Another Tuesday ride

It seemed that all my recent rides have been in heavy rain and so it was nice that the Pedalpushers outing last night enjoyed some glorious sunshine. Well it did rain when we arrived at Barkers Pool but it soon passed.

Plan A was for Simon to lead a ride out to Litton but this was abandoned. Plan B was to go up to Owler Bar, on to Fox House and then Ringinglow and Lodge Moor. 1st part of the ride took us up through Meersbrook Park, Warminster Road, Norton and on to Holmesfield. On the way up I noted a couple of Simon's 'rules of cycling': Never ride your touring bike without the panniers attached (unless they fall off whilst riding) and wear as many layers as possible!

At Meadowhead Simon's gut rot got the better of him and he left us to it. Took usual route out to Holmesfield and then Owler Bar where we met Alan and Matthew (who had joined a PP ride for the 1st time tonight. At this point 3 of the group decided to go to the Grouse for a pint or two whilst myself, Alan, Matthew and Edward wanted to get a few more miles in. So off we set for Chatsworth and Beeley with a return back over Beeley Moor, Pudding Pie Hill and Millthorpe.

Hot air balloon low over Chatsworth estate. Although you wouldn't get me up in one of those, I always enjoy watching them. The ride back over Beeley Moor was truly beautiful. Bit of a tail wind all the way up the hill, sun out, minimal traffic and what looked like a Buzzard riding the thermals over the valley. Of all the climbs in the peaks I think I enjoy that one the most.

Took the narrow lane through Unthank down to Millthorpe. This was fun but caused Alan a bit of grief on his bling Gios with no mudguards as it was strewn in all kinds of large animal shit mixed with lots of rain water, grit and mud. He didn't look too happy at the bottom! Time was getting on and it looked like we wouldn't make it back to the Grouse to meet the others. Alan headed off back to Hope whilst we climbed Millthorpe Lane and Cartledge Lane to Holmesfield and back to Sheffield (stopping off for a pint on the way).

38 miles and very enjoyable it was too.

Altura Orkney Panniers

The 'dryline' technology in these (massive) rear panniers is supposed to ensure all your kit stays dry. This convinced me that there was no need to stick everything inside pastic bags in them.

Waterproof my arse! After a very wet trip from Derby last Friday some of my clothes in there were wet and a folder with the papers in there was almost ruined. Bah!

Rain, punctures and lots of miles

Cycled over to the Lincolnshire Wolds and back this weekend to go to my Brother-in-Law's 50th birthday do. Planned a route that avoided the A57 for all but crossing Dunham Bridge and stuck to minor roads and lanes.

Bit misty and drizzly when I set off at about 8.30am on Saturday but this soon cleared away. However, there was obviously a lot of crap on the roads as I only made it as far as Harthill before suffering a puncture (not the first of the day!). My humour was not helped by the fact that one of my tyre levers snapped. Damn. Oh well, weather starting to look a little better so off with the jacket and on we go. Good progress through Shireoaks, Worksop and Retford and then on to minor roads via Eaton and East Drayton to join the A57 for a short stretch over Dunham Bridge. Just before getting to the A57 I encountered the first flooded road of the day. Not deep but enough to get my feet wet. The Trent was VERY full as you can see from the picture.

From here it was back on to minor roads via quite picturesque little villages before crossing the A57 again at Saxilby. Going well so far. Averaging about 17mph and feeling good. More minor roads and a short climb up on to the ridge north of Lincoln. The clouds were starting to look a ominous now. So far, I'd been lucky but wasn't to last! Started to rain heavily near the vilage of Scothern and it just got worse and worse. Torrential would not begin to describe it. Twas nearly impossible to see through it and I've never experienced a cloudburst like it! Feet soaked now but I was loving it. Singing along to myself and laughing at the elements. Passed a couple of cars that had parked up on the side of the road (the rain really was too heavy to drive in) whose occupants looked at me like I was some sort of loon. Then heard the telltale pft, pft, pft from the rear wheel. Bollocks. Not another puncture and not in this downpour please. Found a bit of shelter and made my repairs. Thank goodness I put 2 spare innertubes in the saddlebag.

Off we go again and the sun comes out. Can see the water on the roads evaporating and the smell of the wet fields and verges was wonderful. Thats one of the best things about cycling in Lincolnshire. Soon come across another flooded road. This one was actually closed off but I ignored that. Hmmm. There was a good reason for those signs. It was deep and long. My feet were submersed as I pedalled. Never mind. They were wet anyway.

Approaching Horncastle (where I lived as a lad) and bugger, my front tyre starts to deflate. And it starts raining heavily again. Sod this I thought. I'll put the hammer down and get to the bike shop in Horncastle before its totally flat. Just get into the town as the last of the air goes. Its tricky trying to steer around corners in the rain, on the rim! Double bugger. The bike shop is no more. Its another bloody antique shop. Damn you Wiggle!!!! Oh well nothing for it. Couldn't really be arsed to sit there repairing a tube so resolve to put as much air as I can in and cycle up towards Louth. I'd have to stop and reinflate a few times but what the hell. Also resolved to source some new tyres from a LBS in the area and ceremoniously dance on the grave of these SHIT Schwalbe Blizzard Sports.

On the second 'reinflation stop' the valve of the tube comes away and I resign myself to defeat. Its only about 4 miles to my destination and so its easier to phone up the missus and get picked up rather than sit in the rain fixing a tube. After a quick shower I disappear off to a LBS in Alford (James's - nowt to do with JE James of course) who sell me some new conti's, new tubes and some better tyre levers!

Got completely rat-arsed in the evening which was probably not a good idea as I was planning to get up and go fairly early in the morning next day. I didn't leave until lunchtime!

The weather today was lovely. Sunny spells and light winds. What breeze there was, was in my face but it was OK. On some of Lincolnshire's flat, open roads even a modest headwind can be quite demoralising. There is often little shelter so its good to find lanes with high hedges. The lane in the picture is typical of the area. Narrow and big hedges where groups of Kamikaze sparrows and finches launch themselves across the road right in front of you. There are also lots of beautiful quiet places to stop and rest for a bit. I stopped at this small river with lush vegetation on the banks. Loads of wildlife to enjoy.

Anyway, retraced my route back to Sheffield, stopping for a pie and a pint on the way at Dunham. Started to get a bit tired around Worksop but plodded on and got back home just before 6.00pm. Not too bad. And stayed dry too.

158 miles in total (79 each way) in the two days. I'm feeling quite tired now.

Are you a cycling fashion victim?

A piss take aimed at those who have more money than sense. I love it.

Sorry Alan - I know you own some Rapha kit but honestly, some of the stuff they sell for silly money ... they are having a laugh. A Rapha race bag (whatever that bloody well is) for £250 (yes thats right !!!!!) that looks like Barbara Cartland's handbag.

Esteli ride recce

I've done the Esteli ride before but thought I'd ride the route this morning before doing it again on 1st July. It really is a lovely ride but hilly. No flat bits, just hills, lumps and bumps all the way. I seem to recall its well over 5500 feet of climbing but might be wrong. Anyway I was quite knackered and my cap was soaked with sweat when I got back home at lunchtime. The climb back from Bamford in particular is a bugger. In parts its a fairly gentle hill that you can spin up easily, in parts it is bastard steep and there are false summits where you lose altitude before you need to regain it all before Burbage. Its also near the end of an already hilly ride. The climb up to Abney Gliding Club from Hathersage seems to go on as well. I'd forgotten about that.

Plenty of cyclists around today. What might have been a race (it looked bigger than a club ride and they were going like shit off a shovel) near Peak Forest and a Calder Clarion club run near Yorkshire Bridge.

The only annoyance was the creaking and groaning from my bottom bracket (at least I think thats where its coming from). Its definitely getting worse. Hold on. It might be my knees!

A south yorks and north notts pootle

Weather forecast for Sunday is terrible so decided to make the most of todays weather instead. Headed up to Old Moor wetlands centre for a start following a combination of the TPT and the minor roads. The cafe was empty when I got there at about 9.50ish. Big pot of tea and a hunk of fantastic spiced apple cake. Lovely. Still cloudy and grey at 10.15.

Followed main roads to Mexborough and Conisbrough. Consibrough is actually quite nice and of course you've got the castle there. Mexborough, however, is really quite depressing. Apologies to any natives of there reading this. Obligatory photo of the castle and then on through Braithwell and Maltby. Sun makes an appearance and out come the shades.

From Maltby its on to the quiet rural roads through Hooton Levitt and Slade Hooton towards Laughton. There is quite a sharp climb up to Laughton. Its not long but it was about the first time I'd been out of the saddle. More lovely rural roads now through Firbeck, Gildingwells and Woodsetts. This area reminds me of cycling on the Lincolnshire Wolds. Undulating roads, never what you would describe as hilly and nothing but skylarks for company.

Then its back on to route 67 through Shireoaks, Thorpe Salvin and Harthill. Tempted by a pint at the Beehive but press on. Its getting quite hot now as well. From Harthill take my usual route via Killamarsh and Mosborough back to Sheffield. Start to hear annoying creaking from bottom bracket area. Its only there when I pedal hard and not when I coast. Methinks the bottom bracket is giving up the ghost. Thankfully Campag BB's are relatively cheap.

61.5 miles at 15.1 mph.

Speedy wheel build

Wheel building is NOT a dark art as some would have you believe. I've built up about 6 or 7 wheels now. Most of them are not dished as they are either fronts or fixed rear wheels. I have built some dished rear wheels though and as long as you get the spoke lengths correct and remember to use the right length spokes on the appropriate side its no more difficult than a front.

Anyway, I was replacing the front wheel on the touring bike as the rim was as concave as Mr Magoo's glasses and the hub was never that clever anyhow. Used a Deore XT hub and a Mavic A119 rim. The rim is fairly cheap and cheerful but perfectly sound AND double eyeletted. They are more or less disposable items anyway.

It took me 15 minutes to lace it all up, 10 minutes to get the spokes to tension and do an initial stress relieve and then only 5 minutes to true it, stress relieve it again and do a final true. All true to within less than 0.5 mm and all in only half an hour. Not bad!!

One reason why I don't like the TPT around Manor/Handsworth

Is this. Sadly, a common sight along that part of the route. Shame really.

Cycling caps

I'm a recent convert to the old style cotton caps. Not simply for aesthetic reasons (although they DO look good) but because they are practical. They keep the sun off your head and stop the sweat running into your eyes. They do the latter very effectively too - much more so than the pads inside a h*lm*t. A good example of this was on the Winnats ride the other evening. In the past I've been stopping on long or hilly rides to wipe dripping sweat from my sunglasses but with the cap on - not a problem at all.

Winnats ride

Simon made an interesting point about what sort of rides people were interested in. Most Tuesdays they arrange an easy pootle and perhaps 4 turn up; then, obviously under the influence of 8.5% cider, Ian plans another bastard of a ride and 12 turn up. And we were all treated to a fantastic ride on a lovely evening.

A few of us left Barkers Pool at 6 and made good speed up Ecclesall and Hathersage Road towards Fox House where we rendezvoused with a few more. There was a quick stop on the way up there near Blacka Moor where some wanted to look at the CTC centenary tree. I certainly didn't fancy walking on gravelly paths and through undergrowth in shoes with Look cleats so left that delight for another day. Beautiful and quick descent into Hathersage and then motored along to Bamford where we waited a while for Ian to turn up. Ian was wearing his helmet cam. Hope he got some footage.

12 of us now and off we go towards Castleton and Winnats. Wondered if a few might 'wimp out and take the old road but all but one of the group took the left fork and up we go on the right bastard of a climb that is Winnats Pass. Last time I rode up Winnats I was on my touring bike with uber-low gears. This evening I'm on the audax bike with a compact double and a low gear of something like 35". Still low enough though. Manage to keep a gear or 2 in reserve until about 50m after the bend and then I need them all! Grind up OK and even manage to chat with Alan for some of it. It is bloody hard though. On the way up Alan was telling a story about a bloke who lived next door to him in Hope who commuted to Stockport by bike and rode up Winnats EVERY day. Bloody Hell! Chapeau. Mike looks fresh as a daisy at the top and turns back to descend. Surely, he doesn't want to do it again! Yes I think he does!!! We wait for everyone to regroup at the top of Mam Nick and enjoy the rest and also the view of a gorgeous setting sun.

Get the fun bit now and 'wheeee' all the way down to Edale and everyone keeps up a good speed back to Hope where Simon hands out chocolate biscuits. Good man. They don't last long! Back through Hathersage, where the local youth come out with a new one ... "Get off and milk it!". Hmmm, not heard that one before. And then we're climbing again on the road back up to Fox House. I get into a really good rhythm and keep spinning at about 10-11 MPH all the way up with a guy on a Litespeed MTB (think his name was Frank?). A slight tail breeze really helps. Thats not that fast but its not bad going for me. Lights on now. Get to the top of the hill and whizz back down, turning off up Sheephill Road towards Ringinglow. Descend back to the Rising Sun in Nether Green for a couple of pints before making my way home and suffering a bit of a clipless moment on the way!! Oh well.

What a great ride. 46 miles on my computer when I get back at an average of 14.1 MPH. Not bad. According to Ian the ride itself (42 miles) included 4500 ft of ascending. Want to do it again!

Clumber not slumber

Option 1: Stay in bed on a Sunday morning until kids wake you up and demand food/X-Box/drink/demands to call on friends at some ungodly hour/ ... well you name it. Or,


Option 2: Get up before them and bugger off on the bike for a few hours.


Its no contest on a warm and tranquil day and I'm out of the house by 7.00 Wake up 'Blue Vernon' and off we go with a bit of AC/DC on the MP3 player to get the blood pumping. I could take NCN route 67 (is it 67? I can't remember) but I really don't like the section between Sheaf Square and Beighton so stick to the roads via Mosborough and Killamarsh and join the NCN route at Harthill and then onwards to Worksop and Clumber.


Its a mainly beautiful morning with hardly a breath of wind. Skylarks starting to chirp over the fields. Well I would have heard them if it wasn't for Bon Scott belting out some classic tunes. No traffic and I'm loving it.


Get to Clumber and make my way to cafe to try and get some tea. I'm easily the youngest person around! Dog walkers at the moment. I've beat the rush. Not even any other cyclists. Anyway, quick pootle the roads and tracks around the park before making my way back. I'd heard that Clumber had become a bit of a mecca for 'dogging' but no evidence of that. Don't suppose there would be at 9ish on a Sunday morning though. That, of course, was NOT my reason for riding here!





Could choose a different route back but decide that I enjoyed the route here so much I'll retrace it. Lovely along the Chesterfield Canal although need to take it steady and avoid the many dogs that are being walked without a lead. Everything is great until get to White Lane and you have to contend with the tram tracks and then the ring road. Stopped in Graves Park to watch Norton Lees Juniors play a friendly match and then home.


Really enjoyed that and felt like I could have ridden all day. Just over 52 miles on the clock.

Great morning, Shit afternoon

Set off at 7.30am with plenty of cycling time ahead of me before a rendezvous with family at Linacre Reservoirs (just west of Chesterfield). Weather forecast wasn't great but it wasn't raining (yet!). Got passed by the most miserable bastard of a slim roadie on the climb up to Whirlow from Abbey Lane. Sensed someone behind; quick look over the shoulder and a breezy 'Morning!' leaves my lips. Not a flicker as he drifted past. He definitely heard me though. Defintely saw my raised hand. Not the remotest sign of an acknowledgement. Not a nod. Not the merest raising of a finger from the handlebars. Not the slightest indication that the person on the bike was anything more than some sort of staring, cyclomaton. Now, given another comment along similar lines in a recent post I wouldn't want anyone to think I was a 'single issue cyclist' or that I supported compulsory extravagent waving. Rudeness and ignorance does bother me though. Oh well, matey boy was the only example of this today. I shall mention this issue no more!

Anyway, after climbing and then descending into Hathersage decided to go via Grindleford to Bakewell and then Chatsworth. Sadly saw a dead badger on the roadside en route to Grindleford. Its surprising how BIG they are. Apparently there is a 'Badger Group' somewhere around Sheffield that will recover any dead badgers reported to them. Didn't have number though. This isn't the first time I have come across one though and so I should find the number and stick it in my phone.

As I got close to Chatsworth I heard some godawful rattling and scraping coming from behind me. No difficulty in identifying the cause - the 'Bagman' rack holding up my Carradice Barley saddlebag had come away from the bracket holding it to the underside of the saddle. There are only a couple of poxy grubscrews holding the rack part on (see photo) and you can't really tighten them. A crap design fault in an otherwise excellent product. Maybe I should use some loctite though.

Chatsworth was already busy as the international horse trials were on. Lots of big Landrovers, shiny 4x4's and horsey looking people in expensive clothes. I am the only one within the Chatworth grounds on a bicycle. In fact I am the only one inside the grounds with transport that is smaller than some terraced houses in Huddersfield. Cafe not bloody open though so make use of facilities and decide to wait for a bit to see if it does open as I really fancy some tea. No chance so off we go. Enjoy the climb up to Beeley Moor (translated this means I rode up there very slowly) and onwards to Linacre Reservoirs. Sit and wait for family to arrive. Crave tea and cake now. Family arrive and I dive into a packet of biscuits before remembering to say hello. Mental note - I really must remember to eat breakfast before these early rides. First time I've been to Linacre. Its very nice. Lovely walks around the reservoirs and kids had a whale of a time for a couple of hours or so. You can ride around some of it too although you'd need a sturdy touring bike at the very least. MTB's would be the order of the day.

Finish walk and it starts raining (a lot) as soon as I change from walking boots to cycling shoes. Bugger. Was going to ride home on quite a circuitous route but can't be bothered now. Quick check of map and decide on shortest way back to Sheffield and in spite of rain do it bloody quickly as well. Beat family home although to be fair they did stop at the supermarket in Dronfield on the way :-)

47 miles (intended to do more) but very enjoyable morning and lunchtime.

Oh yes. Nearly forgot. The afternoon. Blades relegated. Bollocks! Don't want to talk about that.

Out early

It might be unseasonably warm but it didn't feel it at 7.00am this morning as I set out on a 25 mile loop. In fact my fingers and toes were really cold for the first half of the ride. Anyway, despite it being chilly I certainly built up a sweat - particularly on a quick blast up Millthorpe Lane to Holmesfield on the way back.

Love riding this early in the morning on a Sunday as the roads are mostly empty and I really appreciate the different 'headspace' I find myself in. Its also quite good for blowing away a few cobwebs/hangover (delete as appropriate). Plenty of other cyclists out as well this morning - in fact I've got a crick in my neck from so much nodding of acknowledgement :-) Its a slightly strange thing that - acknowledging other cyclists when you are riding a bike. I always nod or wave whoever they are; roadies, MTBers, utility cyclists. Its clearly a politeness thing but also a camaraderie aspect to it as well. In fact I feel quite aggrieved if I don't get a nod in return.

Bluebells

Did a 9 mile loop with Isaac yesterday mainly off the roads. Only a short little ride but probably like a stage of the TDF for his little 8 year old legs. He seemed to manage it easily (apart from walking up the steeper bit of Meersbrook Park near the end) and I was impressed with his road sense - able to confidently look behind, signal clearly etc. Wouldn't be confident about letting him ride on the roads without me yet but he's getting there and obviously enjoying it. Might take him cycle camping this year or next. Shame the nearest campsites involve a trek over to the Peaks (which he won't manage yet) or a longer, more urban ride, to Thrybergh.

Some of the ride was through Graves Park where the bluebells are fantastic. Could have stopped and had a picnic but it was a typical "Come on Dad, stop taking photos of flowers!".

Bastards

Road safety minister Stephen Ladyman has laid the new Highway Code before Parliament. If not contested by MPs or Lords, it will be approved within 40 days.

The new Code will require cyclists to use cycle facilities 'wherever possible', irrespective of the consequences for their safety. A recent study in London has shown that female cyclists are more likely to be involved in collisions with heavy goods vehicles as a result of their tendency to "trust" cycle facilities.

Similarly cyclists will continue to be recommended to ride around the outside of roundabouts, in the place where conflict is most likely. The rule that they 'should' wear a cycle helmet is also retained.

70% of the 4,000 public responses to the draft Code came from cyclists, and there were as many responses from cycling organisations (41 responses)as from local authorities and road safety organisations together. Despite this, the Government has chosen to ignore completely the clear concerns expressed about the impact of the new rules on cycling safety, and the almost certain increase in counter-claims of contributory negligence that will arise when cyclists are injured.

From the outset Ladyman has refused to meet with the cycling organisations to discuss the draft document. However, there were more promising 'leaks' from civil servants that there would be changes. We were also told that the new Code would not be ready before 2008. Cyclists can now rightly feel aggrieved that they have been deceived and that prejudices and ignorance have ridden rough-shod over considerations about their safety.

CCN, CTC and other cycling organisations are now considering their options, but will need the support of cyclists throughout the UK to overturn this travesty, as we must. In the meantime, please encourage cyclists once more to contribute to the Cyclists' Defence Fund and if you are likely to meet with your MP for other reasons, please make him or her aware of your concerns.

Cyclists Defence Fund