Living in the South East of England (Ashford, Kent), but coming originally from the North West corner of the Ireland (Sligo), I’ve been living in the UK for over 23 years now. Married with two teenage kids, a successful career related to Telecommunications and Finance.
I’m on a mission at the moment to get fitter and to lose a bit of weight, so I’m doing a lot of cycling which you’ll read about in this blog. I’ve got some other interests, including Radio (my inner geek), Running, playing with other Social Media sites e.g Twitter, Facebook and so on. I work from home, although I do still travel around the UK during the course of my job. When I am working at home I can “invent” my commute and take the time to jump on the bike and burn a few calories off.
Like most people I’ve got a view or opinion about just about everything, and I’ll be delighted to share it with you (because you need to know!)
Dex.
Hi Declan,
Is this the Declan McGlone from Strandhill Road by any chance? Married to Catherine Casey?
Great blog, just had a good read. 110k at the weekend fair-play to you. I have started some cycling myself just in the last few weeks with a gang from Ballyshannon, we go out on Sunday mornings, we do just about 40-50k and I love it.
Let me know if this is who I think it is and also do log-on to my website. I’ll be keeping an eye on your blog.
Kind regards
Collette Hamilton
Legginit.com
Hi Collette,
Been a looooong time, but yes it’s me.
I was going very well during the summer, but got a bit lazy as the weather changed and darkness began to creep in. I was doing a lot of running, did a few marathons etc back in 2007 but injured my leg and got very lazy for a couple of years. I’m not trying to get some fitness back on the bike instead. I was out with Catherines brother Paul during the summer with the Inishfree Wheelers, thoroughly enjoyable, I also did the Etape Hibernia that week too. A great event, closed roads, no cars, and worth putting into your calendar if you want something to train towards. I’m also a Facebook Fan on Legginit.com, great page too by the way.
Hope you and family are all well.
Declan.
Thank you for following me on Twitter. I’m flattered. Are you coming to Ontario anytime soon?
My grandmother is from Torquay: we visited Cromer, London, Torquay, Bournemouth and Ste. Ives (my fave) about 20 yrs ago. I’d sure love to return to Ste. Ives.
Blimmin ‘eck! You people can really work them bikes! I had to stop about 6 times tonight during a 5 minute cycle home from my Mum’s. Kind of uphill though…..No-one is as unfit and crap at cycling as me.
Oooh…shiny thing! I like the look of legginit.com…
Hi Dex,
Love the blog!
I like how you’ve started with the FTP tested and measuring your wattage. Something i’ve always been interested in finding out more about it all works.
Having only done a 12 mile, 24 mile and 43 mile ride since i got my Trek i’ve a fair way to go to get the mileage and power up. Going out with 2 superfit guys now (did Amatuer Roubaix last year) should help me a lot with the pace work and fitness.
As for Ireland, ive got family in Derry (my Grandad moved from there to Sheppey when he was a wee lad) and my dad moved out there for a few years and lived just over the boader into the Rep. in a town call Muff (yeah i know!!).
Very nice part of the world!
Good luck with the Etap Caledonia!
Regards
Glen
Hi GlenDoc,
Thanks, helps to keep me “honest” and motivated if I publish my “ramblings” to whoever wants to read them. The Power Meter is definitely a steep learning curve if you want to make best use of it, but I’m in no hurry, and I do like all the “science” behind it, so taking the opportunity to educate myself is a bit motivator too. I too have a couple of training partners who I go out with, I’m quite a bit heavier then they are, so the hills can be a bit more of a challenge for me, but underneath they large exterior is a fit bloke trying to get out
Once I get moving I can build up a decent head of steam. I was very fit around 2007 and ran several marathons, best was 3hr 29min, so the potential is there I know, just need to shift a lot of the weight I’ve piled on and that will help me make big improvements I think.
I’m originally from Sligo, which is about 90 miles south of Muff (I know what you mean!) and been here for the past 22 years or so. But still go back regularly and try and bring the bike with me. Well done on the bike rides, I tend to do just over 20 miles during the week days when I’m working, and beginning to include a bit more intensity with those rides where I can, keeping an eye on fatigue of course and taking rest days when I feel the need to.
Keep it up
Dex.
Hi Dex,
Thanks for following me on Twitter.
I would just like to say one thing. If you have taken up cycling to get fitter, I think I had better warn you that it is addicting, I started 12 years ago to lose weight and got hooked to the point that last year I won the North Midlands Group of the Veterans Timetrialling Associations Best all Rounder Competition. Cycling is the best sport in the world, enjoy it and good luck.
Cheers Alan
Hi Alan,
That’s an excellent result.
I’ve been cycling a while now, and have a previous history of Marathon running, managed a 3 hour 29 minute at my fittest. Got injured, had a couple of years out and piled on the weight, so got lots to lose now. I do find its not coming off as quickly as I’d like with the cycling in comparison to my previous history of running, although I’m a few years older now and probably not being as diligent with my food intake as I should be. Still, inside, there is a fit bloke looking to get out
Perhaps the racing side of things might add a new dimension that accelerates my fitness and development.
Look forward to swapping tweets with you.
Dex.
Hi Dex:
Greetings from Canada. The DVR is recording the TdF and I’m off for a ride at 5:45 am here in Canada. Nice to catch up to you on Twitter and I’ve bookmarked your blog. If you’re ever in Eastern Ontario Canada drop me a line.
John
Hi John,
I’ve lost a bit of my cycling mojo in the last few weeks, being watching lots of it, just not doing as much as I should. The TDF will certainly encourage me to get off my butt. Have to say I struggle in the mornings but I’m impressed with your early start. Hope it all goes (went) well for you.
Dex.
Hei Dex,
I just stumbled over your video at vimeo.com (http://www.vimeo.com/23879569) and was wondering what scottish song it is starting at 24:52. I bet it’s called Shielhallion.
Who plays that song? I found some other versions on iTunes but your version I like most.
And: Thanks for the videos!
Greetings from Munich, Germany.
Niels
Hi Neils,
Its called Schiehallion by a band called Gaberlunzie. Here is a link to their website http://www.gaberlunzie.com/
Hope that helps
Dex.
Hi Dex,
Thanks a lot for this hint.
All the best,
Niels
Hi Dex,
There are now two training sessions per week @ Fowlmead on Tues and Fri ’til Sept and you would be most welcome.
Also if you are exceeding your FTP 20 levels without trying then try a 3 min all-out test and deduct 18% av power for your FTP level.
Tim
Hi Dex,
Thanks for following me on Twitter.
I look forward to read more of your “rantings”! I, myself, re-started cycling a year ago coming March. This had been after a very long “rest” of about 16 years. You might have also inspired me to share my “look” at cycling.
All the best,
George
Thanks for following me on twitter. I have a whole 8 followers now. I also started riding a bike to lose weight – I was 60 at the time. It is addictive as one of your other replies stated. My friends think I’ve lost my mind but I’m quite enjoying myself. I am Canadian but my mother’s side of the family are from the UK. Enjoy your cycling.
Hi Dex,
Just stumbled across your blog after you followed me (and I followed back) – strangely enough it’s like looking at myself on this blog – same aspiration with riding the bike (get fitter, melt some excess lard, etc) and I like the science behind your training plan. I was considering the pace/effort/HR with the garmin so might just treat myself soon.
Anyhow, I was going to ask you if you know Paul Heekin in Sligo? I know it’s a long shot – a bit like asking if I know a french man in France.
Cheers,
P.
Hi Philippe,
Thanks for the comment. I enjoy learning about the science aspect as much as riding the bike, its like my own “human” experiment
Unfortunately I don’t know a Paul Heekin, any idea where in the town he lived or what sort of age he is? It might prompt a few memories.
Thanks,
Declan.
Hi Declan, as you also use a Garmin edge and Strava, I was wondering what your thoughts were on the discrepancies between the two on calories burned and also the average speed when using the unit indoors on rollers. From my experience, Strava’s calorie count is almost half of that of Garmin, and the last time I used rollers, Garmin stated an average of 21 mph against Strava’s 16.8. I’ve browsed online for a definitive answer, but haven’t found anything conclusive yet. Great blog and Twitter by the way!
Hi Alex,
I’ve been using Garmins, both running and cycling since 2006, and they have gotten more and more accurate. The new 200/500/800 are fairly close in my opinion. For example my ride last night was just over 26 miles, and the Garmin reported 1043 calories, Strava reported 1392 calories and Training Peaks reported 1249 calories. Add to that the value I got on-line from myfitnesspal.com whose app I use on my phone to monitor my food intake which reported over 1800 calories. So a fairly wide variety of numbers for one ride.
I use the value from Training Peaks because its taking my actual output in Watts from the power meter, which captures effort into wind, freewheeling, uphill and downhill efforts, to calculate your exertions. So actual outputs and efforts on the bike ie more power need to cycle uphill and hence more calories used/burned. In comparison to the others which use a formula to make their calculations. That said, the Garmin values are fairly accurate nowadays, so I’d be happy using those myself. Garmin are using a third party algorithm which replaced their own previously flawed methodology which wildy over estimated calories. For example, they applied the same calories to climb a 1 mile hill with a gradient of 10% to a 1 mile flat road section, and to a 1 mile downhill freewheel. Clearly that can’t be right, one mile uphill is going to consume a lot more than the same distance on the flat or downhill.
Although the forums are full of people with different views and opinions, there are too many self-appointed experts willing to share their so called expertise with you. I found it more confusing and overwhelming trying to sift through the explanations myself. I need to lose weight so pay close attention to this issue myself. I’m personally happy to go with my Garmin numbers, but when using the Power Meter favour Training Peaks numbers as they are a direct output from the Power Meter. I think its probably as close as you will get without entering a lab and doing it that way
Of course, the next person you speak to will have a totally different opinion, but I think you are safe to rely on the Garmin numbers, which should give you a relatively accurate and consistent figure.
Hope that helps, but food for thought if nothing else
Dex.
Alex,
Forgot to comment on the Indoor Rollers. If you’ve read my previous posts you will see I’ve commented on how hard I find them compared to cycling outdoors. My speeds are lower indoors but I find my power is less variable, and easier to target specific outputs for a workout, so its easier to keep at a specific level since there are no environmental factors like hills, wind, traffic etc to interfere with your effort. In this case I have an advantage as using the power meter, I only concentrate on my output in Watts and don’t care about the reported speed or Heart Rate. I’m directly measuring my output in Watts and accept that my speed displayed is not representative of what I do outside. But my output in Watts is accurate. So again I think I probably have an advantage over you Indoors. I imagine the Garmin will measure HR, Speed etc and factor that into its formula for calculating calories, but if your rollers are like mine, you might be going slower or faster than you would expect compared to an outdoors ride, but still putting in a decent effort. My rollers also have a bit of resistance on them in the form of a fan, and the 3″ diameter of the rollers also contributes if you compare them to a 4″ roller which has less resistance. The bigger the roller the less the resistance apparently.
To be honest, if I didn’t have the power meter to give me a calorie output I’m not sure what I would use. Outdoors I’m happy with the Garmin, its reasonably accurate I think, but indoors, I’m not sure how happy I would be. Still, at least you can get a workout in when the weather is foul, and be happy that you did something, even if you can’t totally measure it calorifically. Save up for a power meter, its a great learning experience
But I consider myself a novice, and no expert in giving you any advice, so heed or ignore it at your convenience 
Hi Dex,
Many thanks for taking the time to reply. It appears that I’ll only ever get ball park figures from the systems I use at the mo. However, I agree that Garmin seem to be more accurate – It’s a shame as Strava is a lot more fun!
Keep up the good work. Looking at your ride stats on Strava, you’re doing very well indeed.
Cheers ‘n’ Beers