A trip to the reservoir...

On Sunday I went to my usual Pilates class to stretch out the muscles and push my self to get a stronger core. 

After the class I felt like taking a bike ride whilst my energy was up & it was a lovely day. Nice and sunny and warm. 

I took a new route up to the local reservoir and it was glorious. It's only an 8 mile round trip from my house but it's hilly & a challenging ride. I actually had to get off on the final hill and walk but I think that was because I had already done Pilates. I always worried about the short steep hills on the way up to the reservoir so I'd never attempted it on bike before. 

I made it up there in 25 minutes which was impressive I thought. I sat with the bike beside me at the side of the water for a long time. Looking at the geese and fishermen out on their boats. It was the most beautiful moment I've had with my bike so far. 

A good strategy...

I'm enjoying my new strategy - short rides every day or every other day.

In previous months I have relied on my longer bike rides to build up the miles. The problem with that was that I was only riding once or twice a week on average.

Now that I am riding often I feel stronger - it is really helping to improve my strength but is also helping to keep the momentum going. When I get on the bike at present the only pain I feel is a sore bum but once I get into the ride that doesn't matter. All I can think about is how strong I feel.

Still feels like a chore to put the effort in after a long day at work but once I'm out there I feel great.

Here's to short rides. Short but often - my new strategy.

Kimberley

Rogelli.

Calculator you surprise me

I have added it up and I have cycled 473.34 miles since 18th January this year.

Wow!

I posted this on instagram last night: "Hard ride in the rain. I am determined to keep going. Whatever life throws at you. Keep going. At your low point. Keep going. Without makeup. Without worry. Without anyone else. Just ride."

Slow and steady wins the race?

I have cycled 29.9 miles in July. This month is a struggle - for the first time since I started in January I honestly don't want to go out. At present the thought of a 28 mile ride to S J Chapel and back seems like a nightmare.

I have been doing a lot of other exercise lately - pilates and zumba and a lot of gardening - so my body is tired all of the time - perhaps that explains my present attitude to the bike.

I have decided to push through this bump in the road (ha!) and keep on cycling. It doesn't have to be a 30 mile ride - any ride will do. I have given myself a 10 mile rule. Do 10 miles then go and rest. If I do plenty of shorter rides I can still manage 100 this month.

Perhaps later in the month I will feel energetic and will get out into the Dale - given that this is the perfect time of year with good weather (usually) and light nights.

For now I am taking min. 10 mile rides every other day (usually the same 11-12 mile route).

Tour De France has been great watching and has provided a lot of much need inspiration. IAM cycling team pushing through and getting 6th in the 9th stage really inspired me. The Guardian reports that the IAM team "surprised everyone" by finishing 6th. That might be the case but they delighted me - good on them. Love a dark horse. I too feel like a dark horse. Most of the cyclists I pass (90% or more) are men. They mostly ride in pairs or groups. They have better bikes than me (I see a lot of carbon frames flying by). They have better gear than me. They ALL take over me. I WILL KEEP GOING THOUGH. Just like IAM - I will push through and hope to surprise no one other than myself.

                               
                                                                  Look at them go!

I have decided it is high time I get myself into a nice looking jersey so this morning I bought this little beauty:

Men's jerseys are the only ones long enough for me (being 5"11). Also hoping that in buying a bigger size than I need that I will be able to fit my chest into the jersey. I have one women's jersey and it is too short and must be designed for women without breasts. I hope this one fits!

Ah the woes of a tall female cyclist.

Going out in the rain tonight for 12 miles.

Must. Keep. Going.

A cure like no other

Medication, change of diet, exercising more, reading a book...these are all good cures when you're feeling a bit low.

Other than music though the only thing that makes me feel better is getting out on my bike.

The freedom and silence soothes my soul.

Tonight a bike ride will be just the right thing.

Glastonbury..

I've just got back from Glastonbury festival and it was one of the most insane experiences of my life. It was brilliant but it was truly insane. I am so tired. I think I might be tired for the rest of the month!

There were around 175,000 people there. Massive crowds all day and all night wherever you wanted to go and still I saw some people getting around by bike! I don't know what is worse - walking so far in welly boots or cycling extremely slowly weaving in and out of huge crowds. I think maybe cycling in crowds is worse.

In June, due to my bike being off the road and my being away down south for a week, I have only managed to cycle 50 miles :(

That is half of what I usually do.

July is a lot quieter so I'm getting back out on my lovely Emilio tonight to give him a spin and a warm up for plenty of rides in July.

I'm currently reading Rendell's  'The Death of Marco Pantani'

It's both inspiring and terrifying.

Here is my public pledge to cycle 100 miles in July. I think it's also time I should be getting up to Killhope to check out those famous hills.

Now that it is on here I WILL do it.

Kimberley