Usually a bike ride, but this year a swim. In total, it’s a mile (with 2 more laps in case of a miscount). This term, swimming has been a regular twice weekly at the pool near to work.
Cycling has added up to 4,231 miles.
Last workout ’23
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Tag Archives: Cycling
Rivington 55
Kona Zing, 19°C, brisk E, breeze, bright sun.
Before setting off, I gave the bike a minor service. The main problem is sticky gear changes. I applied plenty of dry lube to gear cables and sheaths. The effect was immediate, lever pressure is lower, and most shifts are quick. Then later, a problem on one of the steeper climbs was the chain shed into the hub. That’s a simple screw adjustment to solve.
It’s been a fabulous day. The traffic was reasonably light and ths sun very bright. Spring is in full swing with light pink cherry blossom and vivid green foliage on show everywhere. Actually, I felt a little nostalgic about going to Rivington. I passed Biby’s Farm where I worked a few years ago and had a good time. I took some groups walking past the resevoirs and recognised some of the routes.
There were hazards though. The mottled shadows sometimes hid deep potholes which this bike doesn’t handle too well.
1st Quater summary
Rides from New Year to last day of March 2022
Normally I guage the start of the year aiming to get 1,000 miles done by Easter. Since Easter is the movable feast, I’m taking the last day of march this year. Easter has a range of a month, and it can be any sunday between March 22 to April 25. That puts the median easter at 11th April, but that seems like an awkward date to use.
The total for this time period is 1,687km, = 1,041 miles. Just inside!
Monthly total, (added retrospectively).
Annual Milage 2021
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Autumn storm chain.
12C, wet and showery, brisk SSW.
I rode Fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 28.99mi, time: 01:54:37, pace: 3:57min/mi, speed: 15.18mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1241984279
Only a short outing today. Dark skies threaten heavy rain carried in from the southern approaches. Those threats were carried out, but it was never cold.
Everywhere you look, some days, there are little inanimate characters.
Rainford loop.
I rode fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 30.75mi, time: 01:54:58, pace: 3:44min/mi, speed: 16.05mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1140508727
A quiet, flat route with good roads.
Only one week to go, and I’ve hardly been home. Got a ton of marking to complete next week.
A Spitfire.
I rode Paddy fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 54.6mi, time: 03:24:45, pace: 3:45min/mi, speed: 15.99mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1058575075
Unremarkable in some ways. I used a familiar route in reverse and climbed Dalton from the north. It was easier than I anticipated.
Passed this Spitfire parked at Woodvale. It could the Battle Of Britain machine, though it’s a late version, perhaps a Mark XIV.
Cross is difficult, but not hard.
I rode The Jake with MapMyRide+! Distance: 43.42mi, time: 04:14:44, pace: 5:52min/mi, speed: 10.23mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1049041503
finally decided to take my cyclocross bike up Cannock Chase. Winding my way through Chorley and the not to gentle Gentleshaw, then the getting lost started. Down fire tracks, bridleways and some roads. After losing the signs, I found a footpath with fat bike tracks fresh. In ‘cross style, I jumped off and ran the bike. It was the rounded pebble layered tracks that were the most daunting, especially where steep.
This bike has a lower gear than I’m used to, 36×30. All the weight was on the rea;, a few times, the front lifted even when leant over the bars. Out of the saddle, the rear tyre would spin. I need more skill.
Still, I got to the Visitor’s Centre without falling off. And coffee.
My next waypoint was the canal at Great Hay. The route to the canal was less than ideal, an A road. There must be a better path.
From there, the towpath wound it’s way home all level.
The final leg along the towpath was flat, dry and all about vibration. By now, I was hungry and keen to get a meal.
Solstice Ride.
Strong wind, 14°C, sunny with some grey times.
I rode fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 48.18mi, time: 03:06:10, pace: 3:52min/mi, speed: 15.53mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1038647175
Today, I struggled to even get fifty miles done. Felt empty by the finish. Some rides are like this.
And so it came to pass.
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Contact!
18°C, breezy, grey and some light rain.
Rode The Jake to work for the return by canal.
This morning’s ride saw 4 drivers using mobiles and 2 more who jumped red lights. But the funny bit:
Small women have trouble getting a good driving position in their car. Often they can barely see over the steering wheel and their elbows almost touch the wheel. But today, another one had a position like that. This one though, her boobs almost touched the wheel. It is certain that each time she broke the car, they would contact the steering wheel more definitely.
Micycle 