It seems when you move up north you have to expect the terrain to change. And by jebers is does. I don't often train with others as I like to do my sessions when I want and at my pace without having to get into a ego fight every time the tarmac elevates or a cyclist is spotted in the distance. As it happens doing the hills comes into virtually every ride I do and some are bigger than others.
One of my favourite rides is starting from home or Ali's home and heading out to Whalley Bridge and over Long Hill to Buxton. Ive just found out today that this is a category 3 hill and I always try to ascend at 12mph plus. After Buxton the road can either turn right and head over the infamous Cat and Fiddle (yesterdays ride) or continue stratight on for Leek which is what I did today. The road then takes in another category 4 climb and although I was going up at 8mph it is considerably shorter to the highest point. The bonus is the decent into Leek with the odd undulation thrown in but I managed to hit 54.8mph freewheeling.
Taking the Macclesfield road out of Leek I was hoping to meet with Ali on her ride as she was taking the shorter route over the cat and Fiddle. I managed to catch up with her near Bollington and we rode the last 7 miles together and taking the slightly longer route via High Lane from Hazel Grove.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ride despite the cold biting wind and Ali's flapjack went down well about halfway round.
Ali has a target for 540 bike miles and 80 run miles for November in her build up to Ironman Melbourne. Mine will be more but I have my sights on a Kona slot, a podium place and a personal best in that order. 9:19:21will be tough to beat especially as it was set nearly 8yrs ago but never say never.
Ive finally succumbed to using mapmyride/run so see today's ride in the link below. I did it 15minutes faster in reverse a few weeks ago.
todays bike route 2296 ft climbing
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