I am a bit of an anorak with my family's history, and whilst it is true that most branches of our family come from Bristol and surrounding counties, it's a little-known fact (unless you are related to me, in which case of course you know) that my Dad was born and brought up in Swindon and my Mum in nearby Hungerford. So it was double, no a triple pleasure to be riding the White Horse Challenge today. A delightful route tracing a ring of about 90 miles around Swindon. Delightful too because I imagined that all the countryside I rode through would be familiar to my folks, and that they themselves may even have cycled some of it as children. Most of all delightful because it turned out to be a fabulous day.
There are quite a few web addresses in this post, you will need to copy and paste them into your browser as for some reason I can't insert links into my blog.
Now, no-one looks good at 5.30 in the morning, but I looked worst than most. I'd been to football yesterday to see West Ham beat Wigan and ensure Premiership football for another season (I'm not hopeful for 2011-12 though!). More accurately to see Scott Parker beat Wigan all by himself. The rest of the team may has well been the cones although maybe that's harsh. I'm not even going to vote for Hammer of the Year, because no-one else will get any votes, so there wouldn't be any point.
Anyway, I got back late, the euphoria was with me, and because i hadn't seen Mrs MMAM we needed to "talk". So a bit of a late night, but I had been pretty good this week so didn't seem too bad. A pity the weather wasn't the same. After yesterday's scorcher, the day dawned windswept, drizzly and a bit cold. The forecast was for it to warm up later, with the chance of a thundery downpour. So I went for a long-sleeved jersey, 3/4 shorts and a lightweight raincoat for those downpours, stuffed in the jersey.
At the HQ all was very relaxed and the setting-village hall in Shrivenham-was idyllic, lovely, friendly people and about 300 cyclists. Not too many newbies, but everyone was jovial and helpful today, helped I think by more of us greyhairs being in the peloton-there was a distinct absence of macho posturing. Best of all, even though official start time was supposed to be 8.30AM, it got to about five past eight, and a helpful lady said "if you're ready, don't hang about getting cold, you can go", no bureaucratic safety briefing, fantastic, so off we went.
A few easy hills over the first couple of miles were followed by about 20 miles of fairly flat riding as the route swung south-west through Cricklade, before heading south towards Wootton Bassett, scene of the tributes to our servicemen killed in Afghanistan. This was where the wind was straight in our faces, and although I did my turn on the front, it was god that large, fast groups were forming, giving some respite from the wind. For those that don't know, if you ride close behind the person in front (called drafting) you reduce your energy expenditure by as much as 35-40%, which enables the group to go a lot faster as everyone takes a turn.
That all came to a halt as we hit the first major hill at Broadtown, which also saw the first of the four White horses of the route, carved into the chalk escarpment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_figure
The above link is a very useful introduction to the subject of chalk hill figures. When I used to visit my grandparents i was always fascinated whenever we drove past or visited one of these, particularly the one at Uffington, which was last on the menu today (more later).
Once up to the ridge, we then came down it again, heading towards our next hill at Cherhill, and another white horse. The hill out of Cherhill is called "Labour in Vain Hill". But now with the wind at my back, I began to make some good progress, not just up the long drag, but down the hill and along the flat. Through Avebury, site of the standing stones:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avebury
dodging the tourists and on to what I found the toughest hill of the day-Hackpen Hill and the third horse. Then it was long, glorious descent into Marlborough and a short spell up the A4, before we zipped out into the country again. It was at this point that a helpful Marshall was holding out a bowl of Newberry fruits, just what I needed as I was starting to flag a bit. The second great road name of the day-Chopping Knife Lane, led first to Axford (I think there's a connection, don't you?) before a very nasty half mile at 17% out of Ramsbury, took me to the second feedstop at Froxfield.
I was really good with my eating today, doing it constantly. It helped that the feedstops had a good selection of things, and the jaffa cakes were great early on, before I switched over to Tuc biscuits for the closing stages. I took supplies with me and was constantly nibbling as we dragged up to the M4 motorway before plunging down into Lambourn. By now it was beginning to dawn on me that although the morning had felt like very hard work, I was actually going quite quickly at the 75 mile mark. No doubt it was the food tactics that did it. Not only that, but as we climbed the long gradual road up towards the Ridgeway, I started to overtake a fair number of people.
Down Blowing Stone hill, former home of the eponymous stone,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowing_Stone_Hill
everyone was hard on the brakes because of the main road at the bottom. Just in case we forgot, the National Escort group were there with their flashing lights et al. Aparently last year someone had a nice trip in an Air Ambulance because they forgot to stop.
Next up was Dragon Hill. A pretty steep one, but as I knew that the Uffington White horse was looking down on me, and it was the final hill of the day, I found the energy to grind my way to the top. From there it was plain sailing to the finish, and although the advertised distance was 150km, Cateye recorded just short of 90, with Charlie doing a reasonable job too:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/31209774
I hadn't lingered at the feedstops, and had not stopped at all anywhere else, but was nonetheless delighted to complete the whole ride, stops and all in just over 5 hours 40 mins. To get gold standard for my age group you have to do 5-20, with silver at 6-20. I even came in under the silver time limit for the youngsters-6-00, so I was delighted with that. Although I was in groups for about 75% of the first 20 miles, after that I was pretty much solo.
To cap it all, I don't feel that tired, my neck is a bit sore, and maybe I will tomorrow, or maybe it's the serotonin buzz. An absolutely great ride, and one I can thoroughly recommend. Skip did it a couple of years ago and also got silver, so at least I can match her achievement. Sorry if my delight is a tad OTT, but I am very pleased with this weekend. You don't avoid relegation and get your first Sportive silver category at the same time, very often, do you?
I also have a lovely T-shirt and medal (you know how i love those) with my favourite motif on both.You see, the White Horse at Uffington is one of my favourite places in England, so not just the Land of my Parents, but also very dear to me.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Sunday, 18 April 2010
For the sake of it
No, not about japanese alcohol, although it might just as well have been. Cycling with a hangover is not big or clever, but we had another sunny day, and this may be the only summer weather all year. What else could I do?
For starters I could put on my new sunglasses. I do have a thing for a good pair of sunglasses. Actually I have thing for an overpriced American brand of sunglasses. It's one of the few good things about Lance. I have never cycled with Oakley's before, and of course they make all the difference. I would barely have moved with my old Bloc pair. Best of all, I got to design, well choose from a menu, all the different components of the glasses. Sad isn't it, I'm a grown man too.
I realised that I was not going to go fast today, so decided a bit of hill practice would fill the time. So I cycled to the lowest point I could reasonably get to, and then cycled straight to the highest point from there. Not a continuous up, but pretty much. Then came down and home. Not a continuous down, but pretty much.
Cut and paste the address below for more details because, quite frankly I'm still not at my best. I have managed to squeeze in over a 100 miles this week, and some pretty chunky hills. So I need a good night's sleep before work tomorrow. Lots of them before the White Horse challenge next sunday, likely to be the next time I ride.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30443851
If it is sunny next sunday I could very well blind some people, because I washed my bike really thoroughly too. Not a totally wasted day then. Unlike last night, when I was. Wasted that is. Never mind, I'm going to bed.
For starters I could put on my new sunglasses. I do have a thing for a good pair of sunglasses. Actually I have thing for an overpriced American brand of sunglasses. It's one of the few good things about Lance. I have never cycled with Oakley's before, and of course they make all the difference. I would barely have moved with my old Bloc pair. Best of all, I got to design, well choose from a menu, all the different components of the glasses. Sad isn't it, I'm a grown man too.
I realised that I was not going to go fast today, so decided a bit of hill practice would fill the time. So I cycled to the lowest point I could reasonably get to, and then cycled straight to the highest point from there. Not a continuous up, but pretty much. Then came down and home. Not a continuous down, but pretty much.
Cut and paste the address below for more details because, quite frankly I'm still not at my best. I have managed to squeeze in over a 100 miles this week, and some pretty chunky hills. So I need a good night's sleep before work tomorrow. Lots of them before the White Horse challenge next sunday, likely to be the next time I ride.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30443851
If it is sunny next sunday I could very well blind some people, because I washed my bike really thoroughly too. Not a totally wasted day then. Unlike last night, when I was. Wasted that is. Never mind, I'm going to bed.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
A ride of two cities (almost)
As a cloud of sulphurous, noxious ash and rock hung over the United Kingdom, I took my life in my hands, and my inhaler in my jersey pocket and headed out into what appeared to be the best day of the Spring so far. Light winds, a cool, fresh start, and oodles of sunshine, with a promise of temperatures into the mid-teens by lunchtime.
My car is covered by a layer of brown dust, but that is because it hasn't rained for ages and I haven't washed my car for months. So no sign of the volcanic ejection (careful) and it proved to be a lovely ride in the sun.
I am getting a bit tired of always going to the same places, so decided to head over towards Bath, which is only 25 miles as the crow flies. As the bike pedals, it's a bit longer. There are these inconvenient bodies of water-Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes- in the way. Although Bath is sort of north-eastish of us, if you go a northerly route there you clip Bristol, too far to the south and it's Mendip riding all the way. So, judging the mood of the times, I plotted a middle course just north of the Chew Valley and south of the metropolis.
I did do some climbing however. Up the hill out of Wrington, and then up the A38 and right into "Row of Ashes" (it's the road name). Way back in the dark ages, when the Anglo Saxons first pitched up on these shores, they apparently asked the indigenous Britons ("king of the who?") the name of the river they were about to cross. Starting the a long tradition of poor communication, the Britons thought they meant, "what is that trench full of water called?". So the Britons gave them the generic name for "river" and the invaders took it as the name of that river. Thus the River Avon, is actually called the River river according to ancient Britons.
They would have thought a lot more about what they were saying if they had known that 1000 years later, some bureaucratic fools would mess up a perfectly good set of counties, and create a monstrosity called "Avon", named after the River river. And even though that county was later abolished, it still lingers, in all sorts of funny ways. Like the Avon cycleway, a ring of sign-posted roads around Bristol which forms a pleasant rural ride.
I joined it at Stanton Drew, and I had found the Somerset version of Paris-Roubaix. Without the crowds. Or Fabian Cancellara. But lots of gravel, potholes, dust and short, steep hills, some reaching 16-17%. eventually it climbed high above the eponymous river and then rapidly descended to Saltford, about 4 miles from Bath. I thought about heading east, but chose west instead, as the cycleway now joined with the Bristol-Bath railway path/cycleway. It was the closest I have come to a motorway for cyclist, well an A road anyway. I read this week that cycling is the third most popular participation sport in the UK, (after football and swimming-although let's face it, a lot of swimming is women chatting in water isn't it!) and I could never figure out where they all are. Well, they are on the Bristol to Bath railway path.
It's great, moderate gradients, straight lines and takes you into the heart of each city. I passed most of the leisure cyclists, and it was just impossible to extend courtesy to all, I'd have never stopped. The surface is also tarmac, so ideal for a bit of steady, head don, go-for-it cycling. the 10 miles into Bristol zipped by, then it was up to Clifton, over the bridge and home the same way as last Sunday, with one exception. There is a new tarmac cycle path leading into Backwell, saving me from a couple of miles of the A370.
One terrific sight today was some men out near Pensford, mending potholes on the back roads. Chapeau to them I say, out in the sunshine, grafting on a Saturday, for a very worthy cause. Let's hope we see more of their ilk in the weeks to come.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30297620
My car is covered by a layer of brown dust, but that is because it hasn't rained for ages and I haven't washed my car for months. So no sign of the volcanic ejection (careful) and it proved to be a lovely ride in the sun.
I am getting a bit tired of always going to the same places, so decided to head over towards Bath, which is only 25 miles as the crow flies. As the bike pedals, it's a bit longer. There are these inconvenient bodies of water-Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes- in the way. Although Bath is sort of north-eastish of us, if you go a northerly route there you clip Bristol, too far to the south and it's Mendip riding all the way. So, judging the mood of the times, I plotted a middle course just north of the Chew Valley and south of the metropolis.
I did do some climbing however. Up the hill out of Wrington, and then up the A38 and right into "Row of Ashes" (it's the road name). Way back in the dark ages, when the Anglo Saxons first pitched up on these shores, they apparently asked the indigenous Britons ("king of the who?") the name of the river they were about to cross. Starting the a long tradition of poor communication, the Britons thought they meant, "what is that trench full of water called?". So the Britons gave them the generic name for "river" and the invaders took it as the name of that river. Thus the River Avon, is actually called the River river according to ancient Britons.
They would have thought a lot more about what they were saying if they had known that 1000 years later, some bureaucratic fools would mess up a perfectly good set of counties, and create a monstrosity called "Avon", named after the River river. And even though that county was later abolished, it still lingers, in all sorts of funny ways. Like the Avon cycleway, a ring of sign-posted roads around Bristol which forms a pleasant rural ride.
I joined it at Stanton Drew, and I had found the Somerset version of Paris-Roubaix. Without the crowds. Or Fabian Cancellara. But lots of gravel, potholes, dust and short, steep hills, some reaching 16-17%. eventually it climbed high above the eponymous river and then rapidly descended to Saltford, about 4 miles from Bath. I thought about heading east, but chose west instead, as the cycleway now joined with the Bristol-Bath railway path/cycleway. It was the closest I have come to a motorway for cyclist, well an A road anyway. I read this week that cycling is the third most popular participation sport in the UK, (after football and swimming-although let's face it, a lot of swimming is women chatting in water isn't it!) and I could never figure out where they all are. Well, they are on the Bristol to Bath railway path.
It's great, moderate gradients, straight lines and takes you into the heart of each city. I passed most of the leisure cyclists, and it was just impossible to extend courtesy to all, I'd have never stopped. The surface is also tarmac, so ideal for a bit of steady, head don, go-for-it cycling. the 10 miles into Bristol zipped by, then it was up to Clifton, over the bridge and home the same way as last Sunday, with one exception. There is a new tarmac cycle path leading into Backwell, saving me from a couple of miles of the A370.
One terrific sight today was some men out near Pensford, mending potholes on the back roads. Chapeau to them I say, out in the sunshine, grafting on a Saturday, for a very worthy cause. Let's hope we see more of their ilk in the weeks to come.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30297620
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Getting better all the time
Do you trust politicians and government officials? I generally err on the side of the sceptical, so when I saw the news today (oh boy)about the Icelandic volcanic eruption I was initially down-hearted. First, any calamitous news from Iceland gets me down-hearted. As a West Ham fan I've nearly 3 years of it, but this had nothing to do with Landsbanki or football. More to do with the shutting of our airspace due to an ash cloud drifting over us.
Now if this cloud of molten rock, glass and ash can kybosh jet engines, what would it do to my (already sub-standard) lungs? On the very day my son goes to a friend's house for a sleepover, thus affording me a short window of opportunity for mid-week cycling? It was dry and bright too. But it was OK, the ministry of something (truth?) explained it all away, saying it was far too high in the atmosphere to affect our health.
So off I went on a short but sharp hilly loop, with about two hours of daylight to complete it in. I don't know about this cloud, but it was pretty windy down on the ground, as I sped down the Axbridge by-pass, and turned the corner up Shipham Hill. The good news is that my ride at the weekend seems to have done me some good, as it was much easier today, but my lingering cold has now all but gone, barring the occasional cough. Either way, I decided to try as high a gear as possible whilst maintaining the same cadence, in the vague hope of some specificity to my training. Bunny will be tearing his fur out at this, because he is just so meticulous and planned. (It's the Judging preference!)
Up to Rowberrow, then down to Churchill and along to, and then up, Burrington Coombe. Then a further "up" to the telephone masts on the top of the Mendips, at just over 1000 feet above sea level. From there is was blast all the way down into Cheddar, by now it was getting a bit nippy too.
Charlie nearly performed perfectly today, but better than the last couple of times. I did the old technology cure-turn off and back on again, that seemed to do the trick. I also realised why the gorge descent was a bit hairy tonight. Part of the gorge actually runs in a NE-SW direction, and the other a SW-NE line. What with all the curves and chicanes and rock formations, there were a couple of moments when I got hit by some nasty crosswinds. So I was on the brakes after that.
So 23 miles and 2000 feet of climbing and it all seemed to go pretty well. I'll do a bit more hill stuff at the weekend, and then should be set up for a good White Horse Challenge the week after!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30142417
After I got home, I got into the bath for a good soak, switched on the radio expecting to hear some good chat about Sport, only to find the numpties had invaded the airwaves. Perhaps they should go on a sight-seeing visit to Iceland!
Now if this cloud of molten rock, glass and ash can kybosh jet engines, what would it do to my (already sub-standard) lungs? On the very day my son goes to a friend's house for a sleepover, thus affording me a short window of opportunity for mid-week cycling? It was dry and bright too. But it was OK, the ministry of something (truth?) explained it all away, saying it was far too high in the atmosphere to affect our health.
So off I went on a short but sharp hilly loop, with about two hours of daylight to complete it in. I don't know about this cloud, but it was pretty windy down on the ground, as I sped down the Axbridge by-pass, and turned the corner up Shipham Hill. The good news is that my ride at the weekend seems to have done me some good, as it was much easier today, but my lingering cold has now all but gone, barring the occasional cough. Either way, I decided to try as high a gear as possible whilst maintaining the same cadence, in the vague hope of some specificity to my training. Bunny will be tearing his fur out at this, because he is just so meticulous and planned. (It's the Judging preference!)
Up to Rowberrow, then down to Churchill and along to, and then up, Burrington Coombe. Then a further "up" to the telephone masts on the top of the Mendips, at just over 1000 feet above sea level. From there is was blast all the way down into Cheddar, by now it was getting a bit nippy too.
Charlie nearly performed perfectly today, but better than the last couple of times. I did the old technology cure-turn off and back on again, that seemed to do the trick. I also realised why the gorge descent was a bit hairy tonight. Part of the gorge actually runs in a NE-SW direction, and the other a SW-NE line. What with all the curves and chicanes and rock formations, there were a couple of moments when I got hit by some nasty crosswinds. So I was on the brakes after that.
So 23 miles and 2000 feet of climbing and it all seemed to go pretty well. I'll do a bit more hill stuff at the weekend, and then should be set up for a good White Horse Challenge the week after!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30142417
After I got home, I got into the bath for a good soak, switched on the radio expecting to hear some good chat about Sport, only to find the numpties had invaded the airwaves. Perhaps they should go on a sight-seeing visit to Iceland!
Sunday, 11 April 2010
City slickers
After yesterday's impromptu ride, today was an official outing of the Axbridge Cycling Group. Skip was off doing a sportive in the Reading area, Knight of the Realm had been going to organise things, he even sent out an e-mail to that effect, but allowed himself to be persuaded into playing football instead. I think alcohol, late nights and the pub were involved, with regrets soon following, but his sense of duty overrode his regret.
So I took up the mantle and sent out another e-mail yesterday, saying that I would organise things. RPM had been going to join me, but was still a bit tired from yesterday, so he reluctantly pulled out. Still I headed off into another day of sunshine, down to the Square, and waited. Until 10 minutes after the allotted time, and I'm sorry if you turned up late because there was confusion about today's start time. I had no replies to the e-mail, and no-one has contacted me since I got back, so it was down to me to fly the flag.
So it came to pass that the official ACG comprised, for one ride only, just me. At least that meant I had to make all the decisions about routes, cafes, etc. etc. And you know how much I love hills right? The wind was getting up, and forecast to get stronger as the day went on, so I figured, head into it (north-east) via some hills, and come back on the flat with a tailwind.
So that's what I did. I went to Bristol, via Shipham Hill, Redhill, Dundry Hill, and then up to Clifton via some steep nasty lanes in Hotwells. Across the suspension bridge, and back via Belmont Hill and the A370. I was a bit jaded myself after yesterday, and for about 45 minutes in the middle of the ride, Charlie played up as well. This time it looks like I went faster than I did because he missed most of the climb up to Dundry. Starts off about 10% out of Felton, then ramps up to 17% towards the top.
The actual mileage was 43.13 with an average of only 13.7 mph. First time I have done that one from the south and a nasty one it is too. I was ambling today, mainly down the hills, including the descent of Dundry which has some nasty hairpins and you need to keep on the brakes really. I was also pretty unused to hills, it's been two weeks since the Cheshire cat, so I needed to get those climbing muscles working again.
Sunday, as you know, is the most dangerous day to be on a bike, and there were a number of sets of roadworks in the city, causing some frustrated and dangerous driving. You will be pleased to know I was a model of serenity today, I needed all my energy for the hills. Town cycling is not as fun as the countryside, but at least it was nice to go somewhere different for a change. Even if I do work in Bristol 5 days a week.
Cafe stop? Well I gave that a miss, but I did buy myself a 99 ice-cream from a van by the suspension bridge. The area was crowded with tourists, and a lot of cyclists headed for the Ashton court MTB trails. Even a few roadies, much younger than me, who powered past me as I headed towards Flax Bourton.
So, I hope that you all enjoyed yourself, whatever you did today. I really loved being in charge of the ACG, next time I hope a few of you can help me up those hills!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29711024
So I took up the mantle and sent out another e-mail yesterday, saying that I would organise things. RPM had been going to join me, but was still a bit tired from yesterday, so he reluctantly pulled out. Still I headed off into another day of sunshine, down to the Square, and waited. Until 10 minutes after the allotted time, and I'm sorry if you turned up late because there was confusion about today's start time. I had no replies to the e-mail, and no-one has contacted me since I got back, so it was down to me to fly the flag.
So it came to pass that the official ACG comprised, for one ride only, just me. At least that meant I had to make all the decisions about routes, cafes, etc. etc. And you know how much I love hills right? The wind was getting up, and forecast to get stronger as the day went on, so I figured, head into it (north-east) via some hills, and come back on the flat with a tailwind.
So that's what I did. I went to Bristol, via Shipham Hill, Redhill, Dundry Hill, and then up to Clifton via some steep nasty lanes in Hotwells. Across the suspension bridge, and back via Belmont Hill and the A370. I was a bit jaded myself after yesterday, and for about 45 minutes in the middle of the ride, Charlie played up as well. This time it looks like I went faster than I did because he missed most of the climb up to Dundry. Starts off about 10% out of Felton, then ramps up to 17% towards the top.
The actual mileage was 43.13 with an average of only 13.7 mph. First time I have done that one from the south and a nasty one it is too. I was ambling today, mainly down the hills, including the descent of Dundry which has some nasty hairpins and you need to keep on the brakes really. I was also pretty unused to hills, it's been two weeks since the Cheshire cat, so I needed to get those climbing muscles working again.
Sunday, as you know, is the most dangerous day to be on a bike, and there were a number of sets of roadworks in the city, causing some frustrated and dangerous driving. You will be pleased to know I was a model of serenity today, I needed all my energy for the hills. Town cycling is not as fun as the countryside, but at least it was nice to go somewhere different for a change. Even if I do work in Bristol 5 days a week.
Cafe stop? Well I gave that a miss, but I did buy myself a 99 ice-cream from a van by the suspension bridge. The area was crowded with tourists, and a lot of cyclists headed for the Ashton court MTB trails. Even a few roadies, much younger than me, who powered past me as I headed towards Flax Bourton.
So, I hope that you all enjoyed yourself, whatever you did today. I really loved being in charge of the ACG, next time I hope a few of you can help me up those hills!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29711024
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Speedplay
So much on my mind today, so if you are in a hurry I'd come back later. If not, plump up the cushions, get a cup of tea, and settle down to read.
What are those white things coming out from under my shorts? Oh yes, legs. Last seen in daylight, and dare I say it, sunshine, some time around last September. This winter seems like the longest one for ages, but finally, today there was a glimmer of a forecast of an expectation of SPRING. Of course, that means faff in the clothing-choice department. Short or long gloves? It's 5 degrees at 8.30, but by midday the temperature will be in double figures. Thankfully cycling kit manufacturers have invented arm warmers, and best of all, the gilet, for that very circumstance.
So with clean cycling shoes on, for they too had not seen the daylight since last year, I headed off into a glorious day of light haze, light breeze, down to Axbridge to meet Knight of the Realm and the Rowberrow Pedal-man (RPM). He has those round pedals, where the clip mechanism is in the cleat on the shoe, not the other way round. We spent ages trying to remember their name, as we all headed over towards Glastonbury.
Why are gadgets and mechanical bits of kit so interesting? I'm not very good with mechanics, but I find the whole business fascinating? How does a derailleur gear shift work? Why are some hubs sealed and others not? Internal cable routing, a good thing? And best of all, RPM has a Garmin too, so we can spend hours, no years, chatting away about its features, deficiencies, when they go wrong, how the cadence and speed sensors work together. Marvellous.
Actually Charlie had a bad day today, kept cutting in and out of reception, so although the stats show I did 45ish miles at over 17 mph, I actually did nearer 51 at 16.8mph. Garmin is more fun, but Cateye is more reliable. A few hills, including one I chucked in at the end to take me over 50 miles, but mostly pan flat levels riding.
Speedplay, that was the name of the pedals. Which actually summed up our ride quite nicely. Both Knight and RPM are quite big chaps, and I am not, so it was great to draft them, and take our turns on the front. We rode in a line most of the way around, doing a middle-aged version of the British pursuit team, but with only 3 members and carrying more "luggage". So we were able to make pretty good time, have a nice coffee stop in Glasto, and still have time for a bit of sprinting. KG took the stage win, but I think I got the points jersey.
Loads and loads of cyclists out on the roads today too, probably all trying to get away from cutting the grass or DIY. I was escaping from my obligation as a West Ham season ticket holder. The idea of driving 6 hours in the sunshine and watching us teeter towards the Championship didn't hold the same appeal.
A bit like the election. You know it's happening and it affects you, but you'd rather not think about it, much less be involved. We passed a billboard in a field- "Vote for change, vote Conservative". Irrespective of the politics, has no-one in their PR machine spotted the linguistic tautology there?
Pleased to say I remembered to wear suncream, let's hope I need much more of it as the Spring and Summer roll on. Allez le Rouge et Noir!
http://connect.garmin.com/player/29541696
What are those white things coming out from under my shorts? Oh yes, legs. Last seen in daylight, and dare I say it, sunshine, some time around last September. This winter seems like the longest one for ages, but finally, today there was a glimmer of a forecast of an expectation of SPRING. Of course, that means faff in the clothing-choice department. Short or long gloves? It's 5 degrees at 8.30, but by midday the temperature will be in double figures. Thankfully cycling kit manufacturers have invented arm warmers, and best of all, the gilet, for that very circumstance.
So with clean cycling shoes on, for they too had not seen the daylight since last year, I headed off into a glorious day of light haze, light breeze, down to Axbridge to meet Knight of the Realm and the Rowberrow Pedal-man (RPM). He has those round pedals, where the clip mechanism is in the cleat on the shoe, not the other way round. We spent ages trying to remember their name, as we all headed over towards Glastonbury.
Why are gadgets and mechanical bits of kit so interesting? I'm not very good with mechanics, but I find the whole business fascinating? How does a derailleur gear shift work? Why are some hubs sealed and others not? Internal cable routing, a good thing? And best of all, RPM has a Garmin too, so we can spend hours, no years, chatting away about its features, deficiencies, when they go wrong, how the cadence and speed sensors work together. Marvellous.
Actually Charlie had a bad day today, kept cutting in and out of reception, so although the stats show I did 45ish miles at over 17 mph, I actually did nearer 51 at 16.8mph. Garmin is more fun, but Cateye is more reliable. A few hills, including one I chucked in at the end to take me over 50 miles, but mostly pan flat levels riding.
Speedplay, that was the name of the pedals. Which actually summed up our ride quite nicely. Both Knight and RPM are quite big chaps, and I am not, so it was great to draft them, and take our turns on the front. We rode in a line most of the way around, doing a middle-aged version of the British pursuit team, but with only 3 members and carrying more "luggage". So we were able to make pretty good time, have a nice coffee stop in Glasto, and still have time for a bit of sprinting. KG took the stage win, but I think I got the points jersey.
Loads and loads of cyclists out on the roads today too, probably all trying to get away from cutting the grass or DIY. I was escaping from my obligation as a West Ham season ticket holder. The idea of driving 6 hours in the sunshine and watching us teeter towards the Championship didn't hold the same appeal.
A bit like the election. You know it's happening and it affects you, but you'd rather not think about it, much less be involved. We passed a billboard in a field- "Vote for change, vote Conservative". Irrespective of the politics, has no-one in their PR machine spotted the linguistic tautology there?
Pleased to say I remembered to wear suncream, let's hope I need much more of it as the Spring and Summer roll on. Allez le Rouge et Noir!
http://connect.garmin.com/player/29541696
Monday, 5 April 2010
We are all human
Today was very much a "get it done" day. I decided to take the opportunity of an early morning weather window, combined with a Bank Holiday, to get some miles in. I also added in a couple of short, but sharp hills for good measure. The wind was southerly today, and as you can see from Charlie's profile, the route has an inverse triangle look about it, the apex being at the southernmost tip.
As is my wont, I indulged in a spot of delayed gratification by heading out into the wind first, and a couple of stretches were pretty monotonous. Speaking of monotony, I almost joined a time trial competition by accident, quite literally. As I came down the hill from Axbridge to Cross, I entered their marshaling area, where one of the entrants was behaving like a Brean pedestrian, i.e. not looking where he was going or what was coming down the hill at speed towards him. He was very apologetic though, and as he was on a bicycle, albeit with a funny helmet and solid back wheel, I forgave him.
I looped around past the Webbington, Loxton and up and over to Bleadon, then headed down straight roads to Brent Knoll. Which I went over from the north for the first time (max 17%) before heading for the moors and that long stretch into the wind. I turned for home and caught a draft from a tractor for a few hundred yards before it out ran me. Or out chugged me. Later on a tractor let me go first, which was a great motivator as i was determined not to be re-overtaken!
Although a Monday, there were a lot of cyclists out on the roads today, only so much TV you can watch I guess, as well as walkers and horses. As I sped towards Blackford I approached one lady on a horse and gave my customary warning "cyclist behind you". I don't, really, really don't, want to stereotype here. But it is very difficult not to, and in a way, proves the point of my own assumptions. "Nice to see one of your kind being so polite" she said. "Three of your kind just went by me so fast without a warning".
One of your kind? Hmmm. You know and I know she meant cyclist. Was the time trialist a cyclist? Or a human being behaving foolishly? Are horse riders human, like me? Or are they a new sub-species? The cyclists who charged by the horse and rider, am I responsible for their behaviour or guilty by association? Should I have apologised? Taken the word of a horse rider?
So you can see how difficult this whole stereotyping and categorisation of humans is. It's how wars start. Imagine the ranks of the horse riders, charging down upon the time-trialists, as we the MTBers wade in to their rescue, before hot-hatch teenagers come in to the fray?
You see what cycling on my own does to me?
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29088586
As is my wont, I indulged in a spot of delayed gratification by heading out into the wind first, and a couple of stretches were pretty monotonous. Speaking of monotony, I almost joined a time trial competition by accident, quite literally. As I came down the hill from Axbridge to Cross, I entered their marshaling area, where one of the entrants was behaving like a Brean pedestrian, i.e. not looking where he was going or what was coming down the hill at speed towards him. He was very apologetic though, and as he was on a bicycle, albeit with a funny helmet and solid back wheel, I forgave him.
I looped around past the Webbington, Loxton and up and over to Bleadon, then headed down straight roads to Brent Knoll. Which I went over from the north for the first time (max 17%) before heading for the moors and that long stretch into the wind. I turned for home and caught a draft from a tractor for a few hundred yards before it out ran me. Or out chugged me. Later on a tractor let me go first, which was a great motivator as i was determined not to be re-overtaken!
Although a Monday, there were a lot of cyclists out on the roads today, only so much TV you can watch I guess, as well as walkers and horses. As I sped towards Blackford I approached one lady on a horse and gave my customary warning "cyclist behind you". I don't, really, really don't, want to stereotype here. But it is very difficult not to, and in a way, proves the point of my own assumptions. "Nice to see one of your kind being so polite" she said. "Three of your kind just went by me so fast without a warning".
One of your kind? Hmmm. You know and I know she meant cyclist. Was the time trialist a cyclist? Or a human being behaving foolishly? Are horse riders human, like me? Or are they a new sub-species? The cyclists who charged by the horse and rider, am I responsible for their behaviour or guilty by association? Should I have apologised? Taken the word of a horse rider?
So you can see how difficult this whole stereotyping and categorisation of humans is. It's how wars start. Imagine the ranks of the horse riders, charging down upon the time-trialists, as we the MTBers wade in to their rescue, before hot-hatch teenagers come in to the fray?
You see what cycling on my own does to me?
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29088586
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Cafe of the Year 2010
I had done no exercise since the Cheshire cat. I had barely left the house since Thursday, and I had not spoken to a person since Friday morning. The plan had been that when my family left to go and visit the in-laws for Easter, I would spend my time cycling. But a combination of the remnants of my cold, atrocious weather and extreme lethargy all worked their magic to keep me pinned down on the sofa for the best part of two days.
I would probably have defaulted there again if I had not made plans to meet Skip down in the Square in Axbridge, for a Sunday-morning ride in a vague northerly direction.
As readers of previous posts will know, Sunday is the most dangerous day to ride a bike, and people on their holidays on unfamiliar roads are also not my favourite people. Note to self: "Avoid Berrow, Brean and Weston super Mare until September". I didn't actually get rude or angry until I was nearly home (when despite my clear signal to turn right , and plenty of time for my manoeuvre too,the car driver behind me decided I would like to hear his car horn. I gave him some Anglo Saxon-that will learn him!), but I do feel a certain amount of indignation that people don't look, or don't judge that a road cyclist moving at 15-18mph will be upon you before you have crossed that road. Skip thinks I'm a tad aggressive I think, but my view is that you just have to teach these idiots a lesson. I know what you are thinking, I'm thinking it myself. "Grow up Modern middle-aged man, accept it with good grace and don't provoke the grockles. Chances are they have a knife anyway".
I coughed my way around the route for the second successive Sunday, although at just over 40 miles it doesn't feel as bad as it did last week. I did actually enjoy it. Especially as we got to go to a new cafe in Kewstoke. Technically I think it's a wine bar, but it had freshly baked scones and a filter coffee for 2.95, which makes it a cafe in my book. The New Castle, very friendly, good views out over the Bristol channel towards Wales, and importantly for the ladies-very clean toilets. An early contender for Cafe of the Year 2010, a competition of which I will be the sole arbiter. Criteria: 1. Value for money, 2. Range and quality of food (no bacon sandwiches for Knight of the Realm, but you can get a pint there I think), 3.Cleanliness of Toilets 4.Friendliness and effectiveness of staff, 5. External environment (is the view good? can I see my bike while I am inside? Am I likely to get beaten up if I look at anyone in a funny way [we are talking location I think]).
My big mistake of the day was to leave Charlie switched on whilst in the cafe. So I thought that would mean a low average speed, which it does, and you can see from the map that there are loads of red squiggles in Kewstoke, denoting some strange computations in my cafe stop. But, it's a clever old thing is Charlie. It actually calculates average speed and average moving speed, so 15.4 on a very windy day like today is actually very respectable.
The cough is coming under control too, so perhaps it did me some good. I can't wait to find some more cafes to enter the competition.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/28900568
I would probably have defaulted there again if I had not made plans to meet Skip down in the Square in Axbridge, for a Sunday-morning ride in a vague northerly direction.
As readers of previous posts will know, Sunday is the most dangerous day to ride a bike, and people on their holidays on unfamiliar roads are also not my favourite people. Note to self: "Avoid Berrow, Brean and Weston super Mare until September". I didn't actually get rude or angry until I was nearly home (when despite my clear signal to turn right , and plenty of time for my manoeuvre too,the car driver behind me decided I would like to hear his car horn. I gave him some Anglo Saxon-that will learn him!), but I do feel a certain amount of indignation that people don't look, or don't judge that a road cyclist moving at 15-18mph will be upon you before you have crossed that road. Skip thinks I'm a tad aggressive I think, but my view is that you just have to teach these idiots a lesson. I know what you are thinking, I'm thinking it myself. "Grow up Modern middle-aged man, accept it with good grace and don't provoke the grockles. Chances are they have a knife anyway".
I coughed my way around the route for the second successive Sunday, although at just over 40 miles it doesn't feel as bad as it did last week. I did actually enjoy it. Especially as we got to go to a new cafe in Kewstoke. Technically I think it's a wine bar, but it had freshly baked scones and a filter coffee for 2.95, which makes it a cafe in my book. The New Castle, very friendly, good views out over the Bristol channel towards Wales, and importantly for the ladies-very clean toilets. An early contender for Cafe of the Year 2010, a competition of which I will be the sole arbiter. Criteria: 1. Value for money, 2. Range and quality of food (no bacon sandwiches for Knight of the Realm, but you can get a pint there I think), 3.Cleanliness of Toilets 4.Friendliness and effectiveness of staff, 5. External environment (is the view good? can I see my bike while I am inside? Am I likely to get beaten up if I look at anyone in a funny way [we are talking location I think]).
My big mistake of the day was to leave Charlie switched on whilst in the cafe. So I thought that would mean a low average speed, which it does, and you can see from the map that there are loads of red squiggles in Kewstoke, denoting some strange computations in my cafe stop. But, it's a clever old thing is Charlie. It actually calculates average speed and average moving speed, so 15.4 on a very windy day like today is actually very respectable.
The cough is coming under control too, so perhaps it did me some good. I can't wait to find some more cafes to enter the competition.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/28900568
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