When September ends...

In this most bizarre of years we have hurtled through September and next week it’s already October! I’ve had a good month on the bike, completing the 300 miles for Cancer research. I’ve also had plenty of runs and dog walks too. I didn’t blog last weekend because I needed a rest! However I’m back on it and there’s plenty to talk about!

Getting out in the morning before work is still possible for a few more weeks. The light is going but...those sunrises...just worth getting up for! I’ll just let the pictures do the talking.

Near Harrington

Heading towards Draughton from Maidwell

Harrington airfield memorial

Heading into Loddington

The next day I put my Lezyne micro gps on and took it for its last run. The erratic piece of technology managed to not find a gps signal and the run was recorded on my phone...enough! David Hill on Corby Capers advertised his Garmin forerunner and I bought it off him. He described it as in good condition and he certainly wasn’t wrong. I got a bargain, David, as I understand has upgraded to a Fenix so I got a new gadget and he got a stunning watch to replace a good watch!

I’ve instantly fallen in love with this watch because unlike the Lezyne it’s an everyday fitness tracker smart watch. It’s got sleep, heart rate and loads of other geeky data stuff which floats my techno nerd boat!

Another early morning ride and of course more sunrises. This is when I noticed really heavy legs and wondered if I was overdoing it?

The next day I went for a run and my legs were even heavier! More sunrises though... I didn’t feel right but it wasn’t unpleasant, I just needed to plod and not expect too much!

Then it was the weekend. I didn’t feel like a group ride so I didn’t meet the cyclasylum riders for the first Saturday in ages. I did go out for an explore on my MTB trying to find the Rothwell gullet https://www.wildlifebcn.org/nature-reserves/rothwell-gullet I know where it is but couldn’t find how to get there, got lost, probably trespassing and got massively stung by nettles! My legs had no oomph at all and I knew I’d made a good decision to miss the group ride and an even better decision not to go to the peaks with them the next day. Instead I went fishing at Andy’s house. I think I saw the osprey but It could just have been a very grey buzzard...just like red kites, I didn’t get a great picture!!!

By Tuesday this week my legs were feeling recovered and I headed out for my standard 17 mile morning ride. I had a lovely ride and things were going really well as I headed into the last couple of miles. 

Probably because I was busy taking in the sunrise and misty valleys, I completely didn’t see a pothole in the road. My front wheel whacked into it hard and my tubeless tyre failed. I was able to get enough pressure in to get home but it was weird. That night I tried to fix the issue as there was no obvious damage. During the repair I had a lovely surprise as Mrs L handed me a parcel and said: “will this help?” I unwrapped a lifeline tubeless track pump...oh my goodness this is a lot less effort than my Heath Robinson lemonade bottle device! However, under pressure my tyre just sprayed sealant across the garden so clearly it’s time was up. I put a tube in and ordered a new tyre.

On Wednesday I went for a run in the rain. This felt stronger too so clearly the rest did me good. It was also the first run tracked on my Garmin forerunner...way easier than the Lezyne in every way!

On Thursday it was freezing! So for the first time this year I rode in full fingered gloves as opposed to cycling mitts. I didn’t take pictures because it’s harder in gloves but despite the cold this was a nice spin.

On Friday my new tyre arrived. With the help of my new pump I managed to fit this whilst cooking tea! Who says men can’t multitask? It took ten minutes, went up first time and has stayed that way since! Just goes to show, the right tyre on a well set up wheel with the right pump, makes tubeless easy!!! I also used another gadget bought this year. The kenwood chef food processor attachment made these chicken burgers from Joe Wickes book, really easy to make. 

So to Saturday and a proper bike ride! I was wide awake by 5am clearly not wanting to waste the weekend! I didn’t want to arrive for a group ride with an untested new tyre so I opted for a late early birds and took an 11 mile route to meet the cyclasylum at Kettering swimming pool. It was even colder than Thursday so for the first time since April I was in a winter jersey, leg warmers, winter boots, full gloves and had a buff round my neck! That was only just warm enough until I’d done a few hills.

I made it in time for normal birds but hilariously the actual early birds were almost late! The usual banter lantern was lit and of most note was Amy’s stunning new Giant Propel, officially the nicest bikes money can buy (what do you mean I’m biased?) For reasons best known to no one, Amy’s propel is fitted with a dork disc...sort that out please Marcus!!!

Ignore the dork disc, this bike is stunning

Thankfully that rapid steed headed out in group one with Graham and his equally stunning trek. The four other riders in that socially distanced six apparently took quite a beasting. I joined a more sedate six as we headed out into the wind and hills of the Welland valley.

The cold weather was affecting middle aged bladders and soon into the ride we had our first comfort break. At that stop Mark realised he’d forgotten his drink which led to a conversation about all the things we have forgotten. Ian won with his tale of arriving for a ride without a helmet. The best bit was the recollection of being asked where his helmet was and actually checking his head! 

We tried and failed not to be menaces at the shop where Mark spent about twenty minutes buying a bottle of water. For ten of those minutes we froze in the shade before Neil expertly realised we’d be warmer over the road in the sun. We were also out of the way of everyone who needed to drive round the corner to their local shop.

Despite being cold, it was a stunning day to look at. The Welland valley From vantage points such as Ashley Hill or Neville Holt was just beautiful. This was worth the ride on its own.

My own personal performance was bizarre. On some hills I was near the back as usual but for some my legs felt great and I blasted up.

I had decided to leave the ride as it passed my house but I felt great and was on 47 miles...a silly number so with the others I headed out of Rothwell and even tried to beat my PR on bunker hill. When we got to the Fox and Peony, group 1 were just finishing up. As ever we enjoyed some quality recovery food. 

Today I headed out to complete the September 300 for cancer research.

I opted to use my Forme Calver CX bike and in full winter kit again I set out with nothing more than a vague plan to do 20 mostly off road miles.

I headed to Loddington and then onto the byways and bridelways between Cransley and Mawsley.

It was nice out and despite a cold wind I was soon having a lovely time. It might be winter weather but the trails are still in a hard dry summer condition.

From Mawsley I headed over the bridleways to Lamport and then down to the Brampton Valley Way.

I took the shared use former train line through the Kelmarsh tunnel and onto Arthingworth.

From there I cut across to Harrington on more very ridable bridleways. 

I've mentioned this interesting feature before. These earthworks at Harrington are the remains of the formal gardens and earthworks which belonged to the Manor House. The house itself was demolished in the 18th century.

I haven't said anything about coaching so far. Due to work issues I assisted Andy B in a good session last Monday. This week we are having a race night. I hope the weather stays dry because it should be a real fun evening. 

In wider news the World championships have been fascinating. The Dutch women's team have doninated and should be overjoyed with their results. G got close in the TT and at time of writing Tom Pidcock is battling hard in the road race. Pogacar has just tore off the front with the might of Belgium 🇧🇪 leading the chase. Great racing!

Happy Pedalling