2015 Week 11

Week 11 (w/e 15 March 2015)
Miles: 112.4

It was a wet start to the week. The afternoon was affected by showers so I waited until the evening to get my week underway, clocking up 8.5 miles from the ride. The weather on Tuesday was marvellous: Had Spring arrived? As it turned out, no! But I went out for the best part of an hour in the afternoon, then did the usual evening ride. 29 miles was the resulting total. Wednesday was wet until about 4 pm. I managed 35 minutes around 6 pm and topped up the mileage in the evening to end the day on 46 miles.

Thursday. It was grey and dank. Looking at the rain radar I could see a large block of rain moving eastward with glacial pace. By 3:30 it was drizzling. Before too long it was coming down firmly and persistently and carried on doing until midnight at least. So no cycling was done. Drizzle on Friday soon cleared and the afternoon stayed grey but fine. Out I went, rolling home with 63 miles. This became 71.5 miles in the evening.

And so into the weekend. Saturday afternoon was grey but fine with a cold wind blowing in from the east. I cycled into town as usual, then nipped out for a quick supplementary once I'd got home. 87 miles done. The pub beckoned that evening, so that was it until the next day. The weather was similar on Sunday, but I went out in the late afternoon and came home with 102 miles. Having checked my figures before my final ride on Sunday night, I realised that a score of 112 would take my weekly average for 2015 to a Nelson (111). So that's what I did.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 55 mins
Average speed for 100: 14.42 mph
Total for 2015: 1221.3
2015 average weekly mileage: 111.02
Consecutive 100s: 10
Miles needed for 6000: 4778.7
Percentage of target reached: 20.35%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.55

Another milestone posted this week: 20% of my 6k target reached.

So what's the comparison with 2012?
Last week 2012 passed me by 4.1 miles. This week the gap widened to 28.9 miles, as in week 11 of '12 I clocked up 137.2 miles. It was a monster 167.3 the following week, so I can't see myself catching up anytime soon!

2015 Week 10

Week 10 (w/e 8 March 2015)
Miles: 125.4

Spring is coming.

Monday afternoon saw clear blue skies, but with a vicious westerly blowing in. I needed 17 miles to be assured of clocking up 1000 for the year. I got back to my village with about one mile to go, but the skies to the west were growing ever darker. Rain was quickly heading my way. Glurk! I did a tour of the village as quickly as possible to reach the 17 mile mark, then bolted for home. I just made it: five minutes later it was belting down with hail. Although it was clear later in the evening, it was cold and dank and I didn't feel like going back out. Tsk, lazy. Unfortuately, Tuesday was a no-cycle day due to domestic commitments. Happily, Wednesday was clear and sunny, so I did a good hour's worth in the afternoon (to 32 miles) and added another ten in the evening.

Thursday. A grey and blustery day. A ride in the afternoon took me to 52 miles, which became 60 in the evening. Decent weather on Friday saw me to 70 miles in the afternoon. An evening ride took me to 78 miles, but the wind had seriously whipped up since teatime. It was still blowing a gale on Saturday. Boy, was that westerly headwind vicious! I cycled into town, as usual, then nipped out again briefly once I'd returned home, pushing on to 91 miles in the process. With no distractions in the evening, I took myself back out and rolled home with another 100 in the bag. Job done.

Sunday afternoon was sunny and pleasantly warm, since that bitter wind had disappeared. I went out for an hour or so, coming back with 116 miles. There was time for another spin later in the evening. It was a bit flippin' chilly out due to the clear skies though. I finished off the week with a reasonable 125 miles.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 7 hrs 1 mins
Average speed for 100: 14.23 mph
Total for 2015: 1108.9
2015 average weekly mileage: 110.89
Consecutive 100s: 9
Miles needed for 6000: 4891.1
Percentage of target reached: 18.48%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.45

Like last week, a very slow time to reach 100 miles due to the vicious wind.

Alas! I've had to relinquish the yellow jersey. 2012  has overtaken me... by just 4.1 miles. Now, you're probably thinking, "why didn't he just carry on riding on Sunday evening for another 20 minutes or so to make sure he kept in front?". Ah, good question. To be brutally honest, I'd had enough! Besides, in week 11 of 2012 I posted 137.2 and then a 167 the following week. So I'd only be delaying the inevitable by another seven days. Ho hum

2015 Week 9

Week 9 (w/e 1 March 2015)
Miles: 117.4

Wise advice.

Monday. It was clear and cold, but with an absolute howling gale blowing in from the SE. Cycling into that headwind wasn't fun. 15 miles was done in the afternoon. I went out again in the evening, but wintry showers were lurking. I managed to do another 8, although I got caught by sleet on the way back. Brr. It remained clear and cold on Tuesday, although the gale hadn't abated. I pushed on to 38 miles in the afternoon, which became 46 in the evening. Wednesday was grey and dank, but at least the wind had died down. Sadly, the drizzle became light rain which fell all afternoon and kept me indoors. The evening was mostly fine, but I didn't fancy dragging myself out. So I didn't.

Thursday. Following heavy rain in the morning, the afternoon was clear and sunny. A 40 minute trundle took me to 57 miles, which became 65 when I'd been back out in the evening. Friday was mostly overcast but fine. An hour or so in the afternoon took me to 82 miles and I ended the day on 90 in the evening.

Saturday was grey and drizzly, with the rain become firmer by teatime. A gap in the drizzle opened up about the time that I usually cycle into town, so I seized my chance. It was starting to rain lightly again when I was setting off to come home, but I didn't get particularly wet on the 3 - 4 mile ride back. I came home with 98 miles. So close to that obligatory ton! Sadly, the weather turned wetter and blowy in the evening, so that was that. The prospects for Sunday didn't look promising. It was again dank and drizzly. A clear spell opened up after 3:30, so I got out there and came home with 109 miles in the bag. A heavy shower passed over at 7, but after that it was fine. So off I went again that evening for one final trip for the week, returning with 117.

Just 16.5 miles away from clocking up 1000 miles for the year.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 7 hrs 5 mins
Average speed for 100: 14.11 mph
Total for 2015: 983.5
2015 average weekly mileage: 109.27
Consecutive 100s: 8
Miles needed for 6000: 5016.5
Percentage of target reached: 16.39%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.66

A slow time to get the 100 this week due to the vicious gales.

Still wearing the yellow jersey... but only just! 2012 is breathing down my neck. In week 9 of that year, I posted an impressive 152.5 miles. So that's chopped my lead considerably. It's only 7.6 miles now. Crikey. The following week in 2012 (week 10), I managed 137.1 miles. So I'm up against it this coming week.

2015 Week 8

Week 8 (w/e 22 February 2015)
Miles: 103

Nice to see lots of these about.

The start of the week was bitterly cold and very windy. To add to the grimness, as the week progressed it became clear that I had a cold developing. Urgh. A good start was called for, and I delivered with 26 miles on Monday and 20 on Tuesday. By Wednesday I was feeling grotty and sneezy: the weather was grey and drizzly to match my mood, so I stayed in during the afternoon and rationed myself to a short ride in the evening to push on to 55 miles.

Thursday was dank and drizzly. I progressed to 64 miles in the afternoon and added 8 more in the evening. After a sunny start to Friday, the afternoon grew progressively murkier and dank, with drizzle. I should have got out earlier, of course. The weather meant that I only managed a 7 mile spin at 6 pm. The total became 87 in the evening. Saturday afternoon was sunny and cold for the most part. Once a brisk shower had passed over at 2:45, I cycled into town as is the custom. At 6 pm I seized the opportunity to get out there and clinch the 100 for the week. I was out on the beer on Saturday evening, so no more miles were added that day. The forecast for Sunday was a washout and so it turned out to be, so it was a good job that I achieved my target on Saturday.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 57 mins
Average speed for 100: 14.37 mph
Total for 2015: 866.1
2015 average weekly mileage: 108.26
Consecutive 100s: 7
Miles needed for 6000: 5133.9
Percentage of target reached: 14.43%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.68

Still wearing the yellow jersey! My lead over 2012 currently stands at 42.7 miles. Last week it was 43.2.

Week 8 totals
2015 - 866.1
2012 - 823.4
2014 - 817.9
2013 - 785.4
1998 - 781.7

2015 Week 7

Week 7 (w/e 15 February 2015)
Miles: 130.3

Shame about the spelling.

The weather for the most part this week was overcast but fine and still. By Wednesday evening I'd reached 59 miles and then moved on to 76 by the close of Thursday. Sadly, my dreams of posting a "5 day 100" this week were dashed by the weather, as Friday afternoon was dank and drizzly throughout. The drizzle had passed over later in the evening, but I didn't bother going out. The start of the cricket world cup proved to be a welcome distraction.

The weekend weather was very good, so I'd chalked up another 100 on Saturday evening. I did a 17 miler on Sunday afternoon, stopping to pick up cans on the way back. Heading back out on Sunday night to finish off my week, my original intention was just to cycle the 8 or so miles I needed to edge past last week's total of 127.1 in order to set a new best for the year. However, the riding felt good and I was on a bit of a roll, so I ended up carrying on for a further couple of miles so that I reached 130. A new best, obviously.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 53 mins
Average speed for 100: 14.50 mph
Total for 2015: 763.1
2015 average weekly mileage: 109.01
Consecutive 100s: 6
Miles needed for 6000: 5236.9
Percentage of target reached: 12.71%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.38

Still leading the pack! In fact, my lead over 2012 grows from 29 miles last week to 43.2.

Week 7 totals
2015 - 763.1
2012 - 719.9
2014 - 702.7
2013 - 665
1998 - 649.1

2015 Week 6

Week 6 (w/e 8 February 2015)
Miles: 127.1

From Monday to Friday the weather was excellent. Day after day of clear blue skies, winter sun and not too much wind. Excellent cycling conditions. I should have cashed in and could have easily posted a 150 mile week... but I didn't. I only managed one ride on Monday and that was in the evening. I had a few things to do in the afternoon and then decided to spend the usual cycling time giving my bike a much-needed wash. I got back into the groove on Tuesday and by Wednesday night had reached 50 miles. I only needed 25 miles on Friday to make this week a "5 Day 100", but I woke up with a painful groin! I think I tweaked it somehow on Thursday. So I limited myself to a single ride on Friday night, moving on to 85 miles in the process. The tender groin was fine on Saturday (phew), so I ended up passing the 100 mark on Saturday night in the heavy fog, adding 26 further miles on Sunday after two trips out and about.

Plenty of markers this week - despite being a few miles light in my opinion, this is the highest weekly score of the year so far. It's also the fastest time to reach 100 miles. And I've reached 10% of my 6k target! Easy.

Also of note this week - the sunset crept beyond 5 pm, which is a great sign of better things to come.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 51 mins
Average speed for 100: 14.58 mph
Total for 2015: 632.8
2015 average weekly mileage: 105.46
Consecutive 100s: 5
Miles needed for 6000: 5367.2
Percentage of target reached: 10.54%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.68

Still in the lead of the pack, with a lead of 29 miles on 2012.

Week 6 totals
2015 - 632.8
2012 - 603.8
2014 - 585.4
2013 - 553
1998 - 524

2015 Week 5

Week 5 (w/e 1 February 2015)
Miles: 103.3

It was harder work getting the 100 done this week due to the weather, which turned wintry from Wednesday onwards. Fortunately, occasional sleet was as bad as it got around here. I headed into the weekend with 80 miles. Luckily, the weekend weather was clear and cold, so I was able to bag the ton with my last ride of the week on Sunday night.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 53 mins
Average speed for 100: 14.5 mph
Total for 2015: 505.7
2015 average weekly mileage: 101.14
Consecutive 100s: 4
Miles needed for 6000: 5494.3
Percentage of target reached: 8.42%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.9

I maintain my lead of the chasing pack:

Week 5 totals
2015 - 505.7
2014 - 483.2
2012 - 477.7
2013 - 451
1998 - 351.5

2015 Week 4

Week 4 (w/e 25 January 2015)
Miles: 124.5

Best score of the year so far and 100 #3. I got the 100 done on Saturday, so I had a day so spare. To boot, my average weekly mileage reaches 100 in quick time.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 54 mins
Average speed for 100: 14.48 mph
Total for 2015: 402.4
2015 average weekly mileage: 100.6
Consecutive 100s: 3
Miles needed for 6000: 5597.6
Percentage of target reached: 6.73%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.62

After having a look at the stats, I was genuinely staggered to find that as of week 4, my performance in 2015 is leading the pack! In other words, I've cycled more miles at this stage this year than I've managed before. It's a good feeling. I set a record in 2013 when I did 100 miles in the first two weeks of the year for the first time ever. However, I wasn't able to sustain that great start and weeks 3 and 4 of that year were not hundred weeks (the next ton arrived in week 5 and I never looked back). Having started this year with a 67 and then posted three consecutive 100s, I'm ahead of my closest rival (2014) by 29.3. Those totals:

Week 4 totals
2015 - 402.4
2014 - 373.1
2012 - 362.4
2013 - 347.5
2009 - 237.8

2015 Week 3

Week 3 (w/e 18 January 2015)
Miles: 106.6

The second 100 of the year!

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 7 hrs 2 mins
Average speed for 100: 14.20 mph
Total for 2015: 277.9
2015 average weekly mileage: 92.63
Consecutive 100s: 2
Miles needed for 6000: 5722.1
Percentage of target reached: 4.63%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.78

2015 Week 2

Week 2 (w/e 11 January 2015)
Miles: 104.3

The first 100 of the year!

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 7 hrs 11 mins
Average speed for 100: 13.93 mph
Total for 2015: 171.3
2015 average weekly mileage: 85.65
Consecutive 100s: 1
Miles needed for 6000: 5828.7
Percentage of target reached: 2.855%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.57

2015 Week 1

Week 1 (w/e 4 January 2015)
Miles: 67

Another year, another target of 6000 to chase down.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: N/a
Total for 2014: 67
2015 average weekly mileage: 67
Consecutive 100s: 0
Miles needed for 6000: 5933
Percentage of target reached: 1.116%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.33

2014: The Year In Review

2014: Review Of The Year

6267.3 miles at an average of 120.52 per week.

Full statto-tastic breakdown to follow this week.

2014 Week 46

Week 46 (w/e 16 November 2014)
Miles: 110.5

In the weekly history of 2014, this must go down as the greatest escape of them all. Thanks to illness, my glorious run of 44 consecutive 100s looked to be coming to a close. Thankfully, I got away with it...

November. Dank, drizzly November. Not my favourite time of the year. Monday was drizzly so I didn't get out on the bike. Tuesday was wet until mid-afternoon, thereafter it was dank. I managed to get out later in the afternoon for 11.5 miles then had a blast in the evening despite the drizzle to push on to 18. Wednesday was showery earlier in the afternoon but fine thereafter, so I was able to advance to 37 miles following two trips.

Thursday was dank and blustery, with quite a gale blowing from the SE. I felt increasingly grim as the day advanced and took to my bed at 5 pm. It was some kind of 24 hour stomach bug. I'll spare you the unpleasant details, but boy, did I feel rough. I didn't eat anything for a full 24 hours. After rain in the morning, Friday was clear and sunny. I was up and about in the evening and on the mend, although understandably I was still feeling ropey. I was nervous about the weekend though - with only 37 miles on the clock, I was putting myself at the mercy of the weather. With 63 miles required, a washout for Saturday or Sunday would mean no 100 for me. Eager to get that target down to something more manageable, I dragged my aching bones out on Friday evening despite my delicate condition. Loony. 9 miles later, I rolled home with with 46.

As luck would have it, the weekend was dry and sunny. I advanced to 74 miles by the close of Saturday. An hour on Sunday afternoon took me to 98 miles... which became 110 in the evening. A lucky escape!

The Stats
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 47 mins
Average speed for 100: 14.75 mph
Total for 2014: 5626.5
2014 average weekly mileage: 122.31
Consecutive 100s: 45
Miles needed for 6000: 373.5
Percentage of target reached: 93.77%
Required average weekly mileage: 62.25

2014 Week 1

Week 1 (w/e 5 January 2014)
Miles: 42.9

The start of another cycling year. Time to reset that counter to zero and get cracking.

But first, a few words about where we start. As I've explained before, my cycling week runs from Monday - Sunday, so inevitably a day or two are usually lost from the figures at the beginning and end of each year. January 1st 2014 was a Wednesday, meaning that although Monday and Tuesday technically fell within week 1 of the new year, I only started the clock on January 1st. So it's a 5 day week. As it happens, I put my feet up for the first two days of the week and quite enjoyed the rest after pushing hard the previous week to beat 2012's total (which I've not yet written up).

So, we pick up the baton on Wednesday 1st January. Unfortunately for me I'd come down with a cold and sore throat just after Christmas and felt rough with it for well over a week, which made New Year's Eve a bit of a non-event. As 2014 got underway, I was greeted by a wet day. This, on top of feeling grim, meant that no cycling was done. The weather on Thursday afternoon was better, so after dosing myself up with lemon powders I got an hour's cycling done, coming back with 14.5 miles. Rain returned in the evening, so no more miles were added. Friday afternoon was showery. I considered going out on my bike, but heavier rain was moving in so I didn't make it. It was a similar story in the evening.

Saturday was dank and dreary but at least it stayed fine. I cycled into town that afternoon, returning with a rucksack of shopping and 24 miles, then nipped out again almost immediately to push on to 30. Rain was moving back into the area in the evening, so I stayed put. Sunday. More rain from noon until 2:30, but then a fine spell until more rain rolled in at 6. In between, I dragged myself out there for an hour and came back with almost 43 miles. By 9:30 in the evening it was pelting down again, so that ended my first week. I'd have liked to have signed off with a half century at least, but it was not to be.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: N/a
Total for 2014: 42.9
2014 average weekly mileage: 42.9
Consecutive 100s: 0
Miles needed for 6000: 5957.1
Percentage of target reached: 0.71%
Required average weekly mileage: 116.81

Looking at the first week results from 2000 onward, this year's 42.9 puts me in 4th place. In 2013 of course, I posted my first ever first-week 100. No chance of that this year.

2013 Week 17

Week 17 (w/e 28 April 2013)
Miles: 110.5

No photo for this entry I'm afraid as I've used up my cache.

The week got underway with drizzle, although the skies cleared later. I took myself out for an hour in the afternoon, coming home with 15 miles despite the fierce south westerly gale that was blowing. I went back out in the evening for the usual 8 mile loop, thus ending the day with 23 miles in the bag. Tuesday was a running day ahead of the fun run, so I didn't get out on the bike at all. Wednesday afternoon was cloudy but fine, so 50 minutes in the afternoon brought me home with 36 miles. I went back out at 9:30 that evening even though there were spots of rain in the air, moving on to 47 miles in the process.

Thursday was fine and sunny once earlier rain had passed over. An afternoon ride took me to almost 59 miles. I topped this up in the evening to 67 miles. Friday was another scheduled run day, so no cycling was achieved in the afternoon. The evening saw me go to the pub, so I moved into the weekend requiring 33 miles to chalk up the obligatory ton.

Saturday was sunny and warm. I cycled into town as usual that afternoon, coming home with 77 miles. I didn't bother with the supplementary ride once I'd got back, but did nip out in the evening, coming back with 86 miles before sloping off to the pub again. Sunday was a bit grey and drizzly - not enough to prevent me from going out in the afternoon though. An hour later I was back home with 102 miles. Despite the lurking presence of more showers off the coast, I nipped out for the final time that week on Sunday evening, eventually rolling home with 110.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 44 mins
Total for 2013: 1861.4
2013 average weekly mileage: 109.49
Consecutive 100s: 13
Miles needed for 6000: 4138.6
Percentage of target reached: 31%
Required average weekly mileage: 118.25

Meanwhile, back in 2012
101 miles exactly took me to 2004.3, a lead of 142.9.
And 1998?
133.1 meant a total of 1921.3, a lead of 59.9

2013 Week 16

Week 16 (w/e 21 April 2013)
Miles: 104.4

 

On Monday afternoon I travelled over to Yorkshire to see Peter Hook & the Light play in Holmfirth. I stayed overnight, returning home mid-afternoon. When I got back I decided to go for another training run for the local pub fun run. To save my legs, I didn't go out on the bike in the evening either. Thus, Monday and Tuesday were cycle-free. Not a promising start to the week. Typically, the weather had been sunny and spring-like too.

I finally kicked off the chase on Wednesday, when the weather had turned grey and blustery. I managed 9 miles in the afternoon and pushed on to 19 miles in the evening, even though the wind had me wobbling all over the road. Thursday was mostly sunny, although the south westerly gale was still howling in. I took myself out for an hour in the afternoon, returning home with 34 miles. After waiting for a brief shower to pass over in the evening, I went out again and moved on to 42.5. Friday was similarly sunny but windy. I'd planned on going for a run at around teatime, but I also needed to cycle some more miles to have a reasonable chance of getting the ton this week. So I went out on the bike a little earlier than usual and only for 40 minutes, rolling home with 52 miles. Then I did the run. In the evening I went to the pub, so that was that as I headed into the weekend.

Saturday. Sunny! I cycled into town as usual, then nipped out again once I'd returned home. That took me to 68 miles. There was nothing to distract me in the evening, so off I went on the bike again, ending the day with 76.5 miles. So into Sunday with 24 or so miles still to get. When I got up, it was raining steadily. Bah. Fortunately, the rain stopped by 4 and the remainder of the day was fine. I got out for an hour at 5:30, coming back with 91 miles in total. I mopped up the remaining 9 miles later in the evening, eventually finishing with 104 for the week.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 52 mins
Total for 2013: 1750.9
2013 average weekly mileage: 109.4
Consecutive 100s: 12
Miles needed for 6000: 4249.1
Percentage of target reached: 29.18%
Required average weekly mileage: 118.03

A relatively poor week means that my required average for 6k moves back to 118 for the first time since week 8. It's a bit like paying off a 25 year mortgage. For years and years your payments make no dent on the original capital until suddenly the figures start shifting downward, and quite quickly too. It usually happens around week 30 (the beginning of August).

Meanwhile, back in 2012
I did 115.3 miles, moving me along to a total of 1903.3. That's a lead of 152.4 miles.
And 1998?
This time that year I managed 165.8 miles, bringing the total to 1788.2. So I've just been overtaken.

2013 Week 15

Week 15 (w/e 14 April 2013)
Miles: 105

Warm, hazy sunshine dominated the start of the week, then it  became greyer and more blustery from Thursday onwards.

Although Monday was as described above, there was also a gusty east wind blowing. I got myself out there for an hour in the afternoon and came back with 14 miles. I dragged myself back out later in the evening, coming home with 21.5 miles for the day. Tuesday was pleasant, so 40 minutes in the afternoon took me to 31.5 miles, becoming almost 40 miles once I'd been out for the customary supplementary evening trundle. I didn't add to this total on Wednesday because another form of exercise began its annual interruption: I went out for my first run of the year with thoughts at last turning to the local pub fun run at the beginning of May. I could have done with starting my training a week or two sooner, but better late than never eh?

And so the weather changed. Thursday was grey and occasionally drizzly. My legs were also stiff from the previous day's exertions. I got back out on the bike in the afternoon though, moving on to 54 miles in the process. Cycling was actually comfortable. It was just walking that made me look like an old man. I didn't get back out in the evening because a band of rain had moved in. Friday's weather was better, with warm, hazy sunshine. The best part of an hour's ride in the afternoon saw me head home with 67 miles. I went to the local pub that evening because there was a live band on, so no further miles were added.

Into the weekend with 33 miles required for the ton then. Saturday was grey with rain on the way. It arrived at 3, just when I'd be thinking of cycling into town. So that put an end to that idea. The rain hung around until mid-evening, but I eventually got out at 9:30 for 50 minutes, ending the day with 79 miles. Sunday morning was wet, but the rain had cleared by noon and it remained fine for the rest of the day. So I got out in the afternoon for an hour, rolling home with 95 miles. I mopped up the remaining 5 miles in the evening when I went out on my familiar 35 minute loop and back, with a little extra tacked onto the end so that I eventually finished with 105. Just made it in the last ride of the week.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 56 mins
Total for 2013: 1646.5
2013 average weekly mileage: 109.7
Consecutive 100s: 11
Miles needed for 6000: 4353.5
Percentage of target reached: 27.4%
Required average weekly mileage: 117.6

Meanwhile, back in 2012
I did 125.2 miles, moving me along to a total of 1788 exactly. That's a lead of 141.5 miles.
And what of 1998?
That's a good question. I can feel '98 breathing down my neck. This time that year I managed 168.1 miles, bringing the total to 1622.4. Only 24.1 miles behind.

2013 Week 14

Week 14 (w/e 7 April 2013)
Miles: 142.3

April arrives. Sadly the weather was still in winter mode.

Easter Monday. It seems that the warmer weather at the weekend was just sent to tease us, as it turned cold again for the start of the new week and that east wind was back. I got things underway with a good hour's ride in the afternoon, coming back with 17 miles in the bag. Another half an hour in the evening moved me on to 25 miles. An excellent start to the week. Tuesday afternoon was cloudy but fine. An hour on the bike took me to 39 miles. That became 47 miles once I'd been out in the evening on the usual loop. Wednesday was cold but fine so that afternoon I moved myself on to 60 miles. That became 68 miles once I'd been out in the evening. A three-day 68? Good effort.

Thursday afternoon had sunny spells with broken cloud. The wind changed direction though, this time whipping in from the north east. It was still cold. An hour in the afternoon pushed things along to 82 miles and this became 90 when I'd been out again that evening. Friday was overcast but fine. A 40 minute trundle got me to 99 miles. I went to the pub that night, so stayed on 99 until Saturday. Bonkers.

Saturday was a beautiful day. Sunny and warm! I cycled into town that afternoon, passing the 100 mile mark on my way out. Having returned home, I dashed out again for 20 minutes, progressing to 113 miles in the process. There was time for another ride in the day and I accomplished that mid-evening. It was cold though under clear skies. 121 miles was the total. Sunday was mostly cloudy but fine. An hour's ride in the afternoon lifted my total to 134. Three hours later I was back out there for the final ride of the week, rolling home with 142 big ones. A satisfactory performance.

The stats
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 54 mins
Total for 2013: 1541.5
2013 average weekly mileage: 110.1
Consecutive 100s: 10
Miles needed for 6000: 4458.5
Percentage of target reached: 25.69%
Required average weekly mileage: 117.3

This week felt that I was back in the groove. 25% of the way to 6k, with the summer ahead of me.

Meanwhile, back in 2012
A total of 113.2 took me to 1662.8. The lead is cut to 121.3.

2013 Week 13

Week 13 (w/e 31 March 2013)
Miles: 112

The chilly east wind that dominated the second half of last week was still in evidence as week 13 got underway, but things began to warm up by the weekend.

Monday was sunny but chilly. I dragged myself out before teatime, returning with 9.5 miles. I got distracted by watching the cricket in the evening (the exciting final day of New Zealand v England at Auckland), so didn't add to that. I just about got an hour's cycling done on Tuesday afternoon, slowly moving to 21 miles in the process. That east wind was still blowing, which made it harder work than usual. Another half an hour's ride in the evening moved things on to 29 miles. Wednesday's weather was again fine but cold. I was feeling a bit rough though, so didn't go out on my bike. To compensate, I went out for a bit longer than usual in the evening, coming home with 38 miles.

Thursday was sunny but chilly. I got back on track with an hour's ride in the afternoon, progressing to 52 miles along the way. This became 60 miles in the evening. Friday arrived. Good Friday, as it happened. I got out for a spin in the afternoon and returned with 72 miles. Another ride in the evening saw me roll home just short of 80 miles. Saturday was sunny and it felt warm. A sign of things to come, hopefully. I cycled into town as usual that afternoon. I got back with 89 miles but didn't have time to do my customary supplementary ride before tea as I was off out that evening to see Buzzcocks in Kendal. And very good they were too.

Sunday 31st March marked the arrival of British Summer Time. It's always a point in the cycling calendar that I look forward to as it heralds the approach of those long summer days and evening bike rides in daylight. I required just 11 miles to get the obligatory ton, and the weather was good. I went out for an hour in the afternoon and came home with 103 miles. There was time in the evening for another half an hour's ride, so I eventually halted with exactly 112.

The stats:
Time taken to get 100: 6 hrs 56 mins
Total for 2013: 1399.2
2013 average weekly mileage: 107.63
Consecutive 100s: 9
Miles needed for 6000: 4600.8
Percentage of target reached: 23.3%
Required average weekly mileage: 117.97

Meanwhile, back in 2012...
A total of 132.1 took me to 1549.6 miles. A lead of 150.4 miles.

2013 Week 12

Week 12 (w/e 24 March 2013)
Miles: 108.9

Another week of attritional mile-collecting.

The week began in a dank and wintry fashion. The rain kept me indoors during the afternoon and the drizzle in the evening had much the same effect. Tuesday was fine and dry until 4 pm, then steady light rain moved in. I didn't get out on the bike because of this until the evening, when I got the week's run chase underway with a 30 minute trundle along the usual loop. 8 miles later, I was back home. Wednesday was grey and cold, but at least it was fine. An hour's ride in the afternoon pushed me on to 22 miles. This became 30 miles once I'd been out and back in the evening.

The weather turned cold again on Thursday for a few days: A finger-numbing chill thanks to that unwelcome eastern wind. I took myself out in the afternoon, with 43 miles the result. I nipped out again at 10 pm. The wind had really whipped up in the hours in between rides and it was damned hard work. I came back with 51 miles. Friday was a wild day, with a blustery wind pushing in sleety showers. I struggled out there for 40 minutes to move on to 60 miles, but it wasn't fun. The wind appeared to haved dropped a touch in the evening, although there were still bursts of drizzle here and there to endure. I dragged myself out and came back with 67 miles.

Saturday continued to be bitter and wintry, with occasional flakes of sleet blowing around. I didn't bother making my customary trip into town, as the weather wasn't great and I didn't really need to go for anything. I went out for a ride instead a little later, coming home with 80 miles. A second trip at 9 pm resulted in a new total of 88 miles. That 100 was edging closer. Sunday was clear and sunny, but that bitter wind was still howling in. It seemed to be gusting a bit harder that it had been. I went out in the late afternoon for a 12 mile ride - just enough to get the ton sorted, then scurried back home into the warmth. Conditions were still fine in the evening, so I nipped out on the usual loop to add another 8 miles to the weekly total.

The stats:
Time taken to get 100: 7 hrs 4 mins
Total for 2013: 1287.2
2013 average weekly mileage: 107.26
Consecutive 100s: 8
Miles needed for 6000: 4712.8
Percentage of target reached: 21.4%
Required average weekly mileage: 117.82

20% of the way to 6000. Another slow week (average speed of 14.14 mph to get to 100) thanks to that grinding, bitter east wind that arrived mid-week.

Meanwhile, back in 2012...
A total of 167.3 took me to 1417.5 miles. A lead of 130.3 miles takes 2012 somewhere over the horizon. On my averages, that's effectively a lead of a whole week's worth of pedalling.