So we're just back from a relaxing and inactive break and back on our bikes. It was starting to get dark as I cycled home today and it made me think of the long, cold, wet winter ahead. We've already spent a small fortune on basic cycling gear but I think we'll be needing much more in the months ahead. Paolo can't get out of the habit of riding his bike like a mountain bike so we've gone through about 8 inner tubes (tip of the day - don't try jumping off kerbs on your road bike) and the right padded shorts/shoes/pedals/lights/bike computers have all been purchased.
Now with the winter looming I'm thinking we need warmer/more visible jackets and longer leggings. I've already been soaked in a downpour and it wasn't as unpleasant as I expected. In fact the rain on my legs seemed to make the hills a little easier. The only discomfort was my feet being saturated so another piece of must have gear goes on the list in the shape of shoe covers. Hopefully all this gear doesn't sit in a box going mouldy after we do the big one!
Wednesday 31 August 2011
Firefox on 2 wheels.
Ok not been on for a while. Quick update. Padded cycling shorts sant arrive (accent on the last "e" as per French classes. I'm not that great with this thing and switching languages). They are soft and fit and are great and everything! Aaaand relax...aahhh.
Weekend before last (after my extended by cowardice ride) I did a 30 mile ride on Sunday. Managed to get through the hills of Dallington and Woods Corner, through Earlsdown and Three cups corner. Heathfield then down through Horam. Turned left (cos I can't turn Right) at the Boship roundabout on the A22. Back along through Horsebridge, Hellingly etc (as per cowards way out ride). Doing OK until he did it again. That bloke twice ...no possibly three times my age with the calves of steel...no wait probably Palladium whizzed past me going up the hill to Herstmonceux (see I told you it exists). I'm puffing away and in my moment of despair suddenly realise that I need a comfort break. Certain sports drinks are great on a bike but after 2 hours of riding and a few sips there are consequences. Luckily there is a public convenience in Herstm...the village with the French name. But There is a down side to cycling shorts!
Anywho. Got the SPD pedals on now too. The ride this weekend went well. The settings are OK so can get the feet out of the pedals relatively well. This time I did the same ride but this time at the Boship roundabout went ....wait for it....sraight on. So went down to Eastbourne then along the Marsh road back to home. 38 miles in 2 and 1/2 hours. By the way the cramp kicked in at about 1 am when I really wanted to be asleep but ended up dancing around the bedroom. Don't ya just hate it when that happens!
So had a couple of days off. 5 pm finish today so I rode to work. Level crossings still hurt as does that stretch of road in Westham with the potholes. Got to the gym. Had my Mr B steam session, jacuzzi and shower. All was going well on the short ride to work when I approached the crossing over the main dual carriageway. It was then I experienced my Firefox moment. Urban rides are a bit more troublesome in SPDs for the stop star factor.
Do you remember that fantastic cold war spy thriller starring Clint Eastwood as the Vietnam vet (not like us)? He was selected to steal a top secret fighter bomber codenamed "Firefox" from a top secret installation in mother Russia. The reason he was selected was because this piece of kit had a unique weapons release system. It was powered by the thoughts of the pilot. But the pilot had to think in Russian. Clint's character just happened to have had a Russian parent and was therefore fluent.
So there I am approaching the crossing, judging the speed of the on-coming vehicles. I thought I had a gap and then suddenly the car seemed to change speed. No I didn't have a flashback to when I was a pilot in a Huey over the Ashaw valley but I did get a bit of a cold sweat on. I thought...Oh heck I hope I can get my feet out of these SPD pedals before I reach the edge of the road or ......At that point, just as the thought had entered my head, my imaginary heads-up display in my wrap around shades flashed up " fail to release feet from new fangled pedally things, fall off bike (with a backwards "B" just as in Russian) to the Right hand side" Unfortunately the message did not end with..."and retain dignity".
This was not the last time the Firfox brain to outcome bike management system kicked in today either. On the way home whilst cheekily cutting a corner of a pavement (serves me right) I was faced with the heads up display " rear wheel clipped curb at odd angle, course correction required.... bail out.....lamp-post or hedge?" I chose the soft ,but slightly prickly option!
At least I havn't had the message "abort attempted Right hand turn at round-about 18 wheel truck approaching at speed"......yet
A bit more pracice with the clippy things required methinks.
Weekend before last (after my extended by cowardice ride) I did a 30 mile ride on Sunday. Managed to get through the hills of Dallington and Woods Corner, through Earlsdown and Three cups corner. Heathfield then down through Horam. Turned left (cos I can't turn Right) at the Boship roundabout on the A22. Back along through Horsebridge, Hellingly etc (as per cowards way out ride). Doing OK until he did it again. That bloke twice ...no possibly three times my age with the calves of steel...no wait probably Palladium whizzed past me going up the hill to Herstmonceux (see I told you it exists). I'm puffing away and in my moment of despair suddenly realise that I need a comfort break. Certain sports drinks are great on a bike but after 2 hours of riding and a few sips there are consequences. Luckily there is a public convenience in Herstm...the village with the French name. But There is a down side to cycling shorts!
Anywho. Got the SPD pedals on now too. The ride this weekend went well. The settings are OK so can get the feet out of the pedals relatively well. This time I did the same ride but this time at the Boship roundabout went ....wait for it....sraight on. So went down to Eastbourne then along the Marsh road back to home. 38 miles in 2 and 1/2 hours. By the way the cramp kicked in at about 1 am when I really wanted to be asleep but ended up dancing around the bedroom. Don't ya just hate it when that happens!
So had a couple of days off. 5 pm finish today so I rode to work. Level crossings still hurt as does that stretch of road in Westham with the potholes. Got to the gym. Had my Mr B steam session, jacuzzi and shower. All was going well on the short ride to work when I approached the crossing over the main dual carriageway. It was then I experienced my Firefox moment. Urban rides are a bit more troublesome in SPDs for the stop star factor.
Do you remember that fantastic cold war spy thriller starring Clint Eastwood as the Vietnam vet (not like us)? He was selected to steal a top secret fighter bomber codenamed "Firefox" from a top secret installation in mother Russia. The reason he was selected was because this piece of kit had a unique weapons release system. It was powered by the thoughts of the pilot. But the pilot had to think in Russian. Clint's character just happened to have had a Russian parent and was therefore fluent.
So there I am approaching the crossing, judging the speed of the on-coming vehicles. I thought I had a gap and then suddenly the car seemed to change speed. No I didn't have a flashback to when I was a pilot in a Huey over the Ashaw valley but I did get a bit of a cold sweat on. I thought...Oh heck I hope I can get my feet out of these SPD pedals before I reach the edge of the road or ......At that point, just as the thought had entered my head, my imaginary heads-up display in my wrap around shades flashed up " fail to release feet from new fangled pedally things, fall off bike (with a backwards "B" just as in Russian) to the Right hand side" Unfortunately the message did not end with..."and retain dignity".
This was not the last time the Firfox brain to outcome bike management system kicked in today either. On the way home whilst cheekily cutting a corner of a pavement (serves me right) I was faced with the heads up display " rear wheel clipped curb at odd angle, course correction required.... bail out.....lamp-post or hedge?" I chose the soft ,but slightly prickly option!
At least I havn't had the message "abort attempted Right hand turn at round-about 18 wheel truck approaching at speed"......yet
A bit more pracice with the clippy things required methinks.
Saturday 20 August 2011
Cowardice extends ride home
So There I was cycling along the main dual carriageway out of Eastbourne as I thought I would try cycling the way I would normally drive. Previously I had been taking a slight short cut to stay on the quieter roads. But I need to up the miles a bit.
So rapidly approaching the large roundabout at the end of the road needing to go straight on I stayed on the inside. Went round the island to realise that in the car I would normally turn right at the next roundabout in about 150 yds time. Of course in the car I would be in the outside lane.
Unfortunately I have all the poise and grace of Bambi on ice when it comes to looking behind me to my right to assess whether it is safe to cross over to the outside. So fearing for my life under the wheels of a truck or riding straight into the nearest lamppost, I bravely bottled it and turned Left.
Now committed I had to crack onto the polegate roundabout, which is huge. There was no way I was cycling round that so at the end of this stretch I got off and walked across the road and carried on up towards hailsham, Hellingly, Herstmoceux (yes a real place) Windmill Hill, and Boreham street. This takes my usual ride home from 11 miles to 17 with the last mile up standard hill. Unfortunately the village where I live is on the site where Duke William of Normandy camped the night before his little tiff with Harold, and they always seem to go for the highground for these sort of pre-scurmish encampments. So which ever way I go home the last mile is a killer.
I really need to get these traffic islands sorted. It may need to be some sort of little rearview mirror arrangement, otherwise I'll be planning a route to JOG avoiding right turns at large traffic islands!
So rapidly approaching the large roundabout at the end of the road needing to go straight on I stayed on the inside. Went round the island to realise that in the car I would normally turn right at the next roundabout in about 150 yds time. Of course in the car I would be in the outside lane.
Unfortunately I have all the poise and grace of Bambi on ice when it comes to looking behind me to my right to assess whether it is safe to cross over to the outside. So fearing for my life under the wheels of a truck or riding straight into the nearest lamppost, I bravely bottled it and turned Left.
Now committed I had to crack onto the polegate roundabout, which is huge. There was no way I was cycling round that so at the end of this stretch I got off and walked across the road and carried on up towards hailsham, Hellingly, Herstmoceux (yes a real place) Windmill Hill, and Boreham street. This takes my usual ride home from 11 miles to 17 with the last mile up standard hill. Unfortunately the village where I live is on the site where Duke William of Normandy camped the night before his little tiff with Harold, and they always seem to go for the highground for these sort of pre-scurmish encampments. So which ever way I go home the last mile is a killer.
I really need to get these traffic islands sorted. It may need to be some sort of little rearview mirror arrangement, otherwise I'll be planning a route to JOG avoiding right turns at large traffic islands!
Friday 19 August 2011
Cyclists are tiny
Well gradually getting myself kitted out. Got the bike. She is doing OK but I am having a couple of issues with the gear shift. There is a "shadow shift" on the high/low range derailer, I forgot this a couple of times this morning on the ride to work and the chain came off twice as I held the shift across too long I think. So slightly greasy fingers on arrival at Bannatyne's steam emporium.
The other day while contenplating my slightly sore ischial tuberosoties (bum bones) I decided that I needed to get some padded cycling shorts. Yup the full lycra, stand back this bloke looks like he knows what he's doing on a bike type shorts! So had a look on t'interweb, found Sports Direct.com with an up to 80% sale on cycling clothing. Fab.
So for a whole £61 I got 2 pairs XXL padded (ahhh) cycling shorts, 1 long and 1 short sleeved cycling jersy (XXL again), 1 pair cycling gloves as the hands are not liking the road vibrations; Which reminds me, shortly may follow my diary of what really hurts on a road bike. Rumble strips and level crossings are currently up there. And 1 pair of muddy fox cycling shoes with nuts on the soles for SPD cleats and everything. (The things that make you fall off sideways like a chopped down tree when you stop at traffic lights and can't get your feet out of the pedel clips quick enough....tiiimmmbeerrr.)
My package duely arrived and I unwrapped. Pleasantly I found a complementary tea mug with the Sports Direct logo on, presumably to celebrate completion of your more epic cycling victories with a large cuppa.
Excitedly I tried the shorts on. Tried.....and tried...and tried. The waistband on these things got halfway up my quads before jamming tight, leaving the tantalisingly soft looking padding hovering about 12 inches due South of where it needed to be. Remember these are XXL yeah right. I would hate to meet a small cysclist. I may need a scanning electron microscope to see him! So I tried the jerseys. Ever seen an overstuffed pillow or a Hippo in a tutu? Unfortunately again when ordering the clothing I had forgotten that cyclists are a collection of superhuman individuals with the torsos of Michaelangelo's David. They are plainly not for people who have been endulging in BGI (beer gut investment) for the last 10 years or so.
Ho Hum. My wife Vicky suggested that I keep the clothing as a goal, something to aim for. "You may get into them once you've done a few months training". The jerseys.... OK are a somewhat realistic goal. I may end up looking not too bad, I hope. But unless I take a saw and a spoke shave to my legs, I think I'll have to go with the website I found today. Yes you guessed it it's in the US and caters for the "larger" cyclist. Engraciatingly I am in the smallest shorts on their sizing guide. i.e. a REAL XXL. I await UPS with anticipation.
But I might just hang on to the others.....just in case?
The other day while contenplating my slightly sore ischial tuberosoties (bum bones) I decided that I needed to get some padded cycling shorts. Yup the full lycra, stand back this bloke looks like he knows what he's doing on a bike type shorts! So had a look on t'interweb, found Sports Direct.com with an up to 80% sale on cycling clothing. Fab.
So for a whole £61 I got 2 pairs XXL padded (ahhh) cycling shorts, 1 long and 1 short sleeved cycling jersy (XXL again), 1 pair cycling gloves as the hands are not liking the road vibrations; Which reminds me, shortly may follow my diary of what really hurts on a road bike. Rumble strips and level crossings are currently up there. And 1 pair of muddy fox cycling shoes with nuts on the soles for SPD cleats and everything. (The things that make you fall off sideways like a chopped down tree when you stop at traffic lights and can't get your feet out of the pedel clips quick enough....tiiimmmbeerrr.)
My package duely arrived and I unwrapped. Pleasantly I found a complementary tea mug with the Sports Direct logo on, presumably to celebrate completion of your more epic cycling victories with a large cuppa.
Excitedly I tried the shorts on. Tried.....and tried...and tried. The waistband on these things got halfway up my quads before jamming tight, leaving the tantalisingly soft looking padding hovering about 12 inches due South of where it needed to be. Remember these are XXL yeah right. I would hate to meet a small cysclist. I may need a scanning electron microscope to see him! So I tried the jerseys. Ever seen an overstuffed pillow or a Hippo in a tutu? Unfortunately again when ordering the clothing I had forgotten that cyclists are a collection of superhuman individuals with the torsos of Michaelangelo's David. They are plainly not for people who have been endulging in BGI (beer gut investment) for the last 10 years or so.
Ho Hum. My wife Vicky suggested that I keep the clothing as a goal, something to aim for. "You may get into them once you've done a few months training". The jerseys.... OK are a somewhat realistic goal. I may end up looking not too bad, I hope. But unless I take a saw and a spoke shave to my legs, I think I'll have to go with the website I found today. Yes you guessed it it's in the US and caters for the "larger" cyclist. Engraciatingly I am in the smallest shorts on their sizing guide. i.e. a REAL XXL. I await UPS with anticipation.
But I might just hang on to the others.....just in case?
Wednesday 17 August 2011
Quicker
So here she is. My new Carrera Virtuoso from Halfords.
Got me the 10 miles from home to Bannatyne's (and a lovely steam, sauna and jacuzzi) in 38 minutes this morning. Was just over an hour on my old mountain bike.
Combo of new bike and slightly fitter me perchance??
We'll see how long it takes to get home this evening.
Tuesday 16 August 2011
Airbourne?
Last week it was eastbourne airbourne. Basically a 4 day airshow with all sorts of military hardware and display teams performing over the sea in front of eastbourne.
This includes the legendary Red Arrows.
On Sunday I decided that in need of extending my range a bit, I would go and watch the Red arrows on my bike ....from Beachy Head.
I had planned to stay on the roads and make the 25 miles in a couple of hours. Unfortunately I decided half way that I would go up past the long man of Sussex in Lillingstone, up onto the South Downs way. Ooops.
After getting about 1/3 of the way up the shear chalk track I had to get off and push. I made it to the top still about 5 miles from Beachy to see the Reds in their characteristic diamond 9 formation go whizzing over my head. So I had unfortunately not made it in time.
To add insult to injury (nearly cardiac), I saw glimpses of coloured smoke over the cliffs whilst basically off roading across the downs whilst simultaneously getting lost!
Muddy and tired I emerged at the bottom of the hills in Jevington. Back on the road I cycled past Friston forest, but after all that, the hill climb from Friston and from east Dean to beachy were too much. I had to push again.
I eventually made it to the top. Got back on the bike and promptly scared myself stupid with the frighteningly steep descent. seems less scarey in the car I remebered thinking.
Aching, covered in mud and with nothing left in my legs I decided to stop at the surgery on the way back. Bad move. Whilst the 2 bottles of Powerade I got from the shop next door re fueled my legs, my backside was complaining bitterly when I got back on the bike.
It was a very slow 10 miles home.
I have now got my nice new bike from Halfords on the cycle to work scheme. A Carrera Virtuoso. So as a pure road bike I have every excuse not to repeat Sunday's idiocy. I took her for a 10 miler yesterday to get used to the set up. I think we'll get on well.
total miles this week so far 55.
This includes the legendary Red Arrows.
On Sunday I decided that in need of extending my range a bit, I would go and watch the Red arrows on my bike ....from Beachy Head.
I had planned to stay on the roads and make the 25 miles in a couple of hours. Unfortunately I decided half way that I would go up past the long man of Sussex in Lillingstone, up onto the South Downs way. Ooops.
After getting about 1/3 of the way up the shear chalk track I had to get off and push. I made it to the top still about 5 miles from Beachy to see the Reds in their characteristic diamond 9 formation go whizzing over my head. So I had unfortunately not made it in time.
To add insult to injury (nearly cardiac), I saw glimpses of coloured smoke over the cliffs whilst basically off roading across the downs whilst simultaneously getting lost!
Muddy and tired I emerged at the bottom of the hills in Jevington. Back on the road I cycled past Friston forest, but after all that, the hill climb from Friston and from east Dean to beachy were too much. I had to push again.
I eventually made it to the top. Got back on the bike and promptly scared myself stupid with the frighteningly steep descent. seems less scarey in the car I remebered thinking.
Aching, covered in mud and with nothing left in my legs I decided to stop at the surgery on the way back. Bad move. Whilst the 2 bottles of Powerade I got from the shop next door re fueled my legs, my backside was complaining bitterly when I got back on the bike.
It was a very slow 10 miles home.
I have now got my nice new bike from Halfords on the cycle to work scheme. A Carrera Virtuoso. So as a pure road bike I have every excuse not to repeat Sunday's idiocy. I took her for a 10 miler yesterday to get used to the set up. I think we'll get on well.
total miles this week so far 55.
Tuesday 9 August 2011
Meet the Team - Angela
Sorry to have not posted before, I'm a bit of a technophobe.
I am a vet nurse and one of the JVP's at the Norwich Longwater branch.
I really enjoy cycling and have been cycling to and from work for the past 4 years which is currently 18 miles a day! So I thought I would take on the challenge of Lands End - John O'Groats.
I have been to Halfords and picked out my new bike, a Boardman Road Comp called Bertie, I am still getting used to him after taking a tumble yesterday. Luckily my pride is more bruised than I am.
I am both excited and nervous as to what I have signed up for next May, but well up for the challenge and raising a large amount of money for such a brilliant charity.
Wednesday 3 August 2011
Oh Boy
Well following the successful test ride to the surgery on saturday I decided to cycle in today as I finish at 5 today (or am supposed to!).
However I had forgotten that our new springer puppy Rumer arrived home yesterday. Having stayed up as late as possible with her to try to get her to sleep through the night she went to bed around 11.30. However she decided she neded to go out for a wee at 4am. She cried and told us...good girl. However once we have had a wee, we are awake again, and have a strop when put back to bed. Following 15 solid minutes of howling (despite being Adaptilled up) she finally went back to sleep.
I had planned to leave at about 7 anyway, but she was up at 6.30. So whilst Vicky entertained and fed Rumer, I got my stuff together and left. However whilst worrying about falling asleep on the bike and disappearing under a truck, I had forgotten my keys. Well who needs keys if you're not driving right?
So on arriving at the gym up the road from the surgery, where I had planned a nice relaxing swim, sauna and shower before changing into work gear and pootling the last mile or so to work to avoid getting icky again, I discover an inability to lock up the bike. Now as nice as the residents of Eastbourne are and the members at the gym belonging to a certain dragon who's name begins with B are, I am paranoid. So I rush in shower and change. I get to work... No key.
Eventually Lisa my nurse arrives and lets me in. We go to get the cahs from the safe.......no key.
I have one and Alison my morning receptionist has one. Alison is off today. Ooops. Had to phone her to get key.
So the cycle was actually the easy bit. By the end of today that's 46 miles for the week. Not bad for a fat chap who hasn't cycled since he wanted to be in BMX bandits.
I suspect the miles done will far outweight the hours slept too....thanks Rumer pup......zzzzzzzz
However I had forgotten that our new springer puppy Rumer arrived home yesterday. Having stayed up as late as possible with her to try to get her to sleep through the night she went to bed around 11.30. However she decided she neded to go out for a wee at 4am. She cried and told us...good girl. However once we have had a wee, we are awake again, and have a strop when put back to bed. Following 15 solid minutes of howling (despite being Adaptilled up) she finally went back to sleep.
I had planned to leave at about 7 anyway, but she was up at 6.30. So whilst Vicky entertained and fed Rumer, I got my stuff together and left. However whilst worrying about falling asleep on the bike and disappearing under a truck, I had forgotten my keys. Well who needs keys if you're not driving right?
So on arriving at the gym up the road from the surgery, where I had planned a nice relaxing swim, sauna and shower before changing into work gear and pootling the last mile or so to work to avoid getting icky again, I discover an inability to lock up the bike. Now as nice as the residents of Eastbourne are and the members at the gym belonging to a certain dragon who's name begins with B are, I am paranoid. So I rush in shower and change. I get to work... No key.
Eventually Lisa my nurse arrives and lets me in. We go to get the cahs from the safe.......no key.
I have one and Alison my morning receptionist has one. Alison is off today. Ooops. Had to phone her to get key.
So the cycle was actually the easy bit. By the end of today that's 46 miles for the week. Not bad for a fat chap who hasn't cycled since he wanted to be in BMX bandits.
I suspect the miles done will far outweight the hours slept too....thanks Rumer pup......zzzzzzzz
Monday 1 August 2011
Meet the team - Adam
Hi, I live in Edinburgh, work in Livingston, sold my car in April, (hence ecologically, I must be as benign as Felix) and I pride myself on trying anything - including running a vet practice & cycling long distances for 12 days running in May 2012, even if it means spending time with Cormac!
I will leave some detailed info, in time, of my ongoing "training", but so far, in summary, on average I'm doing 100-200miles per week, as when the weather is nice, it seems irresistible to the masochist in me to not cycle the 17miles home from work - whether I leave at 7pm, or 10.45pm (as I did on Tuesday after a stone-eating Border Collie decided to vomit for a day - the 3rd time she has done this!). It takes me anything from 1hr to 1hr20mins on my mountain bike, about 57mins to 1hr 5mins on my racer, and oddly, as little as 50mins on my newly acquired hydbrid, so guess which bike I'm doing the 1000miles with? You're correct - the most comfortable one - not sure which one this is yet...
I weigh 92Kg, but despite the last 6-8 weeks (lost track of time since the weather made cycling more appealing) of training, the only time I have temporarily managed to lose weight was to 91Kg after cycling 71miles in 4hrs 10mins on a very sunny Sunday.
My plan is to increase the number of these longer cycles on consecutive days to at least 4, not sure when I'll achieve this for the first time. My polar watch (and heart monitor) tell me I have a resting heart rate (when reading emails of a non-stressful nature) of 49bpm. Not the fittest I've been, but it'll do for now.
I'll add some photos once I work out how, but for now, I'd better let Maggie (Border Collie) and Billy (rescue greyhound) out for their midnight jaunt around the garden.
I will leave some detailed info, in time, of my ongoing "training", but so far, in summary, on average I'm doing 100-200miles per week, as when the weather is nice, it seems irresistible to the masochist in me to not cycle the 17miles home from work - whether I leave at 7pm, or 10.45pm (as I did on Tuesday after a stone-eating Border Collie decided to vomit for a day - the 3rd time she has done this!). It takes me anything from 1hr to 1hr20mins on my mountain bike, about 57mins to 1hr 5mins on my racer, and oddly, as little as 50mins on my newly acquired hydbrid, so guess which bike I'm doing the 1000miles with? You're correct - the most comfortable one - not sure which one this is yet...
I weigh 92Kg, but despite the last 6-8 weeks (lost track of time since the weather made cycling more appealing) of training, the only time I have temporarily managed to lose weight was to 91Kg after cycling 71miles in 4hrs 10mins on a very sunny Sunday.
My plan is to increase the number of these longer cycles on consecutive days to at least 4, not sure when I'll achieve this for the first time. My polar watch (and heart monitor) tell me I have a resting heart rate (when reading emails of a non-stressful nature) of 49bpm. Not the fittest I've been, but it'll do for now.
I'll add some photos once I work out how, but for now, I'd better let Maggie (Border Collie) and Billy (rescue greyhound) out for their midnight jaunt around the garden.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)