Mt. Biking - Ipswich to Felixstowe Dip

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Owner: mas
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Member#: 7693
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Registered: 29-06-2008
Diary Entries: 381

3rd August 2020
Mt. Biking: Ipswich to Felixstowe Dip
Wind Direction: NW
Wind Stength: 10kts
Surf / Sea State: n/a
Air Temperature: warm
Sea Temperature: n/a
Weather: Sunny / cloud
Max Speed: 27.9 mph (knots - unless stated otherwise)
Distance Covered: 50.3 (Nautical Miles - unless stated otherwise)

50 mile road bike training ride today, as conditions were good except for the 12mph wind hitting me in the face at the starting 10 miles. Did 40 miles a few days ago and felt it was relatively easy so moving up to 50mls keeps the improvements coming. Prepared much better today with a large bowl of muesli laced with honey + a banana and coffee, also taking 2 cereal bars and 2 litres of water, so definitely, fuelled up correctly.
Looking at many longer distance riders blogs, I agree with them the key is correct fuel and hydration. In fact today I could easily have done another 20 miles as I finished quite strong, with hardly any side effects, unlike my last 2, 50 milers where I really suffered. No saddle soreness.
Also made some crucial fine adjustments to bike recently. After weeks of testing saddle heights on 10 mile rides, I def now have the perfect height for me. The seat angle is level, and I have now eliminated all wrist pains, which was caused by a 5 degree tilt down seat angle.
Bike fit general measurements are not far out really when I match my own data to it. Another valid adjustment was moving the seat back by 20mm to achieve, the perfect reach and forward knee dimension in relation to the centre of the pedal. The Shimano shoe clips are fully rear and I found that ideal today.
Now there is no hip rotation or knee pain. As I didn’t even feel the hamstrings working, it’s possible I may have the seat 10mm low, so might test that theory.
The plan was to arrive at the Felixstowe dip, take a selfie and not stop any longer due to the forecast afternoon rain. Left 12.30 went via Sproughton, Claydon, Purdis, Nacton, Levington on to the Dip at Old Felixstowe via the Trimleys.
Used my new toy for the 3rd time today, a smart helmet by Livall. This is a fantastic piece of kit, no heavier than my normal helmet but has lights, takes phone calls, music + data from 2 bike apps am running at the same time, coming thru loud and clear from the side speakers, which remarkable allows you to hear traffic and my fave sounds. It definitely makes boring rides alive, especially when doing my sprint and out of saddle sessions, which can dull the brain. I did 5 sets of each, no probs.
Had a couple of calls came in for appointments without stopping, all hands free, which was great, whilst the music paused auto. The crucial data which I could never hear properly, my mile rate, speed, distance, HR and ETA kept me well on track, so the 20 miles to the Trimleys matched my PB which was 1hr 21 mins around 13.5mph average and I wasn’t even trying! HR was a cool 110.
Think the dip took 1hr 44 mins about 22 miles via my route. Took a quick selfie and fuel, the place was deserted, as the wind was offshore. The rain started on the way back at Trimley and I got soaked by the time I reached Levington, and with no mudguards, had to avoid road water. The 28mm tyres really gripped well in the wet, but luckily I could see it was a rain cloud over Felixstowe and it cleared as I reached Nacton, which was dry.
I cant believe how easy this ride was going, so my fitness must have improved, as I rode a 2 mile stretch of level road on the Ipswich bypass at 19mph, which have never done. Although most roadies pass me, now they dont disappear in the horizon. Now they only crawl away.
Finished the 50.3 miles in 3hrs 52 mins which is 10 mins faster than the best 50 miles and matched PB’s at 10, 20, 30, 40 miles then pressed on to average about 13mph for the 50.3 miles, with calories burnt totalling 4513. Recover within a couple of hours. Now making plans to do 60 miles, eventually doing the 100 if possible.

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