Ogwen valley, d1

Posted on 10th Aug 2026 by essiep

25°C, strong sun & light breezes, very dry

Journey: Why so long? It’s 120 miles by the route I chose but 3½ hours. The M6 was jammed as was the M56. In each, there was no visible reason apart from the density of the traffic. Cotswold shop suggested I phone the campsite because the last person to ask found it full. But they’d rang on a Friday. Say no more.

Gwern Gorf Isaf, Campsite : This has really updated well. There are lots of facilities that weren’t there last time; about 12 years ago. There are electric points to charge devices, the showers are nicely done out and a coffee hut (a horse box). The Caffe has a proper Italian machine and the coffee itself was very good.

Hike: behind the camp, there’s a grassy hanging valley that leads onto the Glyders ridge. The idea was to scope out a location for Wednesday’s eclipse. It’s 1½ hours to get on the col, had a wander around and made the descent East of Tryfan. This is a really good route down and I may use it again.

Back at camp. The sun was fully visible at the crucial 7pm, it shone along the valley making a hilltop vantage unnecessary. I had the camp to myself that first night.

Cube standard route.

Posted on 10th Aug 2026 by essiep

22°C, light SW, strong sun.

This is turning into a long range week. Nevertheless, my legs said ‘go’. The ride was mixed pace with steady sections.

Anyway, what’s been going on here? There’s a carpark next to the canal. Has there been some ‘digging

Angkezarke.

Posted on 2nd Aug 2026 by essiep

25°C, sunny with cloud building, winds light.

More adjustments: tilt the bars down and move the brake hoods up. It seems much better now, numb hands has gone on this relatively long ride.

Gentle cyclo-cross.

Posted on 30th Jul 2026 by essiep

19°C, NW breeze and bright sun. Overnight rain has dried and and haze has gone.

Snack by the roundabout

This is meant as a recovery ride. I’ve been out every day this week (on my new bike). The day was bright and the wind moderate. Perfect conditions.

Heatwave IV.

Posted on 28th Jul 2026 by essiep

Cube Attain, 24°C, brisk SW, bright sun

A village community centre marks a breakpoint on this regular route. It has a bench with a view. Problem is – someone was already sitting there. I asked whether she minded if I joined & she said yes. We got chatting and had much in common. She’s a physiotherapist etc etc.

This is a good location for a chat. Remember the guy I warned about the road closure & the attractive police officer? It was also here this year.

Lastly, I have.my energy back after a few days feeling empty. Good day.

Burnout.

Posted on 25th Jul 2026 by essiep

17-22°C, brisk W, sunny start but building clouds (rain forecast).

The current hot phase is ending this weekend; rain is due from lunchtime today so I set out early. Starting out today was sluggish, warm-up took longer. After an adrenaline shot from an arrogant driver, my pace stepped up. Bannister lane was okay but the last quarter of the ride felt hard.

I got home feeling empty. This week’s distance is 213 km is high, especially over 9h 55 hours.

Cube; first ride (at home)

Posted on 22nd Jul 2026 by essiep

19-22°C, cloud & sunny later.

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.

Posted on 20th Jul 2026 by essiep

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.

Posted on 19th Jul 2026 by essiep

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.

Hot, humid Mallorca