Category Archives: Travel

Cube; first ride (at home)

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19-22°C, cloud & sunny later.

Setup at home complete.

Before collection, the shop mechanic put a longer stem on and then boxed it up for the trip to England. Firstly, a few notes on the spec: it’s about 8.6 kg in weight, 60cm frame (I’d prefer a 62cm though that is only 5mm longer in reach).

First ride. out in England this turned into quite a long ride (56 miles). Note: I did 4 rides in Mallorca but the setup is slightly different. Now it has a Charge Spoon saddle and a 130mm stem. The fit is far better, the front hub lines up with the bars and I’m not sitting on the back of the seat so much. Reach is always a problem for me and this inline seatpost doesn’t help. I expect the longer stem would make it feel less twitchy in comparison

I had to include the climb up Bannister lane to see how it feels on that 8% incline. All is good! The most prolonged gange in comparison with my Columbus Max steel bike is comfort & weight. I am no longer predominantly in the lowest gears. In fact, on flat ground, I’m using the larger chainring mostly. The general feel is smooth with low surface buzz from tarmac.

I’m delighted.

Amber heat warning.

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This bike is now mine.

The weather is getting harder. Temperature is due to go over 35°C & humidity over 80%. That will feel very oppressive, even the Spanish are grumbling about it.

Today’s route was low level to keep on top of the building heat. Heat is a big deal this summer, or should I say – humidity. 37°C + 95% humidity makes it impossible to cool down anywhere.

Extremely hot Mallorcan  climb.

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30-43°C (indicated), stiff breeze

Chose the same short route as yesterday & this morning. It’s a good climb with an excellent view at the top. Nonetheless, the heat was intense at times.

Each day, the pattern is the same. Morning is misty (with very high humidity) and that clears somewhat in the afternoon to bright sunshine. There is no escaping the heat. It seems that hotels’ Aircon can’t even keep up. While out, sheltering under a tree is not enough either. There’s no escape.

Race day.

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10°C, light S, dry & bright.

Saddle.

A fun circuit round a familiar 23 mile route. 

Today is The Grand  National where thousands get dressed up to go and watch live horse whipping. The winning horse ended the day in tragedy. And as if I didn’t hate horse racing enough, this happened…

Through the last village I looked across to see a woman dressed up as if to go to a wedding. But she was on all fours with her head down looking between her hands. And there between her hands was a puddle of yellow vomit.

I felt disgusted by that sight and that these people support a sport that is usually associated with animal cruelty.

Ribble Coastal Path

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This was supposed.

This was supposed to be a relaxing hour long loop. It was harder and longer. The ground was hard & cracked on the sea defence dyke which hammered my hands and reduced speed to about 6 mph. Eventually, I got to Tarleton at 6 pm and hungry.

The return was easier on normal tarmac. Anyone thinking of rising this part of the National Coastal Path might consider using front suspension ( if you have that choice).