Cycle Ride July 2022

Well we knew it was going to be hard cycle ride, but the weather should have been dry and overcast, but turned into dry and sunny and warm… so the ride started out from Windsor in perfect conditions but a few hours later it was getting hard work.

There was just the three of us, David, Colin and me, but we had a really good ride and a catch up on life and work. I love these days out because I feel like I’ve really done something different from the normal and got some exercise in.

The route was from Windsor through Bracknell to Crowthorne – first coffee stop – then out through Wokingham to Henley and Marlow – secound coffee stop for cake as well – then there is a massive climb out into the Chilterns which is ok until half way there is a hairpin bend thats is at about 45 o thats not much fun, its the gift hill that keeps on giving! Then we went downhill into Cookham and along the Thames back towards Windsor. Yes, it got a bit hot by the end but really enjoyable ride. 50 miles went passed in a blur.

Colin had to stop at Henley to get the train – his new bike should be on order by now! Yep, you’re going to have to give that bike back to your daughter now!

We are hoping to draw attention to the charity – Children’s Air Ambulance – because they do so much for the NHS but get all funding from the public. We can’t get loads of money from them but if we can highlight what they do then the job is done. If you can a small donation would be most appreciated as they really do the most amazing job of taking children around the country when speed and or comfort is of the utmost importance.

See you out for the next ride!

We had a core of four turn up with apologies  from a few others who couldn’t make it, but we four thought it a wonderful way to spend our morning on Fathers Day!

Arriving in Windsor all ready, some more ready than others…. David seemed to be ready for a week long cycle ride, I should have worked out how the App I was using would show the route whilst I was actually out on the ride…. In the end we knew the route so it was not an issue but I’ve learned a lesson for next month’s ride!

We set off into Eton then towards Cookham on lovely flat, and not too busy roads, before the climb up out of Cookham that then leads down into Marlow. The weather was perfect for cycling, not too hot and dry so we picked on the park for a coffee and a chat, catching up on what we were all up to in our lives.

Next, we split into two  groups so that Mike and Dave could cycle home towards Reading and Chris and I went off to Bourne End and then I swung off towards Windsor – but flexibility is the name of the game with these rides so we don’t pressure anyone into doing something they don’t want to do.

Overall a lovely ride and great to catch up with everyone.

Looking forward to the next ride.

How I looked at the end…not too bad – I’ve looked worse!

We have sorted out a couple of events for the summer – ordered great weather and fixed dates in the diary.

As usual it’s very informal and just a chance to get a few people together for a bike ride and a chat….

Charity – its not a “have to” its a “want to” and strangely enough both David and I (Paul) have separately seen presentations by the Air Ambulance (and the Childrens Air Ambulance is part of this) and been grabbed by what they do and the costings…. there are a few facts that stunned us both.

1. it is TOTALLY funded by the public
2. it costs £3,500 per flight
3. it is relied on by the NHS

What I personally don’t understand is why certain charities are not funded in some way by the Government. The RNLI spring to mind.

Is it that someone in Government thinks the public will dig into its pockets to support these so they don’t have to….just saving money?

I’d be interested in hearing what the charities say about this, I am very obviously not an expert.

But anyway – this is our current charity so please support this if you can.

Welcome to the world of Zwift! Zwift is essentially a video game that keeps you fit. Watopia is a virtual world and is one of the 8 worlds Zwift has created and the only one which is not based on a real-world place. The other “worlds” you get to ride in are London, Paris, New York, Yorkshire, Richmond (CA), France, and Innsbruck.
As the winter months of 2020 loomed, I started to investigate my indoor cycling options. I had tried a turbo trainer before, but I was always bored within 5 minutes and found it to be more torturous than fun. With some help and advice, I bought a Turbo Trainer, connected to the Zwift app via my iPad, the Zwift Companion app via my phone and have not looked back since! A friend warned me that it is addictive. I did not believe him, I should have!

You must not expect real world graphics. Zwift decided to have a graphics style that works to get people riding and not to look like the real world. What it gives you is many ways to keep you motivated and to keep you riding. There are badges to be collected for every route you complete and “drops” to be collected for every mile you ride and “Ride on” you receive. “Drops” are the currency of Zwift which allows you to “buy” virtual bikes and wheels.

There is a route to cater for every need, the shortest at 1.9 miles to the longest at 107.9 miles. There are hilly routes and flat routes, there are workouts, races and group rides that are free to join. You can ride with professionals; you can create a meetup and ride with friends. Most people are super friendly and will give you a “Ride on” – like the real-world nod or wave at a passing cyclist! In August 2020, they added Pace Partners. These are Bots that ride at a consistent pace on a particular route. You can join the bot who rides closest to your pace and see if you can keep up. And if you want the experience of being able to talk to anyone in a group ride (if it is advertised as having “discord”) you download the “discord” app to your phone and you can have a good old natter with your fellow riders.

Zwift is not the only indoor training option out there, but it is possibly the one with the greatest community. I have read so many testimonials on various Zwift Facebook groups I follow where people share how the Zwift community and the motivation, they get from Zwift Group Rides, races, and workouts has helped them during the emotional turmoil of lockdown or how they have got back to fitness after illness or injury or even found fitness for the first time in their lives! It is also accessible to people with varying disabilities. Zwift must be doing something right because as of November 2020, they had grown their subscriber base by 270%. At popular times there can be around 28000 riders riding at the same time!
Now my quandary is do I keep my Zwift account going through the summer? – it’s so convenient to pop into the garage for an hour – or should I pause it and restart again in November?