Cycling 2026

[Nickslikk2112]

If the BBC weather forecast is to be believed - and I have a huge pile of salt behind me - today was due to be the last dry day for the forseeable future. Since I got home, tomorrow's forecast has dried up considerably, so maybe I am wise to be doubtful. Anyway, after the Giro I got out into the sunshine.

Did the same ride as one four weeks ago, but added in an extra couple of laps of the Beeley Triangle. Thought the Summer wheels might make me quicker. I was faster, but barely. Don't know if it was down to the wheels or the change in wind direction. A slightly slower ascent of the Col du Wigley might point to the latter. Who knows. I'm not going to repeat it multiple times on both sets of wheels to build a bigger data set.

Anyway, back on 35 miles, which could mean I end May with 580 miles, we'll see what tomorrow brings.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18718642257

[Nickslikk2112]

After seeing the weather forecast last night, which threatened frequent heavy showers, I thought I'd be lucky to get a half hour ride in today. But the actuality on waking looked OK and the forecast was for 35-50% chance of showers. So I set out if not in complete confidence with more hope of stayong dry.

Kept it localish just in case, but not one drop of rain fell at any point. A miracle, I can attract raindrops from a clear sky! Probably just drips from my nose though. Managed to get 40 miles in and even nearly got up to a 17.5 mph average. Onwards and slower!

https://www.strava.com/activities/18755062823/

[Nickslikk2112]

Yesterday I got in the grand total of 1.42 miles. Didn't think I'd do much as it was very showery but I got suited and booted and was just about to leave the house and I noticed a big blister on the front tyre. Closer inspection revealed more little ones. Arse. Where did I stick the Winter wheels? By the time they were located and the front wheel was swapped out it was pissing down again. But, I was dresed up so it was a quick spin round the block.

Showery again today, but I was going to do more than yesterday, but first get the blistered tyre off. Actually came off more easily than expected and despite me thinking all the recently added sealant had seeped into the rim about half was still there. Also took the time to get out the solidified sealant which was rattling round inside the rim.

Right. Onwards and Outwards. Bugger, it's a bit windy. Bugger got to get back home before my new tyre is delivered. Right, pedal to the metal. Well, maybe not, too many drivers doing stuoid things getting in your way to slow you down - but Cyclists...

It was further than yesterday that I managed, 24 miles further. Keeps me on the right track for 500 miles in May. Might have to put a spin in tomorrow for insurance purposes though. If I can manage to get a new tyre on. If I can be arsed to put a new tyre on. Might leave it to Mrs S, she likes that sort of thing. My thumbs don't.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18782886655

[Nickslikk2112]

Don't normally do Fridays, but it was dry. Nothing too strenuous though, must have been flat as I managed to average 17.5mph. I think the lighter wind and it being a SW helped.

Had the red mist descend on me at one point in Heath. I could hear a two stroke motorbike, but only saw what looked like a flat barred road bike come out of a side road. But that was the culprit, some wanker had fittied an engine to a pedal cycle. I decided to follow to tell him to get the fuck off the road as his machine needs taxing, testing and insurance. I was managing to hold on to him at 28mph, but he then turned left up a hill, I was going to go that way anyway, but blew up and lost him, he must have turned off into the Council Estate, wasn't going to follow into the land of lowlives. I'd probably only have got knifed if I'd caught him.

Too many cars going by from which a stench of Cannabis was emerging too. I'll get wasted by one of those fuckers one day.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18795760811

[Nickslikk2112]

Never rains, but it pours, in all senses. Being as it was raining this morning, I decided to put a new tyre on the front wheel. Just started doing it when there was a snapping noise. A bloody spoke had broken. That's one thing I won't do myself, spoke replacement and wheel truing . Bollocks.

The afternoon stopped being rainy though, so out I went, but not for long as she who must be obeyed wanted me back before she went out if at all possible. I did make it, just, she was just getting into her friend's car. Would have been back earlier if I hadn't had to divert in Brimington due to a traffic snarl up.

Back with 24 miles, gets the "required" 125 miles for the week.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18813023281/

[Nickslikk2112]

After missing yesterday due to coming back from London - although it would have been too wet to go out anyway - I was unsure if I'd get out today with the showery forecast, but it seemed like I might. Then just as I was about to suit and boot the Heavens opened, it may only have been for five minutes, but it teemmed it down.

After it stopped raining I then spent what could have been too long making sure it wasn't about to rain again, so once out it was a case of keeping an eye on the sky. Luckily it kept dry for 90 minutes which was about as long as I could fit in as I wanted my lunch. Did brush the very tail end of a shower in Holmewood. Thankful to get 25 miles in. Hopefully it settles down a bit from the weekend.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18864047615

[Nickslikk2112]

Got up this morning and my phone said that rain would stop about 10am. Oh good, chance for a 40 mile ride even if it is Friday - I have a rest day on a Friday - It started siling it down at 10. It did dry at 11, but still didn't look too promising. Getting towards midday it looked as if I could get 10 miles in, woohoo!

Five miles in it started drizzling, but hey it's just drizzle. Luckily it stopped after another five miles and I could make some damp hay whilst the Sun shone. Didn't make too much damp hay as I wanted to get back to watch the Dauphiné and more importantly get something to eat. Got it up to 27 miles, about as good as it could get in the available time.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18890073507

[Slim]

I wouldn't usually start a fondo in the afternoon, although I have a few times. But I was very keen to get on a bike again after a protracted break caused by a visit to Toronto and the weather.

Would have started earlier of course, but there was rain in the morning. By 1350 when I set off, conditions were rather nice - sunny, warmish, nicely dried out roads.

I decided I'd go down the Meriden Gap.

I dropped in at San Giovanni at Sheepy for a pit stop on the way down. Wife was having lunch there with two of her mates and I thought it would be hilarious to appear unannounced. Didn't see them, but I had a half Peroni outside anyway. They did come out a few minutes later en route to the car park, so we had a chat. I wouldn't normally drink alcohol in the first 20km of a 100+ km ride, but it didn't seem to do any harm.

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I didn't go all the way down to Meriden. The last few km of road surface is just too gross. So I made up the distance with an excursion along Fillongley Road, then later a run along a road I hadn't done before, between Kingsbury and Tamworth. I quite liked it. Nice and flat. I also went back up to Kingsbury via Furnace End, although only because I missed a turn.

Back on 104.59.

Really nice out there, especially in the evening when the roads were nice and quiet. I should set off later more often, or do longer rides.

Quite a long stretch of road near Piccadilly has been resurfaced with proper tarmac - very nice! Yet I don't remember it being that bad so why can't they fix the road between Maxstoke and Meriden? Same county council.

The roads were surprisingly clear of mud - perhaps due to the amount of rain we've had in the last couple of weeks, although I escaped most of it in the warm Toronto sunshine. Speaking of which, I was listening to footy chat on 5 Live and the BBC's Vicky Sparks was interviewing people from Union Station, where I rolled a large suitcase on Sunday.

Also listened to the Lemon Twigs' Look For Your Mind! and Anita Baker's Compositions.

A late, but decent start to June. I set a modest target for this month and will be happy with another 500km or so.

Because I left my phone at Niagara Falls I have brought an older one out of retirement. The camera's not quite so good and it's a bit heavy. I must get a new one.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18894898855

[Nickslikk2112]

Feels like I'm riding in Winter again as I just seem to be doing 25 mile rides at the moment. Most of that is down to rain avoidance and feeling generally just a bit under the weather.

No rain about today but a nasty nagging westerly wind, made it more of a slog up the hill through Middle Handley.Once up at the top I thought I heard something hit the road. Looked the bike over but couldn't see anything missing. Doubled back and saw my rear light flashing away in the road. Good job I went back, with it sitting under my saddle bag I couldn't see it had gone.

Then off down a closed road which wasn't closed enough and back to watch the Dauphiné.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18903068655

[Slim]

The intention was to get up at about 0900 and do a fondo. However, I woke at about 0500 and after checking the temperature, I thought - why not get up early and do a longer ride?

So I was off and away by 0645, on my usual route out east. Through Loughborough once again. Very quiet on a Sunday morning before 0800 as you'd expect. Cool out there but I had tights and a fleece on early on. Everything went very well until Mill Lane, after about 66km. A long stretch of the route after that, at least 8km, had been resurfaced with grey, dusty gravel very recently.

It really pisses me off that cyclists are just supposed to put up with it. I persisted in the hope that it would peter out, it didn't and I decided I was not going to come back the same way. So at the road junction at Castle Bytham I decided to turn back by a different route. I had intended to continue east for a bit, but I assumed that coming home a different way would add a few km.

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So I plotted a course that would take me through places in Rutland called Clipsham, Stretton, Greetham and Cottesmore to Whissendine, which years ago was my go-to destination for trips to Rutland. Quite nice along there. Might do it again.

I was determined to do an Imperial Fondo so I came home via a wayward method after Whissendine. Along Paudy Lane. Via Belton, up to Gelscoe Lane, down Top Brand.

Back on 161.54km. That was a breeze quite honestly, lower temperatures make a big difference. Will hopefully get a good day for a trip right out to Foul Anchor soon.

I trialled my new phone, a Sony. Nice and compact, a bit lighter than my Samsung was before I left it at Niagara Falls. Was a bit worried about the battery life as it showed 90% when I switched it on, when I thought I'd charged it up last night. But it managed some Google Maps activity, a Brenda Russell album, a few photos and Facebook uploads and came back home on 74%. Acceptable.

As well as Brenda I listened to some World Cup footy, Times Radio and LBC. I also started the next Reacher novel, Night School.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18919461801

[Nickslikk2112]

Just another 25 for me today. Too many - six, count 'em six - cycle races going on today. Seems like I'd rather watch than do, but the Alps do look nice, wouldn't fancy riding them though.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18916400512/

[Nickslikk2112]

Today I managed only my second 40 mile ride of June. Weather's been a bit patchy, but it was dry and occasionally sunny today and warm enough to come back with a real sweat on.

My hill legs have definitely disappeared and I don't know if they'll come back. It was a bit of a headwind up to Barlow Grange, but not that much of one, didn't put in a good time at all. Got to the top just as a bloke arrived after climbing up from Cutthorpe, at least I was in better shape than him as he pulled up for a rest. Bastard. If he'd not done that I would!

Once at the tops I just zigzagged my way out to Matlock Farm Park and back. Plenty of others out and about today. Wish there hadn't been as I feel beholden to put a bit of effort in and look as if I'm a quick cyclist. Oh my fragile ego!

https://www.strava.com/activities/18942670978

[Slim]

A rather nice day today with a light wind coming from the west and a warm afternoon forecast. I set off on the Lower Westbound route at 1105.

Went as far as Bagot Wood, then back the same way, same as usual. I wore minimal clothing throughout, was a little cool for the first hour or so but too warm later with the sun out.

Listened to 5 Live and more Reacher. Quite liking the Reacher novel now, hope the way it pans out lives up to the first few chapters.

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Sad to see the village shop at Abbots Bromley closed - looked a bit permanent, stripped out. But I mostly take everything I need with me now. Cheaper at Tesco.

I trialled a running vest that I thought would be handy for carrying a phone and a DAB radio or MP3. It looks a bit like a man's sports bra but it's pretty handy. Only about £8 from Amazon.

Speaking of underwear - saw, for the first time in a long time, a discarded pair of knickers near Edingale. What a joy to know the tradition is still alive.

The X is rolling very nicely on its new wheels, especially with a tailwind.

Back on 102.26 which gives me 368 this month so far, pleased enough with that considering I was out of the country for over a week.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18945752320

That was my 301st fondo since January 2015, and my 38th this year.

[Nickslikk2112]

Supposed to be dry from 10am according to all my weather apps. It was very much still drizzly when I set off at 11, but it was warm drizzle, I was prepared to put up with that for 25 miles. Had noticed that the way I intended going out had roadworks positioned either way from one junctions both in inconvenient positions at the bottom of dips. Also then set out the opposite way to what I intended as the weather looked better that way.

After 10 miles it dried up and I found myself going up through Grassmoor to North Wingfield for the first time in nine years! Not been that way as it was where I got knocked off by a driver and before that a kid on a scooter, but that was coming back the other way so I chanced it.

Not risking it again! Grassmoor is full of people doing wheelies on motorbikes and people ripped off their tits on heaven knows what shuffling across the road. Changed a lot since my grandfather worked at the pit there.

Managed to make it through Tibshelf, but didn't get to Morton as it was obviously raining again that way. Managed to get it up to a forty miler, which was nice.

https://www.strava.com/activities/18957038785

[Slim]

I cleaned two bikes on Monday, very happy with the job I'd done. Gave all the bits a good seeing to with GT-85 to repel any moisture.

Got round to lubing them today. Uh oh - the bottom bracket on Boardman II is stiff. You need a little bit of effort to crank the pedals round, even with the chain off. It's not gritty. It's just a bit like someone's applied an internal brake.

So since it was fine the last time I rode it to Lincolnshire, Rutland and back I'm guessing that maybe I've displaced a gasket, or just cleaned out some of the grease. Pondering whether to take it apart myself (would have to invest in at least one tool) or just take it to a mechanic.

Fortunately the other one I washed (the Roubaix) is fine.