Even Lance is Human, Isn't He?

This video from SuperhumanMag.com show's Lance Armstrong in the Leadville 100.

Do my eyes deceive me, or do we see the great man actually jump off and walk (well, climb)?



Anyway, Leadville looks like a killer race. But who wouldn't love to take it on?

Roy

What is it with Suffolk Hills?

Hello again.

While the Suffolk lanes are filled with huge trucks collecting sugar beet from the fields, a detour or two is inevitable. Today I squeezed past two articulated lorries being loaded on my usual route and set off some kind of proximity alarm.

I guess a beet on the head from that height might have hurt a bit!

So I changed my route for the return and ended up riding further than I intended. I planned a very short ride anyway, so a couple of extra miles didn't hurt.

Plus, I found some hills I'd forgotten about.

Suffolk hills are odd: too short to get settled into a proper rhythm (and the right gear) and too sharp to just fly up regardless, unless you're in very good shape already.

Better shape than I am in right now.

Today, my feet were cold, my knees were aching and I proved to myself I definitely haven't been out enough lately.

But I will be stronger tomorrow!

Roy

PS. I also need a new touring bike for next year's expedition. Evans Cycles and Wiggle both have some great deals on at this time of year. Click on their banners to see what they can offer you.

Some Tips on Climbing

Some tips on climbing technique in this brief video from Livestrong:



All I'd add to this is that it's a lot easier to anticipate what gear to use when you've got more experience behind you (and unfamiliar hills can still catch you out).

Secondly, once you're on the hill, unless you're racing it's better to be in too low a gear and pedalling faster than it is to be in too high a gear and straining, especially for your knees!

Roy

Not Enough Bike Time, But...

Well, at least I got out there today, and boy did I need it.

Just forty minutes on the bike and it took me the first thirty to warm up. Still, the last ten minutes was good.

Actually, it was all good, even the stiff muscles and aching knees at the start, because there's no doubt that I felt ten times more alive out in the fresh air than I did in the warmth and comfort of our house.

And it was good to feel strong for ten minutes, at least!

No great insights today, except to say I should get out more...

Roy