65 Roses Holme Moss Classic Sportive

It's a bit late but I've been writing this blog for work. This is what I have so far so have a read! I'll keep updating it this week.

I am taking part in the 65 Roses Holme Moss Classic Sportive in aid of Cystic Fibrosis on 14th September. This is a 100km route starting from Magna and going up the famous Holme Moss which featured in Stage 2 of the Tour de France Grand Depart from beautiful Yorkshire. I'm not taking this challenge lightly and I aim to complete the event in a very competitive time of under 5 hours.

29 days till event:

After a few weeks of short rides just getting used to cycling on the road I thought it would be a great idea to jump in the deep end and have a practice run up Holme Moss and back. The ride is around 60 miles and by far my longest ride to date. There is a chance of rain today so I don't expect the conditions to be very good but at least it will prepare me for what ever the weather may bring on the day of the event.

The ride over to Holmfirth was pretty tough due to a very strong head wind the whole way and a puncture didn't help much either!

It was a really nice treat to see all the Tour de France buntings still up in Holmfirth and the village still had a buzz from the Tour.

At just under half way the legs were feeling tired on the assent up through the village of Holme and then the sight of Holme Moss came into view! It was crazy to imagine all the people who had packed that hill just a couple of months ago and the Tour graffiti was still all over the road. The climb seemed to never end but I was determined to stay on the bike because in less than a month I'll be doing this for real and aiming for a good time. The wind didn't ease up but I continued to push to the top and finally I made it!

Holme Moss was tough but the ride back was absolutely gruling! It didn't help that there were a couple more draining climbs and by the time I got to the Wortly Arms pub I'd practically hit the wall and I felt pretty rough. However I did manage to make it back and although my body is in increadable pain I'm very happy to have completed my first practice run up The Moss. 

Here is a snapshot from Strava which recorded my ride.

26 days till event:

Been feeling pretty rough the past few days. Think I may have hit the wall or 'bonked' as cyclists like to say and it's really knocked my system for 6. Hopefully feeling better tomorrow and I can get some more training done. I've also got a special surprise for Thursday!!

23 days till event:

New Bianchi bike arrived yesterday and I couldn't be more excited! Had a short ride out and it feels great. Can't wait to take it on a bit more of a challenging ride next week. 

20 days till event:

Due to some really poor weather conditions I've been forced to train indoors today. Jumped on the spinning bike for an intense 40 minute ride covering 23km and put a 3km climb in there to mimic The Moss as best I could. Hopefully get out on the bike tomorrow but the weather may be an issue again.

19 days till event:

Got a really good 18 miles in on the new bike today. The new bike has less gears than the old one so I can’t rely on the bike to a lot of the work anymore. I definitely felt a difference when I got on the big hill going from Elsecar to Hoyland! It was really tough but I dug in and got to the top which I’m happy with. Giving the bike a rest tomorrow and focusing on the training for my RAF fitness testing.

14 days till event:

On my own again today for a ride. Going from rotherham to Ladybower and then back through Hathersage taking on some challenging climbs.

Started off at a good pace getting into Sheffield but Manchester Road seems to take a lot of steam out of me until I thankfully got to a nice downhill section coming to Ladybower. Stopped for a short coffee break at the Ladybower Inn and met a nice couple who were out for a ride in their vintage Porsche (bloody nice car!). We got chatting and I told them my story about the Holme Moss ride. As the couple left they gave me all the change they had on them to give to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust! It's a really great moment when you see how amazing some people can be, these were complete strangers who didn't have to give me anything and I didn't ask for anything either. That small gesture from those amazing people really spurred me on for the rest of the ride. The climb from Hathersage to Fox House was great and I was passing other cyclist on the way up which I never thought I'd be doing less than 2 months ago when I first got on a road bike! The only issue I had was that during the ride my chain came off about 5 times so I stopped in at Evans Cylces to get it fixed. Although it seemed ok, after I washed the bike down I was having a nightmare with the front deraileur. Luckily my mates dad is a bike genius and he's keeping it over night. Fingers crossed I'll be back in the saddle come Tuesday!

9 days till event:

After having a few problems with the bike I managed to cycle to work for a couple of days this week. I planned a good 50 mile ride today but my bad luck seems to continue with the Bianchi. 5 miles in my tyre exploded! I fixed the puncture but my tyre was tine to bits. Yet another trip to Evans tomorrow for a new set of tires. 

8 days till event:

Got a good set of Continental tyres today. All fitted on and ready for a good ride tomorrow! Hopefully the weather is better than it has been today and the roads dry up.

Some Team Sky motivation to get me ready for tomorrow.

7 days till event:

The Continental Gator Skin tyres that are significantly better than the set that came on the bike. Fitted the new tyres on and went on a 38 mile ride today around Rotherham going out towards Kilnhurst to start with and then through Wentworth and hit the big climb from Elsecar to Hoyland. From there I came down through Chapeltown and up past Kimberworth. At this point I could have made my way back home but I was feeling really strong and wanted to push on so I went past Cliffton Park, down Moorgate and through Whiston cross roads. Again I could have made my way home but I chose to push on towards Dinnington on the country roads and then made a left at Morthen on to Wickersley. I had another chance to head home but I just felt like I could keep going so I came down into Dalton and took on the Brecks Lane climb. After being out for almost 2 and a half hours I decided to call it a day and made my way home.

5 days till event:

Having done the long ride on Sunday I kept up my physical training for the RAF which included 2 gym sessions, a run with a weighted backpack, 1.5 mile run split into 3 0.5 mile sprints and biking to work and back. I may have push myself a little too much because yet again I’m ill. Hopefully I have time to recovery before the Holme Moss ride and get a short practice ride in on Saturday.

4 days till event:

RAF medical today. Still not feeling 100% but I’m doing all I can to be ready for the ride on Sunday. Hopefully I’m well enough for rugby training tonight as well!

0 days till event:

RAF medical passed! Very happy with that especially seen as I've not been well recently. Managed to come out of rugby training uninjured as well which is a bonus. Went of a prep ride today for a short 22.5 miles. Took it real steady and didn't push too much, stayed away from any big climbs. Also I did home made rice cakes on Friday that are incredible! Had them on the ride today and they were ideal so I'll definitely be taking some out with me tomorrow. I'm all set for the ride tomorrow I just can't wait to get on the bike now. Early start to make sure I've eaten enough with time for it to settle and get some stretching done along with foam roller work. Better get my head down and get some sleep. Wish me luck!