Today’s ride was supposed to be holding ~2.8w/kg, but large portions of this ride were at a higher intensity. If I had to guess, the ‘active’ part of the ride (i.e. when not stopped at traffic lights / slowed for road works) was closer to 3.2w/kg.
So what gives?
Well, I decided to give myself something of an on-road fitness test. The big question I’ve had over my injury time off the bike is how detrimental has that period been to my fitness? Up to a point, I genuinely think it was beneficial to take an extended rest. However, after that point (about two weeks) I felt like I was starting to lose fitness. But I have no quantifiable or scientific method to any of this, it’s all just feelings.
Anyway, with that in mind, and feeling good enough if not 100% (I’d say I’m about 80-85% these last two days) I figured why not benchmark myself today?
The route I picked was largely without stopping points. There are a few, and this is not as flat as the best TT route I know of around here but it’s not a terrible one either. The main thing was I wanted a solid ride – not a stop start affair like yesterday.
Heading out I did plan to take it easier, but once I got on the open road I decided to gun it. Let’s see what I had left, right?
One thing I didn’t do particularly well on was ride management. In places I over did it, and was grateful for traffic lights or roundabouts where I had to come to a stop, and take the opportunity to get an enforced rest break.
The big thing though, the thing that got me concerned right at the end, just as I was hitting the 30km marker was that I had to come to a stop at a T-junction, and as I unclipped and put my leg down it was shaking like crazy. Now, I put this down to me having retained my strength (huzzah!) but lost my stamina (boo, hiss!). However, when I got home and mentioned this to my wife she said it was almost certainly low blood sugar.
Prior to my crash I’d been taking out gummie bears and other little chewys to suck on during my rides. I didn’t do that today. Also I’d only had two slices of toast and half a litre of water. So yeah, probably a major fail on that front to then go out and batter myself.
Anyway, regardless of this I feel great for having got a solid hour in the sunshine, with a decent time all things considered.
Not gunna lie, my back is still sore. Hitting some of them road bumps wasn’t fun. But I’m persisting because frankly the alternative is mentally killing me.
Here’s to another two rides this Bank Holiday weekend!
