Cycling 2025

[Nickslikk2112]

Well, the weather this week is turning out to be much better than originally forecast, in fact today though cloudy was just too warm, I got a right sweat on, suppose I shouldn't have gone up so many hills.

Back up to the Peak District - just skirting the Eastern boundary- again today. Hard work, but soon forgotten, or so I keep telling myself.

Got 35 miles in today, as ever it'll do.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16363148437

[Slim]

Drizzly early on and the roads were wet. But surprisingly mild, about 14C. Once again I set off with half a mind to do a fondo. And I went down Spon Lane with the idea of possibly going down to Meriden and back. But I thought better of it by the time I got to Old Grendon.

So I turned back, rejoined the Twycrosser route, up through Sibson, Congerstone, Heather.

Nice and sunny early on, gloomy later. Despite the BBC's claim that it was 0% probable, I got rained on for the last hour or so so. I did feel vindicated about not going further.

Listened to 5 Live. Back on 57.30.

In other news, I have received a new set of Campagnolo wheels for Boardman I. It's only done 360km this year. Tempted to get a new cassette instead of wrestling the old one off, which will most likely make me feel guilty if I don't clean it.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16363723477

[The Picnic Wasp]

Drizzly early on and the roads were wet. But surprisingly mild, about 14C. Once again I set off with half a mind to do a fondo. And I went down Spon Lane with the idea of possibly going down to Meriden and back. But I thought better of it by the time I got to Old Grendon.

So I turned back, rejoined the Twycrosser route, up through Sibson, Congerstone, Heather.

Nice and sunny early on, gloomy later. Despite the BBC's claim that it was 0% probable, I got rained on for the last hour or so so. I did feel vindicated about not going further.

Listened to 5 Live. Back on 57.30.

In other news, I have received a new set of Campagnolo wheels for Boardman I. It's only done 360km this year. Tempted to get a new cassette instead of wrestling the old one off, which will most likely make me feel guilty if I don't clean it.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16363723477

This is so very journalistic, James. Almost a diary entry. I always think that a compilation of your cycling activities and photographs could easily be a best selling book. This doesn't seem like you. Hope you're ok.

[Slim]

This is so very journalistic, James. Almost a diary entry. I always think that a compilation of your cycling activities and photographs could easily be a best selling book. This doesn't seem like you. Hope you're ok.

Everything's fine, do appreciate your kind words. But what's not like me - unusually brief? It was pretty uneventful and sometimes I do just knock them out quickly.

[The Picnic Wasp]

This is so very journalistic, James. Almost a diary entry. I always think that a compilation of your cycling activities and photographs could easily be a best selling book. This doesn't seem like you. Hope you're ok.

Everything's fine, do appreciate your kind words. But what's not like me - unusually brief? It was pretty uneventful and sometimes I do just knock them out quickly.

Usually more of a recognisable flow, like a trademark I suppose. I'm always envious of the km you and the other regulars mark up. I need to be more active before the State Pension arrives. I see it as a bit of a fulcrum in the years ahead and I worry.

[Nickslikk2112]

For reasons best known to myself, I decided to swap the SPD pedals (Mountain bike style) on my Gravel Bike to my Power pedals (road style). After 40 minutes I had got precisely nowhere, they would not budge. So much later than expected I decided just to go out on the Bianchi.

Well, I suppose going back to Summer kit - it was bloody warm today - looks better on a road bike. I did take it up the not far off gravel local lanes to start with and nearly got taken out by the squadron of Suicide Squirrels who were leaping out of the hedgerow, gets the old heart pumping more than a hill!

I survived the Squirrels and then just settled into a gentle ride, pootling round the local roads as if it were winter. The hedgerows are now well stocked with Goldfinch, I wish the ones in our garden would join them as they're getting through 4kg of Sunflower seeds a week!

Back on 33.5 miles. And I found the boy had loosened the pedals with some brute force.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16373660520

[Nickslikk2112]

Took the Bianchi out again today. maybe swap the Power Pedals to the Gravel bike tomorrow and use it as a road bike while I sit on my steely buttocks considering putting the Winter wheels onto the Bianchi.

Didn't bother straying far from home today, doing laps around Barrowhill. Don't think there's much sealant left in the tyres now and with the state of the roads I don't want to be walking far after puncturing.

Going up a single track road a car came behind me and hooted, I pulled into a wider bit of road and slowed down, but he didn't come by. I sped up and he then had to wait for cars coming the other way, at the top of the road he drew alongside me wound down the window and said "You could have bloody pulled over and let my through", I turned round, looked at him and said "Sorry Rog", it was the bloke who runs the garage where we have our cars serviced and repaired!

Back on 31 miles, avoided any roadworks and was in time to settle down and watch the Cyclocross.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16393729393

[Slim]

I had a clear plan for today, and for once I stuck to it. The idea was to do the usual southbound fondo.

I set off at about 1035, later than I'd intended. But after 0.5 kilometres, I realised I hadn't brought a rear light. So I returned to the garage and equipped myself properly by stealing the strappy rear blinker off the S Works, then set off again.

I've just written that abortive 1km off. It won't trouble the spreadsheet.

Went all the way down to the gliding club at Sibbertoft and across the border into Northamptonshire. Nothing flying today. Then I came back. On the last couple of southbound trips I've come back up the "old" way but I stuck to the usual way for the return leg this time. Happily the roadworks at Earl Shilton are complete now so I was able to come straight through.

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Took the shortcut via Donington Le Heath over the last few km.

Decent weather, reasonably mild. Didn't rain though it was a bit gloomy in the afternoon and the roads were wet from overnight drizzle early on. Enjoyable run out. Listened to LBC, the rest of the second Dredd novella from Volume III - pretty good. Nice twist. And footy on 5 Live.

I stopped at the village shop at Gilmorton and had a large sausage roll at one of the tables outside. I managed to eat it in about two minutes. Didn't want to be back too long after dark.

No interesting wildlife to report. I was pursued by two small yappy dogs near the travellers' site not far from Bagworth. Had to put my foot down, thought I was going to get my ankle bitten! And there's a stinky dead badger in the middle of the road near Broughton Astley.

Back more than 40 minutes after sunset, on 103.78km. Getting dark, just as well my blinky LED front light was adequate as I managed to break the strap mount off my head torch.

That one takes me to 90057 km done since Jan 2015, 9975 this year.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16396550529

[dom]

Set off in slightly foggy weather just after 9am yesterday and for the first 20 minutes or so it appeared to be getting foggier. I put all my lights to max strength to ensure I could be seen.

A brief sight of very hazy sunshine through the cloud was the preface to bright blue skies. I couldn't quite believe how sudden the change was, but that was it for the rest of the spin. In wasn't particularly warm but ideal for cycling.

I met up with my old cycling buddy who'd been off his bike since June with a hip operation. He's been following all the physio and rehab to the letter and is finally able to cycle again albeit gently for now. He should be back to normal in a couple of months.

I just did a 20k loop with him and another 37 going between Trim and Navan, (slightly longer way back)

[Nickslikk2112]

Managed to get a couple of hours out today, didn't really feel up to it, been a bit groggy the last couple of days, but hey, it had stopped raining.

Took the gravel bike out and was back to tights and long sleeves, but if it hadn't been so windy and the roads so wet I'd have survived in Summer kit again. Got a real sweat on at times.

Slowest 30 mile ride I've done all year, but it keeps me on track for 500 miles in November and keeps the old body moving.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16424253167

[Nickslikk2112]

Got a 20 miler in yesterday in the slot when it was barely raining, that was just riding round in little loops close to home in case it rained properly.

Today the Sun was shining so more of a proper ride. Not only was the sun shining, but it was warm enough to be out in Summer kit. Pretty sure that'll be the last time I expose my arms and legs until at least the end of next March

Don't know if was the Chamois in my shorts, but the saddle on the gravel bike was really painful today. I was riding out of the saddle more than normal and when I got home I could barely walk, not helped by the fact that I think my right shoe had been tightened up too much and I could barely put any weight on it. Doesn't normally happen with my road shoes, normally it's if I use the gravel shoes on a 30+ mile ride that my right foot fails badly.

Still, nice to be out in the sunshine for more of a proper ride, going out to Morton through Tibshelf. Not the most picturesque of rides, but pleasant enough. Back on 35 miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16445606962

[Slim]

A dry day! And since I hadn't been out on a bike since Sunday, I was keen to take advantage of it. I also wanted to test the new wheels I've now fitted to the Boardman.

I didn't want to do a fondo due to the risk of rain in the afternoon, and because I don't like to do longer rides on brand new equipment. I thought I'd do a Twycrosser, with an option to drop down the Dad's Army route if I felt like it. I did feel like it, just about. Went down through Kingsbury, as far as Marston. Turned back up and came back along a Bypasser route, in reverse.

No rain. Actually very nice out there in the autumn sunshine and very mild as well.

Highslide Image Viewer

I'm very pleased with the new Campagnolo wheels. Whether they just suit the Boardman frame or it's just because they're new I don't know but they roll beautifully. They seem to make it go faster.

Curiously, the new Campags which I fitted to the Cannondale a while back are higher-tier than these ones. And yet if anything, I felt they took a bit of the zip out of it.

Anyway back on 80.70 which takes me through the 10,000km finish tape for 2025.

Listened to 5 Live.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16446928580

[Slim]

Shocking weather over the last couple of days but today was slated to be dry (although the roads were a bit wet) so a fondo was in order.

I did tinker with the idea, before I set off, of trying a new route that would dip down below Thrussington to a place called Ashby Foville. But I decided in the end just to do the regular Eastbound.

Or mostly, anyway. Rempstone Road is still closed east of Zouch so I detoured via Sutton Bonington - hence I turned back about 5km short of the usual half-fondo point (the crossroads at Eastwell).

Cold out there, supposedly 7C but felt a bit colder.

Took the Boardman again. Nice to have it earning its keep in the garage again now it's got new wheels on. Annoyingly my right cleat fell to bits after 40km, but I pressed on regardless. The yellow plastic strip at the front had separated and started to foul the clip at the back. I pulled it off, not so bad after that though the plastic tongue at the front was broken.

I listened to LBC, 5 Live and Niall Ferguson's Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World. What a beautiful antidote to the slanted, ridiculously selective, axe-grinding atrocity porn of Olusaga's libelous BBC TV series.

Back on 103.73, about 45 mins after sunset.

I've set myself a target of doing 11200 km in 2025, 1040 to go. Another 400 this month if the weather allows.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16478295352

[Nickslikk2112]

Just a short one today. It's gone cold. Fnarr, Fnarr.

Can't believe Thursday saw Summer kit and today was full Winter kit. I got 21 miles in, good enough to keep me on track for 500 in November. May have been a shorter ride than Thursday but got no leg or foot pain, I just adjusted the saddle a bit yesterday as it looked to be tilting backwards a bit, it may have made the difference.

[Nickslikk2112]

And another short one today. Managed an hour and twenty between rain bands. Keeps me on track for 500 miles in November.