Prep phase 1 - done!

It feels like a long time since we were given our training plans now, and I have to say I'm pretty pleased with how I've managed to settle in to something of a routine since then. Of course the real hard work is yet to come, but most weeks I have managed to go out on the bike every Saturday as well as fitting in a spin class on Tuesdays and either walking or swimming on a Thursday. Do I enjoy spin? I don't know if I'd go that far, but I think the fact I'm approaching it from a slightly more disciplined perspective than last time I tried helps - that and it's a different class. Last one I went to felt like being shouted at in a nightclub....
My training actually sort of started with a trip down to Yorkshire for the UCI world cycling championships, so you can't get much more inspiring than that! Unlike David I didn't sign up for the sportive (far too hilly for my liking) but I did manage to persuade his mum to join me for a Breeze ride around Harrogate. It was a beautiful day for cycling, and really good experience for me as a Breeze ride leader to see how other leaders approach rides. Our route took in some of the Beryl Burton cycle path, named on honour of one of Britain's greatest ever cyclists, which seemed perfect for a women's ride.
 

The other ride I did was a ride out from York to Beningborough Hall with David - a really flat route so I actually managed a reasonable pace by my standards. Well worth it for the scones!

So far I've been really lucky with the weather for my weekend rides, though as we're now into November I don't expect that to continue. I have bought some warm clothes but it's still going to be a struggle going out for longer rides once winter sets in. This also probably means it was the wrong time of year to finally get around to buying a 'proper' bike, as I'll mostly be on the hybrid over the winter. Anyway, meet Mavis Grind the gravel bike....

Gorgeous bike, but as I've only ever ridden flat bar bikes before it's taking a bit of getting used to the different riding position. It'll be worth it though to improve my pace, once I get my confidence up!
We're now in prep phase 2 till Christmas so things are getting a little more technical - I'll just have to see how that goes....