December seems like a long time ago now (technically last year lol) but during that month, at times, I genuinely thought my bike riding days were either over or would be curtailed permanently. I was in so much pain with my back. Hobbling about on a walking-stick and feeling really old, decrepit and sorry for myself.
Today, I completed week #1 of my return to the saddle with my first outdoor ride since The National Forest Explorer gravel ride on Nov 17. It was the following Monday I fucked myself up moving an inket printer about 6 inches across a table which has lead to where I am now. Ridiculous really.
Last week I set myself the goal of a week of indoor riding to ‘ease’ myself back into the saddle. Ride #1 was a gentle 25 min spin on MyWhoosh. I’m doing 3 day blocks with a rest day in-between and adding time each ride until yesterday’s Ride #5 45min session. I’ve also incrementally added situps on my bench after each ride too with 50 completed today. I know situps are probably not the best core exercise but for control and feel while I build it up, they’ve been good and I’ve noticed the difference too. In time I’ll add some plank and leg raises to strengthen a wider range of core muscle groups.
I was nervous about today. I don’t like the unknown. The forecast was good and it was the last day of block #2 so it made sense to give it a go as I’d reached my 45 min goal indoors. I’d also graduated at the chiropractor yesterday. My back was the best he’d seen it so I’m now only seeing him once a week rather than two. A good omen. I pumped my tyres and filled a bottle. I got changed and had forgotten what a faff that is in the Winter. Today was a simple ride to our Birmingham store but with no computer or Strava. I just wanted to get the feel for riding back without stressing about speed or time. I set off and the first few pedal strokes felt like I was fully fit. That didn’t last long as the first sustained ramp over the Lickeys quickly reminded me of my weight gain and lack of fitness. With no computer to pay attention to, I just concentrated on my cadence and my breathing. I found my level and just stuck to that. It worked. I definitely wasn’t blowing out my arse but I wasn’t flying either. The steep climb up Forhill would be the real test. It’s approached down some quiet lanes and patches of frost made it dicey in places and it got worse on the climb. The angle of the low sun and hedge meant a tiny strip of tarmac on the left was the safest place to ride and then that ran out and my back wheel span out on black ice. I had no choice but to get off and walk the few yards to the next sun spot for some grip and carry on. I found my level again and it was over quite quickly. The rest of the ride went without a hitch and I got to the store in good shape.
Randomly I saw my manager at the store on a flying visit. He commented the last time he saw me in December was ‘…with a stick and looking a bit broken’. My back was a bit tired like my legs but no pain and I was straight again!
The ride back started well. Bit of a tailwind so I was able to push on a bit. I decided to avoid the likely death-trap descent with the ice. I stuck to main roads which brought me back via a couple of tasty climbs via Cofton Hackett and Rose Hill to finish. A bit of a bastard any day of the week. About half way back my endurance started to wane but I dug in and got over Cofton Hackett knowing Rose Hill was going to hurt a bit but after that it was all downhill home so the top was my finish line. It starts gently then kicks up, dead straight. The gradient is pretty consistent so I dialled in a pace which was slow but kept my breathing under control. Just enough to keep out the red and then it was done with a long, fast downhill to enjoy.
100 mins in the saddle was a massive confidence boost today. I’m skipping lunch too. Tonight I’m treating Sally to a big, fat dirty, gourmet burger to celebrate and then we head off to a comedy night with some mates. Darts can wait.
Adios amigos!
Sounds really promising 💪👏👏👏