Another great weekend of cycling and a special feature: favourite ride photos

This weeks blog features a couple of rides, a tubeless update and some very special guest photos! Let's get to it!

After the embarrassment of my tubeless fail and concurrent lack of the necessary kit I set about making sure all of my bikes were sorted out. I started with problem; that rear tyre on my MTB.

First job was to replace the rim tape. Clearly I'd gone jungle fix last time with duck tape!

This swalbe specific rim tape is the right stuff 

Tyre back on, loads of sealant in!

It's really important you don't lose that valve core. I remove them because you can get air in quicker to seal the rim.

The trusty lemonade bottle, mole grip, track pump set up.

All sorted!

I did all that before work on Monday morning as I wanted my MTB for coaching the Cyclones on Monday evening. I then put fresh sealant in all my tubeless tyres. This was not happening to me again!!!

After a bit of a quiet week riding wise it was Saturday again and time for another group ride. We met up in the swimming pool car park and headed out into the Welland Valley. Again it was a big group, so in accordance with guidelines we headed out in groups of six.

Rushton hill was a warm up for what was to come.  We then made our way through Pipewell and onto East Carlton, through Middleton and up Bringhurst Hill. 

On the infamous Neville Holt climb all ideas of separate groups dissolved briefly as everyone took it at their own pace. There was a regathering and reorganise at the top before that lovely descent into Medbourne. The groups got a bit split up again heading towards Glooston. Thankfully Mark Baird was dragging me along and then we picked up Justin to make three. Then we lost Mark but Rob appeared from behind a hedge and we were a different three. With a breeze behind us and less hills we flew through the Langtons and on to Ashley. 

Things slowed down a bit up the hills through Stoke Albany and on to Desborough. Then it was a loop back round through Pipewell and Rushton, through to Glendon and our coffee stop at the Fox and Peony.

we were more socially distanced than this picture suggests

Over the coffee we discussed the dreaded cramp. Bruce told me he had started using a magnesium supplement and it has really helped. Then he gave me some to try on my next big ride. Top bloke - cheers Bruce!

On Sunday I had no takers to join me for an off road ride so I headed out solo. I didn't really have a firm plan, more a rough idea of where to go.

There was no way I was going out without all the right kit. It's a bit weird really that I was caught unprepared last Sunday. At work they refer to my rucksack as Hermione's bag. Everyone knows, if you need something, ask me I probably have it in my bag! Anyway this week I made sure I had a spare tube, pump, multi-tool, tubeless repair worms and a pair of pliers in case I needed to get a tubeless valve off! I was also relieved to see despite some big sealant bubbles on the tyre I'd barely lost any pressure since Monday.

pressure

Sealant bubbles

Track from Rushton to Pipewell

Oh look there's Matt P in Desborough Greenspace

Bridleway heading towards Arthingworth

same...it's a lovely track!

still the same

cows!!!

I was in two minds heading into Arthingworth; either go back up to Harrington or down to the Brampton Valley way and through the Kelmarsh tunnel. Then I saw the cows standing on the bridge which is part of the bridleway and my decision was made for me. Tunnel it was...then there was also cows in the field heading to the Brampton Valley Way. These were not trouble as they were not on the track...the same could not be said for the numerous cow pats I rode over!!!

I left the BVW and headed up to Maidwell. On the other side of the A5199 there's a lovely road which becomes a gravel track and then a well trodden bridleway. I turned right at Bluebell Lodge and headed up a steep hill to a spot dedicated to it's former landowners. A stunning view was worth the steep climb.

From there I doubled back to the gravel roads that eventually lead to Hanging Houghton. Heading back up the hill I was overtaken by two blokes on ebikes. I like to see this. Those clever inventions have opened up the countryside to people who might otherwise struggle. We had some banter, I said I hoped their batteries ran out, they asked if I needed a tow!

This bench is clearly a place of reflection. A lovely view plus behind it there's a gate with little brass plaques on it. 

At the top of the hill I went across the road and behind Lamport Hall. Another field had signs of cows but I went through without seeing them. Beware of the bull on the gate! I'd outfoxed the bovine beasts this time!

Well that's the rides. Now for the pictures. I'd asked people to send me their favourite ride photos.

Here's mine, I'd ridden my brother in law's bike to Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia. A kangaroo watched me take this photo!

Mike Corbett on the Col de la Croix de Fer! 

This set of photo's is from Sarah and Steve Hollis and their awesome looking cycling holiday...I don't think they're back yet!

Bairdy on the most fun snow day! Geddington Chase I believe!

The C&D gang at Lord Pendred's French residence

Mark at the monument to Henri Desgrange - first organiser of the Tour de France

Also from Bairdy, the view from L'Alpe d'Huez

Not all views...Mike Deely and the Rocko boys enjoy some quality Belgian Ales in Mol

Mike Deeley and me (right at the back,) before a CX race...this picture says a thousand words!

From yesterday, Nat and Andy P had a ride with Sam P in Yorkshire

Also from Nat, she met some ponies earlier in the week in the New Forest

Richard G conquers Tendre! Big smile mate, well deserved!

I think you'll all agree that's some great pictures. Thanks to everyone who contributed, if anyone else wants to send me a picture then I'll keep adding them every week!

In other news, some more big rides happened this weekend. My ride of the week goes to Gary Carter. 

Look at that average! I can't do that on a short local ride, to smash out 19.2 mph for 180 miles is herculean! Chapeau sir!

Happy Pedalling! 

Great weekend of riding

After a week off from riding I got back to it with a bang this weekend. We have also resumed coaching at KCC Cyclones due to restrictions lifting. 

On Saturday we had a group road ride. So many of us met up in Kettering we had to organise into 3 groups. On the way in i bumped into the early birds who were having their first coffee stop of the day after 40 miles! That elite group used their early start to turn 100km into 100miles with Neil topping the distance charts with 117 miles for the day. I did 76 miles, which was more than enough!

The banter was flowing from the off as we headed south with a strong tailwind. Nothing chsnges really, despite posting the route barely anyone had it before we left!

We were discussing the weird and wonderful running and cycling atire that's been apparent since lockdown. That chat turned to vintage trainers and particularly Hi-Tec Silver Shadow and Dunlop Green Flash which Neil (two mentions already,) dubbed the: "Rab C Nesbitt of trainers!"

We made it to Kimbolton with ease but then turned into the stiff breeze! At Sharnbrook a prize plum in a blue Suzuki Swift decided to use his in car PA to shout "single file," at us continually. 

Not long after that we made it to Emberton Park in Olney for the coffee stop. All three groups met back up but we made sure we kept to the 2m rule! We then reorganised and headed back towards K Town.

My legs felt very tight and the warning signs of cramp were coming! I was shattered by Earls Barton Hill and dribbled up there like slow Jack McSlow. Lots of people felt the same and the groups disintegrated to some extent. However two(ish) groups formed at Mears Ashby. Having said we wouldn't have a total tear up into Harrowden...we had a total tear up in Harrowden. The wind was now behind us on that fast stretch of road and we hit 30mph for a significant time. I felt excellent until the cramp warning signs came back to ruin my efforts! When we stopped in Harrowden my legs were shaking.

We set off again towards Orlingbury and my right leg was definitely going to cramp. So I tried just peddling with my left leg which Rob described as a very odd pedalling technique! 

I couldn't keep up at all and was on my own at the top of the hill, where, boom...cramp hit. I just unclipped in time. I then waddled down the road a bit in a most undignified manner, still astride my bike. As cramp eased I was able to get fully off my bike. At this stage group 3 caught up with me. 

From there I opted for the shortest flattest route back to Rothwell. Cramp stayed away until I was close to home and then decided to have one final attack.

None of this spoiled the ride. It was great to be out and even better to be out in company! 

Strava tells me I'd burned an extra 4000kcal and it certainly felt that way. I weighed myself after the ride and I was 2lbs lighter than before I went out! So after a week of really disciplined eating I enjoyed a few beers and a homemade pizza before another great fun cycling quiz with the Corby Capers CX group.

On Sunday morning it was time for a change as we set out on an off road ride. I met with Andy P, Nat, Bob, Marcus and Rob at Grafton crossroads. 

We headed into a fiercer wind than yesterday and were grateful to get into the fields and behind the hedges. The ground is currently rock hard and we were bumped about as a consequence.

We headed to Twywell and then over the fields to Stanwick Lakes. At Elinor trout fishery I suffered quite the embarrassment! My rear tyre went soft and it wouldn't reinflate! The usually very reliable tubeless system had failed! I'd also forgotten to bring a tube for the first time in ages. When I got the tyre off the problem was clear...there was no sealant fluid in the tyre! I can't remember the last time I topped up! Now I bang on about the benefits of tubeless endlessly. I'm a real tubeless bore. The Queen of Cakes will not allow me to talk about tyres in her company! So like I say...quite embarrassed!!!

The other thing was I had no chance of removing the tubeless valve. Luckily Andy was far more prepared. He had a spare tube, a decent pump and chain pliers which got the valve out. Tube in and pumped back up we could get going.

Marcus helped by eating a banana 🍌 

It was a lovely ride through to Wadenhoe. More great trails followed and Rob proved he's a real off road rider by taking a tumble!

From there it was through to Lyveden New Bield for our usual group photo!

The bridleway through to the Brigstock/Benefield Road is not a favourite of mine but once over the road the trails through to Bocase farm are lovely. 

It was more good riding through to Brigstock and then up the chase the wrong way. After yesterday my legs were ruined at this point and I just dawdled up the trail. That big old oak tree at the top was a welcome sight!!!

I enjoyed the ride but I was also relieved to get back to the car in Grafton. 

When I got in I checked my sealant stocks...this bottle of Stans is almost full. I have enough to do all my bikes!!! So there's no excuse. Lesson learned...as usual the hard way! Tomorrow I'll make sure every tyre is topped up.

My post ride refuel today was an absolute delight. With restrictions lifting we were able to go to Sunday lunch at Mum's for the first time since March.

That's it for another blog.

Happy Pedalling