After I decided to return to the TrainerRoad fold, I was looking forward to another stab at a VTTA Zwift '10'. Unfortunately, I had to pack this as I was a bit unwell, with a mild cold affecting my breathing. This only became evident after my warmup and about halfway through the TT. I thought it prudent to stop. The next day, I felt quite woozy so I also took tthat as a rest day. Of course, this was a peculiar, if mild, cold that came and went. Fortunately it didn't materially affect my preparation fof my first open event of 2025, the Port Talbot Wheelers 2-up '25'.
This event is the usual starter for the season, and historically I've ridden with my regular 2-up partner - and 2025 is no exception. This year has the added motivation of the first edition of the Duo Normand since it was blown off the calendar by Covid-19. The event itself has been reduced from 25 miles to 15 miles owing to roadworks on the opening stretch of dual carriageway. That's not too bad, really, as the remaining section is on a more 'sporting' road. Here's Team Grumpy looking good in the 2024 edition of the Port Talbot Wheelers event, in which we (well actually, I) punctured just a few minutes after starting.
I've been playing with the TrainerRoad-Zwift integration, and it does seem to work pretty damned well. Workouts planned on TrainerRoad just show up on Zwift. While it's considered expensive to subscribe to both TrainerRoad and Zwift, I think I get value out of it, and I plan to continue. Of course, I still have an active Rouvy subscription, but I'm planning to suspend (not cancel) it through the spring and summer.
I continue to try and keep activities going with the North Bucks Road Club. Two of us set off on a club ride out to the Cowshed Cafe on Sunday, and only just got there in time to get cakes. Ten minutes later, and there would only have been crumbs! Club time trials don't start until 16th April this year.