May
6
2012
Woke up fairly early at 0700 as Rafe was picking me up at 0800, managed to force some breakfast down, but it was a struggle… I’m not very good with breakie at that time of the morning. Rafe turned up and we loaded the car up.
Got to the start and it was cold! we didn’t want to hang about but the organisers wanted to keep us at the start whilst some ex olympic woman did a rousing speech, but to be honest I wasnt really listening as i wanted to get going! finally we were off, it was still cold. I deliberately kept the pace slow behind some guys on MTB’s until we had got to the top of the first hill, then I felt a bit warmer and we were off proper! Got to the bottom of the first hill and I had a total head freeze, most unpleasant, but thankfully head thawed pretty quick and Rafe and I settled into a fairly steady pace, with plenty of overtaking going on, which bolstered my spirits.
We seemed to get to Wallingford pretty quickly and the town was fairly quiet. Then came one of the bad bits of the course, on some pretty main roads but we were soon off them again. After we had turned to Didcot, Rafe got a bit of a spurt on and I got stuck behind some slower riders, so I sat back and enjoyed the slightly slower pace. I knew the road straightened out soon so as soon as it was safe I overtook the bunch of people, I was surprised to find another group in front of them so ended up overtaking up about 15 other riders and caught up with Rafe just before the route split at Sutton.
We were soon at the horrid Hanney road, but Rafe and I got chatting and the road seemed to go past quickly, which is always good as we both hate this stretch of road! Just into Hanney we stopped at my Mother-in-laws where I had some cake waiting, along with a great cup of tea.
Very little to report again, just nice riding and the sun was threatening to come out. Kingston Lisle hill was soon up on us, Rafe as usual disappeared, but I knew he would be waiting at the top, near to one of his favorite houses at the top! I wasnt disappointed, but I think he was a little surprised to see me quite so soon.
Next hill was at Childrey, this is a bit longer and I struggle on it, but I just got my head down and plodded on and it was soon over. We stopped just before the decent into Wantage and were overtaken by a couple of flash guys on carbon bikes with all the gear on, they blanked us! I had caught up with them by Wanatge and managed to keep up with them through Wantage, which judging by the looks I was getting, didn’t go down very well with them! Still fair game for a fat bloke on an entry-level bike huh?!
Pretty standard ride back to the start/finish at Harwell and managed to push a bit extra to the end, though it wasnt a sprint finish by any stretch of the imagination!
In all, it was a great day, with great company from Rafe. Today I remembered that I actually enjoy cycling, I had lost my way a bit, thinking it was all about distance and days on the bike, it isn’t, just get out and enjoy it!
Stats:
Trip Miles: 58.71 miles
Average Speed: 14.5 mph
Total Time: 4 hrs 4 min 55 sec
Details can be found HERE
LAST YEARS STATS:
Stats:
Trip Miles: 60.12 miles
Average Speed: 14.5 mph
Total Time: 4 hrs 11 min 58 sec
Details can be found HERE
May
5
2012
unfortunately I had to give up on the #30daysofbiking thing. As most of you are aware I work 12 hour shifts in a fairly physically demanding job and I got into my 84 hour week and I was totally shattered. A poor excuse I know but when Im on nights I manage around 3 -4 hours sleep during the day and none during the shift, cycling has to take a back seat.
So, tomorrow is the Oxfordshire Classic bike ride, looking forward to this, will be great to ride with Rafe again, it has been far too long. If you see me out on course, say hi! I’m number 471.
Last years review can be found HERE, don’t think I will be beating last years time, but it’s about fun not speed!
Apr
17
2012
Been at work for a very long day, Doug the job I don’t really like, but I’ve walked in excess of 7 miles, which is good.
Got home and cycled to the end if the road and back. Not impressive but at least I’ve carried it on!
More tomorrow
Apr
16
2012
Kids were back at school today… Typically they are up at around 6am, but today, when we needed to be up I was waking them up at 0745! So after a bit of a rush, they were dispatched to class and I came home. I got a nice stew under way in the slow cooker (Shin of Beef slow cooked for 6/7 hours is to die for) I then put the washing on, washed up and did the hoovering. Not bad by 10am! So, what to do next? Well I wanted a frame mounted pump for the new bike so thought I may as well pop to town and get one, normally I would catch the bus or wait till the missus was home, but I thought sod it, so I got the new bike out and off we went.
I was just passing the allotment, so I popped up there and opened the window on the potting shed and watered, then headed to the bike shop and bought the pump and a couple of tubes. I was quite in the mood for a bit of a cycle so I decided to head back the alternative route, so I did! It’s a good track from the back of Wantage to Grove and it was a pleasure going down it, a dog decided to come up to me and say hello, so I stopped and said hello back, its owner came up and we started chatting bikes, he was impressed with the Trek! Even going as far as commenting on how far they had come since he was riding on his steel road bike!
I got to the cross roads and I was still feeling good so, headed off the path towards the old lock (another one from the one I saw earlier in the week) The path had been cut back and yet again was a joy to ride on. I eventually got back to the road and headed for home.
Path by the old lock
Got to meet the missus in town after lunch so think I will cycle then too!
Stats:
Trip Miles: 7.13 miles
Average Speed: 10.2 mph
Total Time: 0 hrs 43 min 38 sec
Details can be found HERE
Apr
15
2012
Half way then, been a great start to the month, lets hope this continues.
Today was going to be another MTB type day, I didn’t really know where to cycle, so I suggested the missus and kids might like to go and visit my dad, which they were happy to do, so I got them to drop me off on the Ridgeway and I agreed to meet them there.
Nice riding, the wind was cold but I was working hard enough to keep warm. The paths were deeply rutted at times and quite a challenge for me in places, but on the whole it was good going, not spells of mud or standing water, just the odd puddle. The up hills I tackled at a steady pace, maybe I could have gone faster but I was happy plodding.
Funny thing with the Ridgeway, is although the views are great, it’s not actually very interesting in my option, the paths are pretty good and for most of the time you don’t actually have to think a great deal!
Still, it was nice getting out and getting to the old mans place, feeling not very knackered at all.
Stats:
Trip Miles: 11.06 miles
Average Speed: 9.6 mph
Total Time: 1 hrs 10 min 02 sec
Details can be found HERE
Apr
14
2012
Just a VERY quick spin round the block tonight, been very busy all day. Still, I got out and normally I would not have bothered, so it’s another win for 30 days!
A word now about Clive, he announced today he is winding up his blog, I totally understand why, but just wanted to say here, good luck mukka, it has been a pleasure reading about your adventures via your blog in such a beautifully well written and often frank way. You have been a great source of inspiration. I know we will still be in contact by Twitter and Facebook, but still, all the best matey!
Finally for today, i signed up this morning for the Oxfordshire Classic, here is hoping I will do better than last year!
Stats:
Trip Miles: 0.26 miles
Average Speed: 8.7 mph
Total Time: 0 hrs 1 min 54 sec
Details HERE
Apr
13
2012
Got up from nights mid afternoon and felt surprisingly good, did what I needed to do around the house and the announced I was off for a ride!
Took the new bike and I thought I would head in a loop covering Ardington and Hanney, no real problems and I was pushing along quite well. Got over the main road and started down towards the track that leads North, again the down hill was nice and I just enjoyed the view really. I was just passing the last barn on the Bridleway when the farmer yelled at me, I stopped and said “Hello, everything alright?” then the conversation went along these lines:
F: You shouldnt be here
M: But its a bridleway or have I got it wrong?
F: Yes but people are always coming down here
M: Well they are legally allowed to, do you get moch bother?
F: Not the point
M: Ok, well can I carry on or shall I head back to the main road?
F: Humph you come this far you might as well bloody carry on
Got to love ‘em! Still I got home, and I was right, i was on the Bridleway, I had strayed less than 50 foot at one point further up the hill but not when he spoke with me!
After that it was plain sailing and a joy to be out, I crossed under the railway line and then needed to turn left to pick up another track, I knew it wasnt a very well used one, but it was not clear where it went, so instead of cutting accross the middle of the field I went round the edge and finally found some signs, which were un readable! From this point I sort of followed by nose a bit, again sticking to the edge of the fields when literally all of a suddon I came across one of the old locks on the abandoned canal, so i stopped and had a poke round. Looked like no-one had been here for years and it was strangly errie to be honest, thinking of all the traffic that used to pass along here.
I cut through and into another field, when things started looking better as there was a path sprayed across the field, so I followed that and ended up where I was planning to be. After that it was a quick hop home. Had a bit of time on my return so gave her a good clean and lube ready for tomorrows adventures!
Stats:
Trip Miles: 11.05 miles
Average Speed: 8.8 mph
Total Time: 1 hrs 18 min 21 sec
Details can be found HERE
Apr
12
2012
Oh what a great day!
Worked last night and im working tonight, but we wont say anything abot so far having 0 hours sleep. Today has been more fun than sleep, today I got my new bike, thanks to the company allowing Cyclescheme to run again. I mentioned before that I was going for the Trek 4900 mountain bike, the voucher arrived yesterday and I arranged to collect it this morning.
A few of you have been asking about the spec on Twitter so, here you go;
Colours: Gloss Metallic Black (I went Black and Red to match the 1.2 (and got called a tart in the bike shop)) Crystal Pearl White
Frame: Alpha Gold Aluminum w/semi-integrated head tube, formed down tube w/integrated gusset, formed top tube, monostay seatstay, forged dropouts w/rack & fender mounts, replaceable derailleur hanger
Front suspension: SR Suntour XCR-RL w/coil spring, preload, remote lockout, 100mm travel
Sizes: 13, 16, 18, 19.5, 21, 22.5, 24″ (I have the 22.5″ frame)
Wheels: Shimano RM66 center lock alloy hubs; Bontrager AT-850 disc 32-hole rims
Tyres: Bontrager XR2, wire bead, 26×2.1″
Shifters: Shimano Deore M591, 10 speed
Front derailleur: Shimano Deore
Rear derailleur: Shimano SLX M663 Shadow
Crank: Shimano M522, 42/32/24
Cassette: Shimano HG62-10 11-36, 10 speed
Pedals: Wellgo alloy platform (already swapped these for the DMR pedals I bought around Christmas)
Saddle: Bontrager Evoke 1
Seatpost: Bontrager SSR, 31.6mm, 20mm offset
Handlebar: Bontrager Low Riser OS, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 9 degree sweep
Stem: Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm
Headset: 1-1/8″ threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings
Brakeset: Shimano M446 hydraulic disc brakes
Grips: Bontrager SSR
So I popped over to Giles, and was greeting with the usual “Hi” “How are you? “Been riding much?” “Hows the 1.2?” Which I simply love, proves they are all about customer service and that means a lot to me. With all the paper work sorted, I was off, couldnt resisit a little ride round the car park before driving home!
Got home and sorted the bits out… Garmin mount etc and then I was going to head to bed. I didnt, infact I couldnt, I wanted to go and have a little spin. So I did.
Wasnt totally sure where to go, didnt want to get too far from home on the first ride, so I headed out on a gravel path and sort of followed my nose round in a loop. I had a massive smile on my face the whole way round, even when I wasnt totally sure how I was getting home! I followed a bridlepath that would link up with the back road home but I got as far as the railway crossing to find the gates were padlocked I could have probably jumped the fence, but at this point the trains are doing 125mph and we have done a course on railway safety with work and quite honestly I wasnt chancing it, I cant believe people do. I did take a quick video from the crossing, just to highlight how fast these things are going..
I knew there was another crossing further along so i just rode, found a couple of dead ends but I think that could be part of the fun!
Got home with no problems, except that big grin on my face. I will write a proper review of the bike when Ive had a better chance to ride it and when Im not quite so shattered, but first impressions are very good.
Stats:
Trip Miles: 6.92 miles
Average Speed: 8.6 mph
Total Time: 0 hrs 50 min 26 sec
Details can be found HERE
The matching Fleet
Apr
11
2012
Still on nights and really struggling with them again, I hoped after a couple of weeks off I would feel re-charged but unfortunately it seems I’m still feeling permanently tired. Anyway, Got up around 1400 and bumbled round the house for a bit, then decided I should go out and ride whilst the sun was shining, heavy rain was forecast.
I popped round the garage first and threw some oil at the chain and pumped the tyres up, a bare minimum of effort really but the bike is as good as gold, except for a bit of a “lump” in the back wheel, which hopefully I will get round to sorting at the weekend.
As soon as I had done my first mile I knew that todays ride was going to be a struggle, not because of the weather or anything in particular, I just wasnt feeling the love! The ride passed without anything much happening, other than my foot coming out of the clip pedal and knocking my Garmin Cadence senor into the spokes, no bother though, pulled it back out and off we went, for me to do exactly the same thing 20 seconds later.
Average stats from todays ride, lot of effort was put in though!
Storms a brewing
Stats:
Trip Miles: 11.39 miles
Average Speed: 15.2 mph
Total Time: 0 hrs 44 min 54 sec
Details can be found HERE
Apr
10
2012
Nights have hit hard after 2 weeks off. Cycled to the end of the road and back yesterday!
yes, so nothing to report, didn’t feel good just cycling to the end of the road and back but I literally had 5 minutes before I needed to be going to work so drastic actions were called for!
Just for the sake of completeness, here are the stats… No laughing now please
Stats:
Trip Miles: 0.16 miles
Average Speed: 9 mph
Total Time: 0 hrs 1 min 02 sec
Details can be found HERE