Another regular route...Pitsford Classic C&DCycles Cycling Club - Fast Group

I got up this morning and had the weird feeling that I didn't want to ride. One look out of the window told me that would be criminal but nether-the-less I felt quite reluctant. On setting off that instantly changed. After a week riding the 29r to work my road bike felt incredibly quick. I have however really enjoyed using the 29r for commuting because I get to have some off road fun and a few PR's have been achieved. With the help of the trust e-cars I've been able to bike to work four days out of five. It will be brilliant if I can keep that up.


As usual a decent sized group gathered at the shop. Any thoughts I could slope off to the banter bunch were quickly dispelled by Steve who is determined not to let me go back. The plan was to use Andrew Brown's Castle Ashby route but as no one else had uploaded this to their Garmin we fell back on an old faithful with the 'Pitsford Classic,' loop. Ironically this route does not actually got to Pitsford but it does cross Pitsford water at the Holcot causeway. We need to sort this out as a club though. Not enough people are taking responsibility for planning the rides and we can't just leave it all up to the Dark Helmet (C&D manager Andy.) So the plan for next week is to get organised and do Andrew's route. It's less hilly than usual so even fat lads like me will cope.

The route takes me straight back to where I'd just come from and by Rothwell I was keeping up just fine. That's the problem with these fast rides, I can cope for 5 miles so it's obvious the problem is they are too long not I'm too slow! Heading up to Harrington I started slipping back and I also started to get a gippy tummy. Perhaps my body was trying to tell me something when I was having those uncharacteristic feelings of reluctance. By Lamport we were all back together and then stayed that way heading towards the causeway.

Beautiful day for a ride

It was along that fast road that we got really fragmented as first a horse box and then several more cars started to over take half the group then sit hesitantly in the middle of us. The effect was to split us up even more and actually cause the motorists more delay. Then one of the numpty cars overtook the horsebox that was struggling to overtake us. It was dangerous and Steve had a near miss. Then the driver had a near miss because Steve nearly caught up with him for a 'word.' The video below gives an idea of this.

Chris Boardman has just written about near misses. Here's the article: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/chris-boardman/near-miss-project_b_8195286.html

By this time that Gippy Tummy was like a washing machine and I had chronic indigestion. I probably would have struggled to keep up anyway but this definitely did not help.

Going through Holcot was a pain due to a car boot sale and lots of congestion and then when we got to Sywell we remembered there was an airshow and had to modify the route. After the detour through Mears Ashby we had that fast road to Little Harrowden that even though I'd been dropped by the group I managed to wheel suck Graham and enjoy a bit of a tear up. The group continues to perplex me. Once again they needed rests due to going too fast at which point I rode straight past. I'm sure they'd be better off taking it steady like me ;) All joking aside it was great to catch up with some people I haven't seen for a while and this may not be the banter bunch but there's still plenty of time to have a laugh.

We were back at the shop by 10:35 which is definitely a first for me. Tea and Nat's Bakewell Tart (explanatory guest blog to follow,) was in good supply. Steve also managed to fall in love with a garish bike.

With my tummy still grumbling I took it easy on the ride home. A very long sit on the toilet and indigestion tablets have sorted the problem. Then I discovered Mrs Lindsley was experiencing similar symptoms. Maybe it was something we ate!

OK now I need to sort out that guest blog.

Happy Pedaling

Sunny Sunday Solo Off Road Spin

After yesterday's ride with the club today was time for something different on my own. By different though I mean my tried and tested off road route to Brigstock via Geddington. I was however quite cautious because when the ground gets a bit softer the Geddington Chase bridlepath quickly becomes unrideable. There were some warning signs along the way with the odd ominous puddle but also lots of dry trails.

View of Weekley Woods from the Boughton Estate 

Same place view going into the Boughton Estate

Grange Road heading to Geddington

On the first stretch the biggest obstacle was dogs! The nice weather seems to have brought every Sunday walker and their pooches out to play and I made some new furry friends. As a dog owner myself I understand that I share the countryside with other users. 

Obligatory Eleanor Cross Shot

Thankfully those ominous puddles didn't signal the start of the boggy season. The bridlepath had the odd sludgy bit but nothing like as bad as it can get. I've had to get off and push before as mud completely clogged my wheels. I suspect a few dry days and this could be usable well into October. That was the good bit. There is one negative. Every time I go over rough ground my front derailleur gets bounced round and jams my chain. Each time this has happened I've loosened, re-positioned and then tightened up as tight as I can. I'm losing confidence with it so a trip to C&D Cycles is probably needed. I'm sure this is likely to be a 'too much power,' issue.

Heading into Geddington Chase

Usually I head back round to Geddington via the Brigstock bumps and Grafton Underwood. However just out of Brigstock the road was closed for the Cransley fun run. Flipping runners! What did I say yesterday, fitness fanatics who can't ride! Anyway this surprise was a double win bonus because I hate the bumps and I've never ridden back the way I'd came before. The reason is it's the best off road downhill in Northants, which for a hill dodger like me makes it the worst uphill off road trail in Northants! It was more enjoyable than I expected and there's also some downhill bits I've only been up before so I think this might become my regular plan.

Return Journey through Weekley Woods

In my mind I had two targets today. PR's on the pro-logis drag and Glendon railway segments. Both of these were achieved but I still have some work to do to worry the leaderboard.

There's a reason I repeat this ride often. It's really fun. Just imagine me grinning like the bloke in the Wiggle advert (Local bike shops are preferable!) Recovery food today was provided by my Mum's awesome Sunday Lunch. I'm not sure of the science involved but I'm convinced it does me good, especially paired with Dad's home brew. Post lunch we had a recovery dog walk which has done the trick because Gracie the naughty trainee guide dog is finally worn out! I also got my own back on fellow cyclists by blocking the Brampton Valley Way with Labradors.

Ridiculously cute

Happy Pedaling!

C&D Cycles CC Saturday Shop Ride...The Fast Group!

I've been good all week. I have stuck religiously to a no booze policy and have kept under my Myfitnesspal calorie goal. That is until last night when as usual I had the usual Friday Night fail. One beer led to a few and once the dis-inhibition of alcohol kicked in the eating binge began. I'm going to give myself a break though because I did this last week and I still lost weight so it's probably ok. All of that led to my crazy decision of the day which was to ride in the fast group today.

My morning started with a dog walk at 7am. When I walked the dogs it was a bright morning with the sun just poking over the rooftops. All looked good. By the time I set out on my bike at 8:20 there was a thick fog.

At the shop it was amusing to see the variation in cycling apparel. For me this is still shorts and short sleeved jersey weather. Others appeared to be prepared for a blizzard. Banter was flowing and Andy entertained us with tales of how much he is enjoying the Rugby World Cup. I understand that he is very impressed by the magnificent physiques of Rugby Football players as compared to slighter figures of association footballers. Banter of the day goes to Jonesy's jersey. None of us have ever seen a crumpled and creased lycra garment before. Pop it round tomorrow Jonesy, I'll add it to the Sunday night ironing.

The offending garment plus Andy continues to consider Courtney Lawes thighs

Steve is overdressed and had to strip at Oundle

Nat was shivering, plus look at Neil's full fingered gloves!

So I stated my intention to Steve and told him I needed a full gas blast with the intention of hurling at some point. I do wish he hadn't taken me so literally! Whoosh! The pace from the off was blistering and I was dropped on Warkton Hill, then again going into Brigstock and again by Benefield! After that I kept up for a while as we hit a fast section and it was 20+ all the way into Oundle. Then they dropped me again and again and again. All this going too fast wears them out though and I took advantage of their breaks by catching up and going past. The stretch going back from the Twywell turn to Warkton always kills me. It's a slightly uphill slog and I was fully expecting to get dropped again. Well I did much better than I expected and was still in the group past the turn for Grafton. But then, just as Pete had remarked how well I was keeping up...I got dropped again!

The pretty as a postcard Grafton Underwood

The route we took today was probably one of the first ever used for Saturday shop rides. It's certainly a well ridden loop so many of us know it well. I really like aspects of this, most notably going down, not up the Brigstock bumps and then going through some of the nicest villages you'll ever see. As Nat remarked to me on the ride, we're very fortunate to have beautiful countryside on our doorstep. Also the sun coming out, really, really helps!

Back at the shop I had the satisfaction of very nearly keeping up. I'm not quick enough for that group yet but also feel if I don't push myself I never will be. I definitely did push myself today though because 29 Strava cups and a load of PR's on a well ridden route is a good result. Who knows, half a stone lighter in a couple of months I might start to understand the phrase:

"It doesn't get easier you just get faster!"

Andy was still in banter mode and offered me a chair as he was concerned for my well being. Oh he is a funny little man. He then made my heart skip a beat with some Zipp Firecrest Wheels.

I want those wheels

Andy's new xenophobic frame available for £10.99 with a month of Daily Mail Coupons

As ever we were treated well at the shop with recovery tea and coffee and a splendid Lemon cake from Ian.

The splendid lycra loonies of C&D Cycles Cycling Club

Out on the ride we had a chat about nutrition and a top tip was a pint of milk with peanut butter. I tried it and I like it! I need to work on mixing in the peanut butter though. Steve told us of his Cool Hand Luke moment last Sunday when he had six boiled eggs to aid recovery. We also made sure we got plenty of jelly beans down us out on the ride. I heard from someone that 8 jelly beans is the energy equivalent of an energy gel. Here's a more scientific article from a running magazine Runners World. Obviously take this advice carefully as we all know runners are just people too stupid to ride a bike ;) Finally I've rounded off my recovery feed with home made soup. If you've never made your own soup you really should. It's quick, easy, free from additives you get in shop bought soups and very very nutritious. 

My cycling nutrition:

Night before: start with good intentions, lose this after several pints of home brewed ale, carb load on anything you stuff your face with!

Pre-ride: 3 cups of tea, peanut butter on wholemeal toast

Ride: Lidl jelly beans and Big Dave's special blue product energy drink (there's a video remember)

Post ride: tea and cake

Recovery at home: Milk and peanut butter, banana, super soup, lots more tea until it's beer o'clock!

Nutrition

OK that's it. My legs feel very strange. they are kind of twitching and pulsing as I type this. So I take it that means I had an effective workout! Thanks to my fellow lycra loonies today, you really are an awesome bunch, even you Neil!

Happy Pedaling

E-car scheme means I can cycle to work more often.

The NHS trust I work for has recently signed up to an E-car scheme and has six vehicles based at three sites around the county. The logic of this move is simple. They pay those of us with community based jobs a mileage allowance and in line with all things austerity, reducing costs is the name of the game. We sign up for free and then can book the cars for free mon-fri 9-5. We can still use them outside of that time but it's £5.50 an hour to do that. Other scheme members not employed by my Trust can also book the cars outside of that time which I guess is the incentive for the Ecar company to make these partnerships.

For me this scheme is genius. I'm based in Kettering but could need to go anywhere in the county in my working day. This meant I could only really bike to work on days when I'm staying in one location. Now I can book an Ecar bike to Kettering and bike home as well as getting around the county in good time. Obviously I lose my mileage allowance but the truth is that barely covers petrol now so it isn't a loss in real terms.

The process of signing up was really simple. I had to fill out a form and then the Ecar company called me. We then had a bizarre three way conversation with the DVLA and that was it. My card to use the car arrived the next day.

So yesterday I cycled to Kettering. All days that start with a bike ride are good days! I'd booked the car the day before as I was based in Northampton for most of the day. A quick change and it was time to give an Ecar a go. 

I was quite excited which probably led to my first error. After spending ages holding my card over the locking system I rang the helpline because the car wouldn't unlock. Almost as soon as the nice man answered I realised: "hang on this is the Nissan Leaf, I've booked the Renault Zoe!" Anyway they like to talk you through the first use so no harm done. There's a bit of a complicated procedure involving unlocking the key card with your pin and releasing the charge point, unplugging it all etc so being talked through it was helpful. All sorted though I started the card up and was a bit surprised to see the car that was plugged in all night on 59% charge. Still it had over 50 miles range with that and I only needed 33. More on that later.

Driving the car is weird at first but so simple you stop noticing. They don't make any noise! You really don't trust the engine is running until the car moves. Then it's frankly like a go kart. There's no gears and more than that it's even less complicated than a standard automatic. It's quite nippy around town but is limited to 60mph meaning I missed my 2.0 litre 16v a bit on dual carriageways. It's comfy to drive though and has good features like a reversing camera, air con, automatic wipers and lights. The car recharges itself a bit whilst your moving and a dashboard graphic shows power going back in if you take your foot off the accelator. The child in me enjoyed the challenge of trying to get the battery and mileage range to increase!

On my return to Kettering I had to use the helpline again as the car refused to start charging. This took a good ten minutes to resolve and it was just repeating my previous steps. I think it will be easier next time but it's not just plug it in, lock and leave. I also wondered at that point if the previous user had the same issues because that would explain the car not being fully charged (it only takes half an hour from the dedicated charge points.)

Then I got to bike home. Bonus! This really does feel like the future for me. I bike to work, saving money and cycling more. The trust pays less for me to do my job. The environment benefits too (although I'm not naive, I understand that the electricity also has a carbon footprint.)

I'm definitely going to continue to use the Ecar scheme. I hope loads of people don't join me though because the only downside I can see is there might not always be a car available. Then again the trust could always expand the fleet!

Happy Pedaling

Cycle4Cynthia 2015...possibly the perfect day on a bike!

Well today didn't get off to a good start. I set my alarm for 05:00 and when it went off I must have missed snooze and pressed off. At 06:09 I woke up in sheer panic, not just because I needed to meet the guys at the shop by 06:45 but also because I awoke from a nightmare where someone else had done my ironing.

With no chance of meeting the rest of the C&DCyclesCC gang in time I set off on my own. Now I don't mind that at all. It says in my blog description I like riding in on my own and I do. It was a great solo ride to Althorp and I made it by about 08:15 which was plenty of time to get registered. When I arrived a large gathering of C&D lycra loonies were present and all doubled over with laughter as Steve was enjoying the attentions of a lady who may or may not have been enjoying his attentions back.

OK so editing after the day I've had is a bit of an effort so here's the pictures. I will pick up the story after the pics!

Steve and his new best mate

Pieces of food on a bike....erm good luck

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder

Phil and Theo at the start

Dylan Hartley and Sam Dickinson

Yay here we go

there's a cheat here!

OOOOOh there's a contraption video later

Trying to keep up

Oh my god why am I trying to keep up?

OK so the main group of the C&D lads and lasses piled off to do the 50 mile route. Meanwhile I joined Phil 'the beast' Broxton and his son Theo to do the 25 mile route. Theo was an absolute star and I really do expect him to join us on a club ride in a few years. Theo should know he's an inspiration to others as SuperSam Lindsley wants to do the 25 mile route next year, Theo did not fail on an incredibly hilly route so big kudos young man. Check out the video below:

On route in Cycle4Cynthia there were plenty of standard lycra clad carbon/aluminium framed cyclists en route and then there were some alternative cyclists! Check this video out:




Well we got back to the start/finish in good time and then there was a real carnival atmosphere. I think I've been negligent here in mentioning who Cynthia is. Cynthia Spencer House is a hospice in Northampton for cancer sufferers. As such it couldn't be a more deserving cause. Marrying into a family that has suffered way more than their fair share from the C word has taught me that this is way more than a bike ride.It's a way of trying to help. So it's massive congratulations to the organisers for creating such a brilliant event. Pray you'll never need Cynthia Spencer Hospice or her sister unit in Kettering, Cransley Hospice and if your family ever does be grateful they have such innovative fundraisers that created the Cycle4cynthia bike ride.

After the main event I got to ride back with some of my favourite lycra loonies. We were knackered but in fits and starts we tore it up on the way back. I love this club and I can genuinely say the people I rode home with are some of the best.

All in all I think that's the perfect day on a bike. Solo ride. Help the youngsters ride. Ride with mates ride.

Happy Pedalling

Doing my own thing...

Well SuperSam has decided to go back to playing rugby, good for him I hope he does well. That left me with a decision...go out with C&DCCC for a Steve Sunday ride or do my own thing. Well I'm not feeling fast at all right now and I decided to give 'trying to keep up,' a miss. As my ride was a 30 mile bumble at 14mph average and their's was 60 miles at 18mph average I think I did the right thing. It's something I will have to work back up to.

Does that make my ride a bit of a flop? No not all. We get so obsessed with distance and averages and segments that we end up forgetting how nice it is to ride without pressure. I set off with a rough plan but no objective other than spending a couple of hours in the saddle. The weather, unlike yesterday was perfect for cycling: dry, light winds, not too warm. It really would have been squanderous not to get out.

As ever the highlights for me were the descents. Today I thoroughly enjoyed Rothwell to Desborough, Desborough Road Drop into Arthingworth, the quick section into Maidwell, from Maidwell to Draughton, the downhill section of the Old TT circuit, the descent onto the causeway and the hill from Orton back to Rothwell.

Doing my own thing meant I had plenty of opportunities to get shots of the beautiful landscape. A picture tells a thousand words so have a look at these:

That speed camera is under no threat

Maidwell to Draughton

Draughton to Lamport

The view from the top of the hill between Draughton and Lamport

Same place different view

Might as well have a bikie

View over Pitsford Reservoir

Pitsford water causeway

Shadow shot 

In other news today is the start of the tour of Britain. Wow what a finish that was! No spoilers, I'm sure someone will be waiting for the highlights.

Happy Pedaling

Best Hills in Northamptonshire?

Special Blue Product

Having ridden this route before, I knew what was coming, especially as the Major's IT inability meant me creating a route on Strava, Ride with GPS and Garmin Connect for everyone in the club to pretend they hadn't seen. On that Andy P informed me that his Garmin tried to send him off road at the top of Neville Holt. I'm not surprised, they may make great products but their route planner is a pile of old pants compared to others that are in fact free. It took me several goes to get the route to go up Rocky Hill like it was advising against such endeavour. Anyway I arrived at the shop to see a grand gathering of regulars and a few newbies. On seeing my bottles loaded with special blue product, Steve introduced me to his green concoction. It was USN, so I usually like it but I'm not too sure about the green stuff. Possibly this had something to do with Steve adding a few extra scoops than recommended (like he needs more power!)

Steve has green smurf juice

Organisation was swift as Andy was away (He was actually busy trying to keep his hair on with righteous indignation whilst believing everything he reads in the daily mail,) . Steve took the quickies and I led the sensible people which is how things should be. 

 We rode out into the beautiful Northants countryside on a not so beautiful day. Summer has gone and Autumn is here, soggy and grey, oh actually it probably still is Summer after all.

It's pretty lumpy on the way to the first proper hill of the day. I always find Rushton Hill and Bringhurst quite a challenge and then we hit Neville Holt which tomorrow will be the scene of KCC and WVCC's annual hill climb race. They haven't chosen it because it's easy and if anyone tells you Northants is flat make them ride up this. That will shut them up. The thing is when Isaac Newton invented gravity to help apples fall out of trees, he had no idea what he was doing because bikes hadn't been invented. However what goes up must come down remains the true joy of cycling as after the agony of the hill comes the joy of the descent. The slope down to Eyebrook reservoir really is pure ecstasy to a downhill specialist like me.

Suffering

Rest at the top

 After nearly taking out a group of people having a photo in the road we rounded Eyebrook Reservoir and headed up significant lump two, through Stoke Dry. Up this hill I was supported by Stuart (aged 75) who advised me I'm doing everything right I just need to keep suffering! He's being kind, the problem remains that 92kg is too heavy for my legs. Myfitnesspal myfitnesspal myfitnesspal...I will get there!

The phenomenon that is Stuart

Another descent into the picturesque village of Lyddington where we passed an idea for a meal out next week as I've always liked the look of The Old Hart. I'll let you all know if we get there and if it's as good as it looks. Yes I know I said about Myfitnesspal but the kids are away so I want to take the Queen of Cakes somewhere nice!

From Lyddington it got quicker for a bit. A short climb into Gretton and then to the beast that is Rocky Hill.I always find this more of a mental challenge than physical. My mind tells me to give up when it gets tough and I have to tell it to get lost. I know as soon as I see the green sign at the top it's done and I just focus on stand a bit, sit a bit until I see the sign. Then you have to get away from Corby. I have nothing against Corby itself it's just those roads on the outskirts are not fun to ride on. I do however enjoy the A427 back to East Carlton. We always seem to get wriggle on down there. Then it was just back to the shop.

Barely Human

We found most of the fast group in the shop tucking into Mrs Lindsley's amazing cakes. Steve who apparently rode the whole route in his big ring (machine) described today's cakes as 'bang on.' The options were: Coffee & Walnut, Vanilla and Marrow & Chocolate. The latter wasn't too popular in the shop, possibly because Marrow is a quirky cake ingredient. However I can confirm it is delicious AND Fireman Pat (Gareth) next door who provided the marrow has described it as 'the future!'

Today's Cakes

At the start of the ride one of the quick lads dropped this light at the traffic lights. Not sure who it belongs to but Chris says you have 48 hours to claim it or it will be sold (I think he was joking, it's hard to tell.) More on Arkwright and his selling prowess he was trying to sell me my dream wheels (Zipp Firecrest,) just because I mentioned them. Apparent £1500 sounds a lot for wheels but it isn't really as with the mileage I do it's less than 50p a mile. Nice try Chris!

Whose light is this

Well I'm knackered. That route really is good as it gets round here and I'll happily do it again soon. Not sure what I'm doing tomorrow as it depends on the fickle nature of SuperSam and his 'will I won't I," attitude towards playing rugby this season. Whatever happens I'm riding somewhere somehow!

Happy Pedaling