Remembrance Ride 2016

Over the last two years our club remembrance ride has been the highlight of our Sunday club rides. We cycle to sites of significance, particularly the airfields of Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire where so much brave endeavor took place on our behalf. It's important to remember and I feel this ride is a fitting tribute to the fallen.

I nearly didn't ride at all today due to a very emotional and stressful week. In hindsight, perhaps I shouldn't have ridden at all. You can never tell when riding 'emotional.' Sometimes you are inspired to a great ride and other times your legs are just dead with nervous exhaustion. Today my legs were dead. I was cramping on hills after just 30 miles and after 50 miles I gave up and called for help. The magnificent Mrs Lindsley came and rescued me at Thrapston!

So what has been so bad? Well for starters we lost Ben our Black Labrador on Monday. He's been with us for 13 years and the kids don't know a life without him. We had no warning really other than his advancing years. The picture above was taken on Saturday, two days later we said goodbye. As Dad I'm trying to hold it all together but it's not easy. We loved that dog! There will be dog lovers who understand and others who wonder what the fuss is. All I will say is the hurt we feel today is nothing compared to the joy he brought us for all those years.

Okay let's get back to the ride. One of the gems I found this week was that another cycling blogger has blogged about visiting the places we went to today! Check out the link below:

https://frankburns.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/war-time-disaster-at-mears-ashby/

On arrival at C&D Cycles there was the largest group I'd seen gathered since...well probably since the last remembrance ride. Steve was our leader but others had downloaded the route that I had prepared from Steve's interesting instructions! Notable in her absence was Nat, who overslept apparently!

Riding conditions were excellent. We had a dry bright day. The roads were still damp from the day before but in light winds we could not have asked for better.

First stop was at the lovely old tree in Mears Ashby. Commemorated here was the crash of two American bombers. If being shot at wasn't bad enough, it appears that accidents also happened. Miraculously some of the airmen involved walked away uninjured. The rest however were not so lucky and lost their lives.

The commemorative board

Ooh I say!

woof!

Banter is compulsory even on a serious day like today. Little did the cockwomble know that naughty plans were afoot. 

Steve was having a mare and this is the repair to his first broken spoke. Heather had usefully packed a cable tie for this on road bodge. At this point the naughty plans started as a novelty chocolate condom slipped undetected into Steve's back pocket. He discovered it at the next stop and the cheeky game passed to Mark. It's unknown if he's found it yet but Mark, if it gets you into trouble, please use this blog to prove your innocence. In any case its a standard size so it would never fit!

The next stop was at Poddington or 'Santa Pod.' Some of these wartime airfields have been turned into places for other activities. Santa Pod is now one of Europe's most famous drag racing strips. In a similar way, Grand Prix circuit, Silverstone, was also a wartime airfield. Here's some additional info on RAF Poddington https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Podington

From Poddington we rode to Chelveston. The war memorial here is, I think, the best that we've visited. Even better still we discovered that the poppy and C&D Cycles keyring we left last year was still there!  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Chelveston. Steve decided to call it a day here because with two broken spokes his rear wheel was seriously misbehaving.

Another new visit for this year's ride was RAF Molesworth https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Molesworth

After that stop I was shattered and massively holding the group up. They kindly suggested my bike was letting me down due to a rear brake that kept sticking but that was just the straw that broke the camel's back. I'll have much better rides. My bike does need some TLC so, before I put her away fro the winter, is definitely time to go and see Andy at C&D.

Parked up waiting for the queen of cakes

The sock excitement continues. This week no one knew I was wearing these bobby dazzlers!

I won't be riding with the club next weekend but I will be riding for it and for my other club KCC. We have the KCC cyclocross at Glendon on Saturday. SuperSam will be riding and some of us older chaps will be entering the novice race. I'm really looking forward to this both in terms of participating and also to support a fantastic event. I know the KCC coaches have put together a great course, so...roll on next weekend!

No videos this week but I have found some every interesting articles. Firstly there's a company aiming to build carbon frames in the UK. That has to be good for us all! Then there's the amazing Detroit custom cycles show. Those bikes have to be seen!

http://road.cc/content/feature/210500-carbon-bikes-made-uk-man-who-wants-make-british-carbon-big

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2016/nov/02/pimp-my-bike-detroit-custom-cycles-slow-ride-in-pictures

Right then I need to get that entry form in!
Happy Peddaling

Friends, countryside, cyclists!

I love this time of year. The vivid autumnal colours, the low sun, falling leaves, halloween and bonfire night. Even more personal to me is I have the opportunity to light the log burner, my birthday is in November, the rugby season is in full swing and it reminds me of some truly memorable rides.

Today, the club I ride with, C&D Cycles CC, had their first Gran Fondo weekend. This meant we had a choice of planned rides with a standard 30 miler for the fast group and banter bunch and an extended ride for those who wanted to complete this month's Gran Fondo challenge on Strava. I didn't feel I could spare the time for an 80 miler so I opted for the standard Saturday club ride.Again I must praise Andrew Brown for the superb organising of our rides. I now have the ride calendar synced to Google where all the routes are available as a direct link.

Today's route is known as the 'Oundle Classic.' It's one of the first group rides I went on with the club and is possibly our most used route. There's a good reason for that. It's a good route! It was also a good choice for today because many of the riders know the route which in turn means there was no shortage of ride leaders and tail gunners.

Here's a cheeky little private joke for you: it's a well known at the club that I wear frowned upon trainer socks to ride. However today I was in winter kit with tights and overshoes so I decided to go secretly wacky on the sock front. I was glad of those long legs today because there was a bitter wind. It was okay whilst riding but you lost heat very quickly on the stops. Others went even further with undershirts, rain jackets, full finger gloves, buffs, headwarmers etc. I would have boiled in all that but that's the benefit of being a 'larger,' rider.

A cockwomble and a plastic cockerel

At the shop a healthy group gathered. Around ten riders set off on the Gran Fondo ride and the rest of us formed one group for the standard ride. At 17 riders we were on the limit of a sensible group size and this soon proved to be the case as the same car twice tried to pass us only to have to stop on the wrong side of the road facing oncoming traffic. This was incredibly dangerous so if anyone knows who owns SY02 EKN, a quiet word about road safety is advised. He also had a car full of kids including one who looked too small to sit in the front. At times like this you can blame the motorist and carry on regardless or do something pro-active to improve safety for all. Thankfully we did the latter and split the group, making us easier to pass and less annoying to motor vehicles.

How could you not love that?

I think I've said before that I used to encourage my friends to cycle. However since then I've discovered it's easier to make friends with cyclists. Today I renewed my bromance with one of my best ever cycling friends. Steve and I haven't ridden together for ages but today we just carried on where we left off. It was the usual enigmatic blend of pure filth, fast show quotes, unexpected facts and a shared understanding that we're very different but our love of cycling brings us together. Steve's facts for the day: Eels are the only fish that can swim backwards and if you google 'Teresa May porn,'  you will discover that such a thing exists (all be it that another Teresa May is a former glamour model and porn actress!) He also enlightened me that the resort where we stayed in Almeria is in fact a former Olympic village now used for holiday makers! Even more Steve likes it there because it's where Spanish holidaymakers chose to go making a difference from other more Brit dominated areas of Spain! That's right 'air,' Steve embraces the EU in all it's glorious diversity. My goodness we covered a lot on today's ride! The last discussion point of note is that Steve feels that Holly Willoughby's dress up as Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad was the best Halloween costume he's seen this year!

Steve may have been the highlight of my ride today but I must also mention that fellow riders old and new were a pleasure to be with today. A mention needs to go to Linda who was concerned her flashing jacket (that's a cycling jacket with a built in light, not something less savory,) was annoying (it wasn't.) We've never ridden together before but she has read this blog! 

Back to the cycling and I'm glad I didn't do the Fondo ride. That biting wind had completely sapped my legs for the last few miles. I was glad to get back to C&D Cycles where this week we had cake from Alison and owner Chris entertained us in the usual manner!

The brownies were particularly nice!

SuperSam has cyclocross tomorrow in Biggleswade as we count down tot the KCC hosted event on the 19th. Some of us in Dad's club have decided to enter the novice race (please make a nice course Mark Evans and James Simons-Boswell - oh yeah we saw James out on the ride today!) I'm now a member of both clubs but will ride in C&DCCC colours on the day. Which brings me to my video of the week. I'm always looking for a new challenge but don't feel the need to go longer than the 200 miles in a day we did last year. So I've found this ridiculous idea - The Three Peaks Cyclocross race!

Finally today's Saturday tea for the Queen of Cakes and I is a cyclocross inspired Belgian recipe, carbonades-flamandes:

We'll be having this with frites (chips,) and washing it down with Ale, which is the traditional way to do it! 

Even more finally I've heard that the Fondo riders also got home safely so all in all a great day of riding for the club!

Happy Pedalling

First group ride and cycling blog since July!!!

I'm not 100% sure how it happened but, until today I haven't been on a group ride since July! A lot of the reasons have been SuperSam and I would've ridden last week but for his Cyclocross race at The MK bowl. Anyway here's this week's route.





The little tail on that loop is me riding to and from home. I have to say I whizzed to the shop before the ride and then dawdled home on empty legs afterwards. 

Things have changed somewhat whilst I've been away. There is now a calendar of rides with a lot of pre-planning and routes available weeks in advance. Our ride leader in the 'banter bunch,'  Mike, took the time to learn the route and made sure we didn't lose our way. The quick lot managed to get it wrong a few times and arrived back at the shop several minutes after we did!

Bike Selfie

We all had a good ride and we all got back safely. The fast group gaff was actually a blessing in disguise because instead of them all home before we made it back to C&D Cycles, we all got some time together. Out on the road the Banter Bunch was a proper group ride. People took turns on the front, we welcomed three newbies, there was good communication and above all good banter. I've missed this lot and in turn they've missed my wife's cake!

Back at the shop the apple cake provided by the Queen of Cakes, Mrs Lee Lindsley, was demolished in next to no time. Banter continued with Andy P clearly relieved at not having to be the wittiest man in the room for a change. Nat and Gemma continued their unhealthy obsession with willies and frantic Strava downloads ensued. Some key players were missing though. I was disappointed not to ride with Andy the C&D manager (issue with a leek,) and Big Steve (dodgy knees apparently.) The latter's absence meant a complete lack of Fast Show quotes!

Most of all I needed that ride in good company. My work has been a bit too stressful of late and cycling keeps me sane, cycling with good friends gives me strength to face Monday!

SuperSam at MK Bowl: Round 5 of the central league

Okay lets get away from my cycling and talk about the fantastic stuff SuperSam has been up to with Kettering Cycling Club's junior section, the Cyclones. It truly is a fantastic club and this week coach Mark Evans, was awarded The Kettering Sports Awards - Volunteer of the Year Award. Mark is a tremendous encouragement and this award was exceptionally well deserved. http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/kettering-sports-awards-2016-1-7652345

So far Sam aged 11 has taken part in circuit races at Rockingham Motor Speedway and has been in a couple of Cyclocross races. It's brilliant to see his love of cycling evolve. A number of the kids at Cyclones have parents who ride with C&DCycles CC so it's also a bit of Dad's club!The group is free to attend and they also fund loan bikes to ensure the kids have the right equipment. Those bikes are supplied by C&D Cycles. Makes you feel good doesn't it!

Cold, wet, muddy and very pleased with himself

Earlier in the week I had an off road spin of my own, testing my new tubeless tyre on the 29r. The tyre was fitted using a real Heath-Robinson rapid inflation system made out of an old lemonade bottle, some gaffer tape, old inner tube valves and the length of 5mm diameter tube from an old track pump. Believe it or not it worked great!

Several days later the tyre remains fully inflated and whats more it performed great on the ride below!

I always like to share a video in my blog and no surprises I'm going with a GCN video this week. I love these guys. They're nearly as funny as the Banter Bunch! Check out this challenge.

Okay that's all I've got. Cheers all for the great ride today and the massive welcome back!

Happy Pedalling

Hot week, lots of cycling...

It's been hot, hot, hot this week! I've done a fair bit of solo riding, one group ride and Sam continues with his riding with the fabulous KCC Cyclones. In the biggest cycle race in the world I'm watching the final stage and Chris Froome's 3rd victory as I type.

My cycling week started as it often does with my standard 17 miler. Amazingly I keep getting a PR on the same segment of this ride. It's a good way to start. I was still tight from Sunday so it was good to stretch the legs again.

The second ride of the week was a variation on a theme. You've seen this before. It was really sticky by Wednesday and even going out early left me in a total sweaty mess.


On Thursday I rode the Braybrooke route I'd ridden the week the week before. I'm always amused that the tiny trickle that 'flows' through the village is the River Jordan. I've yet to see Moses in the bullrushes.

Friday was my rest day and as usual on Saturday I did laps of Pitsford whilst Sam was sailing. Well except Sam and his mates weren't sailing this week because there was no wind! They went paddle boarding instead which also looks fun. With no wind I managed to PR a lap of Pitsford, I didn't feel particularly quick so that was quite a surprise. Pitsford was full of miserable joggers who don't smile let alone say hello, riders of all capabilities including some youngsters just starting out and a very very very old man! The most fun is dinging groups of walkers with the bike bell. It's like there's no pre-arranged protocol for moving aside and chaos ensues as they scatter in all directions. No walkers were harmed in the making of this blog!

As is customary I was last to arrive for today's club ride. I was a bit pre-occupied with litter on my dog walk, did all sorts of jobs that maybe could wait around the house and then disaster struck. The coconut oil I use to protect more tender parts has in the hot weather turned to liquid. I undid the jar and it went all over the bed. So some swift action was required including a lot of fairy liquid and the sheets going in the machine. Those five minutes are why I arrived at 8:35 for an 8:30 start! When I told this tale there was a lot of disbelief that something more sordid wasn't involved and visions of me naked dripping in coconut oil bordering on worrying fantasies were broadcast by all. Sorry lads it's not a mucky tale, just a messy one!

Sunday is my main ride of the week and the last few weeks it's been a real speed fest. A bit much for me at times and today was one of those times. We were flying into Oundle when I got dropped. My average at that point was 19mph and at the time I was doing 25mph. But if you go off the back at that pace it's really hard to get back. Too hard for me! They didn't notice though and went through Oundle and out to Polebrook before noticing I was missing. This put me in a bit of a bad mood. Neil and Steve came back for me but it was pure guesswork that I was on the right route. Look, rule 1 was broken but no-one did it on purpose. We probably just need to do a bit of work on sticking together a bit more. Steve and Neil broke my bad mood. Neil with reason and Steve with the usual blend of fast show and filth!

On the old A1 which runs alongside the new A1 we got stuck behind farm heavy machinery. It was OK for drafting but only doing about 16mph and we all wanted to go a bit quicker. (even me, before someone says it!)

Ken wins best jersey of the day with his beauty from Florida. Fortunately that's not the best pic I got of it so...sorry. So with that Jersey and Steve's from Spain the challenge has been laid down for me to pick something up in Australia. Only 33 weeks to go! 

Once the rule 1 faux pas had been realised I was well looked after by our very healthy gathering of 14 riders. No one did this more than Nat. So many thanks for your company riding today Nat, you are a Queen of the road.

There's a wider view of the combine issue and a better shot of Ken's magnificent jersey! It really was OK behind that beast until it inexplicably started to chuck hay at us!

Just for completeness really really soak in the magnificence of Ken's jersey! Jealous right? Don't worry there's an abomination coming to temper the lycra lust!

There it is! Steve Duke, what the flip mate!!! I know I wear female tennis player's socks but you've gone too far. Be proud of those tan lines don't wear vest tops to combat them! Plus stop rogering yourself with the saddle! OK Steve did redeem himself partly by awarding the Andy Pendred Jogger of the Day award to an attractive runner who hilariously had her shorts inside out!!!!

The route today really wouldn't have been complete without a group pic at our favourite zoo sign. That consummate exhibitionist 'Barbecue Bairdy,' is obscuring me with his fake Chinese Italian bike, a shame Mark because behind you I'm doing some hilarious things. The beardy geezer in green  is a newby to the club but boy can that lad ride!

Another impressive rider is Darren Kirby. Unlike me he's new to cycling and even more unlike me, being a bigger rider isn't a barrier for him. That lad has some serious power, I'd love to see him get a power meter because frankly he's the epitome of a Wattage bazooka!

Now you might think I'm disappointed with today's ride but not a bit of it! Yes I'm the slowest BUT in my eyes I wasn't slow. 60 miles at a 17mph average is a marked improvement for me. Another 38 Strava achievements also tells a tale. I'm getting better a bit at a time. You can't ask for more than that!

Back at the shop we were entertained well, as ever by C&D Cycles manager, Andy Ferguson and it was also good of Jonesy to pop in with one of his many kids. After a quick coffee the ride home was a lot slower than the previous 60 miles! Still it's another 100km+ to my Rio challenge total and I'm now way ahead of my nearest rival for second place.

Switching away from me...SuperSam continues with KCC cyclones. I'm so pleased we got him into this club because it's just fabulous. I'd encourage anyone with kids who want to ride to join.

|Mark Evans from KCC led Sam's group for a superb cyclo-cross session last Monday around a well thought out course. I also think Sam looks good in Orange. He's also been trying SPD pedals for the first time. It's a challenge for a kid but he's making good progress and I'm sure he'll be good on them soon.

Finally let's talk tour! This years TdF was just brilliant where it threatened to be boring. Massive congratulations to Chris Froome and Team Sky. It was great to see Cav back to his best before leaving for his Rio preparations. Adam Yates was a revelation winning the White Jersey. The Steve Cummings stage win will live long in the memory and Birmingham born Irishman Dan Martin was fantastic too. For the non-brits, I love watching the world class talent that is Peter Sagan and I was thrilled to see Andre Greipel win the final stage on the Champs Elysees.

Well I'm blogging in the garden and the light is about to go so it's time for a beer and some telly!

Happy Pedaling

I just love to ride!

It's been another great week on my bike. I'm loving it, loving it, loving it! So here's a roundup of my solo rides, a fabulous group ride, Sam's progress and a quick comment on the tour!




My first ride of the week was my standard 17 miler. On it I encountered two red kites in a roadside tree. They scarpered in that lovely lumbering way before I could get a picture. I never get a good pic of the kites with my phone. The one below is about the best I've got. It reminded me of a comment by a colleague last weekend. We were taking about kites nicking food off a barbie (yes braii, alright Bairdy!) My colleague inquired: "do they eat meat then?" To which her husband replied: "No not all, you get a lot of vegetarian birds of prey!"

Another stunning Summer morning saw a variation on a theme through picturesque Draughton. It's a village without a pub which can't be good but they do have a 'pop-up' pub from time to time.

On Thursday I couldn't decide where to ride and the queen of cakes decided on Braybrooke. This was a good plan because it took me up the hill at Griffin Road and the hill into Harrington. My legs weren't too lively so I was quite pleased that I was having Friday and Saturday as rest days. That was until Saturday, when I saw Steve leading the fast group on my way to work a days overtime. "More money for Australia," was the mantra that barely took those blues away.

That brings me to today's ride. I was so excited about getting out on a club ride that I didn't sleep too well. I was awake from 3-5am, then at 7 when I needed to get up it became a bit of an effort. First order of the day was to make that magnificent blue product that boosts energy and prevents cramp.

I got to the shop to discover the largest group we've had for a while on a Sunday. It was a lovely day and I'm not at all surprised that so many were in attendance. The first thing we did was set off back to Rothwell! I could've had a few more minutes doing all those things I like to do in the morning. I'm a nightmare to be honest, I'm often the last there and it's not through laziness, it's the opposite. As usual I was emptying the dishwasher, feeding the dogs, putting washing on, hanging washing out, making the queen of cakes her essential morning coffee etc. The say men can't multi-task, well on Thursday I made shepherds pie and mowed the lawn at the same time. I'd probably have more energy for cycling if I calmed down a bit!

The pace was quick. Well it was for me! I think the others were just cruising but I was flat out trying to keep up! We ruined Justin soon into the ride because he's a bit under the weather. I also got a compliment (I think,) from Nat who said I was getting in shape again and with legs like mine I should wear a mini skirt! At the first picture we were all stopped to let a triathlon get through. We got bored waiting though and ended up in among the triathletes. I'm guessing they're not allowed to draft so I wonder what the rules are when you get dragged along by us Lycra Loonies!

We went well into Leicestershire ending up at Lutterworth so I was pleased to be wearing my Northampton Saints jersey. Lutterworth is an interesting place as Sir Frank Whittle, the man credited with the invention of the jet engine, was born there. We also discovered the pub of the year! Leaving Lutterworth we were on possibly the world's busiest country road. That's because loads of people were heading to Stanford Hall for a motorcycle show. With some dread I had an idea where Steve's magical mystery tour was taking us. I was right we went up the monster drag from Stanford to Cold Ashby. This village is the highest in Northamptonshire and boasts a very hilly golf course. One of the holes is called cardiac hill and if you don't make the green you tend to find the ball rolls back past you down the hill. No this isn't suddenly a golf blog, I'm pointing out that this is a big hill! So being a downhill specialist they all had to wait for me again.

There was tonnes of Lycra out and about, we saw several groups and individual riders. When we were on the flatter bits I was able to stay with the group and the highlight of the day for me was racing back into Loddington. I arrived back at the shop absolutely shattered and my legs feel pretty sore now. I checked my ride on Strava and was amazed to see 38 achievements and a 17.4mph average. That's the fastest I have ever ridden over such a distance and I'm very happy with that. a couple of years ago that would have also made me one of the fastest in the club but not now. We've all made such amazing progress that my average is well...a bit average!

We were entertained well and I owe Neil for a coffee. Chris in the shop adjusted my saddle height for me. It needs to be tightened to 7Nm and ridiculously my torque wrench cannot fit in the gap between my saddle and the adjuster bolt. Chris can do this on feel which is good because an over-tightened Carbon frame and seat stem can lead to an expensive break! I need to buy a tool that fits so I can get this right but I don't want to do that until I know I can get the exact right thing. Neil believes I could bodge/hack a device by using an S-bend allen key attached to my torque wrench. I'm not so sure but will probably give it a go!

Feeling well and truly pooped I abandoned my plan to complete this month's Gran Fondo (80miles/130km,) and set off home. I got as far as Sainsburys (two minutes from the shop) when I heard a clanking noise and then a hiss! The pictures below tell the tale. That screw had buried itself in my back tyre and the clanking was it bashing my rear forks as the wheel went round!

I could possibly have changed the tube and made it home but the tyre was ruined whether that worked or not. So I went back to the shop where Chris fitted me a new tyre. Those were the factory fitted Giant tyres which aren't supposed to be that durable, however after 3187km that's my first puncture on this bike (if you don't count the time I punctured on the turbo!) Once again I have received a very good service from C&D Cycles, so many thanks to Chris. 

A quick catch up from last week. I am now second in my workplace challenge which was my aim so I'm very pleased. I need to keep this up though as the challenge finishes on the 5th of August for the start of the Rio Olympics. SuperSam continues with his hill repeats on the loan road/cyclocross bike. I'm not sure cycling in onesies will catch on though!

As I sit here, shattered but content I should tell you that Gareth my neighbour is cleaning his full suspension MTB after a splendid day in the Yorkshire Dales. His bike is absolutely beautiful and I'm really pleased for him. He did say that all the road cyclists in the Dales are a pain though! I have teased the Queen of Cakes that my N+1 is a full suspension off road bike. She knows I'm joking though...it's those American Classics 420 Aero wheels I NEED!

Finally let's talk Tour! Well having predicted a boring procession to Paris for Chris Froome it couldn't be more different. Froome is still well set for the win (I've not watched today, I'll have the highlights on whilst I do the Sunday ironing!) However no one could have predicted the breakaway with Sagan, the motorcycle running man incident or actually Cav continuing to dominate over Kittel! The Tour is not boring - Il est magnifique!!!

Happy Pedaling