Seasons and Numbers

Thank God that is over. February melted away under the relentless passage of time, giving way to the crisp, sunny days of March.

What a change it was. The month turned and it was almost as if the sun, numbed by the cold of February into complacency perked up and realised “Oh yes, I have a job to do!” On March 1st I opened my blinds in the morning and the streets of Manchester were bathed in light. Suddenly cycling has become much more enjoyable for me. I look forward to being back on the bike in the morning.

I believe I truly am solar powered.

It is funny how cycling has put me intimately in touch with the seasons. In years previously I have been able to bypass winter completely, by stepping from a warm house in to an air conditioned bus to go to heated buildings where I work, eat, and play, before getting back again to my toasty house. By cycling to work every day I’ve felt the seasons strongly. I even stayed on the bike through Frozen Britain bar the worst few days. Despite obvious moments of discomfort it has been nought but a good thing. Humans are animals and I think we belong outside to an extent. Staying out through the seasons is just good for the soul.

Anywhoo, training is now in progress. I cycle on average 6 miles a day making 30 miles a week. Applying my dad’s marathon beating formula of adding 10% a week, my weekly plan is as follows:

Week 1 – 33m (this week just gone)
Week 2 – 36m
Week 3 – 40m
Week 4 – 44m
Week 5 – 48m
Week 6 – 53m

...and so on, until we get to...

Week 17 – 151m
Week 18 – 166m
Week 19 – 183m
Week 20 – 201m
Week 21 – 221m
Week 22 – 100m
Week 23 will be the first week of the trip where I’ll be cycling a nut crushing minimum of 60 miles a day.

I’m attacking this schedule by increasing my commute for now. By taking long meanders around Manchester on my way to work, the training doesn’t feel like training. It’s merely a different way to work. If I keep this up though, week 21 will mean setting off for work two hours ahead of time and riding 22 miles there and back, somehow finding the energy for a days work in between.

Crikey.

After doing the research I think many would say this is over-training. My dad says it is a bare minimum. I find it difficult to judge having never done a trip so long, but I would rather over-train than under so stick to the plan I shall. The final week of only (only?!) doing 100 miles is something many people recommend, partly to rest a little, and partly to spend more time with the friends and family who won’t be coming with me.

Saying that I have applied for a job with the Red Cross recently which if I am blessed enough to get, I will only be working fourteen hours a week allowing more time for everything.

Fingers crossed that I can achieve both job and training eh?