Well 2011 is drawing to an end. This being the year where I finally got off my arse and did something about fitness, and my impending early death (Dad 34 - Mum 56 - I'm probably on borrowed time already). It all started in April when my lovely wife (aka the soup dragon) gave me permission to purchase my first road bike. This after a few failed attempts to get into cycling in the mud with my son. These failed on the grounds that he likes it, I don't.
So I started off with an aluminium road bike, weighing in at a robust 10.3 kg. I had no idea of what was a good weight, nor for that matter how much it matters.
Quickly got to like the freedom and (perceived) speed that I could ride, as well as distances I never thought I'd do.
I also quickly got to understand that bike ownership is a cruel and expensive mistress. There's always something fancy, lighter and faster that is absolutely necessary to make the relationship work. I also found out that cleaning and tinkering with the bike is almost as pleasurable as riding it.
So at the end of 9 months of riding, I have reached 1906 miles, with an average distance of 26 miles.
This includes a paltry 83 miles between 8th October and the end of November when I was suffering with a neck injury.
The bike has been transformed along the way, with the only original parts being the seat, rear derailleur, and shifters. My little white shining beauty now weighs in at 7.92 kg. Importantly that's with pedals, as it appears bike weights are always quoted without. At the start I thought my dream bike would be the Cannondale Supersix at 8.14kg. Who needs a supersix anyway?
Mile stones along the way:
8th July - 1st Century ride (metric)
8th August - reached first 1000 miles.
30th August - 1st Century ride (imperial)
August was also my first and only 400 mile month.
So what have I learnt?
That I am good company for myself.
The wind is a bitch.
Kent is not as flat as a car makes it seem.
Cyclists are mostly friendly, but some are miserable bastards. I put this down to them riding against the wind.
Some days hills are bumps, others they are mountains.
Sometimes it's just as much fun going up a hill as it is down the other side. Sometimes it isn't.
Sometimes I just start smiling or chuckling for no discernible reason. If you see this happening, just ignore me and avoid calling for the boys from the funny farm.
If you are considerate to cars and vans, often times they will be considerate back.
Sometimes cars, vans and lorry drivers are gits. I put it down to their small penises and reduced life expectancy.
Whilst weight and equipment isn't everything, it is important to feel good about your bike. This makes you want to use it.
The bike is never finished, there's always something nice and necessary that will make it even better.
As a stress buster, going for a ride after work cannot be beaten.
The patience of my wife, through me being out for hours, referring to her as the soup dragon in my blog, and picking me up at the end of my two century rides is extraordinary, and deserves all the Pandora beads and Radley bags she wants. (see small print).
As for weight loss, and fitness: the weird thing about fitness is that you gain it gradually so it's hard to tell whether you have achieved anything. However given that I have gone from a largely sedentary lifestyle to being a regular cyclist I must be fitter.
I started out at 13 stone 7, and just the other day reached my lightest weight for many years - drum roll etc etc - 13 stone. Whoopee do. That includes a vastly reduced intake of alcohol. I have however dropped at least one trouser size. I guess the lack of weight loss, must be the weight of my increased life expectancy.
2012 - what will it bring - more of the same I hope, I have some targets in mind, but the most important one is to keep on riding with the same enjoyment for years to come.
Happy New Year to all.
Friday 30 December 2011
Sunday 4 December 2011
At last....
Having had a rotten time in the past two months, hardly any cycling, either through injury or working long hours, I finally managed to get out for a reasonable ride today, only 18 miles, but wind made it quite hard in places. Still, as it was cold (ish) I am satisfied I have the right clothing to keep going through the winter, but breathing cold air has left me with a sore throat and a cough.
It didn't start well, my daughter announcing that I looked like santa claus. I am hoping she was referring to the red and black bib tights and red jacket as opposed to my girth.
Still it felt good to be out on the road, it's a bare arsed place in the winter, quite raw in places, and a complete contrast to summer.
Doesn't look like I'll make 2000 miles from April, these last two months of inactivity have left me some 270 miles short. I'll struggle to make that unless I get some big ones in over the next few weekends.
However next years target of 3000 miles will be a fun challenge, no excuses about bike, weather, time etc. Average of 250 miles a month needed. I'm also thinking of other challenges, perhaps a number of century rides, metric and imperial, increased average speed etc etc.
At least cycling now feeling good again, roll on the next ride!
It didn't start well, my daughter announcing that I looked like santa claus. I am hoping she was referring to the red and black bib tights and red jacket as opposed to my girth.
Still it felt good to be out on the road, it's a bare arsed place in the winter, quite raw in places, and a complete contrast to summer.
Doesn't look like I'll make 2000 miles from April, these last two months of inactivity have left me some 270 miles short. I'll struggle to make that unless I get some big ones in over the next few weekends.
However next years target of 3000 miles will be a fun challenge, no excuses about bike, weather, time etc. Average of 250 miles a month needed. I'm also thinking of other challenges, perhaps a number of century rides, metric and imperial, increased average speed etc etc.
At least cycling now feeling good again, roll on the next ride!
Saturday 19 November 2011
Dirty bikes and wet bums
Slowly but surely getting back to riding, neck still sore, but physio has identified the problem, essentially a tangle of knotted up muscles around neck and shoulder. However today, the sun was out, the sky a glorious blue and whatever happened I was going to get on my bike and ride.
Only 23 miles, and not at great pace, maybe I am just not born to be a fast rider, but very very enjoyable. It's weird to be thinking that it was only 23 miles, as that's not a bad distance in itself, but not much of an achievement these days.
The bike got filthy and has a hideous squeak, so upon my return it was a good cleaning session and strip down of the rear derailleur. Not something I'd ever attempted before, in fact I'd never taken my own chain off before. What a biff.
Funnily enough, the process of cleaning and maintaining the bike is almost as much pleasure as the ride itself. Perhaps in future I'll save the energy and just go out for a bike clean.
With about a month off riding, not sure I'm going to make my 2000 mile target by the end of the year, not unless I get out and put some long miles in, or at least get out and do some riding in the dark. An experience I have yet to partake of.
One achievement I have, is that this must by now be the longest I have stuck with any form of voluntary fitness. Perhaps there's hope for a long life yet.
Only 23 miles, and not at great pace, maybe I am just not born to be a fast rider, but very very enjoyable. It's weird to be thinking that it was only 23 miles, as that's not a bad distance in itself, but not much of an achievement these days.
The bike got filthy and has a hideous squeak, so upon my return it was a good cleaning session and strip down of the rear derailleur. Not something I'd ever attempted before, in fact I'd never taken my own chain off before. What a biff.
Funnily enough, the process of cleaning and maintaining the bike is almost as much pleasure as the ride itself. Perhaps in future I'll save the energy and just go out for a bike clean.
With about a month off riding, not sure I'm going to make my 2000 mile target by the end of the year, not unless I get out and put some long miles in, or at least get out and do some riding in the dark. An experience I have yet to partake of.
One achievement I have, is that this must by now be the longest I have stuck with any form of voluntary fitness. Perhaps there's hope for a long life yet.
Sunday 6 November 2011
Good versus bad
In the news department....
Still not cycling properly, partly because neck is not yet fixed, and partly because I hadn't finished building my new bike.
However on Friday I finally finished it all off. So I am now the VERY proud owner of a beautiful white carbon framed racing bike - weight without pedals (this is important) is 7.7kg. From getting the riding bug I wanted a Cannondale Supersix at a cost of £1800, this is the one I was holding out to and agreed not to get to September 2012 at the earliest. It weighs 7.9kg and is rubbish compared to my bike!
Only managed to get out on the bike today and after 5 miles, neck aching and rear gears all a jumble, decided to call it a day, I think I now have them sorted out, 2 hours of fettling on Friday was clearly not enough. Now I'm not a stupid person, I was even a member of Mensa until I realised it was a bit boring, but I'll be buggered if I can get the hang of setting those blasted things up.
So now, I'm going to have to take the risk of riding at night time, because the clocks have gone back... so that we can have more daylight! What? Did you slow down the rotation of the earth by moving the hour hand? Or have we in fact got exactly the same amount of daylight, but, so that an industry that employs a miniscule number of people (and an even smaller number of British people) can have a bit of a lie in - yes farmers. Get up earlier and plough your fields, or turn the lights of your stupidly big and cumbersome tractors on. Leave the clocks as they are so that when kids come running out of school desperate to get home and play on the x station they can do so in the daylight, whilst I stand a fighting chance of getting out on the bike after work. Rant over. for now.
Anyhow, even with gears all over the place, neck ache and a stupidly strong wind felt great to get out for just a short while, and more determined than ever to make sure I carry on riding through winter.
Sunday 23 October 2011
Pigs ear to silk purse
Well, I have taken the plunge. It's no use having these aspirational bike ideas, and thoughts that maybe this time next year I may just be able to have enough to get one if I am lucky. Meanwhile cycling on my current bike wishing it was something else.
I have looked at my current bike, and as brought, with specific upgrades it's a fairly decent outfit, dressed on a frame built by blind one handed orphans in Taiwan.
So the answer is, buy a frame and forks, and move all my good stuff from the first bike, onto my new hopefully lightweight, better riding bike, which will take me to the next step of riding.
I think the idea of building my own will be an extra part of the pleasure, and thank Marcus for showing me the excitement he is having with the prospect of building his own dream bike.
In theory I should end up with a far better bike, which will last me ages. Bonus will be that I will have sufficient parts from previous mini upgrades to make virtually a whole bike again, with a bit of luck Marcus will be happy enough to come and hit the roads with me, whilst he trains for his enduro racing.
Now there is one major issue I will have to finally get round to though.... white seat post or black?????
Sunday 16 October 2011
Getting me down
Having not had a single day off sick for nearly 11 years I managed to hurt a neck muscle whilst out on a simple ride, I wouldn't mind if I had been run down by a lorry, attacked by a marauding escaped bull or something equally worthy of a story of the warry type, but no I managed to get a jolt on one of the potholes I pay for with my road and petrol and council tax. Upshot of it is that I've learnt how many normal functions includes the use of the particular muscle, from sneezing downwards and yes including some "gross" muscle movements.
No cycling all week then, and had really hoped it would be fixed by now, especially as the last dregs of summer are still around, I NEED TO GET OUT AND RIDE!!!!!!
No such luck, the way things are going I'm not even sure I will get back out tomorrow, even though I have resumed fit for duty - only to avoid the incessent nagging masquerading as concern, that is positive attendance management. It gives me a new insight into members of my staff who get the phone call from me, so there's a small silver lining.
Perhaps I need some retail therapy to cheer me up, now where did I leave that spare thousand pounds?
Soup dragons birthday tomorrow, or the first time in her life, she has not been able to provide a birthday list, she needs to get a bike, then she'll always have a list!!!
Tuesday 27 September 2011
What do cyclists do when they are stressed?
If you cycle for a living what do you do if you are stressed? Do you go to an office? Spend a day working in a factory? Get rat arsed or beat the wife up? I only ask because I am finding that cycling is doing the trick for de-stressing me. It's fair to say that this past week hasn't been one I'll be thinking of fondly for years to come, in fact there's been times when some of the above options sounded and felt like a good idea. Nevertheless, the weather gods were reasonable and I managed to get some miles in and felt the better for it.
My friend CC (currently an ex cyclist sadly for him) doesn't like the sound of the wind in his ears, in fact we spent some time planning a world beating invention to solve the problem. For me though I like the sound, I picture it as all the bad shit tumbling down the road behind me.
For a variety of reasons I struggled to get many miles in this month, in fact less than half of what I did in August. One highlight worth mentioning though, had me nowhere near a bike - or in fact very close to about 100 bikes. I went up to London to watch the Tour of Britain reach it's finale, and it's certainly given me the taste for watching some more. Perhaps I'll have to plan something for the Olympics.
Good to be a cyclist at the moment, weather gorgeous, Cav is the world champion, and stress never stays around for long. Happy days.
My friend CC (currently an ex cyclist sadly for him) doesn't like the sound of the wind in his ears, in fact we spent some time planning a world beating invention to solve the problem. For me though I like the sound, I picture it as all the bad shit tumbling down the road behind me.
For a variety of reasons I struggled to get many miles in this month, in fact less than half of what I did in August. One highlight worth mentioning though, had me nowhere near a bike - or in fact very close to about 100 bikes. I went up to London to watch the Tour of Britain reach it's finale, and it's certainly given me the taste for watching some more. Perhaps I'll have to plan something for the Olympics.
Good to be a cyclist at the moment, weather gorgeous, Cav is the world champion, and stress never stays around for long. Happy days.
Thursday 15 September 2011
Racing the sunset
Having left work at 4.30 I was desperate to get a good long ride in, having endured several days of stupid winds. The day was reasonably calm, but bright blue skies.
Anyhow, I managed to set off by 5.30 on a great route, enjoying the best of autumn riding. So there's some downsides but for every shadow there has to be light.
Flies in the mouth - at least they contain carbohydrate.
Low sun in the eyes - there will be an awesome sunset.
Cold arms - I can warm them up wrapped around the soup dragon.
In the end I managed just under 30 before the sun dipped below the horizon. Bike riding like a dream, and I've even managed to rediscover a good set up, now knownothingbozo, stop tinkering!
Up to 1433 miles now, so 1500 is an easy achievement, maybe even by the weekend. Then it's a question of what I am going to be able to do during the winter. Perhaps some early shifts and late shifts will give me daytime riding, then hold out hope for a good long one each weekend. I reckon 200 miles a month is achievable.
On the sad news, I've shaken hands with the soup dragon on a deal not to buy a new bike for another year. All my cognitive distortions have come crashing to the ground in the face of cold hard facts. So I now have to remind myself (and this ride is a good example) that just riding is fun, on any bike. By the time I get my shiney super lightweight dream machine, I'll be very much fitter with many more miles under my tires, and ready for the next level - riding with someone else!
I now have a smart phone with android, so watch out for lots of fun facts and figures as it (hereon known as Mrs Data - the geeks will appreciate this) spits out the daily reminders of what a lazy bloke I am.
Anyhow, I managed to set off by 5.30 on a great route, enjoying the best of autumn riding. So there's some downsides but for every shadow there has to be light.
Flies in the mouth - at least they contain carbohydrate.
Low sun in the eyes - there will be an awesome sunset.
Cold arms - I can warm them up wrapped around the soup dragon.
In the end I managed just under 30 before the sun dipped below the horizon. Bike riding like a dream, and I've even managed to rediscover a good set up, now knownothingbozo, stop tinkering!
Up to 1433 miles now, so 1500 is an easy achievement, maybe even by the weekend. Then it's a question of what I am going to be able to do during the winter. Perhaps some early shifts and late shifts will give me daytime riding, then hold out hope for a good long one each weekend. I reckon 200 miles a month is achievable.
On the sad news, I've shaken hands with the soup dragon on a deal not to buy a new bike for another year. All my cognitive distortions have come crashing to the ground in the face of cold hard facts. So I now have to remind myself (and this ride is a good example) that just riding is fun, on any bike. By the time I get my shiney super lightweight dream machine, I'll be very much fitter with many more miles under my tires, and ready for the next level - riding with someone else!
I now have a smart phone with android, so watch out for lots of fun facts and figures as it (hereon known as Mrs Data - the geeks will appreciate this) spits out the daily reminders of what a lazy bloke I am.
Wednesday 31 August 2011
Know nothing bozo gets a bike: I'm special
Know nothing bozo gets a bike: I'm special: I've always known I was special. My Mum told me. The authorities told me. My school was a special school. Now I've been reminded how special...
Know nothing bozo gets a bike: Achievements and awe
Know nothing bozo gets a bike: Achievements and awe: Better late than never, delayed updating of blog after yesterday due to 1) Going to see Inbetweeners movie - funny 2) Today having to go w...
Achievements and awe
Better late than never, delayed updating of blog after yesterday due to
1) Going to see Inbetweeners movie - funny
2) Today having to go work to see chap sentenced to 9 years - not funny but satisfying in it's own way.
Anyway - achievements is the title: yesterday I set out from Home in Sittingbourne at 0845, had my new long tights and a long sleeve top - in yellow - hoping that some of its legend would rub off on me. 103 miles, and 6 hours and 40 minutes later I arrived in Rye, having travelled pretty much all the way round the coast of Kent en route. Felt good fitness wise, but knees started to hurt from about 70 onwards. In total, a whole 40 miles further than I had ever ridden before.
At 17 miles I stopped for a slice of malt loaf, and thought to myself, "one sixth of the way, this will be easy" half a mile later the side of my brain that doesn't think stupid thoughts (it's a small and relatively unused side) realised, that twice what I had done was still only one third. So I gave up thinking about fractions, a bit like school days revisited really.
I was hoping for a sign that said "Welcome to Sussex" so I could celebrate my first ever ride from one county to another. Instead all I saw was a sign reflecting the locals most recent fashion revival "welcome to 1066 country" That will have to do I suppose.
Sense of achievement on arrival at the finish point was great, especially as I think cycling 100 miles is probably my single biggest physical achievement, including anything I ever did in the army, even though my first BFT was a bit of a nightmare!
Major thanks to my gorgeous soup dragon who picked me up, less thanks for the idea of calling in at the cinema on the way home. This wonderful idea resulted in me considering calling for a wheelchair to get me from the cinema to the car. Next time, I''ll be going via a hot bath and a pint of beer.
As always following any cycle sport I can on the TV, also finding a rich vein of good books on the subject, cycling 100 miles does give you a knew sense of perspective on just how awesome the athletes are who do this regularly, whether they be professionals in team Sky or just an amateur who's been round the block a bit.
Chapeau! to all of you.
1) Going to see Inbetweeners movie - funny
2) Today having to go work to see chap sentenced to 9 years - not funny but satisfying in it's own way.
Anyway - achievements is the title: yesterday I set out from Home in Sittingbourne at 0845, had my new long tights and a long sleeve top - in yellow - hoping that some of its legend would rub off on me. 103 miles, and 6 hours and 40 minutes later I arrived in Rye, having travelled pretty much all the way round the coast of Kent en route. Felt good fitness wise, but knees started to hurt from about 70 onwards. In total, a whole 40 miles further than I had ever ridden before.
At 17 miles I stopped for a slice of malt loaf, and thought to myself, "one sixth of the way, this will be easy" half a mile later the side of my brain that doesn't think stupid thoughts (it's a small and relatively unused side) realised, that twice what I had done was still only one third. So I gave up thinking about fractions, a bit like school days revisited really.
I was hoping for a sign that said "Welcome to Sussex" so I could celebrate my first ever ride from one county to another. Instead all I saw was a sign reflecting the locals most recent fashion revival "welcome to 1066 country" That will have to do I suppose.
Sense of achievement on arrival at the finish point was great, especially as I think cycling 100 miles is probably my single biggest physical achievement, including anything I ever did in the army, even though my first BFT was a bit of a nightmare!
Major thanks to my gorgeous soup dragon who picked me up, less thanks for the idea of calling in at the cinema on the way home. This wonderful idea resulted in me considering calling for a wheelchair to get me from the cinema to the car. Next time, I''ll be going via a hot bath and a pint of beer.
As always following any cycle sport I can on the TV, also finding a rich vein of good books on the subject, cycling 100 miles does give you a knew sense of perspective on just how awesome the athletes are who do this regularly, whether they be professionals in team Sky or just an amateur who's been round the block a bit.
Chapeau! to all of you.
Wednesday 24 August 2011
I'm special
I've always known I was special. My Mum told me. The authorities told me. My school was a special school. Now I've been reminded how special I am. The met office have a special bit on their website, especially for me. When I look at the local forecast for wind before a bike ride, they have a white number. That's the wind speed and direction for non special people. They then have a special red number, that's the personalised wind forecast for me. So where it says gusting to 20mph, what it's actually saying is "David, the wind will be consistent 20 mph minimum into your face, whichever way you ride. Especially for you."
So here's the deal:
Captains of the Volvo round the world yacht race I am at the service of the highest bidder. Put me on your boat, sit me astride a bike on a turbo trainer, facing towards the back of the boat, and you are guaranteed there will always be a strong wind behind you.
You should however be aware that my contract will say I can get off and go home if I get scared or cold.
So here's the deal:
Captains of the Volvo round the world yacht race I am at the service of the highest bidder. Put me on your boat, sit me astride a bike on a turbo trainer, facing towards the back of the boat, and you are guaranteed there will always be a strong wind behind you.
You should however be aware that my contract will say I can get off and go home if I get scared or cold.
Sunday 14 August 2011
A picture of misery
Sat on my bum, bike upside down and rear wheel removed on the A20, face resting on hands, feeling a touch downhearted, I imagine the motorists driving by were thinking that's why they don't cycle and associated thoughts.
However they miss out on a cracking ride with a good friend, a few nasty hills but some lovely sweeping bends on a nice day for riding. Only ruined by total failure of the rear inner tube. Fortunately only a few miles from the end of the ride, so my good friend went ahead and came back to get me in the car.
The most disheartening thing was failing to ride 50 miles, instead I end the day with a paltry 48.85 miles. It's like hitting the post in a penalty.
Lesson learnt, carry a spare inner tube and something to pump it with.
Slightly better feeling was achieved last week when I reached over 1000 miles in total distance cycling since I got my bike on 2nd April. I felt / feel pretty chuffed with myself achieving that particular milestone.
As milestones go, today I also beat my maximum speed record and achieved 40.8 mph (downhill) pretty exhilerating, and slightly scary. However this in itself just serves to remind me what a different league professionals are in. Thor Hushovd on his way to winning a stage in the TDF achieved over 60mph downhill. Lunacy.
Today also provided a reminder of how quickly it can go wrong health wise, when we cycled passed a cyclist being loaded into an ambulance, with his bike (nice carbon looking one) in a pile on the side of the road. I hope someone was able to recover it for him, as I suspect the thought of losing his precious bike was almost as painful as whatever injury he got. Hope he's okay and the bike survived.
However they miss out on a cracking ride with a good friend, a few nasty hills but some lovely sweeping bends on a nice day for riding. Only ruined by total failure of the rear inner tube. Fortunately only a few miles from the end of the ride, so my good friend went ahead and came back to get me in the car.
The most disheartening thing was failing to ride 50 miles, instead I end the day with a paltry 48.85 miles. It's like hitting the post in a penalty.
Lesson learnt, carry a spare inner tube and something to pump it with.
Slightly better feeling was achieved last week when I reached over 1000 miles in total distance cycling since I got my bike on 2nd April. I felt / feel pretty chuffed with myself achieving that particular milestone.
As milestones go, today I also beat my maximum speed record and achieved 40.8 mph (downhill) pretty exhilerating, and slightly scary. However this in itself just serves to remind me what a different league professionals are in. Thor Hushovd on his way to winning a stage in the TDF achieved over 60mph downhill. Lunacy.
Today also provided a reminder of how quickly it can go wrong health wise, when we cycled passed a cyclist being loaded into an ambulance, with his bike (nice carbon looking one) in a pile on the side of the road. I hope someone was able to recover it for him, as I suspect the thought of losing his precious bike was almost as painful as whatever injury he got. Hope he's okay and the bike survived.
Sunday 31 July 2011
Me and my invisible bike.
Now, lets get this straight. I am a car driver. I hate cyclists who act like knobs. Because of that when I am cycling, I stop at all red lights, I signal to let people know where I am going. In short I obey the rules of the road, because if someone runs into me, I will sue your freaking arse off. After I have broken your snotter for you. However it seems I am wasting my time. Once I get on my bike, with my orange top, white helmet and sunburnt skin, it appears I turn invisible. It's a special type of invisible though, so not necessarily useful in a super hero / villain kind of way. I become invisible to small dicked, brain damaged, pimple faced morons in Renault Clios and other similar cars. What is it about these people? Go back to the start of the previous sentence and I appear to have answered my own question.
Bike stuff. I have now reduced the weight of my bike by 1kg, nearly all in rotational weight - new wheels, tubes and tires, and its running beautifully. Readers will obviously know that rotational weight is far more important than static weight, I won't insult your intelligence with the equations etc. Rather shocked and a tad peed off to discover state of my hubs on the old wheels, less than two months after full service by Evans. No wonder I am struggling to achieve decent regular speeds.
Yesterdays ride was 50 miles, average speed of 16.4 mph, an improvement of 1.9 over my best for a 40+ mile ride. It will now be interesting to see how my times improve on my other regular runs.
This month I have done over 300 miles for the first time. Another milestone ticked off. In August I have to do the same, as I have a target of cycling the equivalent distance to Rekjavik before September. So far I am at Split in Croatia! Getting over the Alps was easier than I expected.
Bike stuff. I have now reduced the weight of my bike by 1kg, nearly all in rotational weight - new wheels, tubes and tires, and its running beautifully. Readers will obviously know that rotational weight is far more important than static weight, I won't insult your intelligence with the equations etc. Rather shocked and a tad peed off to discover state of my hubs on the old wheels, less than two months after full service by Evans. No wonder I am struggling to achieve decent regular speeds.
Yesterdays ride was 50 miles, average speed of 16.4 mph, an improvement of 1.9 over my best for a 40+ mile ride. It will now be interesting to see how my times improve on my other regular runs.
This month I have done over 300 miles for the first time. Another milestone ticked off. In August I have to do the same, as I have a target of cycling the equivalent distance to Rekjavik before September. So far I am at Split in Croatia! Getting over the Alps was easier than I expected.
Sunday 17 July 2011
Windy decisions
It's demoralising, having ridden well over 700 miles since the beginning of April, started out with an average speed of 15 mph, now three and a half months later, my average speed is exactly the same. It's not for want of effort, today I rode 17 miles, and tried my level best to go at it as hard as I could all the way. I was well stocked up on carbs, etc, yes it was windy, but so is every single ride I do. Average speed - 15.6 mph, whoopy flipping do.
You read the blogs, and people are talking about average speeds of 20+, I know it doesn't happen overnight, but surely there has to be some improvement.
So it's got me thinking - what do I ride a bike for? Belly is still there, average speed not increasing, where is the tangible result? I guess at the beginning I wouldn't have been able to ride 100km in one go, and I do enjoy just being out and about. Perhaps todays big effort with little reward is just a downer.
Had a dream bike in mind, Cannondal Super Six, and was supposed to be saving for that, instead I have given up, and now plan to just upgrade the current bike, starting with new wheels. Lots of people say wheels and tyres are the things that make the biggest difference, so now I'm going to put the experts to the test. New tyres on the birthday list, and a bit of overtime will pay for new wheels. If that doesn't make any difference I may have to accept that I am doomed to be a fat twat, and will probably die early. Oh well. Shit happens.
You read the blogs, and people are talking about average speeds of 20+, I know it doesn't happen overnight, but surely there has to be some improvement.
So it's got me thinking - what do I ride a bike for? Belly is still there, average speed not increasing, where is the tangible result? I guess at the beginning I wouldn't have been able to ride 100km in one go, and I do enjoy just being out and about. Perhaps todays big effort with little reward is just a downer.
Had a dream bike in mind, Cannondal Super Six, and was supposed to be saving for that, instead I have given up, and now plan to just upgrade the current bike, starting with new wheels. Lots of people say wheels and tyres are the things that make the biggest difference, so now I'm going to put the experts to the test. New tyres on the birthday list, and a bit of overtime will pay for new wheels. If that doesn't make any difference I may have to accept that I am doomed to be a fat twat, and will probably die early. Oh well. Shit happens.
Saturday 9 July 2011
I'm a lucky man.
Today I set out to tick off one of my personal milestone targets, with the aim of cycling 100 km. To do this, I had to cycle somewhere where the return journey wouldn't kill me. Up steps the wonderful soup dragon, and agrees to pick me up from wherever I get to.
Off I set at 0900, having "carbed up" Get me with the lingo, plenty of fluids on board, and the knowledge that if I do nothing else, getting out for a ride, is better than being sat on my arse.
Down the road to Faversham, Whitstable, then Reculver, coast to Margate, across to Sandwich, then Deal and UP to Dover. The Deal to Dover ride was excrutiating, into the wind and nearly always up hill. Hurtled white knuckled down Jubilee Way, not daring to even glance at the cruise liners in port, and onto Marine Parade. One length up and back rounded off 63 miles, giving me a distance of about 101km. Smiley face.
My beautiful wife picked me up, and wasn't at all impressed, either with the accomplishment, or even being there. It's a personal thing I guess.
Off I set at 0900, having "carbed up" Get me with the lingo, plenty of fluids on board, and the knowledge that if I do nothing else, getting out for a ride, is better than being sat on my arse.
Down the road to Faversham, Whitstable, then Reculver, coast to Margate, across to Sandwich, then Deal and UP to Dover. The Deal to Dover ride was excrutiating, into the wind and nearly always up hill. Hurtled white knuckled down Jubilee Way, not daring to even glance at the cruise liners in port, and onto Marine Parade. One length up and back rounded off 63 miles, giving me a distance of about 101km. Smiley face.
My beautiful wife picked me up, and wasn't at all impressed, either with the accomplishment, or even being there. It's a personal thing I guess.
Monday 4 July 2011
Highs and lows
Just back from a lovely week camping with the adorable soup dragon in south Devon, glad I didn't take my bike, anyone who cycles there is either:
1. Psychopathic.
2. On more steroids than the entire entry for Mr. Universe.
3. Professional.
There is one ideal cycle route from Torcross, to Strete. One half a mile of beautiful seaside flat road, burger bar at one end, pub at the other. Other than that, 16% hills, and warnings "cyclists dismount" abound. You jokers, I'd have dismounted back in Torcross and stayed at the pub.
Anyway, a week of good breakfasts, heavy on the cholesterol, and nice beer were ideal preparation for a ride yesterday, 42 miles of absolute torture. I quite like Charing Hill, it's a good challenge and a great ride after it. However for me to even get there I have to cycle up the longest most soul destroying hill from Doddington. I hate it and dread it. It may be in fact my own personal nemesis.
Weird thing cycling, yesterday I was totally bonked, but managed 14.5 mph average. This evening, feeling good, 22 mile ride, felt like I was flying and managed a paltry 1 mph improvement. WTF?????
It's all head games. The main thing, this evening I remembered how much fun it can be.
1. Psychopathic.
2. On more steroids than the entire entry for Mr. Universe.
3. Professional.
There is one ideal cycle route from Torcross, to Strete. One half a mile of beautiful seaside flat road, burger bar at one end, pub at the other. Other than that, 16% hills, and warnings "cyclists dismount" abound. You jokers, I'd have dismounted back in Torcross and stayed at the pub.
Anyway, a week of good breakfasts, heavy on the cholesterol, and nice beer were ideal preparation for a ride yesterday, 42 miles of absolute torture. I quite like Charing Hill, it's a good challenge and a great ride after it. However for me to even get there I have to cycle up the longest most soul destroying hill from Doddington. I hate it and dread it. It may be in fact my own personal nemesis.
Weird thing cycling, yesterday I was totally bonked, but managed 14.5 mph average. This evening, feeling good, 22 mile ride, felt like I was flying and managed a paltry 1 mph improvement. WTF?????
It's all head games. The main thing, this evening I remembered how much fun it can be.
Sunday 19 June 2011
Divorce is on the cards
About 25 years ago, I ran 20 miles for the first time. I remember getting to the end and my legs wanted to keep going. Not so today. Today after 51.5 miles of cycling, my legs have served legal notice on me that they intend to apply for a divorce. I explained that as the fuit of the loins of two people who failed to make a combined age of 80 years, I needed to do something to get fit and extend my (and my legs) life. They announced that they believed in the afterlife and had been promised prime spot on the front half of three toed sloth. We are now undergoing a trial separation.
Talking memories, I don't recall there being so much wind in the past. It seems like every day the wind is upwards of 12 mph, because of where I live it's very hard to ride out into the wind and back again with the wind. That made todays 50 even more of a challenge, add to that intermittent rain showers and it was a proper challenge. For me at least. I feel good though, in the soul, if not the body. Not sure I'll be doing that far every weekend though. It's certainly boosted my months total mileage, at one point 200 this month looked unlikely, I'm now up to 183, and feel confident with three rides left that I'll be fine. Then a whole week of no cycling, cooked breakfasts in the morning (camping tradition) and beer. Next month I'll have to do 300!
Talking memories, I don't recall there being so much wind in the past. It seems like every day the wind is upwards of 12 mph, because of where I live it's very hard to ride out into the wind and back again with the wind. That made todays 50 even more of a challenge, add to that intermittent rain showers and it was a proper challenge. For me at least. I feel good though, in the soul, if not the body. Not sure I'll be doing that far every weekend though. It's certainly boosted my months total mileage, at one point 200 this month looked unlikely, I'm now up to 183, and feel confident with three rides left that I'll be fine. Then a whole week of no cycling, cooked breakfasts in the morning (camping tradition) and beer. Next month I'll have to do 300!
Wednesday 15 June 2011
Just a riding in the rain....
After a few days of watching 2600 reminders of how rotten people can be at times, I needed a good ride out to clear my soul. Took CC's advice yesterday and had a ride at 5.30 in the morning, 8 miles, no energy, cold and not happening again. Tonight back to a better routine, yes I know it's often more windy in the evening, and yes it was this evening. It was also very wet. But 20 miles later, in just over an hour and 10 minutes, soaked through to the bone, I feel good.
I also added another retro cycling T-shirt to my collection, it's odd that I only ever win the ones no-one else bids on, must be I have better taste than the rest of the country. You fashionista cyclists out there may mock me, but on the Great Kent Bike Ride on Sunday, the announcer was still talking about my vintage Gerolsteiner team shirt long after I'd passed the start line. I didn't hear him talk about anyone elses jersey.
Now starting to understand the need for a proper plan for my riding, so I am going to make use of rest days, and do more consistent distances. Leading to a big one of 40 miles plus at weekends (I know it's not big by everyones standards but I'm a bloke - size is relative).
Latest thing to add to my list of things learnt - I like riding in the rain.
I also added another retro cycling T-shirt to my collection, it's odd that I only ever win the ones no-one else bids on, must be I have better taste than the rest of the country. You fashionista cyclists out there may mock me, but on the Great Kent Bike Ride on Sunday, the announcer was still talking about my vintage Gerolsteiner team shirt long after I'd passed the start line. I didn't hear him talk about anyone elses jersey.
Now starting to understand the need for a proper plan for my riding, so I am going to make use of rest days, and do more consistent distances. Leading to a big one of 40 miles plus at weekends (I know it's not big by everyones standards but I'm a bloke - size is relative).
Latest thing to add to my list of things learnt - I like riding in the rain.
Tuesday 7 June 2011
Back in the saddle again...
Like a love affair gone wrong, trust was lost and the drama of the BB weighed heavily on my mind. Doom and gloom surrounded, added to by a poorly bottom, sore throat and crappy weather. I struggled to achieve 6 miles on Saturday, knowing that my bike may soon be no more.
I'd contacted the seller the day before, to be greeted by the can't do attitude I love so much, "it's unlikely to be covered by the warranty as its a wearable part" - I know I've done an enormous 400 miles, but surely it should last longer than that? Still I took it off on the 120 mile round trip to the shop on Monday, truth to be told, not expecting ever to see it again, until it became exhibit A in the people versus national bike chain.
Phoned the next day - determined to be chirpy and polite on the phone, surprisingly glad to hear it's all fixed. BB now fitted properly, everything else serviced, will our love survive?
A bit of pampering with new handlebar tape (extra gel for my soft office workers hands) and a funky new non dribble bottle for me, quick blast around an 8 mile course, average speed of 15.8 mph and the love affair is rekindled. Turns out it was all a big misunderstanding. No creaking, clicking or squeaking except for the normal ones coming from me.
So it's back in the saddle again. Going to have to go some to get 200 miles in this month, especially with holiday coming up, but I'll give it a go. All I need is some reasonable weather, a bit less wind will be nice, and off I go.
I'd contacted the seller the day before, to be greeted by the can't do attitude I love so much, "it's unlikely to be covered by the warranty as its a wearable part" - I know I've done an enormous 400 miles, but surely it should last longer than that? Still I took it off on the 120 mile round trip to the shop on Monday, truth to be told, not expecting ever to see it again, until it became exhibit A in the people versus national bike chain.
Phoned the next day - determined to be chirpy and polite on the phone, surprisingly glad to hear it's all fixed. BB now fitted properly, everything else serviced, will our love survive?
A bit of pampering with new handlebar tape (extra gel for my soft office workers hands) and a funky new non dribble bottle for me, quick blast around an 8 mile course, average speed of 15.8 mph and the love affair is rekindled. Turns out it was all a big misunderstanding. No creaking, clicking or squeaking except for the normal ones coming from me.
So it's back in the saddle again. Going to have to go some to get 200 miles in this month, especially with holiday coming up, but I'll give it a go. All I need is some reasonable weather, a bit less wind will be nice, and off I go.
Wednesday 1 June 2011
Out with the old one and in with the new
So May is over, and we are into June, the 1st of June, as a regimental tradition, I hoped to make it a Glorious one, with an increased best average speed. Perfect day, little wind in comparison with the normal howling gails, feeling good, what can go wrong? Not wanting to cheat myself, I settled on an up and down route to Upchurch and back, arrived back, 1 hour 4 minutes later, thinking I'd be satisfied with 17 mph as an improvement, and feeling that I was consistently fast in most places, only to be kicked in the proverbials when my sneering schyster of a computer reported back an average of 15.7 mph. Really? For all that effort. You git.
Anyhow, Mays targets achieved, 13 rides gave me 247 miles, average speed of 14.6, so there's my bench mark. Now to find some rocket propulsion.
Anyhow, Mays targets achieved, 13 rides gave me 247 miles, average speed of 14.6, so there's my bench mark. Now to find some rocket propulsion.
Monday 30 May 2011
Coming home
I enjoy going away, especially with the soup dragon, and this weekend was no exception. I always like coming home as well, with the major thing to look forward to being a nice cuppa tea. However now we go camping, there's always a good cuppa available. What do I now miss? My bike of course. We've not even known each other for two months, but instead of planning who would make the tea, whilst the car was unpacked, my thoughts turned to how long I can legitimately leave it before going off for a ride, without danger of evil looks from my wife.
Chores all done, everything packed till next time, (I'm sure I could have fitted my bike in the car if we left the kitchen sink behind), quick couple of sandwiches and off I go.
Oare and back, 21.2 miles averaged at 15.4, I love cycling. I've now done 410 miles on the bike, total for this month up to 246, with one day still to go!
Now I need a plan to combine cycling and camping, near the sea side, Angela on the beach all day, me off on the bike?
Chores all done, everything packed till next time, (I'm sure I could have fitted my bike in the car if we left the kitchen sink behind), quick couple of sandwiches and off I go.
Oare and back, 21.2 miles averaged at 15.4, I love cycling. I've now done 410 miles on the bike, total for this month up to 246, with one day still to go!
Now I need a plan to combine cycling and camping, near the sea side, Angela on the beach all day, me off on the bike?
Thursday 26 May 2011
It's in his eyes
Like a couple of veterans CC and I would talk about bikes, wishful thinking, carbon or high end aluminium, splash all out or invest to upgrade. But behind those eyes was always the hidden message - "knownothingbozo you need more than a new bike - you need to do Charing hill." It's there behind the pleasantries, the laughs, all hiding the Charing Hill sneer. One that only someone who has looked at it in the eye first from the bottom then from the top. All the time the unspoken message - "first I rode up on my sisters Chopper, then freewheeled down, standing on the seat knownothingbozo you loser."
Well I did it.
Early finish today, I knew it was windy, I knew rain (heavy) was forecast. I had a plan, I even had a route printed out. Calculated at about 23 miles total, Bredgar - Doddington, Lenham - Charing - then back across to Doddington.
Anyway struggled to Lenham - there's some serious hills between Bredgar and there, so much so my average speed was only at about 10 mph. The whole way was against a strong wind. Then hammered along the A20, vicious side wind causing some serious wobbles. Then the HILL.
In reality it was okay, steady and not massively steep, but quite long. Sat down all the way, and felt fine getting to the top.
Those sign stealing crazies! They've been at it here as well.
Glorious trip back towards where I was supposed to go, but then got utterly discombobulated with my geography. Completely out of my printed map, so decided to ride to Faversham, upon arrival the heavens opened and I got drenched. Rode along the A2, effectively riding against a river coming towards me. Then down through Newnham, back to Doddington, more hills and back to Bredgar. 35 miles, instead of 23, average 11.8 miles an hour.
Utterly wasted. But victorious.
May target 200 miles.
1st Ride in May 3/5, todays ride brings total to 225 miles. Target met.
Well I did it.
Early finish today, I knew it was windy, I knew rain (heavy) was forecast. I had a plan, I even had a route printed out. Calculated at about 23 miles total, Bredgar - Doddington, Lenham - Charing - then back across to Doddington.
Anyway struggled to Lenham - there's some serious hills between Bredgar and there, so much so my average speed was only at about 10 mph. The whole way was against a strong wind. Then hammered along the A20, vicious side wind causing some serious wobbles. Then the HILL.
In reality it was okay, steady and not massively steep, but quite long. Sat down all the way, and felt fine getting to the top.
Those sign stealing crazies! They've been at it here as well.
Glorious trip back towards where I was supposed to go, but then got utterly discombobulated with my geography. Completely out of my printed map, so decided to ride to Faversham, upon arrival the heavens opened and I got drenched. Rode along the A2, effectively riding against a river coming towards me. Then down through Newnham, back to Doddington, more hills and back to Bredgar. 35 miles, instead of 23, average 11.8 miles an hour.
Utterly wasted. But victorious.
May target 200 miles.
1st Ride in May 3/5, todays ride brings total to 225 miles. Target met.
Saturday 21 May 2011
Perfect day
The beautiful wife, who apparently is clearly NOT the soup dragon (even though she is the one who feeds us and on whom we all rely on) is out on a shopping trip, the kids are out, the sun is out, so I got on my bike and did the same. Nice 21 mile round around Upchurch, Hartlip etc, average speed just over 15 mph, and bringing this months total to 168 miles. A good end to a good week of work. Need to keep on, because this week is my last chance to hit my target, 32 miles by Thursday effectively.
I reached my 30 mph target the other day as well - well not exactly, down oak hill free wheeling and scared stiff! Watching the two tours currently taking place, it's amazing to watch the loonatic speed these professionals do. Still I can ride a bike, can they do what I do.
I've clearly now got it in me to do 20 miles on a fairly regular basis, in fact if I do less than 15 miles I am feeling guilty. I now need a plan to step up to regular longer distance rides at the weekend.
I reached my 30 mph target the other day as well - well not exactly, down oak hill free wheeling and scared stiff! Watching the two tours currently taking place, it's amazing to watch the loonatic speed these professionals do. Still I can ride a bike, can they do what I do.
I've clearly now got it in me to do 20 miles on a fairly regular basis, in fact if I do less than 15 miles I am feeling guilty. I now need a plan to step up to regular longer distance rides at the weekend.
Saturday 14 May 2011
Mu Mu's and moo moos
Two big issues today, the first of which started last night, out with friends, talking about going to a bar called mu mu's. In conversation with TT - you know who you are, don't hide you swine, he mentions the old KLF song, "justified and ancient" which is about being bound for mu mu land. We mention what a good song it was blah blah blah.
So this morning, I remember that conversation, and pull the song up on youtube. Result of which, the blasted thing accompanies me all the way to Whitstable and back. And it's drivel. Some washed up country singer who should have stood by her man instead of bogging off to be Queen of mu mu land, whilst some chap called Ricardo entreats us to go fishing in the river of life. I checked my cyclists guide to rivers (available in no good book shops) and I'm sure he must mean the river Liffey. Well I'm sorry, it's a bit far to go for a days fishing so I'll give it a miss.
Part two of the big issue arrives when I get to Whitstable, and I remember a fact* I was once told. It's that cows (the moo moos of the title - see what I did there?) take 10 seconds to process a thought. So that's - thought - 10 seconds - act on it. Well I think many of the residents of Whitstable are cows. Thought - there's a cyclist coming, I won't step into the road now - count 10 seconds slowly, too late, you are already in the road grass munching bovine fool. Thought - there's a cyclist already coming along the road, I won't pull out of my parking space until he's past - count 10 seconds - too late, I'm nearly run off my bike as you pull out. You may have a disabled sticker and a wheelchair Chrysler driving muppet, but you also need an idiot sticker as well.
Anyhow to the ride - decided during the week that if I was going to take cycling seriously I need a new bike. Then I decided that the soup dragon was not likely to be letting that happen, so I'd better just get on with knocking out the miles. My plan was to make sure I did a 40 miler, not sure of the distances, I set out to potentially ride to Herne Bay, but at the least Whitstable and back. In the end I settled for Whitstable, and a ride of 44.5 miles in total. With the wind quite nastily against me most of the way back. Not good planning in the wind department, as I was clearly knackered just doing the first 22 miles.
All in all, 44.5 miles, 3 hours 21, average 13.2. The distance is certainly furthest I have ever done. For the most part very enjoyable.
Update on May 200 mile target - so far I have done 138 miles.
*the fact that I was told this fact is a fact, the fact itself may not actually be true. However if seeing is believing is a fact, then the above fact is also a fact.
So this morning, I remember that conversation, and pull the song up on youtube. Result of which, the blasted thing accompanies me all the way to Whitstable and back. And it's drivel. Some washed up country singer who should have stood by her man instead of bogging off to be Queen of mu mu land, whilst some chap called Ricardo entreats us to go fishing in the river of life. I checked my cyclists guide to rivers (available in no good book shops) and I'm sure he must mean the river Liffey. Well I'm sorry, it's a bit far to go for a days fishing so I'll give it a miss.
Part two of the big issue arrives when I get to Whitstable, and I remember a fact* I was once told. It's that cows (the moo moos of the title - see what I did there?) take 10 seconds to process a thought. So that's - thought - 10 seconds - act on it. Well I think many of the residents of Whitstable are cows. Thought - there's a cyclist coming, I won't step into the road now - count 10 seconds slowly, too late, you are already in the road grass munching bovine fool. Thought - there's a cyclist already coming along the road, I won't pull out of my parking space until he's past - count 10 seconds - too late, I'm nearly run off my bike as you pull out. You may have a disabled sticker and a wheelchair Chrysler driving muppet, but you also need an idiot sticker as well.
Anyhow to the ride - decided during the week that if I was going to take cycling seriously I need a new bike. Then I decided that the soup dragon was not likely to be letting that happen, so I'd better just get on with knocking out the miles. My plan was to make sure I did a 40 miler, not sure of the distances, I set out to potentially ride to Herne Bay, but at the least Whitstable and back. In the end I settled for Whitstable, and a ride of 44.5 miles in total. With the wind quite nastily against me most of the way back. Not good planning in the wind department, as I was clearly knackered just doing the first 22 miles.
All in all, 44.5 miles, 3 hours 21, average 13.2. The distance is certainly furthest I have ever done. For the most part very enjoyable.
Update on May 200 mile target - so far I have done 138 miles.
*the fact that I was told this fact is a fact, the fact itself may not actually be true. However if seeing is believing is a fact, then the above fact is also a fact.
Monday 9 May 2011
Sign burning crazies
In a bit of a rush to get out tonight, having ridden only once at the weekend, I had an itch to get out and put some miles in. Dropped off in Tunstall, plan was to go to Doddington, Lynstead, Teynham and back home, nice loop in my mind. Well the sign burning yokels have been out in a desperate attempt to keep us townies out of their villages, they go out at night, turn signposts to face different directions, or burn them, whilst dancing naked with suckling pigs.
In one village (that will remain nameless) the residents of Wormshill chased me - en masse, carrying sharpened barbour jackets and wielding pitch forks. One of them, wild staring mouth and drooling eyes shouted "BURN THE TIGHT TROUSERED INVADER!" I got the last laugh, I managed to escape and circled back to add some of my own organic fertiliser to their vegetables.
Due to the sign burning shenanigans, got a bit discombobulated in terms of my EXACT location but ultimately ended up where I wanted to be, though not necessarily when or how.
En route I saw a wolf disguised as a fox, crosss the road in front of me, I only know it wasn't a werewolf, because by the time I got home, I could see a thin crescent moon.
On a sad note - bad news about the Giro De Italia (or just the Giro to us riders with proper lycra pants) who died in the race today. It's a heck of a sacrifice for something you love so much.
In one village (that will remain nameless) the residents of Wormshill chased me - en masse, carrying sharpened barbour jackets and wielding pitch forks. One of them, wild staring mouth and drooling eyes shouted "BURN THE TIGHT TROUSERED INVADER!" I got the last laugh, I managed to escape and circled back to add some of my own organic fertiliser to their vegetables.
Due to the sign burning shenanigans, got a bit discombobulated in terms of my EXACT location but ultimately ended up where I wanted to be, though not necessarily when or how.
En route I saw a wolf disguised as a fox, crosss the road in front of me, I only know it wasn't a werewolf, because by the time I got home, I could see a thin crescent moon.
On a sad note - bad news about the Giro De Italia (or just the Giro to us riders with proper lycra pants) who died in the race today. It's a heck of a sacrifice for something you love so much.
Thursday 5 May 2011
Exhileration, fist pumping and flies.
I did it! 15 miles in one hour, varied terrain, between my house, and around the country lanes. All part of a 20.55 mile ride with an average speed of 15.2 mph. Loved it. Even the short sharp hills where I feel like I could do with some extra weight! (For the pedals). I could truly get addicted to this. Not as breezy as it has been, sun out, early finish from work and the opportunity to get out with no time constraints. 20 miles is a good contribution to my 200 mile a month target as well. Also I'm now on 188 miles since I got the bike - so looking forward to the next ride which will take it over the 200 mark.
It's a while since I have had a fist pumping celebration - maybe identifying baby Ben in Op Starlight may be the last one. This time though, I saw the computer tick over to the one hour mark, checked the distance - 15.3 miles! Fist pumping here we go. Looney.
In places the fly bombardmet was so hard and fast I could hear them pinging off my helmet - reminded me of a few houses I've been in. Top investment is my riding glasses, most eagerly awaited for invention - fly swallowing prevention device - that allows you to gasp for breath at the same time.
Things to avoid - looking at the speeds, distances and averages of other riders - could be in for a dissapointing shock!
It's a while since I have had a fist pumping celebration - maybe identifying baby Ben in Op Starlight may be the last one. This time though, I saw the computer tick over to the one hour mark, checked the distance - 15.3 miles! Fist pumping here we go. Looney.
In places the fly bombardmet was so hard and fast I could hear them pinging off my helmet - reminded me of a few houses I've been in. Top investment is my riding glasses, most eagerly awaited for invention - fly swallowing prevention device - that allows you to gasp for breath at the same time.
Things to avoid - looking at the speeds, distances and averages of other riders - could be in for a dissapointing shock!
Wednesday 4 May 2011
Variations on a theme
So last night, I was duty taxi driver and chef, so had very little time on my hands to do anything meaningful bike wise. However I still had itchy feet and needed to get out. Not yet up to interval training, though I think I may have the idea location, I decided to get out and do what I call the Stickfast loop, as quick as I could.
Still windy, and surprisingly cold, I managed the 7.9 miles in 29 minutes 54 seconds. So just for a bit of fun, I think I'll keep records of these and see how the time improves. Mind you it showed me what I will have to do to get the 15 miles in an hour target achieved! I suspect I'm a long way from that.
Next step, write myself a proper training plan and read up about nutrition. Though the danger here is that the whole matter becomes the very thing that has always stopped me from doingt regular fitness. Perhaps there'll be a middle ground somewhere.
Still windy, and surprisingly cold, I managed the 7.9 miles in 29 minutes 54 seconds. So just for a bit of fun, I think I'll keep records of these and see how the time improves. Mind you it showed me what I will have to do to get the 15 miles in an hour target achieved! I suspect I'm a long way from that.
Next step, write myself a proper training plan and read up about nutrition. Though the danger here is that the whole matter becomes the very thing that has always stopped me from doingt regular fitness. Perhaps there'll be a middle ground somewhere.
Monday 2 May 2011
A bit windy for an old bloke
Out for the first ride of May today, that means it's my first contribution to my 200 mile month target. 11 miles in a very stiff breeze, which I am sure changed direction to make sure it was never behind me. Unless it was behind me when I was hurtling down an enormous hill at 28 mph, thinking holy shmolie this is fast. In fact it was, too fast for my liking, so I discovered that my brakes (not yet upgraded) are not up to stopping me particularly well at that speed.
I had a stroke of luck though, being unfamiliar with the area, I didn't know that the bottom of the hill was a give way, and not quite getting to a speed where I could stop or jump off, I reached the bottom. Out in the middle of nowhere, would you believe it, two cars (the first a Range Rover) on the road I was entering. Here's where the luck struck - both had stopped to turn up the hill I had just sped down. So on I carried, looking for all the world as if I knew what I was doing. Phew.
Followed my more phews, grunts and swear words when I got to the next hill, which was inevitably going up. Not once did I get off though, despite thinking about it.
Anyhow nice ride, and one I shall explore more when the wind is slightly less severe, as at times it was doing it's best to blow me over sideways or send me riding backwards.
Got home, got my daughter to take a photo of me, bike bound and in full regalia. I really do have a fat belly, so I'd better get into some serious cycling, faffing around is done.
Minor milestone achieved today - now passed 150 miles on this bike. Brought on 2nd April. So 1st full month of ownership and I have done 159 miles.
I had a stroke of luck though, being unfamiliar with the area, I didn't know that the bottom of the hill was a give way, and not quite getting to a speed where I could stop or jump off, I reached the bottom. Out in the middle of nowhere, would you believe it, two cars (the first a Range Rover) on the road I was entering. Here's where the luck struck - both had stopped to turn up the hill I had just sped down. So on I carried, looking for all the world as if I knew what I was doing. Phew.
Followed my more phews, grunts and swear words when I got to the next hill, which was inevitably going up. Not once did I get off though, despite thinking about it.
Anyhow nice ride, and one I shall explore more when the wind is slightly less severe, as at times it was doing it's best to blow me over sideways or send me riding backwards.
Got home, got my daughter to take a photo of me, bike bound and in full regalia. I really do have a fat belly, so I'd better get into some serious cycling, faffing around is done.
Minor milestone achieved today - now passed 150 miles on this bike. Brought on 2nd April. So 1st full month of ownership and I have done 159 miles.
Sunday 1 May 2011
Crashing into the Royal Wall
As I am firmly against hereditary position, and all the hooplah that goes with it, I decided to give the Royal Wedding a miss. I took a ride out to Faversham (wondering if the bike shop would be open - just to browse of course), knowing that there and back would be my longest ride yet (on this bike, still some way to go to beat my record). Had a very pleasant ride there, back lanes, very little traffic, beautiful scenery especially bluebells around the woods near Oare.
Kept a good constant speed of approaching 15 mph average, stopped at closed bike shop to eat sweets and raisins, and have some drink, then set off back. All is going well till I reach the outskirts of Sittingbourne at about 20 miles, and suddenly some big fat swine climbed on the back of my bike and hitched a lift, at the same time, my legs turned into the legs of a baby. I struggled back the last 3 miles, no thoughts of just rounding it up to 25 miles. Crikey what a feeling. Not so good.
I put it down to nutrition, on which I have done no research about at all, and it appears that it's not just a case of having a good breakfast (won't a fried egg banjo do?) but actually planning ahead. The chap I saw coming the other way at the top of a hill, resting with a hot cross bun in his mouth would probably be a good example.
Anyway on the bright side, I did 23.7 miles, still an average speed of 13.7 miles, still want to go out more. I got new glasses yesterday, with a choice of 4 lenses, in a carrier that will need a rack to take with me.
That's now me totally kitted out, now for the upgrades.
As for the Royal Wedding - I'm a bit cross really, the couple are so lovely and genuinely in love, they may yet save the Royal Family from the ignominy and consignment to history that they deserve.
Kept a good constant speed of approaching 15 mph average, stopped at closed bike shop to eat sweets and raisins, and have some drink, then set off back. All is going well till I reach the outskirts of Sittingbourne at about 20 miles, and suddenly some big fat swine climbed on the back of my bike and hitched a lift, at the same time, my legs turned into the legs of a baby. I struggled back the last 3 miles, no thoughts of just rounding it up to 25 miles. Crikey what a feeling. Not so good.
I put it down to nutrition, on which I have done no research about at all, and it appears that it's not just a case of having a good breakfast (won't a fried egg banjo do?) but actually planning ahead. The chap I saw coming the other way at the top of a hill, resting with a hot cross bun in his mouth would probably be a good example.
Anyway on the bright side, I did 23.7 miles, still an average speed of 13.7 miles, still want to go out more. I got new glasses yesterday, with a choice of 4 lenses, in a carrier that will need a rack to take with me.
That's now me totally kitted out, now for the upgrades.
As for the Royal Wedding - I'm a bit cross really, the couple are so lovely and genuinely in love, they may yet save the Royal Family from the ignominy and consignment to history that they deserve.
Friday 29 April 2011
A hill is still a hill
Perhaps this particular one should form part of the exciting things I have learned series - there is a hill the other side of Newington called Oak Hill. I have ridden it perhaps 10 times, mostly failed to get up it on my mountain bike, struggled to get up it on my hybrid and often failed, so last night I tried it on my road bike. Having been lulled into a false sense of security and spotted that I could even accelerate up a hill when I got my technique right, I reached the bottom of this one, and started out, confident that 20 Shimano gears would give me a nice choice to get to the top, still feeling as if my spine was intact. WRONG. It still killed me, I got to the top, much grunting and groaning, and breathing out of parts of my body with no recognised route to the lungs.
Ultimately I guess, it doesn't matter about the bike, (okay LA said it better) it's about the legs and heart. Mine are still beginners.
As I came down into Iwade I saw a group of club(?) riders all gathering, all gave me a strange look, maybe it was the tights, the mix and match long sleeve thermal top covered by lightweight cycle shirt (I don't have winter kit, and it felt like winter out there). They all had shiney bikes and lovely looking kit, so I expect it will be while before I consider giving that sort of thing a go.
Anyway - targets - that's what I am now looking at.
1. I want to get my 15 mile time down to less than 1 hour. This means that I have to shave 5 minutes off my time. Anyone know a 15 mile downhill in Kent?
2. I want the NHS to accept they were wrong and I am not overweight.
3. I want to reach 30 mph pedalling on the flat.
4. I want a crankset and brakes that are also Shimano 105. I don't really know why, but it seems that's where the money was saved on my bike.
5. 200 miles in one month - although this may turn out to easy?
6. By the end of June I want to cycle 50 miles in one go.
7. To carry on enjoying cycling as much as I am now, without having to give up on beer.
There are lots of other little targets that I think up as I am riding along, 20 mph minimum to the next lamp post, miss that cavernous pot hole, avoid that car, build a faster cadence. All adds to the fun, perhaps not the smartest training regime, but lack of actual regime is probably what will keep me going.
Last nights ride - 15.3 miles 1hr 5 minutes.
Todays ride, as far and as lomg as it takes to miss the inherited wealth and position wedding.
Ultimately I guess, it doesn't matter about the bike, (okay LA said it better) it's about the legs and heart. Mine are still beginners.
As I came down into Iwade I saw a group of club(?) riders all gathering, all gave me a strange look, maybe it was the tights, the mix and match long sleeve thermal top covered by lightweight cycle shirt (I don't have winter kit, and it felt like winter out there). They all had shiney bikes and lovely looking kit, so I expect it will be while before I consider giving that sort of thing a go.
Anyway - targets - that's what I am now looking at.
1. I want to get my 15 mile time down to less than 1 hour. This means that I have to shave 5 minutes off my time. Anyone know a 15 mile downhill in Kent?
2. I want the NHS to accept they were wrong and I am not overweight.
3. I want to reach 30 mph pedalling on the flat.
4. I want a crankset and brakes that are also Shimano 105. I don't really know why, but it seems that's where the money was saved on my bike.
5. 200 miles in one month - although this may turn out to easy?
6. By the end of June I want to cycle 50 miles in one go.
7. To carry on enjoying cycling as much as I am now, without having to give up on beer.
There are lots of other little targets that I think up as I am riding along, 20 mph minimum to the next lamp post, miss that cavernous pot hole, avoid that car, build a faster cadence. All adds to the fun, perhaps not the smartest training regime, but lack of actual regime is probably what will keep me going.
Last nights ride - 15.3 miles 1hr 5 minutes.
Todays ride, as far and as lomg as it takes to miss the inherited wealth and position wedding.
Thursday 28 April 2011
Cogitations
I find myself thinking about cycling a lot - which leads me to worry - am I obsessing? Not given to that particular passtime much, but often given to thinking a lot I am wondering why I seem to have caught such a bug? I'll let blog know when I have an answer. But onto more important things...
Now, I know fat people (most of them know who they are, others must be blind) and I am not fat - just a little mishapen around the middle. No big deal, but I don't like the look. This is exacerbated by my trust in the NHS. They are professionals right? They wouldn't lie to me would they? So I used their tool for BMI calculation just for a bit a reassurance you see, only for it to appear in letters 10 inches high - or so it seems - Mr Knownothingbozo you really are a fat bastard. Officially over weight. With a BMI only 14 points below the truly enormous chap I had dealings with before my leave started. (He was massive!)
I checked my figures and shouted at them for good measure, but no it's official, I am overweight. Turns out the hurtful ones who profess to love me, also have an eye for fatness.
Well this won't do, so it now looks like I have to do something about it. I can't run, dodgy knees from many years of running in army boots. Refuse to pay to go to a gym. Hate doing any sort of sit ups and stuff. So I am hoping cycling will be my salvation. I have read fat man on a bikes blog, he did it, I also saw a headline in a magazine about a bloke who lost 26 stones on a bike. A Surly I imagine, as these seem to be the only ones designed for elephants to ride.
So I am hoping my obsession will last - but not cost too much. I have to keep a lead on my senses, Mrs Knownothing was happy enough for me to spend (for us) a small fortune on a bike ("as long as you use it" said out loud but thinking "if you ever say no to another pandora bead..." but how many items of kit will she be happy for me to buy?
I am already harbouring dreams of upgrades, shiney cranksets by Shimano to match the gears, that will give me the full 105 groupset and you know just how vital this is....But what about the brakes.... don't they need to be the same .... of course, can't have a bike made up of mixy matchy bits.... you can see where this could all end up. Cycling down to the bankruptcy court that's where.
Now, I know fat people (most of them know who they are, others must be blind) and I am not fat - just a little mishapen around the middle. No big deal, but I don't like the look. This is exacerbated by my trust in the NHS. They are professionals right? They wouldn't lie to me would they? So I used their tool for BMI calculation just for a bit a reassurance you see, only for it to appear in letters 10 inches high - or so it seems - Mr Knownothingbozo you really are a fat bastard. Officially over weight. With a BMI only 14 points below the truly enormous chap I had dealings with before my leave started. (He was massive!)
I checked my figures and shouted at them for good measure, but no it's official, I am overweight. Turns out the hurtful ones who profess to love me, also have an eye for fatness.
Well this won't do, so it now looks like I have to do something about it. I can't run, dodgy knees from many years of running in army boots. Refuse to pay to go to a gym. Hate doing any sort of sit ups and stuff. So I am hoping cycling will be my salvation. I have read fat man on a bikes blog, he did it, I also saw a headline in a magazine about a bloke who lost 26 stones on a bike. A Surly I imagine, as these seem to be the only ones designed for elephants to ride.
So I am hoping my obsession will last - but not cost too much. I have to keep a lead on my senses, Mrs Knownothing was happy enough for me to spend (for us) a small fortune on a bike ("as long as you use it" said out loud but thinking "if you ever say no to another pandora bead..." but how many items of kit will she be happy for me to buy?
I am already harbouring dreams of upgrades, shiney cranksets by Shimano to match the gears, that will give me the full 105 groupset and you know just how vital this is....But what about the brakes.... don't they need to be the same .... of course, can't have a bike made up of mixy matchy bits.... you can see where this could all end up. Cycling down to the bankruptcy court that's where.
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Things I have learnt part 2.
In the latest of lifes cycling lessons, here are some more things I have learn since taking up cycling.
1. The people you love the most can hurt you most deeply. This evening when I returned from my ride, my wife passed me in the car. She waited at the garage for me to tell me that I wasn't riding very fast. Then just to make sure I was out as well as down she told my daughter to look up Big Daddy the wrestler to see me in my bib shorts.
Well Mrs Knownothingbozo, I was on my warm down(!) and I have never knowingly belly splashed anyone.
2. The rape seed fields around Bredgar are beautiful at any time of the day, in the late evening sunshine, they are awesome. Not helpful when our local council leave holes the size of cheddar gorge at the side of the road awaiting the cyclist (or motorist or biker) who just happens to galnce sideways at natures masterpiece at the wrong time.
3. Even after a lovely sunny day, evening in April, especially with a stiff breeze can be bloody chilly.
There must be something about this lark that is getting me hooked. At 11 miles had a choice, one and half miles home if I turn right, 4 if I turn left. I was knackered and bit chilly, but turned left anyway.
15 miles this evening, and I note that I have now passed 100 miles on my bike. It gives me an idea of what challenge I could set myself for May - given that I'll be back to work and thus will have other matters competing for my attention. Perhaps a 200 mile month?
1. The people you love the most can hurt you most deeply. This evening when I returned from my ride, my wife passed me in the car. She waited at the garage for me to tell me that I wasn't riding very fast. Then just to make sure I was out as well as down she told my daughter to look up Big Daddy the wrestler to see me in my bib shorts.
Well Mrs Knownothingbozo, I was on my warm down(!) and I have never knowingly belly splashed anyone.
2. The rape seed fields around Bredgar are beautiful at any time of the day, in the late evening sunshine, they are awesome. Not helpful when our local council leave holes the size of cheddar gorge at the side of the road awaiting the cyclist (or motorist or biker) who just happens to galnce sideways at natures masterpiece at the wrong time.
3. Even after a lovely sunny day, evening in April, especially with a stiff breeze can be bloody chilly.
There must be something about this lark that is getting me hooked. At 11 miles had a choice, one and half miles home if I turn right, 4 if I turn left. I was knackered and bit chilly, but turned left anyway.
15 miles this evening, and I note that I have now passed 100 miles on my bike. It gives me an idea of what challenge I could set myself for May - given that I'll be back to work and thus will have other matters competing for my attention. Perhaps a 200 mile month?
Back in the saddle - posted 24apr2011
Maybe it's the first blush of love, or lust, but I went away for a weeks camping with the soup dragon, and found myself missing my bike. This is not some weird form of mechanophilia (it's real look it up - I saw a very scary programme on it) but a feeling that I could still be popping out for a ride on the beautiful quiet lanes of North Norfolk. It would have helped take away the shame of the mandatory camp site cooked breakfast as well. (yes six of them - how many miles do I have to do in penitence?)
Gawd bless her cotton socks but the wife then says it's so beautiful here I'd be happy enough to sit and sun bathe whilst you go out on your bike - argument won before it even started!
Anyhow back on Friday after a hell of a journey - feeling sorry for all those who are just travelling up to start their holidays, called in via Decathlon sports and now I am the proud owner of a pair of bib shorts - slightly less proud that it appears I am now size extra large. I may look a bit foolish in front of the bedroom mirror, but they are far more comfortable. Add that to my two riding shirts for £7 bargain from ebay, and my own spd shoes, I now feel the part, look the part(?) and if all goes well will soon start riding as if I know what I am doing.
Time to unpack the tent etc and then out for a quick 8 miles around the local lanes, just for the fun of it. Then the following day (yesterday) another 15.5 miles, my longest ride yet. It passes by in such a flash I am finding it hard to imagine the distances. Still it took just over an hour, but I am confident that as we go along I'll soon be comfortably doing much further. Need to get a groips of using the full rotation of the pedal properly esp[ecially when going up hill, still very much a conscious effort to make sure the spd's give me the benefit. As soon as I remember, I find myself accelerating up hills.
Feel like I am starting to be a bike nerd going on about distances, perhaps a throw back from army days, when I used to enjoy the challenge of running long distances. I don't even have a clue what a good daily distance should be, or even if there is such a thing. Perhaps a good daily distance = the distance you can cycle whilst enjoying yourself plus a little bit more, just to build in improvement.
Another thing I have learnt though - other road riders are a cheery lot, a wave of the hand, nod of the head, a smile as they pass. If this keeps up, I may have to find myself a cycle club!
Gawd bless her cotton socks but the wife then says it's so beautiful here I'd be happy enough to sit and sun bathe whilst you go out on your bike - argument won before it even started!
Anyhow back on Friday after a hell of a journey - feeling sorry for all those who are just travelling up to start their holidays, called in via Decathlon sports and now I am the proud owner of a pair of bib shorts - slightly less proud that it appears I am now size extra large. I may look a bit foolish in front of the bedroom mirror, but they are far more comfortable. Add that to my two riding shirts for £7 bargain from ebay, and my own spd shoes, I now feel the part, look the part(?) and if all goes well will soon start riding as if I know what I am doing.
Time to unpack the tent etc and then out for a quick 8 miles around the local lanes, just for the fun of it. Then the following day (yesterday) another 15.5 miles, my longest ride yet. It passes by in such a flash I am finding it hard to imagine the distances. Still it took just over an hour, but I am confident that as we go along I'll soon be comfortably doing much further. Need to get a groips of using the full rotation of the pedal properly esp[ecially when going up hill, still very much a conscious effort to make sure the spd's give me the benefit. As soon as I remember, I find myself accelerating up hills.
Feel like I am starting to be a bike nerd going on about distances, perhaps a throw back from army days, when I used to enjoy the challenge of running long distances. I don't even have a clue what a good daily distance should be, or even if there is such a thing. Perhaps a good daily distance = the distance you can cycle whilst enjoying yourself plus a little bit more, just to build in improvement.
Another thing I have learnt though - other road riders are a cheery lot, a wave of the hand, nod of the head, a smile as they pass. If this keeps up, I may have to find myself a cycle club!
Things I am learning - posted 12apr2011
Took a ride out today, a chill wind blowing, which had the effect of clearing my mind of work and allowing me to realise that I have learnt some stuff already.
1. Riding a road bike, means that your average speed is higher - this means that if you crash the speed of your body hitting something like the ground will be higher. This in turn means it will hurt. Alot.
2. Riding a road bike means that if you crash, you are more likely to crash on a road. This in turn means that when you hit something it will be hard, like the road, or a metal post or a car. This in turn means it will hurt. Alot.
3. Riding a road bike is fun.
I may not be starting out with the most optimistic frame of mind, however if I do crash, at least I won't be surprised.
Given all the above, why is that people riding mountain bikes wear lots of protective clothing, where as people riding road bikes, ride as near to naked as is morally and legally possible? Just a thought. After all you don't actually crash into mountains do you?
1. Riding a road bike, means that your average speed is higher - this means that if you crash the speed of your body hitting something like the ground will be higher. This in turn means it will hurt. Alot.
2. Riding a road bike means that if you crash, you are more likely to crash on a road. This in turn means that when you hit something it will be hard, like the road, or a metal post or a car. This in turn means it will hurt. Alot.
3. Riding a road bike is fun.
I may not be starting out with the most optimistic frame of mind, however if I do crash, at least I won't be surprised.
Given all the above, why is that people riding mountain bikes wear lots of protective clothing, where as people riding road bikes, ride as near to naked as is morally and legally possible? Just a thought. After all you don't actually crash into mountains do you?
Starting on a new road - posted 7apr2011
44 years old, dabbled in mountain biking, till the sad realisation that my son, who I ride with is just too good, whilst I remain a ditherer, he is a confident hill eating psycho. So not much fun to traipse around after, get back to the car and watch, breathing through my arse, as he just goes off for another circuit. I like to ride, I want to ride, so my darling wife, allowed me to buy a road bike. It seems to me that mountain biking is something to have fun with friends on, a road bike can be far more solitary. Besides I've always been in awe of the professional cyclists and what they do.
So it was hours of research on the internet, pondering my realistic budget, along with the realistic financial situation we find ourselves in, consideration of finance options, but ultimately scared to buy a bike I hadn't sat on and given a ride at least up and down the road. This turned out to be a well founded worry.
Off to Evans at Gatwick I went - advertised as a warehouse store - in truth no bigger in size than most Evans I have been into. At my budget they had available a specialised, a trek, a jamis, a fuji and a pinnacle. I was aware of pinnacle as they had made my sons first mountain bike, he'd found it an excellent ride, and he had been able to upgrade it substantially, till some thieving grot bag stole it.
The Fuji and Trek were in my size and I gave them a ride. The Trek too short, the Fuji like riding a bag of nails, this left a pinnacle sentinal 3, reduced in price by 300, with Shimano 105 groupset, but not a lot else I could really recognise from my research. It was a revelation compared to the others, comfortable ride, slick gear change, fast (to my plodding experience at least) and right in a budget that I could convince the wife to live with. It's now mine, research since suggests I may have brought the lost one in stock. The 2011 Pinnacle range is an ugly bunch of ducks, so I'm glad I got there on time.
I've now been out on three rides, only short, lets be sensible here I have age and a fat belly against me for anything to drastic to soon, and after about a mile at speeds consistently over 20mph, I now know why people love road riding so much.
My intention in this blog is to chart (for my own purposes more than anyone else) the ups and downs and progress of a middle aged, out of shape bloke with dodgy knees as I foray into the world of road bikes.
So it was hours of research on the internet, pondering my realistic budget, along with the realistic financial situation we find ourselves in, consideration of finance options, but ultimately scared to buy a bike I hadn't sat on and given a ride at least up and down the road. This turned out to be a well founded worry.
Off to Evans at Gatwick I went - advertised as a warehouse store - in truth no bigger in size than most Evans I have been into. At my budget they had available a specialised, a trek, a jamis, a fuji and a pinnacle. I was aware of pinnacle as they had made my sons first mountain bike, he'd found it an excellent ride, and he had been able to upgrade it substantially, till some thieving grot bag stole it.
The Fuji and Trek were in my size and I gave them a ride. The Trek too short, the Fuji like riding a bag of nails, this left a pinnacle sentinal 3, reduced in price by 300, with Shimano 105 groupset, but not a lot else I could really recognise from my research. It was a revelation compared to the others, comfortable ride, slick gear change, fast (to my plodding experience at least) and right in a budget that I could convince the wife to live with. It's now mine, research since suggests I may have brought the lost one in stock. The 2011 Pinnacle range is an ugly bunch of ducks, so I'm glad I got there on time.
I've now been out on three rides, only short, lets be sensible here I have age and a fat belly against me for anything to drastic to soon, and after about a mile at speeds consistently over 20mph, I now know why people love road riding so much.
My intention in this blog is to chart (for my own purposes more than anyone else) the ups and downs and progress of a middle aged, out of shape bloke with dodgy knees as I foray into the world of road bikes.
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