Howard's Way
Howard Johnson Wednesday, Jun 4, 2008 3.30pm
He'll catch you on the way down! (Robert Smith Photography/Studiohire)
A holiday in Paris was exhausting, thanks to all the walking and seeing the sights, and then shopping. Trust me three hours in one shop looking for jeans is very tiring. What French additions to my cycling kit did I get, two water bottles from Decathlon!...
With work pulling me left right and centre to both Ireland and Scotland, times for training in the evening have not been as plentiful as I would have liked, and my weight is still an issue. It's just not coming down, plateau at 120kgs. This is really getting to me because I am trying with the lower food intake, but when your pounding the miles out, and the weight remains the same, it’s a killer. Especially when you still have to haul those 120kgs up the hills.
The benefit is descending, which is now becoming my forte, especially on the Medio Fondo where in one descent, I was coming up behind a camper van very quickly, so decided to overtake. In order to make sure the driver had seen me, I tapped on her window. The poor lady was in a bit of shock, as we were doing 40mph at the time. I waved her to stay behind me, as I descended the final part of the twisting road and hit a max of 48 mph. It took her 10 minutes to catch me up.
The Medio was a great event for me, until the second feed station. First of all, I have been climbing hills to a point where my HR goes over 165BPM, I then stop, wait and rest until it drops to about 125bpm, before climbing again. If I try and climb the hill in one go, I just can’t do it, so best to have small chunks. I got to 61 miles of the 90 mile event before I did have to climb off and walk a hill. Second feed had lots of sausage butties, so I had to uplift my carbs!. Then it was back on the road, where with my new found power, I snapped a spoke in the back wheel whilst climbing a long drag of a hill. This put paid to my ride, which was a blessing as the road conditions were terrible for the final 30 miles.
Training and riding in Zone 1 is getting tougher. Not because riding in Zone 1 is hard, but riding to the top limit of it often means some real hard riding. I am also now riding some of the loops I have in the big ring all the way around, which 3 months ago would have been impossible. It’s often strange that less training is often more for performance.
The chats with coach Joe Beer are still the highlight of the week, and the programme of training is more than often maintained. The goal has been set for a 5kg weight loss before mid July, and I really do want to get there.
Coming up next is the Roses Round, I am only riding the 50-mile event, but this will be hilly enough for me. And then the week after is the London to Brighton. This will be a breeze for me, as it is only 54 miles, but I am looking after my teammates from work, who are riding a selection of mountain bikes etc, so it should be fun. Especially the final couple of miles when I will be wearing our Busy Bee costume. I will supply photos of the event!.
Planned ride for tonight should be a pleasure now we have some sun and longer nights, so must now go and prepare the bike and gels.
Team Cycling Plus is supported by Saddleback and Jim Walker
User Comments
There are 3 comments on this post
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 comments
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howiejmidlands
Posted Mon 23 Jun, 1:29 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
Thanks for the comments Bob, i really do appreciate them.
I know how addictive the Golden Syrup porridge is, especially with extra honey!
From what you have written, you are riding with HR zones which is good, becasue you can monitor your stress on the body. Have a look at Joe Beer's website at JBST.com for more info.
I often have a sportive on a Sunday, and the Monday is a recovery ride in low gears, for maybe 40 minutes to an hour. Tuesday rest, Wednesday a longer 2 hour ride in Zone 1 with some Zone 2 work to get the HR up a little, and then Friday a longer ride again 2 hours with Z1 and Z2 work.
I am loving the riding, and the Felt bike is going great, its just the pilot on top that needs to lose the weight, but at least losing it slowly measn it should stay off. I have nerver done them, but the crazy diets that people go on, and lose weight in one month and pile it all back on dont work.
Less calories in, more out and exercise. I wont sell many diet books with that advice but it works.
Keep going Bob, we will get there in the end.
Howie J
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boba2929
Posted Thu 19 Jun, 12:28 pm BST Flag as inappropriate
Hi Howard - I am following your progress with interest as I am trying to loose weight and get fitter by getting the bike out most days (being inbetween jobs helps this quite a lot). I have never really cycled seriously before, so this is a steep learning curve for me and your experience is valuable to me.
When I started early in May,I was 111kg and now am down to 103.5kg. I have changed my diet quite a lot (Golden Syrup microwave porridge is almost adictive) and am feeling better for it. I had to drill another hole in my belt for the first time in years the other day. I am happy with that one I assure you.
My regime is to do at least 14 miles per day. Twice a week I am more adventurous and tackle the Zig Zag road up Box Hill in Dorking which gives a longer ride of 24 miles. I started to get comfortable with that distance, so I am now dropping back to the shorter route but upping the cadence. My average was 65, so now I am dropping to the middle chain ring and averaging 80. I will consolidate on this before upping it again. I use a bike computer to keep a check on heart rate, and I find that this is very useful for making sure that I dont get into trouble. The "Zone" I am aiming for 82% to 89% of MHR so that I maximise my use of fat as fuel. Any comments on fat burning from anyone would be welcome.
I hope to keep my cycling up now, but am a bit frustrated with the bike. I have a hybrid with 700x38 cross country tyres and flat bars. I am looking for something with a little less rolling resistance and for use on the road only. Any suggestions anyone? I dont want to go as far as a full carbon bike as, being clinically obese, I have plenty of scope to lighten the load without lightening the wallet. I will keep the hybrid for the odd circuit of Richmond Park (on the Tamsin Trail not the road) with my wife. That's how we got into it a couple of years ago an we love getting out there.
Good luck with your project and I hope that you hit your targets. I would appreciate any comments my regime from anyone out there. It is lonely trying to do it on your own, and I complement Cycling Plus for including something for those of us who are interested in cycling and perhaps other good things in life too.
All the best Bob
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howiejmidlands
Posted Fri 6 Jun, 7:35 am BST Flag as inappropriate
There is a typo on the next event i am doing. It is not Roses Round but WHite Rose Classic, this Sunday.
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