A while since I reported, and truth to tell, not that much to report.
Turns out riding out in the cold is not so bad. Cold being a comparative term of course - several rides at minus 2, the only thing I can't get a grips with are my toes. In fact riding in the cold provides clarity to the air that filters through to a clarity of mind as well.
In January I managed 340 miles, one of my best monthly miles completed. In total now I am up to 2301, and have identified a new target for April to March this will be 2485 miles, or 4000 km of riding in one full year. Not a bad start to what will hopefully see me riding till very old age.
Nice to ride with some different people as well, especially being present on a friends first 50 mile, nice to share his joy at the achievement. Followed by a smug feeling that I had 12 miles to ride home still!
Bike still running beautifully, though it's lost some of it's good looks. This is entirely my fault, in fitting a saddle that is very comfy but does not match the colour scheme at all! This was another knownothingbozo pointless bid on ebay on something I didn't really want, but bidded anyway! I now find myself with an ugly saddle, which I'll have to sell, in order to fund a beautiful but equally comfy saddle! Dumbass.
I'm finding that I am reliant on riding now to clear out the bad stuff that people do. They are on the increase and there seems to be no stemming the flow of nastiness that people do. Still it still shocks me and pisses me off, so I think I'll carry on a bit longer.
Looking foward to spring now and starting to get some big rides in, and even contemplating a few sportives.
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Friday, 30 December 2011
Well that's about that then...
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.
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.
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!!!
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