Winter madness has started

The winter training has commenced with long steady miles on the fixed wheel bike, 250miles per week and a return to the gym twice a week. It takes a good few weeks to get back into the routine and to help with this I have agreed to a series of lab tests.

This involves one initial visit to the lab to establish my maximum heart rate, output wattage and then for the following three visits I ride for 3 hours at 120heart rate averaging 21.5 mph on a set course followed by a 40mile time trial. A total of 100 miles are covered for the duration of the test.

The picture shows the thermostat pill I have to swallow 2 hours before I ride so they can measure my core temperature and my bodies reaction against a number of sports supplement products given to me at specific time intervals to identify which works best for me. My first test was just horrific with heavy sickness and climbing off the bike after 3hrs 30minutes totally drained. My second test went far better with the first 3hours at the set pace and then 40mile time trial at 24.5 mph. I have my final test this weekend which will give my results for the new season.