Photo of the day - 1: Gravel ride to Box Hill

This was me on the trails at Headley Common, near Box Hill on the August Bank Holiday weekend when I did a gravel ride out to the Surrey trails with my friend Arabella. It was all a bit vague as I had thought we might go along the North Downs and then pick up the Downs Link to get to the coast. But in the end we were more in the mood for doing things in a leisurely mode, given that it was the Bank Holiday. So we only actually got as far as Box Hill in the end! Mind you, we did do 45 miles in the end, which is not to be sniffed at for an off-road ride. It was a really fun day out, with new trails we did in South London around Riddlesdown and Coulsdon Common. Then we cut across onto the North Downs near Caterham, and followed them to Box Hill, with a couple of fun detours, before turning home along various trails in Epsom, Banstead and Carshalton. We did three cafe stops and stopped for a few photo sessions. So yes, it was all very leisurely and fun. A London to Brighton off-road ride is still on the menu for the near future though. 

The route on Strava is here 

Festive 500: Rail trails in England - Day 3

Downs Link - Brighton

Stats
Kms ridden: 87
Running total: 219
Kms left: 281
Refreshments: 300ml water
Weather: dry, cloudy, mild 10 degC

Highlights: St Leonard's Forest; Arriving in Brighton; Riding empty country lanes in pitch black

Start/end of the Downs Link in Shoreham-by-Sea

Ride on Strava
Colgate - St Leonard's Forest - Downs Link - Shoreham - Brighton - Pease Pottage - Colgate


After an interlude from riding along disused railway lines, normal service resumed and I rode the rail trail of the day, the Downs Link. The full route is 37 miles from Shalford, near Guildford and runs all the way to Shoreham-by-Sea on the Sussex coast.

Bridleway through St Leonard's Forest

I joined it from about two-thirds of the way down at Copsale, after having done a very pleasant ride along a bridleway through St Leonard's Forest.

Having done the Downs Link in the past, I knew what to expect - a long straight path mainly through forest and at short intervals passing through villages. The main difference this time around was that the surface was a bit wetter and muddier than in the past. That was not a problem for me though, as it meant that the trail was a bit more comfortable to ride than the bumpy ride that I usually get when going over the stony path in the summer.

There were lots of folks out riding, especially kids on what was probably their Christmas present. I like this time of year because people seem so much more care-free. One little girl who can't have been more than 7-years old, smiled at me as she passed, saying "Happy Boxing Day". That made my day.

Although there were quite a lot of people out, the refreshment stops at West Grinstead and Partridge Green were closed. Everyone needs a holiday, I guess!

My arrival run into the coast was nice and flat. When riding to Brighton, I usually have to go over a climb like Ditchling Beacon or Devil's Dyke. In fact, the first time I rode on the Downs Link I got a bit bored of the flat unchallenging stuff and diverted onto the South Downs Way at Bamber to go up Edburton Hill. Today, was feeling much too sensible to do such a crazy thing, and kept to the text-book flat route all the way to Shoreham, before riding along the tarmacked traffic-free path along the coast from Portslade to Brighton.

Arriving in Brighton at dusk

Because I had started my ride so late it meant that by the time I arrived in Brighton it was dusk, and I ended up riding back to my car (which was parked in Colgate) in the dark.

The route back was signposted, (I followed the signs for Crawley) and took me on paths and country lanes that went parallel to the A23 trunk road. And then nearer to the end of the route I was on empty country lanes above the M23 motorway.

Thankfully, my USE Exposure Lights, were pretty powerful, and when on the empty, pitch black country lanes the roads were perfectly visible. I also wore a Proviz 360 jacket which is totally reflective at night. So I didn't feel vulnerable at all.

Being in the dark when there's no one around feels great. I felt so free and it was really peaceful. Only the sound of the natural night life, and the creatures running out of the way could be heard as I zoomed past the trees. I need to do this sort of thing more often.

Maybe I'll do another night ride tomorrow.


Related Posts
Festive 500: Rail trails in England - Day 2

Festive 500: Rail trails in England - Day 1

Can-do girls - Delia conquers Three Peaks Cyclocross

It's that time of year when cyclists indulge in wacky racing over muddy fields, through woodland, in sandpits, jumping over hurdles, and sometimes climbing up flights of steps with their bikes slung over their shoulders. You've guessed it - cyclocross is back on again.

So this month's Can-do girl features none other than local hard nut racer, Delia Beddis of Vicious Velo, champion of the Three Peaks Cyclocross challenge. Hailing from Otley, the same town as that other women's cycling champion, Lizzie Deignan (née Armitstead) Delia isn't satisfied with the traditional cyclocross races that are completed in barely forty-five minutes. What really gets her out of bed is flying up and over the big peaks of the Yorkshire Dales - Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen y Ghent, one after the other with her bike in "the hardest cyclocross race in the world."  

That means a distance of 61km (33km being on mountain trails), 1500m of climbing, and about 4 hours of racing for Delia, though probably more like 6 hours for us lesser mortals including myself, if I even try it at all! The Three Peaks cyclocross race is definitely one for the bucket list, but I must say that I find it one of the scariest races on the sporting calendar. Running a marathon or doing an Ironman triathlon are things I would tackle first as my preparation for this monument of cycling athleticism! I therefore have massive admiration for Delia who has done this race no fewer than four times, and been the winning woman on two of those occasions. Chapeau! (or maybe even Flat cap as they might say oop North!) 

So here's a bit about this challenge in Delia's own words.  

I've done the Three Peaks four times now. The first one wasn't too great and the second was the infamous year of torrential rain when unfortunately I crashed out. Things got better after that.

I won the race for the first time in 2013. It was the third time I was doing it. Most importantly, my Dad and I won the 'Parent / Child' competition that year and we got a bike rack for our efforts! 

I'm not made for top-end speed so I like a long gruelling race. Also, if you're half decent at running you can get a good result. It's such a great atmosphere and it's near my proper home in Otley so I'm fairly used to the terrain. That's why I keep coming back!

The terrain on the Yorkshire Dales is totally different from a normal cross race. That can be a shock to the system for most people when they race it for the first time. It varies between each peak. Ingleborough is like moorland and can be a bit boggy on the tops; Whernside is more rocky with steps - the limestone slabs on the descent make for good riding especially with disc brakes. Pen Y Ghent is more like a trail but still tough to get up especially near the summit.  

I try to dovetail my Three Peaks training with road racing in the summer. I use the road to build up some endurance but start to layer in some walking and running from May/June to remind my legs how to do it. Slow and steady build up is the best way to avoid injuries. I generally stop road racing around July to focus on Peaks endurance. I then do mountain biking and running uphill with the bike as much as possible. 

I don't get to do as much training as I would like in the Dales. This year I only managed one training weekend at home so the rest of my training is done down in Kent. There's no substitute for riding up in the Dales and getting used to the terrain and the conditions though. Even things like knowing how to shoulder the bike into a strong wind really helps. I did get some harsh weather practice in the west of Ireland this summer, which was good prep!

The course is bumpy but different to the cobbled classics. The longest parts with bumpy descents are Whernside and Pen Y Ghent. Whernside is okay once you relax into it. If you're too tense then it can hurt a lot and you're more likely to crash. I usually find that Pen Y Ghent is a great, fast descent but I was in pieces by that point this year so it felt very bumpy. I hadn't eaten enough so blew big time on the final climb. 

How to reduce shocks to the body? I've been working with my coach Jo McRae on core conditioning and weights this year, which has been a big help for taking the bumps and being able to recover afterwards. Other than that, I try not to get too tense on the bike.  

I rode a Giant TCX Advanced Pro this year and I love it! It was fitted with Land Cruiser tyres because they're like tractor tyres, so low risk of punctures. 

I don't make any significant changes to my bike for the race. Disc brakes help but I did a better time in 2013 on cantilever brakes! Some people put tubing on their bike for when shouldering [carrying the bike] but I don't think there's any need. I just don't use a bottle cage so that it can sit correctly. 

The time I did it in this year wasn't my best and was well down on what I was hoping for. It started well and I was happy after the first two peaks until I realised I was running on empty. I knew that riders like Verity Appleyard were strong, and in a panic to try to save time I didn't eat as planned at the top of each climb. I totally blew apart on Pen Y Ghent and everything from there on was a bit of a blur! I am still really happy to have got the win though, and there was a great atmosphere in the pub at the end. Mark Richmond, who has taken on the mantle of managing the Three Peaks from John Rawnsley is doing a great job. 

My tactic was to go as fast as I could uphill and keep going faster downhill, then time trial the road sections. 

Some people switch to racing on a road bike on the tarmac sections and then get back on their cross bike on the off-road trails but I think it's a bit of a faff to be honest. It takes a lot of time to plan where helpers will be and I don't like the idea of something going wrong. There are limits on the tyre width that you can use so there's minimal advantage in switching bikes. So I just try to keep it simple! 

You've probably guessed that the toughest part for me was Pen Y Ghent! I just had to dig in really hard even though I was seeing stars! I got through by drinking Coca Cola and Lucozade offered by some friendly supporters and racers, just so that I could get some much-needed sugar. 

Starting up at the front makes a really big difference as you don't get stuck in the bottlenecks. If I do get stuck, my general tactic is to get my elbows out and shout as loud as I can. I'm not a very nice person when I'm in race mode! 

I didn't crash or have any mechanicals this year. My boyfriend Mark and my Dad were my support crew and everything was seamless as ever!

My most memorable moment from any edition of the Three Peaks was in 2013 when I won, and seeing my Dad at the car park in the end. I think that achievement paled in comparison to anything else I've done in his eyes. Sorry is that a bit soppy?

I have had an extended break since doing the Three Peaks because I'm doing an assessment for work. I need to get my head back into it now and start training for the National Trophies, so will probably target the latter part of the season. I'll see how things go. 

Photo by John Mullineaux

I'd love to go further up on the podium at the National Championships. [Delia came third behind Nikki Harris and Helen Wyman at the 2016 Championships.] However, it's such a competitive field these days!

I'll race in Belgium though, with my ViCiOUS VELO team mates this winter. There's a block of races around Christmas and New Year that are great fun. I'm nowhere compared to the pros but racing at that level really brings me on. 


Related posts
What Katie did at Milton Keynes World Cup Cyclocross

Milton Keynes goes Cross Crazy

Getting Scared at Rollapaluza Halloween Cross

Claire Beaumont gets into Cyclocrosss

One day one photo - 3: Off-road spin

Cycling clears the mind, even if it is just a quick spin. I generally like to ride for a couple of hours and do a proper training ride either on my road bike or on my cyclo cross bike. But there are times when I have so much to do it is just not practical.
So at times I just do a quick spin. I have a few routes. This is one I particularly like as it is largely on off-road trails on my mountain bike. Yes, they do exist even in London!

This is the view of Canary Wharf and Docklands from Shirley Hills, near Croydon. It's very peaceful in this spot and it's great to be able to admire the London skyline from up above and far away. Further to the left of this view you also see the City, with Shard, as well as nearby Croydon and the Crystal Palace transmitters. It's a lovely backdrop, and I come home feeling refreshed from having been able to go somewhere peaceful.

Docklands seen from Shirley Hills 

Shirley Hills is a place where you find woodland, moorland, and a little restaurant too. The heather on the ground reminds me of being in the North York Moors or one of the other national parks up North - even though we are just in South London! Years ago they used to do cyclo cross races in Shirley Hills. I'm not sure why they stopped doing them. It would be great if this venue was revived.

For anyone interested, this is the Strava cycling link to my bike ride.