Clocking up the winter miles...

I'm a lucky man...a really lucky man...because this week I've already been out on my bike with two of my best mates! That's the positive message I'd like everyone to take from this blog, because I'm sorry to say I'm really going to be negative at times today.

My first post Christmas ride made me very happy because it was one I shared with the very special human being that is my youngest son SuperSam. As most parents know, you tend to lose kids a bit at his age. You've gone from being the strongest, cleverest, fix anything ist man in the Universe and suddenly your hero plummets towards zero. Every now and again though you have a day when you're the hero again. Boxing Day was my day!

So we pitched up at Wakerley to what has to be the most quintessentially English behaviour ever. There was lots of family groups doing that bewildered wandering that only the English can achieve and to top everything there was also a group with a barbecue on the go having a game of cricket! We're mad...in a most magnificent way!

Sam and I hit the trails. If you haven't been to Wakerley Great Wood it's like a mini Cannock Chase. There's nothing like the downhills of lower cliff but there is still plenty to keep offroaders happy. Sam let me take the lead on each section too, which is great because it means he's confident enough to tackle it on his own. I managed a few Strava PR's as a result!

You can see from the pics that it was a lovely day in the woods. Reports from people who did a road ride on Boxing Day suggest that there was a bitter wind away from the trees! I love this place. It's well built, well maintained and frankly a bargain to use! The only problem is the odd stray walker who doesn't understand the difference between a path and a bike route! Sam had a great ride too. He has set himself the target of working on skills and returning regularly to see if he's getting quicker! You've got to love that kid!

I was hoping to ride on the 27th with C&D Cycles CC but looking out of my window on the morning I saw an abundance of frost. Having fallen twice on ice and broken my bike both times I had no intention of setting out on a road bike. Club mates however took no such precaution and rode their bikes. I'm sorry guys, I know it's your choice but I think you're foolish. How can it ever be worth risking life, limb or expensive bike? I might sound a bit judgmental at this point but I can honestly speak from experience. I was lucky enough a few years back to only lose two 105 rear mech's and hangers in quick succession. Both times my desperation to ride overwhelmed my common sense. I'll say it again...there will always be another day to ride!

So to today. Steve contacted me the night before and suggested we head for the Brampton Valley Way and some off road riding. This seemed like the sensible way to get a cycling fix!

It became quite apparent soon into our ride that the roads were really not safe for road bikes. We set out with the intention of avoiding tarmac as much as possible! Not long into the ride I experienced the first mechanical of the day as my rear mech cable detached itself from the shifter. A quick bit of fiddling and we'd solved the problem...or so it seemed!

Just out of Orton we found a bridlepath we couldn't resist exploring. This was a bit of mistake as he going was so heavy that Steve described it as 'worse than Rocky Hill.' He considered engaging his Granny Ring, I embraced the full spin of my very lowest gear! I say mistake but actually this type of suffering was exactly what we were looking for.

Thankfully we made it onto firmer ground and a more manly gear was engaged. We were playing it by ear though and much as we understood our general direction, frankly we had no clue exactly where we were!

That lack of orientation subsided as we saw the house that was formerly Faxton Church near Lamport. I told Steve the story of the cows chasing me out of the field we were in and then we entered the safety of the woods beyond the reach of livestock.

The next picture alludes to the change of weather we were about to encounter. It had until this stage been a bright and sunny but freezing cold day. We were about to enter the fog!

The next picture really sums it up. The ground was firm but frosty. The air was getting cold and clingy!

Closing on Lamport we found this hillock that grabbed my attention. I have no idea what this structure is and will do some research but it looked like early fortification. I wanted to ride down it but the look of the ditch at the bottom persuaded me that it might not end well.Also Steve pointed out I'd either break my bike or do myself a mischief!

Then we found Frank's Hobbit house!

From there we made our way to the A508 where with lights on we cautiously rode to Hanging Houghton. From the world's poshest village we span down an icy hill to the Brampton Valley Way, BRAIN FREEZE! Going down the hill was the coldest thing I've ever done, every bit of me was frozen and I had a splitting headache. The Brampton Valley Way itself was quite pleasant due to the mud being frozen. Steve then checked his Garmin which said the temperature was -6C!

This next picture proves the point. It's not the fog, my camera lens had frosted over! So it was with some relief that we climbed Merry Tom Lane because uphill warms you up! Unfortunately my gears had stopped working again! When we arrived at Brixworth Country Park I discovered that the cable had now detached at the derailleur end! I managed to fix that but lost my bottom two cogs and was not in the mood for more fiddling to get them back. This bike has been so trouble free that it almost owes me the odd mechanical!  

Steve and I headed into the cafe where the magnificent chap bought me a pot of tea. We also discovered 'Arry the Aphid, Steve's new best mate. He stayed with us for a fair few miles! Because not even tea had warmed us sufficiently we had a look around Pitsford Cycles. Dear Chris and Andy...no money was spent!

Those cobwebs tell a tale. We set off round Pitsford reservoir with freezing extremities which were not improving anytime soon! We said good morning to as many people as possible and it has to also be said that joggers are far more sensible than cyclists as none were seen! At the causeway car park we'd had enough and just wanted to get home. The ride back to Brixworth was dicey as visibility was low and we were happy to have decent lights. However as we hit the top of the hill the world began to change. Soon after that you would not believe it was the same day as we emerged into bright winter sunshine.

We went to Scaldwell, then Old and up mill lane where the above picture was taken. We looked across those crazy bridle paths that had provided a test earlier and laughed at how silly we are! Then my third problem of the day...my front tyre started losing air. It's been a bit leaky since I went tubeless I was just unsure if the sealant had expired or of it just didn't like the cold!

By Harrington, where we could clearly smell the Warner Edwards gin still in full swing, I decided to put more air in. Its was only a few miles home which was lucky because the top up didn't work! I limped home with a very soft front tyre. Steve headed back to Kettering with his Festive 500 quest still on target! Despite the problems and the cold it was still a great ride in great company. Also being out on big tyres and avoiding roads was clearly the safest approach...maybe some maintenance would have helped!

Back at home I had a really good tinker with gear cables and I got my rear mech absolutely trimmed! I'm quite proud of that because I've always been been pretty useless at fine fettling. The tyre though was having none of it.

With only a couple of days before our trip to Cannock Chase I needed to take action so I hot footed it to C&D Cycles. I purchased some Scwalbe sealant (which is actually Stans,) and I got a camelbak drinks system because I'm fed up of drinking from a crap covered bottle. Amazingly with my club discount my LBS came in cheaper than the big internet providers. Kudos to Andy and Chris for such outstanding service!

I'm really looking forward to my trip to Cannock Chase on Friday. I'll get pics and hopefully some video too!

Happy Pedaling

Christmas Eve Cracker!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...well not really for cycling but hey we soldier on through the winter. Today we got to ride on Christmas Eve and dressing up was compulsory! I decked Clive out with antlers, tinsel and a couple of baubles. I also strapped on some helmet antlers too!

Someone commented that my bike had testicles and one of our group today actually said "I love your balls Rich!" I won't embarrass her by revealing who said that!!! I'm amazed they didn't fall off or smash because they were swinging around and banging together all ride long.

The route today was the Oundle classic. Not a tough route and one so well ridden that many people know the way without GPS assistance. As I arrived at the shop it was clear that some big efforts had been made. We had santa hats, tinsel, antlers, other headgear etc.

Steve with his tiny balls and strap on Santa

Samta Pendred who got pretty hot!

We set off in one group on damp heavy roads with a tailwind. Steve suffered a puncture but otherwise our spin through to Oundle was uneventful. Whilst waiting in Brigstock a lady banged on her window and wished me Merry Christmas. I was taken aback then remembered I was on a bike with Tinsel, Baubles and Antlers!!! I'd like to say I got used to that but the following was a recurrent thought process...First voice in my head: what they looking at? Second voice: You , yer pillock, you're on a bike that looks like someone sicked Christmas all over it...First voice: Oh yeah...

Dirty Santa

It was lovely to ride with Louis Spence today

The ride through to Aldwinkle from Oundle was much tougher as the wind took effect. I always struggle in the wind as a bigger rider because I'm about as aero as a brick! Also increasing drag was my overall Christmassyness! Antlers create drag and the balls out back were acting like an anchor! Not even jelly babies or my special drink (Big Dave's Blue Product,) could pep me up. Whilst I'm making excuses, anyone who heard my coughing in the shop after the ride will know I wasn't 100%. Also of note in Oundle was the clear winner of the Andy Pendred jogger of the day. She greeted us with enthusiasm then ran off smartly when it became apparent how cheeky we are.

At Aldwinkle, near the non-historic church, despicable Neil took a tumble, whilst stationary. You can just see him getting back up in the background. Serves him right for making no Christmas effort. As you can imagine there was a complete lack of sympathy or any offer to help! So the Mark Baird Cockwomble of the ride award goes to Neil. 

Alison on the other hand did make an effort and I particularly liked her Santa Homer socks! Alison was struggling even more than me today and it is to her credit she kept going. We did adhere to rule #1 even after she begged us to stop waiting for her and an arrangement was made, some of the lads just wouldn't leave her behind.

Sam Pendred was amazing in his Santa suit. Samta was clearly very hot in the onesie. Andy, his almost funny, treacherous Dad, had told him to wear shorts underneath which was clearly reverse psychology to guarantee Sam put on full length bib tights for added toastiness!

Back at the shop the banter continued to flow. Some of it repeatable but I can't remember that bit! Mince pies were provided by Andre's wife. Nat was over enthusiastically hugged by everyone before it was manly handshakes and Merry Christmases all round!

There's lots of riding planned over the Christmas break for those fortunate enough to get the time off. I'm looking forward to getting some quality miles in and hopefully an off road trip to Cannock Chase. If I'm lucky I'll get out for an hour tomorrow too.

Whilst my inexpert training on rollers continue, I enjoyed the GCN Christmas special the decorations people have made from bike parts is truly amazing. So if you want to, check it out here!

Okay that's it. If everything goes to plan the New Years Eve blog will be an absolute smasher. I'll be establishing my New Years Cycling Resolutions as well as all the usual nonsense.

Merry Happy Pedaling Christmas

More filthy fun in the mud!

So this week I've done a bit more on the rollers but my only ride of note was today's off road mud bashing. Before I could leave Harvey tried to trap me in the house by kidnapping my feet. I managed to get away from my friendly Labrador and the plan was to meet those C&Ders hardy enough for an off road ride at Weekly Woods.

The plan worked a treat and that leads me to the even bigger plan which was to try the route from a few weeks back but in the other, far more sensible direction! Our team today was Andy P, Ken, (Mark,) Sparky, (Mark,) Bairdy and me. A spin through Weekly Woods and the Weekly Hall wood appeared to be going well until our resident womble got a puncture. Much hilarity and taunting ensued. Mark is apparently well practised at puncture repair and you really could hardly tell. His pumping technique was sound though. I pointed at the large bubble on my front wheel where my tubeless tyre was behaving well and sealing itself nicely. 

From there we headed into the Medieval capital of England that is Geddington and onto Geddington Chase with some trepidation. We knew from a few weeks ago it would be pretty boggy. However the most enjoyable bit was pretty firm and we enjoyed the downhill run towards the badger sets. Then as predicted it got boggy and also as predicted Bairdy was the first to come off. He over confidently passed other group members before discovering the source of their caution! It was hard work but definitely passable. I think this might be the last time it's worth riding until it dries again in the Spring. The womble's tumble then set the president for the rest of the ride as waiting for Mark became the norm.

The pic above is Mark finally reaching the end of the Chase. He admitted that this off road lark was harder than he'd thought. Now to be fair to him, Bairdy is one of the most improved riders in our club. He easily keeps pace with the fast group on road rides and it's not all down to his Chinese knock off Bianci/Campagnola products.

This is me showing Bairdy how it's done!

Next off we had some road through Brigstock and then onto the trail that had taken us to Lieveden New Bield last time out. That uphill section was brutal last time out and it was no surprise to find it was easier downhill but actually still work rather than just coasting. I blogged about Lieveden last time so I won't tell you all about this National Trust site again. Needless to say it's not improved by a bunch of dirty MAMILs. Great picture again Andy.

Not far from Lievden we met a bunch of shooters with dogs. They were friendly enough but advised us we shouldn't be on bikes there. So, given they had big guns, we walked for a bit and then as we were sure they were wrong and it was a bridleway, got back on. Well, well, well...the sign below shows we were right. It was indeed a bridleway. Discretion is still the better part of valour though, especially when the people you could argue with have 12 bores!

Riding the other way we'd really struggled on the bridleway from Aldwinkle. This time round it was nicer downhill but a little bit on the slippy slidy hairy side. Andy P expertly led the way. Bairdy took another tumble...

You can see from this picture that we were dealing with tricky conditions. But hey this is what makes these rides so much fun. I really can't imagine enjoying these tracks half as much on a dry sweaty Summer day.

Mark continued with his struggles but then we've had a few weeks practise at this and it is different to road rides so it's no surprise. He did however have no problem catching up with us when sheep were present...

We had a lovely ride by the river with some interesting bridge crossings as we made our way to Thrapston. Andy P found us some great little trails and also a great deal of mud! Mark was struggling more and more and I have to say I think his unusual QR lever positioning really needs a mention! To be fair I was knackered once again. These rides are a real test of strength and stamina.

Finally we popped back onto the road near Woodford. We had some more off road options but decided that was enough for one day and headed back on the roads. Up through Twywell was hard work. Then we headed on a familiar road route back to Warkton, Andy P set the pace and teh rest of us sat on his wheel. He said he wondered why no one else took a turn at the front but in truth we were all doing everything we could just to keep his wheel. I really hope these rides are helping my fitness because they feel like they should! The last bit of the ride home for me was just keeping the pedals turning.

As I arrived home I realised we'd done nearly 40 miles. No mean feat in those conditions. I also realised I had exactly ten minutes to get showered and changed and in the car for our family Christmas lunch! I downed a pint of milk so fast it gave me brain freeze before we went to the Hare at Loddington. It was a lovely meal out and I got a most appropriate secret Santa gift!

Five things I like almost as much as riding my bike. It's good but inaccurate. It should be five things I like as much as riding my BIKES! Also bacon is good but it does not come before cleaning my bike or going to the bike shop! On cleaning my bike. I had to do it in the dark and it was a really big effort!

Final word of the day goes to Mark who is pictured here in all his filth back at our headquarters C&D Cycles. He looks shattered doesn't he? Well we ragged Mark mercilessly on the ride and I've carried on in the blog. However Mark is a man with a good sense of humour and he takes it all as we very well, Good job really it won't stop anytime soon!

Final thoughts today go to congratulating those KCC cyclones who made the trip to Berkhamsted. I was really jealous of their course today with a tricky looking bridge. It was however too far for us with the family lunch to attend. 

My video recommendation this week comes from the legend that is Guy Martin. Our tea drinking, lorry mechanic, motorbike racer, record breaker has clocked up 11,000 miles cycling this year. He has just aborted a round Britain record attempt because, well you know, he's a bit broken. Nothing more tea won't fix! Anyway if you haven't seen it, check out "Our Guy in China," available on All 4. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/our-guy-in-china

Okay I'm done and just like last week I'm going to sleep very well!!!

Happy Pedaling

Cycling week ends in utter filth!

It's been another great week of cycling with a surprise CX session, rollers, a failed club ride, some exceptional service from Andy and finally a super muddy Sunday ride.

Let's start at the beginning, it is after all a very good place to start. On Monday we were invited to join in the kids CX session at Prologis Park by Mark Evans, the KCC Cyclones coach, I couldn't get there fast enough! It was a thoroughly enjoyable fitness session on the course we'd used a few weeks back in the Central CX league.

My learning curve with rollers continues. I'm still at the 'getting used,' to them stage so it's not full fitness sessions yet. I am still in the corridor and would probably have fallen off a couple of times without those walls to save me! It's all good though.

Flat!

On Saturday I set off to meet the club riders who, luckily for me, were coming through Rothwell once again. I got as far as the Kettering Road when a loud bang ended my ride abruptly. I'd had a rear wheel blow out wrecking a tyre that was only a few weeks old. So what do you do in these circumstances? Well you just stick it on social media and then Andy from C&D Cycles comes to your rescue. I was able to pop to the shop well before the quick group got back so Andy sorted me out with a new tyre, he fitted that plus re-doing my troublesome rim tape. Like I said great service. We had some extra time for a good chat and catch up and Andy was keen to explore ways we can continue to promote the club as a community.

To today! I set out for the shop on a lovely bright morning for another of our 'dirty banter,' rides. I rrived in good time for a change to discover what can only be described as disorganised chaos...

Where we going Steve? The plan was to go to Loddington and through to Draughton turn left on the Brampton Valley Way and go to Pitsford. Hmmm...no tunnels then? Oh maybe not, Then Andy suggested...Finedon as a way of sort getting to Pitsford. I'm still pondering his slim grasp of local geography. So I suggested I knew an interesting route and before I knew it I was leading the ride. I can't help thinking there was a collective monkey's breakfast here to trick me into leading. Possibly even more crazy was that one of our group, Marcus, was on a road bike!

I love a good shadow pic!

You might be fooled by the pics that we mostly rode the roads anyway. I didn't take many pics in the muddy bits because the camera was splattered. Shortly after this pic we headed into the back of Weekly Woods and then onto Glendon. Chris and I wanted to show the others the Prologis CX course and it was at this point that Marcus road tyres started to struggle. From there we took the track from Glendon through to Rushton where a picture with the Llamas was necessary. Chris's made up fact of the day is a Llama is the product of mating a sheep with a camel.

Next stop was Desborough and on the way it became clear to me that someone's rear cassette was way to shiny. Click on the picture and get a good look. It's just not right on a CX bike, don't worry though. It doesn't look like that now!

From Desborough the old road to Harrington has been turned into a bridleway so we headed semi off road down it. Marcus road tyres let him down again as he narrowly missed a bush on the bend. We also encountered a dog walker carrying a Pheasant! It all goes on around here. That's a lovely little spin until you realise it ends at the bottom of Harrington hill and we had a grind back up to Desborough Road Drop. One of my favourite bits of downhill but on a 29r my PR was never at risk. It was also questioned at this point whether we would ever get to the Brampton Valley Way and if we'd gone to Finedon would we be on it now? The answer was, we'd be on it soon and for the love of God shut up about Finedon!

We took the gated road/farm track from Arthingworth to Oxendon and hey presto we were on the Brampton Valley Way. At this point we were totally filthy and I don't mean Steve's mouth! I'm not sure how I was seeing out my glasses because they were covered in spots of mud. The BVW didn't improve this because it was pretty much one long mud track!

Ken decided to roll a quick fag...

Here's our dirty half dozen at the Brixworth/Spratton crossing. You'll not I was wearing shorts. It is unseasonably mild and frankly shorts weather. The others in their full winter kit must have been boiling (oh okay us larger riders are less susceptible to the cold!) I was knackered by now and kind of cursing my lack of fitness. I tried some positive self talk earlier and it worked great but by this point my inner dialogue was telling my positivism to get lost as frankly it was quite happy feeling tired!

From here we made our way to Merry Tom Lane which being a Northamptonian I know all about and the others didn't. It's a good climb up to Brixworth and onto the track around Pitsford reservoir. Before we went off road yet again Marcus wisely decided to leave us! I should also mention that Andy Pendred could not award his jogger of the day because he missed his opportunity by being nice to me about what a fun route I'd blagged together.

After the reservoir I was completely hanging. We took a road route through Holcot, Walgrave, the green Lane to Mawsley and I left the group at the Loddington turning. I worked out if I took the next turn to Orton I could get home without any further uphill misery.

As I pulled up shattered at Lindsley Home Sweet Home I stopped Strava and was amazed to see we'd mostly mudbashed for nearly 50 miles! No wonder my legs are sore right now. My bike pictured below was in quite a state and is still drying outside.

Filthy Franz

Foamy Franz

I was in a totally filthy state too! I have to say I'm particularly impressed by the state I was in and I think the highlight for this sockwomble is the tide mark left by the socks I supposedly don't wear!!!

You'll see Harvey was unimpressed by my state and soon after I got in I was nagged into taking him for a walk. My legs objected but Harvey wasn't listening. Still he is an effective footwarmer whilst I'm blogging.

Note the clean legs and it's still shorts weather!

Right I need to go and help Sam with his homework!

Happy Pedaling 

Pitsford Classic and a touch of Frost!

Another week another splendid Saturday clubride with my good friends at C&D Cycles CC. Again there was plenty on offer with standard rides and if you wanted it, a Gran Fondo ride. I opted the standard route banter bunch which followed the route we know as the Pitsford Classic.

This is another route which comes through Rothwell so I had time for an extra cup of tea and waited for the group on the market square. It was then onto Harrington, a lovely little village which ticks all the boxes and is home to the Warner Edwards gin distillery.

The ride itself was particularly uneventful which doesn't make for interesting reading. It was fun, challenging in parts and as ever the banter flowed. We ended up back at C&D Cycles for coffee and cake. That's about that really!

My intention today was to go on the KCC Sunday ride but we awoke this morning to a sharp frost. I learned about the dangers of icy roads the hard way a couple of years ago. It was an expensive lesson with broken rear mechs and an aborted sportive. So my rule of thumb is, if the roof of the house, the shed and the car are covered in frost; I don't ride. That may sound soft but I know of people who went out on their bikes today and they had tumbles. 

The upside was that my Labrador Harvey was pleased because he got an extra long walk and didn't have to wait until I got back from a ride for once! I also had time for jobs so I brewed some beer, chopped some wood and gave the bikes a good clean. On that, I have a new favourite cleaning product in Fenwicks foaming chain cleaner. This stuff is superb and is very little effort for very good results. 

The other thing to report is my progress on the rollers. My goodness it's hard! I really like the workout you get on rollers. The need to concentrate on balance makes if way more challenging than a turbo trainer. I've been experimenting with taking one hand off the bars and shifting around the handlebars but I'm nowhere near going hands free yet. I also learned on the first day that 30 minutes of total concentration is not so kind on a gentleman's tender areas! I was completely numb downstairs after my first roller session and since then I've made a conscious effort to move around in the saddle to protect my plums! Anyway the video below shows how a professional does it, I'm a few weeks away from doing this!

That's all for now.

Happy Pedaling