Trained again today - could be becoming a habit!

My legs felt fresh this morning and I spent a little time cleaning the drivetrain as it was mucky on the way home yesterday. Spence was arriving at 12pm with his new road bike, we finally set off at 12.20 and headed out of the Hanneys towards Uffington. The total ride was 50 miles in 4 hours which included a 20 minute stop for porridge and tea.

Spence wasn't sure what he would be like on a road bike as, like me, he owns a Trek mountain bike and has done all of his cycling on that up until now. We cruised along on the flat easily and attacked the hills - although 50 miles wasn't my ideal distance it was a hilly ride; the Wantage road from White Horse Hill is undulating with some short, sharp climbs sprinkled in. We cycled through Wantage and picked up the Harwell road to Lains Barn then back to Hanney for a break.

The 2nd part included some proper hills; we cycled to Wantage and then up Chain Hill (Newbury road) turning left at the Farnborough sign.  Up and over the Ridgeway to the A34, short ride along the A34 to Chilton and then back to Hanney via Steventon. Chain Hill provides a good hilly interval, it's 3 separate climbs in the space of a couple of miles.

All in all a satisfying day but a few more miles would have been good. I want to do the training justice but I have to balance it with spending time at home too. The main thing is that I am getting no ill effects from the cycling in terms of my knee - my main worry.

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