With exactly two calendar months before I leave for the US and having thoroughly enjoyed a completely exercise-free 30th Wedding Anniversary trip to Cuba it’s now time to ratchet up the training.

Over the last couple of months in addition to cycling regularly (ice and flooded roads permitting) I have been regularly running (10K most Mondays – thanks to John and Alison!), training with Des Gough, and all in addition to my regular gym sessions. For Sports Relief I did a ‘mini triathlon’ – 1000m swim, 30 mins spin bike and 5K run – which while certainly not easy was pleasingly manageable.
To compliment the aerobic exercise I have also been seeing a nutritionist to improve my general diet balance and taking Pilates classes to improve overall posture and core strength.
My bike has not escaped attention either. For the bike-geeks my beautiful Fulcrum Racing Zero wheels have been substituted for not-quite-so-beautiful Mavic Open Pro rims with Ultegra hubs on the basis that I need something that is serviceable in the middle-of-nowhere South Dakota! I have switched from tubeless to Continental All-weather tyres with inner tubes as well for the same reason. To show respect for the three mountain ranges I have to cross the rear cassette is now an Ultegra 32/11 rather than 28/11. But enough geekiness – it’s still beautiful!
Had a great ride yesterday from Chorleywood out through Sarratt, Bovingdon, Kings Langley through Wendover and back home via Great Missenden and Hyde Heath – beautiful day and a rewarding 43 miles with 2200 feet of climbing. Short ride today dodging rain showers!
Still lots to do including shopping at Rapha…….