As has been the case all over the East Coast of the US, this winter in Bermuda has been terrible. The worst we can remember. Every storm coming off the States has picked up speed over the Atlantic and hit us hard. It actually started back in December when, on the 19th, we actually had a small tornado come over our house (see the article at www.weather.bm under Misc for details). Since then, it has been a relentless series of wet, cold days with gale force winds - a few times we have even reached hurricane force gusts.
The difficulty in training in Bermuda is not only the small size (about 21 square miles), but the narrow, twisting roads. Bermuda has a per capita road fatality rate that is twice that of the US and about three times that of the UK. That statistic is even more remarkable when you consider that we have a national speed limit of only 35 kph (22 mph). Our roads have no shoulders and are usually bounded by walls. I've had full-sized buses throttle pass me on a blind curve with me next to a 14 foot wall with only inches to spare on either side. Almost every long ride includes at least one close call; fortunately, I've only been hit by one car. I will say that the drivers in Bermuda are very friendly... just a bit reckless. If they hit you or you crash, they will always stop and check on you.
[Warning - excuses ahead]. My training has also be hampered by several trips to the US in January and February, as well as both the swine flu and strep throat. The bike was sidelined at the local bike shop for two weeks while critical parts had to be shipped in for a repair. The parts actually arrived on the island within a week... it just took another week to find where they had been delivered (hint: it was not the bike shop).
But now things are looking up. My bike parts have arrived, and I'm getting a full groupset upgrade (crank, gears, derailleurs, brakes, levers, etc.). The weather has improved. And while I've managed to put on a 10 pound layer of "insulation" since December, I feel good on the bike. My training rides typically vary in length from 36 miles to 71 miles. If you've ever wondered what a 71 mile bike ride looks like in Bermuda (and I know you have), then this map should help. It is my Garmin Edge GPS Cycle Computer data uploaded to Google Earth. You have to retrace your steps several times to get the 71 miles in a single ride.
The cross-country trip begins on April 17th - just a little more than a month left to go.
Go Mike Go!! Woohoo, i am your first follower, your first post. Okay this is starting to sound weird.
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog, looking forward to the updates! You can do this, it will be an exciting few months!
Crystal
Hope the GPS works!!
ReplyDeleteSheila
Unfortunately, all of the ills that you mentioned about biking in Bermuda is true. Actually, I think I've almost hit you and other fellow cyclers a couple of times with my car. Nevertheless, you have become one of Bermuda's top bikers! Good luck on your trip and I'm sure you'll have no problem "surviving" the next leg of the tour.
ReplyDelete