Paul C

Great to be out with the bunch again. A few new faces and a couple of old faces who look as though they could do with a good feed. Andy Gumley bought me a coffee and a scone. Nearly fell off my chair but his kindness was much appreciated. Bunch patter still rubbish but hey ho still a great day. Cheers guys

If there was a club award for best tan, Paul, you'd get it.

Hi, Guys and Gals,
Back from Spain! Had permission to go cycling so hired a bike for 3 days (Focus Cayo). (see photo)
The only way out of Benidorm on quiet roads is up into the mountains. So, 600 m climb straight off!
Scenery very much like Majorca trip.
It was unusually hot for the time of year (26 - 29 C) and was impossible to cycle hard due to the energy-sapping heat. Had to stop at the top of even small climbs to let my heart rate drop down!
Glad we are going to Granada next year - a bit flatter!

Hi, Guys and Gals,
Back from Spain! Had permission to go cycling so hired a bike for 3 days (Focus Cayo). (see photo)
The only way out of Benidorm on quiet roads is up into the mountains. So, 600 m climb straight off!
Scenery very much like Majorca trip.
It was unusually hot for the time of year (26 - 29 C) and was impossible to cycle hard due to the energy-sapping heat. Had to stop at the top of even small climbs to let my heart rate drop down!
Glad we are going to Granada next year - a bit flatter!

Can't make it - on hol in Benidorm.
Gonnae hire a road bike and check out the mountains that Paul McD suggested for next year's foreign trip.

Can't make it - on hol in Benidorm.
Gonnae hire a road bike and check out the mountains that Paul McD suggested for next year's foreign trip.

Billed as the toughest sportive in Britain and I am not going to argue.
Departing from Bangor on Dee racecourse the weather was very cold with a watery sun promising its best but delivering very little by way of heat. Started off with the usual frantic pace as the first 2.5km was somewhere between flat and downhill. It was then that the course began to live up to its name. What followed was as close to an alpine climb as can be found in Britain measuring about 22km with a few very short and very fast downhill sections in between. The descent from the peak was brilliant. 2km of fairly narrow roads, several corners but good sight lines and good tarmac and closed roads. This is where I hit my maximum speed for the day of 65kph. Could have gone a bit faster but it became quite busy near the bottom.
Next came the (in)famous horseshoe pass. 6km climb measuring 10-12% in places. Geraint Thomas's time of 14mins and 22secs was never in any doubt; although I did match the 22 seconds by reaching the top in 25 mins and 22 seconds. It was tough in places but overall only marginally tougher that Crow Road.
I thought well if that's the famed horseshoe pass over and done then I should be okay. Of course this was only twenty five miles in so perhaps I should have realised that I was getting ahead of myself.
And I was because then came the C11s cousin which was very tough into an icy head wind. Another quick descent and then the C11's big cousin; I sure mine wasn't the only voice calling out for my mum! It was only 5km with an average gradient of 5% but there were several 12% and above sections which had my legs screaming at me and wondering why they had been forced to drive 300 miles south then get up at 5:30 in the morning to do this cycling malarkey instead of lying in bed.
This brought me tiredly to the third feed stop. Not much point in hanging around as it was still only 8C with a chilly wind to boot. Cheese toasties were a brilliant idea and made a welcome change to sweet gels and energy drink.
Another tiring 6km drag and I am wondering if I will make it to the end, still 50 km to go. At the top of this climb some kind soul had put the inspiring message "cheer up, the worst is still to come". He wasn't lying. After another fast descent the next climb seemed to be never ending with the first 2km of 10-12% with little 5-6% respites. It never fails to amaze me how 6% suddenly become easy after a prolonged effort at 10%. Eventually things levelled off to a more manageable 3-4% which seemed to continue to the top of what was now a very dark and very cloudy world.
Oh deep joy, freezing rain for the next 3 miles was just about enough to make me throw my bike off the mountain. It was only the realisation that, without it, I would have to walk that prevented me from doing so.
From here I finally found a group that I could keep up with, probably because the final 10 miles only involved some short climbs and flat to rolling, which we covered in just under 30 minutes. There was the obligatory sprint to the line where I only just made the podium, stealing third by a tyre width.
An epic ride, tougher than Flanders. I made it 2900m of climbing which is still 1000m short of the Nove Colli but the compressed distance and the fact that you were either climbing or descending with little in between did make it a tough ride.

I'll be there.
Missed yesterday's run cos I was canyoning with my sons at Brig o Turk.
I think they are trying to kill me off!

I enjoyed the ride today. My climbing is improving (slowly)!
Glad you made it back OK, Davie.
Humorous moment of the day:
Billy takes a pee at the top of Fairlie Moor. Andy holding his bike notices that Billy's heart rate was increasing while he was holding the Ol' Fella!
.... but I think he was looking at one of the young recently sheared sheep!

I enjoyed the ride today. My climbing is improving (slowly)!
Glad you made it back OK, Davie.
Humorous moment of the day:
Billy takes a pee at the top of Fairlie Moor. Andy holding his bike notices that Billy's heart rate was increasing while he was holding the Ol' Fella!
.... but I think he was looking at one of the young recently sheared sheep!

Thanks to the organisers and cooks.
Carbon bikes and carbon burgers - what more can a cyclist ask for?!!

Thanks to the organisers and cooks.
Carbon bikes and carbon burgers - what more can a cyclist ask for?!!

So Ross it's really 2-2 then ! Even though one of mine was in a car !
Well done with the report. For the 2nd time in a week my legs were too sore to write much.
Looking at the strava feeds I am going to start logging rides on strava again. Can see how useful it is when people ask how long is the ride etc.
Ed Clancy - well anyone who can wheelie at the top of the nick deserves an Olympic gold.
:)
 
 
 

Here are the times in order of departure:
 
Mary 22.18
Carol 21.53
Adam (Jet) 20.50 (PB)
Lucia (Jet) 23.25
Elaine S 22.40
Greig S 22.40 (need to get those aero bars back on to beat the missus!)
David 21.10
John 20.29
Len 20.03 (PB)
Elaine M 19.58 (PB)
Alan T 19.20 (PB)
Billy 18.25
Ian McG 17.16 (PB)
Iain Cout 17.19 (PB)
Lewis (Jet) 17.12
Big Al 15.40
 
Well done to all.
 
£39 collected.

Here are the times in order of departure:
 
Mary 22.18
Carol 21.53
Adam (Jet) 20.50 (PB)
Lucia (Jet) 23.25
Elaine S 22.40
Greig S 22.40 (need to get those aero bars back on to beat the missus!)
David 21.10
John 20.29
Len 20.03 (PB)
Elaine M 19.58 (PB)
Alan T 19.20 (PB)
Billy 18.25
Ian McG 17.16 (PB)
Iain Cout 17.19 (PB)
Lewis (Jet) 17.12
Big Al 15.40
 
Well done to all.
 
£39 collected.

This weeks weather in Puerta Pollensa
 
 
 


24°C°F
H23° L11°
PARTLY CLOUDY
| BALEARIC ISLANDS
| Set default
 
Pollenca


 
 
 

FORECAST
DETAIL
AVERAGE



TODAY
SUNNY
HIGH23°
LOW11°
[*]

TOMORROW
MOSTLY SUNNY
HIGH24°
LOW12°
[*]

WEDNESDAY
SUNNY
HIGH23°
LOW13°
[*]

THURSDAY
SUNNY
HIGH23°
LOW12°
[*]

FRIDAY
SUNNY
HIGH23°
LOW12°

Alan and Graham were 151st & 152nd but held up by Graham's crash and puncture later on.

great run today - 96 miles.
the beetroot jiuce seemed to work as I was still withe bunch as we zipped down georgetown road and then got on the drops for a fast dash on the track to LW.
Legs not stiff at all.
When will beetroot be banned!?

Hi, Al,
My neighbour over the road is thinking of changing from hybrid to road having seen me going out in my Wheelers gear on my road bikes. I will have a word with him and get back to you.
My winter bike is a 2003 Specialized Allez Sport and it has done good service for me.

Al,
Spoke to my neighbour and he is def interested.
I gave him your number. His name is Ian Murray. He is 5-11'' so it should fit him.

A good run for me today even into the wind! Surprisingly not last up the Clune!
Entertainment was provided by Darryl whose right pedal kept unscrewing itself every few miles.
Thanks to Suzie for the soup and others who provided refreshments.

I might struggle if PMcD is in the fast bunch so will go with the intermediates.
If rules allow it I may jump on the back of the fast bunch if and when it catches the intermediates!