past a lot of locks - good HIIT:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/692icmi6tujvonig

It was my turn to cook at Lucy's so I made a stir-fry with mushrooms, spring onions, red and green peppers, baby sweetcorn, peas and chicken. And then cheesecake. And ice cream. And jelly. And beer. And cava.

At this rate, I'll be lucky if I can fit into my cycling clothes on the day of the race. Actually, the strange thing is, I haven't put on any weight at all. In fact, I'm a few pounds lighter than I was in March! Weird...

Enduro Training days 9-16

Hello again.

Well, over the last 8 days I've visited Wales and then moved in with Lucy for a while because her house got burgled and was unsecured for a while.

The training did continue, however, including a fabulous road ride in Wales:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/dhoiag8ff46jgfmm

Chaps, travelling by train with your bike is fantastic if you get a modern carriage with a proper bike rack complete with straps. This was the situation on my way to Wales and it was a very enjoyable journey. However, on the way back there were 5 bikes and only two bike racks. Even though I was the only person to have pre-booked a place for my bike [by calling the train company] I had to stand with my bike for most of the return journey. Here's my video of my trip to Wales:

I've been riding a lot over the last week and have managed to do 56 miles since I got back from Wales [including 12 in the Lickey Hills with an incredibly fast 'unfit' Matt.] Here's an example of one of my rides:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/devhk60hpdb64ghl

I've found that mixing canal and road work means I can get some decent stamina work done on the flat and then some HIIT on the road. Feels good.

As usual, the diet is a mix of very healthy protein and carb breakfasts and lunches with insanely unhealthy puddings and snacks. Also, Lucy and I have been drinking loads of cava while watching films in the evening!

Well, I'm off for a ride soon. Team Flapjack for the win!

Enduro Training Day 8

Hey Dan

Cycled into town TWICE today [because I forgot something] and got myself some toe clips because I can't afford that fancy SPD stuff. I then proceeded to set my fastest time over the 8 mile blast [three parks around Moseley and Kings Heath.] Coincidence? I think not.

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/5ks8bo8sv3gjqpq0

Eating well today too: Wholewheat muesli, mushroom omelette on wholemeal toast, 2 apples, one cup Redbush tea, half a pint of soya milk, peanut butter on toast, two chicken breasts with half a cabbage.

Mini-workout in the afternoon: 85 push-ups, 75 tricep-dips, 80 sit-ups.

In the evening I attended a very sweaty martial arts lesson involving kicking and punching pads, sparring and more push-ups than I care to remember.

Feeling rather fit but I'm considering having a rest day tomorrow: when I climbed off the bike today my feet, legs, ass and hands were aching badly.

Enduro Training Day 7

So, the idea this week was to improve the diet.

FAIL.

Breakfast was good: wholewheat muesli with soy milk. But then I met Lucy at Canon Hill Park and before you know it we were tucking into tea and flapjacks.

The rest of the day I ate what I wanted: omelette on toast, fish finger sandwich, three packets of crisps[!] two apples, and chicken with spuds and a green pepper. Then I put the XBox on and drank a real ale...!

On the exercise front: after I left Lucy, I cycled to work and then cycled to the bullring markets to buy chicken and veggies. Cycled up to Kings Heath to visit Oxfam [2 books and a CD, yay!] Then I did a sportstracker ride:

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/Teece/eii08bfon2503vf7

Not as fast as last week, but then I was very unlucky with traffic lights today...[I know, excuses].

In the evening I did another mini-workout:

80 push-ups, 70 tricep-dips and 80 sit-ups.

dumbell curls [15kg]

I'll have a healthy eating day tomorrow and I'm sure I'll feel much better for it.

By the way, is anyone actually reading these blogs? There hasn't been a single comment or 'like' in a week. I just get the feeling that I'm talking to myself...