...300 miles
I'm liking the commute...
- great fun
- great training
- great unwind at the end of the day
- great!
i'm thinking I best give the knobbly tyres an airing soon
but, still cant get used to the bloody Look Keo's, I never had this much of a problem with SPD's?!
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
learning the ropes
some quick lessons i have learnt already on my commutes to work...
1. if you have to look behind, make it a bloody quick glance to avoid hitting the car that has stopped in front of you
2. milk floats are my new best friend, especially on roundabouts, they hold all the traffic up leaving you a vehicle free circular bit of tarmac to flow round at a decent pace
3. watch out for pot holes, pot holes and more pot holes, oh and the occasional drain which has a perfect wheel sized gap for you to dissappear into
4. use other cyclists as a target to help with your training, perhaps easing off a bit next time I follow a cyclist from East Bradford Cycling Club will stop the pain in the legs the following day. His calf muscles were bigger than my head
5. you can be too easily fooled by the temperature setting off at 6.45am, the long sleeve and base layer isnt going to be needed too much just at the moment
6. these skinny tyred bikes go flippin quick, and dont stop quite as quick as my mountain bike with disc brakes, its amazing how big number plates can appear
7. if your going to keep your feet clipped in at traffic lights and hold onto a nearby barrier, make sure you actually grab the barrier when you start leaning
8. pedestrians with ipods are lethal
9. be more alert, especially at level crossings, its pointless seeing the pedestrian subway once the lights have stopped flashing and the gates have come up
10. take care, especially at level crossings when using the pedestrian subway, road shoes and concrete steps do not mix well, oh and if you time it right, by the time you get out the other side of the pedestrian subway the lights should have stopped flashing and the gates should be up
...always learning...
1. if you have to look behind, make it a bloody quick glance to avoid hitting the car that has stopped in front of you
2. milk floats are my new best friend, especially on roundabouts, they hold all the traffic up leaving you a vehicle free circular bit of tarmac to flow round at a decent pace
3. watch out for pot holes, pot holes and more pot holes, oh and the occasional drain which has a perfect wheel sized gap for you to dissappear into
4. use other cyclists as a target to help with your training, perhaps easing off a bit next time I follow a cyclist from East Bradford Cycling Club will stop the pain in the legs the following day. His calf muscles were bigger than my head
5. you can be too easily fooled by the temperature setting off at 6.45am, the long sleeve and base layer isnt going to be needed too much just at the moment
6. these skinny tyred bikes go flippin quick, and dont stop quite as quick as my mountain bike with disc brakes, its amazing how big number plates can appear
7. if your going to keep your feet clipped in at traffic lights and hold onto a nearby barrier, make sure you actually grab the barrier when you start leaning
8. pedestrians with ipods are lethal
9. be more alert, especially at level crossings, its pointless seeing the pedestrian subway once the lights have stopped flashing and the gates have come up
10. take care, especially at level crossings when using the pedestrian subway, road shoes and concrete steps do not mix well, oh and if you time it right, by the time you get out the other side of the pedestrian subway the lights should have stopped flashing and the gates should be up
...always learning...
is it really that long....?
that long since I have been on here?
I kept thinking I need to write up some of my cycling tales from the past few months but didnt realise those few months went as far back as Feb!
Anyways, loads been happening, 10 under the Ben, Mountain Mayhem, injured knees, lots of training, lack of training, oh and the latest development of entering the darkside. I never thought I would see this day, the days of skinny wheels and over tight lycra that I once knew have come back for a second sitting.
The idea behind this crazy chosen path of life is to commute by bike. But as it 6.10am and I should be pulling on the lycra ready for todays 17.5 mile speed into work I will have to turn this off for now and report back more later...
I kept thinking I need to write up some of my cycling tales from the past few months but didnt realise those few months went as far back as Feb!
Anyways, loads been happening, 10 under the Ben, Mountain Mayhem, injured knees, lots of training, lack of training, oh and the latest development of entering the darkside. I never thought I would see this day, the days of skinny wheels and over tight lycra that I once knew have come back for a second sitting.
The idea behind this crazy chosen path of life is to commute by bike. But as it 6.10am and I should be pulling on the lycra ready for todays 17.5 mile speed into work I will have to turn this off for now and report back more later...
Sunday, 22 February 2009
early morning peaks
The arrangements were made to meet my design team for a Sunday morning hike in the Peak District, seeting off from Langsett Barn...this was too good a opportunity to miss
9.30am...set off walking, this gives me enough time to get up, get my things together and head off for a very early morning ride up Cutgate before I swap lycra for woolly socks.
9.30am...set off walking, this gives me enough time to get up, get my things together and head off for a very early morning ride up Cutgate before I swap lycra for woolly socks.
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Its Sunday morning and as yesterday seemed to be a bit of a write off due to Friday nights excessive drinking I decided I best get myself back in the saddle for a mornings ride out. With the temptation of just doing an hour on the turbo trainer making it even harder for me to get my act together to go out I soon realised that the mud tracks of choice this morning would be ones leading in and out of Ackworth.
Bike assembled I continued on the final off road section and chose to ride the rest of the outing mainly on tarmac to try and allow me to put some effort in without worrying about slipping and breaking something.
With clothing layers aplenty I was soon away leaving behind the warmth of the house and the smell of toasted tea cakes, which I consumed for Breakfast to fuel this mornings activities. Not really knowing where this ride was going to lead me today I literally did just follow my nose and soon came across the remnants of this weeks snow fall.
From the Ackworth water tower I continued to follow tarmac for a while longer, only this tarmac still had a generous helping of snow and ice clinging to its surface. What would normally be a quick decent turned out to be a sketchy freewheel at a rather leisurely pace!
The first of the off road showed excellent signs of the frozen ground which lay ahead. The snow and sub zero conditions do have their merits.
The bridleway which brings you out to Rogerthorpe Manor usually has its fair share of puddles on a good day and these, today, were frozen solid, well almost all of them. Every time I let my wheels go atop the ice, it set me off thinking "will it, won't it?" It was only very occasionally that the ice failed me and sent my rear wheel crashing into whatever lay beneath. After hitting a few and been let down by more and more I opted for the meandering journey around the ice which probably made the length of this bridleway twice as long as normal.
The climb up to Upton water tower presented the most snow on this ride which made the climb just that little bit harder but ever more rewarding. A quick stop to take a picture and before the cold air could make its way into my many layers I was just as quickly back in the saddle to complete the climb.
From Upton I opted for the track which eventually brings you out to the Hemsworth bypass. On a section of this route there is a very short and not that steep a climb onto a bridge which takes you over the railway. This also was ice and snow covered and to my disapointment I spun out about two thirds of the way up. The dog walker stood on top, watching me with no doubt sheer amusement proceeded to ask "is it a bit slippy"?!! The whole bridge was covered in snow and ice!! But, rather than come back with a smart arse wise crack I carried on with a "good morning".
Before I could get to the road I was struck down with a rear puncture...time for a quick pit stop. Well, removing the wheel and tube was quick but getting rid of the stubborn thorn wedged in my tyre was not as equally quick. Why does this happen when it is freezing.
Bike assembled I continued on the final off road section and chose to ride the rest of the outing mainly on tarmac to try and allow me to put some effort in without worrying about slipping and breaking something.
Back home and all that was left to do was have a cup of tea, get in to my bike washing wellie's and turn the hose pipe on...only the hose pipe was frozen solid too!!
Thursday, 5 February 2009
only by the night
Another Thursday...another night on the bike. This time the chosen bike was the Kona firmly fixed to the turbo trainer.
Tuesday night this week was a great ride out in the snow...2 ½ hrs and a grand total of around 7 miles covered...not one of our better distances, but it was great fun all the same. It was a long day at work trying to suppress the excitement of been able to play out in the snow that evening, in fact the best covering of snow I had seen in a long time and my excitement was not disappointed.
However, 1 snow ride and 1 frozen bike in a week I felt was enough and decided to take the training to my fitness suite...the garage...the cold garage!
Tonight’s training went well, my fitness is feeling good at the moment, if only I could shed some unwanted pounds I would be much happier..and probably just that bit quicker on the bike.
As usual, I had the TV in front for something to stare at and my earphones plugged in blaring some fast tempo music into my perspiring head. Tonight’s musical talents came to me courtesy of Kings of Leon, ‘Only by the night’ album. What a great choice, the tempo seemed to fit perfectly to the pyramid training I was putting my body through and the length was also about perfect.
That, I am sure, will be staying number one choice for a while
Tuesday night this week was a great ride out in the snow...2 ½ hrs and a grand total of around 7 miles covered...not one of our better distances, but it was great fun all the same. It was a long day at work trying to suppress the excitement of been able to play out in the snow that evening, in fact the best covering of snow I had seen in a long time and my excitement was not disappointed.
However, 1 snow ride and 1 frozen bike in a week I felt was enough and decided to take the training to my fitness suite...the garage...the cold garage!
Tonight’s training went well, my fitness is feeling good at the moment, if only I could shed some unwanted pounds I would be much happier..and probably just that bit quicker on the bike.
As usual, I had the TV in front for something to stare at and my earphones plugged in blaring some fast tempo music into my perspiring head. Tonight’s musical talents came to me courtesy of Kings of Leon, ‘Only by the night’ album. What a great choice, the tempo seemed to fit perfectly to the pyramid training I was putting my body through and the length was also about perfect.
That, I am sure, will be staying number one choice for a while
Thursday, 29 January 2009
return to Ben
thats done it...I am now once again part of the list of foolish solo riders wanting to take part in 10 under the Ben 2009
it was a great event last year, in fact out of the one's I attended, I think this has to be my favourite.
Best start training, eating less and buying light things for my bike...
it was a great event last year, in fact out of the one's I attended, I think this has to be my favourite.
Best start training, eating less and buying light things for my bike...
Sunday, 11 January 2009
swaledale - take 2
"perhaps more ice, maybe a bit of snow, hopefully no rain, but I'm sure it'll be cold!"
all of the above (excluding the snow), to the extreme!
I have a feeling this ride will be honoured with a write up on FatLad very shortly so I will keep this to a minimum and cheat by linking to FL when it is posted up...with photos hopefully!
In short, is was fecking cold, even finding it hard to get out of the warmth of the car to start with, soon warmed up into the first section of the ride along Swaledale, edged along the river having to push through farm fields to avoid burst banks in places, fought with the wind and the extreme cold once we started to climb Gunnerside Ghyll, pushed the bikes on too much of the ride due to ice covered tracks, turned round and came back the way we came due to a stream crossing which was nigh on impossible to cross....
...but...what a day out. A great ride, stunning scenary, a numb chin which gave me a stutter Arkwright would be proud of, excellent company and I can't wait for the next one.
Come on Al, get the pics uploaded...
all of the above (excluding the snow), to the extreme!
I have a feeling this ride will be honoured with a write up on FatLad very shortly so I will keep this to a minimum and cheat by linking to FL when it is posted up...with photos hopefully!
In short, is was fecking cold, even finding it hard to get out of the warmth of the car to start with, soon warmed up into the first section of the ride along Swaledale, edged along the river having to push through farm fields to avoid burst banks in places, fought with the wind and the extreme cold once we started to climb Gunnerside Ghyll, pushed the bikes on too much of the ride due to ice covered tracks, turned round and came back the way we came due to a stream crossing which was nigh on impossible to cross....
...but...what a day out. A great ride, stunning scenary, a numb chin which gave me a stutter Arkwright would be proud of, excellent company and I can't wait for the next one.
Come on Al, get the pics uploaded...
Saturday, 10 January 2009
tomorrow...
were off for a re-run of 'a day in the dales', (see below).
See what its like this time of the year, perhaps more ice, maybe a bit of snow, hopefully no rain, but I'm sure it'll be cold! New Buff at the ready...
it will be something along the lines of...
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
a day in the dales
Swaledale was the chosen dale of all dales this time. I must admit, I love this place, load sof character, great villages, top pubs, real ale and for me a lot of childhood memories of holidays of old.
So, this ride, I decided was to commence from Reeth which is about 30 mins from the A1. I parked up in the centre of the village on the cobbled car park and paid my due's into the honesty box. Whilst pulling the various bits of bike from my car another mountain bikers taxi pulled up beside me and out got a father and son combination. They had travelled from Lincolnshire and were staying in the area and getting in as much mtb'ing as possible...ideal!
This was a cold morning and I was glad to set off to get the blood circulating and some warmth regained. Leaving the village on a fast tarmac descent I was already looking forward to my flask of tea and a lump of cake on my return to the car. That, I hoped, was to be sometime away as I had a days riding to do in this wonderful part of the country.
I followed the tarmac to Grinton where I turned off the 'main' road and eventually picked up a bridleway which was to lead me adjacent to the River Swale. The route along the Swale was mainly bridleway and good bridleway at that with a few bits of road mixed in. The last stretch of bridleway takes you very close to the Swale so much so that the latest heavy rainfalls had caused the river to spill over onto the track. Looking along the track as far as I could see, which was a long way, the end was nowhere in sight. The water was deep and I didn’t particularly fancy riding it this early on in a ride. Luckily there was a bit of a makeshift path to the side which I managed to tentatively wobble my way along using the bike as a walking stick.
Leaving the bridleways behind for a short while I made my way by road into Gunnerside village before taking a minor road out and up onto the side of Gunnerside pasture. This was the start of the long climb. I soon got myself back onto a bridleway which immediately doubled back on itself and then turn north to start taking me up into Gunnerside Gill. The climb was good, not too steep but nice and long. Somewhere near the top I decided it was time for pasty and chocolate and with that in mind i found myself a seat where I could take in the amazing views.
Refuelled and eager to continue I carried on up the last section of uphill and the higher I climbed to more icicles I spotted dangling at the side of the track. Everything levelled out for a short while until I started to descend in to the main site of Gunnerside Gill where some of the mining remains still stand. The downhill was good and fast and admittedly a little worrying due to the amount of frozen water covering the path. A few sideways moments and trying not to use too much brake I got myself safely to the bottom.
The climb back out from the Gill starts with a very narrow singletrack which immediately climbs steeply before again descending back to the Gill for a water crossing minus bridge. Once again, using my bike as a walking stick I picked my way across the Gill. Another very narrow singletrack climbed and headed me further north and then back on myself to pick up the main bridleway on top of Friarfold Moor.
I remembered this path from many years ago when I came here during my student years and I had a sneaking feeling that a good downhill was in wait at the other side of the moor. The land up here is very barren and bleak, not a place to have bike mechanicals! I was heading down again and the path headed off into the distance as far as I could see. With smile firmly in place I freewheeled as fast as I dared downhill at the side of Old Gang Beck. The freezing air was doing fine job of numbing my knees and chin but this was not to dampen what was an amazing downhill...I will definitely be back to visit this one again.
Seeing tarmac again, i had a short climb up hill to the start of the next bridleway. Not too easy to find which was the correct path I slowly inched my way forward, checked the map and checked again I decided to descend onto what I believed to be my chosen path. Then disaster struck, my chain snapped. Not too upset as I knew I had put a powerlink in my Camelbak not too long ago, so I set to work. But, my powerlink was doing a fantastic job of hiding, it was not to be found anywhere. Now getting seriously cold as the weather was starting to change I decided, whilst chomping through a sausage roll that I would do a quick fix and shorten the chain. This done, but deciding this was not the best chain repair I had ever achieved and after consulting OS once again I opted for the road option back to Reeth.
It was a shame, but it just means I will have to return sometime soon to complete the full ride. All in all I covered approximately 33km and had a great time.
One last thing to do before driving home....cup of tea and cake...only the tea I left in my Dwain Dibbley flask in my car had gone stone cold...how disappointing!
So, this ride, I decided was to commence from Reeth which is about 30 mins from the A1. I parked up in the centre of the village on the cobbled car park and paid my due's into the honesty box. Whilst pulling the various bits of bike from my car another mountain bikers taxi pulled up beside me and out got a father and son combination. They had travelled from Lincolnshire and were staying in the area and getting in as much mtb'ing as possible...ideal!
This was a cold morning and I was glad to set off to get the blood circulating and some warmth regained. Leaving the village on a fast tarmac descent I was already looking forward to my flask of tea and a lump of cake on my return to the car. That, I hoped, was to be sometime away as I had a days riding to do in this wonderful part of the country.
I followed the tarmac to Grinton where I turned off the 'main' road and eventually picked up a bridleway which was to lead me adjacent to the River Swale. The route along the Swale was mainly bridleway and good bridleway at that with a few bits of road mixed in. The last stretch of bridleway takes you very close to the Swale so much so that the latest heavy rainfalls had caused the river to spill over onto the track. Looking along the track as far as I could see, which was a long way, the end was nowhere in sight. The water was deep and I didn’t particularly fancy riding it this early on in a ride. Luckily there was a bit of a makeshift path to the side which I managed to tentatively wobble my way along using the bike as a walking stick.
Leaving the bridleways behind for a short while I made my way by road into Gunnerside village before taking a minor road out and up onto the side of Gunnerside pasture. This was the start of the long climb. I soon got myself back onto a bridleway which immediately doubled back on itself and then turn north to start taking me up into Gunnerside Gill. The climb was good, not too steep but nice and long. Somewhere near the top I decided it was time for pasty and chocolate and with that in mind i found myself a seat where I could take in the amazing views.
Refuelled and eager to continue I carried on up the last section of uphill and the higher I climbed to more icicles I spotted dangling at the side of the track. Everything levelled out for a short while until I started to descend in to the main site of Gunnerside Gill where some of the mining remains still stand. The downhill was good and fast and admittedly a little worrying due to the amount of frozen water covering the path. A few sideways moments and trying not to use too much brake I got myself safely to the bottom.
The climb back out from the Gill starts with a very narrow singletrack which immediately climbs steeply before again descending back to the Gill for a water crossing minus bridge. Once again, using my bike as a walking stick I picked my way across the Gill. Another very narrow singletrack climbed and headed me further north and then back on myself to pick up the main bridleway on top of Friarfold Moor.
I remembered this path from many years ago when I came here during my student years and I had a sneaking feeling that a good downhill was in wait at the other side of the moor. The land up here is very barren and bleak, not a place to have bike mechanicals! I was heading down again and the path headed off into the distance as far as I could see. With smile firmly in place I freewheeled as fast as I dared downhill at the side of Old Gang Beck. The freezing air was doing fine job of numbing my knees and chin but this was not to dampen what was an amazing downhill...I will definitely be back to visit this one again.
Seeing tarmac again, i had a short climb up hill to the start of the next bridleway. Not too easy to find which was the correct path I slowly inched my way forward, checked the map and checked again I decided to descend onto what I believed to be my chosen path. Then disaster struck, my chain snapped. Not too upset as I knew I had put a powerlink in my Camelbak not too long ago, so I set to work. But, my powerlink was doing a fantastic job of hiding, it was not to be found anywhere. Now getting seriously cold as the weather was starting to change I decided, whilst chomping through a sausage roll that I would do a quick fix and shorten the chain. This done, but deciding this was not the best chain repair I had ever achieved and after consulting OS once again I opted for the road option back to Reeth.
It was a shame, but it just means I will have to return sometime soon to complete the full ride. All in all I covered approximately 33km and had a great time.
One last thing to do before driving home....cup of tea and cake...only the tea I left in my Dwain Dibbley flask in my car had gone stone cold...how disappointing!
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