A very late night and a few drinks didn't seem to have caused me too much debilitation by the time I dragged myself out of bed at about 11:15AM. I had a quick breakfast and set off on a Twycross Bypasser not long after midday.
But clearly my head was a bit foggy because I couldn't find my DAB personal radio, I took the wrong specs out with me and I forgot to take a phone. I took my old MW/FM personal radio with me, and it was fine. I managed OK without my varifocals. And fortunately I didn't need a phone.
I only wanted to do about 35 miles because rain was due over some time between 3 and 4pm. Bright when I set off, growing increasingly gloomy as the ride wore on, but it didn't rain.
Listened to 5 Live, mostly footy chat.
Really nice to get out there in the open. I especially enjoyed the view along Orton Hill. And although this only occurred to me when I got back, I went over the border into Warwickshire at the western end of Orton Road, so that's one of the neighbouring counties ticked off already.
I tracked the ride with a new watch, a Garmin Vivoactive 3 that I bought second hand (on a whim of course) for £30 in well-used condition. The battery meter read 64% when I set off and I got the low battery warning with about two miles to go, although confusingly since finishing the ride and switching off the GPS, the meter has crept back up to 22%. So - I'd guess it should just about handle a fondo on a full charge.
Although I like the colour screen, it's not as useful for cycling as an Instinct. But it's another toy to tinker with.
Back on 36.26 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10474360779
I hoped to do about 40 miles. No rain and low winds, but it was cold out there and a bit damp. There's a lot of standing water out there at the moment.
The plan was to do 20 miles or so of the Eastbound Route, then come back the same way. I disregarded a ROAD CLOSED sign at Zouch in the hope that I'd be able to get past on a bike, but the road was properly flooded. At least a foot deep (first pic). I could see water flowing into a drain just a few feet in front of me; you can just about make it out on the photo. But it kept on coming.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240104flood01.jpg)
My next idea was to go up to Donington, then over Cavendish Bridge and through Shardlow. But the northbound side of the roundabout on the other side of Donington was flooded as well. So I gave up and turned for home from there, albeit I took a slightly longer way past Diseworth.
Nice out there after dark somehow, despite conditions being a bit cold and damp.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240104flood02.jpg)
I have a surfeit of part-used AA batteries from Christmas decorations at the moment so I used a single-AA mini LED torch as a front light. I'd only intended to use it as a "visibility" light but actually it did illuminate the road a bit. It's not brilliant (pun intended) but I could just about get away with it on a well-surfaced road without fast downhill bits, with a head torch for backup.
Listened to Craig Charles on 6 Music mostly. Slightly surreal as I've been watching the 35-years-younger Craig Charles on the first series of Red Dwarf in recent days.
Back on 32.07 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10493895528
Finally made it out onto the roads in 2024 :)
Should have gone out on New Year's day, but managed to pick up a side strain on New Year's Eve which left it too painful to do shoulder checks, then it pissed it down for two days. Yesterday was nice, but like Slim I'd have encountered too many flooded and closed roads and I had a funeral to attend - a former player for the YYZ Cricket Club.
My guts were a bit of a mess this morning, but if there'd been any seepage on my ride it would have been hidden by road splatter, so that was OK.
Not even done three miles before some twat tried to run me off the road, down a single track road, supposedly with passing spaces, but they're all filled with parked cars and fly tipping. He kept coming right up to my back wheel, but I just rode in primary, it was downhill so I was doing 20mph which is plenty. He started hooting his horn after a bit contrary to Highway Code rule 112. He soon went by after we turned right at the bottom, shouting some sort of abuse at me and then he nearly went head on into a car coming round a corner the other way. Oh, if only...
Quite surprised by how well the roads had "dried" though, Mrs S and the boy had to drive 10 miles for a 2 mile journey on Wednesday, yet one of the "ponds" which had thwarted them was completely gone today.
So, just a 27 miler, but it's a start and another one like that will put me ahead of 2023 already :)
https://www.strava.com/activities/10498332314
Did get out, didn't quite do 27 miles - 25 - but it puts me ahead of last year already, onwards and upwards!
I did hear what today's brain-dead drivist shouted at me. It seems like I'm a "Fucking Dickhead!" yes, teh dickhead who was riding along, not the well behaved driver whose car started to draw alongside me and then had to slow down to avoid hitting the cars coming the other way. The dickhead who then legitimately road in primary position afterwards so he could safely signal he was turning right at the roundabout 75 yards away. I did ask if he wanted to explain his logic to me, but he just drove off.
I didn't get any grief from the drivers I briefly held up going up the drive to Hardwick Hall. It is only a 20mph limit and is liberally festooned with cattle grids. I'll have a quick whinge about the pedestrians on the way out who walk five abreast across the drive oblivious to the fact that it is used by traffic.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10505028720
Delayed the first spin of the year this morning to allow the sun to do its job. The main road between Navan and Trim had been gritted and was fine. From Bective though we hit the back roads and plenty of slippy bits. The back wheel kicked to one side 3 or 4 times. Slowed it down and kept complete concentration on the road ahead as it varied between dry, wet and frosty.
Very nervous going down the one hill of the day but got to the bottom unscathed. After stopping in Fordstown for a coffee, bacon, sausage and egg roll the sun finally got round to doing what I was hoping it would have managed a couple of hours earlier and thé rest of the trip went by uneventfully. Beautiful early afternoon actually!
Decent distance for early Jan too - 57kms - although the dodgy roads early on in the ride gave rise to a slowish ride
https://strava.app.link/T3Mlu1Bc9Fb
A light wind was coming from the NE and a dry, intermittently sunny day was forecast; ideal conditions for the first eastbound fondo apart from the temperature. Cold out there, 3 or 4C.
I checked before I set off that the road through Zouch wasn't still closed by floods - https://one.network/ is handy for this. Interestingly the A6 was still closed from the same junction, with a barrier stretched across the road. I saw several drivers ignore this, and drive round the wrong side of the traffic lights to get past it.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240107footy.jpg)
Originally I'd planned to take the old route through Rempstone, to avoid the low ground near the Soar going through Stanford and Cotes. However I couldn't find any cycling food in the fridge this morning. I'm out of cheese rolls, Cornish pasties and mini pork pies. So I crossed my fingers and went that way regardless, so I could stock up at the petrol station at Burton on the Wolds. I did have to contend with a few massive puddles, and a shallow river crossing the road near Cotes. But nothing too alarming.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240107eastwell.jpg)
I was comfortable enough on the way out but the temperature seemed to dip sharply at about 3pm, on the way back. I listened to 5 Live mostly. Some very entertaining FA Cup football in the afternoon.
Back about 20 minutes after sunset, on 62.62 miles. 131 done this month, and my average distance is now a more reasonable 43.65 miles. I like to maintain it above 40.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10513256383
I always check https://one.network/ before every ride. Gives me a good idea of what roads to avoid. However one set of roadworks kept disappearing from it, leaving me to do a couple of lung busting rides uphill when I was first away from the lights, so now I always check the traffic on Google maps to see if anything has been missed.
Just a 20 miler for me today, but that's fine as I'm now nearly 30 miles up on this time last January. Didn't get out until nearly three this afternoon, but it stayed light enough to get the 20 in without Mrs S sending out a search party for me.
No ignorant motorists shouting at me today either, which was nice. First ride out via Spital as well now the roadworks for new traffic lights has ended. Got ASLs at both sides now, don't know why they bother as they either get ignored or the car behind you tries to get by before you've even left the box. Thankfully today they were on green so I could sail straight through.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10513029206/
After getting thoroughly spannered last night, partly due to the fact that Mr Pudney was celebrating his birthday at our local (Master Pudney providing excellent live entertainment), our planned ride was looking unlikely. However, having completely cleared my guts with numerous 'urgent' dashes to the loo, it was a good idea to also clear the head with a short ride (thetemptation of a visit to the Bampton branch of Lynwoods cafe for a warm sausage roll, banana cake and cappuccino proved too much to resist!)
It was bloody cold out there so, for the first time in ages, I pulled on my winter leggings and Seal Skin gloves and hat to go under my cycle helmet. It's just a short dash of five or so mikes to the village of Bampton so no chance of getting too cold before we stopped for our lunchtime treat.
We returned to Witney via Aston and Ducklington making it a round trip of around 11 or 12 miles. A north-easterly headwind made it a colder ride home. It really helped to get some fresh air but too cold for me today (wind-chill made it feel below freezing) to do any distance in my less than optimum state.
Got a 30+ miler in today, thought it was going to be colder than it was, but I guess the extra padding I put on over Xmas is still helping. Bit of a fresh North Easter to cycle into, resulting in my slowest ever ascent of the Giant that is Mastin Moor Hill, but I'm not bothered, I was out and about.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10524046011
A dry and sunny afternoon, but a very cold one, with a strong wind coming from the east. My vague plan was to do about 15 or so of the eastbound route then come back. Didn't want to do less than 30.
However the experience of riding uphill against a powerful, chilly wind toward Zouch put me off a bit. I decided to keep it short. Took a left for Long Whatton to loop back west and south. I thought I'd add a couple of miles by coming back through Isley Walton and Breedon rather than down Top Brand. Looking at the map though, it makes very little difference. Half a mile at most (at a guess). Nice change, though.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240109bike.jpg)
With the wind at my back it was actually lovely out there, even at about 2C. There was a beautiful ambient light post sunset. I did feel I should have done a few more miles, but the temperature had dipped sharply by the time I got back so I might have regretted it. 24.10 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10526028788
Was going to go out and do another 30 miler today. Set off on a dull, grey, but dry day. After five minutes it had gotten duller, greyer and had acquired a persistent cold drizzle. The kind that soon penetrates you clothing and induces a bone chilling cold. I could feel the power drain from my thighs.
So, I just rode round randomly to rack up half of yesterday's mileage and called it a day. I don't have to do this. Of course within ten minutes of stripping off it was back to being a dry, dull, grey day. I wasn't going to start again though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10530372765
Not as cold and not as drizzly as yesterday, so I went out and did a few miles more, but not until I'd spent 45 minutes looking out of the window making sure it wasn't too drizzly.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10537148386
A Twycross Bypasser is a nice way to close the week after work on a Friday, so I did that. Not quite so cold as Tuesday. No chance of rain though conditions did feel a little damp.
I stopped for a snack in the pitch black beween Ratcliffe Culey and Sibson, leaning against a telegraph post. I've done that a few times along there recently. Quite an enjoyable little ritual.
I tried a new pair of cycling shoe covers. They fit my shoes much better than the last pair I had, which used to foul the cleats and got chewed up over time. They seem more waterproof as well. Possibly not quite so warm though, but they do keep the wind out.
Back on 34.62 miles, 190 done this year already. I want to do about 375 this month if I can so I'm on course.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10545605488
Eventually got out today, nice and sunny, but the British CX championships were on. Needn't have bothered really as the races were a walk, well a ride in the park for Anna Kay and Cam Mason. Different watching CX without lots of frites munching, beer swilling fat ugly Belgians in the crowd though.
Tried to redo the ride I did last Saturday but quicker. Managed a not quite the same route - got a bit too dark - and I did do it more quickly, but it took it out of putting a bit of extra effort in. And yet my average power for the ride was 1W less than last week. Can't work that out.
Could do with some new overshoes myself, they're looking a bit worse for wear, with holes where they rub against the pedal cranks as they go round. I'll wait till they fall to bits though. Still, I've now done more miles than I did in all of last January - 169 v 149
https://www.strava.com/activities/10551421258
Originally, ie earlier in the week, the plan was to do a fondo today. But the forecast changed to threaten rain in the afternoon so since it was rather cold anyway, I decided I'd settle for 40 miles or so.
I left the house at about 1020. The wind was coming from the north-west. I went up to Swarkestone Bridge the long way through Isley Walton, then west along the Beloved A Road. I was going to stop after 20 miles or so then come back an even longer way through Ticknall and Hartshorne, but when I saw a right turn to Etwall, I thought - why not have an excursion into Derby? So I did; all the way through Etwall and Mickleover and right into Derby city centre. I've done this a couple of times before, though I took a different route through the centre this time.
I took a wrong turn near Mickleover and quickly realised that I was heading the wrong way down a one-way entrance to the roundabout I'd just left. Worse, the occupants of a police car queuing there in the other lane observed me doing this. I pulled up sharply, manhandled the bike onto the verge and retreated quickly. Fortunately they didn't trouble me. Ten minutes later I got bored of waiting for the lights to change at another road junction so since it was clearly safe to do so I went right through a red, only to find another police car waiting at the same set of lights around the corner. Happily they didn't seem to be bothered either.
I came down Osmaston Road to Swarkestone Bridge, then home the usual way from there. Stopped for a few snacks at a petrol station near Chellaston.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240114bike.jpg)
Nice sunny weather for the first 90 minutes or so. Then a bit gloomy. Then light drizzle. Then, a few miles from home, tiny hailstones. I examined a couple of them that had landed on my right glove. They looked like tiny shards of glass and they felt like it as well, when they were bouncing off my face. Fortunately that only persisted for a couple of minutes. Regular rain for the rest of the ride.
I entered Derbyshire of course so that's another neighbouring county ticked off. I did Nottinghamshire last Sunday so that's three done, four to go.
Back on 46.47 miles. 236 done this year which surprisingly is more than I'd done this time last year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10557986402
I got out eventually, yet again watching too much cycling, it's a bit bad when it's the French women's National Cyclocross though (Helene Clauzel won, Amandine Fouquenet second - on a Bianchi)
Still the Garmin was recommending a rest day, so I thought I'd just ride out for 10 miles turn round and come back, which I did, but turning back a bit over 10 miles as it was more convenient. Puts me even further ahead of last January and that's all that matters :)
https://www.strava.com/activities/10558425902
We got in around 20 or so on the mtbs today. Waited for it to warm up a little (not much!) leaving around 11:15am. Lovely ride with quite a bit of blue sky around.
Hailey, Ramsden, Finstock, Leafield, Swinbrook, Brize Norton and back to Witney via Minster Lovell. By and large the car drivers were well-behaved with just a couple of exceptions passing far too close.
Cold toes and cold fingers - as per..
Got out today on the Bianchi :) Been dry for a few days now and I thought there wouldn't be much ice risk left, at least not on the main roads. Mrs S then woke me up to tell me it was snowing. Great. Got out of bed and what snow? Just a few sparkly crystals and that was it.
Waited until nearly eleven for it to warm up and headed out, avoiding the usual lanes as they could well have been icy and even if not are in such a bad state of repair that they're only suitable for the gravel bike. Also choosing the way with the least bad set of roadworks at which I was able to sail straight through on green.
Didn't think it was too cold either, still a bit of ice in the road by Holmewood ponds, but not on my side of the road. Managed to get out to Tibshelf for the first time in ages, not an especially pleasant destination, but further afield than I have been doing.
Decided to come back through the other set of roadworks at the bottom of our road. Big mistake. Average speed for the ride dropped from 16.5mph to 16.2mph and that was going downhill! I'll keep avoiding that way. 32.86 miles gets me over 300 for the year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10569164831
A bright sunny day, but a bit windy and very cold. I devised a route that would see me cycling in four counties after work. Not as ambitious as it might sound - the border between Leicestershire and Staffordshire is only about 2km long, with Warwickshire at one end and Derbyshire at the other. None of them are very far from Chez Slim.
So I headed down that way, through Heather, Swepstone and Snarestone, then west to Appleby Magna.
I hadn't been through Appleby for years - it used to be on my Wales route, though I wouldn't go that way now. I got slightly lost and ended up taking a different route through and out of the village than I intended, but I was happy I did - it was really beautiful along there in the cold sunshine. Reminded me of going on winter walks with my grandmother when I was (at a guess) six or seven years old.
I exited Leicestershire to enter Warwickshire at No Man's Heath, at 1607. Six minutes later at 1613, I entered Staffordshire along Main Street. Another nine minutes later I penetrated Derbyshire along Netherseal Road, following a right turn from Clifton Campville at 1622. I connected with my usual Lower Westbound Route thirteen minutes later, and at 1551 I successfully performed re-entry to Leicestershire again, at Acresford.
So: over the 15 minutes between 1607 and 1622, I had cycled in four counties.
I should say that for the purposes of this exercise I was using the modern "ceremonial" county boundaries, not the historic ones. I didn't actually visit historic Derbyshire at all. All of the Derbyshire territory along this ride is actually in historic Leicestershire. Derbyshire annexed a chunk of Leicestershire a century or two ago, in return for land elsewhere. But I definitely visited both versions of Staffordshire, so that's another neighbouring country ticked off.
I'd never done the road between Clifton Campville and Netherseal before - it was lovely just before dusk. Very quiet, almost like a secret place. I'll try to remember to do it again.
I hadn't been through No Man's Heath for a few years and I was pleased to see that the road surface was better than I remembered.
I went up through Ashby on the way back to add a couple of miles. Back on 27.61, not as many as I wanted really but it was seriously cold after sunset so I don't feel too bad. My average distance figure is a bit rubbish so far this year, but on the other hand I've done 264 miles which is more than acceptable 16 days in.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10571186309
Quote from: Slim on January 16, 2024, 11:42:06 PMI should say that for the purposes of this exercise I was using the modern "ceremonial" county boundaries, not the historic ones. I didn't actually visit historic Derbyshire at all. All of the Derbyshire territory along this ride is actually in historic Leicestershire. Derbyshire annexed a chunk of Leicestershire a century or two ago, in return for land elsewhere.
Got to be Historic counties to count. Old Counties Good, New Counties Bad :) Derbyshire used to have several exclaves in Leicestershire and probably vice versa, they were all "tidied up" years ago. To me most of southern Sheffield is still Derbyshire, the rapacious denizens of Deedahland appropriated vast swathes of Derbyshire. Mrs S thinks her ancestors came from Yorkshire, but back in the 1800s they were all Peakites.
I don't think I've left Derbyshire this year and to be frank there's no great need to, unless I want to find somewhere flat. Certainly stayed 100% in Derbyshire for 30 miles today - first back to back 30 milers of the year - rode out, went up a hill, did a loop a couple of times and came back the same way. Bit colder than yesterday, but didn't feel too bad.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10575711399
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 17, 2024, 09:57:09 PMGot to be Historic counties to count. Old Counties Good, New Counties Bad :) Derbyshire used to have several exclaves in Leicestershire and probably vice versa, they were all "tidied up" years ago.
Funnily enough I wrote about that earlier, here (http://betweenthewheels.net/index.php?topic=47.msg20459#msg20459).
It turns out that my house is situated on a tiny exclave of historic Derbyshire that's only about 700m wide.
Managed a third consecutive 30 miler today for the first time since October. Once again fully within Derbyshire.
Took it nice and steadily today, being as the Garmin said it was recommending a rest day for the third day in a row. Rode out and then did four "loops" on the flattest bit of ground I could find, then came home. Another cool day but not too bad. Must tape over the front air vents in my shoes though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10581993769
Fourth day out in a row. Another 30 miles? No, just the 21 which gets me to a higher weekly tally than last week, did it because the weekend is not looking too good. Bit warmer today and the traffic lights at the end of the road have gone meaning I could go out my regular way for the first time this year.
Might have had time for 30 but spent too long talking to a delivery man about the Pheasant's in out back garden. He thought they were pets.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10587882009
Very cold. I did a Twycrosser, coming back east through Upton and Shenton which I hadn't done for a while.
The other half has been a bit militant about my preference not to wear a helmet, of late. I much prefer a woolly hat in cold weather. However, although I don't like to appease her usually I did wear a helmet this time, with a cover on and a cycling hijab underneath in the hope that it would keep my head warm. I've bought some head torch helmet clips to keep a head torch band in place. Worked well enough.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240119sunset.jpg)
I'm not sure if my head was as warm as it would have been in a "dutt", but then again my feet and hands were unusually cold as well. Took the pic a few minutes after sunset, and wished I'd brought my other phone. It would have taken a much better photo.
The road between Sibson and Shenton is lovely cycling territory. Every time I do it I resolve to do it more often in future. Then I don't.
Anyway back on 32.66. 297 done this month.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10589972016
Hadn't been out on a bike for a few days so I was very much looking forward to downing tools early this afternoon and getting 40 miles or so in. Bright, dry, mild (about 8C) but the wind from the west was pretty stiff.
I decided on the Lower Westbound Route and did that, except that I went up to Ashby and through Packington on the way out west. Also, bizarrely, I took the wrong turn from Measham, through Oakthorpe and Dinisthorpe. I've done this once before - deliberately, and decided I wasn't going to do it again. But I have done it again, out of absent-mindedness.
Got as far as King's Bromley, then turned back. The wind was supposed to have dissipated a bit by this time, meaning I'd only have a weak tailwind on the way home. But I don't think it had, or not by much. It definitely gave me a decent push along the flat bit from Bromley to Croxall.
Really nice out there - makes a big difference having dry, mild conditions. A few puddles and wet patches on the road, but not much. Nice to have a bit more daylight in the afternoon as well.
Back on 44.85 miles which takes me over target for the month (the 2024 target is 4550).
https://www.strava.com/activities/10622296894
After four days staying in to avoid the weather, I manned up and went out on the roads. Was supposed to be gusting at 50+mph but it didn't seem too bad. Mainly because I set out with the wind behind me and it did drop as the ride went on. Also, as ever, my fitness drops off a cliff after a few days off the bike and it was a struggle no matter what.
Didn't stray too far from home, but you won't do when you only do 20 miles. Felt like 40. There was someone feeling worse than me out there though, I overtook a bloke on Slag Lane who was two thirds of the way up when I started, couldn't believe I'd do it. Wish the council would reinstate the road signs, but as nobody lives on it they don't have to. Used to enjoy seeing if they'd last more than two days.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10619796225
Thought I might give it a miss today as the day was a lot more grizzly drizzly than forecast, but it stopped so I started. Didn't do too much, Just 25 miles, but it's good to get out. Can't remember much about it, which I suppose is a good sign, in that there can't have been any totally brain dead drivers out today.
Now at 355 miles for January which is better than any full January apart from 2021, might be a chance of getting in another 100 to top that.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10626417821
And out again for another 25 miler. Nice sunny day if a bit windy. Not as windy as Wednesday, but I felt its effects more, bit of being blown around on a few sections today, at least not further out into the road though.
Went up through Dronfield for the first time this year and got over 800 feet up for the first time this year, which meant U completed the Strava climbing challenge. I never join until I've completed it - so I can't fail - but hadn't noticed that the target had dropped from 7,500m to 7,000m, so I'd actually done it yesterday. Could have had a rest.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10632701613
I did a Twycross Bypasser, always a nice option on a Friday after work. Dry and sunny to start off, but uncomfortably cold after sunset. Quite a strong wind from the west.
Lovely along Atterton Lane at dusk. Tranquil.
Only wanted to do 35 miles really, but I ended up with another 40.15 in the bag.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240126.jpg)
The weather looks thoroughly decent for Sunday, dry and about 10C. Northamptonshire and back, I think.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10634750796
And another 27 miles of gentle spinning out today. I was hoping it would be gentle, but the Garmin told me that I'd been riding at Tempo and should therefore rest for 72 hours. I suppose that's better than VO2 max, mist be getting fitter. It also puts me over 400 miles for January, only the second time I've reached that landmark.
After a couple of days of decent drivers on the road, the eejits were out and about again. A set of traffic lights at a single lane bridge under Chesterfield railway station were replaced before Christmas and today I noticed there was a smaller set for cyclists, these go green a few seconds before the main set, but of course as soon as I set off the car divers behind set off ??? On the way back the driver was trying to get by revving his engine even though he couldn't get by because of the single lane, then traffic on the other carriageway, at the junction at the top he came out right by me. Prick.
Then I signalled right to pull off up our drive, but the bus following me still tried to come by on the inside, but I had to stop because of oncoming traffic. Mrs S - who was out cutting the hedge by the drive - said one of the passengers was mouthing off at me and flicking V signs. So even bloody moronic bus passengers have it in for cyclists.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10639652051
A stiff wind was coming from the south but it was a dry and sunny day. Not too cold. Agreeable conditions for a southbound fondo, to get another neighbouring county box ticked (Northamptonshire).
I was up at about 0800 and expected to have set off by 0915 or so, but I dawdled a bit over breakfast and didn't leave until 0950. Probably for the best, because it was a bit warmer by then and I had plenty of time.
Stopped for a wee after 11 miles. Unfortunately the farm gate I'd leaned the bike against wasn't secured, the wind caught it and pushed the bike over. The bike was fine though except that the mirror popped out of its ball joint. I assumed I'd have to do without it for the rest of the ride. The last time I did that (by exactly the same method) I was unable to push it back on. I think I resorted to using a vice or something. This time though I did manage to get it back on by brute force when I stopped and had a go a few miles later.
I was very happy to find the shop at Gilmorton open - they close at 1pm on a Sunday apparently, and I got there at 1230. So I treated myself to lunch on one of the tables outside. I bought some stuff to eat on the way back, as well.
I took the left to Sibbertoft Gliding Club, to cross the boundary there rather than Welford. Kept going into Northamptonshire for half a mile or so then turned back. It's an unusual county boundary, at least at that point. Doesn't have a natural feature like a stream or an old road. It just crosses a field.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240128gilmo.jpg)
I tried a modification to the route. One negative about the southbound route is having to slog up a hill into Earl Shilton both ways. But while experimenting with a route planner yesterday, I found that I could avoid this by taking the bypass. It circles round the hill. This involves taking a short, winding, narrow cycle path between the usual route and the bypass, which I'm not keen on - I did notice a few thorny creepers straggled across the path, and I know from unfortunate experience that a thorn can give you a puncture. But I avoided them, and it was very nice not to have to pedal up that hill.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240128_npton.jpg)
Quite often a strong wind dies down in the afternoon but not today, which was nice as it meant I had a noticeable tailwind on the way back.
Listened mostly to 5 Live - the Australian Open mens' singles final and some very entertaining FA Cup footy. I also listened to 45 minutes or so of David Hepworth's Uncommon People, not bad. He writes well but he waffles.
Back nearly 3 minutes before sunset. 66.83 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10648921031
Another 27 miles done for me today. Once I'd watched the Women's Cyclo Cross and the last 20km of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (Still got the men's CX, GP Marseillaise and Challenge Mallorca to watch)
Wasn't as warm as I thought it would be so was glad to have put the merino base layer on especially as the wind was quite fresh at times. Tried my very best to complete a ride at base level, but failed miserably, so Tempo will have to do. Think it was having to ride into the wind so much. Just need to get 15.5 miles in for my best ever January, looks like it will have to be Wednesday.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10648682828/
Wasn't expecting to be able to ride a bike today but the forecast improved considerably, so I did. I had scheduled work at 1800 so I abandoned my desk rather early to be back in time. But I only wanted to do 30-odd anyway.
Dry and sunny, but cold, about 5C, diminishing rapidly after sunset. Windier than advertised, as well. I did a Twycrosser.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240130bike.jpg)
I meant to take the same road between Sibson and Shenton that I did on the 19th, but I took the wrong turn and went through Upton instead. But that was a road I hadn't done for a while, and pleasant enough in its own way.
Back 45 mins after sunset, but it was still just about light enough to see the road.
Another 33.21 miles and that'll be it for January. Pretty pleased with 481 miles this month.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10661737487
Got out this morning and did the 32 miles which gets me comfortably ahead of my previous best January mileage. If I can do it again tomorrow I'll get to 500 miles which I would be very happy with.
If I do go out tomorrow it won't involve hills though. Today was my first ride into the Peak District this year and my first - brief - venture outside Derbyshire on the Jordanthorpe Parkway. But even taking the nice gentle ride to the tops was a bit of a drag. Still, a nice day for it.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10660078403
And I got in the required 32 miles - 33 and a bit to make sure - and got to 500 miles for January. Even at the end of last week I didn't think I'd get there, but get there I did. Hope the rest of the year carries on as well as that (It won't if Riverside are touring in May...)
Did my usual check to make sure roads were roadwork free for the way I wanted to go and they were. Only to find a closed road. Blast. Turns out a burst watermain had led to a multicar pile up. Hmmmm. Only problem was my diversionary route, which I hadn't checked had four way traffic lights at roadworks on a roundabout. Turned red as soon as I go there :( Of course a car then pulled bang alongside me and when the lights changed - after five minutes - he turned left alongside me, not checking to see if I got off safely. Drivist wanker.
What will February bring?
https://www.strava.com/activities/10667317256
Got February underway today. Longest ride of the year for me so far, all of 35 miles. Does that say something about me or the weather?
First ride up to the tops through Cutthorpe as well this year. First time since 24th November last year, now that DOES say something about the weather, normally do it once a week no matter what time of year, but it's just been so wet and miserable. Felt pretty miserable today with it being my first climb with more than 500 ft of elevation gain and a headwind that must have been twice as strong as forecast.
Luckily it's flattish up top, so a nice ride around a bit before a quick descent. That descent makes the climbing worthwhile, especially when the corners are free of gravel...
https://www.strava.com/activities/10674063730
A dry, very mild day was forecast (about 13C) so I took the afternoon off with a view to doing a long one. I decided to do the Lower Westbound route, but to take the turn for Rugeley rather than Abbots Bromley. In essence my Wales route, although I wasn't going to go nearly that far today.
I set off not long after 1100 but had a false start - After about half a mile I realised firstly that I'd forgotten to adjust the saddle on the Boardman like I intended (it came slightly loose and after I'd tightened it, it was about a centimetre too far forward), and secondly that I'd forgotten my phone. So I turned back, adjusted the saddle, went in the house for the phone and set off again.
Bit of a bothersome headwind on the way out. But the sun came out, which I wasn't expecting. I stopped after about 38 miles (including the superfluous mile at the start) and turned back. I'd done about half of the Wales route.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/230202.jpg.jpg)
I missed the turn for Armitage and King's Bromley on the way back, but only realised some time later. I'm sure I did the same thing on the way back from Wales, last time. But I saw a turn for King's Bromley a bit later on and took that. My unnecessary detour added about four miles but I didn't mind - it was well-surfaced and mostly flat, and I had a decent tailwind so I was flying along.
The A51 was resurfaced in part a couple of years ago and it was pretty rough for a few miles but I'm glad to say it's bedded in nicely now.
I listened to 5 Live, and started the next Reacher novel, 61 Hours.
Back two hours after sunset, on 79.71 miles. Very enjoyable trip.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10683138934
Only got 17 miles in today :( It's the Cyclocross World Championships this weekend and I'd got three races to watch. Yes, I know I could watch on catch-up, but there's the Alula tour and Volta a Communitat Valencia on too. I love watching cycling me, it pissed off Mrs S that I can find so much...
Thought I might get a couple of hours in, but no sooner had I set off than a persistent drizzle set in, just on a day when I'd decided not to bother with overshoes. Forecast was for 10% chance of rain after 17:00. Ho-hum. Tomorrows forecast has a 42% chance of rain in the afternoon, so hopefully it'll be dry.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10688801065/
Well, forecast went to 26% chance of rain after 16:00 so out I went into a rain free outdoors. Didn't stop out long, did like an urban cyclocross course - in my fevered imagination - long enough to do 12 miles and get over 130 miles for the week, my highest weekly road tally for the year so far.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10696296194
With a dodgy looking weather forecast for most of the week, I decided to forego my Monday off. Unfortunately I forgot to set my alarm and ended up a bit of a slugabed.
However, I did manage to get out and get a ride in before doing the tasks Mrs S had set for me this afternoon (over and above vacuuming up Woodlice). Nice enough 25 mile ride and I got the cobwebs well and truly blown away.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10700681978
Wasn't able to abandon my desk as early as I wanted due to a meeting but it was mild and dry, if a bit windy and gloomy. I thought I'd do the usual 30-odd after work. I did a Bypasser.
Saw a helicopter travelling in a south-westerly direction not long after setting off and wondered if it was headed to the "helipad" field near Measham. Sure enough when I passed the field it was there, red lights flashing and spinning up the rotor blades. I stopped and watched it take off.
Even better, I saw an old steam locomotive on a huge trailer being pulled along Gallows Lane.
Tested a new torch that I bought at Tesco on an impulse - it takes 4 AAs and is quite heavy so not practical for longer rides but great for these shorter jaunts. Very bright.
Listened to 5 Live and more Reacher.
Back on 37.27 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10703141853
Would have been a lovely day for an eastbound fondo - very light winds, no chance of rain and mostly bright and sunny (albeit I'd have been coming back in the dark). But I had scheduled work late this afternoon so I couldn't. So I took a long lunch break instead. I did a Twycrosser.
Once again I saw a helicopter apparently headed for the field near Measham and sure enough it was parked there when I passed the field fifteen minutes later. I saw a well-dressed lady in her 50s in a Range Rover pulling away from the gate, a man of a similar age in a business suit was walking along the path to the helicopter.
Quite an enjoyable run out, if brief. Nice to do the whole thing in daylight, at least. Back on 26.35.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10715495867
Another struggle to get out of bed day, but a make the most of the weather day. For the first time this year I got over 40 miles on a ride. Looking back, that's the first time in nearly four months! I really am slacking in my retirement, very much a fair weather cyclist these days. Wish I'd put what's left of my overshoes on though as it was none too warm and my feet ended up as ice blocks.
I think today's dry and still conditions had brought out a lot of fair weather cyclists, but then again it's the first day where I've come across several of the popular routes out of Sheffield. I was going to drop down to the Derwent Valley and come back up Froggatt, but I think that might have done me in. As it was my Garmin reckoned I was a cycling Zombie for the last 14 miles, with <1 mile left in me, <1% stamina and <1% potential stamina. Ha! Tell that to the bloke I overtook three times - it's a long story...
https://www.strava.com/activities/10714518503/
Went for my pre-ride bowel void this morning and it was eye of a needle time. Gut problems or last night's curry? TMI? I didn't feel too bad, so out it was, yup, better out than in.
I was hoping to get in two hours or 32 miles, whichever was longer - hey there's six bike races on today, can't spend all day riding - but it came in at 31 miles and 6 minutes under two hours. Too much rain started coming down, I'm sure it wasn't forecast yesterday, but there it was.
Still, it was a nice enough ride on my not straying too far from home, trying to keep it steady route. Heart rate wasn't that steady, up a bit on what I'd like, but that was probably due to a surfeit of red wine and chocolate digestives yesterday.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10733687262
Thankfully a reasonably solid bowel void today. Sure you're all glad to know that. Today I did manage the two hours or 32 miles, whichever was longer. Although half way round I thought it would be the 32 miles which was the longer. However a mainly following wind and downhill section got me to 32 miles with 16 seconds to spare, so I had to add on a trip round Sainsbury's roundabout to get two hours in.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10742265652/
Hadn't been out on a bike for a few days so I was glad to get an opportunity after work today. Nice and dry, but windy and rather cold. I did a Bypasser, with a bit of exploring at the south-eastern end near Dordon. I'd been over that way once before, there's a nice view looking back into Leicestershire from the high ground there. But I took a different route last time, along a horrible narrow gravelly road (Dordon Hall Lane I think).
Comfortable enough before sunset but very cold after that. Listened to another couple of hours of the Reacher novel.
Back on 40.15, 183 this month. Really looking forward to longer days and warmer weather. But quite enjoying a bit of night riding for now.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10749507606
Purely daylight riding for me. Wouldn't risk anything less than good light with all the local ne'er do wells in these here parts. Made two hours today, but not quite 32 miles.
Trying my best to do base level rides, taking it steadily, thought I'd get close today, but still came out as VO2 max, not even Tempo. All because my Heart rate strap thingy was playing up, registering 150+ bpm on a stretch of road where it's normally about 110. Then the last couple of miles it was showing 170, I'm sure I'd know if it were at that level, I only get to 160 when putting in effort on a long steep climb. Perhaps it's time to switch to my spare.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10746516697
Looking at the forecast for the week ahead on Sunday, I thought that Monday would be the best bet for getting out this week. It was quite nice this morning though, even a bit of sunshine at times. So out I went, didn't stay that bright for long and on the drag up to Tibshelf the rain started, so I came back. Just fizzled out to a gentle drizzle, then dry by the time I got home, but by then I couldn't be arsed to do more so stopped at 27 miles. Puts me on 750 miles for the year though, 8 days quicker than I've got that far before.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10752928328
The weather's been quite a bit better this week than the forecast said on Sunday. Although yesterday was rainier than was forecast on Tuesday evening. That was fine by me as I didn't feel like going out, felt a bit off it.
Felt better today though and did without a base layer. Could have done with bib shorts and a short sleeved jersey, it was properly warm today. Felt very spring like and in Cutthorpe the Daffodils were out. The Snowdrops have only just come out in out garden, so it must be a favoured spot. The spring had gone out of my steps though then. Haven't been doing enough long climbs this year and it shows. The wind didn't help either. Only got the benefit on the uphill section to Owler Bar. Which then meant it was a complete slog when I retraced my steps. Don't like having to put out 250+ Watts to do 15 mph on the flat.
It's another 32 miles done, but 2021 is catching up with me, 2023 is still far behind me.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10766415997
Sunny, dry and mild by the time I downed tools this afternoon. A bit windy though. I set off to do 20-odd of the Lower Westbound route, then come back. Got as far as Handsacre then came back.
Quite a bit of standing water from heavy rain overnight, and some of the fields had been transformed into shallow lakes.
Listened mostly to more of the Reacher novel, just a few hours from the (no doubt righteously brutal) climax now. Back on 49.54 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10775648899
First time out for a while.. was hoping to do 10-12 miles as a starter but ended up doing just over 16.. big of slog tbh... quite a cold wind but stayed dry luckily.. will need to make a concerted effort to get out more often now that we have more daylight..and better weather hopefully...
Weather forecast was awful this morning but it was dry when I set off. That soon changed and it rained pretty much non stop for the next 3 hours. Gradually I could feel my hands then my feet go numb. Decided against a coffee stop as there's nothing worse than stopping and realising just how sodden you are. The wet soon turns to cold and becomes pretty unbearable. Hands were so numb when I got home that I couldn't turn the door key or even release the helmet clasp.
All good again after a shower and lycra wash. Bike will need to be cleaned tomorrow.
Groundhog day today. Whatever I wrote for last Saturday applies again. Must stop the curry and bottle of red wine on a Friday night. But then again it doesn't afflict me that much.
Slightly longer today as I put in an extra short loop round Heath. Thought I might get to 35 miles, but I missed out a bit in Calow to avoid roadworks. Gets me over 800 miles for the year anyway. Binned the Heart strap when I got back on the assumption its that that's giving stupidly high random heart rates. Now where did I put the spare?
https://www.strava.com/activities/10779938594
The weather forecast for today had improved substantially by this morning, to the point where I thought I might be able to get a fondo in without getting rained on. I set off at about 1045 to do the Upper Westbound route. That's an option that's fallen out of favour recently for apres-work rides due to the irritation of having to share the Beloved A Road with rush hour traffic, but no such reservations apply on a Sunday.
I stocked up on food at the petrol station near Hatton. Crisps, a sandwich and a Fry's Peppermint Cream. Then, rather than turning south into Hatton I decided to keep on - I suspected that my way would be blocked by a flooded road near Scropton (again) so I wanted to do a bit of exploring. I continued on to Foston, then took a road north called Hay Lane. I've been up there before. It's a bit narrow, twisty, bumpy and gravelly but I perservered until I came to impassable water. Then I came back south onto the main road again. Then I tried a road north called Woodyard Lane until, once again, I came to a watery impasse. I turned back south again.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240218gutter.jpg)
By the time I was back on the main road I'd decided not to bother going down through Hatton and Scropton at all. I decided just to head for home, but add a few miles some other way. I took a detour through Etwall from Hiilton, and after Swarkestone, I came back the long way via Weston, Aston, Shardlow and Castle Donington.
A nice mild day. Sunny when I set off, then gloomy for a bit with a faint hint of drizzle. Then nice sunshine again. I didn't get rained on but I went through water on the roads so many times that the bike was filthy when I got back. I actually gave it a cursory hose down and clean with some car shampoo before putting it away, which is a very rare turn of events for me. Only took ten minutes, not a proper clean by any means. But I should do that more often.
I took the first pic at the left turn onto the main road, after Etwall. Water was gurgling into the drain at about a litre a second (at a guess). Both wheels were up to the spoke nipples in it.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240218bike.jpg)
Arrived at the road next to the runway at East Midlands just in time to see a plane take off, going west. A 737 I think.
Listened to footy on 5 Live and the rest of the Reacher novel, 61 Hours. Definitely better than the last two.
Back on 65.24 miles, about 45 minutes before sunset. 298 done this month.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10788995520
And today I repeated last Sunday, but with an extra loop on the tops to make sure I did a bit extra. Onwards and Upwards and all that. 34 miles means my first 150 mile week of the year, won't be beaten this week.
Put my spare Heart monitor strap in today and was thankfully free of spurious spikes, Max rate today was 151 bpm on an uphill section. Last week it got to 170 - downhill. Maybe my Garmin will recommend better training routines now - not that I'll take any notice.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10788724493/
Got a couple of rides in this week. Had to, the weather forecast for tomorrow isn't good, then I'm off on holiday to Birmingham - seriously - for a couple of days.
Yesterday was just a Tempo spin on my attempted base level route. Today was a bit stiffer, cycling out into a stiff breeze and my first ascent of the Col du Wigley since last September. Can't believe that, but there were a lot of roadworks being done on it so I've been avoiding it. First trip to Beeley Moor since October, that's the weather.
All in all 68 miles which gets me to 925 for the year, which is more than I've ever done by this stage of the year. Will the weather let me get to 1,000 by the end of February? Will my legs?
https://www.strava.com/activities/10800118929
The plan for today, to take advantage of a rare dry day with the wind coming from the east, was to do Lincolnshire and back. I worked out a route last night that would take me to a new entry point to the county of Isaac Newton. Essentially my usual route over to Waltham, Stonesby, Buckminster et al, except that I took a left turn before Waltham along five miles of road I hadn't done before - toward Grantham, through a village called Croxton Kerrial, then to the Lincolnshire border a bit further on.
So I did that. I can't say I greatly enjoyed the new stretch of road - the first couple of miles of it were a mostly gritty narrow lane with passing places. The rest of it had a long, steep descent followed by a slog of a climb (which of course meant the same again coming back).
On the way out I took the high road via Rempstone and Wymeswold to avoid standing water. On the way back though I needed to refuel at Burton on the Wolds petrol station because the village shop wasn't open at Croxton. So I took the more usual route, and I did have to propel the bike through a couple of floods. Nothing dramatic. Just a couple of inches of water.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240225bike.jpg)
I detoured via Waltham to avoid the narrow lane on the way back as well. After Belton I came back down through Griffydam and Coleorton, just to do something a bit different.
Cool at first but after a couple of hours I was warm enough to remove my overtrousers and outer nylon top layer. Really nice in the sun. On the way back the temperature dropped quite quickly so I put them back on at the petrol station. Made a very welcome difference.
I had to contend with quite a stiff headwind going east, but the wind speed actually increased gradually over the afternoon which meant that - for a change - the tailwind on the way back was stronger than the headwind had been.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240225croxton.jpg)
Really glad to be out on a bike for a few hours after a week of rubbish weather. I listened mostly to footy on 5 Live (most notably the EFL cup final).
Back on 76.69. That's 375 this month which is nicely over target. Also, my average distance for 2023 is up to 45.07.
That's another neighbouring county ticked for this year, just Rutland to do now.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10836561730
Done a couple of rides after my "holiday" in Brum. A 25 miler at Temp yesterday and a 33 miler at VO2 max today.
It was hard going at times today with an 18mph Northerly. A 2.8 mile segment into the wind took me 3 and a half minutes more than a couple of weeks ago. Wasn't able to make it back up on the way back. There's no Strava segment for the way back, but I think I only got 2 minutes back.
It all gets me to within 19 miles of 1,000 miles for the year, hopefully do that in the next three days.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10840265809
And a nice gentle couple of hours gets me 31 miles and up to over 1,000 miles for the year and over 500 miles for February. Do I try and get more in or relax?
https://www.strava.com/activities/10847061857
Last week outside work I noticed a van advertising a mobile bike repair service. I'd noticed that the chain had begun to jump if went into too high a gear too soon, also steering had gone a little stiff. I called the number and he agreed to collect the bike yesterday morning. He gave it a look over and said the chain was a disaster, rear cassette was done for too. He took it away and brought it back as I was finishing up for the day.
New chain, new cassette, ball bearings in head tube and bottom bracke, new handlebar tape and a general service. Bike now riding like new. He said the brake pads were fine but he must have tightened the cables or something as when I braked for the first time I nearly went over the handlebars!
I really myst get better at looking after the bike myself. Any recommendations for where I can get to learn more
Quote from: dom on February 29, 2024, 10:05:09 AMI really must get better at looking after the bike myself. Any recommendations for where I can get to learn more
No ;D
I just sort of picked a few things up as I went along. Google search here, Youtube video there, having a decent bike mechanic and listening to his tips on things to look out for.
Just remember things like checking brake pad wear, they're easy to replace. I got a chain wear indicator tool to see when the chain gets "stretched" with quick links they're easy to replace and it's recommended to change your rear cassette every third chain. It does mean an investment in tools though.
I'm the same, the first Boardman has been a very useful cycle maintenance course. There are lots of useful YouTube videos for pretty much everything and I just picked it up as I went along.
Which reminds me - the next reasonably mild dry day, I have to put the new rear mech on the Planet X. I bought a new chain for it as well.
I have yet to change a brake pad. The Boardman has gone through a rear mech, a front mech, two sets of handlebar tape, a seat post and a few cables, but it has yet to wear out a brake pad.
Quote from: Slim on February 29, 2024, 10:59:50 AMI'm the same, the first Boardman has been a very useful cycle maintenance course. There are lots of useful YouTube videos for pretty much everything and I just picked it up as I went along.
Which reminds me - the next reasonably mild dry day, I have to put the new rear mech on the Planet X. I bought a new chain for it as well.
I have yet to change a brake pad. The Boardman has gone through a rear mech, a front mech, two sets of handlebar tape, a seat post and a few cables, but it has yet to wear out a brake pad.
All by yourself ? That's impressive!
It's had two new rear cassettes as well now I think about it, about three chains and new wheels (though that was just an upgrade, there was nothing wrong with the old ones). It had a new stem as well come to think of it. It's a bit of a Trigger's broom. And yep, did it all myself but it's not that hard once you get into it.
I did have it serviced by a bike mechanic about a year ago but that was mainly due to idleness and wanting to get it cleaned properly. He didn't replace anything except cables.
I don't do cables when they're internally routed, even the "pros" don't like doing that. Not tried doing hydraulic brake fluid either, I'll leave that to someone else.
I felt sure I wasn't going to get out again this month due to rotten weather, but happily the forecast for this afternoon changed. I'd abandoned my desk and set off on a Twycrosser by 1545. Only wanted to do 30-odd miles since it was likely to rain later, but that would see me over 400 for the month.
Stopped along Gibbet Lane on the way back to put my lights on - and found that I didn't have a rear light attached to the Tricross. Well, no matter - I was bound to have a strappy one in my backpack. And I did, but the little plastic hook that tethers the two ends of the silicon loop had gone missing. I tried to fashion a makeshift connection, but no joy. Fortunately the head torch in my backpack had a red light mode, so I switched that on and put it on my head backwards.
Not so fortunately, the red light would only stay on for a few minutes. I have no idea why. I only found that out because I got shouted at, not unreasonably, by passing motorists a couple of times.
Absolutely disgraceful that I didn't check I had proper lighting before setting off. I must own about 15 rear bike lights, as well.
Still - I didn't get run down. Back on 33.74 miles. 409 this month.
Very pleasant out there, not too cold and there was even a bit of weak sunshine early on, just enough to cast faint shadows though it wasn't bright. I didn't get rained on though I went through standing water a couple of times.
Nice to get a ride in on a Feb 29th. An opportunity to boost the yearly tally that you don't usually get.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10863259743
Didn't go out yesterday as I felt as if I had incipient "Man Flu". Went out today as I felt a bit more like it. I don't now...
Oh, it's good to get out though. Especially with it being a bonus day, nearly got 33 miles in, and just made it out for two hours. It got me to 545 miles for February, which I assume is my best February ever with 37,000 feet of elevation gain.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10860953156
Very good weather for cycling - low wind, dry, sunny and reasonably mild. Decided to do the Southbound route, and set off not long after 1000.
Remarkably, I missed the turn for Ellistown after about two miles. My mind was somewhat preoccupied with bathroom renovation activities. However I ploughed on down the A444, took a left along Grange Lane and was back on track in no time. Actually a more direct route, which cuts a mile off compared to going through Ellistown. I normally avoid it because I'm not keen on pedalling down the A444 any longer than I have to, but today it was fine. Something to think about for the next Northampton excursion.
Once again I took the bypass round Earl Shilton to avoid the hill.
At Gilmorton I was delighted to find the village shop open, with the enticing prospect of a Cornish pasty and a lemon curd crumble slice. I went in, took my phone out of my pocket and realised I'd brought the wrong one. I have three phones, all provided by my employer. But the one I'd brought with me doesn't have a SIM card. No Google Pay, no treats. I left.
I still had a Tesco cheese pasty, an oat bar and enough water on me. So I pressed on. I turned back after 31 miles though, thinking that it wasn't prudent to stray too far from home without a working phone or money. Maybe I should keep an emergency £10 note in my usual bikes.
Alas, on the way back I somehow turned left on Lutterworth Road instead of crossing straight over. Too much on my mind again. I decided I'd just press on and see if I could follow my nose home. This took me, eventually, to a place called Bitteswell. I decided to consult Google Maps, in the hope that I was in my "local area" offline map region, downloaded automatically by the app for offline use. I didn't have a mobile broadband signal, of course.
I wasn't, but at least the app told me roughly where I was in relationship to it even if I couldn't see the local roads on it. So I aimed the bike in the right direction and hoped for the best. Fortunately I saw a road sign to Broughton Astley a few miles later.
I added 8 or 9 miles, but I must say the new roads were idyllic cycling territory, especially on a day like today. Must remember to go down that way again.
(https://i.ibb.co/y5Lxv2T/240303bike.jpg)
Fortunately the food I had on me was more than adequate. I ate a lot of lasagne last night for reasons that have nothing to do with cycling, and I think there's definitely something to be said for carb loading.
I was irritated by a woman driving a Range Rover following me along Broughton Lane. She had loads of time and space to overtake me but she wouldn't, and after a few minutes she had a tail of traffic half a mile long crawling behind her. Naturally a couple of them decided it was my fault after she did eventually overtake, gesticulating or beeping their horns as they passed.
I listened to footy on 5 Live. Burnley (surely going down now) vs Bournemouth and the first half of the Manchester derby.
Back on 71.42 miles. That was this year's sixth fondo.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10882836844
After coming down with Man Flu (yes a bit of a cold, but I have felt dreadful) I decided that whatever happened I'd get back on the bike today, so long as I was capable of getting out of bed. I had too, I lose fitness too quickly. Last Friday my buns were at peak steeliness, but they'd gone flabby again by today.
I actually felt worse this morning if anything, but I said I was going out. So I did. I actually felt better cycling than at any other point of the day. I took it steadily, didn't take in any serious hills and just had a relaxing ride. I could even have got away without a base layer, if I'd put more effort in I'd have drowned in sweat.
Back to just 25 miles, but any miles is good miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10895068357
Lovely cycling weather again, mild dry and sunny. Low winds. But not so much time this afternoon unfortunately. I hoped to get about 30 miles in nonetheless.
Decided I'd do about 15 of the eastbound route then come back. However, after about 12 miles I took a fancy to a left turn I hadn't taken before (I don't think), signposted to West Leake. And once again I discovered some very pleasant cycling territory along there. Before long I saw a sign to Sutton Bonington, so I took that, and as I expected, eventually I looped back to the main road through Zouch.
I've been through Sutton Bonington a few times. It was a favourite destination when I was still building up my ride distances after buggering my knees. That part of Nottinghamshire is pleasingly flat. But I'm pretty sure I haven't done the road that loops round to it near West Leake.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240405bike.jpg)
I must make a note to go exploring over that way again.
Anyway I came back after hitting the main road again. Took the slightly longer route home after Belton, through Griffydam.
Back on 28.35. Not quite as many as I intended. But as a wise man once said, any miles is good miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10897865173
Struggling to shake off the old manflu. Got out again on Wednesday - 'cos any miles is good miles - but can't remember much about it. Yesterday I felt just as dull and damp as the weather so stayed in.
Today however was another "Kill or Cure" day. Hasn't done either, but at least escaping the first half isn't a bad thing and if truth be told I do now feel better than when I got up.
It was a bit of a chill Easterly wind out there though, not that that bothered me as I wasn't out to go quickly. Encountered a couple of sets of traffic lights at roadworks. The second set was on my "Take it Easy" loop so I couldn't do that one today, or maybe I could as they were working towards clearing them when I went through and they had gone when I came back. But there's a not quite so easy loop I could take so all was good.
To say I was taking it easy, I did manage to set my fastest ever time - and 10th fastest out of 583 - on a small climb. That's what a stiff Easterly can do. Got back just shy of 30 miles, a sign of my state was that I didn't bother to nip round Sainsbury's roundabout to top 30 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10916000373/
While looking through my bike routes on RideWithGPS this morning I came across one I'd devised, but never tried that goes eastward by a different, more southerly route through Bagworth, Markfield, Rothley, Trussington and Hoby before looping upward through Ragdale to join the usual eastbound route near Six Hills.
So: I did that this afternoon, after leaving work early. Plumbed the route into my eTrex so I wouldn't get lost.
Certainly made a nice change, but I could have done without all the hill climbing on the lower part. Nice and quiet though. Nice views. I think I did something similar a few months ago.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240308bike.jpg)
I had half a mind to do a fondo, so to that end I continued east for a bit when I got to Six Hills. But it was getting a bit cold so I turned back after about three miles. I don't often do more than 50 miles without doing a fondo and I did think about maybe an excursion into Coalville and back with a few miles to go. But there'll be longer, warmer days soon.
Saw a baby deer strolling along the grass verge at Stanford on Soar. It disappeared into someone's front garden when it heard me coming.
Back on 54.61.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10918338796
The closer I get back to feeling "normal", the harder it seems to be to turn a pedal over. Perhaps it's my subconscious saying "you're back, ride like it". Well, I'm not back and I can't ride like it.
Managed a 32 miler which I last rode on the last day of February - just before man flu - and my averaged speed was down by 0.6 mph, weighted average power down by 7W and average heart rate up 6 bpm. I love my stats me. Yet after 23 miles I was still just quicker than the previous time. All down to the wind though, it was a stiff easterly today, my five mile descent from the tops took 14 minutes 40 seconds today as against 12 minutes 31 previously. That made all the difference.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10924711979
A dry day for a change and unusually mild with it, although the wind from the south was fairly strong. I left work early with the idea of doing a decently long ride, possibly even a fondo, down the southbound route. Once again I came right down the A444 over the first few miles, rather than going through Ellistown and Bagworth.
Delightfully, I found the village shop at Gilmorton open so I bought some goodies.
I turned back after 30.3 miles, along Station Road near Husbands Bosworth. I was going to take a longer route home and I didn't want to do more than the fondo distance. I reckoned I'd be home by about 2100.
It was getting dark by this time, and I took a wrong turn down Lutterworth Road. My more serious error came after Stoney Stanton, when I failed to take the left turn to Potters Marston. I do enjoy cycling in the dark but I'm definitely more likely to make navigation errors. I realised I'd gone badly wrong when I found myself in Huncote, a place I don't think I'd ever been in my life.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240313bike.jpg)
Google Maps to the rescue then and I plotted a course homeward, but within a few miles I'd missed a turn again and found myself in Croft. That was particularly annoying because I'd descended a steep hill completely unnecessarily, and of course I had to come back up.
By this time I was convinced I wasn't going to get home until after 2200, but in fact I hadn't gone that far off track. I came back up through unfamiliar territory (Thurlaston and Desford Rd) then nearer home, the quickest possible way, through Donington le Heath rather than Ibstock and was back home on 64.58 miles. I'll put the road through Thurlaston on my list of places to revisit.
Very glad to have the tailwind on the way back, it made a big difference.
I did regret coming through Donington le Heath. It used to be fine, but there's a steep descent called Standard Hill which has been resurfaced in a bizarre wavy, ripply texture and although it's alright in a car it is absolutely boneshaking on a bike. Horrible in the dark especially.
Anyway, glad to have given the March distance tally a bit of a boost. It's been a rotten cycling month. 219 miles done and I'll be happy enough with 400.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10954222829
I've not even managed 180 miles in March yet. Still finding it hard to get back into it post Man Flu. Never felt that bad with it, but it's really knocked me back.
Got up to nearly 39 miles yesterday, I'd wanted to do 40 but just couldn't be arsed to do an extra one and a bit miles. Slogging out into a headwind didn't help and the tailwind bonus coming back couldn't pick me up that much. Nice to see that the council have been out filling in some potholes.
Today wasn't even 28 miles, but it was a hillier ride and my heart rate averaged less than yesterday, so I'm taking that as a good sign.
Much against my better judgement I went out today to get in the 34 miles to take me to 100 miles for the week and get over 200 for the month. It's getting no easier, even though it was steady I ended up feeling worse than if I'd gone for it. It kept dry though, well, dryish, there was a point when the rain started and I thought it might set in, then riding up to Sutton Scarsdale there was a clear demarcation on the road between wet and dry. I stayed on the dry side.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10964510595
Next cycling will be watching Milan - San Remo tomorrow. 288km with action in the last 40 - unless Pogi goes with 200km to go.
Rain was due over in the afternoon and I didn't want to get out of bed early, so I only wanted to do 40-odd. A simple plan: to go down the Southbound Route for 20 miles or so, then come back.
As I emerged onto the Earl Shilton bypass I saw what appeared to be cars parked on either side, at the junction. Very odd place to park, I thought .. but as I drew closer it was evident that they'd just smacked into each other head-on. I'd guess one of the drivers overestimated the time he had to turn right in the oncoming traffic. Nasty, but fortunately everyone appeared to have emerged unscathed.
At Coventry Road after 20 miles I decided to turn right to Shamford, rather than straight over to Broughton Astley. I only wanted to do a couple more miles before coming back so I was just messing around really. Then I took a left turn signposted to Frolesworth. I expected it to devolve into a gritty track more suited to a gravel bike but no, it was a thoroughly decently surfaced, quiet road. Not particularly interesting though, just a road through farmland.
Frolesworth is also not particularly interesting. Quite a pleasant little village but one of those places that has a church but no pubs or shops, which I find perverse. My intention had been to turn back and come the same way but I saw a sign to Broughton Astley, so I followed that. I came back the usual way from there.
The rain came down three hours earlier than it was supposed to, but it was light. Was sunny over the first hour of the ride.
Home on 47.22 miles. 266 this month.
I listened to Judas Priest's Unleashed in the East. I don't think I've listened to the whole thing since the early 1980s, and actually I still haven't, I switched it off to go in the Co-op at Stoney to get a croissant and put 5 Live on when I came out. Then 6 Music, then a corking FA Cup tie between Wolves and Coventry.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10972138894
After spending waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy too much time watching cycling yesterday, I thought I'd better get out today. Thankfully the weather gods were smiling as it was mostly sunny and mostly warm. Almost too warm for a long-sleeved jersey and bib-tights, but a fresh wind on the tops made me glad to be covered. The fingerless gloves made their first appearance of the year.
I'd hoped to get 40 miles in and I did get 40 miles in. Only the second time this year, oh the shame. Hard work at times, but that last seven miles downhill makes it all worthwhile. Thought I heard a Curlew today, but not sure, perhaps it was just a Lew.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10981425705/
We haven't been particularly fortunate with the weather recently so with a dry, very mild day forecast I took the afternoon off, with a view to doing a decently long ride. I decided I'd do the Southbound Route again, this time all the way down to Northampton. I reckoned I'd be back by about 9pm, but I got up a lot earlier than I expected. So I'd put in a decent shift and was away and pedalling shortly after 1000.
I was going to wear contact lenses. Unfortunately I lost one of them under my eyelid (again). It's still up there somewhere. So, with my cycling glasses away having new lenses fitted, I wore my regular metal frame varifocals. Unfortunately they are singularly unsuitable for cycling because they don't sit high enough on my nose. Fine for checking a watch or something on a handlebar but looking forward, I often only had an unassisted view over the top of the frame.
I got to Northampton at about 1415. Went into Kingsthorpe, past the guest house where I lived for a few months in 1984. Along St George Avenue, past the Racecourse - lovely to see the sun shining on the grass, all very nostalgic. Then I came back.
Took a diversion past the gliding club at Sibbertoft on the way back up. Nothing happening there today. I came the "old" way back up through Husbands Bosworth, Foston and Blaby, which is slightly shorter but I came a long way back through the village to get into three figures. Back on 101.87.
This was the first time I'd been out on the Roubaix for months, and I was surprised to find that the saddle felt a little lower than I expected. Fortunately I had an Allen key on me and I adjusted it after 20 miles or so. But I made a note of the exact position (the seat post has a scale printed on the back). Sure enough when I checked it later in the day, it had sunk 5mm or so. I reset it and tightened it a bit harder. I normally set it using a torque wrench but I set it as tight as I dared (it's carbon so not as robust as an alloy one would be). It seemed to stay put after that. Not sure whether I should re-torque it, or just leave it. Perhaps I need to apply some grip paste.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240318bike.jpg)
This is a more challenging long ride than most in my repertoire because of all the hill climbing coming north of Northampton, but I kept myself well fuelled and it was a breeze.
That was a really nice day out on a bike, especially when the sun was out. The day flew by.
I listened to Camel's Rain Dances - pretty bland stuff really but quite pleasant and calming. And The Colourfield's Virgins and Philistines, which is powerfully evocative of the time when I first lived in Northampton. Apart from that, 5 Live and, earlier in the day, James O'Brien on LBC. I agree with almost nothing he says, in fact it's obvious his main reason for getting up in the morning is to piss people off. But he's very entertaining, in an unintentional sort of way.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10988332354
Probably doesn't surprise you but James O'Brien is great!
Finally got my first spin of March under my hat on Sunday. Poor really but a combination of poor weather and family commitments prevented me from going out sooner.
On Friday evening I did join a fitness class though, specifically targeted at improving cycling strength. Lots of core and leg work. Fair bit of balance stuff too. I felt fine on Saturday morning but really struggled after the spin on Sunday. Legs were sore and it was only a modest distance.
We'll see if it makes any difference to my cycling abilities by the time it ends in mid April
Getting old sucks. Nice day weatherwise yesterday, but after Sunday I hadn't got it in my legs. Went out today though, managing 42.5 miles - best of the year so far! - with 3,180 feet of climbing, the most I've managed in one ride this year. Averaged over 16 mph too, which isn't too bad. Hopefully tomorrow will be rainy as I don't think I've got it in me to go out tomorrow.
Did managed to get away from my recent keep it steady "rut" roads though, hasn't done some since last September, which probably says something about the shitty weather we've been having as normally Winter doesn't keep me away from them. Still ahead of where I was back in 2021 my "best" cycling year, but I'm not putting together three hillier 40+ milers with more climbing like I could back then.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10992793468
Quote from: dom on March 19, 2024, 05:11:00 PMProbably doesn't surprise you but James O'Brien is great!
It'll be interesting to see if he can come off the ramipril when Labour get into government
Quote from: David L on March 19, 2024, 10:19:21 PMQuote from: dom on March 19, 2024, 05:11:00 PMProbably doesn't surprise you but James O'Brien is great!
It'll be interesting to see if he can come off the ramipril when Labour get into government
I would answer that, but it would get too political for the non political section
Did it rain yesterday? Must have, as I didn't get out on the bike. Can't remember what I did do. Would it rain today? Forecast said no. So out on the bike then.
I was aiming for a modest gain in my longest ride of the year, trying for 45 miles. Did I get there? Not quite. At my furthest point from home it started raining. Not much, but rain nonetheless. Rain which I must have been at the back edge of as the roads were piss wet and I soon got a very cold and wet arse and back. Feet got a bit chilly too, toes were purple, blue and white when I got back.
So, I made a bit of a more direct way home and finished at 43.4 miles, but at least I hit the Strava climbing challenge target. Pity about the rain as I was feeling better on the bike today, heart rate was in the zones where I'd expect it to be. What will the weekend bring?
https://www.strava.com/activities/11007684587
After aborting yesterday's ride due to rain, I say aborting, but it felt full term to me, I got absolutely saturated. The forecast was for 34% chance of drizzle, well that was 100% wet and if it were drizzle I'd hate to see a Noachian deluge. I couldn't see either as the rain had washed out all the accumulated salt in my helmet lining into my eyes which were stinging like buggery. On the plus side Mrs S has cleaned my cycling shoes.
Today was sunny, with 0% chance of precipitation and thankfully the forecast was bang on. I was a bit late out due to watching Gent-Wevelgem, but an 18:26 sunset was enough for me to get 40 miles in. Taking me to 395 for March.
Strayed over to Nottinghamshire for the first time this year. Derbyshire's roads have now deteriorated to the same standard as Nott's, so it was a seamless transition. Got my average speed up to 18mph after 20 miles, first time I've done that in ages, but a headwind knocked that back to 17 by the end.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11030574681/
Put a new chain on the Bianchi yesterday. Looking at my replacement schedule the old one had done over 5,500 miles. Can't believe it, but it was filthy and well above the 0.5 on the chain measuring device at which they recommend changing an 11 speed chain. Managed to feed it through the rear mech incorrectly at first, which is a bind, but hey-ho.
Can't say as a new chain made much difference though today. That could be because I decided to do my first ascent of Harewood Road this year 657 ft of elevation gain is the most I've tackled in one climb this year and I can feel it. Even with a tailwind it took me 17 minutes 40 seconds against my best of 15. I noticed that since I went up it last August Ben Swift of INEOS Grenadiers has been up it in 9 minutes 27 seconds. Crikey! He's not even a climber. Still, I did overtake a couple of cyclists on the way up and tried to make it sound like I wasn't breathing hard. I think they were both about 80...
Today's 41 miles leaves me needing 63 more to get to 500 for March. Will the weather be kind? Who knows. Maybe I'll have to get up early on Sunday.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11041511647
Inching closer to 500 miles for March.
Yesterday I thought I'd get an hour and a half in before the rain. Why do I bother to think, it started after 15 minutes, so back home it was. I don't have to get wet. Six miles done.
Today, I had no idea how long I'd get. Was hoping for an hour. I got two, so that's another 30 on to the monthly tally leaving me 23.5 miles to do in two days - won't get any chance on Easter Sunday :( - which should, should, be doable. I also got home five minutes before the rain :)
https://www.strava.com/activities/11054903075
Eleven whole days since I'd been out on a bike, partly because I was away last weekend but also due to an unreasonable run of rainy conditions. The weather seems mainly to have been wet the whole year so far.
Fortunately, at the moment it looks like Saturday and Sunday will be dry this weekend. Today's weather forecast was not so promising, but I thought I'd do 25 or 30 miles anyway. The BBC forecast threatened rain from noon, but the rainfall radar picture looked more optimistic. I set off at about 1050. Just wanted to do a Twycrosser.
I was going to go all the way down to Sheepy as usual, but as I turned off down Sheepy Road, I noticed a rather threatening dark grey sky to the south. So I turned back and took the short cut down the main road. Came back along Gibbet Lane.
The rain started at 1202 exactly, so unfortunately the BBC forecast was pretty much spot on. Since I was going to get wet either way I came home the longer way through Barton and Nailstone. I also reasoned that the roads that way were less likely to be muddy.
Unexpectedly a mild, sunny day broke out over the last hour or so of the ride. It's still pretty nice out there, a couple of hours later. I could have stayed out for longer but I was getting a bit close to home, and the temptation of a coffee and a hot cross bun. I'll probably do a long one on Sunday anyway.
Back on 25.74 miles and that's 394 this month, which is over target for March.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11061737380
And I got over the 500 mile line. Woke to a drizzly day, which became a very drizzly day, then at ten it stopped and the sun came out, so out on the road I went.
Never too sure if any more wetness would turn up, so just had a gentle spin out to Heath and then rode to Sutton Scarsdale and back a couple of times before heading home to get back on 26.64 miles and thus 501.24 for March.
Hopefully get out tomorrow to put a bit of icing on the cake, but Sunday will be a big no-no as Mrs S has invited most of my living relatives over and her's too :( I tell a lie, my brother invited himself...
https://www.strava.com/activities/11061372690
Nice, gentle ride on the mtbs today. From the campsite just outside Bakewell, we headed to Moneyash but turned off to pass through Sheldon. From Sheldon to Taddington where we stopped for refreshments at The Queens Arms. Lovely little pub. After a bite to eat washed down with a pint of 'Just Nipping Out' by Little Brewing Co. and a pint of Camden Pale, we took the long descent to Miller's Dale. We wheeled the bikes up the steep path to join The Monsal Trail. Lovely stretch southwards towards Bakewell as it's a gentle downhill in that direction, taking extra care through the gloom of the tunnels. We exited the trail at Great Longstone. Through the village to The Packhorse at Little Longstone. Cracking little pub, flagstone floors and two open fires on the go. Thornbridge Astryd followed by AM PM from the same. Lovely Venison burger served with some of the best chips we've ever had with a meal out.To get us back to the site, we doubled-back through Gt. Longstone to Ashford in the Water to return by 6:00pm.
First ride for a long time and probably not much more than 15 miles. No off-road, still too much water around to risk it. Both caught the sun on our faces and feel like we've exerted ourselves enough to sleep soundly tonight.
I got a bit of icing on the cake. Mrs S wanted me to give a hand getting ready for the "guests" coming round tomorrow. I managed to sneak out for a couple of hours at midday though.
Just a steady spin out, but it felt like more. Last week I'd just got back to feeling like a cyclist and this week's been a step backwards. Well, it's felt like it, but the Garmin said I rode at Threshold today and not the regular VO2 Max. but what does that know?
Today's 32 miles got me to 533 for March and 1,581 for the year. It'll do.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11069511155
Today's plan was to visit Rutland, then come back. There are a couple of routes that accomplish this in a round trip of 60-odd miles, but I wanted to do more than that today - so I chose a route that takes in the first 40 miles of my Norfolk route, then dips south for 3 miles near Sewstern.
Set off at 0924 (BST, of course - the clocks having gained an hour overnight).
I took the first Boardman and over the first few miles I had a sense that the saddle was set a little too low, so I adjusted it before I was far out of the village (using estimated torque of course, I don't take a torque wrench with me on a ride). I don't think it had slipped. I'm just a bit more sensitive to it at the moment, having had to adjust the saddle position on the Roubaix.
I didn't have much food on me; the plan was to stock up at the petrol station at Burton on the Wolds, which I did. I also hoped to buy some more stuff at the village shop at Buckminster; alas it had closed at 1pm and I got there 25 minutes later than that. I'm not sure why the proprietors, people manifestly not persons of a Christian persuasion would close early for Easter Sunday, but hey. I pressed on regardless.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/bike240331.jpg)
Got to the border, took the pic, went over into Rutland for a minute then came back exactly the same way. I did ponder whether I should come back via Melton Mowbray where I'd be sure to find a petrol station with snacks 9 miles later, but I had a cheese & onion roll and an oat bar on me and I felt sure I'd make it to the petrol station at Burton, 26 miles later, without any trouble.
The headwind going east had been slightly brutal. But the tailwind coming back was an absolute delight. I felt like I was riding a moped. The return trip was such a breeze that I didn't even bother to stop at Burton. I was just flying along, and I see that I've picked up a few Strava PRs for a route that I've done dozens of times.
A bit cold when I set off but the temperature climbed nicely. I took off a layer of clothing after 15 miles. The temperature did dip a bit later on when the sun went in but not for long. I was mostly very comfortable. The forecast had threatened a possibility of light rain showers, but apart from a hint of drizzle for ten minutes on the way back, I was untroubled by precipitation.
I listened to Colin Murray on 5 Live, then Different Stages - which I hadn't listened to for many years - then football coverage; Liverpool vs Brighton and the first half of Man City vs Arsenal.
Back on 86.45 miles. I was home two hours before sunset which makes me think I should have done 100 really, but it wasn't the best day for it. There'll be longer, warmer and less windy days soon.
Anyway that's a wrap for March on 480 miles, and the last neighbouring county box ticked for this year. Last year I did the last two on 2nd April. Quite nice to get them all in before the end of March this year, although in 2022 I'd done them all before the end of February.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11078424986
March was very poor distance wise. Not even 100kms reached. A combination of poor weather, a trip to Kerry, and a bout of back pain, among other things, meant I only went out for 2 modest Saturday spins during the month. Hoping for a better April
Managed to get April under way today. Think yesterday might have been a rainy day, but I was too stuffed from Sunday lunch. Still stuffed now, but I've started on Easter eggs.
I had to get out today as it most definitely wasn't raining and the rest of the week it could well be. Although with all the Traffic Cops I watch it might not be advisable on my local roads as lots of them feature in the show, all full of maniac drivers and banned drivers.
Thankfully, some bits of road have had potholes filled in, some bits even fully resurfaced and boy do they feel good. I even slow down on them to appreciate it more. Just rode out through Tibshelf to Westhouses today, but still got in my longest ride of the year - 44 miles. It'll do.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11090131757
Rain was expected at about 8pm, so I thought I could crank out 35 miles or so after work without getting wet. I did a Twycrosser With Orton Detour, 32.38 miles. I would have done more than that, but I did get rained on after the first hour.
Hadn't done the Orton detour for a while.
Listened to Mike Stern's Standards album which unfortunately is a bit inspid - he plays brilliantly but overall it comes across like lift music. Then I started a new audiobook, the Philp K Dick novel Martian Time-Slip which imagines a human colony on Mars in 1994. I found it really meandering and unfocused.
Anyway not quite as many miles as I wanted, but 32.38 more than I would have done if I'd known I was going to get rained on.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11093238977
Got out yesterday in a gap between drizzly bits. Got 24 miles in, was happy enough with that.
Would have been happy again with 24 miles today, but made 32 as the weather was mainly good. Just the odd bit of rain and an increasing amount of wind. Didn't stray far from home, just went out and did my "ride steadily" circuits. A bit wet from water run off. Bit busy too, must be a school holiday thing.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11111246961
35 yards more and I'd have been at 100 miles for the week.
Friend I cycle with suggested we head out for a small spin on Friday evening as we wouldn't be able to tomorrow morning with the yellow wind warning. He cycled from Trim to Navan and then we set off on a roundabout trip to back to Trim. I had the strength fitness class for cycling at 7.30 so the spin seemed like an ideal warm up. I began to feel it was a mistake as I approached the Knightsbrook Hotel as I wasn't feeling great. Hadn't even done 40kms and that at only a moderate pace.
Went to the class determined to complete but to take it easy as I did so. Come the end of the class and I was feeling distinctly queasy. Had to hurry my goodbyes and run to the loo
By the time class was over it was dark so Louise agreed to bring me back to navan in the car. Had to stop on 3 occasions on the approx 15km homeward trip. Bug or over- reaction to the exercise?
Im thinking the latter as when I got home discovered that my son is also sick !
A pretty nice day apart from a fierce wind and a threat of showers, so I abandoned my desk rather early and mounted a bicycle, in the hope of getting a fondo in.
I had the idea of going south at first, but I developed an urge to do a Bypasser. Could I somehow extend a Twycross Bypasser to the requisite 62.14 miles? Well I thought it would be fun to find out.
After Norton I thought of going over to No Man's Heath, from where I could join the Lower Westbound route. I did that. After King's Bromley I'd done more than 27 miles thanks to indulging a part-Bypasser and I decided to keep on going south past King's Bromley Wharf rather than turn off for Abbot's Bromley. Again, just in a spirit of adventure really. The headwind was shocking at this point and I was riding directly into it.
After about three miles I turned back, but I took an unfamiliar left turn shortly afterward to go exploring. This took me to Handsacre and I followed a sign from there back to King's Bromley. However just to keep things interesting, from there I came back via what I might term the "Disused Lower Westbound Route", through Barton under Needwood and Coton in the Elms. I remembered why I don't really use that route now, it's gritty and climby in places.
I stopped for food at a village shop in Yoxall. Nice place, very nice sandwiches. I wonder if I could fashion a useful route that goes through Yoxall.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240405sworks.jpg)
After Netherseal it was apparent that I still had a few miles to make up so I came back a slightly indirect way after Measham, and detoured via Ibstock. The sun had set by this time, and I'd deployed lights.
However .. just as I was coming into the village, a friendly motorist emerging from his car flagged me down. "Did you have a red light on the back of your bike?" he wanted to know. Indeed I did, but not any longer apparently. "Because I passed one flashing on the road back there", he continued. I thanked him, put a spare rear light on and went back a mile or so to look for it, but I didn't see it. Ah well, it was cheap, and obviously a bit useless. The rubber strap was still attached, but the main body of the light had fallen off the mount.
Back on 64.27 miles. If not for backtracking to look for a missing rear light, I'd have been back in just over fondo distance so I'd managed the distance quite nicely.
Lovely out there apart from the wind, and obviously that only bothered me over the first half of the ride. Spring-like. I did get rained on, but only for five minutes. This was the first time I'd been out on the S Works since September and it zipped along beautifully on the way back.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11114186122
Thought it was supposed to be windy today? I think yesterday was windier. There was something up though, with me, not the weather. Making my second ascent of Long Lane I had to stop, I'd come over all funny. Don't know what it was, Panic attack? I don't know, but I didn't like it. Carried on up Long Lane, but kept switching from riding normally to riding along in a dream like state.
Maybe it was down to it being the first warm day - out in shorts and short sleeves - and not drinking enough. Never felt like it before though and don't want to feel like it again.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11118439759
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 06, 2024, 05:07:28 PMThought it was supposed to be windy today? I think yesterday was windier. There was something up though, with me, not the weather. Making my second ascent of Long Lane I had to stop, I'd come over all funny. Don't know what it was, Panic attack? I don't know, but I didn't like it. Carried on up Long Lane, but kept switching from riding normally to riding along in a dream like state.
Maybe low on blood sugar or overdoing it? Take it easy!
Quote from: Slim on April 06, 2024, 05:26:29 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 06, 2024, 05:07:28 PMThought it was supposed to be windy today? I think yesterday was windier. There was something up though, with me, not the weather. Making my second ascent of Long Lane I had to stop, I'd come over all funny. Don't know what it was, Panic attack? I don't know, but I didn't like it. Carried on up Long Lane, but kept switching from riding normally to riding along in a dream like state.
Maybe low on blood sugar or overdoing it? Take it easy!
Shouldn't have been low on blood sugar after 17 miles. Mrs S has diagnosed a Panic Attack. Whatever I'm staying in today.
So, another cycling reboot, or so it seems. Might get into a rhythm with it one day. Thankfully I managed not to have a "funny turn" like on Saturday, which was nice. Wasn't able to get out when I would have liked because I managed to oversleep, which was good really as I've been struggling to sleep a bit later.
Mrs S told me to take it easily. Do you think I listen to you woman? I sort of did, but sort of didn't as I nearly broke 19 minutes for the first five miles on this route for the first time this year. Ended up doing three repeats from Four Lanes End up to Linacre Reservoir and back. Each one quicker than the last, which is what I was aiming for, to put more effort in each time. And live.
Back on 25 miles which was enough.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11133830820
Gave the chain a good clean this afternoon with my new chain cleaning machine - I appear to collect them - it's back to being shiny, but it has only been on a fortnight.
Crikey! A nice day today, after two probably not so nice ones, can't have been good, I stayed in.
Again I managed a ride with no funny turns - apart from the strange junction in Dronfield - and got up to the tops. Not by my planned route though as I'd noticed there would be traffic lights for roadworks bang on a junction where you wouldn't want to encounter them on a bicycle.
Aimed to get 32 miles in and got 33, bonus. Still on with a chance of making 500 miles in April, so long as the weather plays ball.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11156442720
The warmest day so far this year I think, and dry as well for a change (mostly). Once again immoderately windy. Wish I could have got out of work earlier, but for my sins I had to give a Teams presentation at 1530. But I was off and away on a bike 53 minutes later.
I wanted to do more than 35, but didn't have time for 40. My first idea was to go down the Lower Westbound but just as I was approaching Measham I decided to take the left turn down to Snarestone and do a Bypasser. I augmented it with an excursion down toward Old Grendon, then another one down to explore suburban Atherstone briefly. Not very interesting.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240411bike.jpg)
Just for laughs I parked the bike against a wrecked car near Warton rather than the usual farm gate or telegraph pole, for the photo. The rear window was completely smashed in and one of the front wheels was splayed out at a near 90 degree angle. Nasty.
First legs-out day of the year. I did take tights just in case but didn't put them on. Picked up a few splashes of rain but only briefly. Back about a minute after sunset on 38.99 miles. Nice run out, wish I'd been able to set off an hour or two sooner.
136 this month which I'm not really happy with, hope the weather improves for the remaining 19 days.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11160160718
Got out for another couple of hours today to do 33 miles with no ill effects. Which is always nice. Wasn't too sure where to go and a check on where roadworks were today made me settle for my try and do a base level ride circuit(s).
As ever there was a complete failure to achieve a base level ride, once again it was done at VO2 max. Either the algorithms on the Garmin are shit or it's taking the piss out of me. Who can say.
Nice to see plenty of other cyclists out today. Don't normally see many out that was as most people seem to like to head for the Peak District, but these seemed to be older folk just grateful to still be able to ride or Mountain Bikers looking for the next cycle trail.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11163652042
No cycling today, but: I did finally get round to sorting out the Planet X. New hanger, rear mech, chain and gear cable fitted. Only took about half an hour.
Annoyingly, the KMC 11 speed chain I'd bought was too short! So I made up the length with an unused bit of chain from the last KMC 11 speed chain I bought. They aren't actually exactly the same - the new chain is shiny metal with black centre links, whereas the spare links are uniformly dull steel coloured.
I only had one quick link so I had to join them using a chain tool. I knew hoarding spare bits of chain would come in handy one day.
I was going to leave setting it up for another day but I went ahead and finished the job. The chain seems to be going round smoothly enough and doing all the changes properly on the stand, but I dare say it'll need tweaking after a ride.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/newmech240412.jpg)
A pretty nice cycling day today, but I'm on call. Also, I was keen to try out my Planet X following its maintenance yesterday, which involved furnishing it with a new rear mech, hanger, gear cable and chain. Not wise to stray too far from home in those circumstances but I was keen to clock up a decent distance, so last night I planned a route that would take me down south-east to Kirby Muxloe, then west right across to Warton, taking in Fenn Lanes, then north-east back homeward. A decently interesting ride, without straying too far from base. I hoped.
I didn't actually plot it out on a route planner, so I didn't know the exact distance. I was going to improvise a bit, anyway.
I set off at about 0845. Yesterday's forecast had threatened rain in the late afternoon, but I was pleased to see this morning that the meteorologists had changed their mind about that. Just as I set off, a gentleman with a striking resemblance to Boris Johnson strolled past and wished me a good morning. Surely a good omen.
Very happy to find that the bike was running very nicely - I'd half-expected the chain to skip for the first few miles, where I'd joined two lengths of chain. But all the gear changes were nice and smooth. I didn't try any of the stupid combinations, smaller ring at the front and smallest cog at the back for example. But I try to avoid those anyway. I'm sure they wouldn't have caused a disaster. I did regret choosing a route with a few steep climbs, not really what you want with an untested chain. But everything was fine.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240413dadlington.jpg)
The ride didn't go exactly as I'd mentally sketched out, but I did roughly what I'd intended. I found myself at Ratby at one point which wasn't part of the plan, but I visited the Co-op there and acquired a sandwich and some freshly baked cheese & onion rolls. Nice.
After Kirkby Mallory I took the wrong turn on the A444 and ended up at Stapleton instead of Sutton Cheney. But I followed a sign to Dadlington. I knew I'd find Fenn Lanes from there. This took me along a country lane that was a bit stony and ill-maintained, but it wasn't too bad. I took the pic at Dadlington.
From Fenn Lanes I did a sort of reverse Bypasser with some deliberate meandering to clock up some extra miles. I was determined to do a fondo by this time. This involved coming along the fast road from Ashby for a couple of miles which was a bit hairy, but at least it was mostly downhill.
Back on 62.84 miles.
Mostly nice weather, cloudy in the morning but sunny later. I removed my new cycling tights at about 1100 and a fleece about 90 minutes later. My legs were a bit hairy and I was slightly embarrassed every time I glanced down, but I've given them a good seeing to with a razor in the bath since I got back.
Listened mostly to 5 Live which annoyingly was largely devoted to golf coverage, but there was a very good interview with Mark Knopfler on Patrick Kielty's show. And I listened to the Prefab Sprout album From Langley Park to Memphis.
That was a really nice run out. Very happy to have the green bike available for use again.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11173148147
And out again with no troubles today, apart from a rather strong wind which was a bit fresh up on the tops. Nice to see a bit of hazy sunshine too. Been in short sleeves and shorts for a week now and the tanlines are starting to pick up already, which is nice. Thankfully they hadn't quite disappeared over Winter. I do tan quite well, but not as much as my brother, who's a dead ringer for Sadiq Khan -in my fevered brain.
Third consecutive 30 miler, be nice to get another one in tomorrow, but not too bothered if I don't as I'm half way to 500 miles for April, but hopefully some miles will be covered - after watching the Amstel Gold Race. Going to be a bit cooler though, hope I can cope with so much uncovered skin.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11173857126
And I made it four days out in a row and over 30 miles each ride. It gave me my climbingest week of the year, not the one with the most distance, but with the greatest time spent in the saddle.
I was a bit late getting out because of watching the Amstel Gold Race and because Tom Pidcock had won I watched the podium ceremony. Then watched the women's podium ceremony from earlier as they switched to the men's race before it. I had hoped Lorena Wiebes wouldn't come put for it, but she'd stopped crying after throwing the race away.
Because my brother had run the Manchester Marathon today, I had thought about just doing 26 miles 385 yards for my own Marathon, but decided to make it 30 miles for roundness sake.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11182664529/
Today was a get pissed off with cycling day. Well, not pissed off with cycling, but pissed off with bicycles day.
I thought things didn't seem quite right on my ride and a quick look down at the seatpost revealed it had dropped a bit. I was hoping that it would stick, but no, it kept on dropping lower and lower, so much as I don't like stopping I stopped and raised it hoping that I didn't over torque the bolt. No need to worry about that as the gradual decline started again. So that was one thing to sort out when I got home.
Another was the sound of front disc pads rubbing against the disc rotor and giving a bit of a metal on metal sound when I braked. Yes, I could see that I should have put in new pads a couple of weeks ago but inertia had led me to ignoring it. Yes, I did have some pads in stock. Could I undo the retaining bolt to the pads though? Could I heck as like, it had seized up and with it only having a flat head screw it soon got stripped. Arse. Best case I might find a way to get it out. Worst case new disc caliper.
It was a nice ride though, if a bit of a shame to be back in bib tights and a long sleeved top. No rain though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11194275156
The forecast was for showers in the late afternoon but since it's been such a thin cycling month due to the weather, I thought I'd just take the Tricross and accept the conditions. Actually the weather was rather nice when I set off, sunny and mild.
A couple of miles later I noticed that I had a lot more lateral movement in my right shoe than I ought to. I tried to remove the shoe from the pedal, but couldn't! The cleat was securely attached to the pedal, but clearly it wasn't properly attached to the shoe. It wasn't actually giving me any trouble though so I pressed on, hoping I wouldn't need to release my right foot until I had a chance to stop and have a better look, which I did near Twycross.
The front cleat bolt was missing altogether and the two rear bolts were loose. I probably had an Allen key in the saddle bag though. Did I? I still don't know, the zipper was corroded onto the zip and wouldn't budge.
So: I decided my best bet was to remove the cleat (it was easy enough to unscrew the bolts with my fingers) so I wouldn't lose it - and attempt to operate the right pedal like a conventional bike pedal. A mistake, probably. I'd been doing fine with the cleat loosely attached apart from the fear of not being able to unfasten my right foot. But without the cleat, my foot kept slipping off the pedal. It was just about workable though so I kept going but cut across via Little Twycross and Bilstone to keep it short.
Half an hour later, the rain came down. I'd expected showers, but this was 15 minutes of persistent cold rain. Naturally this made the right cycling shoe even more slippery on the pedal.
Only 23.53 miles, but I wouldn't have gone out at all if I'd know it was going to rain like that. I've done 222 this month which I suppose is acceptable. And 1592 this year. This time last year I'd done 1800. Actually I've just noticed that I did a 120 mile ride a year ago today (http://betweenthewheels.net/index.php?msg=12574). It was the day I got two punctures near Bourne, a lovely warm day. How can that be a year ago already?
https://www.strava.com/activities/11204052764
Whilst I'm pondering the best way to attack the removal of my stuck disc pad retaining screw - I really don't want to get a Bike Shop involved as I don't want them to see how the front brake was down almost to metal on metal (my fault, I knew it wanted doing, but kept putting it off) - I got the Gravel bike out again for the first time since January. I need to put a new rear tyre on it, I've had one since December, but you know, I'll do it tomorrow...
Then again I'm only riding it on roads, so a minimal tread pattern will do. Had a nice ride on it, as fast an average speed as yesterday, faster even, but less climbing was involved.
I tightened my cleat bolts on Saturday, I'd been getting clicking from the cleats when walking so thought they might be loose. They were. Tightened up there's still a click. Arse. Maybe it's the bottom bracket...
31 miles done today, 345 for March and 1,926 for the year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11201919219
Still pondering and still on the gravel bike. Quite like the gravel bike, it's a bit more of relaxed geometry which is now nice at my age. Probably needs a new saddle, gets a bit hard feeling after 20 miles or so, might just shift it back a bit though, might help.
Strava tells me that I've ridden today's ride five times, all have been on the gravel bike, it goes up one bit of road which is probably best ridden on a gravel bike. I have been up on a road bike, but the state it's in now is atrocious. What I did like was the fact that today was the fastest I've ridden it, gives the old morale a bit of a boost.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11209190681
At long last, I've managed to get a 50 mile road ride in this year :) I was beginning to think I hadn't got it in me - and now I'm back I'm not sure that I have...
Didn't want it to be too taxing so I only took in one serious climb, then spent the rest of it up on the Moors. I thought I'd taken in some roads I'd not done before, but no and yes, some of them I had done before back in 2018, I noticed that Xandro Meurisse had one of the best segment times on the road, he was completing in the Fleche Wallone on Wednesday. Dylan van Baarle's name was up there too. from the tour of Britain back in 2015. Xandro turns up on quite a few local segments, presumably because he used to race for the An Post team.
Got to see - and hear - my first Curlew of the year up on Beeley Moor. I was beginning to think they hadn't returned this year, but I think the local farmers are doing different things in their fields this year.
I moved the saddle back on the gravel bike and it was much more comfortable, but I ended up with intense pain in my right foot when I got home. I'll bring it forward a couple of mm, but it could be that when I re-tightened my cleat bolts the cleat moved out of position. Another thing to check *sigh* still I;m over 2,000 miles for the year now :)
https://www.strava.com/activities/11225626574/
A beautiful dry day, and we haven't had many of those this year. Since I got up earlier than I expected I thought I'd do Buckminster and back, about 80 miles.
I went the "old" way through Rempstone since it's a bit shorter and I wanted to make sure I arrived at Buckminster's village shop before it closed at 1300. I got there at 1235, good timing. Had a bit of a feast on the bench outside - a cheese & onion slice, a packet of crisps and a Magnum ice-cream lolly.
On the way back just to make it more interesting I took a right turn at the crossroads at Waltham - to give myself an orienteering task. But I very soon found myself back on the usual path. Basically a three mile detour, partly consisting of a single-track lane.
Came back along Narrow Lane and through Wymeswold (where I took the pic) and Hoton on the way back, for a change. I have quite a few variations of the eastbound route now. Noticed a number of tiny fish in the stream (the River Mantle apparently) at Wymeswold. Minnows?
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240421wymeswold.jpg)
Listened to the first couple of hours of the next Reacher novel, Worth Dying For. Very good so far, classic Reacher. Flowing along nicely and so far not tripping over its own plot, as they sometimes tend to do. Reuses plot elements from Killing Floor and Echo Burning. Then I listened to football, including a highly entertaining FA Cup competition between Man United and Coventry at Wembley. As I was putting the bike away in the garage Coventry scored what I thought was a consolation goal to make it 3-1 to United, but later I discovered they'd pulled it back to 3-3!
Conditions seemed warmer than the advertised 11C in the afternoon. Mostly sunny, as well. I took off my overtrousers with about 13 miles to go. I was definitely too hot with about 4 to go but didn't bother to stop and part-unclothe.
Back on 80.69. Very enjoyable run out.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11233367980
Well I was up for just a gentle 25 miler today and that's just what I did. Got me over 170 miles for the week for the first time this year, which will do. I had thought about just doing 20 laps round Calow, but Calow's not the sort of place you want to draw attention to yourself and I don't want to end up as a pie filling in Wigan, so I bailed out after three.
Certainly felt warmer than 11C though, could have gotten away with shorts, but hey-ho.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11233604656
I don't want to moan about the weather - too much - but this year has seemed like it's been stuck in early March since day one. Mainly cool, wet and windy.
I had thought today was going to be a dry day, but there was a lot of drizzle early on. It had stopped when I set out with the intention of doing 40 miles, but after about 12 miles it picked up again and I thought it might only be 20. But after turning off it stopped and climbing up a bit I could see where it was coming from and managed to zig-zag around it.
So I got back on 31 miles, which will do. Wish I'd put my long fingered gloves on though, but glad I'd put on my winter merino socks. Of course once I'd got home the clouds parted and the sun came out. Such is life.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11245393705
A sunny, dry day but cool, with the wind coming from the north. So as soon as I could get out of work, I decided to go up toward Derby. I went up Top Brand, up through Castle Donington, west across Cavendish Bridge, through Shardlow, up to Borrowash and west again towards Derby. I stopped when I got to Spondon and picked up some food at a petrol station - which was very welcome as I'd brought none with me. I couldn't find anything suitable in the fridge before I set off, must go to Tesco tomorrow.
I came back the same way until the turn for Aston. I'd intended to come back down via Swarkestone and Melbourne, but ridiculously, and I think I've done this before, I missed the turn for Weston and just looped back onto the main road at Shardlow. So I came back pretty much exactly the same way and ended up doing 41.47 miles rather than the 37 or so I was aiming for. But that puts me within two easy rides or a fondo of 400 this month. Unfortunately there's rain in the forecast every day until May 6th, after tomorrow. I'm starting to take it personally.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240423bike.jpg)
Nice to come back that way in bright sunlight, the last time I did that ride or a close variation of it it was properly dark on the way back, at about the same time of day.
Listened to 5 Live and another hour or two of the Reacher novel. Unfolding nicely.
There's an inviting little coffee shop along Shardlow Road now; unfortunately it's always closed by the time I pedal past it after work. Makes me think that it would be nice not to have to work every day, so I could set off a bit earlier.
Nice out there, I overclothed and was a bit too warm.
Didn't get to achieve 40 miles today either. But I did get to wear my new Cycling glasses, I've treated myself to a pair of Oakley photochromic ones to replace the £2.50 pair Mrs S bought me from Wilkos, the rubber nose piece keeps coming off and they slip down my nose. I would bin them, but you need a reserve pair.
So I was a bit late out waiting for the Oakleys to come, but got to 32 miles for the day. Gets me over 500 miles for April thankfully. Be nice to get to 600 but the weather may not play ball and I don't play out in wet weather.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11253160918
Weather hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be, so have been out the last couple of days. Not done much, but it's something in the bag.
Yesterday just 21 miles, didn't want to stray too far from home as for once I'd hung out the washing for Mrs S. It kept threatening rain, but none really came. It did once I got home and I didn't notice, ho-hum...
Today just did 24 miles, but tried putting some effort in. Garmin said the tanks were empty after 18 miles, so I made it back on fumes. Up to 561 miles for April now.
The forecast was for showers but I really want to get to 400 miles this month if I can, so I decided to put up with it and do 30-odd miles after work. The wind was coming from the east so I headed over that way. Thought I'd probably do Rempstone or Wymeswold and back. After Zouch though I had the idea of taking a left off the main route, to try to loop back round to Sutton Bonington.
I did this a few weeks ago but this time I took the left a bit later (through East Leake rather than West Leake). Followed a sign to Gotham, after a while I didn't have a good feel for where I was so I cheated and had a look at Google Maps. This suggested a nice easy way to Sutton Bonington through New Kingston and Kingston on Soar. So I did that.
Good to explore new roads. Quite liked the stretch between Gotham and Kingston. I'll make a note to go that way again.
Came back the longer way through Peggs Green and Coleorton. Listened to another couple of hours of the Reacher novel. Best one for quite a while. Familiar plot ideas, but nicely put together. I didn't get rained on at all.
Back on 34.85 miles and that's 379 this month, coincidentally the precise target for April. But I'd still like to end up with more than 400. At the moment Monday looks like a nice day and I've booked the day off work.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11269907774
All week the forecast for today was none too good, but it didn't turn out that way. There were a few drops of rain every now and then until about three o'clock, but nothing serious.
Anyway, if a man can't go out for a ride on his birthday when can he? It was a bit nippy out though, but it is still April and on my 18th birthday I wouldn't have gone out as there was four inches of snow on the ground and I had the more pressing matter of getting pissed as a fart ;D
I told Mrs S I'd be out for a couple of hours and I was back in 2 hours 51 seconds, so I think I got away with it. After emptying the tanks yesterday I took it more steadily today. Still came close to pedal cycle emptiness, but not too close. For the first 30 miles I didn't even look at speed, cadence or power, just had a heart rate screen up and tried to keep the old ticker in zone 3, I about managed.
Almost got took out by a dog early on though, going up the lanes towards a 90 degree bend and I heard a woman walking along shout out what I thought was "Car!", a good samaritan I thought. I slowed down, went round the corner, no car, then a bloody Red Setter shot out of the undergrowth nearly taking me out. Now I hate dogs, but hate cretinous dog owners more. Dogs, according to the Highway Code should be on a short lead when on or by a road, but none of the ignorant fuckers who own dogs seem to know this >:(
https://www.strava.com/activities/11277300051
Just under 90kms yesterday, longest spin since June last year. Struggled a bit on the normally fast and easy Longwood to Trim section. Felt cool out there for the time of year (no snow Nick so I suppose I can't complain)
I booked today off work on Friday, after seeing a favourable weather forecast. In fact the forecast changed over the weekend with a likelihood of showers in the afternoon, but I intended to go south where I'd most likely avoid them.
The idea was to do either a fondo or a 100 miler, depending on the time I got up. And I got up at about 0715, so 100 miles it was! I thought I'd go down to Northampton and back. I set off at about 0805.
I had a change of plan after 36 miles and took a left to Naseby. I've been to Northampton a couple of times in recent months so I thought I'd give it a miss and do something different.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240429bike.jpg)
I'd been to Naseby before but this time I kept going, through places called Haselbech and Maidwell. About half a mile after Maidwell I found myself at the top of a long steep descent that I didn't fancy coming back up, so I turned back. I'd only done 43 miles so I'd have to improvise a bit on the way back. I did. I took a turn to a place called Cold Ashby and just followed my nose. Really, really nice cycling territory over the next ten miles or so through places called Stanford on Avon and Swinford. I rejoined the usual route at North Kilworth (after a bit of reassurance from Google Maps), but still needed to make up some distance. I went exploring again, through Ashby Parva and Frolesworth - basically a detour around Broughton Astley.
I was still a couple of miles short though (having distance landmarks memorised is handy for gauging this) so after Kirkby Mallory, I kept on to Cadeby, then Bosworth then back the usual way from there, or one of them. Made up the last bit of distance by coming back a long way through the village.
Terrific day out on the bike. Had two very pleasant stops at the village shop at Gilmorton. Nice weather, no showers. Very mild. And I listened to another few hours of the Reacher novel.
Back on 100.42 miles and that's a pleasing 479 done this month. Would have got the total over 400 even if I hadn't taken the day off, which is nice to know.
1850 done this year and 45,011 since January 2015.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11292403905
As a matter of course I don't ride Mondays, but having missed yesterday I made an exception. For me six miles would have been enough as that would have got me to 600 for April, but it wasn't raining, so I made it up to 31 miles. It was a bit blowy though.
Had another encounter with a female dog walker today, the mutts were on leads though. I was cycling up a road and she was on the pavement walking the same way. Then when I was about five feet away she stepped straight out into the road without looking. Thankfully I wasn't going fast as it was uphill into the wind, but roughly the following "conversation" happened.
Me: 'Scuse me, look before stepping out into the road
Her: Don't talk to me like that
Me: I will if you step out without looking
Her: God, your [sic] ignorant
Me: You're the ignorant cow!
I then sped off as she was probably the moll of a local dealer. Shouldn't have stooped to her level, but it's the only language these people have a chance of understanding.
And out again on the last day of April, but what's this round yellow thing in the sky? Is it the Sun? It sure was, it shone all day and it was nice and warm. Warm enough to put my new cycling kit on to get some more work on the tanlines done. The arms have just started to shade to Latte.
Because I'm a lazy arse and haven't yet got round to sorting out the front brake on the Bianchi, or the rear derailleur cable on the Giant and because the rear tyre on the gravel bike needs its rear, now slick, tyre wants replacing with a knobbly one, I put the Bianchi's Winter wheels on the gravel bike.
Does it make it faster? Probably, but it's hard to tell as it was a blowy day again today and a SSE wind at that which is most unusual. It was beneficial - just - going uphill, but a bit of a pig most of the way back. Didn't help myself by coming down through Old Brampton either. Not done it and ages and so was wary of any potholes which may have formed. Not too many, but better safe than sorry.
Back on 31.62 miles which gives me 657 for April with 45,600 feet of elevation gain. Yearly total now stands at 2,238 miles, my best ever at this time of the year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11297981952
And got May underway today. Could have gone out yesterday, but was feeling jetlagged after next to no sleep on Tuesday night. Then kicked my big toe into a door and broke off a corner of the toenail,ouch.
Thought cycling shoes might inflame the toenail today, but they were comfier than my slippers, so that was nice. Still feeling a bit jetlagged after not sleeping well last night. Decided to do an easyish ride, more out of the fact that there are too many roadworks - some to fill in potholes! - going on at the moment. There was a nagging NE wind which I hoped would be a nice cross tailwind up to Marsh Lane from Eckington, but even heading West seemed to be a headwind.
I even gave a big cheery wave to a motorist today, they aren't all bad! She had right of way as there was a parked car on my side of the road, but she flashed me through. Probably just wanted to ogle my super fit body and buns of steel ;D
https://www.strava.com/activities/11314637103
In 2020 I rode to historic Worcestershire and back, via a route which I've come to know as the "Dad's Army route" - simply because during the ride, I kept myself entertained by listening to radio adaptations of the BBC TV sitcom of the same name.
I've been meaning to do it again for a long time. I've been part-way down there quite a few times; the deterrent to doing the whole thing really is having to do a couple of miles of the A5.
So I thought I'd do it again today. The basic idea was to do a Twycross Bypasser, with the Dad's Army route as a there-and-back extension to the south-east.
After the first 15 miles or so I began to notice that my left cleat wasn't engaging properly with the pedal. It felt sloppy. So just before the A5, I stopped to check it. One bolt was missing and the other two were loose. Exactly the same thing that had happened to the right cleat a few weeks ago. I guess I didn't tighten the bolts down hard enough, or perhaps I over-greased them. Fortunately this time I had an Allen key on me and was able to secure the cleat adequately by tightening the two remaining bolts.
Well - the A5 episode wasn't too bad. Not too busy. I was pedalling through Kingsbury another three miles later. The route looks pretty direct easy on a map so I tried to memorise it rather than uploading it to a phone or an eTrex. So I just kept going. I passed a garage called Kingsbury Service Station. Weirdly, about twelve minutes later I passed another place called Kingsbury Service Station. It looked identical to the first one. Because it was. I'd somehow managed to loop round on myself.
So I took a different turn at the next roundabout this time. By now I was pretty sure I wasn't on the route I intended, so I gave up on that and decided just to follow my nose and explore. I took a road called Coventry Road and kept going for another ten miles or so. This was quite a nice stretch of B road apart from being a bit hilly, and not having any petrol stations or shops. I'd only brought two sausage rolls with me and I'd already eaten both of them.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240504coventry.jpg)
I stopped when I hit the outskirts of Coventry, and turned back. Two miles later I decided to take a right turn signposted to Nuneaton, rather than go back the same way. Just to do another stretch of hitherto-undiscovered road. Again this was really nice, until I hit Nuneaton. I hoped I wouldn't have to go right into the centre and I didn't, but the bit I did go through was pretty urban and partly a bit grim. I passed a few convenience shops but didn't particularly feel like leaving the bike outside any of them. I did stop and buy some food at a petrol station a bit further out. Then I followed a sign to Fenny Drayton which is at the south-west extremity of Fenn Lanes, part of my regular cycling territory. I took a left along Atterton Lane and up to Sheepy, then came back from there as if doing the second half of a Bypasser, up through Bilstone, Newton Burgoland and Swepstone.
Quite an enjoyable ride overall. Nice to do quite a bit of new territory. I don't often venture the other side of the A5. Very nice sunny weather and I had to declothe after the first few miles; more than warm enough for bare legs.
One minor irritation apart from losing a cleat bolt was that my right contact lens was a bit uncomfortable, and I managed to lose it under my eyelid while rubbing my eye, about half-way through the ride. It's still up there, it'll work itself out in a couple of days.
Listened to the last couple of hours of the Reacher novel, then footy on 5 Live. Back on 68.77 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11331285002
Giro start day today, so I had to enter cycling couch potato mode. Could have gone out this morning I suppose, but the bike really did need its chain cleaning and lubeing, in fact the whole bike needed cleaning, hadn't been done in weeks.
Thankfully it's now May and the sun sets later, it's also warmer at last so I managed a couple of hours out. Nice to average over 16mph in ages, well a week, but last week was flat.
Today included the "giant" of the Col du Wigley, managed the second fastest time of the day up it, Mark Walsham was 4 seconds quicker than me, I'll let him off, he was a pro at one time, had two second places on the tour of Britain in his career, but he was riding with his wife today.
Good to get 35 miles in and I feel better for it.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11332325285
Thought I'd royally buggered up my bike today. Thought the bearing in the headset had gone. The roads round here are not in very good shape and I hit a bit today that was like a ploughed field which had set like concrete. Thought my teeth would fall out, but then a rattling started up that sounded like all the ball bearings in the headset had come loose and were jumping around in the steerer tube and front forks.
Logic eventually kicked in as the bike could still be steered, what it was was a CO2 canister and multi-tool in my frame bag were hitting against each other. A bit of a relief, but I wouldn't be surprised if something like that could happen.
I got 32 miles in anyway in the late afternoon sunshine.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11340524219/
I hadn't planned to go cycling today because the forecast for the afternoon was for rain. But when I checked again at lunchtime, the threat of precipitation had been withdrawn.
Ironically, my first thought was disappointment. Because despite all my complaining about rainy weather this last few months, I'd planned to spend an idle bank holiday indoors. But clearly, having bemoaned the absence of suitable cycling conditions so many times, the only decent thing to do was to go out and ride a bike.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240505bike.jpg)
I thought I'd do at least 40 miles. A light wind was coming from the east. I did the eastbound route as far as Narrow Lane, then I came back a different way through Wymeswold and Rempstone, then Diseworth. I took a bit of a detour into East Leake as well, hoping to navigate from there to Sutton Bonington, but I missed a turn and was back on the usual road back from Rempstone within a couple of miles.
I listened to LBC. Then a Donny Hathaway compilation. Then The Who's Tommy.
It was actually warm and sunny out there. I forgot to bring a bidon out of the house with me, but I bought a bottle of Lucozade at the petrol station at Burton on the Wolds.
Back on 44.10, glad to have got the May tally up to 113 already.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11346594858
I may be retired, but today was still a Bank Holiday so it was time to ride to make the most of it. The fact that I've got seven nights away from home in the rest of May also means I have to get out whilst I can. The legs weren't really that interested but the ears weren't listening.
Nice to be out on a genuinely warm day too, the rainfall radar was showing a few showers out over the Peak District but I wasn't going out that far. I don't know why the legs were moaning either as I did the same ride as a couple of weeks back and averaged 1.3 mph quicker whilst outputting less power. Just shows the difference switching the Gravel bike from knobbly wide tyres to narrow(er) slicks makes. The windspeed and direction made some difference though.
It was bloody busy out there, I've never known so much traffic parked up on Clodhall lane and I do ride that way most Bank Holidays. Plenty of boy racers out and about too. Twats. Still not hitting those 40+ mile midweek rides though yet, just another 33 miles today, must get the decent road bikes sorted out.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11344788451
With a beautiful day forecast and plenty of rain on the way later in the month, I decided I'd take the afternoon off work and do a longish ride.
I set off at about 1110. My vague plan was to go down to Welford and possibly a bit further south, but by the time I got to Stoney Stanton I decided I'd go down Fosse Way instead. So I did. I kept on keepin' on right down to Princethorpe, which is further than I usually go down that way. Then I bought a sandwich and a Magnum ice cream at a petrol station there, and turned back.
I intended to come back the same way but I took a wrong turn at High Cross somehow. But I found my way to Broughton Astley, which is on my usual Welford route, and came back (mostly) the usual way from there.
I trialled a detour that goes round the hill at Earl Shilton while avoiding the little cycle path that goes down from Thurlaston Lane. It involves a couple of miles of fast road, but it was quiet.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240507bike.jpg)
Listened to LBC, Talk Radio and 5 Live. Plenty of people talking nonsense from both sides of the political divide, bloody irritating. I also listened to Jerry Paper's Like a Baby.
I had a shocking case of hot foot (https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2022/08/23/can-you-feel-the-heat-hot-foot-explained) on the Earl Shilton bypass, in both feet. A couple of miles from Kirkby Mallory, I stopped to sit in the shade of a tree. I took off my shoes and socks and cooled my feet in the grass. I gave them a bit of a massage before putting the shoes and socks back on and they were fine after that.
Back on 76.52 miles and I should have done more really. But I'd cooked myself slightly by overdressing (I'm always too cautious at this time of year). Also, I'm on call for the penultimate time. Furthermore, Fosse Way is a bit hilly and I couldn't think of anywhere particularly interesting to go after Princethorpe. But at least I've topped up my tanlines.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11362889865
That's 2039 done this year now. 190 done this month, and hopefully I can get another 250 or so in before July.
I've got another couple of 30 milers in to make five in a row. Yesterday was a going back to Winter day, just riding round a flat circuit. Today was a bit more involved with hills going up to the Peak District.
Surprised at how few cyclists were out today, Wednesday is normally a busy day, especially when you get to the tops and more so when it's warm and sunny. Perhaps they'd all overdone it on Monday. Think I overdid the sun getting to my head today, had a helmet on, but the air vents mean the sun can gain access to my thinning scalp. I'll get used to it.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11360354621/
I don't know if I can cope with this warm sunny weather! Just doesn't feel right after the year we've had so far and my head feels cooked. I suppose I shouldn't really complain.
Got to make the most of it, because I've got five Riverside gig in ten days coming up, so got to work those legs as much as possible. Could have worked them harder as it was just 40 miles today, but I've not been doing many of those and at least my ride was quicker than the last time I did it, even with a snarled up Chesterfield town centre.
Up on Beeley Moor I heard my first Cuckoo of the year. In fact the first Cuckoo I've heard in five years as I'm sure I haven't heard one since COVID struck. Hopefully it can find a mate so their chick can empty a little bird's nest.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11376640226
Another warm, sunny day. I left work shamelessly early with the intention of doing about 45 miles. A light wind was blowing from the south again but I've done the southbound a few times in the last week or two so I wanted to do something a bit different.
I devised a route that would go south down the "old" southbound route through Desford, but cut across to the "new" southbound route before Enderby. It looked easy enough on the map but (of course) I cocked it up and ended up on Coventry Road, a very busy road that sprouts south-westward out of Leicester. I have been on it before but the Friday afternoon traffic made it a bit hairy. So I took an opportunistic left.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240524bike.jpg)
Quite a nice stretch of road after that, nice to do something new. The bit of road I did before arriving on Coventry Road was quite pleasant as well. Always good to do new roads for a change. I stopped for a sandwich and a Bounty bar at a village shop at Huncote. Hadn't been there before.
Eventually I found myself at a place called Cosby where I took the pic. Saw a sign to Broughton Astley from there. From Broughton I came back pretty much the usual way, except that I attempted to hit the Earl Shilton bypass, took a wrong turn and ended up looping back on myself.
I really must learn to make better use of the eTrex. Too idle to upload the routes, that's the trouble.
Lovely out there and I dressed appropriately this time, minimal clothing. Listened mostly to 5 Live.
About two years ago I bought a cheap Chinese wireless "bike computer" off Amazon and I got round to fitting it to the Boardman today. The idea, if I remember correctly, was that for short rides I'd be able to use my phone to record the ride directly via the Strava app. I calibrated the computer using notes I'd made last time I fitted a speedo to similar-sized wheels and seem to have got it spot on. 49.32 acording to the Garmin watch, 49.3 according to the speedo (it only does one decimal place).
https://www.strava.com/activities/11379644436
Laura Kenny on a bike.
Must say I wouldn't have expected her recreational bike to be one of those.
(https://i.ibb.co/mvR0N4b/laurabike.jpg)
Once saw the lovely Laura outside Cafe Adventure in Hope with her mates. She was on a proper road bike then.
Didn't get as far as Hope myself today as once again I was too bus watching professional cyclists riding up hills in another day's armchair travel. Did pop out for a couple of hours though, still a bit warm but thankfully there was a bit of a cooling breeze.
Did a very similar 35 miles to last Saturday, but went up to the Moors through Cutthorpe rather than Old Brampton. No Cuckoos about today, but a Tawny Owl was hooting up towards what was the Gate Inn. Gets me to 275 miles for May and I'm somehow still ahead of 2021's tally at this point.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11387439377
Rain was forecast for the afternoon but it was a lovely morning, so - clothed once again in minimal cycling gear - I set off at about 1000, with the intention of doing about 35.
I was going to do about 17 miles of the usual eastbound route then come back the same way, but before I got to the junction at Zouch I took a left through Long Whatton, toward Diseworth. I had the idea of going into Loughborough, which I haven't done for a long time.
Before long though I realised I was actually going in the opposite direction of Loughborough, but I decided to keep going, just in the spirit of maintaining momentum.
At Diseworth I took a right turn I hadn't taken before, signposted to the airport. Nice little road, nothing special and less than a mile later I was on the A453, running south of the airport. I'd only done 13 miles by this time so I was struggling to think what to do to make up the miles I wanted. I probably should just have kept on going rather than take the left near Zouch.
I took the road down past Breedon, then went north toward Melbourne, then took the road to Ticknall from there - which I haven't done for at least a year. I chickened out of Bastard Hill and came home via Hartshorne, Woodville, Ashby.
Really a lovely ride over the first half. I spoiled it over the second half by giving myself too much hill climbing to do.
I listened to The Who's Who's Next.
Back on 37.04. I didn't get rained on and in fact hours after I returned home, still no sign of rain. Just warm sunshine. Annoying, as if I'd know I'd have done a fondo. But at the moment next weekend looks clear.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11393253252
Showers were forecast for the afternoon at about 1600 but I was keen to add some distance to the May tally, so I resolved to tolerate it. Last time I did that, instead of the light shower I expected, I got rained on for half an hour. This time, I didn't get rained on at all! The sky went ominously dark grey for half an hour at about 1630, but it didn't follow through on its threat.
A bit windy, not quite so warm as of late. I did a Twycrosser, with the added twist that I went east to Kirkby Mallory after Cadeby, to take in the last 12 miles of the return leg of the southbound route.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240514bike.jpg)
Back on 41.86. 318 this month now which is more than good enough for half way through May.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11411543098
After three days off the bike for a spot of travelling - and not travelling - on trains, I did think I might not get out until after next week's four days off for travelling on trains after looking at the weather forecast.
Luckily the early rain stopped and I was able to pop out for 28 miles. Not the 40 I'd hoped for, but the rain delayed me and getting back when I did meant I beat the torrential shower by five minutes. Tomorrow and Friday don't look too good. Saturday morning looks OK, but I got back for Mrs S to tell me my brother's invited himself over for today. Doesn't ask me as he knows I'd say no...
Took a while to get going today though, I think my lungs shrivel if I spend a couple of days off the bike. Legs were OK but I was panting a bit.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11415814283
Yesterday ended up being a washout. I was just about to head out for maybe 10 miles - grab it whilst you can - when the rain started falling quite heavily. Ho-hum, caught up on my housework instead.
Today I did make it out, cloudy with a bit of sun, so dry and warm. To get the best mileage in I stuck to the flatter ground out toward Tibshelf and back. Just rolling hills rather than long climbs. Nearly got taken out a couple of times though, one by a white van who decided to overtake whilst I was going by a pedestrian refuge and one by a caravan being towed by a Wankpanzer, he'd probably forgotten he was towing it.
On the plus side, I gained a KOM today :) OK, so only 89 people have ever ridden it on Strava, but it's a KOM nonetheless. Also moved up to fourth overall on the Spital Lane Climb, out of 588 this time. If only I dare turn into it at speed I reckon I could take that one, but it's a 90 degree bend and you have to be wary of traffic pulling out.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11431034254
A beautiful afternoon and I wanted to escape from work at about 1500, and do a fondo. Then someone thoughtfully invited me to a meeting at 1700.
So instead I thought I'd take an extended lunch at about 1300 and do maybe 35 miles or so. A light wind was coming from the east, roughly, so the plan was to do about 18 miles of the eastbound route, then come back.
After about four miles, I entered Loughborough Road as usual, only to find that it had been "resurfaced", if I can dignify what they've done with the term, by having a huge quantity of dusty, sharp gravel piled onto it. I tolerated it for about 150 metres or so then decided to turn back. My tyres were liberally coated in grey dust.
I'll have to avoid Loughborough Road for a while, but fortunately there are other options for that part of the route.
I went west along the Coalville bypass then past Sinope and north through Peggs Green and Griffydam, up Top Brand. Rather than pursue the eastbound route I did a sort of loop through Belton, Long Whatton, Diseworth - just following my nose - and came back down Top Brand. Then west along Alton Hill, to Ashby then Packington, then Normanton Road to Heather, which I don't think I've done for at least two years. Back home via Ibstock, on 37.81 miles, in plenty of time for the meeting.
Really nice out there, warm and sunny. I trialled a pair of cycling shorts in a garish black and green colour scheme that were a Christmas present from Stepdaughter 2. You'd think I'd get a bit of credit for this from her mother but no, she just wanted to point out that they look ridiculous with a black and red cycling top. I suppose I need to buy a new top, I don't really have one that goes with it.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11432305648
Managed to get out for a couple of hours before my brother turned up. Didn't feel too sprightly as last night's bottle of Cotes du Rhone had given me a real red wine head and the chicken curry had, well, you don't want to know.
Wanted to try and average 16 mph over a similar route to what I'd done a couple of times this year. I failed. Just. Came in at 15.97 mph - I'll ignore Strava's 15.8 - I suppose it will do, it was quite warm, I got quite sweaty and there was just too much traffic knocking about. That's it until next Thursday now, unless I get on a Boris Bike in London.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11438501416
30 miles on the road bikes today. Absolutely lovely day for it. However, the ride didn't end too well. Stopped at Lynwoods cafe in Bampton for a sausage roll and a coffee where I removed my cat eye computer to check our average speed. After setting off, I realised I'd not put it back on the bike. Looked everywhere for it back at the cafe but it wasn't to be found. Pissed off.
I've actually located what looks like a used one on Gumtree for £12 so if I can get that it will be an easy fix using the existing sender unit. If not it will have to be a different model.......costing a lot more. Grrrrr!
Quote from: David L on May 19, 2024, 07:52:58 PM30 miles on the road bikes today. Absolutely lovely day for it. However, the ride didn't end too well. Stopped at Lynwoods cafe in Bampton for a sausage roll and a coffee where I removed my cat eye computer to check our average speed. After setting off, I realised I'd not put it back on the bike. Looked everywhere for it back at the cafe but it wasn't to be found. Pissed off.
I've actually located what looks like a used one on Gumtree for £12 so if I can get that it will be an easy fix using the existing sender unit. If not it will have to be a different model.......costing a lot more. Grrrrr!
Which particular Cateye model, David?
I planned to do a long ride today, to take advantage of lovely weather. The wind was coming from the east. Too early in the year and a bit too cold in the extremities of the day for Sutton Bridge and back, but I hoped to do at least 100 miles, depending when I woke up this morning.
I woke up sufficiently early and was pedalling away from the garage door at 0705. The basic idea was to do some variation of the route to Norfolk, but turn back for home somewhere in Lincolnshire.
I made it to the village shop at Buckminster at about 10:30. Stopped and had a feast there. After Buckminster there are two options to go eastward, one route goes directly east from there and the other dips south first. Today I did the lower version. I haven't done this one so often and I missed a turn after Castle Bytham. But that was fine, I was happy to go exploring. After a while I came to a sign for Stamford so I headed in that direction. Well surfaced roads, decently quiet (although it was a Sunday of course).
I went right into Stamford. As it happens one of my brothers lives there, and I did briefly consider paying him an impromptu visit. Then I thought to myself - what would my reaction be, if he did that to me one Sunday? It wouldn't be positive. So I didn't. I turned back at a convenient roundabout. As I made my way back I wasn't 100% sure I was coming back the right way. I'd tried to memorise the turns. Fortunately I got them right.
There's a handy little village shop / cafe at Castle Bytham, but annoyingly it had closed by the time I passed it on the way back. But I found a handy shop at South Witham and bought some more stuff, including a Mars Bar drink. Ideal fuel for the return leg of a long ride.
At Buckminster I turned east again to take an excursion along the "upper" route eastward as far as Colsterworth, just to add a few miles before turning for home.
Came back via Burton on the Wolds and Stanford on Soar. I'd gone through Rempstone and Wymeswold on the outbound leg. I also had a bit of an excursion through Sutton Bonington and Kingston on Soar.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240519bike.jpg)
It was a beautifully warm, sunny day. Cool in the morning but I wrapped up decently warm. I'd backpacked my tights and two upper layers and was down to minimal clothing by 1100. Caught the sun on my arms and topped up the tanlines on my legs.
Listened to 6 Music, the first few chapters of Pete Townshend's superb autobiography, read by the man himself and then coverage of the final Premier League games of the season, on 5 Live.
Back on 127.17 miles. Probably should have done more given that I was back more than two hours before sunset, but I limited my options by going to Stamford I think. Lovely day out on a bike anyway and especially nice to do a bit of exploring in that bit of Lincolnshire. Lovely over there.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11450009463
Quote from: Slim on May 19, 2024, 10:01:25 PMQuote from: David L on May 19, 2024, 07:52:58 PM30 miles on the road bikes today. Absolutely lovely day for it. However, the ride didn't end too well. Stopped at Lynwoods cafe in Bampton for a sausage roll and a coffee where I removed my cat eye computer to check our average speed. After setting off, I realised I'd not put it back on the bike. Looked everywhere for it back at the cafe but it wasn't to be found. Pissed off.
I've actually located what looks like a used one on Gumtree for £12 so if I can get that it will be an easy fix using the existing sender unit. If not it will have to be a different model.......costing a lot more. Grrrrr!
Which particular Cateye model, David?
Cat Eye Micro Wireless CC-MC100W. I've just found out that the best option is not available - sold
A couple of months ago I might have described today's weather as "mild", but in a late May context I think it's fair to say it was cold. But at least it was dry. I wrapped up warm and set off to do a Twycross Bypasser at about 1500.
Came back along Heather Lane for the last couple of miles, which I haven't done for a while. Even though it's a country lane, it's usually less likely to be flooded than the road from Ibstock, which is the A447.
Listened to election coverage on 5 Live. Then I listened to another hour or so of Pete Townshend's autobiography. Very good.
Back on 35.36, and that's 518 for May so far. First 500+ month of the year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11480610499
Out today for the first time in nearly a week. Well, if I will go gallivanting round the country stalking a band what can I expect. Didn't want to come down with a cold though, but if I will go gallivanting round the country being in "crowds" stalking a band, what can I expect?
Yesterday I just didn't feel up to it. Can't even remember if the weather was OK. Today I told Mrs S I'd be out for between 5 minutes and 2 hours. When I first set off I thought it might be the 5 minute ride, felt a bit wobbly, but things picked up and it stretched out towards 2 hours. Ended up with 30 miles, but the last five felt a bit leaden.
It got me over 400 miles for May and I now have at most four riding days to get over 500. Should do it easily if the weather's fine, but last time I looked it looked too showery.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11485643795
Rain due over at about 1400, but I thought I could get 35 miles or so in before then. Set off at about 1015. With the wind coming from the east, the idea was to do 17 or 18 miles of the eastbound then come back.
I went east the "old" way through Rempstone. At the crossroads there I noticed, as I waited for a green light, a metallic grey Range Rover (or similar) in my mirror. He isn't going to try to overtake me going up the hill is he? I wondered. There wouldn't be a lot of space given the oncoming traffic.
He did overtake me. I was relieved as he passed though, he wasn't too close. However a split second later I discovered that he was towing a caravan, and that missed me by about seven inches. I shouted WANKER at the top of my voice. Not sure if the driver heard me or not. Bloody annoying.
By the time I got to Wymeswold, I'd decided to join up with the newer route. But when I got there I thought I'd keep going east for a bit first. I wasn't wholly sure I was on Narrow Lane, my intended way to the "new" route (although actually, I was). So since I'd done 18 miles by this time and I was half expecting to get rained on, I turned back. But I came back via Hoton and Cotes, to do the "new" route at least as far as Zouch. After crossing the A6 I extended the ride a bit by detouring through Long Whatton and Diseworth, then I came home down Top Brand.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/bike240525.jpg)
I didn't get rained on. Actually as I type it still hasn't rained today, meaning that I could have done a fondo in very nice weather. It's sunnier now than it was this morning. Irritating.
Listened to another few hours of Pete Townshend's autobiography. Fascinating. Back on 40.46 miles. 559 this month now so I should get that to 600 before June.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11494131464
Hmmm, what I thought was a cold might well be COVID. Mrs S has been feeling off it the last couple of days and she took a COVID test today and it turned out positive.
Well, I don't feel that bad and I always think a bit of exercise will do you good, get out in the fresh air and get the old cardio-vascular system going, but not going too hard of course.
My intention was just to go out and ride up to Linacre reservoir and back a few times, but I found out a stretch of road has just been surface dresses so there's a lot of loose gravel around, so I decided just to push on right to the top. Probably the best idea as even though it was hard work I only came back through the gravelly section once and I came close to sliding out even at reduced speed.
Still, good to get another 30 miles in, takes me to 437 for May, can I manage 63 more in the 3 available May days I have left?
https://www.strava.com/activities/11495916453
The forecast was for rain (again) in the afternoon, but I hoped to get 41 miles or a little bit less in to bring the May mileage total to 600. I set off at 1005 to do a moderately long bypasser.
Cool and windy as I pedalled away from the garage door. Sunny, but a few ominously dark grey clouds lurked the skies.
I did the whole length of Fenn Lanes right along to Sutton Cheney. Hadn't done that for a while. Very nice with a tailwind. Stopped at Sutton to backpack my tights and relax on one of the sofa-sized wooden benches there. The temperature climbed a bit after 1130.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240527bike.jpg)
Listened to 5 Live until they decided they'd cover Keir Starmer's speech in its entirety, which wasn't quite to my taste. Then I listened to another couple of chapters of Pete Townshend's autobiography. Fascinating man.
I did get rained on, but only lightly and only for about 20 seconds. There was a downpour about 40 minutes after I got back.
The Bypasser route generally takes me over a road that passes Twycross Zoo, at a crossroads. Today the road I was crossing was choked with traffic. Bank holiday zoo enthusiasts, possibly.
40.88 miles, so I judged the route nicely to bring the May total to 600.19 miles. 2450 done this year now so 5000 seems like an eminently achievable target for 2024.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11508927646
The wind was coming pretty much square on from the north yesterday afternoon, so I thought I'd try a route that I devised a few weeks ago. This would take me up to Castle Donington the usual way, then up to Borrowash - then up to Ockbrook, which is a small village a few miles out of Derby that I frequented occasionally in the early '90s. I hadn't been there for about 20 years. I set off at 1510.
Noticed a few planes taking off from the airport in the distance as I approached Donington. Thought I might be fortunate enough to see one taking off as I passed. I did see a DHL A300 taxiing so I stopped at the roundabout for a few minutes to watch it take off, but it didn't.
I passed a number of ROAD CLOSED signs on the way through Donington, hoping I'd be able to squeeze past whatever obstruction had closed the road to traffic. But the road wasn't actually closed, in fact there was a temporary traffic light system in place to allow vehicles to pass the roadworks that had (presumably) prompted the signs, in both directions. I suppose it's a useful deterrent to keep the traffic down.
Over Cavendish Bridge, through Shardlow, up past Elvaston Castle. Then I crossed Nottingham Road and negotiated a steep climb into Ockbrook. Very nostalgic, as I approach the end of my career, to pass two pubs which I used to visit on Friday lunchtimes with work colleagues from my first job. I stopped at a bench at the top of the hill to refuel with crisps and a pork pie that I'd bought. I continued on through Ockbrook then took a right onto Spondon Road. Another old haunt from the '90s lies along there; a pub called the Bartlewood Lodge. I did come this way a few years ago. I passed it, kept going for another couple of minutes then turned back. Just as I did so, the sun came out! It had been a cool, gloomy day until then but I had bright, warm sunshine for the rest of the ride.
I decided not to come back through Ockbrook. Instead I thought I'd visit Spondon. A girlfriend of mine lived there, as I believe she still does, and I used to cycle to her place from my own house in Oakwood, on the outskirts of Derby. So I pedalled into Spondon and repeated my old ride home, past Locko Park. Lovely in the early evening sunshine. I didn't actually visit my old house. I pedalled southward along Morley Road to Nottingham Road. Normally from there I'd head toward Borrowash but on this time, since I was indulging my nostalgia, I decided to risk Raynesway, so I could ride past my old place of work between 1989 and 1994. I was pleased to see that the building where I worked on the Rolls-Royce site is still there. I think it's due to be demolished soon.
Raynesway is a lot scarier for the hapless cyclist than it used to be. It's a very busy, multi-lane road. I did resort to the cycle lane eventually, somewhat reluctantly. Since I worked along there a bypass has been built which connects to it and unfortunately, I found my way onto that rather than into Alvaston, where I intended to join Shardlow Road.
Ah well. I propelled myself along the cycle lane alongside the bypass for two miles then joined Shardlow Road a bit further to the south than I intended. I came home through Aston, Weston, over Swarkestone Bridge then Melbourne and Coleorton as I have many times before.
Near Weston, a young man driving a fast hatchback of some sort pulled alongside briefly as he overtook, pointing his finger in an agitated manner. I only caught a couple of the words he shouted through the passenger window, these being "left side". I think he was intimating that I was, in his view, not riding close enough to the gutter. But I was considerably closer to it than the broken white line in the middle of the road. Still - he wasn't aggressive or threatening, just irritating.
Not far from Coleorton I stopped to make a phone call and as I checked the road behind me before remounting the bike, I saw two very young deer strolling across.
I was passed by a few riders with yellow squares pinned to their backs bearing a numeral and the text "JUST BIKES ASHBY". I wasn't familiar with Just Bikes but Ashby is only four miles from Chez Moi so I did a google search on my return and found their website. Oddly it just features the text "SHOP NOW CLOSED" and "Thank you for your custom".
I listened to 5 Live and more of Pete Townshend's autobiography, one of the most fascinating audiobooks I've ever downloaded.
Back on 48.88 miles which took my May total to 649, and my 2024 total, slighly irritatingly, to 2499. Would have been nice to hit the halfway point to 5000 miles before June. Not quite.
Really a nice sentimental ride out past old haunts. And the evening sunshine was glorious.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11542728393
Just spent a recreational twenty minutes composing a spreadsheet function to list my monthly totals. It is:
=SUM(filter(All!distlist,month(All!datelist)=ROW()-24,year(All!datelist)=COLUMN()+2007))
And when pasted around appropriately, it gives:
(https://i.ibb.co/4KnFVRb/mtotals.png)
So at a glance, I can see that my total for this last month is my highest score since August 2020.
Out of curiosity I graphed and seasonally adjusted my monthly totals (smoothed using moving averages over 12 months to remove variations due to time of year) and the trend looks like this:
(https://i.ibb.co/VLx55kP/month-movav.png)
The dip is 2018/19 when I buggered my knees. The hump after that is 2020 I assume, when I went for 10,000 km. But it's been rising steadily over the last couple of years evidently.
Got my first ride in since last Saturday. Probably would have been best if I'd not gone out last Saturday being as I most likely had COVID, but Kill or Kure, that's my motto.
I'd ended May with my lowest monthly total since 2015, just 438 miles, but then if I will take in 5 Riverside gigs, a Yes show and a meal out and get COVID then it's not surprising.
I could have got out yesterday, but even though I felt better than I had done in a long while, I still didn't feel like going out and I prevaricated until half three today until venturing out. I got a 30 miler in, just taking it steadily and started to feel a bit more like a cyclist before I got home. Hopefully June's weather will pick up and I have almost three weeks now until my next little jaunt away.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11549280879
Got my second ride of the weekend in today. Having survived 30 miles yesterday, I thought I'd do it again. This time however I would ride up to the tops, albeit by the long-winded roundabout route.
Big mistake, it was into a strong headwind which necessitated putting in more effort than I had intended doing. Of course it made coming back easier, but that's downhill anyway. Today, I didn't feel like a cyclist.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11557743456/
First run out for a while.. had friends down from Inverness who brought their bikes so did a leisurely. Trip to Troon and back. Only 20 miles but a great day and good fun.. interestingly lots of newly resurfaced roads around Troon due to the open golf in July.. funny how they seem to find the money..
I want to take another three or four days off before I leave my present employer and with a dry day forecast, I decided at the weekend to take one of them today. A moderate wind was coming from the north-west and I thought I'd do the Upper Westbound route, not having done it for a while. This goes up to Melbourne, over Swarkestone Bridge, west along the Beloved A Road, then, after Sudbury, north toward Ashbourne.
I woke up at about 0500 and briefly pondered getting up there and then to do Wales and back. But the conditions weren't quite right for that today and anyway - quite honestly, I didn't feel like it. I went back to sleep and got up at about 0900.
So - I went with Plan A and set off at about 1020. Conditions were cloudy and overcast, and a bit windy. But very comfortable. Not too warm, and on a longer ride bright sunshine can be fatiguing.
I intended a fondo but went a bit further than the half-fondo distance. I pressed on toward Ashbourne until I arrived at the top of a steep descent. I didn't fancy coming back up it so I turned back and came home exactly the same way.
Stopped to refuel at the petrol station near Hatton. I was pleased to see that they've now filled in the pothole where the forecourt joins the pavement. Wish they'd done that before I came a cropper at the beginning of December, an event that cost me a rear mech and, for a week or so, the use of my left hand ring finger. The finger is still a little bit stiff and crooked but it doesn't seem to have compromised my ability to play guitar. So I'm not overly bothered.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240603bike.jpg)
Took the pic at the bridge over the A38, south-west of Derby. The crash barrier made a surprisingly comfortable bench. I stopped there to eat a packet of crisps and a sandwich. I saved a Fry's Chocolate Cream for the outskirts of Melbourne, to give me a boost up Rotter's Rise.
I had an annoyingly long wait for a gap in the river of traffic on Ashby Road before I was able to cross it to come back into the village, two miles from home. I was standing there for seven minutes.
This was my third or fourth run out on the Roubaix since I applied some grip paste to the seat post and I'm pleased to say it hasn't slipped at all since then.
Listened to more of Pete Townshend's autiobiography, LBC and 5 Live.
Back on 68.45.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11564049194
An indifferent morning gave way to a rather nice afternoon, apart from a stiff wind from the west. I left work early - how many more times will I be able to say that? And set off on a Bypasser.
The wind was a bit of a brute as a headwind, but a bit of a joy in tailwind mode. I freewheeled quite a long way along Warton Lane, letting it push me along where usually I'd have to pedal.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240605bike.jpg)
I came through Upton and Shenton on the way back up. Lovely along there, so quiet and scenic. Should do it more often.
Listened to 5 Live, which feels a bit like a continuous Labour Party political broadcast at the moment. Then more of Pete Townshend's autobiography which has been a brilliant listen.
Because I have a magnet-based bike computer on the first Boardman I used a GPS logger app on a phone to track the ride. I was surprised to take it out of my pocket and find that it had logged 40 miles, when the bike computer (which I've calibrated fairly accurately) claimed 38.5. And when I uploaded it to Strava, I got 43.67! On closer analysis it turned out that the GPS logger app had gone a bit wappy, tracking a strangely zig-zag, wayward line. So I plotted the same route on a route planner. I got 38.8, and that's what I've put on the official (spreadsheet) record. Perhaps I'll do the same route again soon with a Garmin watch and see what I get.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/waywardgps.png)
https://www.strava.com/activities/11582116642
Last Saturday was pretty cool for the time of year but perfectly adequate for cycling with little wind. We headed out to Delvin in West Meath. Its real peat bog country which meant it was pretty flat. The most remarkable thing about the trip were the 2 eagles on adjoining telegraph poles near Coolronan bog. After spotting them they both took off flying to the adjacent poles.
Felt pretty tired by the time I arrived back in Navan so made do with 90kms rather than pushing it and completing 2 fondos in 2 weeks.
Still not feeling full of beans. Gave yesterday a miss because I just felt drained, turned out to be a good move as it rained.
Today, still didn't feel close to 100%, but, even though it was cool and blowy, the sun was out so out I popped for a couple of hours. Thankfully it was just warm enough for shorts and short sleeves, so could keep working those tanlines.
Just did a ride out to Tibshelf and back, didn't feel too bad actually, kept within myself and felt OK. Apart from a nose which was bubbling away like a snot Kilauea. Don't know whether it's a post COVID thing or a bit of a hayfever thing. All I know is I had a face like slugs had been partying on a cabbage. It got 33 miles in, which was nice.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11579066493
Woke up feeling shattered, but once on the bike it felt like there were a few more beans in the tin. The nose didn't suffer a Snot Tsunami either, just a few heavy waves crashing on the beach. So that's better then :)
Didn't do the route I'd thought of doing as a quick look at the roadworks map and Google revealed a few sets of inconvenient roadworks had popped up, so I just went out with a similar start to yesterday then came round through Staveley and up to Middle Handley before a return home via Whittington and Cutthorpe.
Managed to get up to 35 miles today and for the fourth day in a row the Garmin reckoned I'd still got reserves left in the tank. All down to being a bit sensible and knocking back the speed on the flat and the effort uphill.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11587327410
Had an issue with the bike struggling to get into the big cog at the front.
The mobile bike repair guy I use adjusted the cables and all is good again. Something that if I had a bit more confidence with bike maintenance I'm sure I could have managed myself.
He didn't charge me for his 10 minutes but suggested that my wheels could do with replacing. He talked me into it, and as the wheels are still the originals and the bike is 8 years old I thought it reasonable. He's bringing them over next week. 100euro each for a pair of Mavics that he highly recommends.
Quote from: dom on June 07, 2024, 12:33:20 PMHad an issue with the bike struggling to get into the big cog at the front.
The mobile bike repair guy I use adjusted the cables and all is good again. Something that if I had a bit more confidence with bike maintenance I'm sure I could have managed myself.
He didn't charge me for his 10 minutes but suggested that my wheels could do with replacing. He talked me into it, and as the wheels are still the originals and the bike is 8 years old I thought it reasonable. He's bringing them over next week. 100euro each for a pair of Mavics that he highly recommends.
Why did he think bike wheels need replacing after 8 years?
Quote from: David L on June 07, 2024, 12:43:44 PMQuote from: dom on June 07, 2024, 12:33:20 PMHad an issue with the bike struggling to get into the big cog at the front.
The mobile bike repair guy I use adjusted the cables and all is good again. Something that if I had a bit more confidence with bike maintenance I'm sure I could have managed myself.
He didn't charge me for his 10 minutes but suggested that my wheels could do with replacing. He talked me into it, and as the wheels are still the originals and the bike is 8 years old I thought it reasonable. He's bringing them over next week. 100euro each for a pair of Mavics that he highly recommends.
Why did he think bike wheels need replacing after 8 years?
Any decent bike mechanic would know that wheels need replacing at least every two years, as something lighter will have been brought out, probably with a scallop shaped rims and a really clicky freehub :)
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on June 07, 2024, 02:02:44 PMQuote from: David L on June 07, 2024, 12:43:44 PMQuote from: dom on June 07, 2024, 12:33:20 PMHad an issue with the bike struggling to get into the big cog at the front.
The mobile bike repair guy I use adjusted the cables and all is good again. Something that if I had a bit more confidence with bike maintenance I'm sure I could have managed myself.
He didn't charge me for his 10 minutes but suggested that my wheels could do with replacing. He talked me into it, and as the wheels are still the originals and the bike is 8 years old I thought it reasonable. He's bringing them over next week. 100euro each for a pair of Mavics that he highly recommends.
Why did he think bike wheels need replacing after 8 years?
Any decent bike mechanic would know that wheels need replacing at least every two years, as something lighter will have been brought out, probably with a scallop shaped rims and a really clicky freehub :)
😂
Quote from: David L on June 07, 2024, 12:43:44 PMQuote from: dom on June 07, 2024, 12:33:20 PMHad an issue with the bike struggling to get into the big cog at the front.
The mobile bike repair guy I use adjusted the cables and all is good again. Something that if I had a bit more confidence with bike maintenance I'm sure I could have managed myself.
He didn't charge me for his 10 minutes but suggested that my wheels could do with replacing. He talked me into it, and as the wheels are still the originals and the bike is 8 years old I thought it reasonable. He's bringing them over next week. 100euro each for a pair of Mavics that he highly recommends.
Why did he think bike wheels need replacing after 8 years?
He said there was plenty of give in them, there was quite a bit of movement when he pushed them from side to side. He's just got back onto me to say he has a 2nd hand pair of Mavics which were €550 new which he's selling for the same price as the more basic pair I was getting
My first Boardman has done about 15,500 miles on its present wheels, they seem to be doing fine at the moment. Fulcrum Racing 4s I think. Or 5s.
Think my bike has done roughly that amount in kilometres
Rain this morning, but nice and dry by the early afternoon. Decently warm, but annoyingly windy. I hoped to do about 45.
I intended to take the Planet X but weirdly, I couldn't get the stirrup pump nozzle to fit the valve on the front tyre when I went to pump it up. I mean - it seemed to fit over and clamp down correctly, but I couldn't pump air into it. Maybe there's some sort of obstruction in the end of the valve, although I don't really see how there could be since I keep a cap over the end. Oh well, I'll have a closer look tomorrow, maybe.
So I took Boardman II instead.
I didn't have a definite plan. I set off as if to do a Twycrosser but after seven miles, took a right along Atherstone Road to Measham. I'd formed a vague intention to head along the Lower Westbound route by this time. However, having approached Measham in an unfamiliar manner, I missed my usual turn. So I kept on, to No Man's Heath. From there I continued to Clifton Campville then followed a sign to Lullington, which is on the Lower Westbound route. Shame really because looking at the map now, if I'd kept going I would have gone through Haunton and Harlaston which I used to do occasionally years ago. Perhaps I'll revisit them soon.
I'd forgotten to bring a water bottle with me so I stopped at a services next to the M42 to buy a little bottle of raspberry juice drink and a sandwich. And an almond croissant.
I continued on as far as Alrewas (pronounced "or 'e was"). By this time the oncoming wind was really annoying me - as much because it was interfering with my audiobook listening as because it was making propelling the bike harder work. I decided I'd had enough and turned back.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/250608bike.jpg)
But I went right into Alrewas on the way back. Nice little village. I'd passed it many times, but had never been into the village proper. I stopped and ate at a bench, while listening to my DAB personal. As I did so, I felt a sudden sharp tap on the back of my head. Nearly jumped five feet in the air! I turned to see a young man, aged about twelve. Initially, I assumed I was confronting a fledgling hooligan, taking an opportunity to harrass an older gentleman for a laugh. Then I realised he was holding one of my cycling mitts in an outstretched hand. It had fallen from the bench, presumably. At that moment I noticed that he was accompanied by a yummy mummy. So I thanked him.
To be honest I would have found it without any trouble before I set off again but hey.
Just to add another wrinkle to what had been an unusual ride, I turned right at Acresford on the way home to come back through Appleby Magna, Snarestone and Swepstone.
Quite a nice ride out, lovely warm sunshine later on. But that headwind over the first half was really annoying.
Listened to more of the Pete Townshend audiobook, or tried to - I missed every third word or so due to wind noise. I'll have to redo a few chapters I think. Also listened to phone-ins about the election, which I'm finding highly aggravating at the moment.
Back on 44.96 miles and that's 152 this month, just about satisfactory for eight days in.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11604890651
I'm still struggling to really get back into it. Either COVID is kicking back in again or it's a cold. I blame Mrs S, she works at a school and she appears to keep bringing back all sorts of things and even though she's got them I get them worse - it's a man thing.
Still, that which doesn't kill us makes us think maybe we shouldn't have done it. But the sun was shining and I didn't feel that bad. An hour would have been enough, but I managed to stretch it out to over two and got 35 miles in. Even ventured over the border into Nottinghamshire and found out that some of their potholes had been filled in, I also found a good stretch which needs potholes filling in and back in Derbyshire it got even worse. My teeth are going to fall out one day.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11605440241
I booked a day's annual leave for today to take advantage of a dry day. I didn't have a clear plan, but I did have a rough idea to do a route I'd worked out last night that would take me along the upper westbound route, but go further west than usual through a village called Marchington, to Uttoxeter - then south-west to Stone, to join my usual route to Wales. I'd turn back after about 50 miles along the Lower Westbound Route and end up having done about 100, or a bit more.
Well - I did that, except that I took a bit of a weird detour in the first six miles by going up through Griffydam on autopilot.
But after Uttoxeter, I decided I wasn't really enjoying the road that I was on. Too busy and a bit climby. So I had a change of plan and plotted a route down to Abbots Bromley, to connect up with the Lower Westbound Route earlier than planned.
I had lunch consisting of stuff I'd bought at a petrol station, at a bench in Abbots. Then, instead of turning homeward the usual way I took a road south down to Hill Ridware. Then west to Rugeley, then I took a road back north to Abbots Bromley, to loop back. I hadn't been along that particular road before - it took me over Blithfield Reservoir (pictured).
This time I came home a traditional way, through Yoxall, Barton-under-Needwood, Walton, Coton, Lullington. One of my occasional Lower Westbound routes, though not the usual one. And just to add a mile or two I came through Packington and along Alton Hill on the way back.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240612bike.jpg)
It was mostly a cloudy, but dry day with low winds. I only started to feel too warm when the sun came out for the last 20 minutes or so. Beautiful warm sunshine for the last four miles! So in that respect it might have been nice to stay out longer. I didn't do the 100 miles I intended, only 89.12. But really I didn't feel I had anywhere else to go by that time. Nonetheless, I feel I made decent use of a day off. I'm especially pleased to have visited some new cycling territory - especially through Marchington, which was quite pleasant. I'll do that again.
Ideally, I'd like to do Wales and back soon. But today wasn't the day for that. Too cool early in the morning.
Listened to more of Pete Townshend's autobiography - up to 1995 now. And the Who album Quadrophenia, and a bit of 5 Live.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11638157498
Don't know when I'll get out again. After thinking I might be coming down with something on Saturday I did do. Worse than the probable COVID I had three weeks ago. Been knocked sideways though.
Just got some definition back to my thigh muscles and that's all gone and my buns of steel are now just soggy baps.
I've self diagnosed myself as having had Bronchitis. Mrs S who is used to me making a slight headache into a Brain tumour thinks there may be something to it.
Anyway, I was feeling a bit more like and once I'd finished watching the Women's Tour de Suisse, the Tour of Slovenia and the men's Tour de Suisse and then waited for a heavy shower to finish I made it out on the road for the first time in a week,
Just for an hour, don't want to push it too much - on the orders of Frau Doktor Mrs S - so got 15 miles in. Wasn't too hard, didn't get too out of breath and didn't feel any worse for it. Onwards and Upwards - hopefully...
https://www.strava.com/activities/11660130306/
Pretty nice weather today, but rain was forecast for the afternoon so I thought 40 miles or so would do. And I thought a Twycross Bypasser would be a nice way to spend a few hours on a Sunday.
I did a fairly long one, going up to Packington at the top and down to Fenn Lanes at the bottom. After Sutton Cheney I thought I'd come back north via the A447, reasoning that the traffic would be a bit quieter. It's not as nice as the road up through the villages, but I thought it would make a change. I did that for about a mile but worked out that the more direct route would cost me a couple of miles, so I cut back westward onto the usual route upwards through Carlton, Barton, Odstone, Burgoland et al.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240616cow.jpg)
I listened to Euros coverage on 5 Live, the rest of Pete Townshend's autobiography which I started about four weeks ago and the Who album Who Are You. I took the pic with the plastic cow at Sutton Cheney.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240616bike.jpg)
It hasn't actually rained despite the forecast, so I could have stayed out a couple of hours longer in the warm afternoon sunshine. Still - 41.35 miles, 283 this month now and that's good enough with a couple of weeks left until July.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11666150970
And another ride today, decided to extend things a bit and risk doing all of 20 miles, I think another 15 miler might have been better as I feel a bit worse for it. Still, it didn't rain too much. I also got told by another cyclist that I was riding quickly for someone on the recovery trail as he thought I was someone he knew and he'd had to put in a big dig to catch me up :) I really was taking it steadily though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11667733173/
I rather think that I won't hit 500 miles in June, just like May :( Should be doing 800+ but I didn't go out yesterday - felt shattered after two short weekend rides - and the way I feel now I don't know if I'll be out Wednesday and Thursday before a weekend in the Toon.
Still, I did make it out today and got up to a 30 miler. Took it nice and steadily - 80% intensity - well I tried too, but the heart rate averaged 152 on the Sutton Lane climb today as against 141 on Sunday, same average lower on both days though. Did wonder if the heart strap was playing up, but when that plays up I see a HR going up to 190 and there was none of that today.
Not just motorised traffic cyclists have to look out for, pedestrians are a bunch of cnuts too. Well one was today, I'd seen him come onto the road from a footpath and he was muttering to himself. I was doing a few circuits round Heath and Sutton Scarsdale, next time around he stopped at the side of the road to let a car by - there was no footway - then when I came by he grunted and aimed a kick at me. Twat.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11680420145
Upped it to a 35 mile ride today. More of a proper ride too in that I didn't go out to ride a few flat circuits. Thought I might up it to 40 miles tomorrow, but not the way I feel now! Didn't have a good night's sleep and thought I might be relapsing, but feel reasonably OK now, just completely and utterly shagged out.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11688723979
Didn't do 40 miles today. Felt like it though, did 36 miles and I pointed the bike more uphill today. Got up to the Peak District and Strava didn't even give me a categorised climb on the way there, yes I took the easy way, but it didn't feel it. I'm sure that the ride up from Staveley to Middle Handley must have a section that Strava would categorise as a climb, but nobody has found it yet.
It was good to feel warm sunshine on the skin though, not happened much this year, didn't make me any quicker though - as if it would. Not that I was aiming for a quick ride, I'm just happy to be out there and not coughing! Didn't get a full on snotty nose until just before I got home either. Things must be on the up. I'll give myself a weekend off now.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11696816458/
Perfect conditions were forecast for yesterday - mostly sunny, not too warm, dry and unusually light winds. Occasional cloud cover, to give a bit of respite from the sun in the afternoon. Three live football matches to listen to on my DAB personal radio (always a joy when out on a bike). So I booked a final annual leave day to perform my yearly ritual of cycling to the edge of Norfolk and back. I planned a route that would take me a slightly different way than I'd done previously and come back a different way again; about 175 miles in all.
I went to bed at 2300 on Wednesday night with the intention of getting up at 0330, but I didn't sleep. I got up at about 0245, and set off at 0350.
It was cold at that time of the morning of course but I was wearing several layers of clothing including cycling tights, and was warm enough. There was enough light in the pre-dawn gloom, 50 minutes before sunrise, to see the road well enough so I just used a basic blinking LED front light. Last time I did this ride a year ago, I'd set off nearly an hour earlier. It was a lot darker for the first hour and I was much colder. Probably didn't think it through properly, but I can be impulsive sometimes. It's not an ideal character trait for a system engineer. But I digress.
Anyway, I arrived at my favourite village shop at Buckminster after 38 miles. Had a second breakfast at one of the benches outside. I'd hoped to be able to remove a couple of layers of clothing by this time but the temperature hadn't climbed as much as I'd expected - so I left them on. My route after Buckminster took me east a different way than I normally go, through Castle Bytham, Witham on the Hill, Manthorpe and Thurlby. At Thurlby, 58 miles into the ride I was finally convinced that the air temperature was warm enough to strip down to minimal cycling clothing. So I removed my long-sleeved cycling jacket, fleece, gloves and tights as well as a spare bike light and packed them into a camo-pattern nylon bag, which I then obscured in the nether regions of a hedge next to a distinctive farm gate. I've used this tactic before, as regular readers may remember. It's very handy for avoiding carrying unnecessary weight over long distances. The key thing of course is to remember exactly where you stashed your stuff.
I had another rest-and-refuel stop at a lovely caff overlooking a pond near Deeping St Nicholas after 67 miles, then again at Tydd Gate after 86 miles, not far from my eventual destination - Sutton Bridge. And when I got there, 20 minutes later, an inner voice spoke to me. "Why don't you try for 200 miles?", it said.
The first 89 had been a breeze. Conditions had been ideal; the scenery had mostly been lovely. I'd taken it easy and was in good spirits. Sometimes if you're unhappy about something - the state of the roads, the temperature, the traffic - that can wear you down a little on a long ride but I'd had no problems at all yesterday. I'd done a 200-miler once before, in 2020 - but I was a young lad of 59 then. I'd sometimes wondered, this past couple of years, if I could do it again.
It would mean that I'd be home a couple of hours later than I'd planned, but the sun was due to set very late - and of course because I'd set off before sunrise, I had lights with me for the last hour post-sunset. As it happens a bright full moon was due as well, though of course I hadn't actually checked that in advance.
So I decided to go for it. I made up most of the extra distance by doing a bit of extra-curricular exploring in the eastern part of Lincolnshire where the terrain was very flat, and before I'd have to pick up the extra weight of my stashed cycling clothing at Thurlby. I didn't do this particularly imaginatively or carefully. I somehow managed to visit a cute little market town called Market Deeping twice. But it was fun nonetheless.
I'd uploaded my original route to my Garmin eTrex. It was hugely helpful to have a touch-screen map mounted on my handlebar, even when I went off-piste. Much better than stopping to check a phone app every 15 minutes.
The ride back west was pleasant and uneventful. I came back a longer way over the last 30 miles, to make up the remaining distance deficit.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240620bike.jpg)
The temperature dropped very quickly as I came down the hill toward Burton on the Wolds. I must have descended into a pool of cold air. I stopped a couple of miles later at a huge log next to Stamford Lane to put my additional cycling clothing back on, and put my lights on. Farmers sometimes deposit these massive bits of tree next to unused entrances to their land, to stop people driving into their fields and stealing cattle. Or something. But they provide useful roadside seating for cyclists. The sun had just set. I rested for 15 minutes and ate a cornish pasty I'd bought. Then I set off to do the remaining 15 miles. I arrived home at 2330. I'd done 201 miles. Beat my previous record by about half a mile.
I did suck some of the fun out of that ride in the planning stage. For some of the territory in Lincolnshire, I used charmless A roads rather than the distinctive straight, narrow tracks that run along the drainage channels in the beautiful desolation of the Fenlands. But since I picked up two punctures on a ride over there last year I'm a bit more cautious. I like well-established roads on long rides.
That was, I must say, a lot easier than my first 200 mile ride. On that occasion, each of the last 20 miles seemed to pass like 10. Over the last 5 miles I was stopping to lean against a lamp post and cry every ten minutes. This time, while I was certainly tired over the last 15, I didn't suffer.
My arms got a bit sunburned unfortunately, but I have lovely sharp tanlines on my legs.
Happy to have done a 200 miler again. I don't think I'll ever do another one. But of course, I've said that before.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11701075280
Nice weather yesterday but I decided I'd give myself another day off after doing a rather long one on Thursday. Fortunately the weather was rather nice as well today, and I thought I'd do about 40 or so. With a slight wind coming from the west, a Twycross Bypasser seemed a good idea.
However - after four or five miles it became clear that I didn't have my usual mojo. Just felt a bit low on energy. Might be because I've had a couple of late nights in the last few days as much as anything else, but I decided to keep it fairly short and do an old-fashioned Twycrosser, rather than a Bypasser.
Down to Ratcliffe Culey, through Sibson, back up through Bosworth, Odstone, Swepstone et al.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240623bike.jpg)
Since I'd forgotten to bring any food, I called in at the shop at Bosworth and bought a sausage roll. Passed it hundreds of times probably, but I'd never been in. I was surprised to see that the till was self-service. Sign of the times when even a village shop has an automated checkout.
I stopped at the bus shelter at Carlton (pictured) to eat the sausage roll, to sustain me over the last eight miles. There was an election leaflet pinned to the wall, for the Hinckley and Bosworth constituency. I won't say which candidate; this isn't the politics section. But it wasn't there for long.
Back on 31.92 miles and that's 516 this month now, and 3015 this year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11720188462
There's a couple of people on here who I would imagine are pretty close to 50% 😂
https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/comedy/flann-obrien-splits-atom
I'm probably only 20% bicycle.
I've finally cooled down from this morning's ride. A bit warm it was. A bit riddled with traffic lights at roadworks too. I'd checked before going out and plotted a route to avoid them, only to find two sets which weren't supposed to be there and a set which had been marked in the wrong position, why are they always at red for me and uphill too?
On the plus side I've finally got over COVID and shaken off whatever I got following on from that, only trouble is the legs are still suffering from a lack of action, but I got my first 40 miler in for a long time. Four more rides almost as long and I'll make 500 miles for June, 300 miles short of what I'd like, but it is what it is.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11735365508
The weather was actually a bit too hot for cycling today, but I applied my most minimal cycling clothing and a bit of suntan lotion. A rare chance to wear my lightweight camo-pattern cycling top, constructed of material so diaphonous that it barely exists. I reckon a light-fingered midgie could probably fly off with it.
Didn't want to go far. Not much spare time today unfortunately, so I thought a Twycrosser or Bypasser was probably the best idea. Set off at about 1510.
Fortunately I do seem to have my mojo back now, following a few days' recovery from my 200 miler on Thursday. I seemed to have plenty of energy. Unusually, I went right up into Ashby and along Market Street before descending through Packington. Down through Norton and Orton as usual.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240625bike.jpg)
After Sibson though I cut in westward to Sheepy Magna, so I could treat myself to a pitstop at San Giovanni. Had an Old Fashioned and asked for a tap water to top up my bidon. It came with a chunk of lemon and ice. Dumped it into the bidon with the ice from the cocktail so I had a cool, faintly lemon-flavoured water supply for the remaining ten miles (up through Twycross and Swepstone).
Quite a nice run out if a bit too warm, 37.03 miles, 553 this month and perhaps I can get that up to 600.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11738360625
Legs were a bit lacking today at times, I think it's the heat, but still, I got 37 miles in, meaning I need not much more than 90 miles in the next four days. I'll try and get as many in as I can tomorrow, weekend weather appears a bit hit and miss and the Tour de France starts on Saturday, got that to watch.
When I got back today, my helmet strap was encrusted with salt. Turn the helmet upside down and the strap stays pointing upwards :)
https://www.strava.com/activities/11743667151
Cooler today, not by that much, but less humid and a decent bit of wind helped, well helped keep me cool, didn't seem to help with my riding, at least not when riding into it.
Just a steady little spin today doing a couple of loops. Almost 36 miles gets me to 134 for the week, my bets weekly total since the week ending 12th May. All being well should get to 200 miles for the week and 500 for the month.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11751594435
I intended to do 30-odd miles after work today. That's after work in the unusually final sense that I have - at least provisionally - retired today. However I had very little to do this afternoon apart from completing an exit survey and sending round a few messages, which I wanted to do at about 4pm - so I decided to set off at lunchtime instead.
I did a Bypasser. Somehow I missed the left turn along Kisses Barn Lane - probably because I'd just been overtaken dangerously closely, and was seething. I only noticed when I found myself approaching some speed bumps that aren't a normal feature of my intended route.
So I continued on into Polesworth. It's a bit urban. I don't mind that so much as the hills you have to negotiate to pass through it. Then I took a left onto Grendon Road. Wasn't completely sure where I was until I passed Spon Lane on the right. I think I might go exploring over that way soon.
Came back up athrough Sheepy and, after Snarestone, the same way I'd come down. Back before 4pm. I sent my exit survey, which was a bit of a hand grenade, but quite cathartic. Said a few goodbyes. Signed off.
Back on 36.17 miles. Nice out there. Warm.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11754260580
Bit late getting out today, as it was a long Tour de France stage. Perhaps I should have got up earlier, but hey, it's Saturday, I may have been retired for two years, but a weekend is a weekend!
Thought I'd try and put a bit more effort in today. I did, but not a lot. But my intensity on Strava was 92% up from 87%, so that's something. maybe one day I'll hit 100% again, could be a while.
Got 35 miles in, which was enough, just need 21 miles now for 500 for June and 30 for 200 in the week.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11769549785/
And 21 miles I got and got it to 31 to make sure of 500 miles for June and 200 for the week. I thought with the England game being on the roads would be quieter, but apart from Brimington Common, they weren't. Plenty of blokes out walking dogs and mowing their lawns too, seems like we don't all but into the fetishisation of Soccer.
Wish it had kept the kids in as in Holmewood I encountered a posee of them pulling wheelies on mountain bikes on the wrong side of the road. I told them "Don't be a Dummy". I saw them again on a different road in Holmewood on the way back. Their leader told me to "FUCK OFF!", I told him to learn some nicer language. This time they'd picked up a mate on a go-kart, darndest looking one I've seen, didn't have a front wheel, but a green plastic barrel like a garden roller. I told him to "GET THE FUCK OFF THE ROAD CUNT!", I'm an "adult" I can be a hypocrite.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11777132908
It was dry, it wasn't sunny, it was Tuesday, it was time to ride.
Not that I felt like it, felt like I was coming down with something again, and on my ride the old nose got very bubbly and needed frequent poorly performed snot rockets during the ride, but it dried up as I went along, I'm sure you all wanted to know that.
For the first time in weeks I took a steeper route up to the tops. Turned it out it was my hundredth ride up Harewood Road and today was my 96th quickest. Ouch. There was a headwind though, that's my excuse. I did pass a bloke riding a Mountain bike near the top and managed to do a lap of Beeley Triangle before he summited, so that was OK. Also think I saw a Stonechat up on Beeley too.
Gets July underway with a 40 miler, that'll do, especially as I got over 3,000 feet of elevation gain in a ride for the first time since mid May. Hardly the Col du Galibier though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11789626937
My usual route to Wales is an extension of the Lower Westbound route, but a while ago I devised a route to Wales that would extend from the Upper Westbound route, instead.
A critical component of this new route is a mile-long stretch of cycle path running along the A50, about 30 miles from home, leading into Uttoxeter.
So, on a dry day with the wind coming from the west, I thought I'd go and check out the cycle path, go into Uttoxeter for a mile or so then come back the same way. Usually I don't like to use cycle paths. They can be poorly maintained sometimes, with indifferent surfaces, thorny vegetation, sharp stones and bits of broken glass. But sometimes they're OK if there's no alternative.
So I set off at about 10:30 and pedalled up through Coleorton and Melbourne, west along the Beloved A Road, all the way on to Doveridge and onto the cycle path. I realised when I got there that I'd been there before. It's not too bad. A bit concretey in places. A little bit of debris, but no conspicuous puncture bait.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240702bike.jpg)
I went into Uttoxeter, but instead of turning back, I followed a sign to Abbots Bromley, which is on my Lower Westbound route, or one of them. I think I'd taken this same road a few weeks ago when I went into Uttoxeter via Marchington. Came back the usual way from there, through King's Bromley, Alrewas, Croxall, Netherseal et al. I took the pic at Lullington.
Cloudy and cool in the morning, but - unexpectedly - a lovely warm, mostly sunny day in the afternoon. Fortunately I had a backpack so I could stuff clothing into it.
Listened mostly to 5 Live. I listened to James O'Brien on LBC for a while; I think a psychiatrist would find him a fascinating case. And I listened to 2112.
Back on 68.16 miles. I didn't manage 600 in June but I'll be happy with 450 for July.
The night before I set off on my 200 miler, I put a fresh pair of Duracell Plus AAs in my DAB personal. It's now done about 32 hours on them, and they aren't dead yet! Very nice to know I wouldn't need a spare pair on a long ride. In fact I could put the same pair in an LED torch on a long ride with the last couple of hours in the dark, and use my phone or MP3 player for in-flight audio.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11791188500
Listening to James O'Brien with the week that's in it? Fair play! Couldn't accuse you of living in an echo chamber.
Think doing 200 miles in a week last week has done for this old man. Had to sit yesterday out. Went out today, but don't know why I bothered as I managed to enrage a motorcyclist, who threatened to "drop me" because of my problems. What was my problem? He tried to get by me about 20 yards before a mini roundabout, I was turning right and so was he, but he was coming by me on the wrong side of the road, shouting at me to get out of the way, so I shook my head and called him an idiot. He was an idiot because he was unable to see anything coming the other way when he was in their lane. I despair, and these people are allowed to vote.
Apart from that it was a nice enough ride, so long as I disregarded the wind, it was quite a blowy westerly. Got 40 miles in and even managed over 3,000 feet of elevation gain on a ride which eschewed going out to the Peak District and contained no categorised climbs.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11805909779
A few years ago I rode to Worcestershire (the historic version) and back. I refer to this ride sometimes as my "Dad's Army route", because I spent most of the ride listening to old recordings of the BBC Radio version of the famous sitcom about the fictional Walmington-on-Sea division of the Home Guard.
I've often thought of doing it again. The main deterrent has been the necessity to do about three miles of the A5 west of Atherstone. It's a fast dual carriageway, and not the sort of thing you really want to be negotiating on a bicycle. I did try to do it spontaneously a couple of months ago, but hadn't planned the route and I messed it up.
I thought I'd have a go at it today. I didn't upload the route to my eTrex, but I did memorise the turns carefully with the help of Google Street View.
Roughly the first half of the ride to the destination is part of my usual Twycross route. Then the A5, then south-west toward Kingsbury, then down to Coleshill.
So - I did that. I didn't go right down to the border with Historic Worcestershire, because it's depressingly urban after Coleshill. You're pretty much in the outskirts of Birmingham after that.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240704bike.jpg)
I stopped at a garden centre on the way down to look for a caff. Didn't find one, but they did have a butcher's shop situated in a sort of prefab hut, so I bought a chicken samosa there. Very nice. Also stopped at a friendly village shop at Kingsbury on the way back for a sandwich and a Magnum ice cream.
Came back the same way as far as Grendon Road. Then I came home through Sheepy, Congerstone, Shackerstone, Heather. So the whole ride was in essence a Twycross Bypasser with an excursion south-westward at the bottom.
Actually the worst part of this ride is having to negotiate the big roundabout on the A5 near Hockley on the way back. It's a lot scarier going round it clockwise than coming off at the first exit on the outward leg.
Despite that, nice to do it again. I didn't listen to Dad's Army this time, I listened to 5 Live - and I got another 4.5 hours out of the Duracell Plus AAs in my DAB, for a total of roughly 36.5 hours. Amazing.
I have to say though I didn't quite remember it as the same ride I did in 2022 .. I seem to remember a few views and scenes that somehow weren't present today. I've checked, and I definitely did the same route. Must be my memory playing tricks.
Nice run out though. Pleasantly warm and sunny in the afternoon. Back on 53.67 miles. I've done 122 already this month; I guess that's the retirement distance dividend.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11807694957
Being as I'd done my usual Saturday in July thing and spent most of the day watching the Tour de France, I only had a couple of hours to get out in - if I also wanted to get in my Saturday vinyl session.
I decided to do the same ride as last Saturday and I also decided to try and put a bit more effort in. What was the result? A slower ride than last week on a 1% increase of average power. Ho-hum.
It was a wind thing though, like last week it was a Westerly, but this week it was 10mph stronger and all the time I gained on my outward run - about 25 seconds - was more than lost on the way back. At least today the England game did seem to produce a lesser amount of traffic on the road, but what there was was driving around like maniacs.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11824140398
Another dry day and, with the wind coming from the south, I took an opportunity to get a southbound fondo in. My usual route, except that I took a longer deviation round the Earl Shilton bypass, to avoid the hill you have to navigate to go straight through.
Stopped when I got to Welford Road after about 32.5 miles, and came back the same way.
I stopped at the village shop at Gilmorton on the way back. Alas, the Google Pay app on my bloody phone wouldn't work so I had to put the Magnum ice cream, egg mayonnaise sandwich, bottle of Lucozade and Milky Bar I'd plonked on the counter back where I'd got them. Annoying. I always take an actual debit card with me on longer rides, perhaps I'll do that on short rides as well now.
Fortunately I didn't really need them. I'd already eaten a rather nice chunk of Fortnum & Mason pork pie that I'd brought with me and with uncertain economic fortunes ahead of us now, perhaps I shouldn't be purchasing superfluous goodies on relatively short bike rides.
Really nice out there, warm and sunny later on. I backpacked my fleece and tights after about ten miles. Perhaps I should use my legwarmers more often; I always feel a bit inconspicuous wrestling tights off while propped against a farm gate. I must look like an old woman about to take an impromptu leak.
I started the next Reacher novel, The Affair. Good stuff so far although it's in the first person, which is not my favourite Reacher mode.
I would have done a longer ride, but rain was forecast for the late afternoon. It never happened.
Back on 65.87 miles for a pleasing 188 this month. That was this year's 21st fondo.
Dry again today but I had things to do around lunch time and this evening, so I wasn't going to do another fondo. The wind from the west was a bit too strong for that anyway. I was slightly debilitated from drinking Japanese whisky last night, as well. So I thought I'd do a longish version of the famous Twycross Bypasser route. About 40 miles, perhaps.
Pretty comfortable out there, about 16C I think. I was going to go down to Fenn Lanes via Witherley, but Mythe Lane was flooded where the stream passes under the road. I've seen this quite a few times now, but somehow didn't expect it today. So - I backtracked back to Ratcliffe Culey and went east via Sibson and Shenton then up through Market Bosworth.
Gloomy from 1800 and I picked up a few specks of rain near Odstone so I came home the quicker way through Heather (pronounced Hee-ther by the locals by the way) instead of Swepstone. Fortunately I didn't get rained on.
I forgot to bring a phone with me somehow so I couldn't make any progress with the Reacher novel. I listened to coverage from Wimbledon.
Saw a huge swarm of pigeon-sized birds near Orton. Not sure what they were. Seemed to be thousands of them. Crows maybe. They were silhouetted against the sky so I couldn't really make out their colouring.
Back on 36.11.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11856135165
Wish I'd gone out on Monday, might have kept the legs in better condition after being kept in by the rain yesterday.
It was certainly a struggle today, although a headwind may have been as big a contributor as the legs. My first five miles were about my quickest this year on the way I headed out, but that could have been because the wind was a tailwind. First time I've been out that way in weeks as roadworks had been showing up. They were supposed to have gone. Wrong. Ho-hum.
First ride to the tops through Cutthorpe in a week and a half and it showed! Not done many slower times, but once you're up there its a relief! Even managed to get out and cross the border into Yorkshire - but not for long! Got 40 miles in, which will do.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11853753568
For years I've had a vague intention to do a bike ride to Kilburn, an unremarkable village about eight miles north of Derby. I'd probably never have heard of it except that, in the early '90s, it was in one sense the location of a (bizarre) love triangle I was caught up in, and the geographical focal point of a lot of emotional turmoil.
So, with the wind blowing from the north unusually, I decided I'd give it a go today. I set off at about 0950.
Up Top Brand to Donington, over Cavendish Bridge, up past Elvaston Castle. The intention was to head towards Oakwood, where I used to live all those years ago, then take what was my usual driving route to Kilburn back in 1993. Or one of them.
I tried to take a short cut through Spondon on the way to Oakwood, partly to avoid the busy 'ASDA roundabout'. But I ended up on the A52, which - being a fast dual carriageway and the most popular road into Derby off the M1 - was considerably worse. Oh well. I put up with a mile of it, then I ended up on the ASDA roundabout anyway despite my attempt to avoid it.
At the next roundabout I took a right turn to go up Acorn Way. I was happily pedalling around it in the usual clockwise fashion when a learner driver decided to join the roundabout right in front of me. I had to apply brakes pretty sharply to avoid colliding with the driver's side of his car. Perhaps the youth behind the wheel thought that right of way on roundabouts only applies to motor vehicles. Needless to say I gesticulated aggressively, but he looked very nonchalant about it. Would be quite funny if he was on his test, but somehow I doubt it.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240712kilburn.jpg)
Familiar roads from that point up towards Kilburn, albeit I hadn't been on some of them for over three decades. Nice to see some familiar places, odd somehow that they're still there after all this time.
Not long after Morley I decided to take a detour after seeing an idyllic-looking left turn. To the left, a long, quiet, straight, narrow but decently surfaced road beckoned, lined by trees. Very nice, but it didn't last long and the next turn saw me rattling downhill along an uneven and grotty country lane. Ah well - it's good to explore.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240712chat.jpg)
Got to Kilburn, had a look round. I decided to go back down to Derby the other way, down Derby Road. It had clearly been resurfaced recently - gravel bound with tar, but no white lines or road markings. This was a really pleasant stretch of the ride. It's a big road and yet quiet, presumably because it's parallel to the A38. It goes through a pretty village called Little Eaton. And all of it is gently downhill until you get to Derby.
I stopped at a bench in Oakwood, not far from my old house, to eat some food I'd brought with me. It bore a sign saying "Happy to Chat Bench - sit here if you don't mind someone stopping to say hello". Fortunately, I didn't have to glare at anyone. Then I headed home through Spondon, Borrowash, Elvaston, Shardlow. After Donington I took the longer way home through Diseworth and it was even longer than I intended because I hit a 'Road Closed' sign on the turn to Belton. But I thought I probably needed to add a mile or so anyway to get up to fondo distance, so I continued on to Long Whatton then came home the usual way from there.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240712caff.jpg)
There's now an elegant little caff along the main road near Shardlow, and I stopped there for a sausage roll, a fruit scone and an Americano. Very nice but it came to £8.30 and although I wouldn't have thought twice about that a few weeks ago, I wonder if I should really be doing that now I've turned the money tap off. I should probably have brought more stuff with me.
Cool for the first hour or two. Warm later on when the sun came out but cooler again later when the clouds rolled over. I wasn't tempted to take the legwarmers off. I got rained on slightly over the last mile.
Listened to more Reacher, Adrian Chiles and Wimbledon coverage on 5 Live and the Who album It's Hard.
Back on 65.53. Nice run out, a bit of an adventure. I'll have to do that one, or something like it, again.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11871053000
After being drizzled off yesterday, thought I'd better get out today - especially with a weekend in the Pyrenees to watch in the TdF, I'd love to give the Tourmalet a try, but I'm old and it's uphill, for a long way.
I'd got a 40 miler planned in my head, a flattish 40 miler - sometimes I feel like I wish I lived on Suffolk - I'd got three miles and looked down to see I'd forgotten my bidon :-[ So a quick U-turn and back home to get it. Back home I found I hadn't even filled it. Hope I'm not getting like Biden.
At least now it meant I wouldn't have to go through Westhouses, so I can be thankful for small mercies. It was nice to ride out to Tibshelf with a tailwind, normally it's a cross headwind, of course that meant it was a headwind coming back, but I manned up. Got my 40 miles in and possibly feel better for it.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11869581034#
Went out and did what I've done the last couple of Saturdays once I'd finished watching Pogi have a good time. Managed to do it more quickly last week but slower than a fortnight ago, but that could be due to putting in an extra triangle above Apperknowle.
Thankfully I felt livelier than yesterday and even a bit of rain in Sutton Scarsdale and Heath didn't put me off, because I knew I'd head back to a drier slot. For the third week in a row I set a PB on "Two Lap Bypass" seeing where I am on the overall, I'm down near the bottom, looks like it's used for Time Trialling, I just do it to get a few flat miles in before heading uphill :)
Another 35 done and over 250 for July.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11880296587
Not a bad day, warm enough and dry. On another Sunday I might have done a fondo, but I seem to have a lot more time on my hands now and I've done three already this month. With a light wind coming from the west, a Bypasser seemed a good idea.
I did a longish version, right down to Fenn Lanes. Fortunately Mythe Lane wasn't flooded this time. I took the left from Fenn Lanes along Mill Lane to Shenton, which I haven't done for a while. Nice to see that Mill Lane has been resurfaced, though I don't remember it being particularly bad before.
Listened to the Reacher audiobook all the way round. Not one of the best, but good stuff. I could have done without the ten minute sex scene though. I completely forgot that the men's final was on at Wimbledon or I'd have listened to that, but fortunately I got back in time to see the last few games on the telly.
Back on 40.30 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11887787656
After being rained off yesterday, although it wasn't that wet and I probably could have got away with it apart from the last 15 minutes, I thought that I had better get out today.
So I did and I did more or less what I did last Wednesday and like last Wednesday I felt absolutely shit going up through Cutthorpe. It felt like when I first started tacking climbs up to the Peak District 10 years ago. I only made it up more quickly than last week because the headwind was lighter. Must start doing more hill work I don't want to be outdone by the doddery old men I see out and about up there.
Might try a new bike, well not new, but not used for a long while. Got round to getting a new rear derailleur cable on the Giant TCR. Was charged £20 for it which included collection and delivery back. But why whenever I have a new cable put on are the gears never indexed properly? I've had it done by four different mechanics and every time it comes back not working across the whole block.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11910044374
I put a new chain on the Cannondale yesterday and was going to change the cables as well, but I copped out and left the old ones on. It's not a hard job in itself but it's a bit of a faff setting the gears up afterwards. The old cables look alright so hey.
The Cannondale doesn't have a barrel adjuster for the front Disraeli which I find a bit odd.
Anyway at least it had a good clean! I shaved off a load of that plasticky gunge that forms on the inboard side of the big chainring by spinning it round into the blade of a screwdriver.
A warm, almost hot day, mostly sunny with intermittent cloud and the wind coming from the south. I set off not long after 0900 with the intention of going down the Southbound Route. I didn't think I'd go right down to Northampton, but I thought I'd go down to Welford, or the gliding club at Sibbertoft.
Warm enough for minimal clothing from the outfit. I wore a short-sleeved cycling top received as a birthday present from Stepdaughter II and her boyfriend, and it fits nicely. Nice secure pockets as well.
I got as far as Broughton Astley, only to find that the road south of there had been resurfaced by having sharp, dusty gravel thrown onto it. I just wasn't going to propel my S Works over that, so I turned back. I went back as far as Stoney Stanton, and from there went down Fosse Way. My alternative southbound route. A thoroughly serviceable Plan B.
I got as far as Bretford, then just to do something a bit different I took a road signposted to Coventry. Wasn't going to go much further anyway. But it wasn't a very interesting road. It took me to a village called Brandon, which also wasn't very interesting. And I turned for home. I had a sandwich and a Magnum ice cream at the village shop at Brinklow. It has a little bench outside, although I invariably have to make room by shifting a box of old paperbacks and some pot plants. Come to think of it, perhaps I'm not supposed to sit on it.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240718bike.jpg)
Took a pic at the High Cross monument as usual. As I'm sure I've mentioned a few times, it marks the centre of Roman Britain and the intersection of the two great Roman roads.
I came back the old-fashioned way through Earl Shilton. I didn't take the bypass that would have avoided the hill, because I forgot to take a left turn instead of straight on at the crossroads at Stoney.
I listened to more of the Reacher novel, GB News, LBC and the 2019 Who album Who. 5 Live is a no go area for me when the Open Championship is on. I can't imagine why people follow a golf competition on the radio.
Back on 74.00 miles. That was my fourth fondo this month, nice to have a bit more time for them.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11920137986
Took the newly re-rideable Giant TCR out today. Forgotten how highly geared it is compared to the gravel bike going back to 52/36 chain rings is a bit of a shock after 46/30 and it's an 28-11 rear cassette as against a 34-11. You really feel it if you try to ride the same cadence on the equivalent rear sprocket!
It came as no surprise to find that was my fastest ride of the year, but only just, wonder if I'd be quicker if my legs were in balance. The power pedals always say that more power goes through the right one, but today was 42%L:58%R can't say as my left leg feels any weaker.
Got 41 miles in today going out down Tibshelf way, would only have been 40 if the road through Westhouses hadn't been shut. The Causwayone.network site hadn't got it shut. Still, going up through Blackwell saw me set a few PBs, the Southerly wind and bus which wanted to get by me helped with that.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11918549362/
A warm day, but overcast with rain threatened for the early evening. Since I've put a new chain on the Cannondale and adjusted the front derailleur yesterday, I wanted to give it a run out to check everything's working properly.
I hadn't used it for eleven months, because I knew it needed some attention. And of course it's taken me ages to get round to it. Well - to be fair I was waiting for some warm weather to give it a good clean at the same time. I only ever wash a bike on a warm day so it dries quickly.
I didn't set off until noon but I only wanted to do 30 or 40 miles anyway so a Bypasser seemed the obvious choice. I found a ROAD CLOSED sign and a barricade blocking the entire road coming into Ashby, so I backtracked and went through Packington instead.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240720bike.jpg)
I was overtaken by a couple out for a ride near Snarestone. Posh bikes, swanky cycling gear. The male rider, a well-built man in his late 40s at a guess, gave me a smug wink as he passed. A few minutes later I found that, without particularly trying to, I was catching them up again. I came right up behind them coming through Norton. The poor lad was having a real struggle getting up the hill out of the village in the granny gear, so I breezed up past him. Naturally I gave him a wink on my way past. His face was roughly the colour of a beetroot.
His girlfriend had managed the hill without difficulty.
Down to Mythe Lane and rather than Fenn Lanes I came up and east through Upton. Glad I'm remembering to do that road a bit more often these days, it's very nice along there. After Carlton I took a right to Nailstone and came along the main road up through Ibstock, which is something else I don't do often.
The Cannondale is running nicely on the new chain, except that getting it onto the big ring at the front is more of an effort than it should be at the shifter. It requires a harder push than it should (or used to). I think I'll probably end up fitting a new cable and setting the front gear up from scratch. I don't think I'll bother with a new cable housing but I'll flush the old one through with GT85 to give it a good clean. Not going to bother with the rear cable. Ain't broke - don't fix it!
I listened to the rest of the Reacher novel. It unfolded quite nicely. Not one of the best but pretty good.
Back on 35.97 and that's 440 this month now. I think 600 is very doable for July.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11936039392
Went out for a 30 miler yesterday and did another one today. Starting to get used to pushing over bigger gears again and the imbalance between left and right legs is reducing.
Still not quite managed to get the rear cassette indexed properly, still works over the entire block, but is prone to not shift between third and fourth. Probably just needs the slightest tweak on the barrel adjuster, but I keep giving it just too much of a tweak.
It did rain a bit whilst I was out, but not enough to make me wimp out and at least it was warm rain. Managed to set a PB on a Strava segment for the fourth week in a row. I'll leave it at that though, reduced it by a minute (from 11 to 10) any further reduction would require a heads down put some effort in ride. Not for me.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11937852168/
Managed to squeeze out a rather piss poor 20 miles yesterday.. would liked to have done more but I was knackered and it was quite windy which made things a bit unpleasant.. anyway up over the Carrick Hills down into the village of Knockdon.. then a nice cross country to drop on the A77 and across that on the Dalrymple road to circle back to A77 then round the houses and drop onto the seafront and out to the pier end and home..
Went out for a short spin late yesterday morning. Finding hills (such as they are in Meath) relatively easy so I came up with a route that would be as hilly as possible.
Headed out of Navan on the Slane road then crossed the Boyne at the Broadboyne bridge - nasty little climb there as you climb out of the valley - (according to Strava 0.27km at 10.1%) Turned left onto the N2, which takes you to the very bottom of Slane Hill - from there climbed to the Hill top 158m above see level where St Patrick lit his fire (1.64km at 7%) Back into Slane village and up to the hill top on the Drogheda side (0.3km at 5.6%)
Then back down the hill out the Navan Road, right then left onto the Kells Road. Nice and gradual climb here that seems to go on for quite a while (apparently 3.5km km @1.6%).
Another drag as you go through Gibbstown and then a bumpy ride back to Navan alongside the Blackwater. And despite my best efforts to make it a hilly run I only managed 457m of climbing in the 43km spin. The climb out of the valley was really tough but thankfully short. The climb up Slane Hill was made easier by the traffic lights turning red halfway up the climb. Quite tough to be much of a grimpeur in Meath.
Might well have done a fondo today, but I didn't go to bed until about 0415 last night (this morning) folowing airport taxi duties, I didn't get up again until about 1100 and I didn't much feel like riding a bike. But with rain in the forecast for the next few days, I decided I should make an effort and I set off to do 30-odd at about 1520.
I did a Bypasser, with a couple of deviations from more usual versions. Firstly I did a very minor detour into Warton village, only because I'd caught sight of a rather athletic pedestrian in flared psychedelic gym pants, and I wanted a closer look after she took a right turn. Secondly, I did the right turn toward Nailstone again, same as last time. But this time I went right through Nailstone to Ellistown, so I sort of tacked on the last few miles of the southbound route onto the ride. Made a nice change.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240722shenton.jpg)
Nice day, easily warm enough for short sleeve top and shorts. Quite a few barely-dressed female joggers were out for a run this afternoon, which is always good for morale. I got caught paying closer attention to one than might be considered necessary while pedalling through Ibstock. She glanced around and noticed that I was having a good look as I went past. She took it well, though. She grinned. I grinned back, quite involuntarily, out of embarrassment. Busted.
In my defence - she was a phenomenal specimen. I'm all for not objectifying women, but in my view they need to meet you half way and not wear tiny jogging shorts that look like they've been sprayed on.
Anyway back on 37.97 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11953857038
Quote from: dom on July 22, 2024, 05:13:31 PMWent out for a short spin late yesterday morning. Finding hills (such as they are in Meath) relatively easy so I came up with a route that would be as hilly as possible.
Headed out of Navan on the Slane road then crossed the Boyne at the Broadboyne bridge - nasty little climb there as you climb out of the valley - (according to Strava 0.27km at 10.1%) Turned left onto the N2, which takes you to the very bottom of Slane Hill - from there climbed to the Hill top 158m above see level where St Patrick lit his fire (1.64km at 7%) Back into Slane village and up to the hill top on the Drogheda side (0.3km at 5.6%)
Then back down the hill out the Navan Road, right then left onto the Kells Road. Nice and gradual climb here that seems to go on for quite a while (apparently 3.5km km @1.6%).
Another drag as you go through Gibbstown and then a bumpy ride back to Navan alongside the Blackwater. And despite my best efforts to make it a hilly run I only managed 457m of climbing in the 43km spin. The climb out of the valley was really tough but thankfully short. The climb up Slane Hill was made easier by the traffic lights turning red halfway up the climb. Quite tough to be much of a grimpeur in Meath.
I'd kill for flat roads like that! ;D ;)
Quote from: Slim on July 20, 2024, 06:45:06 PMThe Cannondale is running nicely on the new chain, except that getting it onto the big ring at the front is more of an effort than it should be at the shifter. It requires a harder push than it should (or used to). I think I'll probably end up fitting a new cable and setting the front gear up from scratch. I don't think I'll bother with a new cable housing but I'll flush the old one through with GT85 to give it a good clean. Not going to bother with the rear cable. Ain't broke - don't fix it!
I entered the garage earlier, armed with a new gear cable, a cable cutter and a new barrel adjuster, acquired from Amazon. I started to pull the old cable out of the shifter, but changed my mind after I'd pulled a couple of feet of it out. It's still in really good nick, no kinks, no frayed bits, no oxidation. Just a bit of surface dirt.
So I had another go at setting the front Disraeli up on the old cable. With the cable disconnected I set up the limit screws. Then, on a hunch really, I clicked the front shifter down to get the cable as loose as possible, then I pulled it as tight as possible onto the gear clamp and tightened it down. And that's done the trick - the reason that the front shifting was too tight is that it wasn't balanced against sufficient cable tension. Haven't actually tried it on the road but it's changing nicely through all the gears now, nice shifter action and no chain rub.
I also gave the cable guide on the bottom of the frame a good clean with a toothbrush and some GT85.
So: no barrel adjuster or new cable fitted but I'm very happy it's properly set up now. It needs new handlebar tape as well really but that won't stop me taking it out.
Cleaned and lubed the chain on the Giant TCR yesterday which promptly put the rear derailleur indexing out of synch. Why? Spent half an hour fettling with it, pulling the cable through a bit tighter, adjusting it with the barrel adjuster until they all worked. Brought inside, tried again, wouldn't go to the smallest cog. Arse. Who uses the smallest cog? Well me, comes in handy downhill, it's the largest one I barely use - on the almost too steep hills.
Anyway, took it out today and it does drop to the smallest sprocket. Does it go to the largest one? I don't know, stayed at least two below it as it wasn't too hilly today. I even set my fastest time up to Hardwick Hall today, thanks to having a car behind me, it's single lane and I'm not stopping if I'm doing over 12mph. Besides I get held up by cars when I drop down the hill the other side of the hall.
Anyway, that's 41 miles in the bag, 42 more for 500 in July.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11959712377
"fettling" good Northern word, Yorkshire even!
The forecast threatened rain in the late afternoon, but I thought I'd take the Cannonale out for 40 miles or so to check the gears are set up properly after yesterday's adjustments. I was going to do a Bypasser, but the wind was a bit stiff so I decided to keep it short and do an old-fashioned Twycrosser.
The first hour or so passed pleasantly enough, then the rain came down a few hours earlier than advertised. It mostly rained for the rest of the ride, though the last 25 minutes or so was dry. At least the wind was warm so I dried off quickly.
I didn't do Mythe Lane / Atterton this time, I went through Ratcliffe Culey and Sibson then down to Fenny Drayton and along Fenn Lanes. Very nice to get the respite from the wind when I turned into Fenn Lanes to come back up.
The gears are set up very nicely now, thankfully. Very happy to have got the Cannondale sorted out at last. The saddle feels a little bit low - unsure whether it's slipped or I set it up like that when I installed the carbon seat post. But I'll hoist it up a few mm and apply some of the grippy paste I bought for the Roubaix, which seems to work nicely.
Back on 35.98 miles, 514 this month now.
Surprisingly I've done more miles this year now (3601) than I had by this time last year (I'd done 3565). Last year is my record distance year. But I have no particular wish to break the record.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11970509187
Got out for another 40 miler today. Decent enough weather with just the occasional spot of rain, not even enough for me to consider turning round.
Takes me over 500 miles for July and up to 3686 for the year, which is 600 better than this time last year :) and 830 down on this time 2021 my best ever year :(
Quote from: Slim on July 24, 2024, 05:54:23 PMSurprisingly I've done more miles this year now (3601) than I had by this time last year (I'd done 3565). Last year is my record distance year. But I have no particular wish to break the record.
Prompted by this observation I added a column to my spreadsheet to tell me distance done to the present date over every previous year. The other column is the total for the whole year.
(https://i.ibb.co/9V68dcq/ss.png)
So (for example) in 2020, I did 3442.96 miles between Jan 1st and Jul 25th.
I see that 2023 has just overtaken 2024, must have done a ride on this day last year.
Another nice day if a little windier than I prefer. Things to do this morning and this evening, but plenty of time for a Bypasser. So, that's what I did.
Pretty much the same route as last time, except that I had a bit of an excursion toward Dordon at the south-western end. I took a left turn from Grendon Road on a whim. Didn't think I'd been that way before but I recognised the junction at the end of a road called Dunn's Lane, so I have. Perhaps I'll have a look at the segment explorer function on Strava and find out when.
Once again on the way back up I took a detour to Nailstone, but I took a shorter route from there to Ibstock this time. Saw a beautiful shiny blue steam engine parked outside the pub at Carlton. Would have taken a pic, but because I'd left my usual phone on a charger at home I only had my non-smartphone Nokia with me. No camera. However, I did find a pic of it online (I searched on its name, 'Baltasha').
(http://bikediary.uk/images/baltasha.jpg)
Listened to 5 Live, mostly discussion about the almost-upon-us Olympic Games from Paris.
Back on 40.12.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11988389378
Went out for a quick spin after the Time Trials today and for me this year it was a quick spin with a 17.8 mph average. Don't think I was inspired by the Time Triallists as they hammer it for the entire race, I can go it for about ten seconds.
Still, after thinking that I've never beat a segment time I set last week I beat it again today :) If I really went for it I could quicker, but I'm happy where I am now. The Giant TCR does make you go for it though, put effort in and it responds. Set some other PBs as well today without really trying and the wind wasn't even that favourable :)
https://www.strava.com/activities/11996277985/
Didn't want to knock myself out today as I may well do a long one on Tuesday, but since 'er indoors turned down my offer to take her out this afternoon, I decided a Twycrosser was in order. So I did that, except that I took an excursion west to Polesworth at the bottom end.
Didn't really know what I was doing in Polesworth. Only been through there a couple of times and it's not very interesting. Not very flat either.
Anyway I had to consult Google Maps to escape, and I ended up coming along the A5 for a bit.
I was overtaken by a sports car along Grendon Rd a bit more closely than I'd have liked. He cut in very sharp to avoid a car coming the other way. I gave a theatrical shake of the head which clearly didn't go unnoticed, as the driver extended his arm out of the driver's side window to offer the universal sign language for "wanker".
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240728bike.jpg)
I also had an excursion along a right turn off Sibson Road called Ratcliffe House Lane. I'd passed it many times and thought "I wonder where that goes?".
Nowhere, is the answer. It's pleasant enough but leads to a cattle grid, then sort of peters out.
I adjusted the saddle height on the Cannondale yesterday and it's spot on now. Applied some grippy paste to the seat post and have fastened a small plastic tie round it, 5mm above the clamp, to check for slippage. None so far. Very happy to have the Cannondale option again.
Listened to Olympics coverage on 5 Live and Caress of Steel.
38.38 miles and that's 592 this month. I think I can get that up to 700.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12003263327
Just went out for a 30 miler today. It was enough. By keeping it reasonably flat and riding the Giant TCR I managed to average over 18 mph for the first time since November 2022, on a very similar route too. Like yesterday I had a 10 mile section where I average over 20 mph, just a bit more effort and favourable traffic lights I'd have made it 15 miles at over 20. Not done that in a long while and then only with a long descent from the Peak District.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12004283958
My smart watch is starting to lose its marbles a little and I can't rely on it to track my spins anymore. It had to today though as I forgot to unpause the spin after the coffee in Duleek
Net result is that I had to use the watch's data today. It actually wasn't that bad. Ok it took the first 7 or 8km to get started and was resolutely working during the coffee stop.
So approx 83km but only but only 76 of them covered by Strava. Glorious day which I didn't properly dress for and the tights were pretty uncomfortable by the end. In my defence it was quite cool at 9am when I set off and didn't get much warmer til the afternoon
Quote from: Slim on July 28, 2024, 04:45:07 PM38.38 miles and that's 592 this month. I think I can get that up to 700.
I made this remark on the basis that I was going to do at least 110 today, which I did intend to. But I went to London on an impulse instead.
Just as well. If the weather in London is anything to go by, I would have fallen off the bike with heat exhaustion. I'll probably only do about 35 tomorrow.
I went out and did 42 today, was hoping to get out earlyish, but failed miserably and got out at 11. It was plenty warm enough.
At least I managed my fastest time of the year up through Cutthorpe, nearly as good as my best time last year, still feels like bloody hard work though, when I'm fit it's just hard work.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12018178373
I toyed with the idea of doing a fondo this afternoon and when I set off at 1410 I did think I just might do that - but after about an hour I'd decided not to. Still feeling a bit fatigued from a day out in London yesterday followed by an extended period in a hot car. And it was a hot day today, as well.
The wind was blowing from the east so I'd started the Eastbound Route, but I decided to cut north and west to Wymeswold along Narrow Lane, and to come back home along the Old Eastbound Route.
I felt a splash of water on my left hand along Melton Road. Very odd.. thought a bird must have weed on me or something (do they even do that?). Then another one on my right arm! It didn't occur to me for a moment that it might be rain, in the baking heat and bright sunshine. But it was! Occasional spots of rain for a few minutes. Then it stopped.
I stopped to have a look at the stream that runs beside the road in Wymeswold (actually the "River Mantle"). Thought I might see some minnows. But actually the stream looks like a sort of murky green noodle stew at the moment.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240731bike.jpg)
I decided to take the detour through Long Whatton and Diseworth after crossing the border back into Leicestershire, just to avoid the peak hour traffic along Ashby Road. The left turn after Diseworth had a ROAD CLOSED sign and a barrier right across the road, but I ignored it. I hoisted the bike over the barrier then hoisted my leg over. Unfortunately a mile later I came to another barrier, and this time I wasn't going to ignore it. Substantial works were taking place to the road a little further ahead and the folks in hi-vis vests and safety helmets probably wouldn't be very accommodating. So, I did a U turn and came back a longer way past the airport, through Isley Walton and down Top Brand.
Stopped for a Magnum ice cream at the village shop at Long Whatton. Washed it down with warm water. Today was a rare opportunity to use my 1 litre bidon, I'd filled it up and I consumed nearly all of its contents.
Listened mostly to Olympics coverage on 5 Live.
Back on 47.65 miles, which gives me a total of 640 this month. Thought that would be the highest-scoring month this year but interestingly, I did more than that in May. 3728 done this year.
Was very late getting out today after watching the Men's Triathlon and Women's Quadruple Sculls, I'm glad that they do it so I don't have to.
I was just going to go out and ride round the flat circuit I do, but I found an unexpected set of roadworks which had exceedingly long spells on red, so I had to ride out to Tibshelf instead.
So, that's July done and dusted, got in my best monthly tally of the year, 670 miles with 46,000feet of elevation gain. I really do need to try and get my climbing legs back, I'd normally expect about 8,000 feet more. Not in this heat though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12027020684
Another very warm day and I didn't fancy doing more than 40 or so. I thought I'd have a go at doing a bit of my "Dad's Army" route again. I've devised a variation of it that leaves the A5 at an earlier roundabout, avoiding the monster roundabout that connects to the M42.
So I did that. Much better. Not sure why I never tried this particular route in the first place. Perhaps because it looked bit climby on a route planner? And it is, but at least it's quiet, with nice smooth tarmac along the whole alternative stretch.
Anyway I went down past the oil terminal then turned back after about 24 miles. Came back up through Ratcliffe, Shenton, Bosworth, Odstone etc, making the whole ride a sort of Twycross Bypasser with an excursion at the south-west end.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240802bike.jpg)
Noticed that the pub at Ratcliffe (The Gate) has four Union flags flying.
Once again I picked up a few spots of improbable rain, despite the heat and bright sunshine, on the way back up.
Back on 48.46 miles. Enjoyable run out.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12045809443
After not venturing out yesterday, it rained, a lot, for a bit, it cleared, you couldn't be sure if it would clear for long. I got August underway today.
I had to, even though I'm not bothered about Strava's "Local Legend" status I had emails this morning telling me that I'd lost a couple. I thought I was the only person daft enough to ride them regularly, so I had to reclaim them. Mind, if there hadn't been roadworks on the lead in road for the last four weeks I'd never have lost them.
Off I set with the intention of riding them three times and that I did. Third time up Slag Lane was bloody hard though, It's a climb I do in the big chain ring but I was struggling. It suddenly dawned on me that the rear brake was on, so I stopped and heard something drop and the wheel rotated freely. I can only assume that like on a previous occasion a bit of tar covered grit had stuck to the braking track then wedged under the brake pad. As all was fine afterwards and thankfully the braking surface was still fine. Times up Slag Lane: 1'48"; 1'53", 2'47"
OK it was only a 24 mile ride but it was enough.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12043254199
Spent too much time watching cycling again today, but it was a good watch. So just had a couple of hours to get out in, although the way my legs feel at the moment a couple of hours is enough.
Went out and did the Col du Wigley for only the third time this year, I'm slacking. Not especially quick up it, but the quickest ascent of the day, which will do me. Should really be a Cote and not a Col as it doesn't really go down the other side. I do like being pedantic :)
Managed to get 35 miles in, which was nice and a further ride up Slag Lane. If only the Council would replace the signs.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12054408901/
The plan for yesterday was to do Wales and back, if I got up early enough. But I got up at about 0630, a bit later than intended, so I decided to do the same route - but only as far as Cheshire. I set off at about 0720.
Cool in the morning, but I was comfortable enough in a long-sleeved top and tights.
I took a wrong turn after 47 miles. I'd uploaded the route to my eTrex but hadn't bothered to switch it on at that point; I was pretty confident I was on the right track. Until I wasn't. Rather than backtracking, I decided to keep going and join the usual route a few miles further along via a detour. This took me along some quiet little lanes through pretty, secluded villages called St James Green, Standon and Maer. Nice little diversion.
I entered Shropshire at about 1215 and arrived at the Cheshire border about 15 minutes later. I decided to keep going for a bit. Then 20 minutes later I decided I'd keep going right to the Welsh border. So I did. I arrived there at about 1350.
I went into Wales along Wrexham Road for a minute, then I turned for home. On the way back I decided to go through Whitchurch rather than using the bypass, and this was a much better solution. The bypass is a pretty horrible stretch of busy A road, although it was reasonably quiet yesterday (this being a Sunday). But the route through the town was quiet and quick enough.
Had a bit of a headwind on the way back and made good time. Called in at a petrol station on the outskirts of Stone to get supplies. Despite this, a few minutes later I went into Stone town centre for a coffee and a bakewell tart at Costa Coffee. Good times.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240804wales.jpg)
I noticed that my left cleat was loose, somewhere near Alrewas. For some reason my Shimano shoes have started to lose the ability to hold onto their cleats, or perhaps I've overgreased the bolts. Or something. But I had the requisite Allen key with me, so the cleat's feeble attempt at rebellion was swiftly quashed. All good.
Made it back just before 2030, about 25 minutes before sunset. 142.65 miles. Interestingly, I registered the same moving time, to within a couple of minutes, that I did when I did (mostly) the same route in 2017.
That really was a breeze. I checked my watch at 1525 and couldn't understand where all the time had gone. The quieter Sunday traffic and cooler, cloudy weather made all the difference. To be fair I was a little too warm in the afternoon even after I'd removed the tights, but I didn't want to have to stuff too many extra layers into a backpack or faff around with hiding clothing in a hedge. The sun did come out after 1800 but by that time it was weak enough not to bother me.
I reverted to my original Wales route from 2017 for this ride (apart from minor modifications in Leicestershire). Last time I did Wales and back, I went westward through Eccleshall and Market Drayton after Stone. The route further to the north that I did yesterday (and originally) is much nicer.
Listened mostly to Olympics coverage. A bit of an Alan Partridge audiobook. And the Joe Henderson album Inner Urge.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12064003409
Got a couple of 45 mile rides in this week - so far - first time I've done consecutive 45 milers in ages. Was beginning to think I'm getting too old for that kind of thing.
Yesterday was out to Beeley Moor and beyond via the Cole du Wigley. Managed a quicker time than on Saturday, which was nice, didn't feel any easier, well it wouldn't doing it more quickly and it was a stronger headwind. Almost averaged 17 mph for the ride too, would have done if traffic was more sensible. I'm fed up up being passed by cars which immediately slow for speed bumps.
Today I headed out - in unexpected light rain - to Tibshelf and beyond. I did average over 17mph which takes my yearly average above 16mph. It's also got me over 4,000 miles for the year. A few weeks quicker than last year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12076796500
https://www.strava.com/activities/12085820918
And 35 miles today to get to 125 for the week, four weeks of 125 miles a week means 500 miles a month. That'll be all the miles I get in this week as tomorrow I take Mrs S away for a surprise weekend break, she knows we're going away but she doesn't know where. She'll be disappointed...
Thought I'd be disappointed on my ride as the 0% chance of rain by 13:00 turned out to be way off the mark. Thankfully it was more heavy drizzle than full on rain and the roads never really got wet. A fresh breeze made it feel worse than it actually was. Hardly saw another cyclist out today, maybe they were going on what they can see out of the window rather than a weather forecast.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12094392875
Hadn't been out on a bike for eight days, mostly because I've been away for a few days. So, although it was the hottest day of the year so far, I decided to do 40 or so in the afternoon.
The wind was coming from the west so I decided to do a Bypasser. I set off at about 1535. I did a long version, up to Ashby at the top and along Fenn Lanes at the bottom. I also did the detour through Nailstone that I've done a few times recently. I don't think it adds much distance but it's a nice change if nothing else.
Unavoidably, I was too warm for the first hour or so but later in the day with the air temperature a smidge lower, conditions were just lovely in the late afternoon sun. Bliss.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240812bike.jpg)
Listened to a bit of 5 Live, Floyd's Saucerful of Secrets and Thin Lizzy at the BBC which is a wonderful collection of alternative versions and rarities.
Back on 40.35 miles. 231 this month.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12130310735
I'd not been on the bike for four days after a weekend away. Boy, did it ever show! A couple of nights of nosebag and cocktails takes it out of me big style!
Although after my first five miles I noticed I'd been averaging over 200W well above what I normally do by that point, probably why my wheels fell off up the next bit of a hill.
The first real hill I came to and I was suffering, my right thigh felt really stiff, but I plodded away thinking I'd recuperate up the way down next one. I did a bit, bit going up Harewood road was a real slog. I even contemplated turning back, but the thought of tackling the steeper side of Walton Back Lane put me off and as the second half of the climb is less steep I managed it.
It's a blessed relief when you top out as it means it's mainly downhill after that, the legs sprang back to life then and let me set my best ever speed on that run out, the 42.5 miles almost got me to 250 for August.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12136234531/overview
Rain this morning and I had a commitment at lunchtime. But the roads had dried up nicely by 1410, when I set off. I took Boardman II because I decided to decommission the chain just after lubing it yesterday, and I want to get some distance out of the lube first. Hadn't used it for over two months, surprisingly. Too many bikes!
There was a light wind coming from the west but I decided to go east anyway, since I hadn't been over that way for a while. I assumed the headwind wouldn't be too annoying on the way back at less than 5mph (according to the forecast). And it wasn't.
I did think I might do a fondo - but to give myself a bit more time for other activities this evening, I decided not to. Shouldn't be hard to find a decent weather day when I can set off in the morning.
So I turned north then west for Wymeswold, then Rempstone from Narrow Lane. After that I thought I'd try a detour through East Leake to Sutton Bonington, but I took the wrong turn and ended up in Costock. From there, Google Maps told me my best bet was to go south to Rempstone so I ended up having done a sort of seven mile loop.
The weather seemed unseasonally cool when I set off so I wore two long-sleeved tops and tights, but (of course) I ended up too warm and removed the tights after 17 miles.
Home on 47.78 miles - 279 this month and 4007 this year. Earliest I've ever got to 4000 miles in any year.
I listened to LBC and Pink Floyd's soundtrack album for the 1969 film More.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12147723902
Felt a bit more like it today. Probably because it was cooler, think I'm becoming one of those old people I used to deride for not liking hot weather...
Might have felt a bit more like it because today's hills were a bit gentler, that's always a good thing. Not much wind either and it wasn't a headwind up the hills.
Would have been nice to get up to 40 miles, but 36 is OK and I wanted to get back and watch some women riding the Tour de France in the Netherlands and Belgium. France so good they have to have half a tour outside their own country :)
https://www.strava.com/activities/12144865874
Decided to take it easy today. So just rode around my Winter circuit, too many roadworks elsewhere. Nice to be out on a dull coolish day and the rain kept off whilst I was out. Got 35 miles in and completed the Strava climbing challenge for August.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12153223667
I intended to take advantage of nice weather to do a fondo, today. But I woke up early. I briefly contemplated getting up at 0730 and doing a 100-miler. Perhaps I should have. Not that much of the summer left. In any case, I went back to sleep and got up at about 0930.
A light wind was coming from the west. I decided to go south, since I hadn't done that for a week or two. Rather than going down to Welford I took a left to the gliding club near Sibbertoft. Then I turned back.
Annoyingly, Station Road, the last stretch before the gliding club has been resurfaced recently using the loose gravel method so it was a bit rough and dusty. But it's essentially a short cut so I went the long way back through Husbands Bosworth, adding a bit less than a mile to my ride.
Stopped at the village shop at Gilmorton. Alas, the table outside was already occupied by four elderly cyclists. Two couples (presumably) in their late 60s or possibly early 70s. So I wished them safe travels, and took my newly-acquired cornish pasty and Magnum ice cream to the bench further on in the village. Alas, someone had parked their motor next to it and left it idling, so I had to consume my impromptu lunch a few feet away from a noxious and noisy Mercedes engine. I reckoned the next bench was at Stoney Stanton, about seven miles further on. Didn't want the Magnum to melt in my backpack.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240816glider.jpg)
I dressed in minimal clothing. The breeze was a little cool for comfort for the first hour but conditions were perfect after that.
In the end the expected sidewind turned out to be a headwind on the way out and a tailwind on the way back, an assessment I corroborated by reference to the many wind turbines dotted around the route. Handy.
I listened to 5 Live and the Pink Floyd album Ummagumma.
Back on 65.26 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12163697940
Popped out today between the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift and the Vuelta Espana. Actually I missed half of the Vuelta Because it was a time trial. I'll sit and watch most any cycling - even watched the Tour de Leuven without commentary - by TTs are a bit much even for me - Mrs S loves them though.
Got in my third climb of the Col du Wigley this month and each one has been faster. Didn't even put as much power in today, maybe that was a clean chain? The old ticker was beating faster though.
Kept the climbing to a minimum after that, still did enough bit not in a concentrated block. I was hoping to average 17.5mph after the ride, but the last bit of hill I did just knocked me back under. Ho-hum. I got 43 miles in in under two and a half hours, that'll do.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12172553291/
I was all set do do another fondo today but the forecast changed to threaten rain at 1600 and the wind was a bit strong. Conditions were overcast and a bit cool, as well. So I decided an old-fashioned Twycross Bypasser would do.
I did the version that goes through Ratcliffe Culey, Shenton and Bosworth, with a deviation through Nailstone again.
Listened to 5 Live, Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother then the first couple of hours of an Alastair Reynolds novel called Revelation Space. It only just managed to maintain my attention unfortunately. But I'll persist with it.
Back on 35.07 miles, the shortest distance I've done for a couple of months but good enough for an overcast Monday. The Sun did almost come out for a few minutes to be fair.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12188210435
Don't think the sun popped out at all during my ride today, but luckily the rain I could see out over the middle of the Peak District stayed in the middle of the Peak District, so apart from the odd spot of rain it was fine. If breezy.
Thanks to a wrong turn I managed to get 45 miles in. I thought that I'd be able to make my way back to the road I wanted, but no, I would have ended up near Matlock and a steep climb back, so it was a swift about face and back the way I came.
I was rather hoping to get back averaging 17mph, but a dilatory driver of a Nissan Qashqai held me up and it finised according to my Garmin at 16.99mph. Ho-hum.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12186684591
For some reason I thought this morning was going to be dry. It started throwing it down at ten o'clock. I just thought it was light rain as there were just a few spots on the window. If I'd looked out of a windward window I'd have seen differently.
Still, what's a little rain? Bloody annoying when you're fifty minutes into a ride and as far away from home as you're going to get (I was doing close to home loops in case it did rained). But then it stopped and out came the sun :) Carry on. The roads were that wet though that I got a soggy bottom. Wrong day to be wearing a white cycling top too.
On the plus side I got an uphill personal best on one segment, because it was raining I just slogged away in the big chain ring for as long as I could, won't carry on riding like that, but it's interesting to know what I can do. My Garmin also told me that one hill that I climbed three times was ridden in 3'51" each time. Consistency is good.
Today's 40 miles means 450 for August, 500 should be doable now.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12195258690
Bit tired after driving back from Milton Keynes late last night but it will rain tomorrow, if the forecast is to believed. I did another short one, a pretty perfunctory Twycrosser.
Cloudy, not warm. Quite a strong wind from the south-west and the headwind was brutal on the way down to Twycross. But I didn't seem to get a tailwind on the way back.
Listened to 5 Live and the Pink Floyd album Meddle. Back on 30.25 miles and that takes me to 410 miles this month. I've now done over 400 miles in every month this year up to and including August. If I can do the same for the remaining four months, it'll be the first time I've exceeded 400 in every month of the year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12206955565
And out again today, treating Mrs S to a couple of nights away in the city of sin that is Norwich, so I wanted to get as much cycling in before going as possible.
I thought 125 miles in three days would be enough and by 'eck it's been enough! it was my third consecutive 40+ miler, only the second time I've achieved that this year, I'm slacking.
There was certainly a stiff breeze blowing today and my time to 20 miles was more or less exactly the same as when I did the same route on the gravel bike back in early May all down to the headwind. Managed to pick up a bit of speed on the way back with the wind behind me although not as much as I would have hoped as I was held up by a Dutch lorry going down through Old Brampton.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12204315745
Windy again. Otherwise a nice day though. Warm enough and sunny. I decided to keep it short after encountering a headwind full-on on the way down to Twycross. After I got there I did a detour to Orton, mainly because the main road through the village had had a load of dusty gravel dumped on it by Leicestershire County Council.
Straight across to Sibson after Sheepy. And I started to go up the main road toward home from there, but reasoning that I'd only have to put up with the headwind for another few miles, changed my mind and headed down to the bottom of Fenn Lanes. Huge relief to turn north-east there, out of an oncoming wind. Back through Shenton, Bosworth, Odstone, Burgoland.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240823bike.jpg)
One day I must try to work out how many possible variations of the Twycrosser there are.
A bit perfunctory really, I just wanted to get the monthly distance figure up a bit. But I quite enjoyed the second half.
Listened to 5 Live. 37.27 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12223637200
Another decent day, if a bit windy. The wind was coming from the south-west, but I decided to do the southbound route. Only wanted to do the fondo distance.
I realised, as I was readying the bike, that I'd forgotten to bring a bike computer out of the house. So I used the Strava app on my phone. Slightly irritating not knowing how many miles I'd done at any given time, but I have a few mental distance markers remembered.
Stopped at the Co-op at Stoney Stanton for a plain croissant. They didn't have any, so I had an onion bhaji sandwich instead. Got to Husbands Bosworth after about 32 miles. And I decided to come back the "old way", up Welford Road then through Foston and Enderby.
I ignored a few ROAD CLOSED signs with big red barriers positioned half way across the road. A few miles later I came to a pair of barriers right across the road, bearing the notice DANGER: DEEP EXCAVATION, but in fact the only noticeable excavation was about three inches deep. No-one was in attendance. I got the bike round the barriers without any difficulty and carried on.
Very nice to come up Welford Road again for a change, but the "old way" is not so much fun after Blaby. Busy roads. I must work out a route that comes back part of the old way, then cuts west to the newer route.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240826bike.jpg)
After Newbold Verdon I came back a shorter way than usual, and ended up having to take a circuitous route over the last couple of miles.
I decided to risk minimal clothing and unfortunately the oncoming breeze was a bit cold for the first couple of hours. I warmed up nicely in the afternoon, but I wish I'd put on a long-sleeved tunic over the short-sleeved top I had on.
I listened to another couple of hours of the Alastair Reynolds novel, Revelation Space. Not sure whether to persist with it. And 5 Live, notable today for the many tributes to Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Back on 62.31 miles, 509 for August now.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12247979277
After a weekend away I thought I'd ease back into it a bit more this time as I now have no weekends away until mid October.
Had a nice 20 miler yesterday - if a bit blowy - and today upped it to 33 miles. Didn't manage to go faster yet in August for the Col du Wigley, in fact it was marginally slower than my first August ascent, but there was a stiffish cross headwind today as opposed to a light cross tailwind, makes all the difference.
I know it was a bank Holiday, but the Peak District Roads were really busy, I thought midday would be quieter, especially as it was dull and cloudy. Still, I'm now up to 544 miles for August.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12245834881
Out again today and I managed to set my best ever 1 minute power output, a magnificent 401W, that's over half a Horsepower!
I had no intention of doing so, but there was a set of Traffic Lights for roadworks on a hill. These had been showing on the local roadworks website, but never appearing on the road. They had now disappeared on the web but appeared on the road. The lights were on Green so I went through and then a car came up behind me so I had to dig in up a 12% section, went completely into the red, fortunately the lights were still on red at the top of the hill. Nice to know what I can do when I have to, but I have no intention of doing it intentionally.
It was a bit blowy again today, on the Holmewood to Tibshelf section which is uphill I normally maintain or increase my average speed. Today it dropped, can't recall that happening before, certainly not on the Giant TCR, didn't help that I was held up by agricultural traffic though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12254441182
Not much time for cycling today, wasn't able to leave the house until after 1330 and I had to be back by 1615 to give 'er indoors a lift to pick up her car from an MOT.
Usually I might well just not have bothered, but Friday's weather looks perfect for a long ride so I don't want to be cycling tomorrow.
I decided, therefore, to try to squeeze 25 or 30 in. I did a Twycrosser. The idea was to keep an eye on the watch and adjust the route on the fly. Always an option for a quicker or longer way home from more or less anywhere on the ride.
Went a bit quicker than I'd normally bother to, and managed to get 30.49 miles in. Nice weather, warm enough for bare legs and sunny.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12264766377
And out again today, got to try and make up for weekend's away. Can't understand though how both this and last August I had two weekends away and yet got to 775 miles for last August and I'm not even at 600 for this. Must have tried harder last year.
Anyway, I got out and did 40 miles today. Looking at the roadworks website they were showing the ones they weren't showing yesterday, but I didn't go that way so I don't know if they were there although Google Maps showed traffic flowing freely. I did see light controlled works on a hill I was going to do, but there was an easy diversion round. Took the diversion to find a "road closed" sign, but just for fifteen minutes and it was easy for a bicycle to get through.
Earlier on in the ride I'd been assailed by clouds of very small black flies which got everywhere and stuck to my skin. I hoped some would still be there when I got home in the hope that Mrs S could identify them, but I managed to sweat the, all away.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12263724858
Out again today, under strict orders not to be out too long as Mrs S was going up to her Sister's in Bradfordistan and she wanted to make sure I was back before she left.
I figured that I'd got 2 hours to get 32 miles in so out I went and was back in an hour and fifty three with 33 miles in the legs. Kept is as unhilly as I could. It was enough. Gets me over 650 miles in a month for only the third time this year and I'm at last over 4,500 miles in 2024.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12272066419
Conditions were forecast to be near-perfect yesterday - sunny, warm, a light wind coming from the east, increasing in intensity later in the day. And intermittent cloud cover in the early afternoon. The plan was to set off early and cycle over to the flat bit of Lincolnshire. Not as far as Sutton Bridge, my usual destination over there, but into the Fens for a couple of miles.
I woke up at about 0620. I contemplated getting up there and then, but I asked Alexa what the current temperature was first. Eight degrees. So I went back to sleep. Unfortunately I didn't wake up again until 0830.
I set off at about 0925. Still not quite warm enough for minimal clothing, so I had a long sleeve second layer on. But the temperature was forecast to rise quite rapidly, and it did. I stashed my long sleeved top in my camo bag, along with a torch and spare batteries, in a hedge near Waltham after 32 miles. Actually I regretted doing that twenty minutes later when the sun disappeared into clouds. But not for long, fortunately.
Stopped at the village store at Buckminster for more fuel after 39 miles. About 9 miles later, I failed to take a left turn after Castle Bytham, which is exactly what I did last time. Rather than backtracking to the usual route, I consulted the map on my phone and decided to keep going. I was effectively on a detour that would only add about two miles. However when I did meet up with the intended route at a crossroads I failed to realise I'd done so, and kept going for about a mile until I reached a village called Toft. It was nearly 1500 now. I'd done 57 miles. It would take me another half hour at least to get to the part of the Fens that I was aiming for. So I decided to turn for home.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240830bike.jpg)
I came back via the originally intended route, mostly. Once back in Leicestershire I came back through Wymeswold and Rempstone rather than Stanford and Burton. Back half an hour after sunset on 111.41 miles.
That was probably my last chance this year to pedal around the Fens for a bit so that's a bit of a shame, but I did enjoy the new stretch of road in Lincolnshire. And I especially enjoyed gliding along the long flat stretch from Eastwell to Six Hills in the afternoon sunshine with a bit of a tailwind. The traffic was a lot quieter than I expected for a Friday. Lovely.
I listened to 5 Live. And I was going to continue with my Alastair Reynolds audiobook but I had such a faff finding the point where I left it in the excessively long chapter that I was about 2/3 of the way through, that I decided to give up on it there and then and I started a new book, a brilliant Vietnam war memoir that I read in 1984 called Chickenhawk.
So that's a wrap for August, 651 miles. I want to do 400 in each of the remaining four months, and if I do I'll have done 5979 miles. So I'll aim for 6000 in 2024.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12283871823
Well, I finished off August with a 35 miler to get me up to 691 miles for the month with 49,500ft of elevation gain. Would have been nice to get over 700 miles and 50,000ft of elevation gain, but I was waiting to make sure that Mrs S was safely on the train on the way back from Bradfordistan - she "likes" to be available as the cavalry for me.
There was a bit of a stiff Easterly breeze today which was nice on the way out as it gave me a bit of a push up today's "big" climb, If I'd just put a bit more effort in I'd have set my best time up it rather than 8th best. Ah well, I'm older now.
I did set a couple of PB segment times, not sure how as one was a there and back one and it was a cross wind both ways. Must be getting fitter...
https://www.strava.com/activities/12291896714
Early start yesterday so we could meet a couple of drug recovery cycling groups in Dunboyne. Set off at 7 and it was chilly. The thin long sleeved top and leg warmers did the job, but the fingerless gloves led to difficulties with gear changing an hour or so into the spin.
It was a beautiful day though and after a coffee stop in Dunboyne it was warm enough for the warmers and top to be removed.
I haven't cycled in a large group for quite a while but it's definitely easier. Strava shows some pretty quick segments, in the main without too much effort.
Good group of people and it was a really enjoyable spin. Some cars took exception to the group but nothing too upsetting bar some rude hand gestures and occasional excessive use of the horn.
After getting soaked on a Sunday 25 miler - it absolutely lashed it down for 5 minutes, before stopping, then five minutes later getting to a point where it hasn't rained at all - I made sure that this morning's rain was well and truly out of the way before venturing out.
Of course by that time it was nearly time for lunch and watching the Vuelta riders slogging up to Lago da Covadonga, but I managed to get another 25 miles in. Went up Long Lane for the first time since I had a "funny turn" trying to go up it. I managed it without any turns - it's a straight road - but it knackered me, it seems an awful lot worse than 0.61 miles @ 7%. I then did it again, it got no easier and despite putting moor effort in I was slower than first time around. Ho-hum.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12314312833
Cloudy today, but dry, not warm but not cold, best of all very little wind, I don't like wind. According to Strava it was the fourth time I'd done that particular route and I'm trending faster. In fact last time I rode it in early August I averaged 16.3mph, today it was 16.9mph. Can't quite think why I was that much quicker, but last time I'd been off the bike for four days and had been indulging in the finer things in life, so that could explain it.
There were a lot of other cyclists out today, a lot for Tuesday I thought. Then I realised, today is Wednesday, it's always a bit bikier on a Wednesday. You lose track of what day it is when you're retired. Still, another 42 miles in the bag and over 3,000ft of elevation gain. I'm happy with that.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12323524573
Wasn't able to leave the house until after 1330, but I was pedalling away from the garage at 1345. Decent weather, a bit cool but due to warm up later in the afternoon.
The wind was coming from the north-east, so I did the traditional eastbound fondo.
The fridge was a bit short of cycling food so I bought a sandwich and a tube of Smarties at Burton on the Wolds. Had a pleasant 10 minutes munching the sandwich on the bench at Eastwell, then came back. As usual I came through Wymeswold and Rempstone on the way back. There was a ROAD CLOSED sign at Narrow Lane but I ignored it. Didn't see any roadworks along there at all. I did see some of those traffic counters stretched across the road in a few places. They weren't there last time (Friday) so perhaps the road was closed to allow them to be installed.
I listened to 5 Live - interesting coverage of and discussion around the first round of the Tory leadership election. I haven't even worn my I'm Picking Priti t-shirt yet and it's already too late! Also a couple of hours of my audiobook, Chickenhawk.
Warm enough to remove a top layer and strip to bare legs after 17 miles, when the sun came out. Really nice out there. Back twenty minutes before sunset.
And that's September off to a decent start. 62.73 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12326757892
Well, today was the seemingly annual ride out to watch the fifteen seconds of the Tour of Britain passing by. I nearly didn't bother as it was dull and drizzly, but after a few minutes umming and ahhing I decided to give it a go, it's still early September so still fir for bib-shorts and a short-sleeved jersey :)
I took the long way out as even at twenty to ten the last dregs of what passes for Rush Hour in Chesterfield and the aftermath of the school run were still making roads busy, plus there are roadworks everywhere.
It took me a bit longer to get to Ringinglow than expected as there was a fierce North Easter blowing, especially up on the tops, it may be uphill, but I've never had to drop down to the small chainring up Stoneyridge road before. It was misty and very drizzly too. Luckily, this now meant that I didn't have to stand around in the wet for too long.
After the riders came out of the mist and then disappeared back into it, it was the long wait for all the team cars to pass by before heading home. I had planned to drop down to Hathersage and come back up Froggatt but not in that mist and wind. It got me 40 miles in which will do.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12331823285/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiZxf29iAYE
The basic idea for today was to to do at least 80 miles, but I woke up at about 0430 and decided to get up there and then and do a longer ride. I knew that the temperature overnight wasn't going to dip under 16C, which of course would make an early start a lot easier.
I set off at 0536. Very dark at that time, but by the time I'd passed through the street-lighting-illuminated roads of the village then Coalville, it was light enough that I didn't need to use my head torch. A little strappy LED blinker sufficed on the front. Very cloudy early on, gloomy almost. But very mild, and dry. I was very comfortable with leggings and two layers on top. I didn't feel a need to strip down to minimal clothing until about 50 miles in, when the sun had started to burn away the gloom. I stashed my cycling jacket and tights in a hedge near Little Bytham.
I stopped for Breakfast II at the village shop at Buckminster at around 0920. Spent about ten minutes at the bench outside, then set off east again. I did the same route I intended last Friday, except that I took a wrong turn after Little Bytham (I backtracked after half a mile), but this time I made it onto The Fens. Didn't spend long there - I just pedalled along Baston Outgang Road for a bit - but I didn't think I'd get another chance this year, so I was happy to spend a few minutes there.
I'd done more than 60 miles at this point, and I decided to head back. I did have time to go further - it was only about 1130 - but I have a lot of travelling to do at the weekend, including a very early start. So I didn't want to give myself too much to recover from. And I wouldn't say the conditions were ideal. The headwind was stronger than I'd normally entertain on a 100+ miler.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240906fens.jpg)
Stopped at Buckminster again for more fuel and hydration. Back home by 1740, on 120.92 miles.
In hindsight it might seem like an odd choice to have set off at 0536 when I was back two hours before sunset. But the sun was uncomfortably hot in the afternoon, and conditions were very accommodating early on. I suppose I'd have had the same peak sun period either way. Anyway I've definitely topped up the tan on my arms and legs, but I don't seem to have burned.
Something quite odd occurred in the morning. I was happily gliding along a flat stretch of road east of Six Hills, when a large dead rat, a really big bugger, descended from above and slapped onto the road about 12 feet in front of me. It bounced about half an inch. Its neck was bloody and ragged. I assume a bird of prey dropped it. If I'd set off half a second earlier, it might have hit me on the head.
I listened to a Sinatra album (Sinatra and Company - lovely), a couple more hours of Chickenhawk, 5 Live and LBC.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12342746272
Well I got all of 18 miles in today. It was Drizzly, misty, murky and not very pleasant. At least it was quite warm, for small mercies and all that...
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 07, 2024, 09:21:40 PMWell I got all of 18 miles in today. It was Drizzly, misty, murky and not very pleasant. At least it was quite warm, for small mercies and all that...
Why would you go out in that?
But I must admit I am the archetypal, card-carrying Fair Weather Cyclist.
Quote from: Slim on September 08, 2024, 09:49:07 AMWhy would you go out in that?
It was dry when I set out :) Didn't last long...
QuoteBut I must admit I am the archetypal, card-carrying Fair Weather Cyclist.
Now I'm retired I'm 100% a fair weather cyclist, but I've managed to get wet on 3 out of my last fived rides :(
No rain today! Well, there was this morning and early afternoon, but after watching the Tour of Britain it was dry enough to get out, with even a smattering of sunshine.
I'd fully intended on taking it totally easily today, but it never happens. Like last week I decided to go up the Sutton Lane climb on the big chainring. I succeeded in setting my best ever time from the 188 ascents I've done. Thirteen seconds quicker and I'll beat the best women's time - Ellen van Dijk's, three time world Time Trial champion - doubt I'll manage it as it would mean averaging over 300W, I'm too old for that. Was a bit miffed to see I wasn't the quickest of the day (2nd out of two) and the other time was from someone in my age group too. Pisser.
Good to get 35 miles in and was back in time to see the finish of the Vuelta.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12360335021/
Finally got out this week. Monday's are usually a day off, as was this week's, then Tuesday and Wednesday it wasn't fit to go out. Cold, windy and lots of sharp showers. Today was probably colder still, but most importantly it was DRY!
Had to put a long sleeved top on though, stayed with bib-shorts, but thought I'd benefit from covered arms as the act of pedalling warms the old thighs up. As it happened I could probably have gotten away with short sleeves, but an unexpected shower would have been a bit much.
Thought I might not stay out long though, six miles in I could hear a strange creaking noise. Was it the bottom bracket? Brakes stuck on? Seatpost creak? Saddle creak? Seemed more seatpost creaky, but there wasn't any consistency as to when it happened. Kept stopping to check things over, but nothing seemed amiss. Tightened up the straps on the saddle bag at one point and that seemed to make things better, but who knows.
I'm sure if there was something serious it would have manifested itself more over the course of the 40 miles I did. Maybe try it without the bag tomorrow, but then if I do that I'll end up needing bike tools and a spare inner tube...
https://www.strava.com/activities/12391290894
Don't know if it was the source of yesterday's creaking noise - seems unlikely - but my rear brake cable snapped today, luckily it was before I set off, I was just holding the brake lever down at the bottom of teh drive and there it snapped. Another thing to get sorted, still not got the Bianchi done, I'd love to get the disc pad retaining bolts out myself as I don't want bicycle repair man to see how the front brake was metal on metal. Seems he's on holiday for a week so I'll give it another go before contacting him.
Luckily I have a third usable road bike, albeit a gravel bike with road wheels at the moment, so it was nip in and swap over Lights, Garmin and Power Pedals and away we go. Didn't go too far away though as my guts were in a bit of a state before going out, but managed to get 32 miles in which will do me as it gets me well back on track for 500+ miles in September.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12399106934/
Turned out nice again, looks like summer's back :) By the time I went out it was starting to cool off, but still pleasant enough to get 33 miles in. Told Mrs S I'd be a couple of hours and was three minutes over. She let me off, means she had the time to finish off the household repairs she'd started :)
Don't know how, but I did my second best power output for 20 minutes. Presumably going up the Col de Wigley, it had my highest power output for its ascent this year and it was my sixth slowest time out of seven. What a difference a heavier bike with aluminium wheels makes.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12410145905/
Today was one of those Goldilocks days. Lots of other cyclists must have thought so as well, I've never seen so many out on a Tuesday before, they were even out in great numbers before I got up to the Peak District. Misanthrope that I am I got fed up of waving and nodding in reply to them.
Thought I might not get out as when cleaning and lubing the Gravel bike's chain yesterday it wasn't shifting to the bottom four cogs on the rear cassette, I thought the cable might be going but tightening it up got it working again. Can't get to the 34T cog, but I never use that anyway. I have ordered some kit which should make dealing with internal cables easier, but we'll see, if it works should pay for itself over the course of a year.
Too many roadworks about today, one set of traffic lights which weren't flagged up, then a road closure on a road which has only just reopened, but it's passable by bike. I did get stopped by a couple in a car who'd seen me come out of the closed road, thought they might have been from the anti-cycling Taliban, but they just wanted directions, their satnav had sent them that way and was now sending them on a 12 mile diversion, so I put them right. Bastards cost me a decent time up Harewood Road though, it would be on a day with a slight tailwind.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12432259482/overview
Not quite a Goldilocks day today. Still a layer of low cloud when I set off, which did melt away, but also a stronger breeze today.
Probably why there were fewer cyclists about today, even though I went further into the Peak District. Maybe Wednesday is less of a work from home day...
Still, good to get another 40 miles in, creeping closer to 5,000 for the year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12441130187
Definitely not a Goldilocks day today. The sun didn't show itself until after I got home. It wasn't that cold, still fine to wear summer gear, but not a "This is why I ride" sort of day.
Got a slightly longer - 43 miles - ride in today because I stuck to more rolling terrain and could maintain a better average speed. The first 20 miles were as quick as I can do them, the second wasn't. Thank you North East wind.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12449871815
Not been out today, but replaced the rear brake cable on the Giant. It needed it, where the cable left the front of the top tube it had frayed down to one strand. So the cable had to come out in two bits.
Tied a bit of cotton to the caliper end of the cable so that once pulled out I could then tie it to the rnd of the new cable and pull it back through again. Didn't get to use my magenetic system as I couldn't get the cover off the top tube at the handlebar end, so the metal bits wouldn't pull through. Same with the thin plastic tubing which you can push over the inner cable to use for routing.
Took a bit of fiddling to get it out at the seat tube end, but the magnet from the magnetic kit pulled the cable round to the exit port where I could pull it out. Dare I use it tomorrow?
After ten days away from my garage and its accumulation of bicycles, I was very keen to get back in the saddle again. Rain at lunchtime but the afternoon was dry enough. The wind was coming from the north-east. I hoped to do at least 40 miles. I really want to get the September distance up to 400 miles, and the weather for the rest of the month looks rubbish.
So I set off on the eastbound route. Quite cool and cloudy out there and after ten days in (mostly) sunny and warm Montenegro, I was frightened of the temperature. So I overdressed.
I took the Boardman. I'm experimenting with using 3-In-One on it after reading somewhere that it works nicely as a chain lube. Seems fine! I can't imagine the difference between the various lube products are more than marginal. Then again even the pricy ones aren't really expensive. Just playing really.
I got as far as a couple of miles past Six Hills, then, having done 23 miles, I took a left along Old Dalby Lane. I've done this a couple of times but I couldn't remember where it goes, or how far I'd gone along there. Well - I went right along it then when I got to the end, I did the obvious thing and turned left again. This took me pretty quickly to Wymeswold, and the "Old Eastbound Route". From there I came back the usual way except that I did the Long Whatton / Diseworth detour back in Leics to bump up the distance a bit.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240920bike.jpg)
Had a beautiful view of the sun about to set near Long Whatton. One of those rare times when it's visible as a perfect, sharp orange circle.
Back some time after sunset .. had to put lights on .. it's that time of the year again. I didn't bother with a proper front light, although I did have one with me. Regretted that over the last mile, on the unlit descent into the village. I was glad when a car with lights on came up behind me.
Anyway .. 49.32 miles. 233 this month. A 100 miler and two Bypassers would take me to 400. We'll see.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12461330383
Thought I'd better test out my cabling skills so took the Giant out today. Thought I might have to leave it though as the front tyre had gone flat and a bit of sealant was leaking out from the rim. Funny as when I pumped it up this morning it hadn't lost much pressure from a couple of weeks ago. I think I hadn't tightened the Presta valve enough as I gave it another pump up and it lasted the ride just fine.
Wish I felt fine, thought I was getting back into the swing of things but it felt like hard work today, the old ticker went up over 160bpm, it normally does that when I've barely been riding. Maybe because I was back on the Giant I was pushing a bigger gear.
I did manage my fastest time of the year up the Col du Wigley, but still a minute back on my best time from 2019, must be old age. Took less power than last week though - lighter bike and tail wind.
Was hoping for 40+miles but the weather looked a bit iffy so I got back at just under 37 miles, takes me to 455 for September and over 5,000 for the year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12469203946
With a break in the rotten weather we've had over the last few days, today's plan was to get up reasonably early and do 80 or 90 miles. I'm very keen to get the September distance tally up to 400 miles, and as of this morning it stood at a meagre 233.
I got up earlier than I expected and was pedalling away from the garage by 0730, on the Boardman. The roads were a bit wet from overnight rain. It was pretty cool as well, so I wrapped up warm with a wooly hat.
I decided to go down the Fosse Road route. The wind was coming from the west, but the weather promised to be better (ie less likely to rain on me) to the south. I also wanted to try a new road after Princethorpe (toward Leamington Spa).
So: I did that. Unfortunately, after about four miles of the new road, I was confronted by road works taking up the whole road. Work going on for HS2.
So I turned back to Princethorpe. From there I took a road signposted Banbury. I wasn't going all the way down to Oxfordshire, but I got as far as Southam. Then I turned back again. I took a wrong turn n the way back up, but connected with Fosse Way again anyway, just a bit further to the south. Then I encountered more HS2 roadworks, but this time there was a dead end sign with the qualification "except cyclists". Nice! I manouevred the bike very carefully past a large digger, attempting to catch the operator's attention so he wouldn't swing the business end round and smack me in the head with it. He very thoughtfully jumped down from the cab and moved the barrier for me. The only bummer was that there was mud all over the road and the tyres got filthy.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240924bike.jpg)
By this time it was clear I was going to be home on 90-something miles. Rude not to kick it up to 100 so I took a couple of detours, one near Broughton Astley and one near Ellistown. I took a rather deviant route back into the village as well.
Stopped at the shop at Brinklow on the way back for a bit of a feast at the bench outside, most notably including some sort of gourmet spicy sausage roll with posh pastry. I think they're competing with the Deli along the road.
Much warmer in the afternoon, but I was fine after I backpacked a fleece. Probably could have got away with bare legs as well but I didn't.
Listened mainly to 5 Live and my audiobook, Chickenhawk.
Back on 101.40 miles, very happy with that because it takes my September total to 334. I could get the monthly tally to 400 with a single ride on Saturday if the weather forecast holds true.
Hadn't done a 100-miler on the Boardman for a long time. Interestingly, four of my last five rides have been fondos, and three of them 100 milers.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12493566439
Well, I needed to get 45 miles in to reach 500 for September and being as today promised a long enough dry slot I went out and did 45 miles. That was enough.
Last Tuesday on the same ride I saw loads of other cyclists, today I saw three and that was really two because I saw the same bloke twice. I know I'm a fair weather cyclist, but some people seem to really need sunshine and warmth. I just need lack of rain - and ice.
Didn't feel that up to it again today though, I think I've got a low-level cold which is just holding me back a bit, the old heart rate is going up a bit higher than I would like even though I held back a bit today. But then I wasn't too far off my best time on the Walton Back Lane kicker, but it's such a nasty little bit that it knocks me back to crawl mode anyway.
Hopefully I'll get out for a couple of hours tomorrow now as well, as rain is forecast to hold off until one.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12491551080/
It's now well past five and it's barely rained. Useless forecasters, but then I have been back over 4 hours so it doesn't matter.
Today got me 42 miles in, I'll accept that, with over 3,000ft of elevation gain again. Met one set of unexpected roadworks and got stuck on a single track road where two van drivers were arguing over who had priority. The buggers hadn't left a big enough gap for me to squeeze through - and they weren't going to give me one.
A few more cyclists out today or so it seemed, but then I did go up to where various roads out from Chesterfield and Sheffield converge on the way to the Peak District.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12500081988
The weather forecast for today improved slightly overnight, with the day forecast to be rain-free from 1000 or so. The wind was coming from the north-west. I wanted to do 66 miles ideally, to get the September distance up to 400. But I knew that if I didn't, I'd have a chance to overcome the deficit over the weekend - the forecast for the last two days of the month also having improved.
I set off at 1100, to do the Upper Westbound route. Up through Coleorton, up through Melbourne, over Swarkestone Bridge, west along the Beloved A Road, through Willington, Hilton, Hatton, Sudbury then north toward Ashbourne. I stopped not long after a village called Little Cubley, because going any further along that route means coming back along a long, steep hill. I'd done nearly 31 miles at that point. I turned back, bought some goodies (including an ice cream Mars Bar - nice) at the petrol station at Hatton, then turned west to Foston to add some distance. Then I came back the usual way (pretty much the same way as the outward leg) from there.
I was going to do something different on the way back to avoid Rotter's Rise south of Melbourne, but I just sucked it up in the end. It wasn't as bad as I expected, I think partly because I'd doped myself with a Cadbury's chocolate milkshake and some chocolate M&Ms.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/240927bike.jpg)
Thought I might encounter some flooded roads near Sudbury but nope, all good. The roads dried out nicely in the afternoon and the temperature climbed a bit as well. So the return leg was a lot more pleasant than the first half of the ride, especially with a tailwind. The headwind was definitely an irritation on the way up.
Listened to 5 Live, the Pale Fountains album Pacific Street and more of my audiobook.
Back on 66.06, and that's just got me over the 400 mile line for this month. If I can do the same for the remaining three months, this will be the first year I've recorded a minimum of 400 for each month.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12517417185
Had enough time after watching the women's World Road Race Championship to get 40 miles in, which was nice. It was basically the same ride as last Saturday, but with an added excursion out round Owler Bar roundabout. Put less effort into it today and felt better for it!
Not many other cyclists about, but then again it was about half four when I set off and starting to cool down, so you wouldn't expect many, not even anybody heading back from Baslow to Sheffield which is normally quite well cycled at any time of day.
If the men's race finishes on time tomorrow and the weather stays dry, I have a chance of hitting 600 miles for September, which will be good seeing as the forecast for the week ahead last weekend made me think I might not hit 500!
https://www.strava.com/activities/12526016281
And I did indeed get to 600 miles in September, ending up with 608 and 44,500ft of elevation gain. I was hoping for 600 miles a month, but only managed it 4 times so far. Been too much rain I think - and too much going away. Today's 25 miles finished just as the rain started again.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12534803343
It finally stopped raining about half ten this morning :) That was a good 60 hours of rain, a good job it wasn't at last year's Storm Babet rates as all my escape routes would have been impassable.
As it was I was able to get out for a 23 mile ride, nowhere near as far as I would have liked, but it was a venture outdoors. Covered up fully today in a long sleeved jersey and bib tights, could probably have gotten away in summer kit as my head was drenched in sweat when I got back, but probably best to keep skin covered with a keen North Easterly.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12555998354
A dry day with light winds from the east was promised, so I planned to do the eastbound route. At least 80 miles. I woke up at about 0630 and asked my bedside Dot what the temperature was outside. Four degrees C. So I went back to sleep. I woke up again later than I hoped and didn't set off until 1015.
I'd expected to be a bit cold even at that time, but as it turned out I overdressed. Ended up taking a couple of layers off only about an hour into the ride, and carrying them round all day in my backpack. I really must try to be more scientific in my choice of cycling apparel.
Because I assumed that the roads near Stanford might be flooded, I took the "old" route through Rempstone and Wymeswold. Picked up some spotty rain approaching Waltham - annoying, because the forecast had estimated the chance of rain at 0% all day. But I must admit I hadn't checked the forecast for 30 miles to the east. In any case the large, dark cloud squatting over East Leicestershire like an irregular-shaped mothership was surrounded by much brighter skies all the way to the horizon in every direction, and it floated off to annoy someone else after twenty minutes.
I went as far as Colsterworth, just short of the A1. I came back the same way, except that I took Narrow Lane to Wymeswold (I nearly always do that on the way back now) and I came down through Griffydam and Coleorton rather than Thringstone and Coalville.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241003bike.jpg)
Saw 'er indoors coming the other way in her white Polo near Belton! On the way to her dance class. So I gave her a friendly wave.
I listened mainly to my audiobook, which sounds much better now that I've AI-speech-enhanced it (it was originally a cassette recording that someone had noise-reduced a bit aggressively). Also 5 Live, and the Level 42 album Guaranteed which is poor overall it must be said, though it does have some lovely moments. And Allan Holdsworth plays on it.
Back about ten minutes before sunset. Nice day out on a bike, glad to have opened the October account with 86.11 miles. More on Saturday I hope.
As of this morning I was slightly less than 2 miles ahead of my October 3rd distance total for 2023. Pretty consistent. Anyway, 88 miles in front now (though I have no particular wish to outdo 2023).
https://www.strava.com/activities/12566449736
Colsterworth, that takes me back to a day quite a few years ago. My boss and I flew down to East Midlands Airport I think. We were to meet up with two colleagues from our Oxford headquarters and visit a company in Colsterworth with a view to buying specialist materials from them. It must have been prior to Satnav days as we managed to get lost in our hire car somewhere around Grantham. It was a good day, meeting really knowledgeable, nice folk and a decent amount of business was done over the years following. I was sorry to learn that they went out of business a few years back. One thing that always stuck with me after that day was the most terrifying right turn across extremely fast oncoming traffic that I have ever experienced. I don't know which main route it was on but it wasn't a manoeuvre I would ever like to repeat.
Made as much as I wanted of another dry day. Wasn't too sure what to wear, so went with bib tights and a short sleeved jersey. It worked for me. Everybody else I saw cycling about today looked a bit overdressed. I thought we were supposed to be Northerners up here?
Anyway, I got 45 miles in and was back in time to see plenty of the Sparkassen Münsterland Giro. I really must stop watching so much of other people cycling, but the road season stops soon and it's back to weekends of Cyclocross - WooHoo!
I wish I didn't have to do so much planning to avoid roadworks, but I managed to avoid them all today. Hopefully get out again tomorrow and probably Saturday for a quick spin, but after that looks a bit dodgy.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12564156507
And another dry and sunny day. Even warm enough to dress as though it were summer, in fact it was just right today, I never felt cold and I never felt hot. It seems that 13-14C is the ideal temperature for me.
There are still too many roadworks out and about for me, but luckily the road which was supposed to be closed from 4th October was open. Which was good for me as it's my way out to the flatter lands. Although I did encounter an unexpected set of roadworks on the way back.
The Southerly breeze today was a bit stronger than forecast, it meant that I did the ideal thing of riding out into it and coming back with it, but apart from one short stretch it never seemed to get behind me. Must be the lie of the land funnelling it round. It did however bring the smell of Goats across the road in Pilsley. Whether there are Goats in Pilsley I don't know, maybe someone had unwrapped a big Goat's cheese. It all got me another 45 miles in the bag.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12572062509
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 04, 2024, 09:19:42 PMAnd another dry and sunny day. Even warm enough to dress as though it were summer, in fact it was just right today, I never felt cold and I never felt hot. It seems that 13-14C is the ideal temperature for me.
There are still too many roadworks out and about for me, but luckily the road which was supposed to be closed from 4th October was open. Which was good for me as it's my way out to the flatter lands. Although I did encounter an unexpected set of roadworks on the way back.
The Southerly breeze today was a bit stronger than forecast, it meant that I did the ideal thing of riding out into it and coming back with it, but apart from one short stretch it never seemed to get behind me. Must be the lie of the land funnelling it round. It did however bring the smell of Goats across the road in Pilsley. Whether there are Goats in Pilsley I don't know, maybe someone had unwrapped a big Goat's cheese. It all got me another 45 miles in the bag.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12572062509
I couldn't help myself from Googling "goats in Pilsley". There does seem to be a fair bit of goat activity in the place. Maybe it's mostly famous for goats and I've just been whooshed.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on October 05, 2024, 12:31:51 PMI couldn't help myself from Googling "goats in Pilsley". There does seem to be a fair bit of goat activity in the place. Maybe it's mostly famous for goats and I've just been whooshed.
I googled it and got nothing. Googling it again I get "Chatsworth Farm Shop" coming up. I forget there are two Pilsleys in Derbyshire. I wasn't cycling through the posh one...
With Saturday being my vinyl day, it would have been nice to get 33 1/3 miles in, but I ended up just over. I also ended up just under 16mph average (15.97) Didn't like that, I should be easily averaging it. I put in an extra run down to Sainsbury's roundabout and back only for a Tractor coming the other way to get on the roundabout before me. Curses. Foiled again.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12582766283/
A dry, very mild day with a moderate wind from the south. I set off on the southbound route shortly after 1000. Once again I intended to do a fondo minimally, but most likely a bit more.
In recent weeks when I've gone down that way, I've taken a left to the gliding club at Sibbertoft. Today I went down through Welford. I bought some food and a small bottle of orange juice at the petrol station there. Annoyingly I left the orange juice there somehow, after opening it for a quick gulp outside. But a few miles further to the south I took a left to Naseby and bought Lucozade at the village shop there. I'd done about 40 miles at this point, so I turned back.
The plan for the way back was to come back up the "old" way to the east, but to cut across to the "new" way, ie the way I'd come, after Foston, to avoid busy roads through Blaby, Enderby and Desford. This would involve navigating roads I'd never done before.
Unfortunately I took a wrong turn just after Countesthorpe, but I found my way back to the "old" route anyway, on a different set of roads than I'd intended. I suppose I should have rehearsed the turns on Street View, or used a GPX app or the eTrex. To be fair I quite enjoyed the route I did take. Very quiet and scenic. But I probably wouldn't do it again. Too hilly, and my planned route would have got me across quicker.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241005naseby.jpg)
Came back up through Barlestone and Nailstone. I reckoned the A447 would be quiet enough on a Saturday, and it was.
Back on 83.68 miles, very happy to have done 170 miles in October already.
I listened to footy coverage on 5 Live, LBC, Be Bop Deluxe's Live in the Air Age and more of Chickenhawk.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12584176934
My heart was telling me to go out and do 45 miles today. My head, for reasons you don't want to know said keep it to 25. I ended up doing 35, but never going too far from home.
I rode out, did four local laps with consistent timings and then came home. It would even have been warm enough for bib shorts today, but I wore tights as it had been raining until half time and as a good Pathetic Shark I don't like to feel road spray on my legs.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12596906435
Today's forecast improved over the weekend, to the point where it was unlikely to rain. Nonetheless I only intended to do 40 or so, perhaps a Twycross Bypasser. However when I examined my spreadsheet this morning I noticed that a bit more than 50 miles would take me over 5000 miles for 2024, so I decided I might as well do another fondo.
The wind was coming from the south-west. I came up with the idea of doing a Bypasser, with the Dad's Army route tacked on at the bottom. I've developed a modification that leaves the (rather busy) A5 earlier, and (more importantly) avoids the roundabout that joins it to the M42.
So I did that. I didn't use the eTrex or a GPX app. I just had a careful look on the map beforehand and reminded myself of the turns, and I managed OK. I went down as far as Coleshill, then turned back. To bump up the distance I took a right turn to go exploring through a village called Nether Whitacre on the way back.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241007bike.jpg)
I also missed a turn, but this was fortuitous, because it meant that I went past a garden centre with a little butcher's stall outside, based in a sort of open-sided hut. It's not the best cyclist's pit stop really because they don't sell drinks, or chocolate, or flapjacks. Just raw meat, uncooked sausages, pork pies and (occasionally) samosas. The only immediately-edible food on offer today were pork pies. so I bought two, a stilton one (lovely) and a red onion one. Very handy, I definitely needed to refuel.
Listened to more Chickenhawk (nearly finished now) and 5 Live. I think I listened to music as well, but I've already forgotten what it was.
Back on 63.90 miles, which pleasingly takes me to 234 this month, 5013 this year.
It was a mild day, warm enough for bare legs. Very nice to go down that way again, I must look for options to expand that route on the other side of the A5.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12599371161
Wish I'd paid more attention to the weather out of the window, rather than watching rainfall radar which showed falling rain, none of which was reaching the ground. Still, gave me time to watch the Women's Tre Valli Varenese.
Didn't go too far or put too much effort in, actually managing a ride at Tempo, whatever that is, all I know is it isn't as hard as Threshold or VO2 max. Got 27 miles in which means 211 for October so far, be nice to get to 250 over the next couple of days, but it looks rainy tomorrow.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12604894566
It was indeed rainy yesterday. Today? Sunshine :) Cold though and a bit hard pedalling into a 4,012 mph Northerly! Just had the fingers and face uncovered today.
Thankfully I got in the requisite mileage t get to 250 miles to let me have a mid-month break. Managed to blow away a couple of the Chesterfield Spire Cycling club up the Shillito climb too.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12621011125
Not a bad day today. Dry, mostly sunny, but cold. The BBC forecast hurricane winds in excess of 5,000mph, but since this was due to a glitch in their data, I set off to do a fondo on my Upper Westbound route. I wrapped up warm; three layers on top and two below the waist. Didn't feel a need to unclothe during the ride.
I set off at 1049. Up through Coleorton and Melbourne, over Swarkestone Bridge, west along my favourite flat A road south of Derby. Usually on this route, after Scropton I would turn north through Sudbury and up toward Ashbourne, but today I thought I'd try something different. I only needed another 6 miles to get to half-fondo distance, and I turned south instead to go exploring. I knew I didn't want to go too far south along Sudbury Road as it's a bit of a rollercoaster ride of steep hills down there so I looked for a right turn that might take me west for a few miles.
So after going south for a couple of miles I took a right a long a road called Stubby Lane. Pretty sure I hadn't been along that way before. Quite pleasant. Quiet. Kept going for about five miles, then turned back. I intended to come back the same way, but I didn't quite. I took a wrong turn which took me a different way between Draycott and Hatton, through Tutbury. Hadn't been there for a while.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241010bike.jpg)
One annoying thing about this route is that it involves using the A511 for a few hundred metres, and it can take a long time for a suitable break in the traffic to appear so you can take the right turn onto it, if you happen to arrive at a bad time during the rush hour. I became self conscious about holding up the driver behind me after about seven minutes, so much so that I withdrew to let him have a go first. I reckoned a car would have a better chance at taking advantage of a medium-sized gap in the unending stream of motor vehicles.
About fifteen minutes after I set off, I noticed a group of people huddled around something on the pavement in Coleorteon. As I drew closer I saw that it was a young man, sitting on the ground, wrapped in a blanket with his face covered in blood. Hope it wasn't too serious. Saw a dead deer next to the road a few miles further on.
Listened to the last chapter of my audiobook Chickenhawk and 5 Live.
Back on 66.04 miles, and that takes me to 300 this month! Or almost; 299.73 to be pedantic. That was my fourth fondo this month and my thirty-fifth this year. 2024 might well be my first forty-fondo year. Actually nine of my last ten rides have been fondos.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12622847703
Had a lunch appointment today so unfortunately, not a lot of time. Decent weather - dry, mostly sunny, low winds but cold. About 6C when I set off at 1040.
I took the Tricross since I hadn't used it since April, and I immediately noticed that the steering was a bit stiff. Clearly the headset isn't too tight since it was fine last time I used it. Maybe the bearings are wearing out. Anyway I decided it would be usable. And it was just about, except that coming out of a bend needed a bit of extra care - the steering needed gentle pressure to straighten out again onto the straight and level. I hoped that it would loosen up after a few turns, but it didn't.
I wanted to do 34 miles or so and I did a fairly standard Twycrosser with the Orton detour, except that instead of going through Carlton, I doubled back to Congerstone. Although it's only a few miles from home I don't think I've ever done that short stretch between the canal and Congerstone. Anyway it's pleasant, but unexceptional.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241013bike.jpg)
Huge amounts of mud on the road near Orton, but at least I was on the optimal bike for that.
Back on 32.93 miles. Listened to 5 Live and David Bowie's second album from 1969, usually known as Space Oddity but in fact titled David Bowie. I thought I was going to be cold so I had two fleeces on underneath my winter cycling top, but I had to take one off for the last ten miles. Very nice run out anyway.
When I got back I hung the bike from the garage ceiling and squirted some GT85 down the join between the forks and the steerer tube, then worked the steering for a few seconds. That's already taken out most of the stiffness, although it was slightly gritty. I'll do it again, then dribble some chain oil down there. It probably ought to be greased.
Anyway that's 333 miles in the bag for October, more on Tuesday I hope. I'm 72 miles ahead of last year at the moment. Looks like this might well be another 10,000km year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12647356981
As ever, four days off the bike and I've lost half my fitness, a few years back I'd have been burning up the roads after a break like that. Ho-hum.
Wasn't really the day for road burning though, dull and a bit drizzly and damp the higher you went. The mid level mists meant I put off riding too high and just did a couple of circuits round Apperknowle, we're having new windows fitted too so I didn't want to go too far from home.
Managed 35 miles, as ever, it'll do.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12660341292
Gloomy and a bit damp this morning and there was still a bit of drizzle in the air when I set off at about 1100. But the BBC promised it would clear up, so I did a fairly standard version of the eastbound fondo over to Eastwell and back. Out through Thringstone, Belton, Stanford and Burton on the Wolds, back through Rempstone, Wymeswold, Long Whatton, Coleorton.
I have a bit of a cold at the moment so I thought I might cut it short, but I was fine. The ride did take longer than I would normally expect, but I think that was mostly due to queuing in traffic at roadworks near Zouch. Nice run out. Nice to get out of the house anyway.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241015bike.jpg)
I listened to Bowie's The Man Who Sold The World album and 5 Live.
Back on 65.76 about 15 minutes before sunset.. it's that time of year when you start thinking about taking lights even if you set off in the morning.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12663534603
With dry, mild - almost warm - weather forecast for today, I really wanted to do another fondo. Unfortunately I've contracted a moderate case of man flu, and rather than pedalling away into the yonder on a bicycle this morning, I went back to bed.
But I did get up again at about midday, and following a modest lunch, I was off and away not long after 2pm. I hoped to do 40 miles or so.
For some reason I went right up through Ashby, and looped round there a couple of times. Just amusing myself really. Then I came down through Packington and did a fairly standard Twycrosser from there.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241017bike.jpg)
I went into the village shop at Packington - I've passed it dozens of times but never bothered to go in, mostly because it's only a few miles from home. But this time I did, because the fridge was lamentably low on cycling snacks. Quite a useful little shop.
Listened to 5 Live. Back on 35.42 miles, fewer than I intended but oh well. I was back at 1745, only 20 minutes before sunset.
That was my 1500th ride since I started recording and spreadsheeting them in January 2015, 48,374 miles ago.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12679438734
Trying to get back into things again, I really do get knocked back if I don't ride for four days and today was just the sort of day to go out. Nice enough to get back into full Summer kit. A bit chilly in the shade at first, but completely nice enough to bare the old arms and legs. Probably not enough UV to top up the tanlines thoough.
Had a ride out through Tibshelf and managed to maintain a better average speed than last time I rode that way, but put less effort into it. I'll never understand these things, maybe a better tailwind on the way back helped. Managed to get 42 miles in, with enough elevation gain to hit the October Strava climbing challenge. They really did ought to lift it back to 7,500m of climbing though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12676933773
Almost like Summer again today, if you come from Northern Norway that is. I still rode out dressed as if it were Summer though, as once I get going I tend to run a bit warm and so long as it doesn't rain I'm fine baring my arms and legs. Back in the day at school I'd do Cross Country runs in a T-shirt and shorts in much colder weather. Man up as they say.
Seeing as today was (almost) sunny and dry, I rode out and did what I'd intended to ride on Tuesday. There was a bit more wind than I was expecting especially up on the tops, I was struggling to get to 25mph downhill at times took a minute and a half longer for a 1.5 mile segment than it took me last week. Swings and Roundabouts I suppose.
Got me another 35 miles in and now need under 150 miles to get to 500 for October.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12684384129
I wasn't going to go out today because I'm trying to recover from a bad cold or a touch of flu, and I definitely gave myself a setback by doing a ride on Thursday. I felt knackered all day yesterday. But by 1500 today I'd decided that the afternoon sunshine was just too nice not to do 30 or so.
I set off to do a Twycrosser at about 1515. Down to Sheepy, through Ratcliffe Culey and Shenton and into Bosworth. I realised on the way up that I was likely to be home on about 32 miles which was more than I needed or wanted, so I attempted to cut across to the main road (the unlovely A447) as a short cut after Carlton. However, I took a wrong turn at Barton Lane and ended up looping back on the usual road going north through the villages. I'd actually performed a detour and extended my distance a bit. But I tried a similar manoeuvre at Odstone further up, successfully this time.
Back on 31.77 miles, 16 seconds before sunset, which occurred at 1800:47 here in NW Leics. 466 done this month now and if the weather forecast for the rest of the month is roughly correct, I could get that up to 620 without too much effort.
Listened to footy coverage on 5 Live. Nice to hear United coming back from a goal down to beat Brentford. Arsenal going down to 10 men made their game against Bournemouth more interesting as well.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12695153805
Went out still dressed for Summer today. Even though it was warmer than yesterday it felt colder as it was four o'clock before I went out - hey, Cyclocross season is back - and the sun was losing its power.
I was aiming for 32 miles in two hours and came in at nearly 34 in just over, so that'll do. Can't believe today was my first ascent of Tom Lane this year, could have sworn it was a regular ride earlier on this year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12694609991
Was planning on heading out tomorrow with my cycling buddy but Ashling suggested that this would be a bad idea.
And today was so beautiful - was thinking who knows when we'd get a day as warm and sunny again?
Had a busy morning taking the cat to the vet's and various shopping trips. Spent most of it thinking how much nicer it would be on a bike. As soon as I was home I was getting ready for the spin. Pretty unremarkable really out to Kells via the Gibbstown Gaeltacht and back via Bohermeen.
Felt good to be out though, so much so that not even the Arsenal defeat could spoil it
https://strava.app.link/kqXY1RKCPNb
I woke at about 0500 this morning. Certainly, I wasn't intending to get up that early. I asked Alexa the outside temperate. 11 degrees. Doable, however on reflection I thought it was probably better to go back to sleep for a few hours. So I did. I ended getting up at about 0930, later than I intended, but I was pedalling away from the garage by about 1020.
I took the Tricross. Wanted to check that my tactic of spraying GT85, then dribbling chain lube down the steerer tube had freed up the steering, and happily, it has. Nice and slippery smooth now.
Decently mild and dry day. The wind was coming from the south. The intention was to do a southbound fondo.
After about 2km, I realised that I hadn't brought my phone - which meant that I wouldn't be able to refuel at a village shop or petrol station. But I took stock - I had a Peperami "pizza bun" (awful but convenient), a cheese & onion pasty and two flapjacks with me. Probably enough. So I pressed on.
I decided after Stoney Stanton to go down the Fosse Way route instead of down toward Northamptonshire. Got to Brinklow after about 47km. Then, because I only wanted to do another three klicks or so, I took a right toward Coventry rather than continuing down Fosse Way. Turned after 50.3km and came back much the same way (I took the detour along Wood Road on the way back to bypass Bagworth).
Listened to 5 Live, and the first 90 minutes or so of Boris Johnson's superb Unleashed. Really a wonderful and engaging book, and he reads it beautifully.
Back on 102.28km, that's 852 this month.
The only annoying thing really about switching to km rather than miles has been that I have some landmarks with distances to home recorded in my head. They can be handy, but I'll just have to figure out and memorise some new ones.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12709866188
Thought I might have been coming down with Slim's Manflu over the last couple of days, but dragged myself out for 20 miles yesterday and felt better for it.
Today, I dragged myself out for 41 miles with 3,195ft of elevation gain at an average speed of 15.3mph and came back feeling worse. Should be averaging 16mph on that bike for that route, but the supposed gentle breeze most certainly wasn't, MyWindsock says I had a 15mph headwind for 40 minutes. Probably a tailwaind for about ten. Still, any mileage is good mileage.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12716497269
Today's plan, again, was to do a fondo. I must have a think about whether I want to spend every available dry day cycling. But anyway today, that's what I did.
The wind was coming from the south so I set off at about 1010 on a remix of the southbound route. Last time I went down that way, on Monday, I had to contend with extended roadworks and traffic lights near Bagworth. I don't mind waiting at the lights so much, but the road was covered in dust and mud. So this time I went down through Heather and the various villages to Bosworth, before joining the usual route at Kirkby Mallory, via Cadeby.
I went down as far as the end of Station Road, a couple of km north of Welford and the Northamptonshire border. I decided to come back up via the old route through Husbands Bosworth and Shearsby, with the twist that I would cut across west to the new route from Foston - to avoid the nasty traffic at the bottom of Leicester. I've tried this once before and made a mess of it. This time I managed to take the route I intended and yep, it works pretty well. After rejoining the main route at Broughton, I mostly came back the same way.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241023bike.jpg)
Back on 110.45km and that was October's 7th fondo, a new monthly record. It's quite likely that I'll get another one in before November, as well.
Pretty gloomy when I set off, and cold. But the sun emerged in the afternoon and in the end, it was a very nice day. I did get a couple of minutes of drizzle near Foston, though. Seemed very incongruous, so much so that I thought I was being sprayed by a badly aligned windscreen washer at first.
I listened to Bowie's Hunky Dory and 5 Live (mostly politics coverage).
https://www.strava.com/activities/12727600045
Today's mission was to perform a fondo, by any means possible. Nice day - very sunny, though not very warm. A mild southerly breeze. I did the southbound route again. Given that the clocks went back an hour last night I hoped I'd have set off by 0930 but nope, 1024. That's 1124, body clock time. Unaccountable really.
Since a defiantly dry day was promised, I took the Cannondale. Only its fourth run out this year. Didn't get round to changing the chain and giving it the setup it needed until July.
Once again I went down via Odstone, Barton and Bosworth to avoid the roadworks near Bagworth. Went down as far as Station Road then turned back. I was going to come back the same way this time, but I decided to give myself an orienteering test, and I took a left towards Lutterworth rather than the right toward Broughton Astley. Found a sign to Ashby Parva, and from there I found my way back to Broughton via Frolesworth. My impromptu detour looked familiar, actually. I think I must have done that before.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241027bike.jpg)
After Kirkby Mallory I came home directly up the A477. Not really that pleasant, but I reasoned that the traffic would be lighter on a Sunday. By this time I was looking forward to a coffee and a warm bath. The temperature had dropped a little. And I'd added a few km on my detour.
Back about a minute after sunset, which today occurred at 1644.
I listened to Johnnie Walker's last ever radio programme. I well remember listening to his chart show at school on my little blue transistor radio over 50 years ago. The new chart was announced on a Tuesday in those days. And I listened to football coverage on 5 Live, and another hour or two of Boris Johnson's brilliant memoir, Unleashed.
Back on 105.39 km, and that's my eighth fondo this month - a new personal record. Octuple Fondo October, if you will. It was also my 39th fondo this year which is also a personal best (I managed 38 last year).
https://www.strava.com/activities/12760936124
I've not managed one Fondo all year. Only done one fifty miler. My distance mojo has gone missing. I think the COVID era started the decline, I started doing shorter rides more often and now I start to worry about things going wrong if I'm too far from home.
Got a couple of 33 milers in this weekend, getting back today tow minutes after the 16:42 sunset. Early sunsets now mean I can only watch the women's Cyclocross race before going out. Thank heavens for catch-up.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12759620002
Unusually, the wind came from the north-east today. While casually perusing maps over a slice of toast this morning, I had the idea of going up into Nottinghamshire, to visit some old haunts. So I went up through Coleorton to Castle Donington, but rather than hanging a left to Shardlow as I normally would, I kept on keepin' on to Long Eaton, then to Beeston.
In the noughties, by an odd coincidence I had two consecutive jobs within a kilometre of each other there; the first at a web hosting firm, the second at Nottingham University. I went right through Beeston and into the Uni. Took a pic of the bike against the Psychology Building, where I worked as a technology staffer. Good times. Really hadn't changed much, though it was odd to think that some of the bright young things I saw walking around the campus would only just have been born when I started work there. Meanwhile the kids who were there back then are in their mid or late thirties now. Odd thought. It doesn't seem long ago.
Anyway I didn't stay there long. Once or twice when I worked at the Uni I cycled all the way home to Derby, so I decided to repeat that experience. I only ever did this four or five times. Mainly I'd wrestle the bike onto a train at Beeston station, then get off again at Spondon station. I only ever rode a bike all the way home when there was some sort of problem with the trains.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241029psychology.jpg)
It really seems bizarre to me now that I would endure the hassle of taking (and paying for) a train between Nottingham Uni and Derby, with a bike, to avoid a 21km ride home. Years later I would regularly do a 50 or 60km ride after work just for the fun of it. But 21km, or 13 miles as I knew it at the time, seemed like a lot back then.
I'm sorry to say that I couldn't remember the way out of Beeston toward Long Eaton, and I did a lot of faffing around in heavy traffic trying to find my way. I was glad to go there again but it's very urban, not a lot of fun.
Anyway with the help of Google Maps I did find my way back to Long Eaton and from there through Draycott, Borrowash and into Derby, just like old times. I went up through Spondon, up to Oakwood where I used to live, then back down Acorn Way to the main road and back to Borrowash. Thankfully the "ASDA roundabout" was quiet. From Borrowash, down to Swarkestone Bridge through Aston and Weston - I was thankful to be on nice quiet country roads again - and back home the usual way through Melbourne and Coleorton.
Listened to 5 Live mainly, and the Ned Doheny album Hard Candy - a bit of a blue-eyed soul classic from 1976.
As I sat on a bench near Draycott, an old bloke in pink trousers and a woolly hat, out for a walk with his other half, wanted to talk about my bike. "That's a name I haven't heard for a long time", he said, pointing to the Boardman brand on the frame. So we had a brief chat about Chris Boardman. I'm not sure how much of it he took in, or whether he was particularly interested. Sweet old man.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241029coleorton.jpg)
Dark by the time I got back, on 105.38km, which makes October a nonuple (yes) fondo month. My previous record is 6, in September 2023. I've also done 1172km this month, which is the highest distance score in any month since 2016. But I was a manic cyclist back then. I actually did 37 rides in July that year, which seems excessive to me now. To be fair though they were typically much shorter than I'd bother with now.
Looking at the weather forecast I probably will ride a bike on Thursday, which will be the last day of the month. Maybe even a fondo! But maybe not.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12775321184
I suppose I ride a Fondo in two halves, on consecutive days. There, that makes me feel better :)
Did 35 miles yesterday and 35 miles today. Could certainly have got away with short sleeves and bib-shorts yesterday, probably could have today, but there was no sun.
Forgot that it's half term this week and made the mistake of cycling up to Hardwick Hall, plenty of traffic going there. I did manage to hold an SUV up on the last bit of the climb though. He got his own back on the descent away from the Hall, too many speed bumps and pedestrians in the road.
Did another half Fondo today. Wish I'd done a triple Fondo as Mrs S had invited her sister over and she didn't leave until nearly eight this evening. Talk about outstaying your welcome!
Didn't bother straying too far from home. Trying to work out some "interesting" rides for the short Winter days ahead, which give a good workout with a decent amount of climbing, but nothing too taxing.
Today's 36 miles gets me to 634 miles for October with 45,000ft of elevation gain. It also means I've cycled more than in 2023 which is nice.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12789223595/overview
I got up yesterday with the firm intention of doing my 10th fondo of October. I had my cycling clothes ready to go; my cheese and onion rolls prepacked. But the weather was so cold and damp that I decided not to bother. Consequently, there will probably never be a decuple fondo month. Not in my spreadsheet anyway.
However - I did do one today. With a light wind coming from the south-west, I decided to do my Lower Westbound route. Hadn't done it for a while.
I forgot to take the right turn for Measham after 10km. I went down Gallows Lane on autopilot, as if doing a Twycrosser. No matter, I took a right for Measham two km further down. Unfortunately because I'd approached Measham from an unusal direction, I took the wrong turn from the crossroads and ended up going west through No Man's Heath and Clifton Campville. But that was fine. Hadn't been that way for a while.
I stopped just short of Abbots Bromley after 52km, and turned back. I calculated that I'd have done 100km by the time I got back by the sensible route. But I realised by the time I got to Lullington that I wouldn't, quite. So I took a detour up to Ashby after Measham.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/2411101bike.jpg)
That was an enjoyable run out, mild enough and a nice dry day albeit rather overcast. I listened to 5 Live and the Yes live album Yessongs, once a "triple album".
Back on 101.81k. Thoroughly decent start to the November campaign.
At the moment I'm 319km ahead of 2023. That was my record year (10,321km) but I'll be happy with 10,000 this year. Having said that - I did formulate an ambition earlier in the year to do a minimum of 400 miles in each month of this year, which would be a first - and if I do that over the last two months of 2024, I'll end up on 10,152km. I'll just aim for 650k for both November and December.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12798867194
And another half Fondo today. Bit of a dim and dreary afternoon, but there wasn't much drizzle and it was quite warm.
Just went out through Tibshelf and back. Pleasant enough ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12806524074
Another dry day and with the wind coming from the east again, another chance to do my favourite fondo ride, the Eastbound Route.
My usual route outwards through Coalville was blocked by a ROAD CLOSED sign and some pretty serious-looking roadworks, so I took a detour along Whitwick Road. I last did that in early 2020. I know this because I recall listening to a piece on Adrian Chiles' 5 Live show about a cruise ship that had been quarantined due to the outbreak of a virus among the passengers and crew. At that time there was no suggestion that we were at the outset of a global crisis.
Anyway - I pedalled eastward in the usual manner, through Stanford and Burton on the Wolds, where I stopped at the petrol station to buy some food. I stopped and turned back after 49km. I was going to come back a slightly longer way over the last few km.
However - on a whim I decided to take a different route home, via a (roughly) parallel route to the north. I haven't been that way for years, just thought it would make a change. I took a wrong turn almost immediately, to a village called Hose where I checked Google Maps and backtracked.
Quite nice to do the alternative route again, though I was reminded why I don't really do it now. A bit climby and the road surfaces aren't great.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241103bike.jpg)
Came back down Top Brand a few km from home and I reckoned I'd be home on more than 102km if I came back the usual way from there, so just for a change I came through Swannington rather than Coleorton. Saves a km or so but involves a long uphill slog. I hadn't done it for at least a year. It wasn't as bad as I remembered (it never is).
Listened to more of Boris Johnson's thoughtful, insightful and wonderfully engaging memoir, Unleashed. Also football coverage on 5 Live and the first 45 mins or so of Bob Harris' first Sounds of the Seventies on R2.
Back on 101.35k, happy to have got November off to a good start. 203k, three days in.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12815290427
Intended doing another demi-Fondo again today, after watching Fem van Empel win the Womens European Cyclocross championships.
However, half way in my rear derailleur cable snapped in the shifter, should have realised as I'm coming up to 4,000 miles on the gravel bike and they tend to go on me at that distance. Luckily I was near the high point of my ride and could pick a mainly downhill ride back - apart from one nasty little kicker.
Because of my own inertia and naive thoughts of fixing thing myself I'm now without a rideable bike. Better contact Bicycle repair man first thing tomorrow.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12814970896
As of this morning, 16 of my most recent 20 rides had been fondos. However, I wasn't tempted to do one today. For one thing, the weather was a little bit cold and gloomy. Dry enough, and unusually low winds, but not really long bike ride conditions. And for another, because it's US election day, I'll inevitably be staying up until at least 0300. And I didn't want to tire myself out.
I thought I'd do something a bit different. I went up to Melbourne then across to Ticknall. Then down to Ashby via Bastard Hill, which I hadn't done for months. Pleased to report that it wasn't that bad an ordeal.
Not the best day for a ride up the hill between Melbourne and Ticknall. On a clear day there's a fantastic view from the top into Derbyshire, but not today. I did find a portable toilet up there. It wasn't locked. But I used the hedge.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241105bike.jpg)
Because I'd only done about 30km by the time I got to Ashby, I tacked a sort of sub-Twycrosser onto the ride. Down through Packington toward Twycross, but only as far as Snarestone. Usual way home from there through Swepstone and Heather. I did take a slight detour through Ibstock.
Back on 50.38km which does seem a bit rubbish. But it looks like there's enough dry weather in the rest of the month to get the December kilometre count up to 650 easily, and that'll do.
Listened to US election fever on various 5 Live programmes.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12830064469
Contacted Bicycle repair man and he came first thing to collect the Gravel bike for a new rear derailleur cable. Once that's done - he's a bit busy at the moment after man-flu - he'll try and sort out the pad retaining bolts on the Bianchi, which because he'll have to dismantle the calipers is a job which can go wrong...
So, the Black bike I discovered last week had a front tyre that wouldn't inflate. I'm running it tubeless and it was just leaking air from round the rim, it has done about 10,000 miles though so probably isn't too stiff these days. Yesterday I got it off and actually got a Schwalbe Tubeless Easy tyre on easily. Inflated it with the air tank and it popped on. Only trouble is I must have damaged the rim tape getting it off and the air pissed out of the drainholes. Arse. Stick a tube in then. Tube in and it just wouldn't seat right. Left it overnight as sometimes it sorts itself out. No. Tried again today, got it much closer, but one small section just wouldn't sit right.
A man has to ride, I took it out for a spin, it was fine, but the braking track on the Carbon wheel is wearing away in places - it has done 20,500 miles -which can lead to exploding rims. I took it steadily for a grand total of 22 miles. Maybe just keep it like that till a potentially more reliable bike returns.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12828441728
Back up to a demi-Fondo again today. Managed to complete the ride I'd intended doing on Sunday. Another dull day though. Nice to have no wind and for it not to be cold, but a bit of sunshine wouldn't go amiss.
I thought I was about to lose it at one point when going downhill at 40mph a big Oak leaf stuck to the front of my glasses. Had just enough vision from my left eye to see until I 'd slowed enough to remove it.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12836552421
Well, that was frustrating.
A murky, cold day but having performed a rather short ride on Tuesday, I wanted to do at least 60km today. The wind was coming from the south-east. I thought I'd do a bit of the Eastbound Route. Maybe Six Hills and back.
Well, I'd done a bit less than 20 km when I noticed that I was feeling the road surface a bit more intimately through the handlebars than I'd prefer. Stopped, fondled the front tyre - it was flat. Not completely, but very soft.
I upturned the bike on the grass verge. Had a look in my backpack and in the frame pack - two spare inner tubes. A mini pump. A CO2 inflator and two cylinders. But no tyre levers. I never got round to putting the saddle bag back on after the last time the Boardman was cleaned, and that's where I kept them.
I did have a half-hearted go at getting the tyre off with an Allen key, but that was hopeless. I was more likely to damage the rim and the new inner tube than to wrestle a tyre off and on again with a bit of hexagonal-shaped metal. Plan B was to hope the puncture was slow enough to stay inflated for a few km at a time. So I pumped it up and tentatively set off. Homeward, of course.
I got about 2km before it was clear I was going to have to pump it up again, and since I was about 17km from home, that wasn't good news. This time I used the CO2 inflator. That got the tyre very well inflated - nice and firm - very quickly. I set off again, this time I got a bit further. I tried the CO2 inflator again but it was empty - must have used the whole charge on the first go. So I reverted to the mini pump. I made a bit of progress by stopping to pump the tyre another two or three times. When I stopped at Belton, I noticed that the bottle cage was hanging loose. One of the cage bolts had gone missing. Then when I came to mount the bike again, my Garmin watch fell off my left wrist. One of the spring bars had failed. Obviously not my lucky day.
About 6km from home, I went into the petrol station at Thringstone to see if they had a tyre lever or something similar. Unsurprisingly, they didn't.
This time I used the second CO2 cylinder to get the leaky inner tube up to pressure. I was only about 6km from home now. The tyre went nice and firm, but the nozzle stuck on the valve! I unscrewed it carefully. The valve core came right out, along with all of the pressure in the inner tube, of course. I realised later that the inflator nozzle was probably frozen on. If I'd just left it another minute or so, I'm sure I'd have got it off easily. I did try screwing it back in finger-tight once it had thawed out, but it didn't protect the pressure in the inner tube for more than a minute.
So I set off to walk home. About 3km later though I passed the Coalville branch of Halfords. I went in, bought a pack of three yellow nylon tyre levers (£3.50) then swapped in a new inner tube in the car park. Only took about seven minutes. I was back home 15 minutes later.
I've only uploaded the first part of the ride to Strava, up to where I started walking. Adding on the stretch from Halfords - home, the ride comes to a very unsatisfying 36.46km. I suppose I'll do a fondo at the weekend. But I've done 290km this month now, and seven days in, that's OK.
Anyway - useful lessons learned. The CO2 inflator is only good for one shot per cylinder so for a new inner tube it could be useful, but not to keep a leaky one going. My mini-pump works really well. Finally: I'm an idiot. But I'll try to remember always to take tyre levers in future.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12846044563
Quote from: Slim on November 07, 2024, 07:11:06 PMFinally: I'm an idiot. But I'll try to remember always to take tyre levers in future.
I'm an idiot. I always take tyre levers with me, but never a spare inner tube. I really need to as I'm running all my bikes tubed now. Just bought new inner tubes, but forgot to put one in my little bag.
Also bought some new Merino cycling socks. Think they kept my toes a bit warmer than yesterday, well they must have as the weather was colder with drizzle and my big toes hadn't gone blue after I got back from a demi-Fondo like they had yesterday.
Another 35 miles gets me to 153 for November, so on track for 500 miles in the month.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12844397462
Usually I don't ride on consecutive days but I wanted to make amends for yesterday's failure, so I thought I'd do at least 50km this afternoon. Decided to basically do the eastbound route, but with a long detour to the north to take in Top Brand, Diseworth and Long Whatton.
Even at 1430 the traffic along Rempstone Road going through Zouch was annoying busy, and the roadworks with traffic lights didn't help. After 27km I took a left for East Leake. There was a ROAD CLOSED sign but I just ignored it. In fact there was about 2km of roadworks along there, but at no point was the whole width of the road closed. So I just sailed past.
My idea had been to loop back to Sutton Bonington; instead after another 5km I found myself a bit further west on the same road I'd taken the left turn from. I must rehearse that loop back on Street View. Anyway I decided to take a right turn and head back anyway. But I couldn't find an adequate gap to turn right in the dual-directional river of traffic. So I turned left. This time, about two klicks further east, I took a right to Stanford on Soar - a familiar point on the (usual) eastbound route. Came back the usual way from there except that I did the same detour through Long Whatton and down Top Brand. Mainly to avoid traffic along Ashby Road.
There's a timber merchant on the outskirts of Long Whatton called Harlow Bros. It seems really incongruous somehow, at the edge of a small village but it has a traditional, elegant brick office building that looks like it belongs in the '50s or '60s. At this time of year if you pass it at dusk, you can see the office interiors through the windows; wood panelling, traditional desks, wall clocks. Sometimes I daydream about getting a part time job there as an IT guru. I spent the last 12 years of my career working from home predominantly, and I've missed that sort of environment for a long time. Oh to be 30 again, dressed in a sharp shirt and tie and prowling the corridors of Rolls-Royce and Associates.
It was cold for the first few km and I thought I was going to have to cut the ride short. But I warmed up a bit. Listened to 5 Live.
Back on 63.04km.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12853419359
Made it out for another demi-Fondo on another gloomy day. A colder gloomy day. I'm getting used to it now though. It's better than rain or snow.
What wasn't good was my Garmin locked up after five miles. I'd heard the beep and seen the display of my first five mile lap and at the end of the next road it was still at five miles. Bugger. If it's not on Strava it didn't happen. Of course I started the Strava app on my phone, but didn't want to lose those five miles.
After randomly jabbing every Garmin button I held the on/off switch down for an inordinately long time and it switched off. It then switched on again. Phew. It also showed I was five miles into a ride. Double-phew. What had happened I don't know, but the charge on the Garmin had dropped from 40% to 20%, so the rest of the ride was spent hoping for no further lock ups. Funnily enough it happened at the same spot as my old Garmin once froze. Spooky huh?
Thankfully it played ball for the rest of the ride, back on the old Gravel bike now it's got a new rear derailleur cable. I've also managed to upload the missing bit of ride by extracting it from a ride a couple of days ago. Couldn't insert it into my main ride, but the distance is now there.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12861209050
Another aggravating one.
The plan for today was to do the Dad's Army route, but to take a road down toward a village called Filongley after Kingsbury. I was determined to do 100km.
I fitted a new inner tube to the Boardman on Thursday in Halfords' car park, as attentive readers may remember. Since I'd relubed it and fitted a new cage bolt yesterday, I thought I'd use it for today's ride. Just to give myself that warm, fuzzy feeling that it's in roadworthy condition again.
As I wheeled it out of the garage, I noticed a very slight wobble in the front wheel - about 3mm of lateral movement. I checked it was secured properly in the forks. It was. Must be the hub. But it seemed rock steady with weight on it, so I decided to take it anyway. It seemed to handle properly so I put it out of my mind after a few km.
I missed the left turn off the A5 meaning that I had to negotiate the roundabout that meets the M42, but I didn't mind that so much on the outward leg, because I took the first exit off it. I made a mental note to avoid it at all costs on the return leg.
Well, everything went very well until about 2km south of Kingsbury, when I suffered another front flat tyre. I was (at a guess) about 33km from home by the shortest route, so that wasn't good. I did at least have tyre levers with me this time, as well as a thoroughly serviceable pump and two spare inner tubes. But I thought I'd see how far I'd get by just pumping up the flat. Might be a slow puncture, I optimistically reasoned. Naturally I decided to head back homeward from this point.
I didn't get very far, as it turned out. About 2km. So I upturned the bike on a grass verge, swapped in a new inner tube and pumped it up, or tried to. The new inner tube didn't even manage a metre. It wouldn't take any pressure at all. I examined it carefully when I removed it - couldn't see any damage to the tube. I wonder if it was a faulty valve?
I had one more card up my sleeve, a super-lightweight 'Tubolito' inner tube made from bright orange thermoplastic polymer. It cost me £27 from Amazon, but clearly now was the time. It wasn't hard to fit. It behaved a little oddly though in that the tyre was still a little loose on it even when it was inflated fairly firm. The polymer it's made from is less elastic than butyl. But it took up the slack with a few more strokes of the pump.
The valve shaft on the Tubolito is made of plastic, which doesn't really inspire confidence. The mini-pump nozzle slipped off it before it was inflated to quite the pressure I wanted, but I decided to quit while I was ahead rather than push it back on and risk losing all the pressure. I crossed my fingers and set off again.
Thankfully, the new inner tube seemed to be working nicely. It rolled along quite satisfactorily. By the time I got to Sheepy Magna, 18km later, I was much more relaxed. I was close enough to home now that if I had to call out the other half to rescue me, her retaliation would be moderate. I stopped to pump a bit more air into the tyre.
I was doing my best to take the shortest route home, but looking at the route I see that I didn't. After Twycross I came down the main road, then turned left along Gibbet Lane and headed back through Congerstone and Shackerstone. However about 5km from home, I realised that the front tyre was flat again. I managed to make it home by stopping every km or so to pump it up, although I must admit that I was running the tyre very nearly flat for some of the way. But at least I avoided having to walk the bike home.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241110bike.jpg)
So: the Boardman has eaten three new front inner tubes since Thursday. I'm satisfied that one of them, the first one I fitted today, was faulty. It failed before I'd put the wheel back on the bike. As for the others, I will admit that the tyre is a bit worn down, but I couldn't see any sign of a puncture or sharp foreign object. I checked the inner surface of the rim and the tyre interior surface carefully each time before applying a new tube, on Thursday and today. Nice and smooth, nothing sharp.
Is it something to do with the slight wobble in the front wheel? Doesn't seem plausible. Might be the other way round, come to think of it. Maybe running the wheel on a flat tyre has buggered the hub.
I will definitely acquire a new tyre, anyway. I'm not sure whether it's worth having the wheel repaired (new hub bearings probably). It's done about 26,000km. Then again I don't ride aggressively, it doesn't rattle down hills that much and I'm not heavy. I definitely don't brake aggressively, the braking surfaces are fine. Actually the bike is still on its first pair of front brake pads.
It's a decent wheel, a Fulcrum 4. Not the El Cheapo Mavic that the bike came with. I could probably get another 15,000km out of it if I have it repaired. Maybe I could have a go myself. Maybe something just needs to be tightened up.
Or I could treat the Planet X to a carbon wheelset and hand down its old wheels, or one of them, to the Boardman.
I'm not going to buy another super-lightweight inner tube.
Listened to footy on 5 Live, and Boris Johnson's wonderful memoir, Unleashed.
Back on 75.05 km and given the circumstances, I'm calling that a win. 428 done this month and that's decent enough ten days in.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12869731966
Just 28 miles today. I promised Mrs S I'd be back by sunset - which I was by a minute - but I could easily have got to 35 miles as the light held well today, heck, there was even a bit of sunshine :)
It got me over 6,000 miles for the year though, that was what I was after.
A bike mechanic speaks:
(https://i.ibb.co/mSbHgmK/bikemech-bearings.png)
So that's not too bad.
That turned out to be an easy fix. Encouraged by the words "might just need the hub tightening", I googled an article online about adjusting Fulcrum hubs. Took the wheel off, loosened a collar, turned it clockwise until all the wobble went out of the hub, tightened it up again. Just needed an Allen key.
There's a sweet spot where the hub's tight enough so that there's no rattle in it, but not so tight that there's resistance (and therefore excess wear) in the bearings, so it was a case of trial and error.
Very satisfying to put the wheel back on the bike and spin it round without the wobble. Nice and tight.
I've binned the old tyres. I ordered a new pair last night (Schwalbe Luganos) but I found a Fincci in the garage, so I've put that on. Still plenty of meat left on it. I think I took it off the Cannondale after I bought the new Campy wheels for it. I wanted to put brand new tyres on them, but the Fincci hasn't had much use.
Was going to go out for a 40 miler before lunch - Mrs S works part time and I like to be back eating my sandwiches before she's home, otherwise she worries.
But, just as I was about to get ready there was a knock at the door, it was Bicycle Repair man bearing my Bianchi. Wasn't expecting it back so soon. Apparently he had a pig of a job getting the pad retaining bolts from the calipers, he had to hacksaw through them and then drill them out. Luckily he could get the hydraulics up and running with no leaks.
So that was my departure delayed. I did manage 38 miles up to the Peak District and back and a slightly late lunch. Now got the gravel bike set up as a gravel bike again with the winter road wheels moved back to the Bianchi. Gives me the Winter to sort out the Bianchi's carbon wheels and replace the tyres.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12883311230
Had an optometrist appointment early in the afternoon. Shame, because it was pretty decent weather. But I was ready to go by 14:45 or so. Wanted to do at least 50 klicks.
I checked the Boardman in the garage. Front tyre with new inner tube still fully inflated. I was only doing a short ride. Surely an ideal opportunity to test the newly adjusted front hub and new inner tube? Possibly, but having suffered a flat tyre on its two previous rides, I just couldn't face it today. I took the X.
I was determined to do something a bit different and I just followed my nose, trying to make navigational choices I wouldn't usually think of. So I went up through Swannington, then took a left along Limby Hall Lane, which is a route I used to take when I first had the hybrid, before I started cycling more regularly. Nostalgia! I hadn't been along there in years. That took me to Coleorton. From there I went up toward Ashby and after that I just sort of gravitated into doing a Twycrosser, except that I took a long detour on the way up through Nailstone and Ellistown.
I wouldn't normally do a Twycrosser with the wind coming from the north but I wasn't really bothered by it on the way up. Maybe a lesson not to be too anal about it on a shorter ride.
Back on 60.90km, about two hours after sunset. Not too cold. Nice run out.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12885459712
Got the 40 miles in today. Thought I might not. Being a man with more money than sense - so not that much money - I invested in a pair of Power meter pedals a couple of years ago. You should calibrate them before you go out. I occasionally get a 1024 error, which goes when you try calibrating again. Last week the message wouldn't go, but they worked fine.
Today I got a 4 error, kept on trying, kept getting the error. Sod it, I went out, no power output or cadence. I can live without it, but not when it's supposed to be showing. Came straight home.
A quick internet search that a 4 error means "Calibration aborted due to pedaling" a 1024 error means "Calibration aborted due to pedaling on right pedal". Yeah right, I'm standing by a bike with still cranks. So I tried again and all was fine.
Off I went and rode out round Hardwick Hall and Tibshelf. Much better round Hardwick now it isn't half-term. No cars.
Oh, took the Bianchi out today, brakes weren't too good at first, forgot you have to bed the new brake pads in. They got better. Bianchi goes more quickly than the gravel bike, as it should.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12891298098
Didn't get 40 miles in today, but did get 38 which will do. The old legs felt a bit stiff today, I don't think I've got the Bianchi quite set up right, might need to raise the saddle a bit, seem to have been using different muscle groups on my ride yesterday.
Still, best to get out there whilst the sun is still almost shining, looks as if it's cooling down next week, but that bring's a chance to wear my new long-sleeved base layer and overshoes.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12898834696
Today's mission was to do Rutland and back. In recent years when wanting to tick the "visited Rutland" box I've entered the country south of Buckminster, usually en route to a location in Lincolnshire. This time though I wanted to cross the border into England's smallest county at the same point I aimed for when I first did Rutland and back years ago, west of a village called Whissendine.
However, I devised a new route to get there that would do the usual eastbound route for 24km, then dip down through Walton on the Wolds, Seagrave and Thrussington, then take the A607 east for a bit before diving into quieter territory again.
I felt slightly knackered this morning, unaccountably. I set off just before 1000 and I seemed to be low on energy half an hour later. In that respect perhaps it was unfortunate that I was on my heaviest bike. But I wasn't going to cut the ride short. I was determined to chase down that elusive third fondo of November 2024.
I really like that stretch between Cotes and Thrussington. I've done it a couple of times before. I hadn't done the A607 before though (as far as I can remember) and that wasn't pleasant. Too busy. It was a relief to come off it and back onto sedate country lanes, but the route down to Great Dalby then east to Little Dalby was rough and liberally furnished with mud. Anyway I pedalled east to the border, took the obligatory pic. As I fiddled with my phone a nice lady stopped her car to ask if everything was OK. I assured her that it was and thanked her for her consideration. She pulled in to a farm just a little further along the road after setting off again. I suppose they don't get many tourists taking photos of their bikes by the border sign.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241111bike.jpg)
I didn't want to contend with the muddy, lumpy roads or the A607 again, so I decided I'd go home the time-honoured way via Melton Mowbray. Melton used to be a frequent fondo destination. Used to spend a happy half hour there in Costa Coffee before heading home. But it's fallen out of favour in recent years, and perhaps that's why I took the wrong exit out of the town at the traffic lights. I didn't realise I'd done this for several kilometres. To make matters worse, a few km further up, I crossed Six Hills Lane - on my usual eastbound route - without realising it. Found a sign to Wymeswold a bit further up and took that. Usual way home from there.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241111rutland.jpg)
Somewhere between Wymeswold and Rempstone I noticed a very regular bump-bump-bump coming through the rear wheel. At first I thought it was the road surface .. when it was still happening 5km later I realised it wasn't. Stopped and inspected the rear tyre. It was still inflated, but there was a bit of a bulge, or more like a twist. Subtle, but enough to make a noticeable clonk every revolution. Did I overinflate it? Is the tyre unevenly seated on the rim? Naturally I was a bit tense over the last 25 klicks, not least because it seemed to be getting worse. But I made it home OK.
Before I fork out for a new inner tube and tyre I'll try deflating it, reseating it and reflating it again. It's a 700x32. They aren't as expensive as I feared, but assuming the deformation isn't terminal, I think it's got plenty of life in it although it's done nearly 7000km since I bought it, and it wasn't new then.
There's a very nice little deli / tea shop at Seagrave. Bought some crisps, a sausage roll and an Eccles cake. Really must go down that way more often. The difficulty is to incorporate it into a route without going on the A607.
Tried my most recent contact lens prescription. Works nicely for cycling. Listened to more Boris memoirs and 5 Live.
Back on 112.55km, about 110 mins after sunset.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12901047198
Got out today, but not for long. Little brother came round to introduce his new lady friend to us, just a quick visit for a coffee. Three hours and a lunch later he left. Ho-hum.
Managed a quick 21.5 miles before sunset, it'll do. Be nice to get 12 more in tomorrow for 150 for the week, but the weather may not be too good. We'll see.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12915098497/
Today I wanted to do 50km, to get the monthly total over 650. Rain was threatened for the afternoon, and the roads were wet. Normally I probably wouldn't bother but I hadn't been out on a bike since Thursday and the next couple of days look cycling-hostile.
For wet roads I'd normally choose the Tricross or the first Boardman. I didn't quite have my nerve back for the Boardman, having had to contend with a flat tyre on its last two outings. But the Tricross still has a deformed rear tyre and I wasn't able to straighten it out by deflating and manipulating it. So the Boardman it was.
I set off at about 1030, later than I intended. I did a Twycrosser, with the detour to Orton.
I wrapped up very warm but didn't overheat. Cold out there. The advertised rain started at about 1330, but it was very light. I didn't have to put up with it for long anyway. I was home 20 minutes later.
Back on 57.63. Quite an enjoyable run out really, apart from all the slimy mud on the quieter roads. Happy to have road tested the new inner tube and tyre, and the front hub adjustment on the Boardman.
Listened to 5 Live and more Boris memoirs.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12922423242
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on November 16, 2024, 09:36:31 PMBe nice to get 12 more in tomorrow for 150 for the week, but the weather may not be too good. We'll see.
Weather wasn't good and I didn't feel good.
Decided to spruce up the Turbo Trainer bike yesterday. Chain was almost completely seized up, took a good hour to clean it up and get it moving, still several stiff links after that. Plenty of GT85 and lube seem to have it about 99.5% there now, might give it a try. Still don't feel good though.
A very cold day, about 1C. But sunny. I hoped I could tolerate the temperature long enough for 40km or so. I thought I'd do a shortish version of the Twycrosser.
Well, when I actually got out there, I found that the conditions were more than tolerable. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be quite an enjoyable ride. Bright sunshine helps a lot. Actually really nice out there.
So I did a Twycrosser, with a brief excursion down the Dad's Army route (maybe I should stop calling it that? I don't know how many people read these but no doubt some find it baffling). I turned at Old Grendon, but instead of continuing the usual loop to the east and back up, I just went back up exactly the way I'd come down. An - if you will - Double Half Twycrosser.
Took the pic near Alton Hill and annoyingly, I got mud and snow stuck in my right cleat so it wouldn't clip in properly, which made the hill more of a challenge than usual.
Back before sunset. I could have stayed out longer. I did have lights. But my thumbs and toes were starting to get a bit cold. It had been a nice ride. I didn't want to spoil it.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241120bike.jpg)
Back on 58.93. It's looking like I might be able to match last year's distance total, 10321k. Depends what the weather's like in December. 9582 done in 2024 so far.
Listened to more of Boris Johnson's Unleashed. Right up there with Pete Townshend's book as one of the best memoirs I've ever read. Or listened to.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12945145075
Quote from: Slim on November 20, 2024, 06:05:28 PMI don't know how many people read these
I read them, I like reading all of this. That I never respond is mostly due to the fact I do not cycle so have little to add. But I do enjoy reading these, as I do all the cyclist stories on here.
After three days of half-hearted Turbo Trainer use - but it felt so hard - due to cold weather and feeling rather under the weather due to a cold, I managed to get out on the roads today.
It gave me a chance to wear my new long sleeved base layer - my Disco Perv outfit as Mrs S calls it - new overshoes and new gloves. The Base Layer and Overshoes performed well, despite the overshoes being a struggle to put in - since buying them I've found people saying that Endura sizes come up small, ho-hum - but my gloves seem to be for for about 20 miles at 3C. Luckily I was out for 21 so didn't end up too bad fingerly.
Roads were a bit wet and ice free with just the occasional bit of snow transgression into the carriageway and it felt an awful lot nicer than slogging away indoors for an hour. Don't know as if I'll make it to 500 road miles in November though now, the weekend looks a wash out.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12957870538
Not so cold today, about two degrees warmer, or less cold, than Wednesday. The wind was coming from the west and I thought I'd do the same as last time, but maybe not so far. Down the western leg of a Twycrosser, and back up the same way.
Well, when I got out there, unfortunately, conditions felt worse than Wednesday. I was definitely colder, despite the modest uplift in air temperature. The bright sunshine made a lot of difference, last time. Also I found that I didn't really feel like coming back the same way again. So I decided I'd do a regular Twycrosser.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241122bike.jpg)
However .. by the time I'd reached Sheepy Magna the sun had come out, the roads had dried up a bit and conditions were generally a lot more accommodating. How to extend the ride? My first thought was to go east to Kirkby Mallory and come up through Bagworth and Ellistown. But that would mean a cold headwind after Bagworth. So I looped back to Sheepy, pedalled north all the way to Measham then went west for a bit of the "Lower Westbound" route. Before I got as far as Acresford, I hung a right toward Ashby through Willesley. Not sure if I'd ever been along that stretch between Acresford and Ashby before. Not for years if I have, anyway. Back the usual way from Ashby.
I listened to 5 Live.
Back on 62.65km.
Glad to have clocked up 179km on the Boardman without a flat tyre. The front wheel is still spinning nicely without a wobble, as well.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12958682503
Back down in Hampshire for a few days. Had a great ride on the MTBs yesterday. Crackin' weather, bright sunshine but cold.
We set off from the campsite at Milford on Sea and headed down to Keyhaven and on to Lymington via the off-road path around the nature reserve. First stop was the wonderful pasty shop on the high street, 'Mine's A Pasty'. We started the day with bacon and egg rolls in the van but know from experience that the pasties are 'nuclear' hot so the idea was to wrap them in the fleece I had packed in the rucksack to enjoy an hour or so later. Steak and ale for me, cheese and onion for the wife.
From Lymington we took the road to Sway which gets you into the New Forest. From Sway we cycled to Burley, sticking to the road as it looked far too wet on the heathland and trails that criss-cross the forest. Having left Milford where there was little or no trace of snow, we were surprised to see a good amount remaining as we cycled towards Burley. I guess it was due to getting further from the coast and a slight increase in elevation towards Burley. Burley is a nice little place and our first visit was back in July when things looked quite different! The golf course was unplayable as the greens were covered in an inch or so of the fluffy stuff. In the summer, the village was teeming with tourists and the road through was blocked constantly by New Forest ponies wandering aimlessly along totally oblivious to the humans in their midst.
The plan was to tuck into our pasties and the other items we'd packed accompanied by a hot takeaway beverage onced we'd made it to Burley. We settled on the bench in the bus shelter and consumed our grub along with tea and coffee from a nice little shop directly opposite. Pasties were still lovely and warm. Satisfied and slightly warmed we set off back up the hill out of the village, the way we came.
Around three or four miles on we took a right turn for Wooton and Bashley. We'd done a few rides in the area before but this was uncharted territory, which was a treat. On through the delightfully named Tiptoe, heading south to Hordle and Everton.
By this time our eyes were peeled for a pub to stop at, preferably with an open fire to warm ourselves by. No sign of a suitable hostelry in Hordle so we decided it would have to be The Crown in Everton. A bit of a gamble, beer-wise, but unbelievably they had just put on one of my favourites, Citra by Oakham. Alas, no roaring, open fire though. Regardless stayed considerably longer than anticipated!
After a couple of hours spent drinking and chatting with the locals, we emerged to the darkness. So, it was on with the lights for the few hundred yards back to the site. I'm guessing the ride was around 20 miles, maybe a few more.
So pleased that we made the most of a lovely day before storm Bert hit in the early hours of this morning. Getting out in the cold weather really is good for the soul! May be the only ride of the trip. Monday looks promising but that may change. Hunkering down for the next two days while Bert does his worst.
Couldn't leave the house until after 1300 and had to be back by 1630, but 50km seemed more than reasonable. The forecast suggested there'd be no rain, and the roads were nice and dry. Not too cold either. Fairly predictably, I embarked upon a Twycrosser. A pretty typical version, down to Ratcliffe Culey, east through Sibson and Shenton.
I tried to tailor the ride dynamically to make best use of the available time. Did a little detour near Barton in the Beans. Did the detour through Swepstone.
Back at 1625, which was 25 mins after sunset. 52.28km.
I did get rained on unfortunately, not long after setting off. But only for 10 minutes and the sun came out after that.
I listened to another few chapters of Unleashed.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12980825033
Second ride of the trip today and we decided to head east towards the Beaulieu river and up to Beaulieu village.
First to Lymington for the obligatory pasty stop (2 x steak & ale)! Then we headed through town and eastwards over the Lymington river. On towards South Baddesley and St. Leonards. At St. Leonards we headed north towards an interesting village on the west bank of the Beaulieu river.
Buckler's Hard is an 18th century village where Nelson's fleet was built, it comprises a cafe, museum, restaurant, chapel and a few cottages where the shipwrights lived. It is also the location for a fairly substantial marina. There we took the opportunity to enjoy our pasties along with hot drinks from the cafe.
From Buckler's Hard we cycled to Beaulieu village which was another place we had not visited before. The village itself is small but very quaint and unspoilt giving the experience of stepping back in time. Of course, Beaulieu is also the location of the Palace House and the motor museum.
This was as far east as we were planning to go so we turned back towards Buckler's Hard and took the back road to East Boldre. As we passed through East End, we happened upon the East End Arms and decided to stop for refreshments. A wonderfully preserved traditional boozer that I imagine has remained unchanged for decades. A pint of Guinness for me and a pint of keg IPA for the missus.
From East End it was back through South Baddesley to Lymington and returning on our preferred route to Milford on Sea via Keyhaven. A couple of pints in The Wash House finished the ride off nicely.
At a guess, I'd say between 25 and 30 miles. Best day of the trip so far with copious amounts of blue sky and sunshine and a good deal warmer than last Friday.
As ever, a much reduced road riding schedule due to weather and ill-health, it was back to a much reduced road ride to start on working back into it again.
Kept away from the hills and tried to keep away from traffic, but, there's just too much traffic out there. Surprisingly a lot of it was respectful to the cyclist today, probably because I was riding along blowing out lots of snot rockets and they didn't want their precious paintwork bespoiling.
I was happy with 26 miles. If I could just do that on four of the remaining days of November I'll be up at 500 for the month.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12979428937
And today I rode exactly the same ride as yesterday. But a bit more quickly. For slightly less effort. Thanks lighter winds.
Also slightly longer than yesterday as I put in two loops round Calow which meant I saw Mrs S's best friend twice. I'll get Mrs S to explain it to her when they meet at the Mercatum at Haddon Hall tomorrow.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12986893048
Don't usually ride on consecutive days, but the weather looks rough tomorrow and alas, I have other commitments on Thursday - so I thought I'd get a few hours in today.
The wind was coming from the south-west, but it was very light. Not a warm day, but sunny. I basically did a Twycrosser with an excursion down the Dad's Army route.
After 29km, at the T junction at the end of Boulter's Lane, I thought I'd take a left instead of the usual right and go exploring. Looked eminently well-surfaced and level-ish as far as I could see in that direction. I only went another 3 or 4 kilometres, to a place called Hurley Common before coming back up homeward - but it was very nice along there. I'll explore further next time. Nice view of the Birmingham skyline in the distance (I think, will nerd out over a map and check tomorrow).
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241126bike.jpg)
Glad to be venturing over the other side of the A5 more often. The tips of my fingers were a bit icy by the time I got back, about 40 mins after sunset. Anyway 69.23k done, 902 this month now and I think I can squeeze a bit more out of November. Saturday looks like a good day for it at the moment.
https://www.strava.com/activities/12988614596
After too much rain yesterday, it was fine and dry today. A bit nippy though. I don't think my gloves had dried properly from Tuesday and my poor little fingers lost feeling, making gear changing a bit slow.
Cold fingers were the least of my problems though, still haven't shaken last weeks cold and my nose is working in overdrive. The sheer amount of snot coming out of it were something to behold, I was hoping to wear my kit another day, but it was covered in slug trails. Green slugs aplenty too. The worst bit was when I got my Bidon for a drink and there was a big gobbet of snot on the nozzle! Luckily I wasn't too far from home.
Nice to get 30 miles in though, two days left in November to get 42 miles in for 500. Will it rain?
https://www.strava.com/activities/13001649418
I will say, a bike ride in cold weather does clear your sinuses nicely.
Not as cold today and the sinuses don't appear to have as much left in them. Maybe I'm finally shaking off this cold. However Mrs S is now coming down with a new one, I blame her working at a school.
It obviously didn't rain today and I managed to chalk off 32 of my required miles, so that's just 10 left for 500 in November and at the moment it's forecasted to be dry tomorrow.
The roads were stupidly busy though, I guess it's Friday and people are "working" from home.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13008662148
A pleasingly mild day, with a moderate wind coming from the south, and - assuming the BBC weather forecast was to be believed - 0% chance of rain. I wanted to do about 65k, and I thought I'd try a new variation on the southbound route, in which I'd go down the "old" way through Desford, but cut across to the "new" route before Enderby, meeting it just west of Broughton Astley.
So I did that. It was OK. But not great. Too much traffic along Desford Road, and along Coventry Road, which is a main road leading in and out of Leicester. The stretch between Desford and Narborough was nice though. Hadn't been along there before. It goes through a village called Huncote, where I bought some crisps, a sandwich and a Mars Bar.
There was a news item this morning about a man who had bought a a smooth Mars Bar. He opened it to find that it didn't have the signature "ripple" pattern in the chocolate, and later received £2 in compensation. Just thinking about this provoked an urge to have a Mars Bar, and that's why I bought one. Of course I don't know how many others were similarly affected by this news item. Actually I'm not sure why it was considered for inclusion on a national news bulletin in the first place. But for £2, I suspect that Mars Wrigley UK got themselves a very cost-effective marketing campaign. Maybe other vendors will consider releasing mis-manufactured products from time to time. Perhaps someone will open a packet of Polos to find that none of them has a hole in the middle.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241130bike.jpg)
But I digress. From Broughton, or just west of Broughton, I came back the regular way except that I did a bit of meandering around Barlestone and Nailstone. The sun came out for a bit in the afternoon, and I started to wonder if I should do a longer ride. But an hour later conditions were a bit gloomy again, and although there'd been no rain or even drizzle, the roads seemed to be getting wetter. I suppose a fine, invisible mist must have descended and settled on the ground.
Listened mainly to footy chat on 5 Live, but I also listened to Fly By Night. I took the photo near Earl Shilton; the large tyre is known to me as the Belarus Bench, because it has MADE IN BELARUS embossed on it.
I trialled some new memory foam earpieces for the earbuds I use with my phone and my DAB. They work really well, extremely comfortable, stay in your ear nicely and they do cut out a lot of external noise (some will argue that that's not a good thing for cycling of course). The main problem with the old silicon ones was that they tended to pop off the earbuds, sometimes remaining stuck in an ear or sometimes falling to the ground, necessitating a search.
Back on 69.36. I did 972k this month.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13017159664
And it was dry today and I did get to 500 miles for the month. In fact I got to 515. Only did 24.5 miles today, but I didn't get out until half two and sunset was not long after ten to four.
Halfway through November it looked as if I'd be getting 650 miles in, but a cold knocked me back and the weather got colder too. It wasn't cold today though, got a right sweat on even though a newly cleaned and lubed chain meant I didn't have to work as hard. Saved me about 7W in my estimation.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13016947777
A cold day, and I wouldn't normally have bothered with a 100km ride. But I was very keen to get the December fondo in, to complete my annual aspiration of completing one in each of the calendar months.
The other half and I visited a restaurant in Swithland at the weekend, about ten miles from here, to the east. As we drove there I was reminded how pleasant the countryside is in that part of Leicestershire, to the south of Loughborough. Except for a very few occasions, I've avoided it because it's too hilly. So when I go eastwards, I take a route that passes Loughborough to the north.
But I decided I'd have another go. I tried to plot a route that would keep the climbing to a minimum, and eventually track northward to join the usual route.
So I wrapped up warm, set off at about 1035, and I revisited the challenging terrain between Loughborough and Leicester. I don't regret it, but it certainly was a bit of a slog in parts, and I probably won't do it again for a long time. One nice thing though is that it took me through Thrussington, where there's a lovely, quaint village shop, tea shop and deli. I visited it en route to Rutland a couple of weeks ago (albeit I think I claimed it was in Seagrave). I went in and was surrounded by all kinds of enticing products and delicacies, completely alone for a couple of minutes until I went in search of someone at the back of the tea shop. Can't imagine that in South London or Nottingham. I bought a sausage roll and some sort of pastry confection called a "blondie". I sat outside and watched the world not pass by. Delightful.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241203bike.jpg)
I rejoined the usual route at Six Hills, continued eastward until a few miles short of Eastwell, then turned for home. Came back the usual way (or one of them). Pretty cold after the sun went down, but it had been a sunny afternoon mostly, and conditions were very tolerable. Back on 107.52k.
Listened mostly to 5 Live.
Happy to have completed the set of monthly fondos for 2024. But equally happy to have taken a decent bite out of the remaining distance requirement. 9943km done this year now. Another 378 and I'll have beaten my yearly distance record.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13039066031
^^
Not a very friendly bunch over there though judging by the signs. You'd think they'd emptied a shop getting all of those.
Quote from: Thenop on December 04, 2024, 06:00:51 AM^^
Not a very friendly bunch over there though judging by the signs. You'd think they'd emptied a shop getting all of those.
That's Cropston Reservoir (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cropston_Reservoir), owned by a water company called Severn Trent. Opened in 1871 (I've just read).
Wondered how I'd be on a bike today. Spent a few hours wandering around London yesterday and picked up blistered heels and a big blister down the side of my left foot, don't normally get one there usually on the balls of my feet. New shoes which I thought were OK after walking round London with Mrs S don't seem to like my Warp Speed Walking.
Anyway, they were fine, I wore thick socks and of course clipless pedals meant there was no pressure on the side of my foot.
Just had a gentler than usual ride out through the metropolis that is Tibshelf. Nice enough apart form a renewed build up of snot/catarrh. Had fun trying to blow snot rockets, good job it wasn't windy.
A total of 35 miles will do me. Weather looking a bit iffy over the coming days though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13044952664
Woke up with a headache this morning and was hoping that it might rain to give me an excuse not to go out. But, it stayed dry and with the weekend's forecast looking a bit grim I thought I'd pop out for an hour.
Ended up being more than an hour, getting towards two hours. Went out rode a couple of silly circuits and then came back for 27 miles. Looking at December mileage to date if I scale it up I'll get to 500 miles in December. Just got to keep it up though.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13051819430
Rain was threatened for the late afternoon, with a storm coming later on. But I only wanted to do about 60km, enough to take me past 10,000km for 2024. The wind was coming from the south. I did a Twycross Bypasser.
I took a bit of a deviation down the Dad's Army route as far as Old Grendon. I wanted to go down to Witherley then along Atterton Lane, but the Anker had burst its banks and flooded the road. I haven't seen that for a couple of years. So I tracked back and came up via Sibson instead.
Passed the 10,000km mark just north of Odstone, 7km from home. I would have stopped to take a pic to mark the occasion, but I forgot to take a phone!
Mostly sunny. It was a nice, bright wintery day. Cold, about 3C. I listened to 5 Live. Back on 63.74.
So that's 10007km done in '24 now. My next target is to match my '23 total (10321).
https://www.strava.com/activities/13059140212
With the weekend looking like it will be a wind out, I thought I'd better get out today. I intended to do 32 miles as that's a couple of hours out on the road, but once out there I went up to 38 to get to 100 miles for the week.
Just did a couple of laps round Holmewood and Heath and then back. On several occasions I thought I might not get back due to people reversing dirty great SUVs and Trucks into the road and people approaching side junctions who looked like they wouldn't be stopping. Unlike Remco Evenepoel I didn't get car doored by a Post Office van, I gave it a wide berth, just as wide Bertha opened the door.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13058745150
I had every intention of doing a fondo today. However I didn't get up until 0950, and when I glanced out of the window to assess the conditions, I decided that they weren't really conducive to doing more than 50 km or so. Looked a bit gloomy and damp out there, and I knew that there was an immoderate wind coming from the north-east. Additionally, it was cold.
I didn't have a definite route in mind. I headed up through Coleorton, up Top Brand, up to Isley Walton then hung a left toward Swarkestone Bridge. I didn't want to go west along the Beloved A Road though, so I came back down toward Ticknall. Tried to think where to go from there that would give me a reasonable distance without also giving me a prolonged headwind.
So from Ticknall I went down through Hartshorne, Woodville and Boundary, as I have quite a few times before, but at Boundary I took a right signposted to Blackfordby. Didn't really know what I was doing, just thought I'd explore and hopefully rack up a few additional kilometres. I would have sworn I'd never taken that turn before in my life, but Strava tells me that I now have a PR for a segment along there - which I believe means I'd done it at least once before.
I stopped at a convenience store at Blackfordby for a pasty and some Munchies. Didn't really want to leave my bike outside it, as Blackfordby - or at least its main drag - is one of those places characterised by vape shops, Turkish barbers and run-down terraced housing. But the bike was still there when I came back out.
Quite an interesting stretch of road though, it led me to Ashby Road where I took a right to Moira. Then I came upon a village called Shortheath, which, as you can see from the delapidated and DIY-looking sign in the photo, purports to be the centre of England. This surprised me, because received wisdom has it that Fenny Drayton, some 18km to the north is England's centre.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241210shortheath.jpg)
I've obscured the licence plate in the image. Is that proper etiquette?
Anyway I found my way to Measham, pootled up to Packington from there, flirted with Ashby and came home. Back about 10 mins after sunset so I didn't stop to put lights on.
Glad to have clocked up another 59.67km. 231 done this month, I want to do 645 if I can, so I'm a little bit ahead of the game - although of course commitments over Christmas might prove a bit compromising.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13086664673
I quite often cycle through a village called Morton, which styles itself the centre of England!
(https://www.mortonparishcouncil.org.uk/images/uploads/Morton_sign.jpg)
Not far from Tibshelf, site of the first onshore Oilwell in Britain. Derbyshire, it's where it's at!
This week I've just been going out with the intention of doing 25 miles a day, if I can keep that up until Xmas Eve then that gets me December's 500 miles in.
So far I've managed four in a row, bit miserable with drizzle though today, so I took out the Gravel bike in full gravel mode. Knobbly tyres don't half slow you down, but maybe it was just the miserable weather.
Quote from: Slim on November 29, 2024, 01:39:18 PMI will say, a bike ride in cold weather does clear your sinuses nicely.
Not to mention male genitalia.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on December 12, 2024, 05:33:33 PMQuote from: Slim on November 29, 2024, 01:39:18 PMI will say, a bike ride in cold weather does clear your sinuses nicely.
Not to mention male genitalia.
I normally wait until I get home to clear those.
England appears to have more centres than a bag of Revels.
A dry but overcast day was promised. Unusually light winds. I got up earlier than I expected and set off on my usual eastbound fondo route at about 0915. After about 30km though I decided to take a left signposted to Upper Broughton. I'd passed it many times, but didn't think I'd ever been along there. I thought it might be fun to explore, get lost slightly and orienteer my way back to known territory.
However I realised after a couple of km that I had been along there before, but coming the other way (ie on the way back). I was back on the usual route a few km later.
Went as far as Eastwell, stopped there for lunch at the bench (pictured), came back via Wymeswold and Rempstone to avoid possible flooding near Burton on the Wolds. And took the slightly longer route home via Diseworth once back in Leicestershire.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241213bike.jpg)
Although it didn't rain exactly I did have to put up with very light drizzle intermittently. It was cold, but I wrapped up warm. Some of the lesser roads were liberally coated with a thin film of wet mud. But it was an enjoyable run out.
Listened to Gil Scott-Heron's Minister of Information and 5 Live.
Back on 104.89km, 13 minutes before 2024's earliest sunset. The sun will set four seconds later tomorrow.
336 this month now.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13107854073
Quote from: Slim on November 14, 2024, 10:03:15 PMSomewhere between Wymeswold and Rempstone I noticed a very regular bump-bump-bump coming through the rear wheel. At first I thought it was the road surface .. when it was still happening 5km later I realised it wasn't. Stopped and inspected the rear tyre. It was still inflated, but there was a bit of a bulge, or more like a twist. Subtle, but enough to make a noticeable clonk every revolution. Did I overinflate it? Is the tyre unevenly seated on the rim? Naturally I was a bit tense over the last 25 klicks, not least because it seemed to be getting worse. But I made it home OK.
Before I fork out for a new inner tube and tyre I'll try deflating it, reseating it and reflating it again. It's a 700x32. They aren't as expensive as I feared, but assuming the deformation isn't terminal, I think it's got plenty of life in it although it's done nearly 7000km since I bought it, and it wasn't new then.
Well - deflating and reseating didn't work. The old tyre is permanently deformed, I couldn't get the bump out of it so it has been replaced by a Continental Ride 700x32 acquired from Amazon at a cost of £20.69.
It's a very rigid tyre and it was a bastard to get on the wheel. It's certainly very sturdy though. Oddly it looks a lot narrower on the rim than the old Specialized Borough CX Cyclocross tyre that it replaced, even though both are explicitly labelled 700x32. Will give it a run out next week.
Well fuck.
A rain-free, mild day was forecast. It was a bit gloomy out there with a stiff wind from the west (supposedly), but I wanted to do at least 60km. Maybe even 100. I decided on the Lower Westbound route. I elongated it a bit by going out through Packington. Took advantage of the petrol station at Measham to get a pasty and a sandwich, as I felt a bit low on energy. Had only had a small breakfast and hadn't brought much with me.
I stopped at a bench at Netherseal after 17km to refuel. A nice location next to the church in a sleepy village. Very pleasant.
But as I set off following my impromptu early lunch, I noticed that the front tyre was very soft. Not again! Well - I was in an ideal spot to swap in a new inner tube. I could use the bench as a sort of work surface for an inverted bicycle, and I'd be able to wrestle with the tyre levers while seated. However - I thought I'd see if I could get away with reinflating the old inner tube first. I did that. Then, of course, I reluctantly turned for home. I wasn't going to be able to get enough pressure in the tyre, even if I replaced the inner, for another 80km with my mini pump.
This was surprisingly successful - I moderated my posture to take as much weight off the front as possible, rode carefully and when I stopped after 3.5km to check the front tyre, it hadn't lost much pressure. I stopped another couple of times to put a bit more air back in and made it home without changing the inner tube. I came back the shortest way through Heather.
Conditions brightened a bit on the way back and I hadn't noticed much of a headwind on the way out. I might well have done a fondo if not for the flat. I had to make do with 31.82km.
So, the Boardman front wheel strikes again. It's only five weeks since the last time it hosted a flat. This time I will change the tyre as well as the inner tube, and I'll check the rim very carefully.
Anyway - 368k this month which is OK for half the month gone, but the weather looks iffy for the remaining half.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13120729349
Well, I managed a week of 25 mile rides. Today was 13.5, but I'd built up enough sliding room to just need 50 minutes today. Gets me over 300 miles for December, "just" got to find another 200 in the second half of the month.
Had to get out as the Sister in Law came over today, and five minutes in her company sends me genuinely insane. Unfortunately I won't get the chance when she comes over the day after Boxing Day :(
I was determined to get a fondo in today, having been foiled in my effort to do so yesterday by a flat tyre. The wind was coming from the west again (allegedly) and I thought I'd do the Lower Westbound route. I set off at about 1020.
Since both my usual winter bikes have had new tyres, and in one case a new inner tube fitted since last time they were used, I took Boardman II. I don't test new equipment on a fondo. It hadn't had a run out since October. I knew it was due a lube though, so to save time I just hosed round the chain with a spray can of 3 in 1 and gave it a good wipe. I'll lube it properly at the weekend. Probably.
I turned for home after a bit more than 50k, at Bagot Wood. Came back the same way except that at King's Bromley, instead of taking the right turn toward home, I kept going toward Yoxall. Just in pursuit of a few flat, well-surfaced, low effort additional kilometres. My intention was to turn back to King's Bromley, but I saw a road signposted to Barton-under-Needwood. From there I could come home via Walton-on-Trent .. might have made a nice change. But I remembered that it involves some steep climbing and I stuck to Plan A, a U turn back to King's Bromley and back the usual way from there.
Although the wind was supposed to be westerly, I seemed to have more of a headwind on the way back. But it wasn't bad. I was warm enough in the morning but the temperature seemed to drop sharply after about 1300. But it rose again, or seemed to, an hour later. I had a bit of drizzle to contend with as well early in the afternoon but nothing troubling.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241216bike.jpg)
I took plenty of food with me but oddly, although I'd only had toast and a banana for breakfast, I didn't feel hungry at all on the outward leg and I didn't stop to eat until I was coming homeward. Testament perhaps to the benefit of a large sunday dinner the previous evening.
Back on 107.52km. Another 10km will take me past the 2023 distance total, which is currently a personal record. Another 167km will mean I've fulfilled my aspiration, expressed earlier in the year, before I succumbed to metrication, to have done at least 400 miles in each month of 2024. And another 228km, which I think is doable, will mean I've done 80,000km in the last ten years exactly.
I listened to 5 Live and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13128629424
Managed a couple of 30 milers so far this week. Thought I'd just up it a bit as the weather is looking a bit uncertain, so uncertain that it changes every couple of hours, but tomorrow could well be a bit gusty.
Actually broke out of my samey rides today, new roadworks have appeared on my recent regular routes and some which I have been avoiding have disappeared, so I managed over 2,000ft of elevation gain in a ride for the first time seemingly in ages.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13134356950
Wasn't going to go cycling today. But I went out to the garage to do a bit of bike maintenance in the early afternoon, and I decided to do an impromptu short ride. Wasn't wearing cycling clothing. No padding to protect my nether regions from the ravages of a bike saddle. But I was only going to do a short one. Enough to get me over 10321 km for 2024, to set a new personal annual distance record. A mere 10km would do it, but I wanted to do about 40.
I also wanted to test the new rear tyre on the Tricross.
I set off at about 1325. Rain was due over some time after 1500. I decided to do some of a Twycrosser, but to come back the same way, so I could easily do a set distance. Didn't want to get rained on unnecessarily by overextending it. So I went down to Twycross, had a brief excursion along Burton Road then came back the same way. Back on 40.46km.
I did have to put up with light rain for the last few km, but I couldn't say I hadn't been warned! Actually it helps to keep the bike clean. A Dettol bathroom wipe on a pre-dampened bike frame scrubs up a bike very nicely. I finish off with a rag moistened with GT-85.
The new tyre seems to work nicely. I'm still a bit disconcerted that it looks a bit narrower than the front tyre despite being ostensibly the same size. But I didn't notice a difference in the ride.
So that's 10352 km done this year, a new personal best. Still want to do another 120 or so if I can.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13143333867
Three days of rain and drizzle coming up, so although I did 40km yesterday, I wanted to clock up a few more today. The BBC promised 0% risk of rain all day, and yet as soon as I'd put on my cycling clothes, I noticed that it was raining. I waited ten minutes and it passed.
As is so often the case, I set off without a clear idea of where I was going to go, but I intended to start by going up through Coleorton then up Top Brand.
I didn't do that. At the bottom of Top Brand I turned right along Ashby Road instead, along to Belton, then up past Tonge. If I recall correctly I had a vague idea that I might go through Donington and west through Shardlow. However, I didn't do that either. I took a left down through Breedon and down through Lount. I knew that this road led eventually to a brutal multi-lane roundabout near Ashby which I don't particularly like negotiating even in a car, but I hoped I'd find a left turn first. I didn't, so I did have to cope with the roundabout.
(https://i.ibb.co/KKjxnKj/241219bus.jpg)
After that - down to Packington to join the Twycrosser route. I cut it short by taking the short cut through Little Twycross and Bilstone, but I was surprised to find the road flooded after Shackerstone. Never seen that bit of road flooded before. I saw a couple of cars turn back but as you can see from the pic, a brave bus driver attempted it coming the other way. I wasn't going to though, so I rerouted via Derby Lane and Swepstone.
I hadn't been along Derby Lane for at least five years, mainly because it's a bit lumpy and muddy. It wasn't too bad. At least I was on the optimal bike for it.
The driver's door of a parked car opened suddenly as I was passing it along Moor Lane, fortunately I managed to swerve round it. I do know someone on another forum I frequent who suffered a punctured lung after being impaled on the sharp corner of a car door, so it could have been very nasty. I did issue a profanity, but at least the driver was gracious enough to shout a cheery "sorry pal!" as he emerged from the car.
I see that Wikipedia has a page dedicated to this phenomenon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dooring).
Do car doors have to have those sharp corners?
Anyway - back on 57.44km. I did intend to do more than that to be honest, but it's more than enough really. Actually I felt a bit weary after only 15km or so. Hadn't fed myself properly, probably. A small pork pie and a flapjack seemed to fix it.
The weather forecast seems very changeable at the moment but right now it looks there are a few decent cycling days left in the year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13148829902
Quote from: Slim on December 19, 2024, 04:04:03 PMDo car doors have to have those sharp corners?
Yes. To help kill cyclists :)
Olympic Road Race and Time Trial Gold medallist Remco Evenepoel got car doored whilst training in Belgium recently - by a Belgian Post Office Van - and broke his shoulder blade, some ribs and dislocated his collar bone, think it's seven weeks off the bike for him; and his Gold painted bike snapped in two.
Anyhoo, after staying in yesterday thanks to a very windy morning, then dull drizzly afternoon I got out today. I fully intended riding up to the Peak District for the first time in weeks. But, six miles in, I found out the noise I'd heard when going over a speed bump was my bidon escaping, so I turned round to get a new one.
Didn't see where my bidon had got to as a couple of cars had parked up in the most likely position for it and with the trip back home and the fact that it was still quite windy at low levels I decided to postpone a ride to the tops as it would have been very windy once over 1,000 feet on exposed moorlands.
I headed back out the other way and just rode on my flatter lands being alternately helped along and then held back by the wind. Such fun. I got 36 miles out of it, which is what I wanted to get out of it, it gets me to 400 miles for December. Twelve days left for another hundred, but the weekend looks like being too windy, then next week will see three days of feasting. Seven days for a hundred then.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13148569219
Got out again today, just in case the weekend is too blustery. It's been windy enough as is at times, but I'm satisfied with another 35 miles. Mow need to get in another 63 miles before the end of December. Should be doable, unless I stuff too much food down the old throat.
Think the lungs may have been wrecked today, got stuck in a queue of traffic behind a car driving along at 5moh seemingly with its engine on fire. It stank. Had its hazards on too, which is illegal whilst in motion unless you're on a motorway. Thankfully it stopped after a few hundred yards of choking fug.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13154903698
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on December 19, 2024, 09:57:11 PMOlympic Road Race and Time Trial Gold medallist Remco Evenepoel got car doored whilst training in Belgium recently - by a Belgian Post Office Van - and broke his shoulder blade, some ribs and dislocated his collar bone, think it's seven weeks off the bike for him; and his Gold painted bike snapped in two.
The one time the postie was on time, and he does this.
In all seriousness, professional cycling must be the only sport where you train and are exposed to such high number of risks. Amateurs as well of course, but imagine being on a 5 million EUR contract with a pro cycling team and this happens. No way these guys can get proper insurance.
I really fancied a run over to Markfield today. I like to do that this time of year. But the wind was coming fairly directly from the west, so it wasn't the best idea. So - I thought I'd do some of the Dad's Army route. As it happens I watched the Christmas 1974 episode of the BBC's celebrated sitcom for which the route is named last night.
Ideally I wanted to do about 75 km. I set off early enough, and the BBC forecast assured me there was no risk of rain until about 1600. I went up to Ashby first, down to Twycross, did the detour to Orton, down through Sheepy and west along Grendon Road. However .. I decided on a whim to take a right along Warton Lane and just to busk it for a bit, rather than following the usual route down to the A5. At the junction with Orton Road I kept on, rather than taking a familiar turn left or right. This took me along a road called Linden Lane, which I don't think I've ever been along.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241223bike.jpg)
By this time I was putting up with drizzle and light rain, despite the BBC's promises. I took a right turn along a road called Polesworth Lane, leading eventually to a village called Newton Regis. Definitely hadn't been along there before. Took the pic there. I consulted Google Maps, plotted a route to No Man's Heath and came home a familiar way from there.
Listened to LBC mostly; Iain Dale was sitting in for James O'Brien, making the discourse about 800% more sensible than usual.
Back on 59.59km, not quite the distance I wanted but then again I wouldn't have gone out at all if I'd known the weather was going to be so dismal after the first hour. Nice to do something a bit different just before Christmas.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13174461332
Another day I'd intended to ride up to the tops and another day plans didn't come to fruition. Weather was supposed to be dry up until one, but one look out to the Peak District and it did not look promising.
OK, let's do the old stand-by and ride out to Tibshelf and back. OK. Even rising up to Tbshelf's modest altitude of 600 feet was enough to get into light rain and drizzle. Nothing too bad, but enough to prove the worth of not going higher.
And if I had gone out as planned I'd have come back and hit a gridlocked Chesterfield. It was bad enough on the run in to home, I'd got up to an average of 16.9 mph and the downhill run home should have got me over 17 mph average. No such luck. What normally takes under 90 seconds took over four minutes due to all the traffic queueing to get into the local Sainsbury's.
Still 31 miles gets me to within 24 of December's target of 500. Hopefully Mrs S won't have too many jobs lined up for me tomorrow...
https://www.strava.com/activities/13174121685
Despite feeling under the weather - why do I always get badly at Christmas - it was nowhere near manflu levels, so I decided to get out for a couple of hours and sneaked out before Mrs S could find me a job to do.
Again I decided against going out to the Peak District as it looked a bit damp up there and the westerly wind was stronger than I thought it would be. Still managed to get in a climb with 550ft of elevation again even at the lower levels so that was OK by me.
So the 31 miles gets me over 500 miles for December so I can now sit down for a few days of eating, drinking and being slightly less miserable than normal.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13181211322
I was determined to do a fondo today. The forecast claimed that a morning fog would have burned off by 1030-ish, leaving a dry day in its place.
Well, the fog hadn't cleared by 1100, and I set off anyway at about 1125. I wanted to pay my old house a visit at Markfield, about 15km away, by the route I chose. I'm drawn to do that this time of year, probably because I moved into it with my partner at the time just before Christmas 1989. So I did that. I went along Ellistown Lane this time, don't think I'd been along there before.
After that I sort of made it up as I went along, meandering through Thornton, Newtown Unthank and Desford to Kirkby Mallory. From there I had the idea of going over to Sutton Cheney and down Fenn Lanes. I went all the way down to the A5, then followed it all the way to the Atherstone Bypass. Wouldn't normally do that, but it was quiet today.
(https://i.ibb.co/3NtHG2s/241226sheepy.jpg)
Followed a sign to Sheepy from there. That took me along a road called Holly Lane. Not particularly interesting but I hadn't been along there before either. As far as I can remember.
I'd given up on the fog clearing by this time, and on doing a fondo. It was foggy and wet all day, with a thin film of moisture forming on my clothing and on the bike. The roads were very wet. But I did at least want to do 70km, because that would give me the distinction of having completed 80,000 km since January 2015.
I came back a familiar way from Sheepy, as if doing the latter part of a Twycrosser.
Stopped to put lights on in front of a house at Newton Burgoland, and was startled to notice Nigel Farage pointing at me from their kitchen window. Would have stopped for a chat about the national interest but I wanted to get home for a coffee and some trifle.
The fog started to grow thicker just before sunset. One thing that makes a big difference when cycling in fog or a mist, or indeed drizzle or rain is wearing contact lenses instead of glasses. Glad I did that today.
(https://i.ibb.co/M8HtFSC/241226nige.jpg)
Listened to LBC, then football coverage on 5 Live. Unaccountably, although it was cold and wet all day I really enjoyed that one.
Back on 79.51km, which takes me to 712 this month, 10548 this year and 80009 since Jan '15. I think 2024 has one more ride left in it, possibly two.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13195271578
I'd have been happy with half an hour on the bike today. But, just as the mist and murk cleared about three o'clock it reformed again. Ho-hum.
Despite feeling distinctly under par I made it out for 16 miles yesterday. It was a bit misty, but, by going out it reduced the length of time I had to spend with my sister-in-law by ten minutes. Ten minutes that enough to avert a murderous rampage.
Today I was hoping just to get in 22 miles to get me over 100 for the week. Didn't manage it, has just started on the last loop to get me there and the rear tyre punctured :( Luckily it was just a five minute walk home, but I failed by 0.6 miles.
Inspection of the tyre when I got home revealed a sliver of glass through the tyre. Could have fashioned a tyre boot I suppose, but I binned it, better to be safe than sorry. Will I be safe on the only spare tubed tyre I had in stock though? It's more of a summer racing tyre. What difference can it make?
https://www.strava.com/activities/13209567417
Just about got rid of my recent cough, but still made up with catarrh. Went out and did 25 miles today taking care to not retrace my steps too much as I kept leaving slippery snot rockets all over the road! Thankfully it was the road and not me as usually happens.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13217436856
A simple plan today: for what was probably going to be my final ride of 2024, I thought I'd repeat my first ride of the year, a fairly common variant of the Twycross Bypasser. But within a couple of minutes of setting off, I'd hatched an alternative plan. I thought I'd go up to Derby.
So I went up Top Brand, through Isley Walton and west to Melbourne. Up over Swarkestone Bridge, then up onto the scary roundabout over the A50. From the roundabout I exited onto Infinity Park Way, and pedalled up to the southern extremity of Derby.
Infinity Park Way is a newish road, only completed in the last few years. It's big, wide and well-surfaced - but pretty quiet, I assume because Infinity Park, which is a new commercial / industrial development, is still being developed. It also leads to the Rolls-Royce Aerospace campus and test sites, which have been there for many years, and eventually into Derby proper.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241229bike01.jpg)
I've been up that way a few times, but this time I did a bit more exploring than I have in the past. I found myself in Sinfin, which is a not-particularly-nice part of Derby that I don't think I ever visited when I lived in the city. Turned back and explored a bit along a different route and was surprised to find myself on Moor Lane, which is where the Rolls-Royce recreation centre is located. Many years ago I used to shoot at the rifle range there every Friday night.
I went onto the grounds and had a look round. There are a lot of new buildings but I was pleased to see that the old range is still there, just behind the bowling green.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/241229bike02.jpg)
Turned for home after that, but I took a long route back through Weston, Aston, Shardlow, over Cavendish Bridge and down through Donington and Coleorton.
That was a really nice run out. Cloudy and damp when I set off, but lovely winter sunshine in the afternoon. There's something particularly wistful, I find, about visiting old haunts just before the turn of another year.
Back on 72.84km which gives me 785 exactly for December and 10621km (6600 miles) for the year. It's faintly possible I'll go out again before 2025 kicks in but I doubt it.
https://www.strava.com/activities/13217121617
Was today my last ride of the year? We'll find out tomorrow I suppose, the morning's supposed to be dry, but it looks a bit blustery.
It was windy enough today, I finally got round to riding back up to the tops, going round the less steep way via Dronfield. The ride from Dronfield to Owler Bar was three minutes slower than the last time I did it back in November and that was very much a mid-ranking time for me.
The first section of riding back on the tops was even worse. Could barely get over 15mph on the flat and only managed to get to 25mph downhill. Then on turning off up Fox Lane it was like the wind had dropped to a flat calm. Then coming back down through Cutthorpe I got up to 45mph without pedalling, a bit risky as it was a cross tailwind and it got a bit wobbly.
Anyhoo, 31 miles gets me to 6,900 for the year, I'd have liked 7,000, but hey-ho. I've been avoiding the hills a bit too, should have got over 100 miles of climbing in in that mileage total, but didn't even break 90 miles. Must try harder. On the plus side I set my best ever 1 hour power output, the benefits of riding uphill into a headwind!
https://www.strava.com/activities/13222933974/
I've now completed ten years of regular cycling - and I've been looking over my statistics. Every ride I've done since January 2015 has been documented in a spreadsheet - date, distance, which bike.
I've done 80,082 km in that time (49,761 miles), over 1530 rides. Very roughly, 7% of the time I've been awake in the last ten years has been spent propelling a bicycle.
Greatest distance cycled in a month: 1302 km, August 2016. Shortest monthly distance: 29 km, December 2018. I'd injured my knees.
Longest ride: 324 km, June 20th this year. Shortest: 8.24 km, July 15th, 2018.
The following graph shows number of rides per year - I had a bit of a manic cycling habit by 2016. I was going cycling most lunchtimes weather permitting and most of those 303 rides are less than 30km.
(https://i.ibb.co/Ns6zx6t/numrides-ten.png)
Since my knee injury in 2018, my average ride distance has increased steadily (next graph). For sure, early retirement at the end of June this year has helped to improve the 2024 statistic (85.65 km).
(https://i.ibb.co/NFrbq1Y/av-dist.png)
The last graph shows the total distance in km for each of the last ten years. 2024 was a personal record year (10,621 km or 6600 miles).
(https://i.ibb.co/bKqzftp/distances2024.png)