A New Direction - Yat Tung Estate and a New Bike too

Not sure what was in the air last night but the regular ride was not to be.   After mooching around the bike shop about ten of us set off for a quick there and back between Tung Chung and Disney then back into Tung Chung and over to the Yat Tung estate for some practice circuits around the loop.     The Yat Tung estate road seems an ideal spot too, with clean, smooth surfaces and one slightly down gradient run and one slightly uphill gradient run.  A perfect place for interval training.

As usual, I set off alone to at least be ahead of the pack for the journey out to Disney etc but was overhauled on the way back about 2km from Tung Chung.   From then on I had no need to look over my shoulder!

Cavan, sporting his new Giant bike and now also some new cold weather clothes was obviously pleased with his investment and vestments but for reasons only known to himself has opted for spectator position rather than pole position for the forthcoming race on 24th.   I say, give it a go Cavan.

Monday 11th January

Cavan and I have both decided that we are not ready for the Criterium on 24 Jan due to various circumstances, the primary one being that we are not ready (race trained/fit enough) to compete. Coming last is not a problem for either of us, coming last by a lap or two could be a bit embarrassing.

Anyhow, tonight we (Glyn, Cavan and myself) hauled ourselves over to Tung Chung (in the car, not on the bikes) for another late night ride. We decided we would stick to an average speed of 25 tonight as this has been deemed the slow/workout week. It was cold, damp and windy, the wind seemed to be coming from all directions.

A nice gentle ride to Sunny Bay (with head wind, side wind) was followed by two complete circuits (SB-Carpark-Hotel) with an additional Sunny Bay leg tacked on or good measure. We upped the pace a bit on the way back as time was pressing and the wind was biting. We made it back to 7-11 for quick cuppa and then headed back to the car.

Total distance tonight 51.58km in 2h:13m for a slow average of just over 23kp

Total distance cycled since Nov 17 is 799km or 500miles, roll on the next 500

Learning the Criterium and Group Ride

Tonight we (Cavan, TJ, Glyn and Myself) tried the Criterium course for later this month, both Me and Cavan have come to the conclusion that we are looking at being placed last and second from last unless somebody comes off their bike. That is of course if we are accepted for the race by the HKCA  Whilst we were practicing, a group of about 15 others riders had gathered in Tung Chung for the usual Friday night ride. We managed to catch them up by Sui Ho Wan for a pretty fast ride to Sunny Bay.  Most of the riders headed off to complete the SB-hotel circuit, whilst me and Glyn did the full SB-carpark-hotel circuit.   One quick ride back to Sunny Bay and we had a group photo op (not a good photo due to the light and the traffic) before everyone moved off.  A fast run back to Tung Chung, for a warm down at 7-11, then we headed of to Mui Wo for a steaming bowl of "Won Ton Mien" by the big tree and then off home to bed.  Today's stats - 49.28km in 1h:51m:16s at an average speed of 26.5kph

What's the criteria for entering a criterium race?

Despite my best efforts on Wednesday to dampen their enthusiasm, albeit selfishly  due to my mince pie avarice over Christmas, Mark and Cavan are apparently considering entering their first race!!!!! I take my hat off to them.  So tonight, under the watchful and possibly cynical eyes of TJ we shall attempt the course and see how we corner. Taking plenty of elastoplast with me tonight. I wonder if they will shave their legs?

A Welcome Return of Glyn

What a night, cold, windy, wet roads and the return of Glyn after a two week break of eating mince pies.

We turned up at the usual meeting point to find we were the only ones present (fair weather cyclists). After taking what seemed an age to put the bikes together we where ready for the first photo opportunity of 2010

Back to the riding, we, made steady progress to Sunny Bay only to find a couple of early starters (TJ and Andy) on there second loop, we joined them for a quick lop of Disney and decided that it was to cold to keep going.

A steady ride back to Tung Chung followed but Glyn was not feeling to good after the two week break, although he did look good in his booties and stockings. We all managed around 35-36 km's in around 1:25, so not a bad effort considering.

We managed to get to McD's in Mui Wo before they shutf or a well earned burger and tea before heading home for a good nights sleep

Friday we practice for the Criterium on 24th Jan...

Xmas reality check

Very reluctantly and expecting the worst I stepped onto the scales for the first time since I proudly declared I had lost so much weight before Xmas. Looks like I will need to keep my gob shut for a while in case anyone asks me how heavy I am. Let's just say it will be a few weeks until I start bragging again.

Monday morning ride

Good to hear that you be here soon Glyn, anyway, thought I would do the Tung Chung - Disney circuit today. As my mountain bike has a few problems with the gears, I can only ride the road bike for now.

Drove to Disney (they offer free parking for annual pass holders) and decided that I would do the circuit back-to-front (Car Park-Hotel-Sunny Bay-Tung Chung Bike Shop-Sunny Bay-Car Park-Hotel-Sunny Bay-Car Park) this took me almost two hours, but the sun was shining and the Kites (birds of prey not the plastic things on string) where out in force around Disney. There must have been about 30 of them across the road from the car park entrance circling and swooping down, must have been something over there that looked good.

Today I managed to cover 49.15km in 1h.51m at an average speed of 26.1kph

Looking forward to Wednesday night.

Getting ready for the inevitable!

Now the proud owner of two new sets of cycling togs BUT a larger than normal belly. We land back in HK on Monday afternoon so maybe I can find the courage to step onto the scales on Tuesday morning and discover the consequences of two weeks of avarice and sloth. Reading Mark's entries re average speeds etc I am in trouble all ready.

First Ride of the New Year

Agreed to met at HSBC at 7am for a quick ride out to Shik Pik with Cavan. Completed the 32km in 1.47. The hills definitely get easier, either that or I am getting fitter.

Once back in Mui Wo a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, beans and toast went down a treat.

Regular service shall be resumed when Glyn returns to these warmer climes next week.

Wednesday Night Ride - Last of the Year

This was going to be my last ride of the year, and I was aiming to hit 550km of riding since Nov 17, when I began. So on this cold and wet night, me and Cavan had agreed to meet up somewhere on the Disney circuit.

I left Mui Wo at 7pm to drive to Tung Chung and Caven began cycling over at 7:40, the idea was to meet up at Disney.

I purchased a couple of ponchos earlier in the day, these where most welcome on this night.

I set of from Tung Chung at a steady pace, not easy when you are by yourself, but the drizzle kept me going.

Cavan had it much harder coming over the hill, wind and rain made the road slippery and dangerous.

I reached the Sunny Bay turn in 24mins and started my first circuit (Sunny Bay-Carpark-Hotel). By the time Cavan had reached the turn I was finishing my second circuit, we met up for one final circuit. By this time we where both feeling tired and very cold, especially the feet. One quick drink break and we headed back to Tung Chung.

Overall I managed 67km in 2h.33m, my furthest so far, Cavan managed about 54km but he had to contend with the hill.

No stopping off for a deserved beer at JK's we headed straight for the big tree noodle shop for some steaming hot "Won Ton" and a cold Heineken to finish the night off.

After tonight's run I have managed 583km since Nov 17

Monday Evening Ride

Was a cold, damp and windy night, just the two of us Cavan and me headed off from Tung Chung (we must be mad). Keeping a decent pace we managed to get to Sunny Bay within 24 mins, we completed two full circuits (Sunny Bay-Car Park-Hotel) before heading home hoping to beat the rain.

Completed 46km in 1.41 with and Av Spd or 27.1kph

Stopped off at JK's for a wind-down (Heineken) before getting to Mui Wo for a steaming bowl of "won ton" noodles at the big tree.

Lack of luggage forces food binge

well we landed in UK on 21 Dec after a disastrous flight from Amsterdam. So far no luggage has appeared and it is now 26th. So what does this have to do with cycling? A severe lack of cycling kit to go out biking in, that's what. Although I do now own some new arm warmers, over shoes and hat. Without any kit to wear there is nothing left to do but eat!