Bonk training and cat

The weather was gorgeous today and I was keen to get out on the bike and into the sunshine. I had a Spinning appointment at lunch so I ended up waiting until 6.30pm to get out.

I did a circular route around Glossop and Padfield, it ended up being 45 minutes long and I did 7.09 miles. Average speed only 9 miles because of the hills.

It was a brilliant ride. Felt great to be back on the bike, and I am really starting to build up the confidence after the ride on Sunday. I now try to push to get speeds and I’m fully confident using the drop handlebars. I got overtaken by a youth on a large but not so great rode bike. I even tried to catch him. At least it wasn’t a pensioner on a tricycle as can easily be the case.

Must get better on the hills because… I’ve entered the Cat and Fiddle Challenge . With its 7 mile climb, I’ll need to concentrate this month on building my climbing muscles up and getting out of that Granny gear on the slightest hill. I also need to drop some poundage.

To that end I am going to try out some Bonk training. No, it’s not like that. I read somewhere that you should ride before you eat in order to lose weight.

HOW TO BONK TRAIN

1. Upon waking, drink 2-3 cups of coffee, up to 45 minutes before cycling. Don’t eat.
2. Ride at endurance pace- 60-70% of your max heart rate, or a casual pace that doesn’t make you pant when you talk.
3. Keep it up for 20-90 minutes.
4. You can do this on consecutive days, but mix in at least one normal breakfast per week.
5. Eat your typical breakfast as soon as the ride ends.
6 . Watch the blubber ignite!!

So I’m going to give it a go and hopefully watch the blubber ignite. Not literally let’s hope, that would be hideous. Fortunately for me I don’t have to deal with commuting traffic in the morning. If I’m not required at any specific time for work I can go out and ride after the traffic dies down a little. Luckily with my job I could start early drinking my coffee for 45 minutes and then off out on a ride.

I’m going to speak to Cherry about a training schedule to follow. The cat and fiddle will be the biggest challenge yet I reckon. Not only is it super hilly, but the weather is going to be dire.

This means of course, I’ll have to buy some winter attire. It’s an expensive hobby this.

Talking of which, Tomorrow I’m buying a pair of these Contact Two-Way Pedals from Revolution. Eventually I’ll get the tiny ones, but these seem to be the best of both worlds.