Cycling 2022

[dom]

Went out on Saturday for a spin with the small group I've been cycling with for the last 6 or 7 years. A mix of men and women most of the spins are very gentle. But for a 5k segment on Saturday we decided to ride at our max between Ballivor and Kildalkey. I had to slow down a couple of times so was happy enough to have averaged 27km/h and manage my fastest time for that segment. Its still early in the season so may try that again a few times and see how I improve (or not) with more miles in the legs.

[David L]

Due to the wife's operation she will not be able to ride for another four weeks. So, for the first time in a couple of years, I joined my two buddies for a ride out on Sunday morning. Wet roads meant it was the mtb. Pete and Adrian were on their hybrids with much larger wheels so I was doing extra work (or so it seemed). Coped quite well with a fairly steady pace. No computer/phone between us so it was a guess as to distance but we agreed we must have gone around 28 miles in just over two hours. managed to keep warm, just a few spots of rain. Legs a bit tired later but looking forward to doing it again next week. Fingers crossed we will be able to take the road bikes out.

[Slim]

Nice cycling weather was promised so I booked the afternoon off. A light wind was blowing from the south-east and the sun was supposed to shine most of the day. I wanted to do about 80 to get the 2022 distance score into four figures and the eastbound route was the obvious choice. 40 miles would take me just beyond Buckminster, to the border with Lincolnshire.

I was a little tired when I woke up this morning because I'd had a minor work incident to deal with at 0400, and although it only took 15 minutes, I didn't sleep properly after that.

Nonetheless - I set off at about 11:20, undeterred. Very pleasant out there although actually the sun went in a few times. But conditions were consistently bright.



I'd brought a cheese & onion pasty, a croissant, a white chocolate cookie, banana-flavoured milk and some toffees with me but I stopped and bought more at the deli at Waltham, after about 34 miles. A flapjack (which I didn't touch in the end) and a cornish pasty (which I ate at a nearby bench). And a can of pop.

Was slightly nervous on the way back after 5pm because I was on call and I didn't get back until 7:15pm, but I didn't get a call.

I started a new audiobook, a Philip K Dick novel called The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch which I've never read before. Written in 1965, but set in 2016, when mankind has colonised several of the other planets and moons in the solar system.

I find Philip Dick a bit of a mixed bag. I read The Man In The High Castle in the late 80s and was blown away by it, one of the best books I've ever read. Some of his short stories are pure genius.

This one though, although extraordinarily imaginative hadn't really grabbed me by the first three chapters. I must say though the guy who narrates the audiobook gives a terrific acting performance when voicing the various different characters - he really gives them each a distinctive personality.

Still a bit of light at 6:45 this evening and since the last few miles are mostly well lit (through Thringstone and Coalville), I made do with my little strappy blinker and didn't bother getting the proper front light out.

Back on 80.36 miles, 283 this month and 1001 this year. Nothing new or adventurous, but a really nice run out nonetheless.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6829660021

[Slim]

Rain all day yesterday but the roads had dried up nicely by this afternoon. I got round to lubing the Tricross earlier in the week so I took it out today. I wanted to do about 35 miles. I did a pretty typical Twycross Bypasser, but it was getting a bit cold after dark so I came home a quicker way than I'd intended, along Gibbet Lane.

Back on 30.03 miles, 313 this month.

I had a bit of right knee pain after 10 miles or so, but I took it easy for a bit (I mean - I always do really, but even easier) and pleasingly, it wore off.

The forecast had promised sunshine from 5pm but it was cloudy until 5:40, and the Sun only came out for about 20 minutes. But it illuminated the full Moon beautifully. I love it when the Moon's clearly visible in bright sunlight, but it looked even better after dark - really clear, with all the features distinctly visible.

This was supposed to be a moody sunset pic. I miss my old phone.



The Tricross might be heavy but there's something so reassuring and comfy about it. It rolls along very pleasantly.

Very nice run out, that.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6839857142

[Jonners]

You know you are an old cyclist when you get the handle bar mirrors......

[Slim]

Not really, I used to have them when I was 15

Important safety feature, much more so than a helmet.

[David L]

Not really, I used to have them when I was 15

Important safety feature, much more so than a helmet.

Can be used to see how many stitches you're likely to need 

[Fishy]

Thanks to CalMac ferries fucking up our trip to Arran we decided to seize the day and cycle out from Ayr to Troon.. a round trip of 22 ish miles all in all very relaxed and enjoyable.... Followed the national route 7 signs from Ayr seafront out to Prestwick past the airport then picked up a cycle route running next to  the main railway out to Royal Troon golf club then dropping onto Troon seafront and into the the town. Grabbed a superb toastie at a small cafe called the Drift and pleasant  conversation with a guy who was asking about our bikes etc....
Took pretty much exact route back home into a fairly strong head wind.. where upon we opened the bar and got stuck into some white/red wine respectively

All in all a very satisfying day. I never knew so many aircraft spotters hung about Prestwick airport...

[Nickslikk2112]

All in all a very satisfying day. I never knew so many aircraft spotters hung about Prestwick airport...

Were there any planes to spot?

Many years ago - 1972 - we holidayed near Culzean Castle and had a trip to Prestwick Airport to do some plane spotting. Not one. They had a photocopier though and I bought a copy of Shoot! magazine...

[Slim]

I go past Teesside Airport a few times every year on my bike. Usually see a few people with binoculars and telephoto lenses but one day a year or two ago there were people with camper vans and tables parked on the grass. Lovely day out.

[Fishy]

All in all a very satisfying day. I never knew so many aircraft spotters hung about Prestwick airport...

Were there any planes to spot?

They were getting very excited about a private jet that landed as we were going by.. I asked one of the blokes if it was anyone special.. he said no...

On the way back from Troon saw a 747 Cargo plane coming into land.. very impressive..

In my younger days I was a train spotter....old trains good new trains utter shit...

[Nickslikk2112]

Oh yes, the good old days of planes. Forget your 707s, you might get a Boeing 720B (my first flight was on a 720B) or even a Convair Coronado, my memory says I saw a Swissair Coronado when my dad took us down to Heathrow for a day of plane spotting  He took us to Manchester to see the first 747 land there. I had an exciting childhood...

Back to the cycling. I thought I might get out in the shorts today, nice and sunny, forecasted temperatures not too bad, but by 'eck there was chill Easterly, so full length tights were the order of the day. Again.

What with one thing and another I didn't get out until the afternoon today, but that gave me a bit more time so I was able to get out for 50 miler of the year. I'm way behind on where I normally am, but hopefully the weather will settle down a bit now. No exciting wildlife to mention, apart from a Raven on a drystone wall eyeballing me as I rode slowly uphill into a chill Easterly.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6849729916/

[David L]

First road bike ride of the year this morning. Clocked up 37 miles at a very pedestrian pace. Weather was great but chilly wind from the east. De-greased and lubed the chain and cassette yesterday, gear changes were slick and positive. The Park chain cleaner is the best cycling accessory I've ever bought!
My mate had a lovely bike built for him a couple of years back which, because I stopped riding with him when Covid hit, I saw for the first time today. Carbon Trek frame with Ultegra DI (electric) shifters. It's a beauty, ludicrously light. Very jealous. Can't see me changing the Giant anytime soon though, not when it's riding so well. Still looks great too, gets a wipe-down after every outing.
Went for thin tights over shorts, two top layers, overshoes and Sealskin gloves. Just about right but a bit cold after stopping for an energy bar. Looking forward to warmer weather and getting the legs out.

[Fishy]

Back on the Ayr to Troon National 7 route again with the Mrs.. another sunshiney day with a pretty cold breeze blowing.. decided @Troon to follow a local cycle network route further on to Barassie which lead us nicely down to its seafront.. glorious views of Arran and Alisa Craig....bit of a head wind heading home via Troon and the national 7 route... no plane spotters today at Prestwick....

24 miles round trip with a stop in Troon for a small cone 99...

[Nickslikk2112]

And out again today. Sunny again too and the breeze actually dropped to around 10mph which is about as calm as it's been this year. It was a bit chill though coming from the East, by the end of my ride I could have done with my shoe covers and a base layer on.

Could probably have done with putting a bit more effort in to warm me up, but it was supposed to be an easy day today so I just pootled along. Same average speed as yesterday, but less elevation gain involved and flatter rises too. 42.7 miles gives me 93 for the weekend. That'll do.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6855445797