Training, Planning and Running the DW Race

After a couple of fun test runs of the new bike I decided I needed some kit before I went out again. The most important was the helmet as I did feel a bit exposed without one. Actually I felt quite exposed with one but at least I now looked the part. And then I wanted to look a bit more like a pro so I got some cycle shorts too. Along with the apparel I also got a cycle computer so that I could see what sort of speeds I was doing.

Last night I headed off with a 10 mile circuit planned (computer said it was 10.2 miles). I headed for a route that took me off the main roads as quickly as possible so that I could bomb about on back lanes. The first downhill bit on the Welshpool road I hit my maximum speed of the day at 30.4mph (the cycle computer is ace).

While I was trundling around the back lanes, quietly enjoying the views and getting my breath back I was overtaken by this bloke on another racing bike. He was clearly into road racing, his bike looked expensive and his legs were like tree trunks. A little bit embarrassed that this bloke had breezed past me I gave chase, I knew I wouldn’t catch him but I would keep him in sight for as long as I could. Hurtling down a hill I smacked into a pothole I hadn’t seen and nearly careened off into a church wall, and did an endo as I came to a halt. Lesson learned, look out for potholes.

Total time in the saddle was 44 minutes. I covered 10.2 miles with an average speed of 13.8mph hitting a top speed of 30.4mph.