This blog used to just be about my cycling. In January 2021 my wife, Lee Lindsley got covid19 as bad as it gets... She spent 10 weeks in hospital including 4 weeks sedated and ventilated. A year later she is still not well enough to work. So the blog became a good way to update people. Cycling has kept me sane throughout this difficult time. I cycle for fitness, fun friendship and because it's good for my soul!
Well we went for another muddy, soggy, cold and windy Sunday mystery tour courtesy of big Steve. There's no such thing as bad weather just the wrong clothes so today it was bib tights, base layer, seal skin socks and overshoes, buff and the best bit my C&DCycles winter jersey. These are pure genius from Andy with a warmer fleecy fabric, long sleeves and partial weather proofing meaning you don't need a jacket unless there's a proper downpour. My other bit of kit was altura gloves which are nearing the end of their life and I really haven't found anything I'm happy to replace them with. A look through the catalogue at the shop is probably required.
The ride started great bit we had a tailwind. The only problem was Mark's squeaky shoe! Well predictably for me there was a couple of issues. I'd forgotten to charge my phone and my cateye bike computer. Luckily for me the garmin virb is more than just a camera and I uploaded to Strava at the same time as editing the video.
When we turned into the wind my legs just died. By the time I got home I felt dreadful and was convinced I'd ridden poorly. A load of PRs says different. For me I started to feel as horrendous as when I did the circuit breaker sportive. It was windy that day too but I was also recovering from a cold. This week everyone I know had been suffering. Niamh went into school on Monday won the indoor athletics and then promptly came home for a week. So at the risk of sounding like baron von munchausen, I'm sat here with a sore throat and stuffy head and everything makes sense.
As ever with Steve it's a mystery tour. I know we went out to Thrapston via Warkton, headed into Cambridgeshire and back to Oundle via Polebrook then we went to Benefield, Brigstock, Grafton and Geddington. By then the others were waiting for me a lot. They waited at the top of the bumps and again at the cross in Geddington. I just wanted to get home at this point so I left the group and went home via Newton and Rushton.
Big kudos to Steve Duke today on his longest ride ever and even more on being the last man in the club still in shorts.
I'm hoping to do my usual and throw this cold in a day or two then at least it's back to sufferfest on the turbo. It might amuse you to learn that in the video I did, "the hunted," has a bit where you get a puncture. Typical I thought, I puncture even on a training video!
Today's recovery lunch was provided by my Mum and I'm currently quality controlling dad's cider!
Sam asked me last week: "when are we having a Sam and Dad day and when can we go and make a bike video for youtube?" Well I looked at the forecast and saw it was dry today and then there was no other choice: "Saturday Sam, how about Fineshade?" He agreed and that was that. Normally I'd do the club ride on a Saturday morning but kids come first. As it happens we had a sharp frost and I wouldn't have got the road bike out anyway. This time last year we rode in these conditions and three of us took a tumble on black ice. I lost a 105 derailleur that day and another one a few weeks later doing the exact same thing. I won't make the same mistake again and my rules are: if there's frost on the car I don't ride on the road.
So off we went to Fineshade to do the skills loops and because I haven't used it yet I thought I'd use the helmet mount for my Garmin Virb. Big mistake! Instead of getting loads of great video I mostly took footage of my front wheel. Sam was gutted when I said the footage was no good so I've put something together for him. It's a real shame because the video should reflect a brilliant ride in brilliant sunshine and beautiful woodland. We will go back because I've neglected Sam's cycling to focus on my own. That's not good enough for me. I need to get him good on his new bike and then I want him to master those blue trails and progress to the reds over the road.
The virb may have been pants on the ride but one bit of equipment was a pure joy. Franz, my Focus 29er was tonnes of fun. The difference those big wheels make was so obvious. It's not as agile as my Orange P7 was but the pace and comfort of the ride was an absolute joy. I can't wait to test it on more challenging terrain.
Well I have pizza to make so that will have to do!
I haven't ridden today but may do a bit of turbo later. I'm blogging as I'm surprised and a bit disappointed for my favourite bike shop manager, mechanic, bike fit expert and consumer of quality cake.
I strongly believe in freedom of choice but also in loyalty. So this isn't a judgement of others but a statement of position.
I went to C&D Cycles first in April 2013 as my bike needed a service and I felt I'd been messed about by another shop. This led to me joining the shop rides and as we are now becoming an active club member. I have said this before but I feel C&D Cycles changed me from someone who rides a bike into a cyclist. My pastime had shifted through this association from a pastime to a passion and has probably settled as a way of life.
Since that first meeting I've spent a lot of money in that shop. Every penny of it I consider to have been well spent, good value and an enhancement to my cycling (with the exception perhaps of that dodgy GP4S tyre!) With our generous club discount plus the numerous times small jobs have just been free I really can't complain. On top of that Andy and Chris bend over backwards to help me out. When I thank them they always say it's the least they can do after all I do for them! I see every mention in the blog, every ride led and every cake provided in the same way. It's the least I can do for them.
I mentioned freedom of choice. Others can choose to see it differently. It's their money they can spend it where and how they want. That's none of my business. There are times when you can find a better deal and promotions the shop can't match. At these times they hold up their hands and say "I don't blame you, I'd go elsewhere too." If I could afford a like for like replacement of my orange P7 I'd have done so and they don't stock Orange.
Where's this going? Well right now we are fortunate to enjoy this quality of service and value for money. Taking it for granted will be at our peril.
So it was Sunday and therefore we shift to Steve's ride. Sunday, whilst being inclusive is a longer and faster ride to Saturday. Steve does a great job organising and leading these rides but as he's not very IT competent we all have to guess where he's taking us. What he lacks in GPS mapping knowledge he more than makes up for with his actual knowledge of local roads and these routes never disappoint.
Disappointingly you can't see the graffiti the local wags have added in Finedon. To be fair there's little to do there apart from abusing cyclists. Which is what happened when an old codger started giving it large at us. He had plenty of space to get past our stopped group but I guess the fogged up windows and lack of lights meant he couldn't see properly. We got the obligatory 'single file,' ignorant comments and as he got past the verbal abuse was ramped up. A word of advice would be, it's possibly best not to swear at a copper. I do hope he was able to get his Sunday Mail without further hindrance, it would be a shame if he didn't get to top up those ignorance levels.
Talking 'five oh' Nathan displayed shocking disregard to our groups sartorial elegance! I had to wash my eyes after being exposed to that top.
It was at this point that Nathan and Claire decided to go off and do their own thing. I don't blame them. Steve, as is now customary on Sunday had set a blistering pace. It definitely was not a good place for someone who hadn't ridden for a while.
The mega monster himself continued that blistering pace. At one point he was dragging us uphill at over 20mph. I was never going to last like that and after about 40 miles I started to drop off a lot and every hill suddenly became a mountain. Others were feeling the same way, coming into Kettering I shared with Nat and Andy that I was exhausted, they feel the same way too. Nat blamed Steve's jelly beans but hey that's just another club 'in-joke'. I'm not disappointed with myself, I think a few months ago I wouldn't have kept up as long as that, so in a way it's progress.
The pictures and video do not seem to do justice to what a stunning day it was. It was also great to get to some more new places as we ventured into Bedfordshire. It was also another great route by Steve. Possibly the ultimate highlight was finding ourselves back in the familiarity of Raunds, the first time for over an hour that I knew where I was!
I was on a bit of a mission to get home as we were going out for lunch at 1pm. Well it all worked out and once again we were treated to top quality food at the Hare in Loddington. I was a bit disappointed though because I previously had some exquisite pie there, I fancied a bit more but today it wasn't on the menu. Nice roast pork and some good ale were ample compenstion though. During the desserts it was no surprise that I had a cramp attack. As per usual I had to do a few laps of the car park to get back to normal. More signs, I guess, that I got a good workout today.
Well that's it, I'm hoping to ride again before next weekend but I might have to settle for a turbo session.
Happy pedaling
Ps I can't believe I forgot this! Joining us for part of the ride today was Phil 'the beast' Broxton. Phil broke off from us near Kimbolton because he "needed" to ride 200kms today. Phil is a very accomplished endurance rider who is always a joy to ride with. I'm looking forward to checking his highly athletic Strava data later.
Well, what a lovely day! My ride today was started by Steve coming to call for me with his Christmas lights and mudguards on. To be fair there was a lot of mudguard action today but there was even more blinking red LEDs as we strive to be safe and seen. That was also the last I saw of Steve as he led the fast group and I took the banter bunch.
Mill Lane - a lovely old road
The pic above shows how effective these rear modern lights are. I tested my new knog at home last week and had red spots in front of my eyes for about half an hour! You'll also see a lot on the video that the front flasher was doing a grand job. Safety is paramount on a bike and at this dull time of year as much lighting and reflection as you can get is definitely the way to go. Mill Lane for me is one of the best cycling roads in Northants, we have a lot of quiet country roads like this and for that I think we should be thankful
Out of Old
For safety reasons we tinkered with the route this morning. Instead of going to the A508 and up to Brixworth we decided to go accross to Old and through to Scaldwell. It still bewilders me that the hill into Scaldwell shows as a cat 4 on Strava.
We had some lovely riding today as it stayed dry. The roads feel a bit heavy and they are sludgy in places so it's not as nice as Summer riding. It is however good to get out - A bad day cycling will always beat a good day at work (unless you cycle for a living and then you are a very lucky person!)
On first look I thought this said Tourette's - the ideal bike for Rich or Steve
Wendy looks wistful as I take a snap of the bicycle made for two
Back at the shop we were again treated to tea and cake. Andy and Chris look after us well and the other lads have taken to watching the bikes so it all works well. I still tried not to stay too long though because you get cold and then getting back on the bike is uncomfortable. I had a chuckle at the tandem, firstly for my silly thought about the name and then the wonder if my wife would like a go on a tandem. Probably not, we have a different idea about fun however she does make the most awesome cakes.
On the way home I was reflecting on this blog and the direction I want to take it. In the new year there are going to be some changes. I want it to be more organised and also to partly get back to my original intention of showcasing our local cycling. I'm hoping to divide it up into route blogs, equipment blogs, sportives and charity rides and of course club rides. I'd still like to turn the route stuff into a book but I also wondered about creating an app which we could use as a resource for recording routes and organising rides. I also have another book in mind called "the cycle of attachment," to share my family's generational experience of cycling and how that story defines the Lindsleys.
Bet you weren't expecting that today!
Hoping the forecast is right and we can smash some super Steve Sunday miles tomorrow.
The sign made famous by the inbetweeners and most apt today, to be out in this you had to be a...
Well we knew it might be bad this morning as the forecast was terrible but the real decider on a deluge was the fact that the despicably hideous nincompoop Neil Hickford decided not to ride with us! The plan was for a quick 50 and as usual on a Sunday the route only existed in Steve's head. It wasn't quite the massive group we had on remembrance Sunday but there was still a healthy sized group of weather hardy lycra loonies. What's more they are a great bunch and as usual the banter, filth and fast show quotes flowed. Big shout to Rob Campbell for bring the Jelly Babies and as agreed I won't mention your backpack as a result!
Backpack backpack...
So we set off. Steve took us up the climb from Gypsy Lane to Great Cransley. It's hard enough on a dry day but the roads were already more puddle than tarmac. From Cransley we headed to Broughton, through Orlingbury and then onto Harrowden. I have no idea why but I decided to have a crack at segment chasing and steamed into the Lamby Dodger which takes you to the roundabout at Harrowden. Predictably I didn't make a dent on my PR but I'm happy with a second best time in the wet. From there we headed towards Sywell and then off to Wilby then down Cut Throat Lane off to Woolaston then Irchester through Wellingborough at the embankment then Finedon, Burton past Weetabix, Polwell Lane, Wickies and back to the shop.
Even though we were there earlier than usual Chris got the kettle on and we mopped up the last of the Guinness cake - thanks again magnificent wife. I wasn't happy with my pathetic rear light, a bit of a Halfords special from a time when I lacked enlightenment. So I purchased a cracking knog blinder. Now my rear end is well illuminated to match the one23 supernova on the front.
Stopping at the shop, no matter how welcome was a bit of a schoolboy error. Putting my helmet and gloves back on was horrible. By the time I was on the bike I was shivering to bits and it was quite an uncomfortable 20 minutes back to my home. Having made the mistake before I made sure I was fully warm before I got in the shower, it can be painful and the key is to wait until your bits and bobs get back to their normal size! However it was time to forget about my sporting endeavors and concentrate on my heroes.
So back at the house I did a quick tidy and got the soup on the go. Lee and Sam got in and a very muddy supersam told me he scored a try - good lad, he's a hero too. Rich popped round to pick up his Guinness cupcakes and as he's a good lad he brought Lee some pink wine - girls like that sort of thing! I had the telly on and the sky sports app on the ipad so I could watch both Saracens v Saints - Come on you Saints and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - come on Lewis! No one let me down and the champions put the fez heads in their place and Hamilton is the F1 World Champion.
Right that will do, the poor dogs have been waiting for me to take them out since I got up at 5 (it was way too exciting a day to waste in bed!)
The day after my 44th birthday and many people asked me would I be doing anything special? The answer is yes, because it's the weekend and for me every weekend is special. I'm spoiled and frankly I think my life is brilliant. The best bit is the support my wife gives me which means I get to spend the weekend doing lots of things I want and the thing I want is to spend Saturday and Sunday getting some good miles in on my bike.
Lets go back to Friday though. I had some serious birthday spending power in the form of cash and C&D vouchers. I decided to indulge myself with a new helmet. I wasn't sure what to get but thought I'd stick a team SKY KASK on my head to see how it felt. Well it felt great so that was an easy decision. £120 (minus club discount,) is a lot more than you need to spend on a helmet but if you do, a bit like buying other expensive gear, it doesn't half feel good! However when I got home I went to put my heavier less comfortable helmet in the bin, it's made it to the bin but isn't yet in! I can't do it. That trusty GIRO lid has served me well since 2005, we've done so much together. I think I'm going to have to turn it into some sort of cycling memorabilia art! I also needed to get new C&D bib shorts because my old ones are well used and nearing retirement and also because I wanted the ones with the British Cycling branding. The club is allowed to use this due to being members. I'm sure Andy and Chris are rightly proud of this and getting it on the kit is wholly appropriate. Then it was just some bits and paying for the new tyre I had last weekend.
My old helmet, near but not in, the bin!
In the shop Andy asked if I could lead the social ride as he had romantic interests to pursue (good for him, I hope it goes well mate - you deserve it!) He also asked for a route and suggested my Sibbertoft loop. No problem that was just a matter of recycling from Map My Ride and I posted it on the shop page. Unfortunately Steve who was leading the fast group hadn't seen it so we had to do a quick recap at the shop. Despite my very specific instructions they still managed to go the wrong way and add a monster hill to an already undulating ride. Claire made a good suggestion. It is hard to find the route on the shop page and we should dual post it to the club page where it will be more obvious. Point noted Claire, I'll do that in future. What I will ask of others though is this, if someone has posted a route, have a look and if you have time make sure you know it. Better still if you have the right GPS gizmo, upload it.
Due to that investment in a new gator I had a puncture free ride. Others weren't so lucky and we had barely got out of Kettering before Marie needed a new tube. "Give it to Rich," they said "he's had lots of practise with punctures..." cheers everyone! It's true however and even with the 74 year old superhero, Stuart, with us, I'm probably still the most experienced tyre changer. Marie didn't have a spare but that never stops us and Michael donated his. Marie did the right thing and replaced this back at the shop. Michael now has a spare not bought from the devil (see below.) Marie also wanted us to leave her...we don't do that! Rule 1: no one gets left behind...rule 2: always follow rule 1.
Yes that does say Halfords
The rest of the ride passed without incident. Again there's a video with the ride highlights for you all to see which can never be surpassed simply by words. Things of interest on the ride were that Stuart at 74 can still kick all our butts; Alison is able to take being teased about her excessive clothing more suited to a South Pole ride than an average November day; and finally that everyone can have a bad day with the super fit Simon Astrop blowing up coming out of Rushton. I'd like to thank my group once again for being an absolute pleasure. We just need to keep working at the communication and we will really will have this group riding thing cracked.
New bags in the shop
You should join the club
Alison's beautiful new steed - not fitted for Arctic conditions
The world famous Guinness cake provided by the most magnificent Mrs Lindsley
New lid
New club bib shorts with the British Cycling branding
Very necessary new cleats
You can never have enough GT85
Back at the shop we were treated to tea and more importantly cake from my talented wife. My gears were a bit out and without quibble Chris agreed to having a tinker, he sorted it quickly and also got Ross to tighten up the cassette, it felt a lot better on the trip home so thanks again for a fantastic service.
Thta's it. I'm hoping for better weather than last Sunday so I can get out for one of Steve's mystery tours. As Neil isn't joining us the weather is already jinxed but hey did I mention it was my birthday? Surely mother nature won't be unkind. Enjoy the video.
