We’re having a very mild autumn. 12-16°C has been typical this last few weeks. Last week was half term and for a few days, I was in shorts. Now in November and still riding the summer bike.
#weirdweather.
Tendonitis has left the left Achilles tendon and relocated to the right one. Hence, all these recent rides being short (20 to 35 miles).
17°C with a brisk Westerly. A few short but heavy showers raced through.
That was good, not the most impressive average speed but it felt good . There was only the faintest stiffness from the Achilles Tendonitis which is a gratifying improvement.
18°C, moderate Westerly and sunny later.
That felt good, I could have ridden more but home needs were pressing. Fine tuning the position has helped greatly, the bars are turned up a bit and the stem is shorter and higher. He aim was to ride up Bannister Lane, he nearest decent climb round here. My old fashioned, narrow gears means it’s all out of the saddle. After the summit, I usually feel refreshed.
28 ~42+°C, light breeze, strong sun.
That was a very hard day. I picked a route similar to a previous visit in 2016, up to Lluc about then south to return at low level. The day was hot to begin with and it’s likely that I was not fully hydrated. I really suffered from the 2nd hour onwards. My legs were empty on the climbs and I ran out of water just before the summit. In all, I drank at least 4 litres and was still dehydrated. It seems likely that I was not fully hydrated to start the day and no fully acclimatised either.
Anyway, the bike was a Cube Attain Disc 60 cm. It’s not my favourite on from recent years (the Ridely was though). The reach wasn’t quite right for me and the handling is a bit twitchy on the climbs. The brakes were great thought, especially on those fast descending hairpins going south.
The day got hotter and hotter; in Caimari, the pharmacy showed 40°C on their sign. Some of the south facing valleys were definitely hotter than that – perhaps 45°C.
18°C, calm, dry & sunny.
Rode apace today. My cruising speed improved after the cafe stop.
24°C, full sun & light wind.
I chose a route to take the climb to Col de Soller from north towards Palma. There was none of the expected shade climbing this way but it felt better than last year.
I was convinced the frame had a few cracks. I was wrong about this – the problem was some protective tape in the frame. No doubt the stuff was applied to prevent the frame getting scratched. It was the edges of the tape that felt like cracks in my fingers.
22°C full sun and light wind.
Rode a known route to Fornalutx from Deia. The bike is a little creaky compared with last year; perhaps it’s getting old. Some of the lower gear changes were poor despite the electric Ultegra Di2 shift. Odd that. I didn’t see the hirer to say. There were other issues too.
18°C, light onshore breeze & full sun.
Since riding that Ridley the other day, I decided to raise the saddle a fair bit. The position had the saddle high and forward. Perhaps the previous.ruder was a time-trialist. Anyway, getting back on mine made it obvious that my seat was too low.
Racelite, 11°C, sunny and dry.
My fitness has declined. Although I swam twice a week and ridden at weekends, it’s still low. On the upside, the racelite has a replaced Chorus rear mech and the cables are well lubricated. The gearshift is brilliant now!
11C, fresh but bright. Getting sunny, light SE breeze.
I’ve been too ill to ride this week. I’ve not even walked to the outdoor gym. I don’t know what it was but I had no energy and many, many sleeps, I barely went out.
Anyway, out I’ve been. This actually may be the last ride on this bike this year. There were several places where my narrow, smooth 25c tyres precariously rolled over compacted black mud. One of them while being closely tailgated by an impatient car.
Micycle 