Lazy Blogging and not much riding

Since my last blog post I've been quite busy. Work, Life, New Baby (not mine I hasten to add) and I haven't been bothered to write any posts up. I'll just skim over the ride details:


12.5 Miles - Hayfield Mountain biking with Mark B, Dave and Pob.It's one our our regular routes and was really enjoyable with lots of good climbs. Couple with a finish at Rosies for grilled sandwiches and brownies

Shooting Cabins

Top of The Grouse

Whites Brow

13.25 Miles - Mardi Nocturne. Good turnout with Pob, Ian, Anthony and Kyle. Very wet and exceptionally muddy. Great fun.

10.5 Miles - Llandegla in Wales. We go to this trail centre every couple of months or so. Pob particularly wanted to have a go on the new B-Line trail.

As soon as we'd finished climbing my rear mech gave up the ghost and broke. Luckily Pob came up with an ingenious fix:

Tyre lever zip-tied to the rear mech to keep the chain on

We carried on. I was stuck in one gear but it was better than nothing.

All was well until the start of the new section of trail. A couple of us were uncertain about the drop in to the trail. It's a small rocky section with a small drop onto elevated boardwalk. The weather had been pretty grim on the days leading up to it and the boardwalk looked a little slick.

The boardwalk that you drop onto (drop - out of shot)

Dave thought that he'd try the drop onto the boardwalk first as a gauge for the rest of the track. Down the rocks he went...on his front wheel, struggling to stay on the bike. The back wheel dropped and Dave slid off the boardwalk, banging his head and back on the edge as he went. He was unhurt, luckily. I was experiencing a moment of schadenfreude and was in hysterics. Sorry Dave! I decided that I was still going to ride it (to be fair I've ridden it before, so a little unfair advantage). I got to the bottom and waited. No one had followed me down. FFS. I continued on until I could ask directions to get back to the route the others were on. 10 minutes or so later I found them waiting for me further down the trail. And Pob as it turns out. He had followed me down the black and was now having to do as I had and play catch up.

The rest of the ride went without incident apart from my knees complaining about the single gear I was stuck in. Cake, coffee and bacon butties were wolfed back at the cafe.

Pob, Mark H and Me posing for Gratton

21.59 Miles - Short road ride with Jon before he heads of to the World Champs in L.A. I was struggling as I'm coming down with a cold. No sympathy from Jon though. Short ride, low speed. Coffee and cake in Hale on the way home.

379.86 miles for January. I'm going to have a couple of days off from riding as I'm now full of a cold. Roll on Feb!

I can feel it in my fingers...

Today was wet, wet, wet but I had a spare hour this morning so thought I'd get out for a quick spin. The sideways rain and low temperature never look as bad when viewed from a centrally heated front room.

My friend Jon told me that medals are won and lost in the winter and just collected in the summer. Whilst I don't ride for medals, the message remains. I need to put the hard work in now to reap the rewards in the summer months (that's when all the good riding is).

Although I enjoy just being on my bike. It's certainly better than not being on my bike. The winter months are crap for road riding. Constantly going out and getting soaked. Cold fingers. Cold toes. Drying out your shoes when you get home. Not to mention the additional cleaning and maintenence that your bike needs. There are still happy times, the sometimes seemingly effortless speed, the rides when everything (other than the weather) just 'clicks'. The fitness is pretty good too.

Having remembered to eat I left the house and went up to Ashton village, past the bike shop and onto Carrington lane. I really do love it when wagons fly past me, missing me by inches, then cover me with a thin film of water and grit. One of the pleasures I suppose.

Left at Partington onto the back lanes around Dunham. I ended up riding past Dunham Crematorium. A place that I've deliberately avoided going past there since my brothers funeral last year. I felt really uneasy riding past it. I can't avoid the place forever but I don't want to be reminded about Davids' death at the moment. I'm only just getting my head straight 7 months on.

The rain was harder now, the wind picking up. Past Dunham Massey and the Rope & Anchor Pub. I couldn't really be bothered to head to Lymm today so I turned back towards Partington. Pissed off with myself for cutting the ride short I thought I could drag a few more miles out and turned onto Flixton Rd. Hope fully this little detour should take the mileage up above 20 miles.

Home. Very wet and starting to get cold.

21.91 miles

Rosies Cafe

Rosies Cafe in Hayfield. I obsess about the place. The chocolate brownies are THE BEST. That's kind of official. There's no point arguing about it. It's not up for debate. Yes, it may just be my opinion and you may know someone whose brownies are to die for but they are not as good as Rosies. Try them.

Back to the obsessing thing. I was working from home today and lunchtime had been and gone and I started to think about the brownies... I could just go a nice cup of coffee and one of those brownies. It's not that far to go for a brownies and hey, I'll have earnt it too! I threw some cycling gear on and filled my waterbottle, grabbed a banana from the kitchen counter and flew out of the house.

Into Didsbury and up through Heaton Mersey I started to feel it. I hadn't eaten properly this morning. I'd had a bowl of porridge and a couple of crumpets but no lunch. My legs were feeling heavy and I felt a little lethargic. I pushed on anyway, thinking about the brownies. Stockport came and went and then the first little climb of the day up to Bredbury. I'd forgotten that it was a gradual uphill now until the drop into Compstall. Balls! I stopped and inhaled the banana that was in my jersey pocket. I felt a little better, still heavy legged but better. The descent into Compstall was sketchy as the road was pretty greasy. My phone rang as I reached the bottom. I stopped to answer more as an excuse to stop than anything. I got a good 10 minute rest out of that phonecall. I now had a short climb upto Marple Bridge, followed by a quick descent then a steep climb up Brabyns Brow. Again legs were feeling heavy. Actually I was struggling to turn the cranks. I stopped and span the rear wheel. Or rather didn't. The rear quick release had come loose and the wheel was barely able to move. I tightened the wheel and set off again. That was much better. I was still making hard work of it but at least the wheels were spinning freely. Things were going a lot better all the way through to New Mills. Just a few more miles now until the cafe.

No need for the warning. I wasn't going anywhere fast

Hayfield. I could almost smell the cakes. I was knackered when I got there. I ordered quickly and took a seat.

It was every bit as good as I'd hoped. The brownie was quaffed and the coffee drunk. I sat for another 15 minutes before setting back off out into the cold.

Back now towards New Mills. My legs were still not working as they should but I picked up a wheel as I hit New Mills. Sheltering behind a fellow cyclist I climbed back out of New Mills and towards Disley. As I passed the Swizzells Matlow factory the heady aroma of Refreshers was intoxicating, reminding me how hungry I still was. The other cyclist turned into his drive just before Disley town. I had recovered enough to get past Lyme Park and it was pretty much all downhill from here into Stockport. My speedo didn't dip below 22mph all the way into Stockport. I was only 8 miles from home now but the light was fading fast. I had a rear light but no front. The sun was dipping below the horizon as I reached Didsbury. A short cut was in order so I took a left down Ford Lane and past Pobs' house. 15 minutes later I pulled up outside home. I don't think I'll go riding in the Peaks without eating properly next time.

42.74 miles done.

Strangers in the Night

Exchanging glances...da da da da dum. I was just humming it. Not sure why.

As darkness envelops the city and it's suburbs, the amber glow of the streetlights illuminate the skyline. It's cold, freezing even. What a perfect time for a night ride!

Pob had cried off  complaining of a dickie tummy (diddums) but fortunately Ian had already agreed to come out, so it was still on. With three base layers a woolly hat and two pairs of sock on we ventured out into the night.

I'll stop trying to build any sense of adventure right now as the Tuesday night ride is more of a social thang then anything else. We did see a field mouse though. Excitement over.

11.92 miles

Fin

Saturday 14th

Saturday morning. Lou was on-call and had been called in, so we couldn't really make plans and I needed to do something to shake off the post alcohol fug. A quick change into cycling clothes, fill the waterbottle, grab my winter gloves (a welcome present of my mother-in-law) and out.

Bloody 'ell it was cold. I think it was the first properly cold day this year. I clicked up a couple gears and tried to get warm. As I cycled down Brooklands Road I realised I didn't have a clue where I was going. I usually decide on a destination before I set off and work may way over to it. It must be because I rushed myself out. I turned left towards Wythenshawe instead of my customary right towards Hale. I thought I'd do a quick ride upto Wilmslow through Heald Green and Handforth. I'm not that familiar with Wythenshawe as I've never had much cause to go there. It was strangely quiet and the bright, crisp winter morning made everything seem pleasant. I'd never really considered how much green and open space there is. Apparently there are 12 parks in Wythenshawe alone(zzzzzz).

Moving on and through Heald Green. As I got to the lights at Wilmslow Road I saw a Manchester Wheeler pushing his bike. I stopped and saw that he had a puncture. He said that he'd only come out with one tube and had just suffered another puncture. I handed over my spare tube and rode towards Handforth. A couple of hundred metres on it occurred to me that I now had no spare tube, no puncture repair kit and no cash on me to buy another tube. Balls. I'd have to hope that good karma was with me for aiding the stricken cyclist.

Wilmslow came and went, a quick ogle in the window of Royles Cycles at the Alderley roundabout. £13,000.00 for a bike! Now I was on the Knutsford Road. Why Knutsford again? I could head off through the worlds largest village that is Mobberley but then I'd end up by the Airport and only 5 or so miles from home and I wasn't ready to head home just yet. My legs only seem to 'switch on' after 10 miles, so I was only just starting to enjoy it. On past the turnoff for the Frozen Mop (excellent food there by the way) and then a quick down and short up to the edge of Knutsford. The usual path past the lower shops and into Tatton Park. I really need to stop coming here.It's at least once a week now. Rosthern exit and then blast through to Ashley and then Hale. My gears had started to chatter and weren't shifting crisply so I thought I'd stop in at the shop in Ashton Village. Always a warm* welcome there. A bit of a chat and gears repaired I went home. My lovely wife was back from her callout so popped out for lunch.

31.81 miles

*by warm, I mean abusive and offensive


Sunday 15th

With Lou still on call (to be there) I had arranged to go the the Bike Jumble at the Manchester Velodrome. If you think that it would be full of sad anorak types talking about obscure bike parts by part number...you'd be right! There was also a load of bargains and some really cool bits and bobs. Unless you don't like obsessing about bikes. In which case it was boring, full of odd people and smelt funny. You know, a bit like the inside of your Grans' cupboards (not a euphemism).

The rest of the day escaped me, late lunch in the Bean and Brush and then a nice walk around Walton Park (See I do non-bike related stuff).

I decided to do an hour on the turbo. Just to clarify. The turbo-trainer is the thing I dislike doing most. Cycling should be outside in fresh air and with a destination. It should not be in your living room watching Final Destination 5 or somesuch trite potboiler.

20 miles red and sweaty and a large pool of sweat gathering on the floor.

103.19 miles for the week.

Double bubble

Following my disasterous ride in crappy weather on Sunday I decided to try again today. Peter and Ian at Devereux Cycles had fixed my mudguard issue so the winter bike is back up and running.

I headed out into Cheshire on one of my usual routes. Up through Sale, into Hale and out over to Wilmslow. The sun was beginning to show itself through the January gloom and the miles melted away. Alderley Edge was soon upon me, a right onto the new road and up to the Chelford fiveways. 2 1/2 miles to Jodrell Bank on a lovely winters morning. The cafe opens at 10 and I aimed to be one of the first customers. As it was, I was it's only customer. Coffee, coke and a brownie ordered I sat and gazed upon the Lovell Telescope. I have a strange attraction to this huge Cheshire landmark. I get a childlike excitement when I see it. I can't quite put my finger on what it is specifically that makes me find it so interested. Probably something to do with me being a big kid!

One Working winter bike

Coffee, Cake, Coke - The Holy Trinity.

The Lovell Telescope in all it's Glory

Coffee drunk and cake eaten I headed back out into the cold and rode over to Knutsford. I like Knutsford and a lot of my rides seem to either pass through or stop for coffee there. It's a quiet little town and always seems quite pleasant. I cut through Tatton Park, no deer in sight and very few other people around. Soon enough I was back in Hale and a hop, skip and jump from home.

38.87 miles

Given my determination to get fitter and put in the winter miles I decided to meet up with my friend Pob. This time for an off road night ride.

Lights charged and Mountain bike fettled, I wrapped up warm and met Pob at Jacksons' Boat in Sale Water Park. I got there at 6pm as agreed and we got a shift on to stave off the cold. We stayed out for an hour or so, stopping to take a couple of photos'.

12.51 miles done

My Stiffee

Pob

Ghetto

51.38 miles for the day

New Year. New Start

For a blog that is. I enjoyed writing my last blog (rageagainstthelaufmaschine) but I felt that it had served it's purpose for me. In this new year I have a couple of personal targets that I would like to achieve and blogging is a good way for me to keep track of them.

Rather than just being about cycling, I plan to vent a little on this. I imagine that it will be mainly about bikes and the riding of them though. 

OK, to the targets.

I aim to ride the Tour of Flanders Sportive at the end of March

5000 miles for the year.

Hit 12.5 st

I may add more targets as I think of some but they are the main 3.

The sportive target is already in hand I just need Lou to sort out the time off work. I'll hopefully be doing the 134km version rather than the 244km though. Although you never know on the day... If anyone fancies joining me on the ride I'd be grateful!

The mileage target is important to me as it means that I'm consistently riding, staying fit and hopefully, having fun. I did just under 4k in 2011 and would like to improve on that. Hopefully no-one will die this year and depress me.

I was pretty consistently 12st10lbs last year and recently ballooned to 13st 6lbs due to an overwhelming apathy for life and drinking myself stupid most nights. This has now been addressed and I'm now back to 13st 0lbs but would like to shift a little more. There is no stupid diet in effect just excercise. That way I can still eat pretty much what I want.

Anyway. Four rides this week. I'll do a quick summary but will blog properly for the next ride.

The first with Paul and Steve out to Jodrell Bank, taking in Swiss Hill and a pint of coffee in Knutsford. 39.26 miles

Second was on my own. A little urban tour, taking in the sights of, Trafford Park, Salford, City Centre and the southern 'burbs' on my way home. 19.31 miles

Third up was Mountain Biking. Generally more fun that road riding but strangely not as satisfying at the moment. Myself, Mark B and Dave drove over to Macc to do a Macc Forest route that Dave, Mark and Steve have done before. Taking in quite a few gnarly climbs, some excellent views and some truly fantastic descents. It was a great ride despite the hoolie blowing most of the day. 12.03 miles

Last but by no means least was one of my local loops. Usually taking just over an hour but today taking two. Out to Lymm through Carrington and back through Hale and Altrincham. It's only 20.28 miles but today was utterly awful. First my mudguard broke and rubbed for the rest of the ride despite my ham-fisted attempts to fix it. My rear wheel the came loose and locked in the frame. FFS. two hours after leaving home I came back sodden (through expensive waterproof) and thoroughly fucked off. Ah well, there's always tommorow.

90.88 miles for the week.