Another amazing week of cycling...

Three very different rides to discuss this week with a spin on my new cx, a faster ride around Rockingham Motor Speedway and possibly my favourite ride ever in the Peak district.



Last week I talked of the joy of cycling. On Tuesday I was engulfed in that very joy on my awesome new cyclocross bike.

I had a quick circuit of the area we most recently used for the KCC leg of the central cyclocross league and discovered how much faster that is on a cx bike.

I've given up on getting that Red Kite picture so I went for this instead!

It really was a beautiful morning, I wish I could start every day like this. Just perfect.

On Thursday evening the Cyclones had a training session at Rockingham Motor Speedway. They didn't need me to help so I got to a do a few laps. It's a beautiful surface to ride on and really was in contrast to the ride to come. The kids trained really hard and I think they will go well in the Silverstone 9up time trial in June.

If you think everything feels a bit rushed up to this point then you won't be wrong! This is undoubtedly the main event of the week and possibly my whole road cycling life. Today's club ride in the Peak District was just stunning. 

A great bunch of people met at C&D cycles his morning before travelling in convoy to Bakewell.  The group was led by Nat and included the Andys' Ferguson and Pendred, The Marks, Coleman and Baird, Pete, Steve Minney, Heather and me. Well we started in convoy but then a rest stop and my dodgy sat nav meant we arrived a few minutes apart. It was obvious from the start in the car park that this would be a glorious day. It was also obvious, 5 minutes from the car park that Bakewell is in the bottom of a valley and as Yazz said, the only way is up. Very soon we were into the first ling busting climb of the day...as it happened this was quit minor compared to what was about to come.

We made our way through the stunning grounds of Chatsworth House and then turned left. "Good luck if you're riding up there!" Shouted a local resident as we got stuck into climb number 34 of the UK's 100 greatest climbs. I started okay and felt alright going past the first hairpin. At this point, Marcus stopped. I wondered if I could carry on as it just seemed to get steeper and steeper with no end in sight. Around the 2nd hairpin I felt as though my lungs would burst and my heart explode so I stopped too. I really didn't want to give in and walk so I waited, caught my breath and continued...for about 50 metres and then I stopped again. At this point i wanted to give up and go home but I steeled myself once again and this time carried on with the ride. As is ours clubs ethos I found everyone else waiting for me up the road. You'd think that was enough uphill but after a short break we were heading uphill again!

The top of the hill revealed the reward for all that effort. The view was just superb. Pete promptly fell off his bike so that was entertaining too!

That harsh introduction dialed our legs in for what was a very hard day of riding. Over 52 miles we climbed over 6000ft. To put this in context we had a what we thought was a hilly ride a couple of weeks ago in Rutland. That was 62 miles and just 4000ft.

It was relentless at times...hills...more hills...is that the top of the hill...no, more hills! At others it was lovely to sweep down lengthy descents. There were tonnes of other cyclists out too and most had a friendly greeting. Many motorists were also incredibly patient with us.

After all of those hills we were given the ultimate reward with my longest ever descent. It was utterly exhilarating. We then made our way back to Bakewell, up more hills of course.

Today was just brilliant. Hard work, stunning scenery, thrills, spills and relentless banter! I can't wait to do it again!

Happy Pedalling

The Joy of Cycling

For those of you of a certain age, the title of my blog today will have brought a titter. However this was not my intention. I just want to discuss the pure joy that is riding a bike, wrapped up in my cycling adventures of the week.




So what is the joy of cycling? Is it going fast? Is it the social aspect? Is it setting yourself challenges? Is it racing? Is it coffee and cake rides? Is it a new bike? Is it flying downhill? Is it blasting uphill? Does it matter??? To me...YES...yes it does! I bloody love cycling. If I'm on  my bike and pedalling then it won't be long until I'm smiling. And if you're wondering...for me it's all of the above!

So on Saturday morning it was once again time for yet another C&D Cycles CC shop ride. This is not where I discovered the joy of cycling but it is without a doubt where I went from an enthusiastic occasional rider to a fully fledged Lycra Loonie. It is also where the joy volume got completely turned up to 11.

Once again I joined the fast group and off we set for a really good ride around some of my very favourite roads. It was similar to a couple of weeks ago but in the other direction and with some slight variations. 

The highlight of the day had to be riding down Haselbech hill. At the bottom of that glorious hill, we, the so called fast group decided to chase down a fellow cyclist from outside our group. With maximum effort we caught 'today's fox!' At this point I should point out that our target was a Dad on his mountain bike riding with a child seat with his toddler daughter on the back. I have no idea who this man was but I'm certain he's one hell of a cyclist! The little girl was also beaming from ear to ear due to her Dad's efforts. I asked her if she had just come down the big hill and the YES I got was explosive. She was 100% experiencing the joy of cycling!

We had a great ride and made to back to the shop within a couple of hours. The usual coffee and banter was in full flow. Some newbies had joined us and I hope they'll come back next week. 

In the shop we encountered this weird contraption. It's a kind of ugly beautiful. I don't want one but I also can see how it's owner loves it! What I will say, is that the copper dove bottle cage is a stunning detail.

Today I woke up without a plan and with no advertised rides on the club page. So I made a post asking what everybody else was up to and before you know it a plan emerged! Claire was heading out to watch the racing at Medbourne, Neil said he'd like to join her and I also got in on the group.

We met at the C&D Cycles shop where we also bumped into our old friend Mr Major. Steve was already done for the day having done a solid 30 miles on his steel flip flop. That bike weighs at tonne and it's more like weight training than cycling! Then Steve Wong also appeared and our little group became four.

The abundance of sunny days plus yesterday's rain have clearly done some good to the countryside. I don't ever think I've seen the place look so green.

The racing was in the heart of the Welland valley so we made our way out to Ashley and then on to Medbourne. Our plan was to ride the reverse of the race group and therefore get to see them on their laps.

We cycled up the seven sisters in a direction I'd never encountered before. Which is kind of a good point. there's loads of good roads around here! This route would definitely make a very good club ride. It was great to see the racing. Those lads definitely can shift! I didn't hang around for the finish though as I had more excitement to come.

You know those annoying PPI cold calls? Well we just let one of them look into our financial history. It paid out!!! In addition to paying for a load of home improvements we had some spare cash for a new bike and the bike I wanted to complete the collection was a cyclo-cross! I'd had a chat with Andy at C&D Cycles and he recommended the Forme Calver. I knew of this bike from seeing Andy Brown in action on his and reading about it being a proven race winner.

It's just a stunning looking bike and I couldn't wait to get it home and go for a quick spin. Andy had done a splendid job putting the bike together. They don't come as complete bikes, you can only buy the the frame and forks. the rest is a custom build.

I only went for a quick spin and the first order of the day was a bit of gravel track around Prologis Park.

The bike did not disappoint. It was lively, accurate, responsive and frankly just a great big load of fun!

From there I decided to introduce my new bike to Weekly Woods. I mentioned earlier about joy. This was pure joy!

I then decided to go the Rushton and check out the Llamas. Oh yeah and it was a good excuse to take another bike picture.

So there you go. That's my joy of cycling! This sport keeps me sane. It can make me smile on the very worst days. I get my buzz. I feel so healthy through cycling. I have great cycling friends. I enjoy the challenges. What could be better?

Happy Pedaling

Bank Holiday Bicycling Bonanza...Another weather turnaround this time it's a heatwave!

In glorious weather this weekend I got out on my bikes and wow, just wow! 3 days, 3 different rides, lots of fun!

Ride one was the traditional C&D Cycles CC Saturday shop ride. I just knew it would be a lovely ride as I headed in to Kettering via that short sharp beast that is Bunker Hill. I felt great, which I really had no right to after following the Dan Lloyd guide to hydration and massively overdoing the Friday night "mineral waters!"

With all that good feeling I elected once again to go with the quick group. For me it was very very quick! Marcus decided to bail at Woodford and waited for the banter bunch. Neil and Andy B set the pace the rest of us held on as well as we could. We had a go at a bit of chain ganging and at times we got it right, steaming along.

There wasn't much time for banter until we eventually stopped for a rest at in the impressive gateway near Pilton which I've never understood in terms of history or relevance. It looks like it leads to a big house. My most recent research uncovered nothing at all apart from this picture...

Now you're wondering why is there a picture of a Red Kite? Well on the 'pictures of Pilton,' page, there's this stunning picture of a Red Kite. I'm constantly trying to get a good pic of these stunning birds whilst we're out on a ride. One has even swooped in front of us and I still missed it. Here's one I took yesterday...

Not quite the same is it?

Back to the cycling stuff. At the break my average for about 25 miles of cycling was over 19mph. That's faster than I've ever ridden. It's not especially quick compared to many people I ride with or indeed the really good riders who've moved on. However, that's a big improvement for me and maybe with a few less mineral waters on a Friday night I could've maintained this for the whole ride.

It has to be said that I let the side down jersey choice wise in this week. They're all in C& D jerseys I'm wearing my Giant Sunshine Coast top. I don't why anyone else didn't make this choice, haven't they been to Mooloolaba? It was pointed out that the jersey in question matches Neil's Giant Propel better than mine but...get your own mate! It was also at this point that someone slipped a banana skin into Bairdy's pocket...what cheeky fun!

The rest of the ride wasn't what I would call a struggle, I just couldn't keep up with the lads at the front. Neil and Andy B tore off. Andy F, Mark C and Bairdy were not far behind. Steve, Graham and I were a bit broken! My average dropped down to 17mph, something a few months ago I would have been very happy with BUT looking at Strava later I discovered I was still getting personal records. Back at the shop we had time for a chat, a laugh and of course that cycling superfood cake!

With tired legs my cycle home was a slow saunter. I took the dogs out for a recovery walk. This glorious weather is good for us, Harvey though was getting a bit too hot!

The next order of the day was a trip to the Saints for the last match of the season. It's been disappointing to say the least this year but we've had some high points. Beating the Tigers twice can never be a bad thing. The big thing today though was saying goodbye to some very good players. It's the end of an era and it all got quite emotional!

Ben Foden deservedly got most of the attention but I can't believe after 12 years of seeing off some of the best fly halves in the world that we won't see Stephen Myler do this again. I can't recall a penalty that was ever cheered so enthusiastically.

Sorry for all that eggchasing...I'll get back to cycling now!

On Sunday I decided it was time to switch bikes and get out on the trails. So I stuck my Forme Ripley on top of the car and headed over to Wakerley Woods. My plan was to do a warm up lap over the road at Fineshade Woods and then come back to Wakerley Woods for a couple of the Scar Tree trail. With  the lovely weather we're having the trails were almost dry so this was the ideal time for this type of ride.

I'm just going to let the pictures do the talking for this one. The woods were spectacular in this gorgeous weather and just a joy to cycle around. Lots of people were about enjoying the sunshine and also lots of kids on bikes!

Fineshade welcome posters

Fineshade family trail start

Got to love the skills loops

Back at the Wakerley Woods Scar Tree Trail

Beautiful bike in the Bluebells

Not everyone had a good day...

On one of my laps of the Scar Tree trail I came across a couple of blokes with an upside down bike. I asked if they needed help and they replied that they thought that would be a good idea. One look at this rear derailleur old me all I needed to know. He'd snapped his cage and bent the rear hanger. My advice "you're pushing that mate!"

After that great ride I got myself home because we were off for lunch with friends at the Old White Horse in Old! I've ridden past this pub often and always thought it looked like a good place to go. I wasn't wrong. This is a high quality boozer with great food too!

This bike belonged to a regular

Best sign on a pub ever!

Best sign in a pub ever?

So we arrive at today...knowing that I'd spent Sunday in a sunny pub garden you'd think I might be a bit worse for wear? Nah...I was fine! I was almost late for the ride though. My problem is I need to fill every minute with activity. Before the 9am start this morning, I'd dismantled Sam's disappointing bed, done a load of washing and got it out on the line. Thankfully they hadn't left so we're all good.

The weather was once again simply stunning. Hot actually and before long my helmet was dripping with sweat. My plan had been to study he route this morning but all those other things had reduced my chances to do that.However I knew the route as far as East Carlton but was struggling after that. We were heading into hilly Rutland and my local knowledge ran out!

Stunning leafy lanes

Rolling hills

Group shot at a duck pond next to the Fox Inn at Hallaton (another good looking pub!)

Quack, quack...luckily Mark C and I are fluent in Mallard Duck

Stunning!

At Belton in Rutland it all went a bit wrong. Heather had designed a great route but Garmin had struck again to send us off road on road bikes. Whilst we stood and debated a plan, Chris rode off. He found a bridleway, walked a bit and then got back on the planned route...The rest of us headed off ion a way around the problem. It got more and more confusing with committee meetings at almost every junction...it also got very lumpy and we did more hills than I thought possible this close to Northamptonshire. Poor Heather, it wasn't her fault, as per usual where sympathy was required, we just took the mickey!

After a couple of phonecalls, a roundabout route and a very lucky near miss with passing cars, we found our way to the Rutland Garden Centre where Chris was waiting for us. He'd been there long enough to write this blog for me and was enjoying some very nice food and drink. We joined him for a well earned beverage or two and those milkshakes in glass welly boots were very popular.

Milkshake in a boot!

Earlier in the day I realised I'd forgotten a hayfever tablet and I was suffering quite a bit. Mark C recommended local honey and I found some at the garden centre. It was pointed out that it wouldn't work because the Northants bees don't cross the county line!

Bairdy needed a wee and the gents was taken so we encouraged him to use the ladies. With no other option he did just that. For some reason he couldn't get out...I was literally hyperventilating when he knocked on the door and then started shouting: "help, let me out!"

After the break it was hills, hills, hills. The closer I got to home the more shattered I became. However this was an awesome day of riding. Great route, lovely weather, very good company. For the last few miles I started to feel sick. I wasn't sure if this was the heat or the effort. However if the cure is any indication of the cause, I was hungry!!!

Following the ride it was round to my inlaws for a barbecue. I wasn't keen on food but a cold beer was welcome. Then I ate, and the sickness just went away in an instant. It's obvious really isn't it? According to my fitbit I've burned 4,759 calories today. That has to come from somewhere and you can't just go: "happy days that's a few pounds lost!" Your body needs some back!

What a stunning weekend. I feel lucky and privileged to have such a wonderful life! It caps a great week really. In addition to the cycling we've had some great family time. Other highlights were seeing Infinity War on Monday and doing the Trapp'd escape room 'Maine State Prison,' on Thursday. I might need a boring week next week to recover!!!

In the wider cycling world, I really enjoyed this years Tour de Yorkshire and the Giro is also in full swing. 

That's it, I need a lie down!

Happy Pedalling

What a difference a week makes or...has Spring unsprung?

Weather wise this week has come as a bit of a shock. Okay so the week before was probably the freak weather for the UK in April. However, after having the world's biggest ironing pile due to the Queen of Cakes getting her entire summer collection back out, I really wasn't expecting to be sat writing my blog with the heating on and the log burner alight.

Also in contrast to last week it was mostly back to the rollers on workdays. Some people find indoor training boring but I'm not one of those people. I do tend to mix it up with intervals or by setting myself challenges but apart from that I'm just happy to sit and peddle.

Look no hands

On Friday SuperSam and I headed to Leicester for an evening on the new college circuit.

Ready to roll

The main aim of the evening was a training session for the older cyclones who are competing in the Silverstone 9up. It was also a chance for the dad's to have a go on the circuit. I know I've written about it before but this is the first time I've been able to get in a good few full laps. The surface is possibly smoother even than Silverstone Motor circuit. The lack of any road hazards means that a consistent pace is easier to maintain. I'm sure I could easily achieve an average in excess of 20mph on this circuit. My good cycling friend Andy Brown led the training session and the kids worked very hard. The Dad's did a near perfect demonstration of how not to: "team time trial!"

My weekend's cycling was at the mercy of a report deadline I have for Monday which means I definitely have to sacrifice a day off. The weather forecast was awful but when I saw the proposed route for Saturday's C&D Cycles CC group ride my mind was made up. As the route came through Rothwell and due to a late night I decided to join the ride in my home town. 

This was the start of frankly a calamity of errors. It was freezing cold and pouring with rain so I was in full winter kit. It's always more difficult to clip in with over shoes on so I didn't worry at first when I couldn't get my left foot in. Then I also couldn't clip in on the right...at this point I discovered I was not wearing my new road shoes but I had my cyclocross shoes on!!!!

Which are which???

A frantic change ensued with the added panic that I might be late for the ride! Come on though, you have to admit they're very similar looking. Fortunately I made the market square with a few minutes to spare and joined the group as they came through Rothwell. On the shoes...they're just what I needed and more great service and value from C & D Cycles.

The reason I was looking forward to this ride is because I spotted a couple of good hills we don't ride up often...OH MY GOD...I have changed! Normally the highlight of the route for me would be the superfast downhill between Sibbertoft and Theddingworth. However today I was excited about the uphills and specifically the 14% grind known as "Mill Hill Murder!"

This sign does not lie

The weather had clearly put a number of people off so we were in one mixed group. Naturally in such a group, a hill of this lung busting reputation meant a wait at the top for the faster riders. After taking possibly a world record 'comfort break,' the cold started to get to Pete. No matter though he has a special dance for such situations, which is where he went wrong really...he needed winter tights!

There is no scientific evidence this will warm you up

We were delayed setting off from the top of the hill by Ian's wet cold gloves which wouldn't get back on his hands! We rolled off slowly but no one came a long the road so we went back to discover Ian had a bigger problem. There was something wedged in his chain rings which all of our combined efforts just could not budge. Meanwhile Pete started to suffer at worrying levels.

Never a good sight!

Richard G managed to move what ever it was to a point where Ian was happy to carry on. In fact as helpful people of the day go Richard G definitely wins first prize...more to come! The road from there through to Lubenham (near Market Harborough,) is fantastic fast riding. I enjoyed it thoroughly but for others the cold and wet was starting to demoralise. Going this way meant we joined East Farndon Hill at a different place to usual. We still had to ride the majority of the climb though and I wanted to test myself again. So I'm really pleased to say this was one of my handful of PR's for the day. At the top of the hill, someone had a puncture...it was Ian AGAIN! I have no idea what he's done to offend the Gods of cycling but...repent Ian, repent!

N on this occasion can be seen to equal 4

Luckily for Ian, who had just discovered his saddlepack was not present, help was at hand. That 'love them or hate them,' item contained things you might consider essential, like levers, tubes etc. He did however have C02 so at least inflation would be quick. As I said earlier Richard G was the most useful person of the day and even pulled the thorn that caused the puncture out with his teeth! At this point we need to discuss the following equation for determining...how many C&D cycles riders does it take to change an innertube? The answer is N+5. Where N is the number on any given day to ensure the necessary collection of equipment and expertise to complete the job and the + 5 is how many are required to stand around taking the mickey! N is an unknown variable but the + 5 collection of piddle takers is mandatory.

Whilst all of this was happening, Pete started to look incredibly cold again, so we decided to split the group. Then Marcus also started to look poorly so we split the group even further. As our experts neared completion the incredibly handy CO2 was administered...the tyre promptly popped off the rim! With all the CO2 gone the tyre was refitted and then a relay of pumpers got it up to pressure. Finally we were on our way!

We were heading home via the shortest route on roads with an excess of standing water. However we were actually making good time when Graham and then Steve slammed into a crater of a pothole. Steve was alright but a few yards later Graham had a flat!

N + 5 all over again!

Having had some practise earlier I'd say that we were almost slick for this change. Heather had to lend Graham a tube because Ian had already borrowed Graham's. At this point I recalled how helpful Ian had been to me during a 120 mile sportive when it was my turn to puncture. My levers were useless that day and just for good measure I stood on his by accident, breaking it in half! The next time we met we had bought each other new levers without any prior discussion. That's cyclists for you, we will take the mickey but we also look after each other!

So was today a rubbish ride? Well not for me! I'm absolutely shattered but I would do it all again (not tomorrow though, that report really does need writing!) I do feel very sorry for Andy back at C & D Cycles who was waiting for us with cake. I was never going back to the shop but I guess most of the others had planned to do so. However we were all so cold and wet that everyone just wanted to get home. WE WILL make it up to you Andy!

My highlights from around the world of cycling this week include news of extreme athlete Sean Conway who is attempting to break the recorded for an unsupported ride across Europe. Follow his progress here!

Okay that's it for now.

Happy Pedaling