6°C, grey start with brisk W,
In a double room with a stranger, his name is Dave and he seems okay. I felt a little more than awkward. Kate last evening,
I introduced myself to two others in the bar. On their table saw their copy of the green book ‘Hillwalking’.
Meeting them did reduce my nerves somewhat.
6°C, some light rain,
Second climbing wall session with Carl. Consolidated last week’s techniques. We need to climb above 4+ for the In Pinn. We did climbs with overhang, with ledges and corners.
The best we did was 6b, the 6a defeated us both.
If my hands were stronger, I could sustain the holds while different options are tried. Or, if I had more skill, I wouldn’t need stronger hands.
Either way, we didn’t beat the 6a
I rode fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 49.63mi, time: 03:17:30, pace: 3:59min/mi, speed: 15.08mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1393579517
Perfect conditions for a spring ride. Both Dalton and Bannister hill were crested comfortably. The latter, slightly less so than last week. The rest of the day was at a decent pace.
With these light winds, a taller hear would work. Note to self: swap with summer wheels later in the month.
6°C, light N, grey with light rain.
It’s been 20 years since I did any rock climbing. Back then, I lived in Bristol and climbed in the Gorge. I swapped to cycling when it became apparent that it wouldn’t work in the winter. Also, solo climbing is not really a prospect either.
Carl, a few others and I will attempt the Inaccessible Pinnacle in June. We went to the climbing centre to get some skills.
The In Pin is a easily low grade climb, it’s just the exposure that intimidates some. Oh, and the weather.
First climbing wall session. Carl and I drove over to Wolverhampton for this booked induction session. Wolf Mountain is built in a converted old swimming pool. There are several rooms including a children’s space where we were taught how to belay. Once we’d ‘fallen’ off the wall the guy was happy to give us a pass.
Then we were free to climb and practise.
I wanted to be more fluent tieing the figure eight not, and Carl wanted his flat with no twist.
We’re soon to book a guide for the In Pinn. The following day, we do the Three-Peaks with Chris. Carl and I have done it before, but we’re happy to go along with Chris for a bit of mutual.
7°C, NE chilly breeze.
I rode Arrow with MapMyRide+! Distance: 18.40mi, time: 01:23:07, pace: 4:31min/mi, speed: 13.28mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1388479221
Started this morning’s commute with 999.9 miles on the collective clock.
The first mile, barely out of my home road clocked up the magic mile.
That’s the first milestone. Planning is underway for the Diamond challenge. Ambitious, but it looks doable. The main threatening variable is the weather.
Satisfied, moi?
14°C, light wind and clear sky, mostly. Ideal conditions.
I rode Fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 55.06mi, time: 03:36:22, pace: 3:56min/mi, speed: 15.27mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1383738887
Bannister Hill, Dalton and a decent pace for the rest of the day. Result.
A local rider tracked behind me up the climb, and I pulled away near the summit. ‘Did I do good?’ I said when he latched on when it levelled. If rode choice aluminium like with 10 gears. The descent was his though.
I rode Arrow with MapMyRide+! Distance: 54.12mi, time: 03:47:00, pace: 4:12min/mi, speed: 14.31mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1372582069
Dry salty roads, and a cold northerly.
Speed rose as time went by, and I turned for good only because I was cold. Wrong clothes.
It takes hours to warn up once home if you have been cold for along time. Days like these, I need a hot bath. The shower doesn’t do it.
I rode The Jake CX with MapMyRide+! Distance: 10.39mi, time: 01:46:36, pace: 10:16min/mi, speed: 5.85mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1371496079
Cold and deep mud, only once did I stop to run around the mud patches. The others, I powered though. Not once did I grind to a halt, nor fall off. Result!
Then a puncture.
The pump let me down, it barely offered any pressure so that after vigorous pumping, the tyre had lower pressure than before.
I will take it apart to see whether it is too dirty to keep pressure. Maybe, it’s just crap.
By now, the pressure is so low that I couldn’t ride, that meant a 4 mile walk home.
Good job that I like walking.
I rode the ‘paddy wagon’ with MapMyRide+! Distance: 28.20mi, time: 01:54:46, pace: 4:04min/mi, speed: 14.7mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1363319339
Took the flattest route. Warm-up was a full 12 miles. Yes, it took that long before I felt sort of normal. All that time a little voice told me I should go home.
I blame yesterday’s irregular food. I ate plenty in the morning, but didn’t have a proper evening meal.
The same thing gap happened in the past when I had chips for supper. I don’t have chips any more. Pizza is nearly as bad.
I look quite pale in the mirror.
5°C, negligible N breeze. Clear sky white dry salty roads.
Commute with MapMyRide+! Distance: 25.08mi, time: 01:43:03, pace: 4:07min/mi, speed: 14.60mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1360056929
Strange encounter: the ride home took me through Weeford. Weeford has a short part climb which is a bit narrow. Tonight, a cyclist started the hill before me with a weave to the right. His bike has a big plastic bag hanging by the back wheel. I called ‘on your left’ so I could pass as he swerved right. But at the last moment, he veered left forcing me to swerve right. ‘Okay, on your right’ I corrected.
Then, as I overtook, I said ‘good grief’. The guy is a hazard, mainly to himself, and to others.
As I rode up the hill, a tirade began:
‘Excuse me, what did you say?’
More incoherent shouting, the word ‘light’ came out. The shouting continued as I got to the top of the hill. Bizarre.
It’s no good to me to discuss the matter, I don’t care what the nutter thinks. He’s probably plucking bits of his bag out of the rear spokes as I write.
If he’s that annoyed then shut up, and get up the hill much faster.
That wasn’t the only encounter tonight. On Rosemary Hill Road, I passed a guy with no lights of any sort. At least he wore a tabard, but otherwise- darkness, car headlights often don’t reach high enough.
We stopped on a red and I said: ‘you ought to get lights,’ he said ‘I know’.
Let’s hope he does. Nobody wants to pass a cyclist lying in the road with a coat over his face one night.
Micycle 