Tubeless, #TDF2018, fitness, fatness and some tangents!!!

This weeks cycling blog will at times lead to the question: "I thought this was a cycling blog Rich?" Well bear with me because in amongst the running, fitness training, fishing etc there's a shed load of cycling...which is ironic because I've got a shed load of bikes!!!

The path to adventure???

I am more than aware that I felt fitter and stronger earlier in the year. I stepped on the scales for the first time in a while and was shocked to discover I'd ballooned back up to 14st 7lbs (92.08kg) ruining all that hard work I'd put in to get to 13st 9lbs (86.6kg.) I've let the diet slip but also I've lost my exercise routine. I'd got down to a better weight by sticking to MyFitnessPal and also by using my rollers a few times a week...so Monday morning it was back to the rollers!

The dogs watched on, displeased that the rollers were getting all of my attention. After the rollers I also made sure I did my pilates which keeps my back in working order and tried a bit of a strength session. Since breaking my wrist and the subsequent weakening of my shoulder I have struggled to do press ups. It was a nice surprise to discover this is coming back. I also did some of the British Cycling leg strength exercises.

In the evening Sam and I set off for Prologis Park on our MTB's for an off road cyclones session. I didn't get far before my tubeless system failed. So Sam carried on alone and I headed home to swap bikes. It was a complete flat so I ended up walking.

The cuplrit was a sidewall gash too big for the sealant to cope with. I fixed this the next day by following the confused advice on the internet. Some recommended patching the inside with a standard inner tube patch, others suggested this wouldn't work. I went with a guy whose humour resonated with my own. He said:

"I'm not sure if a standard patch will work, mine is holding so far but I've only tested it for a few hundred miles!"

Patch applied, I used my Heath Robinson lemonade bottle inflator and up it went! I couldn't wait to tell the Queen of Cakes how clever I'd been. She rolled her eyes, claimed I'm continuously meddling with my tubeless and made circles with her finger...this is apparently me spinning wheels around! The best thing about tubeless inflation on MTB is that it tends to work first time and you can screw the valve back in without losing much pressure at all. Plus that pop as the beads set into the rim is very satisfying!!!

Part two of my fitness is quest is to do a couple of runs a week. I'm also planning on doing one Parkrun a month. So I set off on a very gentle 5km jog. No tubeless tyres were harmed in the making of this run!

sweaty mess

On Wednesday morning I was limited for time but desperate to test out my tubeless repair on my Forme Ripley. I was happy to report to the eye rolling Queen of Cakes that it's holding very nicely. Others must wonder why I don't go back to tubes? Well, the answer is simple. I'd probably puncture every time I ride which would be very annoying. I also think the feel of tubeless is superior off road. And if you think they're constantly failing you'd be wrong. I haven't had any tubeless problems with the 29r which Sam now uses frequently for over a year.

Fully inflated rear tyre

Beautiful day AGAIN!!!!

So I went for another run!!! Same route, a little bit quicker but still easing myself into it.

After spending some of the day down in Reading I was really pleased to get back on time to take Sam to a Cyclones Go Ride event at Rockingham Speedway.

I love this picture. Ignore me...just look at the cheeky SuperSam in the background. It gives me so much pleasure to pass this wonderful sport onto my son. He also had a great ride. He completely smashed me in a sprint finish at the end of a four lap race. I also enjoyed the chance to encourage other kids. I'm looking forward to my coaching course in September so that I can get even more involved with these fantastic youngsters. The future is bright, the future is orange!

Hang on a minute...fishing? Yes, we've also been fishing! Sam asked me if we could go a while back and as he's kept asking and we have all the kit from when I used to take older brother Joe, I decided to take Sam on Friday evening for a few hours at Rushton Lake.

We had a lovely evening and caught a few fish. This was Sam's best of the night but he also lost a much bigger fish. The one that got away eh! Looks like this will be a regular thing and in terms of well being it's very good for me. I spend so much time rushing around and whilst cycling undoes a lot of work stress I also need something that involves a slower pace. Sam enjoyed it so much we're going again this afternoon!

Tubeless. I haven't mentioned tubeless for a few paragraphs. So my road set up, Schwalbe Pro One tubeless tyres on American Classics Hurricane wheels has been working very well indeed. However I have one persistent hole which the sealant can only just hold. The solution is below. I've plugged it with one of these innovations tubeless repair 'worms.' Hey presto the problem is solved! Really quick and easy to use and no more sealant fails.

The test for those tyres was the C&D Cycles CC Saturday shop ride. Once again I met the fast group on the market Square in Rothwell. Pete decided to do the same and this week the group came through a few minutes after 9.

We did this route a few months ago, on a very cold day which left some of the skinny lads in a bit of trouble getting way too cold. Here's my blog of that day: Has Spring Unsprung?

With that in mind we were all really keen to try the route again. Not least due to the fast downhills and one very challenging climb. As Nat said, it felt more like the Peak District. On our way to the fun stuff we were held up by a combine harvester. He stayed in our way between Kelmarsh and Sibbertoft and finally turned off just before my favourite downhill on the way to Theddingworth. 

Once the combine was out of the way we had a really great ride. It was good to catch up with a few people and we also managed a few fast sections too.

My absolute highlight of the day was the descent after the big climb. We flew down the hill to Lubenham at speeds in excess of 40mph. There  is no better feeling than going fast on a bike. It was big grins all round at the bottom. We then had another sharp climb up East Farndon hill before getting to a road I've always enjoyed between Great Oxendon and Desborough. I can't explain why this road is fast because it starts with a short sharp climb and then is gradually uphill for over a mile. I just like it. Pete Squires agreed with me (is that a good thing?) Then Mark Baird showed us why he's been riding with faster groups lately as he blew all of us off his back wheel!

On the way back round we passed through Rushton so I headed home from there. I needed to get back because #Houseproject2018 continues at pace. 

My final comment of the day goes to #TDF2018. This year's tour is fascinating. I've been trying to explain to the Queen of Cakes why the sprinters, especially Mark Caevndish are no longer involved. She's decided it's just stupid and unfair and they've ruined the race. I disagree but do feel the heartbreak for Cav, Kittel and Greipel who were all looking to add to their impressive list of stage wins. David Millar did an excellent piece on Cav that's well worth a few minutes of anyone's time: Well done Mark! That's not even the big news. Right now we have British riders in first and second. Another thing that the Queen of Cakes considers unfair is that Geraint Thomas has a chance to win but is riding for Chris Froome and not himself and therefore may lose that chance...oh how hard is it to explain bike racing...especially the Grand Tours and GC riders? I have to say that G's win on L'Alp d'Huez is one my all time cycling highlights. It reminded me of Stephen Roche in 1987 Stephen Roche remembers one special day in 1987 , that's two very different rides but very special and both will live long in cycling history. I love the Tour de France!

Okay stuff to do...Happy Pedalling (and running and fishing and all that.)

PS one week back on the diet and regular exercise...lost a couple of kilos already!!!

hot hot hot...this endless Summer 2018!

It's a super quick blog this week as life is still busy. There are however rides to discuss! On Monday I was able to lead half a cyclones session, I also went for road and off road spins of my own in the week and one very hot club ride yesterday!




On Monday the Cyclones were at Desborough leisure centre. I volunteered to take them round my favourite trails and we had a great time! The kids loved it an dit's given them some ideas about the sort of great riding that's available locally. For the second half of the session they practised grass track racing in preparation for an event later in July.

O Wednesday morning with the nation in the grip of football fever I got out on my trusty Giant Propel for a well ridden route. There's not much to say other than it's a good early morning circuit near my home with some nice hills and some good fast bits!




On Friday, which was the Queen of Cakes and I's 18th anniversary I was able to get out to do my own thing around those Desborough trails. Before getting there though I did a bit of training by hill repeats on what we call elephant hill. It's a short sharp mound in the woods near Rothwell that are great practise for MTB racing. I may have given up on FNSS this year but this sort of work will really help me in the future as I'm guessing next summer we won't be renovating the house and I can concentrate on my cycling fitness.

As I left Desborough there was another opportunity to get a good Red Kite picture but unfortunately this is as good as I got...again!

The club ride on Saturday was the Pitsford classic route and that comes through Rothwell so I waited on the market square for the group to come through. At 9am it was already a very hot day!

I'd nearly given up waiting when the group came through at 9.20 and when it arrived the banter bunch were in front of the fast group. I'm still not sure what went on but we then continued as one group of around 16 riders. As ever it was really nice to catch up with everyone.

About half way around my tubeless tyres squirted sealant and then quickly sealed again. I'm not sure the heat is good for tubeless tyres but having done some google research there are conflicting reports about the different sealants and their performance in hot conditions.

Neil and I (pictured above,) had a good chat about the benefits of tubeless just before I lost confidence in them again. It seemed that the sealant had failed and there was an rapid intermittent hiss which persisted for a few miles. I then had a look at my brake calipers and felt an absolute twonk when I discovered a lime tree leaf wedged between my cable and the tyre...it was just a leaf...my tyres were fine!!!

On the ride it was fabulous to go over the Holcot causeway and also a complete shock. Pitsford Reservoir, despite several weeks without any rain, is nearly full!!!! You can't see that in the picture.  

Another highlight of this route is the fast stretch between Sywell and Harrowden. We got a good blast going on that bit and were all beaming like little kids after a few miles of fast riding.

As per usual we ended back at C&D Cycles where cold drinks were more popular than the traditional coffee. The banter as ever was first class!

Mark Coleman is always disappointed if I leave out the dog pictures

Today I was taunted by another camera shy kite!

My cycling fitness and weight (heer we go again, back to Bridget Jones diary,) have definitely suffered from our summer of home improvement. I've got really knackered and then had too many beers and binged on junk food!

However we're nearly done and the house looks superb. Today was putting up the blinds day. As ever a job that looks really simple rarely works out that way!

I'm on a mission now. It's five weeks until we have a family holiday in Wales. I have to get my beach body ready for the trip to Barry Island...has to be done doesn't it? In my plan I'm goign to get back on the rollers, add a bit of pilates and sound strength training and the usual cycling. I also want to do a couple of runs a week. I loved the park run I did for #NHS70 and I'd like to do one a month...the main plan is to shift a stone before we go to Wales and get back into the 13's again!

Okay stuff to do!!!

Happy Pedalling

PS loving the Tour de France...wide open this year...but then so was the Giro!!!

Some more superb summer rides

I haven't written since the Solstice ride and there's one main reason for that. #houseproject2018. I really should've known when The Queen of Cakes agreed to me spending a load of money on bikes that 'getting a new kitchen,' would get out of hand! So there's been less time for cycling and lots less time for blogging...however...I'm  lucky man with an understanding wife, so there's still some lycra clad larks to write about!




Following the Summer Solstice it wasn't until last Wednesday that I felt ready to get back on a bike. I'd spent a couple of days walking like a much older man. It was just a short 40 minute blast and it was exactly what I needed to reboot my leg muscles.




The following day I swapped the road bike for my MTB. I've decided to take it turns with my bikes and headed to Desborough for that hidden gem that are the trails in their very well maintained public space known as the Plens.

It's not just a good place to bike. There's a nice loop to run around and some outdoor exercise equipment...if that floats your boat. Sometimes it floats mine but not today!

These trails are a good test of skill. I'm not the most technical of riders and it takes me  lap or two to get my eye. The key for me is practise.

I thought about riding the plank...a strange ache in my ribs and a tingling sensation in my wrist reminded me...DON'T!

On the Friday it was time to take out that stunning CX bike that is the Forme Calver. Not a huge ride just a spin round yet another great public space at Prologis Park.

That drop-off never looks scary from that angle...it really feels quite different looking down it over your handlebars. I remember last years FNSS race and arriving at the top, thinking about bottling it...then I saw people I knew watching and I had no choice! I didn't bother today.

I rode home via Rushton along that lovely track parallel to the railway line. At the top I was pleased to see those Llamas. They always make me smile!

After a tiring week at work and a lack of rest at home I started the Saturday C&D Cycles club ride questioning my fitness. I joined the faster group and we headed South East for the first time in a while. 

It was another glorious summer day and taking only one bidon, even when it holds "Big Dave's Special Blue Product," was a mistake!

My legs for the first twenty miles were actually pretty good. Andy Brown even remarked that his tactic was going to be drafting me! We had our official banana break at the gateway to Hinwick Hall. There's a clue that they don't want us to do that!

Chief loiterer Andy P was also amused by the idea we were being oppositional. We're just naughty schoolboys really. It was a great day for a ride in good company and banter just flowed. The truth about all the "keep off the grass," is that Hinwick Hall is near SantaPod Raceway and people try to park there for free! 

As famously featured in the Inbetweeners Road Trip and Ross Noble Freewheeling, cheers to Richard Golding for the picture.

On the route we had to make a couple of detours. We didn't want to go through Rushden Town Centre and then there was road closures which took us unexpectedly round to Earls Barton. By this time my legs were shot. We had a bit of a chain gang blast heading back into Harrowden but I cracked and fell off the back. At Orlingbury I decided to head home rather than go back to the shop. Our villages are beautiful but our towns are a pain so avoiding Kettering seemed like a good idea. It was a beautiful ride home and quite a surprise to discover I'd done 54 miles.

This recovery drink is Belgian and therefore meets the requirements of proper beer for cyclists! 

1. Rule #47//
   

   Drink Tripels, don’t ride triples.
   Cycling and beer are so intertwined we may never understand the full relationship. Beer is a recovery drink, an elixir for post-ride trash talking and a just plain excellent thing to pour down the neck. We train to drink so don’t fool around. Drink quality beer from real breweries. If it is brewed with rice instead of malted barley or requires a lime, you are off the path. Know your bittering units like you know your gear length. Life is short, don’t waste it on piss beer.

   

Then I didn't cycle at all for a whole week. I had to walk the dogs everyday and just couldn't get round to a ride in the evening despite some good things being organised. My day started with a quick walk for the hounds before it got too hot. I also made a first attempt at getting a picture of those massive red kites.

On the first Saturday of the month, in addition to the usual 30ish mile club ride, we have a long ride for those who want to complete the Strava 100km Fondo. Only four of us wanted to ride the long one due to some sort of football match. Apparently 'It's coming home!'

Mark C, Marcus, Graham and I set off and had made it about twenty metres before Mark insisted the route on his Garmin said one way, and the rest of us, with the route in our heads, insisted the other way. People power overruled technology...which was good because the Garmin was wrong. I'm really good at remembering routes that have been planned on roads I know well. That meant we followed the planned route perfectly until Theddingworth. It was lovely cycling out that way. The road from Naesby to Sibbertoft is one of my favourites and then we went down my ultimate favourite downhill just before Theddingworth.

Then we were a bit lost. Mark had given up on his Garmin and our attempts to use Strava and Google maps were hindered by poor 4G signals and sweaty fingers not working on touch screens!

No matter we were still having  a lovely time. I was very much arse end Charlie as things got hillier with those skinny fit lads flying up the hills. On the downhills, which were amazing, I caught them up. I think it there are definite advantages to a more powerful frame! Anyway they had to wait for me so we could continue our discussions on 70s and 80s TV. Today's gem was the top telly provided by Buck Rogers. 

Graham was today's puncture victim. Not a surprise with all the pot holes. My tubeless tyres took a couple of hits but a worrying hiss was replaced by a reassuring squirt of sealant which dealt with those holes brilliantly. I know the jury is still out on tubeless...I really like mine! Some fiddling ensued but Mark came to the rescue with a CO2 inflator that worked and we were on our way...wherever that was!

Our coffee stop for the day was at Tur Langton. This was the planned destination but not quite on the planned route. We felt sure we could could figure out a way to get to 100km. The Mint and Ginger coffeehouse sits in a courtyard of shops to strike fear into the heart of any man. The sort of place you pretend to enjoy pre-marriage. Any sensible married man has learnt the art of sulking in such places until their better half gets the message and decides they'd rather go with friends! The coffehouse however, is superb!

We then carried on with our mystery tour until we gratefully discovered a sign for Weston. Back in the Northamptonshire bit of the Welland Valley we regained our bearings. The plan was to go up Ashley hill to Wilbarston but we worked out we needed a few more miles and avoided that horrible lump. My tired legs were very happy about this. They were less happy on the hill at East Carlton but at least we were nearly home. It was so hot! On hills, without the air-rush of faster cycling it was unbearable. The best bit was riding through wooded areas where the shade was very welcome. 

Graham left us at Rushton and Mark & Marcus came back through Rothwell with me. As we entered my home town the Red Kites taunted me again. One massive bomber of a bird swooped right in front of us and was gone before I got the camera out. He was hovering over my house as I got home and below is the best picture I could get!

As my Strava showed 61.2 miles I clicked on finish...STUPID! 100km is 62.1 miles...I'd stopped on 98.5km and therefore I hadn't completed the Fondo! Oh who cares...I'll just do another 100km later in the month. What a brilliant excuse to have another great ride with great mates.

For those of you who opted to go shorter today. I was home in time to watch the GP qualifying, do a load of stuff around the house and watch the football AND catch a bit of the Tour de France!

In the evening we went to a 40th birthday party. It was for Gary Carter who rides with C&D and his wife Tammay his wife who works with the Queen of Cakes! We arrived to an amazing scene of Mr Blobby dancing with Freddy Kruger. The theme was prominent figures of the last 40 years which was stretched greatly. There was characters from Hi-De-Hi, two Freddy Mercury's, Dusty Bin, Darth Vader, The Spice Girls, Madonna, Amy Whinehouse, Chewbacca etc! Gary went as He-Man and Tammay as She Ra. Mrs Lindsley and I went as Ness and Smithy from Gavin and Stacey!

Lee looked great as Ness. I just looked like a bloke in a wig wearing a West Ham polo shirt. Luckily if I stood next to her people got it!

So back to cycling. My plan is to ride at least every other day because my fitness is definitely slipping. Today though I'm going to enjoy the cricket, Grand Prix and Tour de France...in between all that home improvement!

The final big shout out goes to my employer. The NHS had it's official 70th birthday on Thursday. I owe a lot more than my career to the NHS so let's celebrate and hope for another 70 years. #NHS70

Happy Pedalling