The North Wirral Velo committee is pleased to announce that the almost annual dinner and prize presentation is to be held on November 13th, back at the Nelson in Wallasey.
This year we are pleased to share that the nicest guy in cycling, Mr Matthew Stephens is guest of honour! Matt, who was one of the countries top riders (and national road race champion), is now a pundit on Eurosport amongst others covering top flight races around the globe. Coincidentally, he is also a former North Wirral Velo member!
He is coming along to share a few stories from his career on and off the bike and present the prizes to the club’s champions.
Matt Stephens, former National Champion, Grand Tour Rider and jolly nice chap
Tickets are now on sale, email hello@nwvcycling.club for further details.
Friday afternoon saw me driving up to Thirsk for the main event of my cycling summer, the 200 miles and 16000 feet of the Yorkshire Beast.
The previous weekend had really hit home about the challenge I had taken on as I completed my last training ride in Wales (96 miles with 6000 feet of climbing) and had realised that it was not even half off what i had signed up for. Never the less, I had trained hard and there was no turning back now. On arrival I found my tent, had a bite to eat, watched a terrible England performance and got into bed for my 4:00am wake up hoping the persistent rain buggered off for the morning.
When I was woken by 1 off the 5 alarms I set for the morning I put my head out of the tent and found my hopes were now reality and it was a beautiful if chilly morning. I forced down 2 pots of porridge and rolled the 50 metres to the start line for my 5:02 start time with pockets full of £0.29 Home Bargain Flapjacks to fuel my ride for the first 100 miles. As my ride plan I took the first 20 mins really easy to get my body going and try to digest my belly full of porridge. Luckily I had planned 20 mins only as that coincided with the first major climb of the day, Boltby Bank. I had not really paid much attention to this climb pre event and crikey it was a wake up call! With a body that still had not woken up and the multiple long sections of 20% gradient it was really tough. Luckily I did not find it as hard as the people walking 7 miles into a 200 mile ride!
Over the top and still waiting for the legs to wake up we then went over a short gravel stretch that everyone so enjoys doing at the moment (I cannot understand why people moan about the state of roads and then love to ride on gravel!) before descending down into a little village where i unfortunately had a puncture. Slightly panicky at being eaten by the Beast I made a right meal out of this but one of the many Velo29 outriders was on hand and luckily equipped with steel fingers to get me back on my way with only a 20 min delay. The puncture actually helped me in the long run as it provided a little shot of adrenaline that got my legs going and i made good time to the first feed station at 35 miles. Wanting to claw back some time I did not mess around here and just had a quick toilet break and refilled my water bottles. About 100 metres after this feed stop I had a massive stroke of good fortune that really made the ride, someone caught up to me and we starting chatting and actually rode the rest of the ride together. We happened to be really evenly matched and even asked each other our names after another 50 miles talking! Below is me and Gareth looking very happy later in the ride.
This next stage was going to be a very tough section with 3 KOM’s in pretty short succession. The first of these was Sandhill Bank and to be honest I cannot remember much about it so it cannot have been too bad. The third of these climbs was Rosedale Chimney and was expected to be the major challenge of the day but first we had a prelude in the shape of Caper Hill. I did not know much about this hill and people were not making any noise about it so I was not expecting it be much of a challenge. How wrong was I, it was simply horrible! Basically it is a straight line up for 9:30 minutes climbing at an average of 14%. The one little kink the road has is full of gravel that nearly had me coming off but I dug in and got up. I have since looked it up and it gets a 10/10 in Another 100 Hardest Climbs and it was the hardest of the day in my opinion. Every time you thought it was done it kicked up again! Rosedale Chimney was next and its 33% gradient that was the main concern pre ride. Maybe it was the horrendous slog up Caper Hill but although hard and very steep Rosedale was not too bad in the end. I even managed to pose for the photographer on the way up. Gareth was climbing superbly so we were in pretty good shape 75 miles in.
The next 50 miles were flat on the profile and we were expecting to munch some pretty easy miles and enjoy the next 2 feed stops. The second of these was back at the start point halfway through the ride (Figure 8 course) and proved to be very tough mentally. After 6 hours riding and about 7000 feet of climbing it was hard to set off for the second 100 mile ride of the day. After a quick change of clothes into full NWV colors and the worlds worst Hot Dog we set off again. 5 miles after setting off however I descended into a dark place and started having serious doubts I would be able to complete another 100 miles. This was probably down to getting slightly behind on my fueling that then effected my mood but it was at this point Gareth really helped. He was going strong and this rubbed off on me and greatly helped me get on top of my mindset. I chomped my way through even more £0.29 Flapjacks and multiple gels with a load of water and got back on track. I had been trying to hold off on gels until the back end of the ride in case it effected my stomach but the instant hits worked brilliantly. Reflecting now, this is what sets the Beast apart from any other challenge I have taken on, it is not only a huge physical challenge but mentally really pushes you to the limit for the amount of time you spend on the bike as much as anything. Everyone I spoke to after the event had experienced at least one of these episodes.
Next up was Greenhow Hill at 125 miles and I had started feeling a bit more like myself so ticked of multiple sections of 16% gradient before enjoying some big descents to the next feed at Kilnsey Village Hall at 135 miles. Everyone was pretty apprehensive at this point with the words ‘Park Rash is a monster’ being expressed multiple times in varying degrees of colorful language as it was next up at 140 miles. With my greatly improved state of mind I was now up for this and just thought ‘The only way I am getting off this bike is to fall off!’ With that I set about the 1.26 miles at 10.2% gradient and found it was no Caper Hill and actually enjoyed the challenge by getting in a nice strong rhythm to get up with no real issues and managed to have a look around and enjoy the views.
Flow Edge was next on the list and this dragged on a good while to take you right out into the moors but I was now really enjoying myself again as the pressure of all the major climbs was finished and remained strong until the final feed at 170 miles. After a particular bad piece of pizza at this feed and seeing people wandering around without being fully aware of what they were doing as the fatigue really hit home we set off for the last KOM and the finish. Grinton Moor is another nice climb into the middle of nowhere and saw me going about 2 mph until my legs got going again after the stop. This was now it for climbing and just a matter of descending/ flat riding the 30 miles home.
The last miles I really enjoyed as I was feeling good and the excitement of finishing was really starting to kick in. At this point I repaid the favour to Gareth and helped him through his dark period by taking the wind when required and for the last hour we averaged a decent 20 mph and I was holding good power. It really was quite an incredible feeling to see the Gramin tick over to 200 miles on this final stretch. We eventually rolled in 15 hours after starting with an actual riding time of just over 13 hours.
I am immensely proud of what I have achieved in completing the Yorkshire Beast and raising over £700 for my chosen charities, DimentiaUk and the MS Society. It truly was an epic day out on the bike that really did challenge me more than I realised it would do. It is incredibly tough, a stunning route and really well organised by Velo29 but if you are going to give it a go train bloody hard!
I have been trying to write this latest installment for a while but getting my head around another lockdown and the challenges this brings to family and work has made it a little tough. Coupling this with the recent weather has meant most rides have been in the shed and that does not bring too many funny anecdotes, but I have done approximately 45 hours training since the last update. Over Christmas I let myself switch off for a while as in previous years I have just kept working and working all throughout the year until the inevitable collapse or loss of interest.
Obligatory Xmas Snowball!
Obviously, I did not start to put double cream on my Weetabix or anything too decadent, but I did let myself eat and drink what I wanted and just switch off mentally. I now realise that this is not going to be disastrous to the work I have already put in. By switching back on in January I can lose those few extra pounds I put on and just accept some of the goals may shift to the right a little, after all this is for fun not my job! ‘Switching off’ for a week will probably help in the long run.
Cycling indoor outside
Testing
Christmas also brought about a change in training focus from Cardio work and shifting to increasing power/FTP. Before this change in focus though I had a couple of tests to complete.
First up was the dreaded FTP test. I was quite looking forward to this though and actually did it ‘blind’ for the first time. My thinking was if I could not see power I could ride off feel and not necessarily chase a number and rode to HR/cadence only. I was actually a little surprised it went down slightly from my best ever in March as I have been feeling great on the longer Saturday rides. In hindsight I possibly could have gone a git deeper but with a heart rate hitting 186 bpm I was not exactly taking it easy.
The second test I completed was a Sub Threshold test. This basically is completing 4 x 20 minute blocks at 90% FTP and seeing what happens to the heart rate during the blocks. The results of this were really positive as it showed that I am capable of putting out the same power after 90 mins as after 10 mins without a great increase on my internal system (I can still breathe basically). This shows that the work I have done September to December has been successful.
Being me, I let the FTP test bother me slightly as I could not understand how I could feel stronger on the bike but the evidence seemed to show overwise. This leads nicely into how Scott has helped me in a major way.
Being bothered and dressed for a rare venture outside!
As mentioned at the start I would previously let this eat away at me and start trying to smash myself every minute I was on the bike. Scott has made me realise that this is a process and by having set goals I can measure how I am going and train smart. He also pointed out that even though I have not been trying to increase power at this stage, both 60 and 90 min powers have significantly increased and for the first time ever I have the foundations to really build on. One of the problems I have faced previously is that I have had power but suffered in the middle of races when I have just dropped off and hopefully that is one issue I have addressed with the CV work.
I have finally got around to ordering more kit as promised, hopefully I will be modelling my new Nopinz tights for when the big freeze finishes in my next blog. You never know but I might actually ride with people again before I am 40 and make use of the new skinsuit I have ordered that will probably now have its first outing in the shed as we are locked down untill 2022!
The Cause and the Challenge
If anyone wishes to find out more information about the Yorshire Beast or help me support DimentiaUk and the MS Society please see the links below.
6 weeks and over 43 training hours after signing up for the Beast I though it was time for a little update. As we have been through another lockdown and the weather has been rather dank (A word that came to me as being very appropriate on a cold wet Sunday riding through Cheshire) riding with anyone or anywhere interesting has been out of the question, but this has allowed me to really concentrate on myself and the workouts planned by Scott. Below shows a typical ‘dank’ day and that even having mudguards does not save your feet!
Most of my midweek work has been done on the turbo but with Christmas in full effect in the Cuthill household I have been kicked out of the conservatory to make way for the ‘Grotto’ and moved into the shed. Apart from being slightly self-conscious about the grunts and groans emanating from the bottom of the garden to the neighbours ears I do quite like it and being freezing in there seems to have some advantages for temperature control. As the pictures show I reckon it worked out well.
Obviously, we have the Strava enthusiasts stating only outside miles count and all that rubbish, but the indoor work seems to be paying off for me. I am only a couple of pounds off my target weight and my zone 2 and 3 power levels seem to be going in the right direction compared to heart rate, Scott must know what he is doing! (Scott is a fountain of knowledge) One thing we are finding is that sprinting is not mine or my cheap turbo’s forte however as my 5-30 second power is not too great.
Ignore the feet!
I still have not got around to ordering any new kit as I was looking forward too but the MS Society has sent me this this cycling jersey that will match my Orange bike perfectly when the weather picks up in the Spring. For now, my Christmas jersey is back out so look out for me on the roads (At the weekends)!
Keeping riding, training indoors but mainly stay safe and have a great Christmas!
Christmas in full effect and maintaining training/life balance!
If you would like to support me and donate for either Dementia UK or the MS Society please follow the link below as any donations will be shared between the 2 charities.
2020, I got fit, raced twice (did ok), then the world fell apart. The END! Roll on 2021.
2021 is going to be a pretty big year for me as I turn 40 in April. I know you all thought my grey beard was premature, but I really am that old!
Having got myself fit and with my race specific goals shifted to 2021 I started thinking of a cycling related challenge to mark my 40th year and was drawn to the Yorkshire Beast (Again). I have looked at this previously but have been put off by people’s reactions to riding 200 miles in 1 day with 16,000 ft of climbing, over 100 times up West Kirby hill! No more being put off though, 2021 is the year and I am signed up for the 19th June. Please see link below for more info.
Obviously, this is going to take some planning and hard work to complete as you must complete the ride in 16 hours or be captured by the ‘BEAST’, a fancily painted van! To help me with this and my Cat 2 racing ‘dreams’ I have enlisted the services of Scott Maclean at Kinetic365 to plan my training and keep me focussed. Scott will also stop me from reading about training when I am not training so I do not completely neglect me family and grinding myself into an angry, fatigued mess like I turned myself into in 2019.
One advantage of making this crazy decision is that I will have to get (unfortunately not another bike but I will have to get my carbon frame fixed after finding a very untimely crack in it), some more quality gear from Blake Pond and team at Nopinz, look how happy it made me last time.
On a more sombre note I also want to use the ride to raise awareness (Possibly some money too!) for charities supporting MS & Dementia. My wife Rebekah and I have both had family members effected by these conditions and both are truly devastating.
My plan is to document my journey to the Beast as well as the day itself so hopefully it will not be too bumpy a ride and supply some good stories/pictures along the way.
Last Sunday saw the NW Velo ride out in 3 groups, tailored to different abilities and distances.
The A group of big hitters went out into Wales to smash the climbs and generally hurt each other.
Group B also ventured into Wales and had a scenic ride up the Horseshoe Pass from Llangollen. A tough ride, but kept together at a generally sensible pace.
B group on top the world in Wales!
The C group took a more sensibly flatter route out through the Cheshire lanes to Tarpoley with a coffee stop at the Old Fire Station cafe.
During the week, the evening rides were similar, Tuesday was the social spin, a steady 25 miles around the lanes ending up at the @thethatchraby for a welcome pint and a natter in the outside courtyard. Fantastic service as ever!
Also on Tuesday 4 of our members entered the BNECC evening 5 mile TT on the Clatterbridge Road. All turned in excellent times: Mike Stanley 12:22 Mark Donaghy 12:57 Andy Chung 12:55 Robin Hennessy 11:17
Mike Stanley in TT action
Well done to the TT lads, we hope to see a few more trying it next week!
Thursday was the “chaingang” ride, with a great workout for those looking to improve fitness and hone bunch riding skills. A bit of tractor drafting went on but generally it was a well drilled squad flying around an 8 mile circuit averaging mid 20’s mph.
If you are interested in joining us on any of these rides, then please get in touch!
It’s been the strangest of times around the globe. Life has been all but on hold for the last 3 months or so. But, gladly, it seems we are starting to see a glimmer of normality return to day to day life.
Pubs and restaurants reopened last weekend and British Cycling has already lifted its sanction on club rides (as long as it’s done in accordance with the Government guidelines on social distancing etc).
From cycling’s point of view, the pandemic has had a positive influence both from Government support for the sport but also the number of people taking it up as a form of commute, exercise or pastime. (why should it have taken a global health crisis to sort that?)
The club has been receiving a high volume of enquiries and the membership level is now the highest it has been since 2000 (and possibly longer). We have started some small group rides and have had lots or interest for people wanting to join these.
Currently we have 3 organised rides per week and split them into groups of 6 riders (we can’t wait until we can all ride together once more!). For further details please contact the club via our social media channels or email hello@nwvcycling.club
In light of the government’s recent advice on social distancing and gatherings, the club has taken the decision to suspend all official club rides until further notice.
Our primary concern is the health and well being of our members, their loved ones and the general public, so we are taking responsible action to do our part in preventing the spread of this awful disease.
Numerous studies have found that cycling keeps your immune system strong. A strong immune response is absolutely crucial in the fight against coronavirus, which is why young people usually have very mild symptoms.
Therefore, it seems like cycling is an advisable activity to do. It could also help us keep our sanity and lift our spirits during this pandemic. However (!), it is important to do it in such a way that you will not put yourself or others around you in danger.
Rest assured, that the club is only in temporary hibernation and will be back out as soon as it’s advisable to do so. In the meantime, our members will be taking all precautions, riding solo or in very small groups and using turbo trainers to stay strong!
We hope the worst is over quickly and some sort of normality can be restored to all aspects of daily life.
The North Wirral Velo’s annual club dinner/prize presentation is on this coming Saturday (16th November). It’s a night to celebrate the past 12 months of the club’s success and gives both of the non-follicly members a chance to let their hair down. As for the rest of us, we’ll just get drunk and do dad dancing.
As well as the prize presentation and buffet, there will be (of course) the world premier of the latest much anticipated NWV movie. The lucky attendees get to see it before it’s public release (probably a DVD in the bargain bucket at Aldi). But more importantly there will be a talk from our guest speaker, Helen Bridgman. She was one of the very talented and courageous Internationelles team that rode the entire Tour De France route one day ahead of the race.
Thanks to everyone who has supported the club over the last year, we continue to grow and continue to introduce people to cycling and riders to racing.
The annual North Wirral Velo club dinner and prize presentation is taking place this year on Saturday 16th November at the Nelson Hotel, Grove Road , Wallasey.
After the success of last years event, tickets are selling fast, especially as the night includes the much anticipated premiere of the 2019 NWV Movie. It’s a evening of celebrating the clubs achievements over the year and to recognise the club champions for 2019.
What a lot of people won’t realise is the significance of the venue. The Nelson served many of the original NWV members back in the 1950’s and 60’s. There is even a story that the idea of forming the club was originally conceived by an indirect descendant of John Kemp Starley, the British inventor of the “safety bicycle” in the 1870’s. A design that bicycles have been based on ever since.
During a particularly rowdy, alcohol and drugs fuelled evening, a couple of chaps who had ridden on their bikes to the Nelson decided to meet on the next Sunday, 8am sharp outside a small shack at the end of what’s now the Chester High Road. That small shack ended up being the Glegg Arms and the NWV still meet there every Sunday to this day. From that initial ride to sure those founding fathers hangovers, the rides grew in popularity so they decided to start a cycling club.
Initially the club was to be named the Bicycle Club of the Northern Part of the Wirral. However, someone pointed out that it would be hard and costly to fit all those words on the jerseys. After much debate and beer, the name North Wirral Velo was finally agreed and the club was born. Incidentally, the club colours of green and yellow were chosen from the pallor of some of the members from those early morning Sunday rides.
Tickets for the club dinner are £20 and available by emailing hello@nwvcycling.club. We look forward to seeing you there!
