With time tight due to kids activities (squash and a party) i took the opportunity to get out on my bike for an hour. As time was a little short i planned to ride to the tope of Cleeve Hill, see what time it was and then either come back or drop down into Winchcombe and then come back up and over. To make it more interesting i timed myself from the Kings Head pub in Prestbury to see about making this a 'challenge'.
The ride is in 4 segments, up-down-up-down, it's just over 2miles to the top so in 37mins it's just over the 4 miles of climbing. Not big by Giro or Tour standards, or any European standards really but the biggest we have around here!
Stage 1 from Prestbury to the top is a long drasn out ride. From Prestbury it feels flat but is a drawn out slope. You hit the bottom of Cleeve Hill and suddently it's like a wall - out of the saddle and trying to keep the wheels turning. I am definately not a strong climber. I should be better as am not particularly heavy but i really struggle to get the power.
At the tope quick time check and unfortunately i had plenty of time to do the full ride. Down the other side into Winchcombe and then back up. The hill from Winchcombe is a longer ride, that is less steep but more drawn out. Not sure which is the easier approach really. Steep and painful but over quicker or long and less steep?
Made it to the top much easier than when i am on the Sunday morning rides but at this point i had only done 20km as opposed to the 45km that is normal by this stage. Down the Cheltenham side tipping the GPS to 69.8km p/hr - nice. At the car park and then back to the squash club.
Pretty decent ride and felt good - that despite too much red wine last night :)
