Cycling 2022

[Slim]

Looked a lovely day for a bike ride but I decided to go out tomorrow rather than today. Might do 100. I did relube two bikes and give them a bit of a clean (using Dettol bathroom wipes! Lovely smell).

I should give them a proper wash really, but I did degunk the sprocket wheels.

I washed two cars as well, pretty productive day.

[Nickslikk2112]

Dropped back down to a 40 miler today. Didn't feel as much of a cyclist today, but then looking at the other folk out on the road today I soon picked up don't know where all the "Big Boys" were, maybe on extended rides or sat at home watching the Giro.

I'd told Mrs S that it would just be a gentle spin today, perhaps 40 miles at 16 mph. It was a gentle spin but came in at 16.9, that's a mile per hour quicker than a few months back, but I suppose I'm on a Summer bike now, not a Winter one. It makes a difference.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7109586724/

[David L]

Had our first ride out on the road bikes since the wife's op. A gentle 27 miles. She did great. Glorious weather. Nearly opted for a long-sleeved top as a second layer because the sun was not out when we were getting ready. Mighty pleased I decided against it.
The countryside around here is starting to look spectacular.

[Slim]

Lovely day for cycling with a light wind coming from the east. I wanted to do an Imperial Fondo, a term I've just coined for a 100 mile ride, and the Norfolk route, or part of it, seemed the obvious choice.

I was slightly concerned, when I got to Waltham, to find that both shops there were closed. I'd only brought a cornish pasty and a flapjack. But I stopped at a bench there and ate the pasty anyway, in the hope that I'd find a place open later on. Happily the village shop at Buckminster was still open for another half hour (good timing) so I stocked up on goodies there, and ate some of them at the bench outside. I particularly enjoyed the ice cream choc lolly.

I like that place, but when I inspected the chicken sandwich I'd bought there about 25 miles later, I noticed that it had a "Use by 5th May" label. Bit of a black mark.

I wore tights and three layers on top as it was definitely a bit cool when I set off, but the tights and an upper layer came off at Waltham. I was fine for a while after that but definitely still too warm for a couple of hours later on.

I confess I have not been maintaining my legs in the proper cyclist fashion and some of my leg hairs are alarmingly long now. I think it's an age thing. I must sort them out soon.

I took a different route after Buckminster than last time I went this far, although I have been the same way before. I hope to do Norfolk and back again this year sometime and I think today's option is a bit better. Better road surfaces and I think a little less climbing, though I will check that.

Nice sunny warm day, really nice day out on a bike. I was back about an hour before sunset and I did feel a bit guilty for not doing a longer ride. I didn't set off particularly early either, about 09:10. But I didn't have time to do the whole Norfolk shebang and just doing another 20 or 30 miles in that direction feels a bit pointless.



I went a bit further than 50 miles though which gave me the opportunity to take a slightly quicker route back (through Wymeswold and Rempstone again) to change things up a bit.

Listened to part two of the Cyberman audio series, Fear. Brilliant stuff. Also footy on 5 Live, although Arsenal took the suspense out of their game against Leeds somewhat by scoring twice in the first 10 minutes. Man City committed a similar offence later on against Newcastle so I flipped to Radio Leicester to listen to Leicester vs Everton which was a bit more interesting.

100.36, 174 this month.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7110306227

[Slim]

I'd been looking forward to doing a Bypasser after work and the weather was nice enough today - dry, partly sunny and warm enough for exposed legs. Too windy, though. But hey ho.

Nice views into Staffordshire going along Orton Lane.

My left cleat wouldn't clip in. It was hooking in nicely at the front though, so I tolerated it. Will replace it tomorrow. It was fine last time I wore those particular shoes (I choose them at random in the garage), but probably used on a different bike.

I listened to 5 Live Drive, which was mainly concerned with the news that Deborah James, the podcaster who was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer five years ago, is now receiving end-of-life care at home. There was a recorded interview with her.

Listeners were warned that it would be a tough listen, and it certainly was - not only because Deborah was audibly scared and upset, but also because Tony Livesey, who interviewed her, was improbably gushing and mawkish. But since he's something of a personal friend of the poor woman, I forgave him.

I certainly counted myself lucky, as I pedalled the rest of the way round, to have a decent probability of another twenty or thirty years myself.

31.04 miles and that's 206 this month. Happy with that for ten days into May.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7120464079

Just looking at the forecast and Saturday looks a terrific cycling day - if I timed it properly I could do a Fondo with a tailwind both ways, albeit a very light one. But I'm on call.

[Nickslikk2112]

And 40 miles again today. My brother came over to do some Executorship type of things today and discuss a bit of form filling, so I didn't get out until after 4.

Because of the late start I decided just to try my regular Saturday 40 miler with the option to bail out earlier if necessary. Last time I did it I couldn't think how I'd once averaged over 17 mph on it. Today I think I realised, being as I averaged just shy of 17. You need a nice warm day and still winds and job's a good 'un.

And a curse on e-bikes. I was about to turn left and do a bit of uphill and two Mountain bikers came along the road I was turning on to ahead of me. I thought I'd blast by them and show them my "Roadie" skills. Couldn't even catch them up despite doing 15 mph for most of the climb. Of course by the time I did catch them it was obvious that they were assisted.

So 40 miles and another 3,000+ feet of climbing sees me complete May's Strava climbing challenge.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7142501012

[pdw1]

M3: Cyclist found riding along motorway arrested
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-61448903
A cyclist found pedalling along a motorway has been arrested after refusing to stop for police.

He was spotted heading north in lane two of the M3 at junction 13 for Eastleigh at about 05:00 BST.

As officers tried to stop the cyclist he switched lanes and continued to cycle along the outside lane.

The 28-year-old from Southampton was forced to stop on a verge and arrested for causing danger to road users and suspected possession of Class A drugs.

Rule 253 of the Highway Code states that UK motorways must not be used by pedestrians, cyclists and certain other vehicles.

[Slim]

On call again today and I did get a call at 0150 this morning, so I wasn't in the most enthusiastic mood for cycling when I got up. But it was a lovely warm day. I thought I'd do 40-odd at least. I'd undoubtedly have done a Fondo if I hadn't been on call, but I couldn't stray too far from base today.

No firm plan in mind, I set off on the southbound route to start off. When I got to Ellistown I thought I'd take a detour along Beveridge Lane, but I got lost on the industrial estate there. Ended up looping back to where I'd taken the detour from, four miles later. Quite interesting to see those places, though. There's a huge Amazon distribution centre and some other massive blocky buildings. They must be visible from the Moon.

Anyway from there I continued on the southbound as normal, went down just beyond Kirkby Mallory then did a sort of partial Reverse Twycrosser from Kirkby, although I bypassed Twycross and came home the quick way through Bilstone and Shackerstone from Sheepy.

Really nice to do the bit along Atterton Lane and Mythe Lane again, especially in that weather.



So nice out there and I've topped up my tan lines quite nicely. Listened to more of my Cyberman audio adventure. Gripping. Just the fourth part left now. Can the need to resist a common enemy bring peace between humanity and the androids? Or will the Cybermen slaughter all the androids and convert all the humans into emotionless automata?

Then the buildup to, and start of the FA Cup. I set myself a target of getting home before Liverpool scored their first goal, which turned out to be easier than I thought.

46.19 and that's 251 this month, 1907 this year. Last year it took me until the end of May to get over 1900.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7142686145

[Nickslikk2112]

Thought I might get in a 55 mile ride today. Looks like I massively underestimated how long my planned route would be as it ended up at 45 miles. Still, it's more than 40.

I also massively underestimated how much traffic there would be out and about today because of the Chatsworth Horse Trials - hope the Equine bastards were found guilty - and roadworks at one of the exits to Chatsworth. I got a wannabe MGIF in a manky old min bus at the lights. Twat just sat in behind me revving away and essaying attempts to come by, but there was no bloody point as I was keeping up with the traffic ahead of me 

At least traffic was light for my first ascent of Padley Gorge for the year. Quite happy with my time
up it too, it came out much quicker than it felt.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7148200416/

[Jonners]

went to Hatton Locks at the weekend, a 66 mile round trip for me.

its not a massive fave of mine, as about 1/3rd of te ride is retracing steps, which I hate doing.

double puncture with 30 to go. By some miracle, a had two spares with me, and a pump instead of gas. Pissed me off though. Our roads are shit

[Slim]

Warm out there, but the BBC weather forecast had rain starting on the 8pm slot - which I take to mean any time between 7:30pm and 8:30pm.

I left work early enough to do about 40 miles before getting rained on, and with a stiff wind coming from the south I decided on the southbound route. I did about 21 miles, then turned back and came home the same way.



And I did get home before 7:30pm, but unfortunately the rain started coming down with 20 minutes to go. Actually though it felt quite refreshing. Much worse when it's cold. I was annoyed at having to wipe down and water-repel the bike on my return though.

Listened mostly to Drive on 5 Live, which in classic BBC style was mostly a propaganda broadcast about acceptance of migrants, before degenerating into an anti-government opinion piece. Perhaps I'll write and suggest that they spend a similar amount of air time talking to people who have to live with the negative consequences of immigration. I'll let you know what they say.

Anyway I did enjoy that ride despite the precipitation. Hope to go further down that route soon, when I have time.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7159913673

42.72 miles, 294 this month. Need to do at least another 106 before June.

[Nickslikk2112]

Last Saturday I thought I was about back to being a cyclist again. Now I feel like a novice again. Been suffering from a cold all week and even if I'd felt like going out, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings were just too damp and miserable. Got out on Thursday, but took it steadily.

Having said all that, I managed my longest ride of the year today at 53 miles, that was down to just riding round on the moors after my second ascent up to them, it's reasonably flat and nice just to pootle around a bit on. The roads were busy though, they're not normally that busy when Tansley Sunday market is on.

On Thursday, I had to take back a bit of what I say about BMW drivers. I was riding along towards a roundabout when one pulled alongside me and wound the window down. Great I thought, more mindless insults coming. But no, it was to tell me my rear light had fallen off. Thank you that man. I managed to retrieve it, but have now lost the cover for the USB charger bit. I think someone must have clipped it as the on/off button is now flush with the end of the light. More expense.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7180267510/

[Nickslikk2112]

Managed to annoy an Audi SUV driver today. The fact that if he'd driven sensibly I wouldn't have annoyed him (as much) is immaterial to his entitled pea brain. I was turning left at a junction, he was coming the other way and wanted to turn right - surprisingly he'd paid the three grand to have his indicators wired up - and just pulled across straight in front of me. I had to brake, so shook my head at him and shouted "AUDI DRIVING SCUM" as you do. I could hear him shouting away as he drove off, so shook my head again.

Mr Audi then stopped and asked me out of the window if I'd like to get off my bike so we could discuss things properly, because obviously I thought I was special. I told him that I didn't discuss things with my fists and that a quick perusal of the Highway Code would give him all he needed to know. I then rode off, all the while hearing him shout "WHY DO YOU THINK YOU'RE SPECIAL". I'm surprised he didn't come after me. I can only think that Barrow Hill, where we stopped was his destination. Now one thing I've known all my life is the propensity of the residents of Barrow Hill to punch people in the face first, ask questions later. It's obviously still the case. Why do some people have such a visceral hatred of cyclists?

Apart from that it was a nice enough 40 miler and I had drivers who were courteous to me on country lanes and I was courteous to drivers. It's easy, even if you are misanthropic sociopath like me.

Still, I suppose I better avoid Barrow Hill for a bit, I'm always a bit wary riding through there at the best of times as its full of feral kids who look like they'll knock you off your bike to flog it for drugs.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7186142819

[Slim]

Not sure I'd be in the mood for cycling this afternoon, following a 230 mile drive back from South Wales, where I spent the last few days - but after a 90 minute rest and a bit of lunch, I felt well up for it. Rain is forecast for tomorrow evening and I wanted to make a bit of progress to this month's target (400 miles).

Lovely afternoon for it - warm, bright (not quite sunny) and light winds. I did what I think I once termed a "Twycrosser with Orton Detour", a bit like the "Bypasser" route except that it goes right into Twycross.

Came back up through Sibson, which similarly I haven't done for a while, then Gibbet Lane.

Took this pic of the bike and some Alpacas at Packington. Hadn't seen them there before. They didn't seem at all bothered by the bike, or their photographer.




I was having a fine old time cruising along, taking it easy and listening to the drama of the final day of the Premiership on 5 Live, until I seemed to run out of juice. I bonked, coming down the hill from Sibson. Mental fatigue from the drive, the ill-effects of too many cocktails over a long weekend and failure to feed myself properly today all caught up with me. I could feel my legs pedalling under me, but they seemed to be running on empty. I went a bit numb and seemed to be zoning out!

But I made it to the bench at the Gibbet Post where I consumed a flapjack I'd fortunately brought with me. I gave it ten minutes to kick in before I set off again and I was fine after that.

The footy was high drama. I got the results I wanted at both ends (Liverpool didn't win the league and Leeds stayed up). But I yanked my right earplug cord on my thumb while adjusting my jacket zipper and broke it. I only had audio in my left ear, but that was fine for football commentary. When I was a kid I had a little transistor radio with a single earplug so it was just like old times.

Anyway - 30.12 miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7187036480

[Slim]

Showers were forecast for the late afternoon but dry conditions were promised later. I had a feeling I was wrapping up a bit too warm as I prepared for the ride, but after I set off I was glad to have tights on, and three layers on top. The westerly wind was surprisingly cool.

I decided to go up over Swarkestone bridge then west along the Beloved A Road. I did that, then turned back after 22.5 miles. Encountered a drizzly shower going over the bridge but it only lasted for seven or eight minutes. After that it was dry all the way, and the sun came out.

Really a joy coming back along the A road in the sunshine with a bit of a tailwind. I seemed to be flying along. And the temperature seemed to have climbed a bit as well - I was actually a bit too warm by this time.

I like to do this particular ride in the dark; it's a lot easier in daylight of course but I miss those post-sunset rides.

I listened to 5 Live Drive, which this evening was mostly about how the police are racist, and the criminal lack of gender equality in musical festival lineups.

45.04 and that takes me to 370 this month, 2025 this year.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7196966844