Travel Road Show

There was a roadshow on campus today, mainly about non-car means of getting to and from the University.

Just like to say thanks to the bike shops that came along; I needed some new bidons from Brussels- London, and got a new plastic bidon from Langsett Cycles, but spanking TWO aluminium ones from Edinburgh Bike Coop - which was nice!

Thanks guys - and snubbed noses to 'certain' bike shops that chose not to attend and give out freebies.

Have to see now how I get on with a bidon you can't squeeze...

We know where you are!

Getting the hang of this electronic thingiemiggie.

When I'm out riding, you should now see a new post starting:

Cyclemeter Cycle...

Click on the URL there under either "Google Maps URL:" or "Shortened Google Maps URL:" and you should see where I am, give or take five minutes or so. To keep it updated you need to keep pressing your browser's 'Refresh' or 'Reload' button. There should be new data every five minutes or so.

If anyone's actually reading when I'm cycling I would be very interested in any feedback

Hopefully you should be able to follow me in 'real time' through Flander's Fields....

5 days in a row!

Just got home - now managed five days in a row.

Not very impressive, especially when those days have been: 8, 8, 56, 17 & 8 miles

A grand total of 97 miles - just about the same distance as I have to cycle on the last day from Dover to Greenwich.

Stretching the legs

Felt the need to stretch the legs this morning after yesterday - a beautiful day, in complete contrast to yesterday. In short-sleeved top and shades. *

Rather than slog into the Peak District, I went along Sheffield's valley bottom - advantages: it's relatively flat, with good surfaces; disadvantages: traffic and built-up with few of the stunning views - but the traffic isn't too much of a problem on a Sunday morning. 17 miles in just over an hour - so I'm thinking this is where I should be doing my training!

Bike, legs and bottom** felt quite good ;-)

Here's the route


* Yesterday, I was amazed at the amount of money people invest simply to do a 25 mile 'fun' ride. There was plenty of carbon from Specialised, Scott, Bianchi, Tifosi, etc etc on display, all clad in their Rapha tops, wearing their dark, dark shades. What's that all about? Especially when the weather is so bad all the cars had headlights on!! To be fair, there were also plenty of families on cheap bikes - but surely a BHF fun ride isn't the place for Italian-style Sunday morning lycra poseurs!

** I have been known to buy a nancy-boy gel saddle cover on long rides before now. My new bike's the first without an exceptionally comfortable Terry saddle. My delicate bum could never cope with a Brookes!

Hard, hard, hard...

That was a hard ride - cold, wet and windy. It started in rain, and just continued for the next four hours. It was just like January

Good news - I got round, bike was good and most things worked OK - though the Cateye bike computer complained about the wet and the cold, and I've found it's pretty hard to try and blog whilst on the move. Was wearing my winter cycling jersey and a Roubaix jacket over that. Soaking wet but kept me (fairly!) warm.

Bad news - I forgot my overshoes, so started out with wet feet, and it just got worse as there was standing water all over the roads.

Legs feel tight afterwards, which isn't good. Think I need a little spin tomorrow....

Some stats:
Route map: http://j.mp/9ieLcD
Started: 8 May 2010 08:40:31
Ride Time: 3:55:20
Stopped Time: 22:47
Distance: 55.43 miles
Average: 14.13 miles/hr
Fastest Speed: 30.49 miles/hr
Climb: 1506 feet

In the pub

Good news - over halfway in under two hours; in pub having tea
Bad news - it's cold, wet and I forgot my overshoes. Can't feel my toes
Sent from my iPhone

Belvoir BHF Ride

It's cold, it's very grey, it's far too early but I'm still setting
off late.

Suddenly, even watching the plastic scousers doesn't seem that bad.

Sent from my iPhone

Big day tomorrow

Forgoing the siren call of the last match of the season (last match ever?) at Edgeley Park and the dubious pleasures of Stockport County v Tranmere Rovers, I've signed myself up for a British Heart Foundation ride in the Vale of Belvoir. 60 miles and a ridiculous 8am start!

It's a good shakeout both for me and the new bike (still not got my fancy-dan new bike computer to work. Hopefully the good old Cateye will suffice). I'll try blogging on the phone as a tryout for my Somme re-enactment.

Speaking of which, we're told that we ARE still on course to meet that naughty Manxman Cav.
Here's an article on his latest misdemeanours, together with a Friday afternoon picture of the boy for the girls (well, she is a rather attractive blonde !):
Cav gets pulled!

Last week: a staggering 28 miles
This week: even better - 16 miles (plus tomorrow!)