Last minute too much to say blog...#britishsummer #homeimprovement #needtogetoutonmybike #family

Okay so this is going to be a very quick blog to catch up with the last few weeks which have involved a tiny bit of cycling (comparatively for me,) lots of family time and a house project which is coming together nicely! Oh and who am I trying to kid...it won't be quick!

So way back on the 8th of June my son, Sam, and the other cyclones had a team time trial training session at Leicester Cycle Circuit. With a small group and plenty of coaches this gave me the chance to just go for a spin. I set out to see if I could average 20mph over an hour and then had a a sub goal of not letting Jamie Stockham catch me. I failed on both counts although Jamie was kind enough to say I was getting harder to catch! My average was 19.9mph. That's good for me but just like a cricketer who loses his wicket on 99...it's never going to be good enough. The cyclones meanwhile, coached well by Brian and Roland, had a really good training session. 

On June the 9th I took part in my first ever Parkrun! Yeah I know...running!!! Running on a Saturday when I should be out cycling with my clubmates!!! Well people who've read my blog before will know I do occasionally go for a run. I don't enjoy it as much as cycling but it's still great fun. 

This was a very special Parkrun as it was the designated #NHS70 Parkrun day. All over the country people ran who either worked for or supported the NHS. My Parkrun of choice was Market Harborough. The reason for this is that I was going to run with workmates one of whom lives in Leicester but this didn't work out. Market Harborough is the 2nd closest Parkrun to my house being less than 10 miles from Rothwell. I really didn't know what I was doing so I turned up clutching my barcode looking nervous. A lovely volunteer called Jane helped me and before I knew it I was in a crowd of runners on a start line. It's a great atmosphere. Before we started they asked who worked for the NHS and got us to say hello. There was also a celebration of people reaching milestones. The one person I knew vaguely from work was Anne who got to say she worked for he NHS and celebrate her 50th Parkrun. There was also a runner of the month and things like introducing guided runners. 

Parkruns ask people to place themselves at the start according to the time they expect to run. There are also pace volunteers so people can work out where to start. I estimated that I would take around 30 minutes as this was my first run since November. Well I really underestimated myself and spent most of the first lap overtaking people. On the second lap I overtook the 29 minute pace runner. On the way round the run is really made by enthusiastic marshalls  and all the runners are very friendly. For the last 100 metres I was suddenly being passed by people for the first time...oh yeah finish strong for a good time. So I stretched my legs a little but let's not get carried away and call it a sprint! At the finish line they hand you tag with a barcode and then you get it scanned with your personal barcode and you're done! My official time was 26.06 and I'm pleased with that for a first effort. I'll definitely try one of these again but it's not going to replace cycling...maybe it's an idea for winter days when cycling becomes foolish.

On Monday 11th it was time for a bit more paying it forward with the Cyclones. Sam was off training with the other Time triallers so I helped out with a bit of off road skills training at Prologis Park. This venue is perfect for cyclocross and cross country mountain bike racing. You just have to be mindful of other users, especially dog walkers. It was a beuatiful evening but hey May and June have been ful of those haven't they?

Those ginormous picture dodging Red Kites are also very prevalent here.As ever I didn't get a good photo but the snaps of the venue are okay!

Tuesday 12th of June was a very rare morning this month. I went out on my own before work! This time it was to test those lovely trails in Desborough as a bit of mountain bike training. However I'm not sure what I'm training for because the rest of my life is getting in the way of this years #FNSS XC MTB racing.

Love that bike

Trails are good and dry!

Lovely planned community space

The ride to Desborough is nice too!

Friday the 15th of June was a very big day as it was my Nan's 90th birthday. In between all the DIYSOS we have going on at home I managed to get out with my family including my sister visiting from Australia for a picnic on the Brampton Valley Way. 

Clockwise from the left: Dad, Jayne, Pap, Nan, Mum and Bruce!

When you're 91 these wheels are permissable!!!

The other reason for taking the day off work was to make sure I got Sam to Silverstone on time fro the 9up Team Time Trial. This event, organised by Bicester Milennium Cycling Club has to be seen to be believed. It's three laps of the famous old Grand Prix circuit in teams of 9 where 5 riders need to finish to set a time. There are around 90 teams taking part including handbikes and junior teams. There's a LOT of very expensive carbon on show!!!

Sam is still developing as a cyclist so he doesn't have the speed yet to stay on for three laps (yet...I really mean yet...it's coming!)

The marshalls do a great job and all riders get a standing start. We were really proud of the Cyclones who smashed out a really good time, taking minutes of their time from last year. I think we discussed this last year too but we have had the idea of entering a 'Dad's' team next year. I'm sure the kids could help us with some training!

On Saturday I had a hair transplant. I think I look like a famous person...unfortunately it's Donald Trump. Okay so this was a birthday meal with for my Nan. They started with my sister's hair and then decided I'd look better as a blonde!

On Saturday Sam and I took part in the first ever Cycle4Cransley. Cransley Hospice is for terminally ill cancer patients and on one of the sites where I work. It has a sister unit in Northampton called Cynthia Spencer. Cycle4Cynthia is a well established charity ride/sportive and we all hope Cycle4 Cransley can emulate their success. There's a blog or two in here somewhere from the few times we've done Cycle4Cynthia.

We opted for the 25 mile ride as to date it's the longest ride Sam has done. No doubt about it, he wil be ready for 50 miles next year.

Our C&D Cycles CC leader, Andy Ferguson did a great deal of work for this ride. Just the day before he was putting out the direction signs supplied by another great cycling friend Any Pendred. Completing a trio of things I know about was Mike Deely, who sponsored the event through his company KLM Taxis.

Out on the road we joined with the Crabtree's...but after Sam crashed into the back of Greta we decided to push on alone. Poor Sam got confused between signalling right and breaking. He's not used to group riding so some more training is needed. I very much think the tumble that grazed his knee will be a good lesson though. Sam to his credit got back on. 

Ubiquitous cycling selfie

At Woodford we caught up with the older Crabtree's and George Deely. We then made our way to the glorious cake stop that is Woodford Mill. Better still they do Dirty Chai Latte's, the choice of the discerning cyclist!!!

Cake stop at Woodford Mill

Father's Day cycling socks

From the cafe stop I agreed to look after the older kids. Initially I was racing Charlie Crabtree for village signs but that young man is way too quick for me! For the last few miles I set a pace for Sam and George to draft. They both did exceptionally well to keep up. Then the cheeky blighters sprint finished claiming victory over the old man!!!!

At the end Andy gave me a token for a free pint. With all of his organising it should've been the other way around! It was very welcome!!!

It was also Father's day and I did very well this year. Cheers to Lee and the kids for my Cycology Jersey and matching socks, the fire basket and my traditional toblerone!

Okay...many things beckon. Not least of which is a 100 mile off road ride tomorrow. I've got this blog done because I think tomorrow might need a blog all of it's own...I've missed loads of stuff like mentioning the Women's Tour was in Northamptonshire again.

Anyway must go...stuff to do...Happy Pedalling.

Home improvement reduces opportunities but still some great riding!

I was expecting to get another round of the Friday Night Summer Series MTB racing in this Friday but home improvement projects got in the way. However I've still been out on my bikes and got some great riding in. The weather has been great again so I really can't complain.

On Saturday I went out with C&D Cycles CC for one of our favourite routes. I've said before that we're lucky in Northants to have some great road riding. It's true we have a pot hole epidemic right now with some road holes having their own postcode but we still have plenty of quiet roads, rolling hills and stunning countryside.

The route starts with a lengthy spin down the A43 into Corby. After that though the countryside starts and we enjoyed the delights of the Welland Valley.

In ride selfies are now mandatory

On the ride we enjoyed the fast descent into Harringworth. We stopped and regrouped on the corner where two amazing things happened. Firstly another club zipped past us with some of our cycling buddies in it. Then the second group caught up with us. This wasn't a surprise, we hadn't gone out as fast and banter groups we just split in two for safety reasons. At this point Richard Golding made the first of the two funniest comments of the day. This man has banter of the very highest quality!

During our break I noticed Ken's magnificent jersey. One of the many he has collected whilst on holiday.

Harringworth is home to a magnificent viaduct. It's a famous landmark which has featured often in this blog. Most recently the Top Gear team went for a spin round here. If you want to know more here's a link to it's wikipedia page

Viaduct Selfie

The ride finished with a bit of a quick blast along Glendon Road. As we headed into Ketering we were heckled by a pedestrian convinced we were going the wrong way down a one way street. At the risk of sounding a  bit Dom Jolly...it's a cycle lane mate!

Back at the shop we got a good look at Andy Ferguson's 'blingdacious,' new chainring. It's a beauty isn't it? What certainly isn't blingdacious, is my badly messed up bar tape. However Andy sorted that for me too.

There he goes sorting out the tattiness. After Andy's attention it was all good again, well except my white bar tape was very grubby indeed. 

White bar tape used to be very desirable until everyone caught on that it gets mucky very quickly. This video from GCN is helpful for keeping your bartape clean...

Or is it? In the comments they point out that it's more of a promotional video for Muc Off

Dirty bar tape

Much better!

What the video doesn't show you is that the best and easiest way to clean white bar tape is baby wipes. It took me 5 minutes to get my tape clean using about 6 wipes!

A while back Andy P and I decided we needed to do a Summer CX ride. No one else wanted to join us, well no one else who had permission from their SWMBO. So Andy and I set off together to rediscover he routes that were thick mud in the winter.

First stop was Geddington and a spin down the chase. I had never taken my Forme Calver down here before and it certainly was a different experience from a MTB with suspension. I was also worried that not having tubeless tyres was asking for it...I was about to be right!

Good off road track

practising those CX skills

At the bottom of the chase I had my first puncture. This was a pinch flat on my rear tyre. The new tube went in and off we set again. Andy was very patient as I made the change.

At the Brigstock end of the chase we made our way to Lyveden New Bield. I upset a National Trust volunteer by riding on the grass before putting more air in the rear tyre and we set off again. On the track heading towards Aldwinkle I joked with Andy that we had lots of tumbles on this bridleway before. I even taunted Andy as I picked a better line and shot off own the hill. Pride does indeed come before a fall and I overestimated my ability, dropped into a big tyre track rut and went flying over my handlebars. I smashed my front wheel into the rut and caused yet another pinch flat! I had to borrow a spare tube off of Andy but remarkably my wheel was undamaged. Clearly these Hunt wheels are sturdy hoops!

We then opted to go a different way to previously and found a challenging but fun track. In places the track was a very tricky (see below,) and this was good for me as I'm still learning how to ride this awesome bike.

After the track we headed back to Kettering via Cranford. We did a lot of these tracks earlier in the year and I have to say it's a lot easier on the Calver than my Ripley MTB. Possibly the only time I felt I was on the wrong bike was the rocky sections in Geddington Chase. The other thing of difference was the sticky mud has been replaced with hard rutted ground which you can't see properly due to all the vegetation!

It was overgrown...

Really overgrown...

Andy brought some vegetation back with him!

This final pic is actually in the middle of Kettering on Ise Lodge. Moments later we were back on tarmac and despite seeing the pothole my wheel was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Bang! Another pinch flat. Luckily Andy had another spare tube which I put in to make it the final two minutes back to C&D Cycles!

Back at the shop we enjoyed some banter with Andy F and I very much enquired about getting my tubeless set up sorted. I also made use of the shop track pump because I wanted to get home without further incident! Big thanks to Andy P for splendid company, patience and those spare tubes!

It was a quick spin home and a clean of my bike before heading off to Mum and Dad's for dinner. That was very welcome because my house currently looks like this!

The remains of the old kitchen

This wall is about to be knocked down!

It's going to be a very hectic few weeks at home but we're heading towards what will feel like a new house with some very cool features. To stay sane I will need to keep cycling though!!!

Happy Pedalling

Too much to name! #roadcycling #cyclocross #mtbracing...club ride, solo, old friends, kids...

I have literally done so much cycling this week I do not know where to start. I've ridden all of my bikes, been in a MTB race, gone for an off roadish spin on my CX, had  great Bank Holiday road ride and have spent time with SuperSam. 

In the week I took the Forme Ripley MTB out for a spin as I've done loads of road riding and not enough MTB to be ready for my first race of the season this week. It was good to get out and as usual I was smiling before I knew it. A bit of woods action was followed with some hill repeats in Rothwell Rec but really it was just another glorious morning to be out on a bike!

The next day I did some rollers whilst Sam practised on the Turbo with the promise of going out together in the morning the next day. I kept my promise and Sam got his first go on his new CX and I took the MTB out again!

We headed out to do pretty much what I'd done a couple of days earlier and Sam coped very well with this.

Looks good on the woodland trail doesn't he!

Sam practising 'deliberately casual.'

Cycling is a soulful sport and Sam is soulfully looking across the skate park and the useful training hill at Rothwell Rec.

On Friday night I made my way to Delapre Abbey in Northampton for Round 2 of the Friday Night Summer Series. This local Mountain Bike Racing series is in it's 27th year but I only discovered it last year. I was really enjoying myself until a crash at Wadenhoe left me with a broken wrist and 12 weeks in  cast. This was my first race back after the accident and naturally I was a little nervous!

This bridge was an excellent feature

After a practise lap those nerves had escalated. Last year the obstacle above was a splash through dip which required a bit of power to get out of. This year there was this bridge...I hate bridges! The other thing I did to myself in 2017 was fall off a bridge in Cannock Chase and break my ribs by landing chest first on my handlebars. The stupid things just get in my head even though this was wider than my rollers which I happily sit on no handed! I really need to stress that there was nothing wrong with the bridge, it was a great idea. The problem is mine!!!

The next obstacle was a short sharp steep climb up a bank. I had three practise goes at it and never made it up once! At this point my internal Spotify started playing Zombie by the Cranberries (other music streaming services are available...just not in my imagination!) It's in your head, in your head, zombie, zombie...

As the race started, despite being a lot fitter than last year and on a better bike, my legs just turned to jelly and I was straight to the back of the field. I knew this was nerves and my internal spotify switched to Radiohead...you do it to yourself you do...you and no one else! I was way off race pace and my choice of lines was also sketchy. However I stuck at it. I closed my eyes and made it over the bridge. Towards the end of the lap I faced that climb and to my astonishment I made it up first time! Apologies to the spectators for my expletives at this point. Later I would see pictures of the really good riders who went up the slope did a jump at the top and then twisted in the air in the direction the need to head after landing! The only issue I had on the course after that was my enduro style bars were too wide to get through one section of trees without bouncing off them.

Check out my heart rate data...MTB racing is tough!

I was passed by pretty much everybody but placing was not my priority this week. I just wanted to survive. I did however enjoy the race in a peculiar way. I checked the results and was unsurprised to discover I was last but one in my age group of the people who finished. I managed four laps where the majority of the field did 5 and the winners managed six. Therein lies my next goal. I want to complete as many laps as he main field. There are gains to be made both technically and fitness wise and of course as previously mentioned...psychologically! 

Big shout out to Stirling Green and his Dad Andy. Stirling is one of our KCC cyclones and he did well on this course. His Dad, despite describing himself as a runner and not really a cyclist, managed the five laps that I didn't. 

Thanks to Northants Outcasts for organising this event. Great course and good marshalling. The FNSS is a very friendly race series. I was in the way really but those super fit cyclists who are at the other end of the spectrum were incredibly patient. Everyone in the car park is chatty too.  I'm really looking forward to next time.

Finally a bit on my bike, the Forme Ripley. I was worried that I would be a bit undergeared without a 42 tooth rear cog on my 1x system. However I had more than enough gears. The bike performed very well. I'm still a little worried about my wide bars but otherwise it's still only the engine that needs work!

On Sunday I put a shout out to say I wanted to take my Forme Calver CX out. My good friend Phil agreed to meet me on the Brampton Valley Way so I set off via Desborough, Braybrook and Market Harborough for that reused railway line to Northampton.

It was another beautiful day in Northants (and briefly Leicestershire,) however the BVW was a mess due to the overnight rain and my beautiful bike was soon very muddy!

I met Phil between the tunnels and we enjoyed a great ride back towards Northampton. Phil and I have similar jobs so it was great to catch up on work, stuff with the kids and all things cycling. 

I left Phil at Merry Tom Lane and we agreed that we needed to do this more often. I was heading up to Pitsford and as Merry Tom is a bit of a climb I wanted to see how it was on my Calver. Without trying too hard I beat my previous PR by a long way. After that I set off around the reservoir and had a surpsise meeting with my FNSS friend Dev. Remember I said the FNSS was friendly? Well Dev and I met in the car park at Marston Lodge. It was good to catch up with him too and I hope to see him racing soon.

Church at Scaldwell

It's fair week in Rothwell...unless you're going to the fair...stay away!

Back home I had a very mucky bike to deal with. A good hose down, soapy water and a brush and then a lube up were the order of the day. It's also easier on a stand. I bought this Aldi £25 special for home brewing rather than bike maintenance but it's quickly become essential for both!

Little things may indeed please little minds. I was hoping this shot would be better though. The hose was causing the wheels to spin and the resulting spray formed a rainbow. My camera phone perhaps wasn't sophisticated enough to catch the full effect.

On bank holiday we put our cycling route in the hands of Heather once again. After the last bank holiday ride where her garmin let us down and we ended up on a mystery tour we decided to let her have another go. This wasn't really like Eddison handing his assistant a second light bulb after dropping the first. Heather just got unlucky last time...right? Well almost right!

My day started with a dog walk and a full cooked breakfast! This was because it's Trinity monday and in the weird and wonderful place I live there's this thing called proc day (proclamation,) which has to be seen to be believed. I'm not local so it's not that meaningful to me, but for my family this is quite an event! It starts with the pubs opening at 6am, a bloke on the horse reading out the Rowell charter, drinking rum and milk, several carefully controlled mass brawls and then a big old booze up. If you want to know more click the link below. The added benefit for me was a proper fuel up before setting out on the ride.

http://calendarcustoms.com/articles/rothwell-rowell-trinity-fair/

I love these blokes...don' tell them!

Today's group was Heather, Nat, Mark B and C, Andy P, Mike, Si and me. We were joined until our first coffee stop by a young man called Daniel who turned out to not be as young as he looked. Everyone under 30 looks teenage to us oldies! He was good company though and I hope he comes out with us again.

This is not a pervy pic of Nat's bottom...it's a rubbish photo of her bike balls

The inventors of the device pictured above believe that it's a glowing heart shape that adds to bike safety. However everyone else thinks that they look like male dangly parts! Nat has some hanging from her saddle and all they cause is amusement.

Our designated cake and coffee stop was at Yarwell Mill Country park. This is a exquisite location would be the perfect spot to stop with a well recommended riverside cafe...which was closed due to a power cut! Not Heather's fault but par for the course on our Bank Holiday rides. We've been to closed cafes before and even failed to find a promised chip shop. I'd like to say we were kind to Heather about this but you know we can't!

miles and miles beautiful villages

Mark's over priced Rapha cap makes it look like his head was sliced off and reattached...they could have done some maintenance whilst they were there!

In Kings Cliffe we unearthed a gem in the Cross Keys Inn. The new owner is hoping to attract cycling groups and will offer discounts. We had fried egg sandwiches (very belgian!) and a coffee for £4.95. Good value I'd say. They also put up with all of our nonsense too. The other person who has to deal with our nonsense is Andy F, our leader stuck back at the shop. We meant to send a well intended 'wish you were here message,' but for some reason we just extended the banter of the group via social media!

Cross Keys Inn, Kings Cliffe

This was predominantly a social ride and it was good to see the progress of one of newest riders Si. He has a 100 miler coming up soon and given yesterday's riding I think he'll be fine. The two Marks were in the mood for a bit of a burn up and I tried to keep up with some quicker riding. I managed for a while but there's still a fitness gap. It's closing though boys!

The ride finished back at C&D Cycles for more coffee and some chocolate digestives. I then headed home feeling quite tired after the ride turned into a 70 miler due to some predictable detours!

All this riding in May has done me some real good. For the first time ever I have completed a Strava climbing challenge of 7500 metres in a month. I have never come close before and for this I have to thank the club for taking me to some great places. I've loved every metre...well perhaps not Rowsley Bar...

Ok that's it for now.

Happy Pedalling