..fuelled by fig rolls, a wonderful peleton & fantastic scenic views!

What a lovely way to spend a bank holiday weekend, touring the green and pleasant Somerset/Dorset countryside and soaking up the lush scenery was my initial thought when I signed up last October to the Tour of Wessex 2014, a cycloSportive event known for its challenging & enjoyable cycling on a rich blend of hilly and flat terrain.  Training has been going well over the last few months, and finally I was as ready as I’d ever be to face the great TOW 2014

Day 1: 107 miles, weather forecast – relentless rain, chilly

Highs = Cycling up Cheddar Gorge;  Feed Stations; Fig Rolls; Challenging hills (King Alfred Tower – one hell of a beast to conquer);  when the rained stopped for 10 mins; Great cycling buddies

Lows = Soggy feet that never dried out;  King Alfred Tower – the hill that kept on giving; Passing all the enticing Somerset Cider Farms & not being able to sample any; puncture 6 miles from the finish

Day 2: 117 miles, weather forecast – sunny intervals, warm but breezy

Highs = reaching the top of Durdle Door & enjoying the coastal views; cycling in the glorious sunshine; Fig Rolls & Jelly babies;  Great cycling buddies;  Big smiles as we entered the final corner to the finish line; exhausted but exhilarated that I’d finished!

Lows = Screaming thighs; Battling the wind; A Scotch egg getting stuck in my throat; Serious chafing;  The last 30 miles..

Overall a thoroughly enjoyable two days in the saddle.  My bike served me well & now deserves a proper clean, a splash of oil and some well deserved rest.  Now, where did I put my running shoes………

What a beautiful sunny bike ride I enjoyed yesterday with three lovely ladies who I met through our shared love of cycling.  With the route sorted (sort of – directions have never been my strong point) we set off on our trusty wheels & headed out towards Ashridge.  On our pedals we passed some stunning bluebell woods – a haze of blue as far as the eye can see, went up a couple of long slow hills to wake the legs up and then onto some fast & furious flat!  All the while we were drinking in the views of the fabulous Hertfordshire countryside.  Time seemed to pass far too quickly, and finally we were on the homeward stretch, with the wind behind us and the sun on our backs, heading down the lanes towards the obligatory stop at The Hub for the best cappuccino in town!  What a wonderful morning, fresh air, glorious sunshine, plenty of exercise and lots of banter.  So if you have a bike gathering dust at the back of the shed, now’s the time to get out there and embrace all that cycling has to offer!!

Absolutely loving watching all the action from the ‘Extreme Park’ at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics!  Snowboarding, cross country skiing & biathlon amongst others, and it’s got me thinking as to the type of training involved for these leg and lung busting sports. It appears that the one thing they all seem to have in common is that strength training is incorporated into the athletes fitness routines.  Strength training helps prevent injuries and assists in all aspects of fitness including aerobic strength and endurance.

Jenny Jones, the Snowboard bronze medallist has been at the top of her sport for more than six years.  Her off-season training appears to involve a lot of bodyweight exercises that focus on the lower body and also build core strength.  Cyclists can also benefit from strength training during the off-season as it will help build stamina & strength and improve overall efficiency on the bike in preparation for those Spring & Summer Sportives.  Consider bodyweight exercises such as squats, squat jumps, multi-directional lunges, press ups, planks and glute bridges, all of which will help to boost your performance and get more power to those pedals.