What did CoVid 19 meant for my cycling in 2020

(Updated 1 Nov 2020)

Firstly under no circumstances is the post ignoring or dismissing the seriousness of the CoVid19 Pandemic which, at the time of writing, is far from over and looks if we are entering a second wave at least as significant as the first wave back in March 2020

Fortunately so far my self and my family seem to have got through with minimal major disruption and health impact which is a huge bonus

I've also been fortunate to have been in continuous employment, almost as normal for the duration so far although with some pretty small changes in the scheme of things

Just before the lock down started we had moved to start putting some people on  furlough and getting those that could to work from home. We also moved those remaining on site to a double day shift pattern. The result was that we could maintain a level of Social Distancing whilst working to keep some key product development running to meet key milestones.

The outcome for me was that I was working and running my team as normal but on a shift pattern of 6.00 to 13.45 (early shift) and 14.00 to 21.45 (late shift). These were also modified shift patterns to avoid conflict at the normal shift changeover. I have worked shifts a number of years ago and would rather not have been doing them as it's hard work, and disruptive to sleep patterns if nothing else. What I wanted to take from that earlier experience was that I did not get up and "wait to go to work" on the late shift, and did not get home from the early shift and fall asleep, meaning I was unable to go to sleep in the evening for the early start. 

Fortunately the UK Government allowed one session of "individual daily exercise". The exact definition of what that meant in terms of duration and distance from home was not fully clear, but I saw it as I could ride my bike, on my own and as long as I avoided other people I would meet the requirements. Whilst I rode for more than an hour I did tend to keep closer to home that I would normally by choosing routes than looped around my house or rode out and back several time like spokes of a wheel. I certainly reduced the number of rides that went more than 15-20 miles from my house, conscious that if there were any issues it would mean that my wife had a longer (and probably what would be classed as non-essential) journey to rescue me if needed. Fortunately that didn't happen, and I started taken an extra inner tube "just in case.

So as a result of the shift pattern, desire to not sit at home, and good weather I started riding for 1-2 hours per day. This was made more attractive because there was almost no traffic. I have ridden some closed sportives and at times it was like riding on closed roads

Shortly this became a habit and without really realising it I was racking up significant mileage. I was also riding on new roads and finding new places to ride that I'd never seen before in 1o years of riding in the area

The following are some of the changes that I saw, in no particular order:

• My average weekly mileage rose to 220-250/week
• I completed the Strava 1250km/month, Climbing challenge and Grand Fondo 3 chalenges months in a row (I had only completed all 3 in a month once before)
• Despite the high mileage the altitude gain was relatively low as I was staying closer to home and the "bigger" climbs are further away than I was riding
  
• I had to change the chains on my Giant and Scott about 6 months earlier than expected
• I needed to buy some more cycling shorts (as I was wearing the ones I had so often and the laundry couldn't keep up)
• I rode 11 consecutive days in a row in June
• Typically I rode for 24-25 days every month in April-June
• By the beginning of September I had achieved my 5000 mile "target" and by the beginning of October I'd already done more miles that all other years bar one
  
• My average speed is higher on both my "good" bikes in 2020 vs 2019
• I have only ridden (commuted) to work about 4 times in total this year (vs. probably 30-40 normally)
  
• It was difficult to get spare parts for bikes such was demand
• The spare parts that were available were a lot more expensive that normal
  
• I have never seen so many cyclists on the road before (outside of a Sportive)
• My average speed increased by 0.2mph on both the Scott and the Giant
• The Velo Midlands was cancelled with no refund - robbing b******s, I won't be doing any of their events again
• We had to cancel (defer for a year) the cycling holiday to the French Alps. I wanted to go this year at least as it would be the last year of everything thing being "normal" before we leave the EU at the end of 2020
• I had to join Strava Premium as the changes made to the free version removed quite a few things I liked (like segments). Although this was not CoVid related to be fair.
• Now that I'm a Premium Strava member I have used the Live Segment feature on my Garmin, and it has surprisingly made a difference. On segment
  
• I used more Contact lenses than I have ever used before in a given period. I saw that I could now recycle both the plastic cases (which I did anyway) but also the foil covers. So I've been keeping them ready to recycle next time I go to the opticians:
  

Used Contact Lens holder mountain:

 

Here are some images and data showing what I have cycle this year so far: 

Completing all the Strava Challenges for August 2018

I always enter all the Strava Monthly Cycling challenges. Generally I complete the Grand Fondo Challenge (100km) and in the summer months the Climbing challenge but in all the years they have been running I have never achieved the Distance Challenge at 1250km

1250km is a huge distance and subsequently requires a huge time commitment as well. On a few occasions I have ticked just about 700 miles so just over 75% but never got anywhere close.

However August 2018 will go down in my personal history as the month that I completed all 3 challenges as I rode in total 830 miles. Here's the email from Strava confirming the completion of that elusive challenge:

And here (from Veloviewer) is the proof of all 3 being completed:

The sense of achievement was immense and I had a real sense of pride

I am not sure quite how I did it but an element was consistent cycling throughout the month and a lot of cycling to work. With the prolonged good weather in August and favourable work requirements I was able to ride commute 2-3 times each week - riding on 3 days to work and back gives me 110 miles in that week. Looking at my Veloviewer summary for August it shows that I only didn't ride for 9 of the 31 days in August:

I also managed to squeeze in a number of longer (60mile+ rides over the weekends and I took 2 additional Annual Leave days over the Bank Holiday weekend. All in all this provided the time to actually churn out those miles


However the down side is that I am absolutely knackered as a result and whilst I have ridden another 180 miles in the first week of September they have been really hard and tiring - I am going to need to slow down a little in preparation for the Velo South event (100 mile closed roads) that is just 2 weeks away

I am not sure I'll be able to do it again until I retire and have the time to do so!

100 Greatest Cycling Climbs #10 Widecombe

 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs #10 Widecombe

I rode the Dartmoor Demon Sportive on 5 May 2018. I have ridden very few Sportives over the past few years but this was a Christmas present from my sons.

In theory the 88 mile distance did not look too daunting but the 8800ft of ascent did so I was wary and thought I might opt for the medium route at the split depending how I felt.

However I felt good at the split and carried on. All was well until ~70 miles. Two signed 20% climbs in quick succession basically almost finished me, so discretion being the better part of valour I started to (because I needed to) walk some of the steeper hills, although I don't think I could have ridden many of them by that distance anyway.

I needed to stop and the village of Widecombe on the Moor appeared, so I had a can of full fat Coke and then rode on - a few hundred yards further was yet another climb that I walked - uploading to Strava later identified it as #10 - Widecombe - which is the other ascent of Haytor (in turn #9 - Haytor Vale) which I have also climbed

I was disappointed that I didn't know it was there but even if I had known and I tried, I would never have been able to ride up it given how tired I was by that point

However we had a long weekend in Exeter and circumstances combined that meant we ended up at the top of Haytor and hence had the opportunity to try the climb again.

I rode from the Haytor summit car park to Widecombe - it is about 3 miles with over two miles of "flat" so I tried to get my heart rate up. A free wheel descent to Widecombe, slight push up the climb to the village green and a turn in front of the church and straight back to the climb was the order of the day.

Despite knowing what to expect it. was still a beast - I was just about warmed up and could grind up the hill - on the 34-32 gearing only though. It was tough but I felt OK. It's almost a straight climb with just a small left-right dogleg. I pushed on back to the top of Haytor and then over and down to the visitor centre where my wife picked me up

On the first walking attempt I did the following:
Time: 13:59
Speed 3.7mph

On the second riding attempt I did the following:
Time: 9:25
Speed 5.5mph

According to Strava my power meter registered an average power of 232W and a peak of 427W which was probably near the bottom. Here's the same data from Veloviewer

The Veloviewer screenshot above shows a mighty 4.5mph pace at some points

This time put me about 1487th of 4424 (as of 7 May 2018) so just outside the top 1/3 - which is where I have been typically - assuming that I have not not already ridden 75 miles!

According to Strava it's 0.85mile long and 530ft of ascent at an average 12%

In the book the "recommended" time is 9 minutes so I ended up reasonably pleased with the effort on this ride

Haytor Vale (#9) is a 5/10 and Widecombe a 7/10 - there is no doubt that Widecombe is a much harder climb.

I  have updated the page on this blog that collates all the efforts I have made on the 100 Climbs series - this is here: https://midlandscyclist.blogspot.co.uk/p/100-gr.html

I used my Garmin Virb to make a video here:

And at the top of Haytor my wife took a few photos as I passed by:

Doccomb was part of the Dartmoor Demon and I had my Virb running for this climb as well:

Rapha Exclusivity or Rapha Tat?

I normally sign up for the Strava Monthly challenges - they are there and it costs nothing

I normally manage the "Grand Fondo" distance challenge (just over 60 miles) and get just over 50% of the monthly distance challenge. The monthly climbing ones are more in my grasp and I probably get 3/4 of them through the year. Having been on holiday to the French Alps and Pyrenees for the past 3 years the climbing challenges have been done and dusted in just over a week.

This year (2017) as well at the normal Strava challenges in July there were additional challenges - the "Eurosport Peaks Challenge (ride)" and the "Rapha Rising" challenge. Given that the Strava Climbing challenge for July was 26,247ft and the Rapha challenge was only 15,092ft (4600m) the latter was a lot easier. I signed up as normal for them and sure enough duly climbed a lot more than required - 54,954ft to be precise - and thought no more about it.

Here is the evidence (Courtesy of veloviewer):

A few weeks ago a small black (and expensive looking) package dropped through the letter box, and when I opened it was a tangible Strava Achievement:

Gone now are the virtual achievements that I was used to, here is something from the Internet that I ca actually touch and feel. I really don't know what to do with it. I think I will put it somewhere safe so in a few years time my sons can get it out and it will have some tangible value. People will reminisce and say - "my I remember when a company could create value by creating an image and this overcharging customers for the same stuff you could get elsewhere!"

Just to prove the pretentiousness these are the words embossed inside:

Lets be honest - I went on holiday somewhere intersting to ride my bike up some "iconic" mountains - its not become part of what I am.

Fair play to Rapha for putting thier money where their mouth is  - but you can see why the clothes cost what they do when you have for factor in making woven bagdes and sending them to members of the public.

I also do have to admit that despite the comments above I have an item of Rapha clothing - but in my defence I was given this. Its a convoluted tale but a supplier to the company I work for is Austrian and a friend of Bernie Eisel. Some discussion later and this arrived:

 

Personally signed as you can just about see below:

Its a medium and whilst I am normally a medium this is what I guess is called a racing fit - I have to breathe in to do it up but once in and on the bike its OK. It does look great and it is comfortable. Given that it is unique to me I have worn it only a few times - not sure of the value of Bernie vs. say Chris Froome but its pretty valuable to me. Thanks Bernie.

My 2016 Year on Strava

Here's my 2016 Year according to Strava:

Click on the Hyperlink not the picture!

https://2016.strava.com/en-us/share/163906

 And here is my Veloviewer infographic:

 

Possibly Some Form Again - Just in time for the Winter Wind Down

There is no way that I would say I was a fast or strong cyclist. I don't set the MAMIL leader boards that are Strava on fire and when I do I am astounded. I would best describe myself as a reliable cyclist - I can go out and reasonably easily turn out 50-70 miles every Sunday without feeling too tired

Last year I had a strong run through the year and 2 weeks in the French Alps, and a 5hr Ride London meant I was strong all the way until the point that I got knocked off. I was off the bike for over a month and although I was riding again 5 weeks later it was no where near at the same pace. In fact it probably took until 6 months later in May/June 2016 that I was anywhere near where I had been in November 2015.

I was fit enough for 2 weeks in French Alps and Pyrenees and felt OK for a while after that. However there were no rides that, when I'd got home, I felt that it had been great, and there some that I barely made home at any sort of pace at all - I got to 60 miles and it was like a switch going off

In October the shoulder I injured when I got knocked up flared up. I could not lie down and I had had to abort a ride after only 9 miles and ring my wife to come and get me - the first time ever.

This meant another 2 weeks or so off the bike and by now the days had shortened so I had also stopped riding to work - I am still nervous about the dark after the accident.

As a result I had even started riding my turbo trainer 1-2 times per week in the evenings to keep some level of fitness. I hate it to be honest, but its a chance to get a level of high intensity riding in some form of controlled manner. I got up to 45 minute sessions with some semblance of intervals.

I am not sure it is enough yet to make a difference. One of the end results is that, despite just wearing shorts and short sleeved jersey, its like I have had a shower whilst riding as I end up so sweaty!

As an example I rode Saturday 29 Oct and my average HR was 150bpm - it was not that high in the Pyrenees! Its rides like this that make me wonder what I need to do restore a level of consistent fitness.

However today (30 Oct) I rode to the Marina at Barton-under-Needwood where my wife picked me up before we went to the National Hill Climb Championships 2016 up Bank Road, Matlock. I had ridden to the Marina before and estimated 2.5hrs ride time. However once I'd left home having banked on 2.5hrs, I did the sums again and reckoned that at my usual recent pace (16mph) I'd be late meeting my wife so I had to up the pace. What surprised me was that I was able to hold this speed pretty well all the way. Apart from almost grinding to a halt up the last two inclines (no way were they hills) in the last 3-4 miles I felt really good and it was reminiscent of fitness back in August 2015.

I averaged 17.8mph which is by no means great in comparison but this was a solo ride of 44 miles and for me a big improvement - just in time for the weather to be closing in and my mileage to start to plummet over the Winter!

Here's the Veloviewer data: 

VeloViewer 2016 Info Graphic

Its back - the great VeloViewer Info Graphic for 2016 - even though 2016 is not yet over!

Here's mine:

Veloviewer 2015 Summary

I am a very happy Pro subscriber to Veloviewer

Here's a great graphical Summary:

Spot the holiday in France on the elevation graphic at the bottom!

100 Climb #23 Whiteleaf and Another 100 Climb #122 Kingston Hill

Today we dropped one of our sons off very early at Heathrow Airport for travel to Russia as part of his University Course. Given that the timing meant that a normal Sunday ride was going to be difficult I looked at my little books (100 Greatest Cycling Climbs and Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs) and spotted 2 of the hills just off the M40 near Princes Risborough. These were #23 - Whiteleaf and #122 - Kingston Hill. With a little negotiation with Mrs Midland Cyclist she agreed to sit on the car for a couple of hours while I rode a circular loop of just over 20 miles to get both these in. Originally I was going to do just Whiteleaf but Kingston Hill was only 7-8 miles from Princes Risborough so it seemed worth the effort. I parked in the  Princes Risborough Tesco car park, got the bike out of the car and got changed - my Focus is just about big enough for a quick kit change! 

I set off - not a bad day at all with light wind and about 6-8Deg C, although it was overcast and grey with low cloud. It was a reasonably quick spin for the 7 miles or so to the bottom of Kingston Hill, but for some reason despite feeling warm and ready at the bottom of the hill I struggled and made it harder work that I think it would be normally - its graded as a 2/10 but I found it harder than that today. Here's my effort: https://www.strava.com/segments/6655533

#122 Kingston Hill

I managed 6:02 vs a target time of 5 minutes.

At the top I turned onto the A40 - I had not spotted this busy road when plotting the route and it was also quite misty at the top. Fortunately the traffic was light. My route then had a 12 mile or so run back to Princes Risborough with quite a tough climb (Radnage) in between.

On getting back to Princes Risborough I crossed my route and turned towards the Whiteleaf Climb. As soon as you turn onto Peters Lane you can see the climb a few hundred meters ahead and it looks tough from the outset. I dropped onto the small 34 ring and tried to spin up, but the gradient increased very quickly and I was soon in the 34-28 and struggling. It seemed steepest as the road bent to the right and stayed steep for another few hundred meters - a slight kick at the end and then it was over. It was hard and deserved the 7/10 rating.

Here's my effort: https://www.strava.com/segments/6681416

#23 Whiteleaf

I managed 7:25 against a target time of 6 minutes - again nothing special but it was tough

This ride increases my list of completed climbs of the (now) 200 total:

No	Name (rating/10)	My Time Book time	Strava Link
1	Cheddar Gorge (3/10)	14:17 (13:00)	http://app.strava.com/segments/6665302
14	Box Hill (3/10)	07:50 (7:00)	http://app.strava.com/segments/6695759
15	Yorks Hill (6/10)	04:20 (3:00)	http://www.strava.com/segments/6691251
16	White Lane (5/10)	03:41 (3:00)	http://www.strava.com/segments/6691229
20	Toys Hill (7/10)	10:50 (8:00)	http://www.strava.com/segments/6691062
22	Ditchling Beacon (6/10)	06:47 (6:30)	http://app.strava.com/segments/6691384
23	Whiteleaf (7/10)	07:25 (6:00)	http://app.strava.com/segments/6681416
26	Mott Street (3/10)	5:21 (6:30)	http://www.strava.com/segments/6691219
80	Honister Pass (9/10)	15:02 (17:00)	http://www.strava.com/segments/667735
81	Newlands Hause (8/10)	10:52 (9:00)	http://www.strava.com/segments/6677326
82	Whinlatter Pass (5/10)	12:16 (13:00)	Ride not meeting 100 Climbs segment http://www.strava.com/segments/2646437
83	Kirkstone Pass (7/10)	18:38 (21:00)	http://www.strava.com/segments/6677526
84	Hardknott Pass (Failed - had to walk) (10/10)	16:35 (15:00)	http://www.strava.com/segments/6677392
85	Wrynose Pass (10/10)	15:56 (15:00)	http://www.strava.com/segments/6677446
98	Rhigos (6/10)	unknown (19:00)	Ride not meeting 100 Climbs segment
99	The Bwlch (5/10)	unknown (21:00)	Ride not meeting 100 Climbs segment
117	Chalkpit Lane (7/10)	08:03 (8:00)	http://www.strava.com/segments/2659930
122	Kingston Hill (2/10)	06:02 (5:00)	http://www.strava.com/segments/6655533
132	Gun Hill (5/10)	10:24 (11:00)	http://app.strava.com/segments/2376214
136	Edge Hill (1/10)	04:20 (5:00)	http://app.strava.com/segments/781198

I've made a new page on this blog here to put the table rather than keep embedding it on the main pages. Hopefully I'll try and make the table "better" with some other information about each climb

As well as just completing the climbs and ticking them off you can compare your efforts against other people using the excellent Veloviewer "extension" sites - there's one for each book.

For the original site this link lets you compare yourself. Before today I was in 161st place and afterwards I was in 146th place overall out of 2183 - I am pretty pleased with this:

Before

After

For the "Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs" leader board I moved from 633 to 419 of 1729 places:

Before

After

Overall - a pretty satisfying result