Cycling 2025

[Nickslikk2112]

Because I've been a bit lazy this year, I decided that today would be my first 50 mile ride of the year. I failed. Got to 48.5 miles, took me three hours which was enough. Unlike Friday I did ride to the tops in an even brisker Westerly. It was a full on slog at times, then when you headed North or South it was a nasty crosswind. Not nice when drivers are only giving you a couple of feet when they pass.

It wasn't even that much fun as a tail wind coming back as it was swirling around a bit. Nice to hit 45mph though.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14944919281

[Nickslikk2112]

Didn't go out yesterday, because well, it's Monday and I like to have the day off on a Monday. Plus it was 30+C that's a bit warm.

It had cooled off to 24C today, it was still warm, but comfortable and coming back off Beeley Moor into a light headwind felt great

That's July underway with 41 miles and over 3,000ft of climbing, need to do more hill work as just riding up them feels more like hard work than when I used to go out and try and do it more quickly each time. Maybe old age is catching up on me.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14972536072

[Slim]

Yesterday looked like the perfect day for a long ride out east, perhaps even as far as Foul Anchor on the edge of Norfolk. A light wind coming from the east, very decent temperatures, even in the very early hours. A bit of cloud cover in the afternoon.

Trouble was: I definitely wasn't well on Monday. Still recovering from a dose of flu or some similar virus. I'd spent a large part of the day in bed. But I felt a bit better in the evening. I thought I'd see how I felt early on Tuesday morning.

I didn't sleep much, mainly because it was too hot. But I got up at 0425, and I thought I'd give it a go. After all I could always turn back. I didn't think I was likely to do the full 285km. Maybe 200?

I set off at 0520. The first 70km were a breeze. Quite pleasant out there. Nice and cool. I had minimal clothing on. Stopped to eat at a bench at Castle Bytham, then I pressed on. Unfortunately I took a wrong turn not long after that. I'd brought the eTrex with me, preloaded with the route, but I hadn't bothered to switch it on. I was pretty confident I knew the way up to this point, but of course I was wrong. Realised what I'd done at Swinstead. Consulted the map, turned back. My detour had cost me about 10km and about 35 minutes. Still, once back on track I continued eastward. To Thurlby, at the very edge of The Fens, down Deeping Road then east onto Baston Outgang Road.

I still felt OK, but wondered if I was pushing my luck. I'd done 106km. I was still about 45km from Foul Anchor. I decided I'd turn for home. A pity, but I definitely wasn't in the best condition for a long ride.

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This presented a weather problem - thunderstorms had been forecast for the late afternoon in Leicestershire. My original plan would have seen me returning to the county later than that, so I'd avoid them. So I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

I did actually regret turning back early for the first half hour. But when the sun came out in the afternoon it was punishing. Fortunately it was intermittent, but in any case I was knackered over the last 30km. I had to stop and rest on a grass verge for a bit, about 7km from home. I should have done a shorter ride, not a longer one. I wasn't well enough and I pushed myself too hard.

But I made it home. I inhaled a Leffe, went to lie down and lost consciousness for a couple of hours.

I listened mostly to Wimbledon coverage on 5 Live, but also started a Judge Dredd audiobook which is pretty good so far.

Dark clouds did gather late in the afternoon, but I didn't get rained on. I got slightly sunburned earlier in the day.

Back on 204.30km.

Hopefully there'll be another suitable day for a long ride out east, but the wind looks to be coming from the west for the forecastable future, and of course the nights have started to draw in.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14974778542

[Nickslikk2112]

Got my new wheels set up to run tubeless and it looked like they were holding air OK so it was out on the Giant TCR for the first time this year.

Can't say as Aero wheels are any quicker, the jury is well and truly out. The Giant always feels quicker as it is light and responsive, but looking at comparative segment times no trees were pulled up today. But then I always doubt the quality of my handiwork so wasn't going to go full bore in case the tyres flew off or the wheels exploded or the brake pads dropped out.

Of course none of the above happened as I'm used to doing these things, one thing which wasn't right was the rattle coming from the cassette, that definitely hasn't been tightened up enough, it'll explain the jumpy gear changes too.

Surprised to come back with a  lower average speed than yesterday, especially as I did less climbing per mile. But yesterday I didn't come across bin lorries blocking the road - I got three in half a mile in Brimington, then another a couple of miles later in Calow - then there were unexpected traffic lights, people slamming on brakes to let people pull out of side roads, trainee motorcyclists and all sorts of random stupidity. Then the wind got up again. Ho-hum.

Intended just doing 30 miles but got 34 so I'm OK with that.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14983444105/

[Nickslikk2112]

The Jury's still out on the new aero wheels. Did exactly the same ride as I did on Tuesday last week, but with a lighter bike, aero wheels and lighter winds. Yet Strava says it took me 20 seconds longer and Garmin says 20 seconds quicker. Strava always gives a lower average speed because of the way it doesn't ignore slow bits before you stop.

Before I went out, I did look at the point where I start on my descent back home and how long it took me to get there. I was over two minutes quicker today, no way I'll lose that time I thought. Wrong. OK there was a lighter tail wind on the way back today, but that shouldn't make too much difference. What did muck it up was a snarl up on a road out of Chesterfield town centre. The Police had been dealing with an incident there so what is normally a quick dash down Brewery Street became a stop starter.

Still, nice to get out in the sunshine again and the Giant just feels a nicer bike to ride, it really responds when you put the power down on the pedals. Another 40 miles done too.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14993894807/

[Slim]

Another warm day, a bit cooler than Tuesday. Just wanted to do 70km or so, nothing ambitious. I did a long version of the time-honoured, but highly variable Twycrosser route. I took in the entire length of Fenn Lanes which I haven't done for a while.

Lovely out there.

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Went all the way up tp Packington and Ashby at the top over the last few km, to extend the ride a bit. I stopped at the shop at Packington and bought a chilled San Pellegrino 'Limone & Menta' drink, which prompted an unusually long rest stop at the nearby bench.

Listened to LBC and 5 Live, back on 72.58km.

https://www.strava.com/activities/14995172331

[Slim]

Warm again, but cloudy and with the possibility of light rain threatened. Only wanted to do about 60km and was going to do a Twycrosser, but shortly after I'd set off, I thought it might be nice to glide along Top Brand. So I went up that way, then up through Castle Donington, over the river via Cavendish Bridge and toward Derby.

Came back down via Aston, Weston, Swarkestone Bridge and Ticknall. Chickened out of Bastard Hill by diverting via Hartshorne, and I took the shortcut to Boundary via Manchester Lane which I don't think I've done for a couple of years.

Back through Ashby and home on 60.98km.

A bit more knackering than the equivalent distance would have been on a Twycrosser due to climbing, but (just for fun) I entered one of the Strava elevation challenges, so it won't go to waste.

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Stopped at the airport briefly to have a look at the various exhibits in the aircraft museum there, just as a Jet2 A321 was taking off for warmer climes.

Listened to Wimbledon and more of the Judge Dredd novel. No rain.

Noticed that I've done 338 km on the Xoss bike computer since its last recharge, pretty good.

https://www.strava.com/activities/15017870569

[Nickslikk2112]

It's Summer. It's the time when I should be putting maximum miles in, but the Tour de France is on and sometimes, it's easier to watch than to do. SO I only got a couple of hours out.

And now I'm on the best summer bike wanting to be quicker I'm still getting more hold ups. At one mini roundabout today I'd been held up by a Kia Picanto and just on getting to the roundabout the car on my left suddenly started pulling over into my space. A hard stare and a "Fuck Off" made him hang back, Tanker Waxi driver he was.

It was another stiffish Westerly again today, not what I want when climbing the Col de Wigley, but I managed a quicker ascent than last week, which was nice. Still nowhere near where I'd like to be though. Better get praying for some Easterlies!

https://www.strava.com/activities/15017787674/

[Slim]

A fairly stiff wind from the north-west. Today's plan was to do the Upper West fondo, up through Coleorton, up over Swarkestone Bridge and west along the Beloved A Road. The last couple of times I've done it I've taken the main road south at Sudbury but today I did the "traditional" version, over the two roundabouts and north.

Got a bit sick of the traffic on Ashbourne Road so I turned back before the half fondo distance. Easy enough to make up the distance by detouring via Isley Walton and Top Brand on the way back down.

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Back on 103.78 km. 442 done this month now which is pretty decent seven days in, though I do have some commitments later in the month that will limit my cycling opportunities. That was this year's 30th fondo.

Cool for the first hour. Wore tights for the first 24km, haven't done that for a while. Very nice with the sun out in the afternoon. I listened to Wimbledon and finished the Dredd novelette. Very good.

https://www.strava.com/activities/15036948703

[Thenop]

A fairly stiff wind from the north-west. Today's plan was to do the Upper West fondo, up through Coleorton, up over Swarkestone Bridge and west along the Beloved A Road. The last couple of times I've done it I've taken the main road south at Sudbury but today I did the "traditional" version, over the two roundabouts and north.

Got a bit sick of the traffic on Ashbourne Road so I turned back before the half fondo distance. Easy enough to make up the distance by detouring via Isley Walton and Top Brand on the way back down.

Highslide Image Viewer

Back on 103.78 km. 442 done this month now which is pretty decent seven days in, though I do have some commitments later in the month that will limit my cycling opportunities. That was this year's 30th fondo.

Cool for the first hour. Wore tights for the first 24km, haven't done that for a while. Very nice with the sun out in the afternoon. I listened to Wimbledon and finished the Dredd novelette. Very good.

https://www.strava.com/activities/15036948703

I see you took the black Boardman out again. Such a great machine to look at!

[Nickslikk2112]

Must start getting up earlier now the Tour de France is on, to maximise viewing time. Not tomorrow though, it's a Time Trial, only worth watching the last ten out.

Decided to keep it flat today as some of my usual roads have just been top dressed and I don't want to be riding over loose gravel. Don't know if it was the new wheels on best bike or the lighter winds, but managed to get in my quickest ride over 40 miles this year.

Lots of Butterflies out and about today, how come they can fly faster than I can ride, not yet managed to work out if they get shredded if they fly through my wheels.

https://www.strava.com/activities/15045162558

[Slim]

Seen a few Cinnabar Moth caterpillars while I've been out in the last couple of weeks. Very distinctive black and yellow stripes.

[dom]

Tried growing Brussels Sprouts this year. Most have been destroyed by caterpillars. Not sure what type. - principally green with black markings. No sympathy from the wife as she is pro bio diversity. At least until it comes to her flowers 😁

[Nickslikk2112]

I did see a Cinnabar Moth flying about on a ride the other day. Nasty things Moths, if you see a caterpillar in the road ride over it, splat the fucker.

Don't recall seeing many Butterflies about today on my ride - plenty in my garden - or birds. Did see a "Road Closed" sign which I wasn't expecting. No idea why as it wasn't marked up on the Roadworks site and there was no sign of it being closed on Google Maps when I got home. I did see a couple of ambulances heading out that way as I rode back trying to work out how to get 40 miles in, whether the two things were related I don't know.

I had been going quite well until I found the closed road, still averaging over 15mph when I got to Owler Bar roundabout, which is as good as it gets for me. I did think I might get back with a 17mph average, but alas it wasn't to be. I hadn't noticed that the A619 was shut, so all the lanes on the tops were full of people taking diversions, on lanes where you might see one or two cars per mile there were about 50, all trying to drive at the National Speed limit. Not conducive to safe roads, plenty of close calls with people having to get by the cyclist giving no regard to traffic coming the other way.

https://www.strava.com/activities/15056507985/

[Slim]

A warm day again, mostly sunny. Since I have a long drive tomorrow and stuff to do this evening, I didn't want to overdo it. The idea was to do a long version of the time-honoured Twycross Bypasser.

So I did: up to Ashby at the top, south-west to Warton, over to Fenny Drayton via Mythe Lane and Atterton Lane, all the way along Fenn Lanes to Cadeby.

From there I thought of going all the way over to Kirkby Mallory, but decided instead to go up via Market Bosworth, where I could get some liquids. I'd forgotten to bring a water bottle! I'd rehydrated a bit by munching some mango chunks that I'd brought in a little plastic tub. But a bottle of lucozade seemed a good idea. So did an ice cream Mars Bar. Very nice.

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After Bosworth I came the long way up by veering north-eastward through Nailstone and Ellistown. Really a very nice run out in the sunshine, just the thing to acknowledge another orbit round the Sun. Took the S Works for a change, felt very light and zippy.

Noticed that the road system has changed a bit in Bosworth - when you emerge from the one-way bit you no longer have to stop and check for traffic coming from the left; you now have right of way. And there's a pedestrian island in the middle of the road junction at Market Place.

Started the next Dredd novella. Listened to Wimbledon. Finished Simon Hart's memoir Ungovernable, which ends with the general election result. Back on 66.32km.

Loads of little black flies around at the moment, at least a couple of the buggers were stuck to my sunglasses at any one time. Probably non-biting midges or fungus gnats.

https://www.strava.com/activities/15058158010