I haven't written a blog for a while because I haven't done much riding. The reasons for this are lockdown 2.0 and completing a running challenge in November. Now though I'm firmly back on the bike as I try to finish horrendous 2020 on a cycling high and complete 3000 miles for the year!
Whilst lockdown 2.0 ruined November we lost coaching the kids at KCC Cyclones, Corby Capers cyclocross training, racing and group rides. For that reason I concentrated on a running challenge and completed 100km in a month for the first time ever. Helping me with that challenge was a long standing cycling friend, Jamie Stockham. Jamie and I shared a run around Pitsford on a couple of occasions.
After a solo run around Pitsford I thought the challenge was over after experiencing a very tight achilles and calf.
However with a lot of foam rolling and taping everything up not only did I get over it, my running got better and better each day. I always thought I needed more rest...it turns out I run better if I run every day.
In the middle of the challenge I enjoyed my 50th birthday. Again Covid19 ruined most of our plans but I still had a good day and was very lucky indeed.
Those delicious hoops of carbon are my most brilliant birthday present. Along with new bar tape, new pedals and a new saddle my Giant Propel has had quite the makeover!
The picture above shows how it looked in 2015 when we bought it. The wheels were not fitting for the bike then but a couple of years later I won some American classics which really ride well but...they're also not aero and so these Hunt 50mm Carbon wide wheels really finish the job. I've ridden the propel once outside since then and she's not coming out much between now and spring! I love those wheels though, you can feel they want to go fast and I could listen to that freewheel all day!!!
Lockdown 2.0 is over and now we're in tiers. We've decided not to run Cyclones until after Christmas. Corby Capers is back but only half of us can attend due to Leicestershire being in tier 3. The Leicestershire cyclocross league has been cancelled for 2020. A real shame for all those involved. Group rides are back here I tier 2!!!
Yesterday I opted for a solo spin, largely due to knowing that Mrs L wanted to get the Christmas tree 🎄. I didn't want to risk getting back late and getting a flea in my ear!!!
Another reason was that I'd swapped those excellent American Classics wheels onto my trusty Forme Longcliffe. That upgrade means the Longcliffe is now an excellent 2nd/winter bike. It was cold and wet so massive kudos to the Cyclasylum riders who went out for a long group ride. Even bigger to my old cycling mate Andy Pendred who managed the sort of 100 mile ride that most of us save for a nice summer day!
Today I took another of my mostly Forme fleet for a really enjoyable short off road ride. My Forme Calver is an absolute off road weapon. Its no wonder this bike is popular with cyclocross riders from the very best right down to well...me! No need for new wheels on this bike as it came equipped with Hunt Mason X disc wheels. One of the reasons I wanted Hunt on my Propel.
It was cold, wet, slippy, windy and I absolutely bloody loved it.
Not long after taking this picture at the Red Kite sculpture the real thing taunted me in Weekley Woods. For those of you who know how badly I want a good red kite picture, I could've touched this one! Anyway below is as good as I got!!!
That bird is definitely laughing at me. I tried some new kit out today having ordered new winter tights from Planet X at a bargain price. At first I was disappointed to discover they didn't have a chamois but then realised that the last thing you want to ride on is a cheap pad. Luckily I've had a few pairs of endura MTB shorts that come with a detachable inner short and a decent pad. So I just used a pair of those under the tights. Job done, nice and warm plus comfortable! These aren't as good as the Endura winter tights I used to have but they're also about a third of the price! Another thing I tried was aluminium foil to keep my toes warm as my cx shoes are not waterproof. Not sure how well it worked as the foil had disintegrated by the time I got home. Perhaps I need to go heavy duty.
So what next? Well I hope to get to Capers on Tuesday and out with Cyclasylum on Saturday. I've got 219 miles to reach my year goal of 3000 miles. I'm determined that gets done!
Before I go a big shout out to another good cycling friend David Wilson. He's started his own cycling blog the Davey Chain check it out, it's a good read.
Happy Pedalling
