I had a fantastic few days cycling in the Lake District last week in the glorious weather. Didn't manage to do the whole FW route in the end, turning around at the top of Winlatters , back to Keswick then straight down to Ambleside. Brilliant ride though.
What was interesting to me was how my training wasn't specific enough for the terrain. It wasn't my legs that were the problem. I got up all the hills I did (up to 25%), they didn't particularly tire, or scream at me more than I would have expected , which makes sense as I cycle a lot and regularly put in big miles. But my upper body !! That was a different story lol. The handlebar wrestling going up the very steep stuff took it's toll after a few passes. I also forgot to put my gloves on before leaving , resulting in very sore palms from rubbing on the hoods over the day. Then my right tricep started to cramp up from the crazy steep descents. For the first time , I was regretting having a super slammed stem. It felt like I was going to go over the handlebars every time I headed down anything over 18%. Descending hills that steep is definitely a skill I have yet to acquire and was by far the hardest part of my rides. It felt like doing a constant press up with lots of extra weight on your back.
How anyone descends Hardnott in the wet on a road bike is completely beyond my comprehension
But now I am back in the flat lands of the South I am yearning to go back and go again and try and improve. Very jealous of anyone who lives up there and has roads like that on their doorstep.