Training Tales

In preparation I have done a couple of rides with a destination in mind. The first was to West Malling in mid July for a Deanery Chapter day. It was just 30 miles but the climbs were quite steep along the A20. It took about two and a quarter hours and I was pretty tired by the end. I had hoped to cycle back as well but time committments for the evening meant I had to take the train back. It gave me a good idea of what I would have to do though.

The second trip was more ambitious. I decided to to go the New Wine conference near Shepton Mallett the first few days of August. The distance was 130 miles and I thought I would see how far I could go in a day. I started on July 31st at 5:30 am, map in my pocket and bag on the bike rack.

I set off from home and hit the South Circular but decided to go right through town so I eventually went through Kennington and over the Vauxhall Bridge. From there I started heading west through the various communities of the west end of London.

I reached Camberley by 9am - 40 miles - and I was feeling just fine and took a short refreshment break. The ride through London had been just fine and mostly flat. Very little traffic that early in the morning as well. As I got onto the A30 the traffic stepped up in speed as well as volume. Part of this section was dual carriageway just after Staines but I felt safe enough.

Click Here to view a map of my route from my home in South East London to Evercreech near Shepton Mallett.

After Camberley I carried on to Basingstoke - 55 miles - and took a very short watering break. I was feeling great and anticipating a good trip. It was only about 11am with the whole day ahead of me. I stopped at Whitchurch for a snack and drink - 66 miles - and decided to carry on a little further before stopping for lunch. I went right through Andover but my map was not detailed enough for the best route and it took a little more time to find my way out but did and headed toward Ludgershall. My progress was slower over this section of the route. I obviously left it too late to eat lunch and was depleted of my resources. I found a nice pub on the road; 'The Bell' (I think), and went in for a BLT and took an hours break. It was around 1:30 when I stopped and got on the road again about 2:30 contnuing to Ludgershall. The distance travelled at that point was 82 miles. My calculations told me I had just 48 miles to go. I really had to wait for the muscles to be refortified. It took quite a while but eventually I began to feel better. I won't allow that to happen again!

From Ludgershall I thought I had taken the wrong road so doubled back 5 miles only to find out I was on the right road and went back again. That was an extra 10 miles added at that point. A second miscalculation just after Tidworth put on an additional 5 miles. I was now behind by about an hour and a half and the hills were getting higher, longer, and more and more frequent but I knew I would be able to finish. From there it was through Tidworth, Durrington, Shrewton, and Chitterne. I stopped for another 20 minutes in the middle of one very long hill just before Chitterne, found a shady spot and laid down on a wonderful log and stretched out my back and gazed at the sky. My thoughts were beginning to dwell a little on the fact that I was getting tired and still had some ways to go. This part of the ride had been the longest and it did not seem that a great deal of distance had been covered. At Heytesbury, I got onto the A36. The other roads had been quiet but now the traffic was quite active. I decided to change my route and get onto some back ways. Starting to get tired might make me a bit wobbly and I would rather be on a road alone. So off I went from my planned route to take some quieter back roads. And quiet they were.....

On one downhill just before North Brewton, I actually acheived a speed of 37.2mph (without peddling!). It brought me back to life. There was only one casualty on that downhill. I lost my map! Fortunately, when I stopped to get my bearings and realized my loss, another couple just happened to be coming along along on bikes. I hadn't seen anyone in the last hour and a half, not even a car. I asked the direction for Batcombe and they produced a very detailed map that I was able to imprint into my brain to finish the last 6 or 7 miles

Overall, the last 20 miles were very hard.and it was getting dark. I actually had to partially walk up a few hills but after a missed turn (with just 2 miles to the finish which added another 6 miles!), I finally reached The Bell Inn at Evercreech where I had a room waiting for me and a nice cold pint of ale. I was elated. My odometer read 148.3 miles. So I cycled an extra 20 or so miles. I got in at 10pm. It was a long day but I now have an idea of what I might be able to do in a day.

The next day I was feeling quite fine and got on the bike to ride the 1 mile to the Royal Bath and West Showgrounds to take in a day at New Wine. The following day I took the train from Castle Cary back to London Paddington from where I cycled home again. It was a great trip!