Brief updates; 21/3

Now the real work begins.

In short:

• The km's are starting to ramp.
• Nutrition is still an issue for a number of reasons - both on and off the bike
• F@@K!NG HEADWINDS!  
• Recover between long rides is going to be as important as the long rides - yep, the metal box.
• Wheel built and the blue steel looks HOT!

The km's are starting to ramp.

Now the carb phase is done, I've racked up my first decent ride and started scouting out the route.  I headed north towards Hull and the Humber to join the route and head south.  4.5 hrs in a headwind, but worth it.  Some sections will be fast, one or two junctions to look out for but not too bad.  The road is rolling with no major climbs.  Possibly seeing it in the dark may be different but at least I've seen it.   263 km's done in 9 hrs 13 mins for moving time.  I felt it by the end and.......

Nutrition.

The carb study was brilliant, but as you'll see from the image, blowing through >5,000 calories is hard.  Harder is doing it a 4C when you have winter gloves on and can't reach into the back pockets.  Come on warmer weather!  I did stop several times to access food and found a pastie at a Tesco's but carb loading, burning and recovery needs more focus.

F@@K!NG HEADWINDS!  

It's been a year of them.  The Wednesday night ride was 30 km of headwinds home in the dark.  Saturday was four and a half hours of head winds when riding north.  This winter has featured head winds.  ENOUGH OF THE HEADWINDS!

Recover between long rides is going to be as important as the long rides - yep, the metal box.

Bouncing between long rides and commutes is going to be tough.  This morning, I was.......slower.  Although I don't like admitting defeat to the car, it will be worth it for the bigger picture.

Wheel built and the blue steel looks HOT!

This is the winter/Wednesday/Saturday night bike.  Classic 80's steel lines, and the front wheel.  Can't wait for the easy midweek ride this week (mind the rear mudguard, now fixed).

109 days to go.