Cramming Time!

So with the annual CLS charity ride only 3 weeks away, I decided it was time to saddle up and get back out on the roads having just returned from life 'beyond the wall' (Scotland) before a passport became a requirement for the return leg.

It's safe to say that the first ride back, albeit a short one (40km) was up there with some of the hardest I've ever ridden. Must be those celebratory beers I enjoyed a few too many at the end of my Msc!

Sunday's 40km jaunt was followed by a hilly and bonking 74km on Tuesday and an unplanned 59km on Wednesday - being dragged around by a certain Mr Cole for the most part of the latter and very much suffering as a result. Note to self - if others wish to interval train, leave them to it. To cap of the week to date, I had a quick 25km spin home from Bristol this morrning with the rush hour traffic just for the hell of it. That's 3 consecutive days riding and more than double the number of miles I have so far achieved this year, so the rest of the day shall be taken up with some couch-surfing and as little exercise as possible (minus an 18 holes of golf).

So there we have it. Back into training, and pretty successful to date. Could have been better if the whole thing was done off more than one gel and a tray of flapjack. But hey, guilt cycling requires kilometres on the road.

Remember, no pain no gain!

Motivating Factors..

So, as mentioned in the previous post, i've finally got around to upgrading from my entry level Giant Defy 4 (2010) having got to the point that the money spent on maintaining my previous bike was well beyond its original value.

The new ride is a Cube Agree GTC Race (2014). At 61cm it's a few cm larger than my previous 58cm (XL) frame and with racier lines. Also, it's a step into the new world of carbon fibre road bikes which hopefully once I've shed a few pounds will really come into its own on the hill climbs.

With combined Ultegra/105 components it should run like a dream and I'm very much looking forward to getting the miles in on my return to Wales.

See below for the full spec:

Cube Agree GTC Race Compact 2014

FSA Chainset with 105 SPD-SL Pedals

Frameset:

• Frame: GTC, Monocoque, Advanced Twin Mold Technology
• Forks: CUBE CSL Race Carbon, Tapered

Groupset:

• Chainset: FSA Gossamer Pro, 50x34T, 170mm (50/53cm), 172,5mm (56/58/60cm), 175mm (62/64cm)
• Brake/Shift Levers: Shimano Ultegra ST-6800
• Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra FD-6800BL, Clamp 34.9mm
• Rear Derailleur:Shimano Ultegra RD-6800SS, 2x11-Speed

Wheelset:

• Wheels: MAVIC Aksium S
• Tyres: MAVIC Aksion, 65A Compound, 25-622

Components:

• Front Brake: Shimano 105 BR-5700
• Rear Brake: Shimano 105 BR-5700
• Handlebars: CUBE Wing Race Bar, Compact
• Handlebar Tape: CUBE Grip Control
• Headset: FSA Orbit I-t integrated, top 1 1/8", bottom 1 1/2
• Stem: CUBE Performance Pro, 31.8mm
• Saddle: Selle Italia X1 Road
• Seatpost: CUBE Performance Post, 27.2mm
• Seatclamp: RFR Close 31.8mm

Weight: 8.2 kg