OK, so a little late but as I have previously said, I have just moved. What I haven't mentioned yet is Virgin Superfast Broadband. Now when I lived in the city, TV and Internet access cam via a fibre optic cable and indeed had done for 10 years or so. What I hadn't appreciated was that by moving approximately 5 miles out of Bristol, I would be moving into a medieval settlement with no cable! Hence the mention of Virgin Superfast Broadband (or VSB). Now this is a misnomer if ever there was one as it is neither broadband (more like baseband at best) nor super fast. Neither is it reliable. Now I live on the Internet, I plot routes for my Garmin (see, this rant is sort of relevant), upload completed rides to MapMyRide and download OSM maps as well as try to maintain a couple of blogs. Not so using VSB. Oh no, a 200 mb map takes over an hour to download if it will maintain the connection long enough and don't even think about trying to upload photo's to Picassa. Anyway, VSB issues have sort of been sorted now ( a bigger rant will appear over at ieduc8 if your interested) but it has meant I'm a little behind with posting.
Anyway, I missed the Exodus last year as it clashed with a wedding but this year, it was mid August which meant I could do it. It's free to enter (OK, a pound for a route sheet or a donation) and leaves Clifton (in Bristol if your not a Wes' Country resident) around 10pm and goes down, through the night to Exmouth. Sounds like a laugh.
But which bike to take?
A dilemma if ever there was one. I could take the KiC2, it's light, agile, has gears and is fast but cannot carry much luggage and will happily dump you in the scenery if you lose concentration momentarily. It also lacks mudguards (this was British summertime after all). I could take the Solo, solid, dependable, can carry my Carradice Barley, has guards and is manly as it is fixed. However, grunting up hills in the middle of the night on an unknown route didn't exactly appeal and I wasn't feeling 100% so this was out. The Day One looked good, comfortable, able to carry luggage, suitably low geared but doesn't have guards and 35mm knobby tyres might be overkill. This left the Thorn, the dependable, do it all, never let you down bike* (bear this last comment in mind for later). It has guards, gears (lots of them, some quite low), luggage, will go in a straight line even when you are asleep and is a comfy ride. The Thorn it was then, you may not be able to lift it off the ground but kitted out it fitted the bill well.
Preparation
Well, it's at night so lights would be needed. Now, I either over prepare for a ride or under prepare but this time, I really excelled. Overkill probably doesn't do it justice. I fitted my Magicshine 900 lumens light (£50 from From here) and purchased a spare battery from Torchy the Torch man on e-bay (superb service, cheap, arrived the next day, quality). Then I though, what if the light fails (it's bad I know but I still equate cheap Chinese goods with shoddy quality despite having had the light for a year and experienced no problems. This as well from someone who still remembers British Leyland!) so my Cateye front light was also fitted. Then, a head torch was procured (again from Dealexreme) and fixed to the helmet with a bit of universal bracket (Duck tape). I purchased and charged every rechargeable battery Boots had in stock, fixed a cheap ASDA red flashing LED to my arm and I was ready.
Oh, and I stuffed the Carradice full of energy bars, gels and clothing.
Oh, and at the last minute, I shoved in a handful of cable ties, you know, just in case.
The ride
It's ironic really. As I was cycling along the Portway to Bristol, I pondered on the fact that the ride passes less than 50 metres from my house on route to Clevedon. Anyway, 9.00pm I arrive at Channings hotel in Clifton to the site of around 150 cyclist milling around, drinking, chatting and doing last minute fettling of bikes. Time for a quick pint.
At 9.30 people started to leave and the ride began, a long line of red flashing lights stretched into the distance (and stretched the patience of one or two impatient Bristolian motorists to boot). We passed through Shirehampton, over the Avonmouth bridge (past my house in Pill) and onto the lanes towards Clevedon. The Magicshine was switched on and the road to Clevedon was lit up like daylight. So far so good.
A magical if uneventful ride to Cheddar ensued, I rode with a group of fixed gear riders and we wizzed along to the foot of Brockley Coombe (actually, we split at Wrington as I took my usual route which got me there fractionally quicker than the official route). Up the Coombe and over the top of the Mendips and soon we where descending the Cheddar Gorge, a brilliant experience in the dead of night. Lights ahead indicated the first tea stop and so it was. A fine spread being laid on by the organizers.
I left cheddar on my own and was now reliant on the ever so accurate Garmin for directions (a GPX file kindly prepared by the organizers and downloaded slowly over VSB doing the business). A few navigational errors later and I was joined by a large group who seemed to know where they where going so I tagged along for a nice, high speed run into North Curry. Up ahead, in the blackness, I could make out a building all lit up. The halfway point tea stop. So far, so good.
As I was leaving, a guy called out "he has a Garmin, ask if we could ride with him" and so I met Tim and Steve and at 2.30 pm we rolled out of North Curry at the mercy of my Garmin. We rolled out towards Blagdon hill, lights ablaze, too early to enjoy the last tea stop (a van that was still behind us) and climbed up Blagdon hill and onto the top of the Blackdown hills.
All is well in the early hours
All was going well, 3.58am and another 30 miles or so to Exmouth. 3.59am and cresting a slight rise I feel a slight wobble in my saddle so decide to stop and tighten up the bolt. 4.00am and I am holding the saddle (and fully laden Carradice bag which is attached to said saddle) in my hand and staring bleakly into the dark at a sheared bolt that used to hold the saddle to the seat pin.
* what was that comment again
Bugger! Still, not to panic, I have cable ties, I have tape and Tim and Steve have patience and more importantly, two large Velcro straps. A quick bodge later and we are rolling. A few more stops to fine tune and we are definitely under way. We ride along and descend towards the Otter valley as dawn rises. It gets light and at Otter St Mary, we begin the last ascent up towards Exmouth.
We enter Exmouth and begin the long descent to the sea front, 6.30 am and we are sitting in the Harbour Cafe awaiting breakfast. An absolutely brilliant ride (mechanical and navigational problems aside) and one that I would recommend you to have a go it if you are in the area.
Post ride thoughts
Lights worked fine, the first battery gave up about 3.00am (about 5 hours on half setting) and the second battery was deployed. The head torch was a real star, stayed lit all the way and really helped when I needed to fix the bike. I will say though, 200 grams on the front of your helmet doesn't do weak neck muscles any favours.
I didn't need any of the spare rechargeable batteries I took, gels still taste like shampoo and I'm really glad I grabbed a handful of cable ties and carried a small set of pliers with me.
Needles to say, all bikes have now been stripped, checked and bolts greased and a seat pin bolt placed in the Carradice!
A big up to SJS cycles who supplied a new seat post (old one mangled by slipping saddle bodge) by next day delivery.
I must say a big thanks to Tim and Steve for not only being patient and staying with me as I fixed the seat but also for having to stop many times as I adjusted the badly bodged saddle. Also, Steve kindly carried my overstuffed (and therefore heavy) Carradice the last 25 miles, that my friend, is chivalry at it's absolute best.
Big thanks also to Baggy and Chuffy and the rest of the crew for organizing a brilliant ride and providing refreshments.
Mrs Blokeonabike arrive with the taxi and we where back in Pill at 10.30am ready to eat the contents of the fridge and grab a well earned sleep.
Roll on next August.
Next ride will be Action 100 Bristol to London on Sunday 28th August.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
A blog for random thoughts from a middle aged, ICT obsessed cyclist. See my other blog, ieduc8.blospot.com, for my thoughts etc on iOS devices, especially iPads in education. The accompanying website is: sites.google.com/site/blokeonabikesite/
Friday, August 26, 2011
More in Northumberland
As I previously mentioned, I have just moved and just purchased another bike, both of which nicely coincided nicely with the start of the summer holidays so myself and Mrs Blokeonabike decided it might be nice to get away for a few days and headed to Northumberland. During a moment of lunacy, I decided it might be nice to take the Genesis and give it a test over the many trails and lanes that exist close to where we where staying, as it turned out, this was quite a good idea.
Ride 1- Hepple to Clennel Street
Looking on the map, it appeared that a bridleway ran about 100 metres behind the cottage we where staying in and joined up to several others that would eventually lead to Alwinton (the last place of civilization in the borders) and onto Clennel Street (an old Roman road that crosses the Cheviots to the Scottish borders). After much pontificating and looking at maps (map reading isn't my strong point) a route was worked out and so bright and early on Sunday morning, I set off. The bridleway did indeed run close to the cottage, it was also fairly evident that it didn't get a lot of use. It also ran uphill, not good on a single gear of 42/18! Much puffing, panting and uttering of profanities later and I was at the top of a small hill wishing that I had purchased a bike with gears, still, the decent was fun.
About an hour in and I was at Alwinton having ridden most of the 8 or so miles cross country on bridleways and farm tracks. I picked up Clennel Street and began to ascend. Now, I know this particular hill from the Alwinton show fell race and had vague memories of crawling up (albeit a different part) on all fours swearing and nearly passing out so it was no surprise when about 4 milliseconds later I was lugging 22lbs of single speed cyclocross bike up a rather large hill.
A quick turn around and a blast of a decent and I retraced my steps back to the cottage, in all about 2:30 of riding and about 20 miles covered. A nice test of the Genesis and a bit of a different experience.
Ride 2 - Simonside loop
A quick ride down the road and across the river to the other side of the Coquet valley and I picked up a bridleway that runs up to the top of Simonside (a large ridge of hills just south of Rothbury, very popular with walkers and Mountain bikers). This is ridable for about a mile and then it was off and pushing due to (a) the gradient and (b) the rock strewn path being to technical to ride in a large gear.
About half a mile of pushing and you can ride again, you basically cross grazing land whilst heading uphill on a steep sheep track until you reach a style.
Crossing the style puts you in the forestry commission land where a track (clearly visible and marked) runs you around and through the forest and up to Simonside.
The ride through the forest was fun and reminded me of riding early rigid mountain bikes. The gradient was shallow enough to be doable on the gear I had and the track well surfaced with gravel and limestone. Emerging from the forest, you end up just below the summit with fantastic views down to Rothbury in the valley and the Cheviots in the distance.
A rapid descent to the car park, a right turn onto the road and 100 metres or so and you pick up another bridleway that takes you down to Rothbury via Tossan Tower. Then through Rothbury and along the riverside path to Thropton and then back along the road to Hepple. Again, about 15-20 miles and a real blast.
So what do I think of the Day One Cross?
Well, i'm very impressed. It's a nice bike to ride and more than capable of light off-road riding. It would be better with gears but I bought it to commute on and didn't want to spend a lot of money. The bike is lively and sure footed and is really good fun to ride, it gives you a few more options than a single speed road bike, is very comfortable (probably due to the 35mm tyres) and the mini V brakes are powerful compared to the usual dual pivot brakes found on cheaper road bike. Overall then, a great purchase that I would heartily recommend as your next N+1.
Oh, and please, do visit Northumberland, it is one of the quietest, most picturesque parts of the UK and superb for cycling, especially the Coquet Valley.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Ride 1- Hepple to Clennel Street
Looking on the map, it appeared that a bridleway ran about 100 metres behind the cottage we where staying in and joined up to several others that would eventually lead to Alwinton (the last place of civilization in the borders) and onto Clennel Street (an old Roman road that crosses the Cheviots to the Scottish borders). After much pontificating and looking at maps (map reading isn't my strong point) a route was worked out and so bright and early on Sunday morning, I set off. The bridleway did indeed run close to the cottage, it was also fairly evident that it didn't get a lot of use. It also ran uphill, not good on a single gear of 42/18! Much puffing, panting and uttering of profanities later and I was at the top of a small hill wishing that I had purchased a bike with gears, still, the decent was fun.
About an hour in and I was at Alwinton having ridden most of the 8 or so miles cross country on bridleways and farm tracks. I picked up Clennel Street and began to ascend. Now, I know this particular hill from the Alwinton show fell race and had vague memories of crawling up (albeit a different part) on all fours swearing and nearly passing out so it was no surprise when about 4 milliseconds later I was lugging 22lbs of single speed cyclocross bike up a rather large hill.
A quick turn around and a blast of a decent and I retraced my steps back to the cottage, in all about 2:30 of riding and about 20 miles covered. A nice test of the Genesis and a bit of a different experience.
Ride 2 - Simonside loop
A quick ride down the road and across the river to the other side of the Coquet valley and I picked up a bridleway that runs up to the top of Simonside (a large ridge of hills just south of Rothbury, very popular with walkers and Mountain bikers). This is ridable for about a mile and then it was off and pushing due to (a) the gradient and (b) the rock strewn path being to technical to ride in a large gear.
About half a mile of pushing and you can ride again, you basically cross grazing land whilst heading uphill on a steep sheep track until you reach a style.
Crossing the style puts you in the forestry commission land where a track (clearly visible and marked) runs you around and through the forest and up to Simonside.
The ride through the forest was fun and reminded me of riding early rigid mountain bikes. The gradient was shallow enough to be doable on the gear I had and the track well surfaced with gravel and limestone. Emerging from the forest, you end up just below the summit with fantastic views down to Rothbury in the valley and the Cheviots in the distance.
A rapid descent to the car park, a right turn onto the road and 100 metres or so and you pick up another bridleway that takes you down to Rothbury via Tossan Tower. Then through Rothbury and along the riverside path to Thropton and then back along the road to Hepple. Again, about 15-20 miles and a real blast.
So what do I think of the Day One Cross?
Well, i'm very impressed. It's a nice bike to ride and more than capable of light off-road riding. It would be better with gears but I bought it to commute on and didn't want to spend a lot of money. The bike is lively and sure footed and is really good fun to ride, it gives you a few more options than a single speed road bike, is very comfortable (probably due to the 35mm tyres) and the mini V brakes are powerful compared to the usual dual pivot brakes found on cheaper road bike. Overall then, a great purchase that I would heartily recommend as your next N+1.
Oh, and please, do visit Northumberland, it is one of the quietest, most picturesque parts of the UK and superb for cycling, especially the Coquet Valley.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
N+1 = Genesis Day One Cross
Apologies for the lack of posts during the last couple of months, I've been in the process of moving house and it's been a tad time consuming to say the least. However, it is now done and I officially live in something called The Country! Oh yes, after 11 years of living in the centre of Bristol and best part of 25 years living in large cities, I am now resident in a village in North Somerset. Of course, this country living has it's downsides, it's further into work (hang on a minute, that's a plus) and it is cycle path most of the way (ok, another plus point) which means a new bike had to be purchased (hey, it's not all bad, this countryside living).
Now, I've had my eye on a cyclocross bike for sometime now and the excuse of a slightly rough surfaced cycle track and the cycle to work scheme was too much to resist. After much research, debate and general pontification, a Genesis Day One Cross was procured (big up to Bike on the triangle, Bristol who once again gave superb service) and here it is...
(or it would be, if I hadn't deleted the photo from my iPad without syncing. doh!
I have only ridden it couple of times but so far, I am very impressed. The Reynolds 520 Steel frame is nice and lively (no surprise here, it's virtually the same frame as my Ridgeback Solo, slightly different geometry and a higher bottom bracket but otherwise familiar), the wheels (Alex rims on no-brand hubs with double butted spokes) solid and the finishing kit is dependable if not exactly lightweight. As usual, Genesis have put together a good package that is greater than the sum of parts and real value for money. I have a feeling this may become my favorite bike.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Now, I've had my eye on a cyclocross bike for sometime now and the excuse of a slightly rough surfaced cycle track and the cycle to work scheme was too much to resist. After much research, debate and general pontification, a Genesis Day One Cross was procured (big up to Bike on the triangle, Bristol who once again gave superb service) and here it is...
(or it would be, if I hadn't deleted the photo from my iPad without syncing. doh!
I have only ridden it couple of times but so far, I am very impressed. The Reynolds 520 Steel frame is nice and lively (no surprise here, it's virtually the same frame as my Ridgeback Solo, slightly different geometry and a higher bottom bracket but otherwise familiar), the wheels (Alex rims on no-brand hubs with double butted spokes) solid and the finishing kit is dependable if not exactly lightweight. As usual, Genesis have put together a good package that is greater than the sum of parts and real value for money. I have a feeling this may become my favorite bike.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, May 30, 2011
A few days in Northumberland
Sorry, haven't posted for a while as I haven't been riding much of late. To be honest, I felt pretty drained after the LVIS 200 and although I managed a couple of decent 40 mile rides over the last month or so, that is about it really. Anyway, half term is upon and I am in Northumberland for the week so have felt inspired to (a) ride the bike and (b) post about it so here goes...
My favorite ride here (here being the Coquet valley) is actually a short one (25 miles or so).
Looking east, back up the Coquette valley. The hill is Simonside
It starts at Hepple but you could quite easily start at Rothbury, about 8 miles further east up the valley. From Hepple, you head west for a mile before turning off and out of the valley and head north towards the Cheviot hills. The ride takes you through Holystone, Harbottle and on towards Alwinton. The road is very quiet and gently undulates as it passes through pine woodland and open moorland (and an Alpaca farm at Holystone). Just before Alwinton, you turn right and head up towards Netherton. The climb is a couple of miles but not too steep.
A view from the top of the climb to Netherton looking west towards Scotland
From here, we drop to Netherton village and then turn left and climb up towards Whittingham. At the top of the climb, I normally turn right and head back towards Rothbury but you can keep on to Whitingham (about 6 miles) and then turn right and right again in the village and head back via Callally rejoin the ride just before Thropton.
A view from the top of the climb to Whittingham looking east towards the coast
If you turn off, you have a nice flat/undulating decent back to Snitter and into Thropton. At the T-Junction by the Cross Keys pub in Thropton, you can turn right and head back to Hepple (5 miles) or turn left and head back to Rothbury (about 3 miles).
As I said, the ride is undulating with a couple of climbs so non too strenuous however beware of the wind! It can reach 20 mph quite easily and will be steady. It blows west to east and can turn any ride into a real slog, you have been warned!
Kit used:
I brought one of those new fangled derailleur geared bikes this time, a rather nice Aluminium/Carbon fibre Kinesis. Had it about 5 years now and haven't yet found a nicer riding frame (for the price I hasten to add).
A bike that weighs less than 30 pounds and has more than one gear! Heresy I tell you
As it has Look pedals, I used a pair of Diadora shoes (silver ones, can't remember the model) otherwise my kit is the usual (except for not using the Carradice Barley, instead I have a cheap Altura seat pack).
Photo's taken with a rather nice and rather cheap Fuji AV180
Will post maps when I get back to Bristol as I only have an iPad with me at the moment.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
My favorite ride here (here being the Coquet valley) is actually a short one (25 miles or so).
Looking east, back up the Coquette valley. The hill is Simonside
It starts at Hepple but you could quite easily start at Rothbury, about 8 miles further east up the valley. From Hepple, you head west for a mile before turning off and out of the valley and head north towards the Cheviot hills. The ride takes you through Holystone, Harbottle and on towards Alwinton. The road is very quiet and gently undulates as it passes through pine woodland and open moorland (and an Alpaca farm at Holystone). Just before Alwinton, you turn right and head up towards Netherton. The climb is a couple of miles but not too steep.
A view from the top of the climb to Netherton looking west towards Scotland
From here, we drop to Netherton village and then turn left and climb up towards Whittingham. At the top of the climb, I normally turn right and head back towards Rothbury but you can keep on to Whitingham (about 6 miles) and then turn right and right again in the village and head back via Callally rejoin the ride just before Thropton.
A view from the top of the climb to Whittingham looking east towards the coast
If you turn off, you have a nice flat/undulating decent back to Snitter and into Thropton. At the T-Junction by the Cross Keys pub in Thropton, you can turn right and head back to Hepple (5 miles) or turn left and head back to Rothbury (about 3 miles).
As I said, the ride is undulating with a couple of climbs so non too strenuous however beware of the wind! It can reach 20 mph quite easily and will be steady. It blows west to east and can turn any ride into a real slog, you have been warned!
Kit used:
I brought one of those new fangled derailleur geared bikes this time, a rather nice Aluminium/Carbon fibre Kinesis. Had it about 5 years now and haven't yet found a nicer riding frame (for the price I hasten to add).
A bike that weighs less than 30 pounds and has more than one gear! Heresy I tell you
As it has Look pedals, I used a pair of Diadora shoes (silver ones, can't remember the model) otherwise my kit is the usual (except for not using the Carradice Barley, instead I have a cheap Altura seat pack).
Photo's taken with a rather nice and rather cheap Fuji AV180
Will post maps when I get back to Bristol as I only have an iPad with me at the moment.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, March 28, 2011
LVIS Audax 2011
Reading rumors on the interweb isn't the best way of preparing for an Audax, especially when the rumor concerns the iPhones inability to set of an alarm when daylight saving ends and the Audax in question begins on the morning of said time change! So, plan B alarm (cheap Wilkinson's effort, alarm goes off around an hour either side of time set) goes off at 5.30 am (it was set for 6.00 am), plan C alarm (Garmin FR60) goes off at 6.30 am (as planned) and plan A alarm (iPhone) goes off as it always has, bang on time, at 6.45 am!
7.30 am see me full of cereal and toast, drinking a free coffee in Long Ashton village hall awaiting the start of Barry's Bristol Ball Buster, a 210 km jaunt around the outskirts of the fair city of Bristol. I completed the inaugural ride last year and really enjoyed it and so I was looking forward to another well organized, friendly ride in lovely countryside and once again, I wasn't disappointed.
8.00 am sharp and Marcus Mumford (resplendent in a stripy blazer) waves us off with a customary "Vegas baby"! We head out of Long Ashton, up through Ashton Court and over the famous suspension bridge towards the wilds of South Gloucestershire via Shirehampton, Henbury and parts of Bristol I never new existed. A relatively gentle 40 km see's us arriving at the first of many highlights, namely the village hall at Hill.
Now, this rather unassuming building may not look like it qualifies for the title of highlight but housed inside is the finest selection of cakes you will ever see.
Once again, the Hill W.I did themselves proud (my photography really doesn't do justice to that raspberry pavlova.
Fully sated and it's of across the bottom of the Cotswolds before they climb up to Wooten under edge, then a nice run down to the second stop at the Lock keeper in Keynsham.
A quick stretch whilst admiring the view (and some rather splendid Titanium bikes courtesy of Quroz Bikes) and it's off up the steady climb towards Queen Charlton and a gently undulating run to the foot of the mendips via Chew Valley lake. A West Harptree, the ride heads upwards with vengeance as it climbs the steepest climb of the ride, a straight up, 10% job to the top of the Mendip hills. From here, it's a lovely, undulating run across the mendips before dropping to Wookey Hole and a flat couple of miles to Glasonbury. Heaphy's cafe serves a well needed bacon sandwich and re-unites me with my brevet card (dropped on top of the mendips whilst struggling to fix a broken Garmin mount*) so once again, a big thank you to the cha who not only saw said card but kindly picked it up and gave it to the control.
4.00 pm sees me leaving Glastonbury and heading across the Somerset levels as a lovely spring evening unfolds. This section of the ride passes fairly quickly and a couple of hours and 40 km or so later, I am in the bar of the Drum and Monkey in Kenn sinking a pint of ice cold Coca-Cola and contemplating the last 20 km back to the final control. A couple of flat kilometers across Kenn moor bring me to the Gordano valley and an undulating run away from the sunset and towards Portbury. From Portbury, it's a 4 km climb up to Failand and a nice decent down Providence lane to the start/finish for the final highlight, free soup, rolls, tea, coffee and a friendly welcome back from Marcus and the rest of the LVIS crew.
So there we have it, another 200k completed and another enjoyable day out. The Las Vegas Institute of Sport may not be your usual cycling club but they sure know how to organize a fun ride, so a big thank you to Marcus and the crew and put my name down for next year.
*Garmin mount broken during a "clipless" moment but easily fixed with a couple of universal fixing brackets (cable ties). Otherwise, Garmin 705 performed flawlessly and navigated me the whole 210 km without incident.
Equipment used:
Thorn Brevet
Giordana arm/leg warmers
Giordana bib shorts
Jollywear vintage SS jersey
Nalini gilett
Altura night vision ergo fit waterproof
Garmin 705
Exulstar stevio 707 shoes
Planet x winter gloves/Altura retro string backed track mitts
Carradice barley
Various mule bars
Boots isotonic/hydration drink mix
A picture of the trusty Thorn Brevet (note the two bottles of what can only be described as industrial waste, why do I bother)
See the route here:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
7.30 am see me full of cereal and toast, drinking a free coffee in Long Ashton village hall awaiting the start of Barry's Bristol Ball Buster, a 210 km jaunt around the outskirts of the fair city of Bristol. I completed the inaugural ride last year and really enjoyed it and so I was looking forward to another well organized, friendly ride in lovely countryside and once again, I wasn't disappointed.
8.00 am sharp and Marcus Mumford (resplendent in a stripy blazer) waves us off with a customary "Vegas baby"! We head out of Long Ashton, up through Ashton Court and over the famous suspension bridge towards the wilds of South Gloucestershire via Shirehampton, Henbury and parts of Bristol I never new existed. A relatively gentle 40 km see's us arriving at the first of many highlights, namely the village hall at Hill.
Now, this rather unassuming building may not look like it qualifies for the title of highlight but housed inside is the finest selection of cakes you will ever see.
Once again, the Hill W.I did themselves proud (my photography really doesn't do justice to that raspberry pavlova.
Fully sated and it's of across the bottom of the Cotswolds before they climb up to Wooten under edge, then a nice run down to the second stop at the Lock keeper in Keynsham.
A quick stretch whilst admiring the view (and some rather splendid Titanium bikes courtesy of Quroz Bikes) and it's off up the steady climb towards Queen Charlton and a gently undulating run to the foot of the mendips via Chew Valley lake. A West Harptree, the ride heads upwards with vengeance as it climbs the steepest climb of the ride, a straight up, 10% job to the top of the Mendip hills. From here, it's a lovely, undulating run across the mendips before dropping to Wookey Hole and a flat couple of miles to Glasonbury. Heaphy's cafe serves a well needed bacon sandwich and re-unites me with my brevet card (dropped on top of the mendips whilst struggling to fix a broken Garmin mount*) so once again, a big thank you to the cha who not only saw said card but kindly picked it up and gave it to the control.
4.00 pm sees me leaving Glastonbury and heading across the Somerset levels as a lovely spring evening unfolds. This section of the ride passes fairly quickly and a couple of hours and 40 km or so later, I am in the bar of the Drum and Monkey in Kenn sinking a pint of ice cold Coca-Cola and contemplating the last 20 km back to the final control. A couple of flat kilometers across Kenn moor bring me to the Gordano valley and an undulating run away from the sunset and towards Portbury. From Portbury, it's a 4 km climb up to Failand and a nice decent down Providence lane to the start/finish for the final highlight, free soup, rolls, tea, coffee and a friendly welcome back from Marcus and the rest of the LVIS crew.
So there we have it, another 200k completed and another enjoyable day out. The Las Vegas Institute of Sport may not be your usual cycling club but they sure know how to organize a fun ride, so a big thank you to Marcus and the crew and put my name down for next year.
*Garmin mount broken during a "clipless" moment but easily fixed with a couple of universal fixing brackets (cable ties). Otherwise, Garmin 705 performed flawlessly and navigated me the whole 210 km without incident.
Equipment used:
Thorn Brevet
Giordana arm/leg warmers
Giordana bib shorts
Jollywear vintage SS jersey
Nalini gilett
Altura night vision ergo fit waterproof
Garmin 705
Exulstar stevio 707 shoes
Planet x winter gloves/Altura retro string backed track mitts
Carradice barley
Various mule bars
Boots isotonic/hydration drink mix
A picture of the trusty Thorn Brevet (note the two bottles of what can only be described as industrial waste, why do I bother)
See the route here:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Gospel Pass Audax
Just got back from Chepstow having completed my first 100 mile ride of the year, the brilliant Gospel Pass Audax. For anyone living in the South West of England/South Wales I strongly recommend giving this 150km Audax a go, it is tough but stunning both in terms of scenery and cafe stops.
So, a short review of the ride:
Having been suffering form a heavy cold all week, i wasn't relishing an 8.00 am start and the best part of 10 hours on the bike but hey ho! A 8.00 am precisely, about a hundred intrepid cyclists leave the car park at Chepstow castle and almost immediately begin then first climb of the day. This sets the tone for the ride really, gain a 1000ft, lose a 1000ft, gain a 1000ft etc. At around 9.30, we pull into the first control at Henry's Cafe in Monmouth, a lovely cafe in a lovely setting. One egg and bacon muffin and a latte and we're good to go!
Henry's cafe, Monmouth
The next leg takes us over undulating countryside and then down the golden valley to Hay-on-Wye and a stop at the Granary Cafe. This leg is around 50km and is very tiring, several MDF bars are needed (sorry but so called energy bars really do taste like industrial waste!) to get us to the control. Again an idyllic spot but no food this time, the climb of the Gospel Pass awaits. Last time I did this ride, there was snow on top, the time before, I ate a huge plate of beans on toast at Hay and regretted it dearly, no such mistake this time!
The Granary Cafe, Hay-on-Wye
The climb of the Gospel Pass from this side is truly epic and well worth the effort, its steep but not as long as the climb from Abergavenny. The long run down through Llanthony (past the priory) to Abergavenny is a blast (but you need to keep your wits about you, the road is rutted and single track) and the control point at the Chatterbox Cafe is a good choice.
The awesome Gosple Pass, respect!
Card stamped and Steak and Kidney pie surgery performed and we're off on the last leg, out of Abergavenny, along the valley to Usk (thankfully, a mainly flat run of around 10 miles) to the last climb of the day. A six mile slog out of Usk Brings us up the last climb of the day before a nice 5 mile descent back into Chepstow and a welcome pint (of orange juice and lemonade) and a chance to warm up. Temperatures rarely got above 5 degrees all day so the open fire in the Three Tuns was more than welcome. Another stunning ride, well organised by Nik Pergrine and a good tester for my forthcoming 200km Audax (the superb Barry's Bristol Ball Buster by LVIS). A day well spent, now all thats left to do is consume the contents of the fridge and find some CSI's to watch.
Route map and profile below courtesy of Garmin 705 and MapMyRide:
Equipment used:
Thorn Brevet (my trusty steel long distance bike)
Carradice Barley saddle bag (made by Christine, apparently. A British classic)
Crane sport (ALDI) thermal long sleeved base layer
North wave long sleeved top
Altura ergo fit waterproof
Exhustar Stelvio shoes (see previous posts)
Gamin edge 705
Planet X gloves (free with a top I bought last year)
Various energy bars
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
So, a short review of the ride:
Having been suffering form a heavy cold all week, i wasn't relishing an 8.00 am start and the best part of 10 hours on the bike but hey ho! A 8.00 am precisely, about a hundred intrepid cyclists leave the car park at Chepstow castle and almost immediately begin then first climb of the day. This sets the tone for the ride really, gain a 1000ft, lose a 1000ft, gain a 1000ft etc. At around 9.30, we pull into the first control at Henry's Cafe in Monmouth, a lovely cafe in a lovely setting. One egg and bacon muffin and a latte and we're good to go!
Henry's cafe, Monmouth
The next leg takes us over undulating countryside and then down the golden valley to Hay-on-Wye and a stop at the Granary Cafe. This leg is around 50km and is very tiring, several MDF bars are needed (sorry but so called energy bars really do taste like industrial waste!) to get us to the control. Again an idyllic spot but no food this time, the climb of the Gospel Pass awaits. Last time I did this ride, there was snow on top, the time before, I ate a huge plate of beans on toast at Hay and regretted it dearly, no such mistake this time!
The Granary Cafe, Hay-on-Wye
The climb of the Gospel Pass from this side is truly epic and well worth the effort, its steep but not as long as the climb from Abergavenny. The long run down through Llanthony (past the priory) to Abergavenny is a blast (but you need to keep your wits about you, the road is rutted and single track) and the control point at the Chatterbox Cafe is a good choice.
The awesome Gosple Pass, respect!
Card stamped and Steak and Kidney pie surgery performed and we're off on the last leg, out of Abergavenny, along the valley to Usk (thankfully, a mainly flat run of around 10 miles) to the last climb of the day. A six mile slog out of Usk Brings us up the last climb of the day before a nice 5 mile descent back into Chepstow and a welcome pint (of orange juice and lemonade) and a chance to warm up. Temperatures rarely got above 5 degrees all day so the open fire in the Three Tuns was more than welcome. Another stunning ride, well organised by Nik Pergrine and a good tester for my forthcoming 200km Audax (the superb Barry's Bristol Ball Buster by LVIS). A day well spent, now all thats left to do is consume the contents of the fridge and find some CSI's to watch.
Route map and profile below courtesy of Garmin 705 and MapMyRide:
Equipment used:
Thorn Brevet (my trusty steel long distance bike)
Carradice Barley saddle bag (made by Christine, apparently. A British classic)
Crane sport (ALDI) thermal long sleeved base layer
North wave long sleeved top
Altura ergo fit waterproof
Exhustar Stelvio shoes (see previous posts)
Gamin edge 705
Planet X gloves (free with a top I bought last year)
Various energy bars
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, February 20, 2011
New Shoes Part Deux!
As promised, an update on the Stelvio 707's I purchased earlier in the week. Wore them for the first time this morning as I took my Ridgeback Solo Fixed on a 50 mile ride down to the North Somerset Coast and back and I have to say I am very impressed. Needed to play around with the cleat positions a little during the ride to Clevedon (around 12 miles) but otherwise they where extremely comfortable. The first 30 miles where reasonably flat with the only hills being short out of the saddle affairs and I didn't really notice i had the shoes on. The last 20 miles included a couple of longish climbs and i didn't notice any flex in either the sole or the shoe, no pinching or rubbing and the laces stayed nice and tight the whole trip. I am doing the Gospel Pass Audax in a couple of weeks so will let you know how they are after a proper all day ride but so far, so good.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, February 18, 2011
New Shoes
My trusty old Shimano cycling shoes finally gave up the ghost this week after 10 years of sterling service which left me in a bit of a dilemma, what should I replace them with? For a long while I was a fan of team kit and would go to great lengths to get matching jerseys, shorts, socks etc but of late I have become a fan of good quality retro kit (merino wool jerseys and the like) so my search began for a suitable pair of shoes. Now ideally, I would like to tell you I bought a pair of Dromarti Sportive shoes but at £145 a pair, I fear I didn't. Instead, after much deliberation, I purchase a pair of Exhustar Stelvio 707 shoes from SJS Cycles. I ordered them on Wednesday, SJS e-mailed me to say they where dispatched on Thursday and Parcel Force duly attempted to deliver them today (rant why do they try to deliver during working hours? I know it's cheaper but honestly! Rant over). Luckily, they dropped the parcel off at my local Post Office so by 4.30 this evening, I was clunking around the house in my new shoes. Brilliant. Very smart they are too, check out the picture:
OK, so not the best picture (I took it on my phone) but they seem to be well constructed and certainly look the part.
Searching the forums revealed that, like Shimano shoes, they do tend to come up small. I normally fall somewhere between a UK 8.5 and 9 so I took advice and ordered a UK 9.5. The shoes seem to fit well, they are narrow and long (I have about 2cm to spare in the toe box, which is ideal for me) but I would recommend trying before you buy if you can.
I haven't worn them on the bike yet but shall try them out on Sunday and report back.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
OK, so not the best picture (I took it on my phone) but they seem to be well constructed and certainly look the part.
Searching the forums revealed that, like Shimano shoes, they do tend to come up small. I normally fall somewhere between a UK 8.5 and 9 so I took advice and ordered a UK 9.5. The shoes seem to fit well, they are narrow and long (I have about 2cm to spare in the toe box, which is ideal for me) but I would recommend trying before you buy if you can.
I haven't worn them on the bike yet but shall try them out on Sunday and report back.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A man, a bike and an obsession!
OK, I have been meaning to do this for quite a while but between other projects (my iOS blog) and general apathy, I have never got around to it until now. As I explained in the description and about me, I am a middle aged teacher with an unhealthy ICT obsession and an equally unhealthy cycling obsession. I intend this blog to be a selection of random thoughts and musings as I cycle my way around various parts of the country.
I tend to do mainly Audax rides these days as time for training is limited and to be honest, I just feel a little too fragile for racing these days. I do attempt the occasional Sportive ride but really, I like the idea of Audax and really want to get up to the sort of distances that would allow me to dream of London-Edinburgh-London or Paris-Brest-Paris. Having said that, at the moment, the thought of a 300k gets the goose bumps going although I did comfortable complete one 200k Sportive (The Black Rat) and two 200k Audaxes and one 150k Audax last year as well as innumerable 100k rides so maybe its not that far off?
Anyway, the season is starting, the GPS is fully charged (me and maps do not make for a straightforward journey) and events have been entered so please watch this space. The rides (GPX and mapmyride links) will be written about here and posted on my website. Enjoy.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I tend to do mainly Audax rides these days as time for training is limited and to be honest, I just feel a little too fragile for racing these days. I do attempt the occasional Sportive ride but really, I like the idea of Audax and really want to get up to the sort of distances that would allow me to dream of London-Edinburgh-London or Paris-Brest-Paris. Having said that, at the moment, the thought of a 300k gets the goose bumps going although I did comfortable complete one 200k Sportive (The Black Rat) and two 200k Audaxes and one 150k Audax last year as well as innumerable 100k rides so maybe its not that far off?
Anyway, the season is starting, the GPS is fully charged (me and maps do not make for a straightforward journey) and events have been entered so please watch this space. The rides (GPX and mapmyride links) will be written about here and posted on my website. Enjoy.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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