21°C, sunny with brisk SE.
Hungry after work
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Category Archives: cyclocross
Anglezarke moor
Kona Jake, 17°C, light cloud, light NW breeze.
After work ride. I headed up the moor towards Winter Hill. The total distance is not great but many of the inclines are. The Jake is a good climber with the right gears, weight and stiffness. I gave the path across Spitlers Edge but stopped at the 2nd gate (No Bikes).
Warm summer rain.
21°C, some sun, but mostly drizzle with heavy pulses. Moderate S.
A nice warm start, but drizzle set in. From the south. There were pulses heavy enough to make bubbles in puddles. I was tired at the end but after the last week, that’s not surprising.
Busy day and an airshow.
Up early, as I do in high summer. This was the fastest yet, helped by using proper running shoes. Ideally, I’d like a.oair that are a big less squishy and more springy. I don’t need to build stamina this way, it’s all about building resilience in my legs.
Watched the airshow for a while. From the back garden, Hawker Hurricane, then at the seawall: Mig 15. Then ride through the brown and stopped to see a P51 Mustang. That was great, I loved the sound. It makes a whirring as well as the clattering rumble from the 27 litre engine. It looked fine in silver and red livery.
Sounds ideal this; spent the afternoon killing around on the grass in the garden. The deep cerulean blue sky was perfect and unblemished. Occasionally, it was cut by a vapour trail or a pair of buzzards. Eventually, I rode back home. This time, the route was mostly towpaths and then gravel. Near the end, I grew tired of the vibrations, especially the last 5 miles. I shall sleep deeply.
Sunday CX
17°C, stiff W breeze, dry and sunny.
This week I have mostly ridden the CX. More gravel roads in gorgeous sunshine and dry. Everything about the bike feels right, except it hasn’t got a working speedo. Part of me doesn’t miss that.
Embankment and inflamed.
17°C, light S. Lots of sun.
Something bit me on this ride. I didn’t really feel it but my lip swelled up as I rode. During the tricky part of the embankment where I couldn’t let go of the bars. I did get a quick swipe but thought nothing of it. Towards the end, it looked like a Botox failure (mind you, botox always seems to look wrong).
Another thing I brought home was the smell of cow maure. The nature reserve allows cattle to graze the other side of the embankment. One part of the embankment was thick with dung and no way to get past to avoid it. My shoes and the tyres were caked in it. that suff is very difficult to wash off.
Joining up the gravel tracks.
17°C, 50% cloud, light S wind.
Today, I combined several gravel style routes to make up a 2 hour outing. The tracks were dusty but it was well worth it.
After work 25k.
16°C, moderate SW, full sun.
That was refreshing! After supper, the sun was glorious so out ce.the Jake CX from the shed. It’s got a new headset from Hope and a new bottom bracket. Wow, that made a difference. It’s so silky and light at the front end. Next job ought to be the wheel bearings. The Chaim has plenty of life.
Five in a row
Summary for the week. Warming up after a cool weekend. Strong sun and little rain.
Ridden the Zing, Jake and the Paddy Wagon this week. The first day felt hard and was rather disheartening, but as the week wore on – it felt more natural. I’ve worked away most weekends on DofE so that has interrupted my cycling habits.
Rides were 36.1+ 51.7+27.9+ 21.5+32.6 = 169.8km
So that’s 104 miles in 5 days. I’m happy with that even with the low pace of several.
Some repairs are pending. My summer road shoes are falling out of shape, the left tends to tilt my foot outwards which then changes the whole leg. My left knee sweeps outwards with each stroke and lowers the prower into the pedal that side. Those Carnac shoes are ancient, I’ve forgotten when I bought them, probably in the 90s. A new pair are on order.
Secondly, the headset on the Jake cross bike has gone notchy so I’ll get replacement races soon too. Next problem is lubrication in gear cables. Muc-off lube tends to dry up quickly making gear changes hit & miss. I’m going to try a heavier grade of oil. Maybe confine the thin dry lube to the shifter mechaisms.
New gravel routes.
18°C, Kona Jake, full sun with a light SW breeze.
Sought out several new gravel routes across farm lands. This was very fine.
The shoes feel much better than the road pair. The Carnacs I use with Look pedals seem to be distorting out of shape. The left one, especially has a twist that effects the pedal stroke.
Micycle 