by After my calf injury-enforced break I’ve managed to do a few rides in the last couple of weeks. My right calf is still a bit tight but I had a massage this weekend which has helped quite a lot! My first ride back was on my mountain bike with Nicky. We rode along the Prittle Brook Greenway. It’s the first time we’ve done it in quite a while, and it was also the first time we’ve started off from home. Previously, I’d drive down to near the start and we’d go from there, but Nicky is getting much stronger and fitter. The only problem was that there were many mayflies along the route which were getting in our eyes and mouths. We came back a different route! I’ve bought Nicky some cycling sunglasses to prevent it happening again.
I managed my longest ride since September 2015 last week! I had been planning a 53km route but the hill I had been planning to go up was closed, so I had to take a detour. It meant I cycled a total of 58.3km, and my average speed was 26.9km/h – I was very happy with that! I cramped up slightly on the last hill but overall I felt pretty good. I even had a wheelsucker at one point!
On Sunday I went for a quick ride around my usual 23.7km route. I was feeling good after my massage the day before and the wind seemed to be in my favour for most of the ride, meaning I almost broke the 50 minute mark for the ride, which I haven’t done in a couple of years at least! I’m hoping this means I’m actually getting fitter and faster.
Giro d’Italia
We’re three days into the Giro and whilst the GC battle has yet to commence, the first few stages have had their moments. It was great watching Pöstlberger attack to get the maglia rosa ahead of the sprinters on stage 1. He was so obviously delighted by the win!
It was exciting to see the echelons in stage 3, instigated as ever by Quick-Step Floors. I like Gaviria so it was good to see him get the win and the maglia rosa. The real action starts tomorrow though and I’m looking forward to it!