360 Miles on a bike in 36 hours? Follow SG’s Andy on his journey back to fitness as he aims at a challenging ultra experience in Norfolk.
It’s a month since my first blog post in the series and the time has really flown by. Here in the UK we’ve had moments of Spring like weather including brief appearances by the golden orb in the sky despite the continuing cold and occasional frost.
Not everyone will agree I’m sure but, for me, it’s actually the perfect outdoors cycling weather. In those warmer summer days, I often overheat and spend my time worrying about whether I’ve used enough sun cream to protect my pale bits (courtesy of an Irish heritage). But, in winter and Spring…. well, I’m always happy to layer up and let the efforts keep me warm. Luckily, I also know where to get the best cycling kit!
In addition to enjoying a commute to SGHQ a few times a week, the highlight of the last month was definitely the Reading CC annual Reliability Ride. Not only did I get to meet some very friendly riders from the local club (soon to be decked out in SG custom kit) but, by riding to the start and back, I managed to turn the 60 mile loop into a solid 90 miles which turned it into my longest ride since Chase the Sun in June 2023!
Yes, it’s still only a quarter of the Norfolk 360, but it gave me a huge confidence boost.
The one significant challenge at the moment is injury related. Seeing the excellent Nic at The Body Rest Clinic for physio each week is certainly helping, but the biggest area of concern is something called an “Adductor Longus Tendinopathy”. Essentially. it’s an over-use leg tendon injury and is a literal, as well as metaphorical, pain to treat.
We’re attempting to fix it with Shockwave (EWST) therapy – imagine the tendon being hit by a mini jackhammer 3000 times in 15 minutes and you have some idea of what it feels like! The good news is that Nic has given me permission to cycle and, apart from one flare-up where I wasn’t even sure I would make it home under my own steam, it doesn’t seem to have a major effect while I’m on the bike as long as I mostly stay on the saddle and focus on good form.
So, it’s safe to say that training is going much better than I expected albeit on a slightly bumpy road. As things stand, I fully expect to be on the start line in Norfolk and, who knows, might even make it all the way around!
Next time – Top tips for your first ultra, featuring thoughts from some fantastic veteran riders.
Route to 360 by the numbers:
- Training rides : 35
- Distance: 658 miles
- Time on the Bike : 41 Hours
- Elevation: 8219M
- Punctures: STILL ZERO