When I did this route last week the computer sensor slipped for a while and I had to estimate the distance.
I repeated the route today under similarly harsh conditions (except that I started out in the dark at 7am) and discovered it had only been 34km, not the 36 or so that I had rounded up anecdotally to "nearly 40km". So I felt I had to do the honourable thing and added on an extra loop (with a big long hill) to ensure I did a full 40km.
This is certainly the time to see deer - about 7 of them in 4 groups. Funny how they don't seem so threatened by a human on a bike and wait until you're pretty close before they move on. They're obviously very perceptive about my performance and worked out that it wasn't like I was going to catch them or anything.
40km, 2hrs 40min.
Monday, December 11, 2006
3 December 2006 Mainly Roads
Part of me thinks there should be no excuses for not maintaining training momentum for an undertaking of this magnitude ...
But life has conspired this last week or so to stop me getting out.
This was my first experience cycling in very bad weather, and it seemed mad to do it, but I reckon I have to experience and train in all kinds of weather. It's the only way to find out how stuff (including me) works under duress.
Cold and wet, wind blowing the bike off course on exposed sections - even felt the wind behind me a couple of times and I don't think that's ever happened before. Usually any forward motion is more than the prevailing wind speed so you always feel the wind in your face, but this was very strong. Had to slow down on some dowhills as the rain was stinging my face too hard.
Stayed on the road for the vast majority but it was getting dark near the end so I did the last few km through the woods with my new lights :)
34km, 2hrs 15min
But life has conspired this last week or so to stop me getting out.
This was my first experience cycling in very bad weather, and it seemed mad to do it, but I reckon I have to experience and train in all kinds of weather. It's the only way to find out how stuff (including me) works under duress.
Cold and wet, wind blowing the bike off course on exposed sections - even felt the wind behind me a couple of times and I don't think that's ever happened before. Usually any forward motion is more than the prevailing wind speed so you always feel the wind in your face, but this was very strong. Had to slow down on some dowhills as the rain was stinging my face too hard.
Stayed on the road for the vast majority but it was getting dark near the end so I did the last few km through the woods with my new lights :)
34km, 2hrs 15min
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp System
Since the clocks changed it has been difficult to get out sharpish on weekends due to the darkness. I'm not keen to ride in the dark, but it would be handy to get out in the gloom so I'm well under way when the sun comes up. And I do need to try some off road at night to see if I'd want to attempt the night sections of the TransUK events.
After a good deal of searching around, I have just sniped a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp System on Ebay for £25. Seems a good deal as they are openly on sale for £45-60 elsewhere.
These have a 2.4W lamp and a 10W lamp, both halogen. The idea is that the 2.4W should be ample for road riding to get to somewhere and has pretty long battery life, the 10W entry-level ok for off-road if I need it.
Will report back once they've been road tested.
After a good deal of searching around, I have just sniped a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp System on Ebay for £25. Seems a good deal as they are openly on sale for £45-60 elsewhere.
These have a 2.4W lamp and a 10W lamp, both halogen. The idea is that the 2.4W should be ample for road riding to get to somewhere and has pretty long battery life, the 10W entry-level ok for off-road if I need it.
Will report back once they've been road tested.
TransRockies 2007 Registration Opens
Registration for the 2007 TransRockies Challenge opened on 1st Nov, is already 80% full.
5 November 2006 Tracks n Backroads
Late posting this, but today's riding plans got mashed so it's a chance to catch up.
Another trip round this route including the recent Clatto extra.
Ground a bit drier and firmer than before and I felt I was quite "attacking" the course. Ended up back in 2hr 30 min for the 30km which is the same as last time - except that I stopped for a few minutes to help a guy on a hybrid who had tried to pump up his back tyre but due to a valve mistmatch had only succeeded in emptying it.
Actually, I was hailed down by two impressive roadies who had already stopped. Husband and wife, both in the free bus pass age group, drop handlebars and wooly hats. They were both interested in MTBing - maintenance, weight, where to put the panniers, etc. 60 miles a day was nothing to them a while ago - they've "done Inverness in a day" apparently; about 130 miles.
Another trip round this route including the recent Clatto extra.
Ground a bit drier and firmer than before and I felt I was quite "attacking" the course. Ended up back in 2hr 30 min for the 30km which is the same as last time - except that I stopped for a few minutes to help a guy on a hybrid who had tried to pump up his back tyre but due to a valve mistmatch had only succeeded in emptying it.
Actually, I was hailed down by two impressive roadies who had already stopped. Husband and wife, both in the free bus pass age group, drop handlebars and wooly hats. They were both interested in MTBing - maintenance, weight, where to put the panniers, etc. 60 miles a day was nothing to them a while ago - they've "done Inverness in a day" apparently; about 130 miles.
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