Heinz Trucking

So far this year, I've ridden 2200 miles on my bikes - my goal now is to hit 2500 by the end of September and to shoot for 2750 if the weather holds into October.

This sounds more phenomenal than it feels because at least half of it is still little 10 mile rides back and forth to work; and even though my goal for the year was to complete a century I still don't seem to have the staying power to do so. I managed an 80 mile over rolling hills ride back in July - but despite being in one of the first teams to leave I still didn't get to the turn off for the century ride before they closed it and diverted people to the 80 mile course - and at the last rest stop I had at least 3 different volunteers ask me if I wanted to get in the SAG van.

But I did finish, and that's what matters, right?

Based on my performance then, though, I decided to start focusing on more hills in my personal rides. Most recently I picked out a nice Saturday route where I take Charlestown Road from Phoenixville to Malvern, take Swedesford into Chesterbrook, up into Valley Forge, up into Plymouth Meeting, then take the trail home. Basically, it means the first 10 miles are quite hilly, followed by some gentle hills, one last big hill and then onto a perfectly flat rail-trail. I've done it twice and I still can't believe how flattened it leaves me the next day.

Really pretty ride, though. Wood-lined secondary roads most of the way, without too much traffic. Would NOT want to ride on Charlestown on a weekday, though. Probably catch a mirror to the back of the head every couple of seconds.

• Riding