7 days, 4 clubs, 3 bikes, 1 shop...loads of cycling friends

Maria Von Trapp said start at the beginning, it's a very good place to start! So, I'll start with Monday and work forwards to today, there will however be some deviations from a linear timeline! That will also be my last reference to a musical. I hate most of them, even the one quoted. My list of acceptable musicals is Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Blues Brothers and any of the Muppets movies. Erm...let's get back to cycling eh!

On Monday it was time for a coaching session with the Kettering CC Cyclones. My fledgling cycle coaching career has so far been very rewarding and I look forward to Monday nights with these amazing kids. I'm half way through my British Cycling level 2 coaching award. I would have finished in January but my Pap died the day before day 3 so I have it on hold.

This Monday was espcially rearding because we got to celebrate a £200 cheque from ASDA and due to my tweet to OTE sports nutrition the Cyclones won a load of drinks bottles. 

Thank you @OTESportsGB our bottles have arrived and on a freezing Monday night we were really excited to celebrate!#thankyou #cyclecoach @richardlindsley pic.twitter.com/zlIJ8orKZi

— Kettering Cyclones (@KCC_Cyclones) February 11, 2019

At Cyclones we have been focussing on Cyclocross over the winter. That's due to change as we have venues booked for road riding practise over the coming weeks including MK bowl and the Leicester cycle circuit. It's a fantastic and inclusive club where our riders have enjoyed a number of disciplines as well as volunteering and coaching. I was especially pleased to see the Mark Evans visit us on Monday, he was an inspiration in our early years and I hope he will come back to coaching some day. Everyone involved with the Cyclones is a volunteer, it's a big commitment every week and an even bigger one when we organise a big event like a CX race. 

Earlier that day I'd taken my Forme Ripley MTB into C&D Cycles for some TLC from shop manager Andy. My bottom bracket was wrecked, plus I needed new head set bearings and brake pads. 

As ever a really good service led to this Gold bottom bracket, the other bits and I asked Andy about cutting handlebars down. He duly obliged there and then! All for a great value price and then I got my club discount on top, making it super value!

I asked Andy for some tips on keeping my bottom bracket healthy and he advised to remove the seat post and turn upside down. Today's ride wasn't too extreme weather or mud wise but I did it anyway. Andy the picture above is for you mate! I'm glad to report, dry as a bone!

On Tuesday night I've been going to Corby Capers CX training, organised and coached by Rockingham Forest Wheelers, Phil Wilkinson and Sean Adamson with a great deal of support thrown in by Mike Deely. Just like Muddy Marvels, a set of the KCC Cyclones lights goes along to help our neighbours. 

A superb course was set up this week at West Glebe Park encompassing some of the technical terrain from their CX race. Phil decided to ride with us this week, leaving Sean to run the session, including those pyramids of pain!

I don't like my concentrate face

What's Deely smiling at?

Numbers were down this week, which is bad in one way but worked to the advantage of the six of us riding. Phil was able to offer some individualised coaching. I am especially grateful for his encouragement that enabled Sam to progress from running up the hill below, to riding up it with confidence.

Tricky slope

Dad not looking competent

Son nailing it!

I gained a couple of things from this session. Firstly it was a good workout. Secondly the opportunity to learn from other coaches benefits my own coaching. Phil at Capers, Dean at Marvels and my fellow coaches at Cyclones have really helped my development.

Phil introduced us to the idea that we could bunny hop the hurdle and we all gave it a go. As with most things my timing and coordination needs work and instead of clearing the hurdle I tended to smash it over with my back wheel. I'm determined now though and I WILL have a respectable bunny hop before the start of the next CX season!

Thanks to David Wilson for taking the pictures. I know you'd rather be riding, or collecting safety pins. I hope that awful virus gets lost and you get well soon mate!

On Saturday I was on a mission! I needed to walk the dogs, ride with C&D, visit my Nan and get to the Saints by 2pm!

No we haven't got new dogs. Branston and Fudge have come to stay for a couple of weeks. Branston can't manage a walk but Fudge needs a good run so I introduced him to Bruce's favourite woods.

Having spoken to Andy the day before, the route was sympathetic to my needs and I met the C&D clubmates on the market square in Rothwell. It's a great ride out to Sibbertoft via Kelmarsh. Then it's down that super fast hill and on to Theddingworth before an absolute grind up Mill Hill.

That's us at the top of the climb. It's a very quiet road, no traffic was held up by this picture! In fact no cars passed us between here and Theddingworth at all! 

The reward for all that uphill is the glorious downhill to Lubenham. From there it was up the hill to East Farndon, over to Great Oxendon and onto Desborough. It wasn't sunny but definitely milder and less windy than of late, making it a nice day to ride on the road.

I made it back to Rothwell at 11.15 and the day was right on track. Next stop, Nan's house!

Actually the day went totally to plan and following a nice visit to see Nan, Niamh and I made it to the stands in time for our traditional pre-match selfie and what was about to be a remarkable game of rugby. The Saints annihilated Sale Sharks 67 -17 with possibly the most exciting rugby I've ever seen.  After the match I got home, cooked and ate tea, fell asleep on the sofa and was in bed by 9pm! Whilst cooking tea, Nan rang! It's become traditional to discuss the game which she listened to on Radio Northampton.

As I arrived at Brixworth this morning the first conversation I had was about the Saints. Loads of the Brixworth riders had been at the match and everyone was talking about how brilliant it was. The rugby chat will stop now!

It was the same group as last week for MTB. Chris, Sarah, Dawn, Jim, Phil 'the beast,' Andy P and me. There was also a large group of road riders at the library meeting point. We had no planned route but a quick chat including lots of local knowledge produced a plan that worked!

We set out down Spratton Road which was nowhere near as cold as last week and turned right at the bottom. We rode to the Hanging Houghton crossing and then up to Houghton in glorious sunshine. The snowdrops are out, the daffodils are starting to show and it all feels like Spring has Sprung...which is what I thought I said this time last year! It was however the 11th of March when I made that announcement https://richardscyclingblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/has-spring-sprung.html in fact this time last year it was a bit hit and miss https://richardscyclingblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/bumper-half-term-week-off.html and then we had the Beast from the East!

From Houghton we cut across the fields to Lamport and then to the old airfield at Harrington. Chris and I gave Sarah a history lesson and she made us feel very old by not knowing about CND. For you Sarah: harrington airfield museum page and more from there with memories of the CND camp and the actual CND . For anyone short on time, Harrington airfiled was a WW2 airbase, in the 50's it also housed Thor nuclear missiles. It's now returned to farmland but you can ride on the old runway and there's a museum that I keep meaning to visit! There's some good offroad riding there and it has staged a Friday Night Summer Series MTB race.

From Harrington Airfield we rode onto Harrington village. On the way I bumped into Mark Evans who I mentioned above, out on a road ride. Before that we had seen our good C&D clubmate Justin Smith and moments before that we saw Tom Medley who helped me to complete my first ever 100 mile ride. So many nostalgic moments, I became quite reflective about how much cycling has given me!

From Harrington it was across the fields to Arthingworth. Along the way a competition had started for who could open the most gates. Little things and all that! Then it was back on the Brampton Valley Way. The week before Phil had put some tunes on and we cycled around the park near Spencer Bridge (it might be Spencer Bridge Park,) to the strains of Morrisey and Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now! This week I got my spotify playlist going and we emerged from the tunnels to the Dizzy Rascal/Florence Against the Machine - You Got the Dirty Love mash up! More eclectic tunes followed with the Wonderstuff, Seahorses, Charlatans, Stone Roses and the rest of my Indie dominated 'lads,' tunes!

Standard mean look, Jim still can't help smiling!

what a day

selfies

These rides always need a coffee stop. This time we went to Waterloo Farm Tea Room I had a superb strawberry cheesecake and latte. Banter flowed as did discussions of Jim's impending surgery. I hope his goes as well as Andy's bionic hip! 

Afterwards we put our helmets back on. This is unpleasant if you have naturally become more aero with age, but if you have lots of hair like Sarah it's no problem. There's nothing thing like being diplomatic about middle aged hair loss so well done to Sarah for being nothing like diplomatic. Only joking, top quality banter!

After the coffee stop it was a spin back down the track and through both the tunnels. I forgot my lights so had to shine my phone torch to see where I was going. We left Phil on the track as he set about turning this into an epic ride and then we went up the big hill into Brixworth.

This was another fantastic ride. Many thanks to the Brixworth Velo MTB group for letting us join them. It's clearly going to be a regular fixture. Next week we are panning a C&D off roader and Andy and I would like to extend that invite to our new friends.

Once home it was time for the big washdown and then I've been writing this! What a week of cycling. and like the title says 7 days, 4 clubs, 3 bikes, a great service from C&D Cycles.

Happy Pedalling!

Mud, sweat and gears...another week of wet winter riding!

The theme for today is mud and or sweat because if you ride outside at this time of year it's filthy and indoors...the more sensible option leaves you dripping. For me the outside rides are a great deal of fun and the inside ones are just necessary. I'm not going to elaborate on my training sessions on the rollers using GCN videos so that's the last time they'll be mentioned today.

My first outdoors ride of the week was at Corby capers...a CX training session run by the excellent Phil Wilk. The series of dramas that have befallen us this year has meant this is only the second time we've made it to the capers. Yet another drama threatened to ruin it for us this week but Sam and I rose above and made it...all be it a few minutes late. These sessions lead us with a dilemma. We also like Dean Barnett's muddy marvels which start again on Wednesdays in April. With Cyclones on Monday I can't see how we can do both.  Maybe we will have to alternate! Tuesday was a great session because it feels like CX conditions have finally arrived  after the season has finished. It was tough and slippy and usual the kids were showing us how to do things!

Today Andy P and I got around to trying something we have discussed for a while. For months we have been organising off road rides on Sunday with our C&D clubmates and they don't have much of an attendance. We will continue to offer these but we're also looking for more MTB friends (oooh MTB fwends!) So this morning we met up with Phil 'the beast,' Broxton and the good people of Brixworth Velo. The meeting point was Brixworth Library and as usual I sped in with moments to spare. I'd been up since 5.30 so no excuses...just loads to do. At the library there was a road group and an MTB group. I feel sorry for the roadies because the rain was lashing down and freezing cold...a nasty day to be on a bike! Introductions done Andy, Phil, Sarah, Dawn, Chris and I set off down Spratton Road to the Brampton Valley Way. It was horrible. The wind chill from that usually joyous descent was excruciating. Once on the BVW we soon warmed up and started the theme for the day...puddle splashing! At Boughton crossing we met the final group member Jim.

For me this was like coming home as we passed close to my parents house and then I could see Dad's old smallholding in Kingsthorpe village. As we entered Kings Heath I mentally waved hello to my Nan before some baling twine wound itself into my cogs. luckily it came out without any damage. The group was similar to a C&D ride with plenty of banter, Andy and I were on our best behaviour, not wishing to unleash our full selves on week 1!

We took a route through Dallington and Far Cotton, through the Impresive new Northampton University campus and up to Delapre Golf course and then through to the woods near Delapre Abbey. I've ridden here a couple of times in the Friday Night Summer Series MTB races. I had my Garmin virb and tried to take a video...look if you want but it's a sludgy mess!!!

At Delapre a few of us had a go on the technical bits but it was too wet and messy to really go for it. The same is true for Harlestone Firs which we made our way to via Mereway, Sixfields and Upton. The firs were just filthy and we stuck to the main tracks through to Northamptonshire Golf Club. On the way through we saw my good friend Martin who confidently stated it was clearing up and he'd start a round of golf after a coffee in the clubhouse...annoyingly he wasn't wrong.

By the time we arrived at Cafe Monde we were soaked through and very cold. They kindly allowed the dishevelled messes into their cafe and we warmed up on good coffee and cake. Having held back with the banter we learned a few things in that cafe - what goes on the ride stays on the ride (this time.) We also had a 'professional,' photograph taken, the one above being the best of those shots. We left quite a muddy mess behind us, so thanks again to Cafe Monde for being so cyclist friendly.

Outside Andy introduced BXV to the mean and moody inglorious bastards shot. Putting the kit back on was horrible but at least it was only a short journey to Merry Tom Lane and up to Brixworth. we said our goodbyes at the library and then I had the not so fun task of getting into the car. I had a change of clothes and a towel thankfully it was still hard work getting the wet stuff off.

Once home I got the bike on the stand and gave it a good clean. It's still there now because I want it to dry out in the sun. The cleaning confirmed something I suspected...my bottom bracket is worn. I'm not surprised. That bike has been put through atrocious conditions, for the BB to last this long is a miracle! So it will be a trip to C&D to see Andy tomorrow!

Weirdly when I got changed I was muddy under my cycling kit. That's not happened before! As predicted in the cafe, the shower was painful and then my feet, the coldest of my extremities became incredibly itchy! Last week I wished I'd put SPD cleats on my winter boots...this week I wished the same!

So what's the plan then? well I need to get back to the Saturday shop rides with C&D and I think that's likely just like last year. I think I'll be joining BXV more often on Sundays for those off road rides. It's going to be rollers in the mornings until April but Spring is coming!!! Same stuff as usual...train, diet get in shape for some Sportives and some XC MTB races.

Thanks to my new friends for a great ride today.

Happy Pedalling

I really needed that #outsideisfree #offroadcycling #wintercycling #muddytrails

I haven't felt like doing a blog before today in 2019, it's been an absolute nutmungle of a year so far. Today, however, has inspired me as I've been out and about with good friends in the fresh air!




Before discussing today's great ride I need to acknowledge my last CX race of the season at Misterton Hall, Lutterworth. Having been earlier in the season in the Leicestershire league, this was a central league fisxture. On both occasions a fabulous course was created by Dean Barnett in a stunning setting.

Sam went first and rode like a boy who has been exposed to too much bad stuff so far this year. He did try hard but I could tell his mind was elsewhere.

I had a different mindset. I was angry with the world and I rode angry! Initially this robbed my energy but then halfway into the race something snapped and I went as hard as I could. I was gridded 110th which is fair for me in a very good quality field. My final position was 96th and that is a great result for me and a hint of more to come. Bridget Jones diary time again, if I can get my weight down and get myself as fit as is possible then better results will come my way. For now I'm happy with 14 places on my gridding, for the first time I felt like I was in a race and I did a lot of overtaking.Big kudos to the army of kids from KCC cyclones and the big field of coaches/dads in the V40 and V50 races.

This morning I set out for Geddington to meet my C&D Cycles CC friends for an offroad ride in the frosty conditions. Riding towards Bunker Hill I was so cold it hurt. I did however find my towbar cover which I'd lost earlier in the week by leaving it on top of the car!

At Geddington I met Ashley and then the others arrived a few minutes later. Our whole crew included Andy P, Mark C, Ken, Uncle Bob, Nat, Ashley and me. Andy presented me with my own bespoke mud removal device branded the GKN dikstick! It is marvelous and I will not sully such a quality item with bike filth.

The ride was very cold and very icy with Andy P taking a tumble on the track heading to Aldwinkle. This slowed the rest of us up a bit, especially me as up until that point I had been deliberately targeting icy puddles due to the very satisfying crunch. 

Later in the ride we encountered thawed conditions which led to that claggy mud problem. Once again bikes ground to a halt and sticks were employed. We also tried chucking our bikes in a stream!!!

No ride is complete without a puncture and Mark C was unlucky this time. One of the thorns he removed was big enough to use for mud removal!!!

Uncle Bob supplied the sloe gin at this point. As a proven isotonic performance enhancer this was very welcome!

Apart from being cold it really was a stunning day out. I'm so glad I went out. The banter was good and the riding prior to the return of the mud was very nice. Once I'd left the others at Grafton my legs died! Hour long CX sessions and rollers don't prepare you for this kind of grind and it was a real struggle getting home!

Once home the stick took pride of place on the mantelpiece...Mrs L isn't as impressed and I'll need to watch this doesn't accidentally fall in the log burner!

Okay that's it from me. If you get the chance check out the World CX championships highlights, there's been some great races.

Happy Pedaling

Not quite a #festive500 but what a superb week of Christmas winter cycling!

So I signed up for the #festive500 just like every year but my first ride of the Christmas break told me I wasn't going to make it. #Festive265 isn't quite the same but I'm still proud of my riding achievements. Today's ride took me just over 3000 miles of cycling for the year, not my biggest total and certainly no rival to some of my cycling mates BUT I'm okay with that distance. So here we go, let's have a look at the last week and a bit and then a review of the year!

On Saturday 22nd December I left home for a a Saturday shop ride with my club mates at C&D Cycles CC. I didn't feel right at all and soon into the ride I abandoned and came home. I still don't really know why, my best guess is an end of year shut down!

By Christmas eve I was feeling much better and with my most faithful steed 'Clive,' all decked out in festive spirit I set out once again for C & D Cycles.

Lots of others got in the spirit but unlike last year Sam decided to ignore his Dad's advice and was not overdressed under the santa suit.

We headed out on a tried and tested route to Oundle, one of the original 'shop rides,' from the early days of the club in 2013.

I was better but still not quite right and was at the back or lagging behind for much of the ride. Thankfully I was looked after well and before you knew it we headed back to K town.

It was fun being out in 'fancy dress,' and we got a lot of positive reactions from people we passed. Unfortunately we also fell foul to people in a Christmas Eve rush with quite a few close passes and the odd dicey moment. I have no idea why anyone's Christmas shopping is more important than my life!

Back at the shop, Chris and Andy put on some beers and snacks for the club. A lovely touch. They look after us well all year and I really feel like we owe them a beer not the other way round! Cheers Chis and Andy...Merry Christmas!

I like to get out for a ride on my own on Christmas Day. It's my pause between the early madness of presents to cooking the Christmas dinner.

On my travels I found this sign between Arthingworth and Harrington. I made some enquiries with friends at KCC and uncovered the following regarding the marvellous cyclist that was Max: Max A celebration of Max

On the 27th...whatever day that was...crimbo limbo having set in...Ian, Andy B and Jake went to check out new locations for KCC Cyclones. We had a good look around the parkland at Ise Lodge and have found some potential venues.

After Jake had given us a tour of some challenging paths. Andy then led us on a superb offroad ride via bridleways and the Brampton Valley Way.

Jake and Ian left us on Mill Road as Andy and I checked out ho spongey the bridleway to Lamport was. Verdict: Very spongey!

Once on the Brampton Valley way, via a descent from Lamport, I regaled Andy with my local knowledge that the next bridleway went to Hazelbech. "Yes I know," he replied and I turned round to see a sign saying Hazelbech 3.5 miles! It's a good job I can laugh at myself! 

Andy and I left the BVW at Arthingworth and then took a surprisingly firm bridleway to Harrington, where it seemed rude not to pop in the Tollemarche Arms (Tolly,) to buy Andy Brown, my good cycling mate a pint. I arrived home to a disgruntled  Queen of Cakes who thought I was only going out for a quick ride...

As we struggle to get clubmates to join us on our off road rides Andy P decided to start this ride at Pendred towers rather than the shop with a nice little 30 miler designed by Uncle Bob. I promised Mrs Lindsley I'd only be a few hours and with permission from Lord Pendred headed to Denford.

On arrival Uncle Bob promised me 'nothing like the sufferfest I'd subjected him to a few weeks ago,' and off we set on the flat terrain and firm surfaces out to Stanwick Lakes and beyond. This is a doddle I thought. We'll be back before 1pm, I'll get home have a shower and settle down for an afternoon of sport. 

Just after this ( a naughty ride that Uncle Bob let us in on after we'd cycled in a no cycling zone,) he took issue with a previous blog because I said he was lost when he in fact was indeed very lost!

Never mind more flat and very rideable surfaces took us through to the embankment in Wellingborough and up the hill from Irchester. A bit of road and we were still flying along. "make the most of it," Uncle Bob said.

Then the MUD happened. Lots and lots of MUD. When Sam fell over in a puddle it was already 1pm and we'd done 18 miles!!! 18 miles in 3 hours. I sent my wife a text...I was hoping she'd understand...Just after Santa Pod I thought I did a great video of Sam negotiating the mud and falling off in the puddle. However I pressed record after he fell  off and only got footage of Sam in a puddle with his Dad helpfully taking pictures. Shortly after this we crossed the A6 and Sam's bike broke! His chainring was bent and would not straighten despite Uncle Bob finding a long bolt to whack it with. Sam ended up calling his Mum, Mrs P and we rode on without him. Clearly he was secretely pleased to get out of this ridiculous mud fest. Have a look at his bike...any clues what could possibly have gone wrong?

On we brave souls ventured. Uncle Bob kept promising that we'd done the worst bit and then we found the next worst bit! Poor Andy fell off 93 times!

Back at Pendred towers, just six short hours later we'd completed a 36 mile ride. The long suffering Sue brought us mince pies and tea whilst Andy took just 40 minutes to kindly hose all the mud off my bike. 

I arrived home. Mrs L was not talking to me. I had to work my socks off to get back in the good books!!! As for Uncle Bob and his horrendous ride...I can't wait to do it all again! Top bloke, top route, stupid ride...wouldn't miss it!!!

Remarkably, given recent events, I was given permission to ride again the next day for our clubs last ride of the year!

There was a great turnout of some of my favourite riding friends and an excellent hilly route in the picturesque Welland Valley.

Surprisingly I felt spritely for the first time this Christmas. I'm not sure why. Perhaps it was the easy riding of my road bike on dry roads as opposed to slogging through the mud like the day before. This was also helped by Nat's gin liquer in her spare bidon.

We stopped off at the Tolly again for a New Years Eve pint or as Andy preferred a very local Warner Edwards gin. 

So that's it 2018 for cycling is done and I have 3001 miles on the clock. I'm looking forward to doing it all again in 2019 and more than anything enjoying cycling with some splendid friends.

Happy New Year everyone and Happy Pedalling