The book from Trans Portugal 2012 has been published...
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3862632?ce=blurb_ew&utm_source=widget
Well worth a looksie.
Sunday, 9 December 2012
Friday, 7 December 2012
Planning and Preparation for 2013
Well, Where does one start...
I've moved countries, Changed languages and landscapes from the flatlands of Holland to the mountains of Switzerland. I've changed jobs and doing something very different from previous as well. In short so much is different it's hard to explain how you can feel so much at home less than four months after living in a new country.
It's cold out and there's at least 50cm of snow on the ground. I'm trying to plan my goals for next year and get a training plan together. I'd love to ride my new bike but it's just to scary out and pointless as there is ice on the roads and when off road the snow is so deep it's impossible to ride.
I can say that cycling in a mountainous region is extremly challenging. Both up and down. The body will take some time to get used to it. Lets hope that since I think the weakest part of my cycling is the hills it will improve. All my mates say "but you are a good climber", but when it comes to cycling I'm not good enough to hang with the fast guys. I hope to one day sort this...
So far only have a handful of events to do but I'm sure it will grow over the coming months. Not too much as I'm sure I cycled way to much last year and my wife and kids will appreciate me being at home a bit more.
Much more modest than last year...
So reading my training books and the first thing it says it to set some goals. Always wary of doing this as the first thing that happens is that if you fail to hit your goals you feel a bit disappointed with yourself. I guess however without setting any then you can't achieve better things. So here goes...
Trans Portugal - Finish in the top 10. I did OK last year but with a few crashes and a puncture or two and especially my inexperience of how to plan for nine days I think I should have been in the top ten. Lets hope for better luck and relying on that experience I'll achieve this.
La Marmotte - Beat Lars time (7 hours 15?)....He was a fit young lad many years ago. My official time in 2012 was 8 hours and 5 mins. Had a blowout at 70Km an hour which nearly killed me. I kept it upright and lost my nerve after this. Also had to stop and buy a new tyre somewhere as had holes all through the side wall. I know it would be easier to shave at least 30 mins of this time and hopefully an hour...
Otztaler - Improve by at least 30 mins and hopefully 1 hour. . I think very achievable. I was in bed sick with flu 5 days before this event and still managed 9 hours 32.
The other two events I've not done. The Alpen Brevet is 7500 metres of climbing. It was cancelled in 2012 because of bad weather. It's not to far away but will be my biggest ever day climbing in my life...Iron bike is very local to me and I just have to go.
Fingers crossed for the coming year...
I've moved countries, Changed languages and landscapes from the flatlands of Holland to the mountains of Switzerland. I've changed jobs and doing something very different from previous as well. In short so much is different it's hard to explain how you can feel so much at home less than four months after living in a new country.
It's cold out and there's at least 50cm of snow on the ground. I'm trying to plan my goals for next year and get a training plan together. I'd love to ride my new bike but it's just to scary out and pointless as there is ice on the roads and when off road the snow is so deep it's impossible to ride.
I can say that cycling in a mountainous region is extremly challenging. Both up and down. The body will take some time to get used to it. Lets hope that since I think the weakest part of my cycling is the hills it will improve. All my mates say "but you are a good climber", but when it comes to cycling I'm not good enough to hang with the fast guys. I hope to one day sort this...
So far only have a handful of events to do but I'm sure it will grow over the coming months. Not too much as I'm sure I cycled way to much last year and my wife and kids will appreciate me being at home a bit more.
So my plans for 2013 so far are...
5th -12th May, Trans Portugal
6th July, La Marmotte
25th August, Otztaler
31st August, Alpen Brevet
21st September ???, Iron Bike
Much more modest than last year...
So reading my training books and the first thing it says it to set some goals. Always wary of doing this as the first thing that happens is that if you fail to hit your goals you feel a bit disappointed with yourself. I guess however without setting any then you can't achieve better things. So here goes...
Trans Portugal - Finish in the top 10. I did OK last year but with a few crashes and a puncture or two and especially my inexperience of how to plan for nine days I think I should have been in the top ten. Lets hope for better luck and relying on that experience I'll achieve this.
La Marmotte - Beat Lars time (7 hours 15?)....He was a fit young lad many years ago. My official time in 2012 was 8 hours and 5 mins. Had a blowout at 70Km an hour which nearly killed me. I kept it upright and lost my nerve after this. Also had to stop and buy a new tyre somewhere as had holes all through the side wall. I know it would be easier to shave at least 30 mins of this time and hopefully an hour...
Otztaler - Improve by at least 30 mins and hopefully 1 hour. . I think very achievable. I was in bed sick with flu 5 days before this event and still managed 9 hours 32.
The other two events I've not done. The Alpen Brevet is 7500 metres of climbing. It was cancelled in 2012 because of bad weather. It's not to far away but will be my biggest ever day climbing in my life...Iron bike is very local to me and I just have to go.
Fingers crossed for the coming year...
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