I did it! Went out!

It was lovely, heart was fine, head was fine, weather was beautiful. 51 miles at 18.4mph so not too bad for the first time in forever

First 16 miles straight into quite a stiff easterly breeze, so really feeling it after about 20 miles, but battled on.

Bike seemed in decent order too, nothing rattling or clunking

Quote from: Jonners on March 21, 2022, 08:42:52 AMI did it! Went out!

It was lovely, heart was fine, head was fine, weather was beautiful. 51 miles at 18.4mph so not too bad for the first time in forever

First 16 miles straight into quite a stiff easterly breeze, so really feeling it after about 20 miles, but battled on.

Bike seemed in decent order too, nothing rattling or clunking

Decent pace over that distance. I'd be blowing out my arse - well done!

Didn't think I'd get round to it so soon, but since I'd decided to go for a longish ride tomorrow rather than today I used the pleasant weather to erect my maintenance stand in the sunshine outside the garage door, attach the Planet X to it and fit a new chain.

First however, I dismantled the jockey assembly and removed the wheels to give them a good clean. Got to admit, they were gross. A bit of patience, an old rag and some GT85.

During my lunch break today I took advantage of the nice weather to fit a new inner tube and two new tyres onto Boardman II. Beautiful day, sunny, light winds and easily warm enough for exposed legs so I left work early and took the new tyres (and inner tube) for a spin.

Normally I wouldn't do more than 25 or so with a new component, but I wanted to do at least 40 and I took the risk. I thought I might even do a Fondo - but probably not, since the weather looks good on Saturday as well when I'll have more time for a long ride.



I did the southbound route. Kept going south as far as Dunton Bassett. I'd usually continue on to Gilmorton from there, but since I was about to turn back I took a different turn, to go exploring a little. This took me to a village called Ashby Magna. From there, rather than turning back to come the same way, I followed a sign back to Dunton Bassett which looped me back round to the usual route after about a mile.

Really nice run out. Nice to have the old legs out again. I did take a pair of tights in my backpack and was tempted to put them on when the temperature dropped after sunset. I didn't bother. But interestingly I found myself pedalling back into warmer air, now and then. The dip between Ibstock and Ravenstone though was like being lowered into ice water.

Back on 48.97 miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6877352086

I do think the second Boardman looks better with plain black tyres.

I'm pissed off that the weather's bloody lovely - warm, dry, sunny, no wind - and I'm still suffering from COVID  Just my bloody luck.

At least you can sit in the garden with a beer or two

Not even got any beer in the house...

recovery days nick

Doing my Market Bosworth loop tomorrow, already excited about riding through Barton in the Beans, my favourite place name in the world

Carrick hills run again.. which gets me up to 500 miles since the New Year
Another glorious day....

A lovely day was forecast, with plenty of sunshine and a light wind from the east. The plan was to do at least a fondo, but possibly 100 if I got up early enough.

I did get up at 0730, and I set off at 0805 on the Cannondale. I'd decided to do the first 50 miles of the Norfolk route, then come back. And that's pretty much what I did, although I went slightly further than 50 miles.

Just lovely out there. I took a fleece and a pair of tights in my backpack because I assumed it would be cooler later but I didn't need them. In the end I was a bit annoyed with myself for bringing them. Glad I was able to top up my tan lines a bit.

As usual I stopped for a feast at the village shop at Buckminster, ideally situated 40 miles from home.

Listened to more of my audiobook, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch. Must admit it did draw me in a little though more because I was interested in the fantasy universe in which the story takes place than the story itself, which still feels a bit directionless. Also listened to footy chat on 5 Live, Gilles Peterson on 6 Music and a bit of the England game on Talk Sport.

Really a glorious run out. I love that part of the world east of Eastwell. Quite pleased as well that I managed to navigate the 50 miles without recourse to Google Maps, although I've done the first 31 many times.



Lots of pheasant out at the moment. I saw a very recently expired one on the road at Stonesby, but a public-spirited chap out walking a dog thoughtfully removed it from the road and threw it into the hedge at the side of the road as I was passing. I think it had been hit by a car. Very quick, I'm sure.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6887232446

That was a breeze. Pick a warm day and eat like a horse. That's the key to doing long rides without wearing yourself out.

Back half an hour before sunset, on 101.30 miles. 464 this month, pretty good going for a March and 1182 this year.

The only pheasant I've seen today have been in my back garden. I need to get out on the bike, but I've not even had it in me to clean and lube the chain. Maybe things will start to come good in April.

Had a lot on recently but managed to get the pale white legs out this weekend.

Did my Bosworth ride, longest ride since heart troubles last year.
Time in the saddle is a massive thing when you have been use dto doing hour long zwift sessions.

Felt like a first time cyclist again, slightly sore neck, shoulders etc

But the roads, heavens above some of them are shit! My wrists elbows and arse at the end were sore, god knows what its doing to my rims and tyres

Even with the brighter evenings I think that's March done. Bike has gone in for a service (brake pads and handlebar tape, gear check etc) so I'm not sure when I'll get it back. Steady progress has seen me get to 407kms for the year with 175 of those in March. (Yes I know Slim virtually managed my whole monthly total with one trip but we are where we are!)

Hoping for at least 250kms in April but we'll see how we get on.

2 idiot drivers on the spin on Saturday.  Both thought they could see round corners and knew better than me that they could go past even though I was signalling for them not to do so.  Both forced the cars I could see coming to brake to avoid a collision. Mindless!

Beautiful day with very little wind to speak of made it a very pleasant trip

Yesterday evening would have been better for cycling - warmer and less windy - but I felt tired all day, partly I think due to the change to BST - and I didn't bother. But I wanted to test ride the X since I'd replaced the chain and had the jockey wheel assembly in bits. Didn't have that much time after work today but a Twycrosser seemed in order.



Mostly cloudy but the sun did come out now and then. I wrapped up warm and was comfortable. The bike's working fine though some of the higher gear changes felt a bit rough. I wonder if the rear gear cable's fraying? Will have a close look. Actually it's not that long since I changed it, it won't be that.

26.93 miles, pleasant run out. 490 done this month and if I do another 25 on Thursday, I believe that'll be a March Personal Best.

Very nice to be putting the bike away in daylight.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6903056873