25 Mile Ride + a few 10% Hills

TAKEN FROM MY BLOG

http://www.justgiving.com/team100k/

Today was the day I have chosen to attempt Chunal Hill, Evil Mr Joby’s idea of some fun.

I had no idea where I was going but had purchased some apps for my IPhone to help me.

Navigon…Waste of time, Didn't get a signal till New Mills

Mapmyride, Waste of time unless you just want tracking and nothing else

Motion X Waste of time…….Nuff said

 

What I found REALLY great in helping me out when I got lost was Google maps and Joby, He had Google earth and Google maps on my phone never lost where I was, So forget all the expensive apps and use Google (and Joby of course) Joking aside I just wanted to say a HUGE Thanks to Joby he really helped me of today, Cheers Mate.

A rough idea of what I was doing can be seen here:

So early this morning I started my first climb, Mottram Road to the end of the M67, Something I have done a few times but never with Mr Fuji, Right from the off I knew there was an issue, The wind was BAD and in my face and I just couldn't find the right gear on the new compact chain set but I made it up in the normal 8/9 mins, In years gone by I would have then stopped and called in here:

Of course I am past that now and I continued on, Without any idea of what turn to make I made a guess and got it totally wrong, ending up in Broadbottom, Flying down an amazing hill I knew I was in the wrong place and one way or another I would have to start claiming again.

I came to this and remembered I drove it a couple of years ago,

Just round the corner after the bridge is a STEEEEEEP Hill

Not sure the picture helps

As you can see its not very long but it felt like the steepest of all the hill today and one I shouldn't even have done.

Getting even more lost I messaged Mr Joby and he told me to look for a few road, However I was in deepest Derbyshire and looking for anything was a bit of an issue now.

Between us we got me back on track and soon I was climbing Chunal Hill, Thanks Joby, You should have sent me the wrong way LOL

Just before the pub on the left a local asked if I was ok and how come I was up here in shorts and a polo shirt in the middle of a “Storm"……….STORM ? I was as WINDY as HELL but I wouldn't have called it a storm, I was advised that conditions further up were 10 x worse and that it wasn't really safe and I should turn around…….so I did…..not take the advice and continued to climb.

It didn't take as long as I thought It would but I wasn't setting any records at all with my pace but finally I was at the top.

It had been REAL hard work but every time I looked down I got this view.

Enough to inspire ANYONE !!!!!

Before continuing on I took a few more shots from up there

It was then time for a MASTER CLASS in how to descend hills, I love going fast, There was NO WAY I was touching my brakes (But I did cover them) as I passed the brow of the hill I wa**** with the FULL force of an impending storm, I was being held back on a 10% downhill, This will never do I thought to myself, so I stood up and strong down the 10% hill, The wind gave in holding me back and eased off, I sat down but didn't freewheel 30.35.40.45………..47.7MPH Before I ran out of Downhill road, I was at times horizontal in the corners and LOV’IN IT !

I did a little over 23 miles in a little over 3 hours 30 mins, as I said nothing to shout about but the fact I actually hauled myself up to the top was amazing in itself. To think 12 months ago I was doing 3 miles on a cycle track thinking how amazing I was, before having a sleep to get my energy back.

When I got home I decided I wanted a bath, So what you say ? Well in the 6 years I have lived in this house I have NEVER EVER had a bath, No I don't stink, I always showed, because of my size I just couldn't fit into the bath, Well today can cross another one off the list as I fit without issue, I know know it doesn't sound like any great shakes but WHAT AN AMAZING FEELING.

It might be a while before I try that again but just like the Mottram Road hill, I WILL do it again and again and again until I am at least half decent at it.

Tomorrows ride report will be a normal commuter one, Shame I cant ride these routes for a living, AMAZING DAY !

 

http://www.justgiving.com/team100k/