The SQ2SQ 2008 Team complete a training weekend in the New Forest
Over the weekend of Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July 2008 the SQ2SQ 2008 Team completed 180 miles of cycle training in the New Forest.
The training weekend was designed to give the team an idea of what it will be like to complete near 100 miles per day back to back. For many of the cyclists this would be the first time they would have completed such a mileage on back to back days.
SQ2SQ 2008 cyclists on their training weekend in the New Forest
It was their first opportunity to complete some cycle training with one of the team, Mark Adams, who passed on much of his cycle coaching knowledge from his work in British Cycling.
Mark also planned the weekend, with the routes around an area where is a good knowledge of the terrain.
The training was over varied terrain in superb, but hot weather.
Cyclists were able to gain important knowledge about riding as a larger group consistently over 90 miles each day, as well as dealing with fluids and food in the heat.
Pace was a consistent average of 15-16mph, with the team covering 50 miles in around 3 hours 15 mins in the saddle.
This pace ensures that the team are on target to complete a similar pace for the challenge, with 100 miles completed in around 8 hours per day, including breaks.
SQ2SQ 2008 cyclists on their training weekend in the New Forest
The support crew were also able to gain valuable experience and an insight into the challenges that will face them providing support for the challenge.
Again the generosity of the public and businesses coming to the fore.
Forest Holidays Hollands Wood camp site in Brokenhurst kindly provided camping facilities free of charge and generously donated £50 to the SQ2SQ 2008 appeal.
A member of the public donated £10 to the team during the training ride and two couples donated £30 between then whilst the team were eating a meal in a local pub.
Thank you.
Some of the SQ2SQ 2008 cyclists are photographed here during their training ride and during a break.
Henry the Bear from St Mary’s Primary School, Ryde, Isle of Wight also makes an appearance, joining the team for the first time on their training.
Henry the Bear is one of the mascots for St Mary’s Primary School and he has travelled all around the world on various trips.
Henry the Bear will be joining the team whilst they complete the Square to Square Charity Cycle Challenge 2008.
Photograph to left: from left to right: Darren Bacon, Mark Adams, Gareth Drisoll, Henry the Bear, Andy Cooper, Ian Rock.
Statistics for each day of the training rides appear below – heart rate and calories stats relate specifically to Coops.
Training ride: 27 July 2008:
Route: Day One: SQ2SQ 2008 training weekend in the New Forest
Cycle Training: road cycling
Distance: 90 miles
Time: 5:51
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,603 m / -1,609 m
Min/Max Elevation: 0 m / 169 m
Avg Speed: 15.3 mph
Max Speed: 34.1 mph
Heart rate average: 123 bpm
Heart rate max: 147 bpm
Calories used: 4,617 kcals
Training ride: 26 July 2008:
Route: Day Two: SQ2SQ 2008 training weekend in the New Forest
Cycle Training: road cycling
Distance: 90 miles
Time: 5:35
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,704 m / -1,662 m
Min/Max Elevation: 0 m / 169 m
Avg Speed: 15.7 mph
Max Speed: 38.8 mph
Heart rate average: 125 bpm
Heart rate max: 166 bpm
Calories used: 4,574 kcals
