Cycling 2025

[Slim]

Yet another sunny day, but this time the wind was supposed to be much lighter than of late. Almost warm, as well.

I wanted to do a longer one. Ideally, and if I may invoke imperial measurements for a moment, I'd have liked to do a 100-miler. Alas I had to be home by about 1830, and my Echo Dot was claiming that the temperature was fridge-ish before about 1000.

I did the eastbound route, but a bit further than last time, past Stainby. Would have loved to go another 20 km further east, but maybe next time. Went through Stanford and Burton on the way out, Wymeswold and Rempstone on the way back. Used the longer route through Griffydam and Peggs Green over the last few km.

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Really, really nice out there. Glad I did do the eastbound route though because the wind was a bit more forceful than I was led to expect.

Speaking of '70s sitcoms, as we were earlier in the thread, or at least alluding to them - Bob Grant, who was Jack in On the Buses lived in Waltham, which is on this route, in the 80s and 90s. I sometimes stop at the Deli there.

135.82km.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14118987569

[Nickslikk2112]

Just as I was getting back into the swing of things I've come down with a cold. Not much of one, but enough to just take the edge off the joy of cycling. Took a bit of umming and ahing, but I forced myself out.
It wasn't too bad out, coolish, but moderate riding got me warm enough, even went up a few more hills. Made the wrong call going up to Hardwick Hall, I'd forgotten its the Easter Holidays for schools round here, because Mrs S is still in at her's, it's the local RC High School and their holidays have Easter at the centre of them. Of course I got a car behind me up the single track drive so I put a bit of effort in to avoid slowing it down too much. Then when the road widened he still didn't come by. Could have pootled a bit more.

Still, that was 30 miles with an increase of hillage.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14126293626

[Nickslikk2112]

And another 30 miles done today. Taken nice and steadily, ending up with the sort of ride I'd be happy with in mid February. Another lovely day and the tan lines are coming along quite nicely thank you very much.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14136083405

[Nickslikk2112]

And the weather was still nice today, even getting a little warm, so being as I'll be a couch potato watching Paris-Roubaix this weekend (please Rain Gods, manifest over Northern France) I thought I'd get out for a bit.

Still wanting to do more each week, so looked to do 25 miles to get 125 for the week. Not too onerous a task as I easily did 26. Decided to get out of my current groove and head to the hills today. I had no intention of ascending them, but rode out towards them. I ended up doing perhaps a third of an ascent, which was fine by me. Maybe try for a full ascent next week - but not that way, I find it hard enough even when "fit".

https://www.strava.com/activities/14145295972

[dom]

First Fondo of the year today and the bulk of it (60kms) was on the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway. The Greenway is a mix of tarmac and a very dusty gravel. Cycling attire was covered in dust and the bike is now in addition the bike will need a serious wash. I'm also feeling very thirsty and my lips are dry. It hasn't rained here for a couple of weeks and that perhaps has a part to play.

The Greenway uses the route of a disused railway line and so only has gentle inclines and descents. However it dumps you in Kingscourt  at the base of a really nasty climb into the town. Found that really tough but made it without stopping.  Stayed pretty chilly all day but it wasn't windy and remained dry.

[Slim]

Didn't think I'd feel like cycling today after walking around London for seven hours on Thursday then maintaining my old legs in an upright position for two hours at a gig last night, but - it was the last day of a nice run of weather and a particularly pleasant one, so I thought I should do at least 65km.

Pleasantly warm when I set off. Didn't know what I was going to do really. Just wanted to busk it. I did the southbound route as far as Kirkby Mallory, then I cut across to Sutton Cheney and did a sort of Reverse Twyrosser from there.

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Stopped at the petrol station near Sutton to buy some food and as I parked up, a young guy in cycling gear strolled up to me and asked me, sheepishly, if I had a bike pump! I did of course so I lent it to him while I went in the garage. He and his mate were doing an audax. 2 lovely bikes, 0 bike pumps. Anyway he was very grateful when he handed it back a few minutes later.

Really lovely out there. I took it easy and just soaked up the nice weather and the relaxing Saturday vibe. Listened to LBC, then footy chat on 5 Live. Back on 69.06km.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14157187853

[Slim]

Cloudy (mostly) and cool, with rain threatened in the afternoon. But I thought I'd do 60km or so. To make it interesting, I planned to do one of my regular Twycross Bypasser routes, but in reverse. I thought it might be a challenge to remember the turns the "wrong way round". Clearly it was, because I took the requisite right turn on the way down a bit early, at Barton instead of Carlton. Actually looking at the track now, I took a short unintended detour at Swepstone, as well.

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Anyway after that I mostly did what I'd intended, but I made better time than I thought, partly because I'd inadvertently used a more economical route. So I took a detour to Measham on the way up and approached Ashby via Heather rather than by Gallows Lane. Actually to be honest that latter detour was mainly because I'd confused myself.

So yep quite an interesting challenge. The headwind was a bit annoying. But there was occasional sunshine. 62.32 km done.

Checked the Boardman wheels when I got home. I'd managed to get the very slight wobble out of them by tightening the hubs, but it's come back a little bit. So I have to either change the bearings myself, get someone else to do it or buy new wheels. Maybe an excuse for an upgrade.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14176144423

[Nickslikk2112]

Felt better in the head today, but I've been a bit "stomachy" over the weekend and was again this morning, but the sun was out and the rest of the week threatens rain most days so I thought I'd better get out there.

More or less did the same ride as last Monday with minor variations to avoid roadworks. Thought I'd actually hit roads I'd never done before, but it looks like I have done them, I'd managed to miss a turn off one day.

Wind was a bit fresh on the way out which slowed me down compared to last week, but I got it all back with a tailwind on the way home. All's well that ended well.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14174001853/

[Nickslikk2112]

Every time I switch my Garmin on it tells me what sort of ride it thinks I should be doing. If I haven't ridden for a couple of days it tells me to do a "Base" level ride, something I signally fail to do. If I've done a ride the day before it says have a "Rest Day". Of course I never do as it tells me.

Today however, despite it being a "Rest Day" I managed to get in a "Base" level ride. I've been working on getting there since the beginning of March. At first all rides were classified as "VO2 max" but then some "Threshold" rides appeared. Last week "Tempo" made an appearance. Now I've touched "Base" I feel quite proud of that, now I can just go out and floor it every ride

https://www.strava.com/activities/14183576784/

[Nickslikk2112]

I went out today, but didn't floor it. Made my first ascent up to the tops since January. Took it quite steadily and ended up with an average speed the same as last time - albeit with a slightly different return.

Nice to know I've still got it in me. I know I have really, but when you've not been doing much hill work you do start to think negatively, well I do, but all you do is just drop down a gear and take it steadily and just enjoy the sunshine.

Was hoping to hear the Curlew once up on the moors, normally they're "Curlewing" at this time of the year. Didn't hear any Skylarks singing either. Maybe the sunshine meant the larks were flying high and the Curlew - should they be there - might have been busy nesting. Who knows.

Another 30 miles in the bag, hopefully more tomorrow and 13 days left to get in the 165 miles for 500 miles in April.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14202752099

[Slim]

Rain was due over at 1600-ish today supposedly, so I didn't want to go too far. Last night while idly toying with a route planner, I devised a different southbound route - one that would use the usual route as far as Bagworth, meet it again at Broughton Astley, but go through Desford, Thurlaston and Croft on the way there.

On a map it looks more direct but in practice it's more hilly, not really very practical. Made a nice change though. Some stretches of road I hadn't done before. Some nice scenery. I went down as far as Broughton Astley then came back up the usual way. Stopped at the Co-op at Stoney Stanton and had a bit of a feast at the Belarus Bench (actually a massive tyre bearing the text MADE IN BELARUS) near Potters Marston.

A very light rain started to descend at about 1400. It was tolerable, but of course I didn't know if it was going to stay tolerable so rather than coming back through Ibstock as I intended, I came the quick way through Donington Le Heath. The rain did start to come down a bit heavier over the last few km.

I listened to Adrian Chiles on 5 Live and the 2017 British Sea Power album Let the Dancers Inherit the Party. I'm never sure if it's perhaps a bit better than its successor, Everything Was Forever.

Anyway, something a bit different and another 63.67km in the bag. 571 this month now, 3077 this year. I'll be happy enough with another 200 this month but what I really want is a warm day with a light easterly wind so I can pedal over to the Fens and back.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14213450931

[Nickslikk2112]

And another 30 miles in the bag today. Told Mrs S I'd do 30, told her when I'd be back and was more or less bang on. I am so in the zone at the moment 

Just a steady Tempo ride out, nothing serious but it gets me to my second highest weekly tally of the year. Maybe get a few more in tomorrow.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14212282234

[Nickslikk2112]

And out for 30 miles again today. Won't get chance tomorrow, Monday I'll be hungover and then it looks like rain in the week so out I went.

I even did something I'd not intended doing. I'd ridden to the tops on Thursday, but that was the long way round avoiding any classified climbs, today I managed the Cat3 clinb up through Cutthorpe. I didn't mean to, I was just going to ride the flatter bottom half a couple of times, but second time around I decided to take it all the way, well, there was a decent tailwind

It wasn't an overly bad time - for me - either, about half way in my times. I noticed I was 5/13 for the week. Ineos Grenadiers rider Ben Swift had set the best time, averaging 15.1mph to my 11.5mph, made me feel  a bit better as that was his best ever time up there. He's still not as quick as me on New to Old Whit though It appears that downhill I can hold my own with the pros - occasionally.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14225284600/

[Nickslikk2112]

Whilst I wasn't overly hungover yesterday I was still stuffed with Roast Beef, Cheese and Chocolate. As I still was today actually as there was plenty of cheese and chocolate left to go at. Roast Beef too, but I don't like cold roast beef in sandwiches. On the plus side, the weather forecast had changed for the better.

I set out intending to do 30 easy miles and came back having done 32.5 miles a bit quicker than I thought I would, but after reaching 160 miles for the week last week I thought I'd taper back a bit this week as my metrics were saying I was overdoing things. Yeah, right. It was a nice day for it though, the old arms are almost as browned as they were at the end of last summer already.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14251253710

[Slim]

A dry day, anticipated to be warm in the afternoon and not too windy. The wind was coming from the south-east so I thought a southbound fondo was in order, either down to Northamptonshire as usual or down Fosse Way.

I had to reroute at Earl Shilton due to a road closure. Usually I try to sneak the bike past whatever obstacle has been put there to annoy me but no chance this time, the road (Thurlaston Lane) had been dug up right across and into both grass verges. So I backtracked and plotted a new course to Stoney through Elmesthorpe. Also at Earl Shilton - an old bird walking along the pavement flagged me down for a chat! She must have been at least 80. Told me how she used to do a coast to coast walk as a young woman. And her dad bought her first bike when she was 12. Bless her.

By the time I'd got to Stoney Stanton I'd decided to go down Fosse Way. So I did. Got as far as about 5km past Brinklow when I decided to turn back. I did want to go a bit further, but the headwind and the up-and-down hill climbing had started to grind a bit. Stopped for a bit of a feast at the village shop in Brinklow. Always like to sit and watch the world go by there, especially in the sunshine.

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Back on 105.01km.

Listened to LBC and 5 Live mostly. But also, on an inexplicable whim, the Alphaville album Forever Young and Zappa's Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar which I bought as a triple album boxed set in 1981. Requires a particular mood.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14255724161