Category Archives: Cycling

A fine problem to have.

Posted on by
Reply

8°C, still and light. Cold.
It’s a fine problem, to decide which bike to ride today: Jake, the cyclocross; Arrow, the mudguard winter ride; summer racing bike- Racelite. I’m recovering from a virus thing, so to be cautious- it’s cyclocross today. ‘Cross is not exhausting, simply difficult.
I dread bringing that virus back, as happened last week. A dose of exhaustion could be an invite to that damned bug. It’s gone on long enough already, more than two weeks. No chance of beating 6,000 miles this year then.
Never mind.
The ground should be still be firm, perhaps with some mud patches. Anyway, mud fun should be guaranteed. Perhaps the cattle will be away.
How it worked out:

image

Lay the bike down while I check the route.

Continue reading →

Too bright?

Posted on by
Reply

Are modern cycle lights too bright? I’ve just taken delivery of a Knogg Blinder. At 44 lumins it’s nearly double the brightness of the light it replaces.
Great, I feel safer. But. Is it a problem for anybody else, you know- drivers?

image

What prompted this is a comment by somebody at work. They complained that it bike lights are too bright and are annoying.
They can’t be as bright as an Audi, so are cyclists aiming their lights carelessly?
I suspect so. I fit two front lights, one aimed at eye level. The other, a brighter one, points downwards to pothole level. Sometimes, I turn the light left if on full power when there’s oncoming traffic. Also, there is no need for full beam in towns. Modern led lights are bright enough to ‘be seen’ on lowest power. Some riders do blaze away, probably unaware of how drivers see them. Drivers have a much lower eye-level than a cyclist, a factor that is worth considering.

Ride into the sunrise.

Posted on by
Reply

4°C, clear and still.
I rode Cross with MapMyRide+! Distance: 15.8mi, time: 01:25:29, pace: 5:25min/mi, speed: 11.07mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1185515511
Relaxing way to start the weekend. This ride, along my favourite canal loop is always different. Today, these wispy cones of mist rise from the still water. I tried to think of a word for them, what about ‘mist-maidens’?

image

Canals are getting squidgy

Posted on by
Reply

I rode The Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 16.25mi, time: 01:23:20, pace: 5:08min/mi, speed: 11.70mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1148282977
I have a pair of summer cyclocross tyres on order. They have a faster rolling file surface in the middle, and blocks at the sides.
image
However, the towpaths are soft again and quite muddy in parts. It’s seems that I don’t need these tyres this year.
The latest news in cycling is Gravel Bikes. They are like ‘cross bikes but for different geometry. The also make excellent commuting machines, most come with eyelets for guards and rack.
Gravel racing isn’t going to take off here, it’s not dry enough.

82 out of 100.

Posted on by
Reply

17°C, no wind, grey sky to start and light rain after lunch.
I rode Racelite with MapMyRide+! Distance: 82.56mi, time: 05:38:45, pace: 4:06min/mi, speed: 14.62mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1144905001
I wanted 100 but had to settle  with 82 miles today. Afternoon rain and tiredness counted against my effort. However, the bike was comfortable and it was warm enough to tolerate the drizzle without a waterproof.
image
The roads were remarkably quiet for a bank holiday weekend.
There are two things I like about this time of year: berries and mushrooms. This one was over 15cm in diameter. Magnificent.
image

To do: change the gear cable.

Suitcase.

Posted on by
Reply

34°C, very hot, wind has dropped. No cloud.
Your immune system is like airport security. If they find the slightest irregularity in your baggage, then they empty out your suitcase without a second’s thought.
That’s how my night has been. Maybe it was something I ate, or more likely – drank. I did stop by a roadside hut for fruit on the bike. The peaches were lovely, blood red and all juice. But what if the guy who served me hadn’t washed his hands?
In this heat, every drink stop is vital. At Montmaggiore, there is a standpipe by the main church. But, was it clean? I had to drink, no choice.

Corsica ride 2.

Posted on by
Reply

I rode BTwin with MapMyRide+! Distance: 31.74mi, time: 02:44:56, pace: 5:12min/mi, speed: 11.55mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1092923395
100times better.: enough breakfast, water and before the full heat of the day. Also, with a little fiddling with the gear adjuster screws, the bike offered all gear ratios. No need to feel the shame from getting off and walking the steepest hills. The lowest ratio is 32x 28, just right for this mountainous island.

BTwin in Corsica:1

Posted on by
Reply

I rode BTwin with MapMyRide+! Distance: 22.68mi, time: 02:05:10, pace: 5:31min/mi, speed: 10.87mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1091448741
Tough ride, tougher than it should have been, even considering the steep hills and tremendous heat.
image
Oh, and the very strong wind.
I felt terrible, maybe because I had too little breakfast. Also, this bike only has one bottle cage, so dehydration was a serious problem. In a few hours ride, I drank four bottles of water.
The return route was over familiar ground, but surfaces were rough.
The funniest bit was the flock of sheep being herded across the road. They were funny looking things, skinny legs and a very narrow snout. One was limping badly.

Caught in kite tails

Posted on by
Reply

22°C with a brisk SW. I’m bright sunshine.
I rode Racelite-8 with MapMyRide+! Distance: 58.20mi, time: 03:52:32, pace: 4:00min/mi, speed: 15.02mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1069477853

Sunday Ride to Bosworth Water Park. As I coasted in, a guy with kids held into their kite. The tails were long enough to get caught in my rear cassette. No tempers were frayed however. I tore the tail off because is was thick with oil and didn’t want any to get on the kids’ clothes.
I probably say this every year, but this bike is so comfortable on long rides, and reasonably quick too.