Scorchio!

Had a perfect day on Saturday.  Weather was fantastic and I had some wonderful company for a ride down to the coast and back with a stop by the coast and some good coffee and cake in glorious sunshine.

Have not heard from the friends I ride with for a while as Ali has been too busy organising the Farnham Festival of Cycling to get out recently so I jumped at the chance to join them when got the invite.

Ali knew I was looking for a century ride so planted the seed for a coast ride and the gang obliged in helping me for the day.

I love going out with the “Renegades” as the group size is always small, everyone takes a turn on the front, there is no slacking but it’s quite relaxed as we just have fun whilst getting out on the bikes.  They have taken me all over the place around Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire and their knowledge of the roads is amazing.  Thanks gang :)

I thrive in the heat and think the photo’s and "Scorchio" say it all.

 

Recovery going well with a little help from friends

The following is a delayed post!  Wrote it 2 weeks back but forgot to press publish.

Following my 2 weeks of enforced rest I have been very cautious not to make the same mistake in over exerting myself and with help from some good friends I have been getting myself back up to the point I was at prior to the injury.

I am very fortunate to have had a younger, fitter and faster cycling friend (Kurtis) from my work move pretty close to me last month so with him being new to the area we are using our evening rides home for me to show him some of the fantastic terrain and quiet roads we have around us.

Kurtis very kindly joined me on for my first longer distance ride last Saturday as well.

Stacey joined Kurtis and I for an initial 36 mile warm up loop around Frensham Pond and back through Bentley and Crondal and after a quick refreshment Kurtis and I headed out to Alresford being mindful that I may have had to cut short at any point.

My knee was generally well behaved with just the usual pain present (hyper mobile knee caps = pain with any activity) and Kurtis was a fantastic help as the wind was really strong and we rode straight into it for 20 continuous miles during which Kurtis took the full brunt of the wind, utilising the awesome power in his legs, to pull me along barely managing to keep on his tail.

Was pleasantly surprised to manage to complete a century ride (cheers Kurtis) and I also went out on the Sunday for a recovery 30 miles keeping my heart rate below 140bpm ending the weekend with tired legs and sore knees but no more than usual after such activity.