Light at the End of a Long Winter Tunnel

Can it get much colder or darker than this? I hope not. I was really looking forward to getting some much needed exercise on the road bike this Easter, up and down a few hills and dales in Swansea and the Gower, but the weather was so terrible that no trips out on my trusty steed were possible. Instead I had to settle for a good book and a few chocolate eggs! Not good!

Easter normally marks the start of some reasonable weather and moderate temperatures, but not this year. We had snow! I do wonder if this is a freaky one-off this year or whether this may be the sign of things to come. Maybe it's because I'm just anxious to have some decent weather - this winter has definitely been too long coupled with a fit-for-nothing summer last year has left us all yearning for even a glimmer of sunshine and just one degree over 10C.

But there is some light at the end of the tunnel. This weekend British Summer Time officially commences, providing an extra hour of light (and therefore fun!) each day and with it the chance to finally get out on the bike after work with my family. Add to that some warmer temperatures - which have to come eventually - and that's all I need to put a smile on my face. Until September, that is.

Remember to put your clocks forward on Saturday night! :)

Measure for Measure

Four years and 10 months ago, the penultimate instalment of my student loan was used to buy my first ever mountain bike. It was a Trek 8000 WSD in white and silver.

I hadn't ever had a mountain bike before and therefore had never considered the importance and the effects of bike set-up. As far as I was concerned, provided I could reach the pedals and could touch the ground while sat on the saddle, what else mattered? However, the local shop (and, of course, the husband) did advise me. And, over the following year(s), I took their advice as essential: forgetting one thing, they were all men.

You see, there is a reason for a WSD. Us girlies generally have smaller hands, narrower shoulders, smaller frames and our main centre of gravity is generally sat on the saddle. It has taken me four years to realise this! And, it is owing to my confidence in other women mountain bikers that I realise this: my coach and watching 'competitors' at the Champery World Cup last year. We do sit differently; we do ride differently; and, I shouldn't be trying to mimic my husband's bike set-up for a more 'racier' experience!

This week, I received this season's racing bike: a sophisticated, gun-metal coloured, carbon-fibre machine. And, this week, I used a tape and a level to measure it up to my WSD. 

It fits perfectly!

I have three weeks now to get myself up to my bike's readiness. For once, bike set-up seems easy ;)

Fat loss - workout duration or effort?

I've decided recently that I need to lose weight. Well, actually lose fat. Somehow, every year it always happens - the fat creeps on - even though I watch what I eat (with just a little chocolate some evenings!). Suddenly, I look in the mirror and I don't like what I see!

I had been quite pleased with what my heart rate monitor was telling me recently - burning approx 700 calories per cycling session was surely enough to send some fat packing. But nothing seems to be happening and I just feel fatter now than when I started my 08 fitness regime! And I do a lot more than most people! How can this be? It doesn't seem fair.

I am told however, that when I start my 'proper' training, the fat will just fall off. I thought I had been doing 'proper' training! On the bike, three times a week for an hour a time....not enough I am told. Apparently, I need to lengthen my training rides and also reduce my intake of carbohydrate in the evening for fat loss to take place. 'Easy', you say. Not when you have a one-year old son, a job and a very busy life! How about I train for the same amount of time, but work harder?

If I get my heart rate up to 80% max for 60 minutes 3 or 4 times a week, my metabolism should remain raised even when I get off the bike, thus aiding fat burning - although this method is not proven. So firstly, instead of increasing my time on the bike per ride, I'm going to try increasing my speed and effort.

It's fat attack time and I'll give you the results in a few weeks.

Where's there snow pain, snow gain

I can't believe it snowed this morning. Well, actually I can! The weather in this country is so unpredictable and crazy that nothing surprises me anymore. When snow falls in the UK (even just a small flurry) chaos ensues on the roads and we don't know how to deal with it. It's a shame that we can't adopt the practices of other countries and how they deal with these kind of issues.

I lived in Japan for a number of years and out there they've got it down to a fine art. Just slap the chains on the front tires and away you go - I used to go up mountain and down dale with these wonderful inventions. That got me reminiscing. Wouldn't it be fun to do some snowbiking? Obviously there's not enough snow in the UK, but in many other countries, snowbiking or icebiking is a regular sport. You can buy special tires with studs to help you grip in the snow and ice, but more often than not you can get away with just lowering your tire pressures. It's really great fun but you need different skills when you're riding on a very slippery surface - stay low, keep your balance centered and don't turn the handlebars!!!

If you ever get the chance to snowbike, take it. You never know, it may even snow 'properly' before the winter's out!! If it does, I'll be heading for the white stuff.