First - of hopefully many - ride in retirement today. Can't say as it felt any easier, but that might have been the wind, it was a bit blowy on the way out, but a boon on the return. Managed to avoid any showers, but I'd not missed a heavy one by much as the roads from New Whittington to Dunston were saturated.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7194512150/

Another warm, sunny afternoon, but too windy again. Undeterred I left work early and did a Twycross Bypasser. Wanted to do at least 31 miles to hit the May target (400 miles), but I did a bit of an excursion down the Dad's Army route, and ended up on 36.01.

Came back through Shenton, I should do that more often. Lovely along there.



Saw a helicopter taking off near Measham again. A red one, looked very shiny in the sunshine. I have no idea why there's an ad-hoc heliport in a field next to a B road near Measham.

Nice ride apart from the irritating occasional headwind.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7212307672

Nearly the end of May and I still haven't managed a Fondo. Getting closer though, just 10% short today, but I think my endurance has endured enough and buggered off.

Nice to be out with very little wind, it may have been  a bit of headwind up Padley gorge, but I was going so steadily it made no difference. Managed to get in over 4,000 feet of climbing for only the second time this year. Doubt I'll make a 100 miles of it this year, but we'll see. Heard my first Cuckoo in ages today too, the Curlew were calling after a bit of a gap too.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7217580769

I felt rough this morning. Low on energy and washed out. Took me until 10:40 to get out of bed. But with rain forecast over the next couple of days I thought I should go out and do 30 or so. I'm on call so I couldn't do a long one anyway.

With the wind coming from the north-east, I thought I'd do the eastbound route for a bit and come back. When I got to the A6 junction though I pondered the road sign to Loughborough and thought - why not? So I took the A6 into Loughborough.

My visit to the celebrated Leicestershire market town mostly consisted of cruising along its dual carriageways, but at least it was quiet. I did take a brief detour into the suburbs though to visit my ex-girlfriends' parents house, where I stayed a few times in the late '80s when I was still living in Hartlepool. I don't think they've lived there for many years, but it was a nice sentimental excursion along memory lane.

After that I was faced with the choice of coming back homeward along the main A road, which I didn't think would be particularly safe, and the more urban route along Snells Nook Lane and Copy Oak Road, which I knew would involve a tedious uphill slog. I settled on the latter. At least it made a change. I could just have come home the way I'd come of course but I probably wouldn't have remembered the way.

Picked up a few spots of rain in Ibstock, but only for a couple of minutes.

Back on 27.24 miles, seemed like quite a lot of work for that distance but I was already over target for May.

It was unusually cold so I wrapped up warm, with my Union Jack dutt. Lots of flags out for the Platinum Jubilee so I must have blended into the surroundings quite nicely. Saw a couple of persons of colour out on their bikes and I made a point of giving them a friendly smile and a wave - because cycling is for everyone, and our flag stands for respect and inclusion.

When the sun came out I overheated a bit. Nice run out nonetheless. Something a bit different for a Sunday afternoon.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7222565594

Just noticed that I have 2112 miles to go, to hit my yearly target (4200 miles).

Was a bit worried about today in the week, as the forecast was for it to ne a bit chilly. I Knew Saturday would be fine for short sleeves and bib shorts but today might have necessitated more and I have to wear the same outfit at least twice as if I put to the wash after one wear Mrs S goes Full Tonto on me...

I needn't have worried, the sun was out and it even though the wind was a Northerly it wasn't too cold and riding uphill warms you up a bit. Got a bit chilly going downhill, but that wasn't as bad as when my chain came off going down through Old Brampton, it's a very bumpy road and it quite often gets bounced from large to small chainring, but today it dropped off the small too 

There were a lot of shitty drivers about today too, I got close passed, left hooked, drivers pulling out on me and just lots of general crap passing - 20 yards from a roundabout, giving me room but heading straight for an oncoming driver, ignoring my signals that I'm turning right. If Mrs S saw them she wouldn't let me out again!

Anyway I did 40 miles on roads less travelled today to get to 190 for the week, best weekly total of teh year.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7222980322

Did our small 17 mile loop on the mtbs today. Threatened rain but didn't materialise.
Did my good samaritan bit by helping a lady that had dropped her chain on her sit-up-and-beg.

bike service last week

Amazing what they feel like after one, once the brand news tyres have worn a little it will be super quick as well

interesting that I always end up with play in the headset, which needs fixing each time. Dont know if thats an issue with Cube bikes, or my weight through the bars, but I bet a lot has to do with our shot roads

Always like a new chain as well, something reassuring about it clicking nicely between the gears

Quote from: Jonners on May 31, 2022, 10:20:13 AMbike service last week

Amazing what they feel like after one, once the brand news tyres have worn a little it will be super quick as well

Did you have to clean the bike first? How much did it cost, if you don't mind me asking?

Always done my own maintenance and servicing so far, but I'm by no means an expert mechanic.

so, it wasnt cheap this time as tyres are now crazy expensive (£120 for 2 x GP5000) and 11sp Chain £34.99

But, the basic service was £40, and then additional labour £47. Was here for a couple of ours (he is a mobile guy)

I was disappointed with the cost of a new chain last time, I must admit. But I definitely would not pay £120 for a pair of tyres. I went with Finncis last time, £35 for a pair (in March). They're on the second Boardman.

They're a bit cheaper now, I've just noticed. I'm not fussed with brand loyalty so much, I do shop around.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08BFW6HQC

Quote from: Jonners on May 31, 2022, 11:09:23 AMso, it wasnt cheap this time as tyres are now crazy expensive (£120 for 2 x GP5000) and 11sp Chain £34.99

But, the basic service was £40, and then additional labour £47. Was here for a couple of ours (he is a mobile guy)

£120 for two tyres! That's some tyre. I'm more than happy with my Michelin Pro 3 Race but I know you're waaaaay more into your cycling than me 

Quote from: David L on May 31, 2022, 11:21:40 AM

Quote from: Jonners on May 31, 2022, 11:09:23 AMso, it wasnt cheap this time as tyres are now crazy expensive (£120 for 2 x GP5000) and 11sp Chain £34.99

But, the basic service was £40, and then additional labour £47. Was here for a couple of ours (he is a mobile guy)

£120 for two tyres! That's some tyre. I'm more than happy with my Michelin Pro 3 Race but I know you're waaaaay more into your cycling than me 

I wont be doing that again with the tyres, I didnt realise how much they were tbh!

I have some michelin ones, might be Pro 3 race actually on my other bike, or certainly similar, and think they are great

Its done now,so no  point stressing, but it wont happen again.

Quote from: Jonners on May 31, 2022, 10:20:13 AMbike service last week

Amazing what they feel like after one, once the brand news tyres have worn a little it will be super quick as well

interesting that I always end up with play in the headset, which needs fixing each time. Dont know if thats an issue with Cube bikes, or my weight through the bars, but I bet a lot has to do with our shot roads

Always like a new chain as well, something reassuring about it clicking nicely between the gears

Tried booking my Bianchi in for a service - at last - today, my man doesn't have a spare day until 21st June. It really needs a rear derailleur cable - and I'm not attempting Ultegra with internal routing - he hopes he can do that for me on Friday afternoon.

I was going for what he calls a full service+ where he takes the bike to bits and reassembles. Charges £90 for that. I need my good Giant doing too, but haven't yet replaced the front chainrings which were an advisory last time around as they are getting worn. I think the Giant also needs a new freehub and I can't afford to have that done too. The Giant always seems to have play in the headset too.

Chains I replace whenever my chain checker tells me to.

I'm off work tomorrow, there's a light wind coming from the East, going to be dry all day and warmish most of it - sounds very much like the yearly Norfolk & back run is on the cards. 176 miles (although I may add a few to bump it up to 180, which would be a career second-best).

Slightly concerned that some or most of the shops will be shut but I've plotted the locations of a couple of petrol stations on the route. And hopefully the roads will be quiet-ish.

long day in the saddle

I, on the other hand, will be jet washing horse stables, as there has been a Pin Worm outbreak

I think the phrase rhymes with "clucking bell"