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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Day 260

Got up and was starved so made a cooked breaky for family :-) Lyneham met office had the temperature at -3 Deg C so I thought I would leave the bike ride for a while!

I decided to swap the cyclo-cross tyres for the original Schwalbe Stevio tyres (puncture resistant), just as I finished a delivery man knocked on the door with my new tyres in hand :-) so I fitted the Schwalbe Marathon tyres instead :-)


At 11 wifey went of shopping to Ikea so I thought I would set off on my ride although the temperature still appeared to be negative.

I opted for doing my now 'normal' 25 mile ride in reverse so I started of down the quiet country lanes and ended up on the busier A4. (Route here...)

It did mean tackling the rather steep hill on Stanley lane within 3 miles from home but it was a good way to warm up!

The trees at the top of the hill were covered in frost

When I reached Lyneham the headwind turned into a much better tail wind, unfortunately I have now come to realise that when working hard into a headwind you keep quite warm, when having it easy with a tail wind you cool off very quickly and the wind chill starts to bite as well.

The new tyres did feel a bit easier to cycle with and I am confident that they will be a lot harder to puncture!

The cycle computer showed 25.69 miles in 1 hour 54 minutes with an average speed of 13.4 mph, Lyenham Met office had the weather as -2 Deg C with 9 mph NNE wind

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Day 259

Ventured out at 9:30 ish on the Dawes, I made plans to drop in and visit a friend in Colerne at 11, but I never made it :-(

It was very cold when I set of Lyneham had it at -1.1 but I wrapped up in plenty of layer's and was reasonably toasty. I set of towards Calne -> Lyneham -> Sutton Benger -> Chippenham, then I turned right on the A420 towards Ford at about 3 miles there was a distinct phsssssss coming from the back wheel and I noticed green slime from the self sealing inner tube was spraying the bike green. No problem, I thought its a self sealing tube! Unfortunately it was a shard of glass and the self sealing tube didn't!

I had to do a puncture repair on the side of the road :-( and I must have the only non-sticky rubber glue on the planet, on about the 3rd patch it appeared to hold enough so I re-assembled the wheel and pumped the tyre up, unfortunately I broke the pump (Snapped the handle) just as the tyre was getting to a workable pressure.

Thankfully it held enough for me to get back home.

I have now ordered a pair of 700 x 28 Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, another Frame pump and a load of inner tubes. I have not had a lot of success with the normal tyres and slime tubes, so I am going back to puncture resistant tyres!

The cycle computer showed 26.11 miles with an average speed of 14.5 mph. The actual route I did is here...

Monday, December 29, 2008

Day 258

Got up early and took Rosie and Cleo to Morgans Hill for a walk (We are looking after Cleo over Christmas for a friend).

We saw a few Deer (Monkjack) at the bottom of the Hill

After the walk I finally got round to shifting an old fridge and freezer to the household recycling centre, its only taken about a year!

After lunch I went for a nice 30 mile ride on the Merida, I cycled Chippenham -> Devizes -> Avebury -> Calne -> Chippenham (Route Here...)

Although very cold (0.6 deg C) the wind had changed direction and dropped a little (ENE 11 mph) and the ride was very enjoyable, even the A361 had some quiet stretches.

The stretch shown in the photo is slightly down hill, but was into wind, I found that cycling sat more upright I was maintaining around 15.5 mph, when I dropped down onto the drop handlebars with no more effort the speed increased to 17.5 mph (I will definitely have to get used to cycling using the drop handlebars!)

I was very happy with today's ride, I cycled up some quite tough hills and I must say that at least one of them seemed easier on the Merida, I will still have to get used to the gear changes, I am still not quite getting it right when changing the front chain ring up/down, I either end up in to easy a gear or worse to tough a gear! and end up loosing my momentum going up a hill.

As it was such a clear crisp day I took a few more photies of the cold Wiltshire countryside.


When I got back home I gave the bike a wipe down with a damp cloth, there was still some road salt in evidence on the roads :-( I will definitely NOT be taking the new bike out again when there is ANY salt in evidence!

The cycle computer showed 29.12 miles in 1 hour 53 min with an average speed of 15.4 mph

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Day 257 (Sunday)

Got up, did normal Sunday house tidy then went food shopping with wifey :-) had brunch at supermarket.

When we got back home I got changed then set off on the Dawes for a nice 25 mile ride. (They had salted the road last night and I didn't want to take the nice shiny new bike out!)

Again today it was a really tough headwind, It sort off makes me feel better that I was struggling with the Dawes today, as I was a bit worried about the gearing on the Merida yesterday.

I did my 'normal 25', according to the cycle computer I did 25.14 miles in 1 hour 46 minutes with an average speed of 14.2 mph, Lyneham met office showed a 17 mph NE wind and a temp of 1.3 deg C.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Day 256 (Saturday)

Got up, had breky, fitted Race Blade mudguards to the Merida, wouldn't want to get my nice shiny new bike dirty now would I? (Was going to fit them yesterday but the front guard proved to be a bit difficult, as you have to bend them to fit)






I set of with no real route in mind, but I did want to try out some hills! So I headed for Batheaston then doubled back up Kingsdown Hill (I was pleasantly surprised with the ease of the hill climb) I then turned right towards Wraxall then to Bradford on Avon. This was my first experience of going down a steep hill with slow traffic, and I found the brakes a tadge awkward to apply firmly unless I used the drop handlebars, then it didn't seem very natural to unclip a foot and put down (I am sure I will get used to it!). From Bradford I headed to Trowbridge, then Bratton, West Lavington. At West Lavington I started to get cold! and I felt I had been working hard into a headwind for miles! I started to find the gears awkward! (At this point I have had 28 gears to work with, and I feel no embarrassment at being on the middle chain ring, for some reason I am avoiding the lower chain ring on the Merida! (How stupid is that!)
From Devizes it was plain sailing home, although the headwind persisted!

According to Lyneham met office the OAT was between 0 and 1 deg C with a 17 mp NE wind, no wonder I was feeling the cold!

The cycle computer showed 50.83 miles in 3 Hours 41 mins with an Average Speed of 13.7 mph.

All in all I am happy with the Merida, I will have to get used to the different gear ratio's. The bike is great fun and on a nice smooth road it comes into its own:-) and the down hills make the up hills worth while:-) I have learnt from Dave that ducking down and making yourself as small as possible whilst going downhill gives an incredible speed that you cant achieve by pedaling :-)

Friday, December 26, 2008

Day 255 (Boxing Day)

First ride on the Merida :-)

It was fantastic! I cycled from Chippenham -> Calne -> Avebury -> Devizes -> Chippenham
(Route Here...) I set of at about 9:10 and was back home for 11.

Wifey took some pictures of my return.



The cycle computer shows 29.17 miles in 1 hour 41 min with an avs of 17.1 mph and a max speed of 43 mph.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Day 254 (Christmas Day)

Managed to get out at 8:20 for a nice 25 mile ride, Santa had not authorised the use of the new bike so I went out on the Dawes.

I did my normal 25 until I got to Stanley lane then I diverted down the Calne cycle way (It added another .5 mile to the trip) (Route here...)

The cycle computer had the ride as 25.68 miles in 1 hour 44 minutes and an avs of 14.7 mph.

When I got back home Wifey took some photies of the new bike and me :-)


Ohh today I have cycled over 4000 miles since I started training in April.

Tomorrow I plan on doing a nice 30-40 mile ride on the new bike :-)

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Day 253

Wahay I am definitely back :-)

Work from home today, managed to get out on the bike at 11:30 for my 'normal 25' :-)

It was great, I have really missed it. Just one observation , I cleaned the Dawes before I put it away (On its last use) and when I got back today its minging again, I won't be able to take the new bike out on this route!

The cycle computer shows that I did 25 miles in 1 hour 36 minutes with an AVS of 15.5 mph, I was very happy that even after 10+ days out of the saddle I can still make it up Wick Hill without climbing out of the saddle :-)

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Day 252

Night off ;-)

Went out for a family meal, so no chance to get on turbo trainer.

I am really looking forward to getting out on a real ride tomorrow

Monday, December 22, 2008

Day 251

Whay I'm back :-)

I felt so much better on the way home from work that I decided I would get changed and go straight on the turbo trainer when I got home :-)

I did 30 minutes (5 minutes warm up 20 minutes high gear working hard and 5 minutes cool down) The cycle computer suggests that I did 10.5 miles

I am looking forward to getting out on Wednesday now :-)

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Day 250 (Sunday)

Still got a cold, but feeling much better today :-)

Down to a tickly cough now...So hopefully be back on bike on Wednesday :-)

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Day 249 (Saturday)

Still got a cold, but now I have a shiny new bike :-)

I picked the bike up with wifey this morning, wasn't allowed to cycle it anywhere :-(

Still not intending to go out cycling until I have shaken the cold.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Day 248

Still got a cold, Still got a sore throat, Still not been out on bike :-(

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Day 247

A very early in the day post.

I still have a cold and will be at work christmas party tonight so no training again today.

Wifey says that although picking new bike up on Saturday, she is going to wrap it up and I won't be able to use it until christmas day :-(

Oh well at least its something to look forward to....

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Day 246

Still have cold :-(

But on the bright side I can almost speak again :-)

Had a phone call from Peddlers in Calne, my new bike has arrived :-) and I will be picking it up on Saturday.

Ohhhh and double good news, Peddlers have also done the warranty change on the Dawes back wheel :-)

Still staying off training at the moment until I feel better, The sore throat is turning into a tickley cough.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Day 245

Still got a cold. Almost completely lost my voice today:-(

But had a nice day out in Stevenage in Hertfordshire(working) and saw lots of old friends that I haven't seen for nearly 6 months. It was amazing most of them were shocked at the change in me.

I didn't really embark on this to lose weight, but I guess it is a matter of fact that if I am burning more calories than I consume and I stay away from high fat and unhealthy foods then it is inevitable that I will become healthier and thinner.

I just really want to shake this cold so I can get back out on the bike! But I dont want to rush it as I really dont want to get a chest infection and be of the bike for an extended period of time.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Day 244

Still got a cold :-(

And now loosing my voice...

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Day 243 (Sunday)

Still feeling unwell :-(

Played computer games, watched TV and sulked all day.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Day 242 (Saturday)

I have got a cold :-(

Sore throat, aching joints :-(

Advice from Dave and everybody else is to take a break, or I could make things worse, so although my desire is to complete 50 miles this weekend, I have opted to have a rest and hope I shake the cold quickly!

And dont ask me about the concert!

Notice the error! The tickets were for Monday 8th, I didn't realise until we actually got to Bristol and the doors were closed!

Boy oh boy I was upset.....

Friday, December 12, 2008

Day 241

Worked from home again today. Going to an Apocalyptica concert tonight in Bristol and would have had to finish work early in good time to go.

I dragged myself away from work at 11:30 and went for my 'normal 25', I am feeling a little achy and think I have the beginnings of a cold :-( but I still very much enjoyed it!

It was a little warmer than it has been of late, but it was very wet and I got back very dirty, I had little choice but to give the bike a wash over before putting it away.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Day 240

Worked late...Got home late....No cycling

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Day 239

WFH today.

Managed to get out at 11:30. Did my 'normal 25' , It was cold and some of the road's still had chunks of ice on them (Perhaps I will have to change my 'normal 25' to avoid the unclassified roads)

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Day 238

Night off....Played computer games :-)

Monday, December 8, 2008

Day 237

Back on the Turbo Trainer again!

Warmed up for 7 minutes (I like to work to the nearest 5 minutes and I got on the bike at 6:23)
Plodded along in the highest gear for 20 minutes then cooled down for 5 minutes in easier gear.

Total time 32 minutes distance covered 13.5 miles.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Day 236 (Sunday)

Up early, house tidy, then out on bike to mother in laws to do some DIY stuff.

I got out of the door at 11 am and as can be seen from the photo it was cold and frosty!

I cycled the 15 miles to Wootton Basset, stopped did the chores had lunch then cycled on to Malmesbury and back to Chippenham. Route here...

A total of 36.37 miles with a cycle time of 2 hours 22 minutes and an average speed of 15.3 mph.

It is a really interesting feeling breaking out into a sweat on such a cold day! The only problem is when and if you stop you get instantly cold, you have to keep moving and working hard.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Day 235 (Saturday)

Very, very, VERY busy day!

Got up, stoked up fire, made porridge for breaky (At the same time as boiling some fruit up for a Worcester Cider fruit cake :-), took dog for walk, went xmas shopping, had lunch out, on returning home got changed and went out for cycle....setting of from home at about 1pm.

The sky was clear, the visibility was perfect and it was cold! I set of with no real plans of a route...

I headed towards Calne then Avebury turning right at Broad Hinton (Over the white horse)

Then on towards Marlborough, the visibility was excellent.

At Marlborough I turned back onto the A4 towards Chippenham, turning left at Clatford to go down the country lanes towards Devizes.

When I got to Alton the sun was realy starting to go down.


From Alton it was a right turn at Alton Priors, then on to Devizes and then Home...Route here...

I had to have my lights on from Devizes onwards as it was really becoming twilight.

According to the cycle computer I cycled 49.2 miles in 3 hours 9 minutes with an average speed of 15.6 mph. The actual elapsed time was 1pm (ish) to 4:20(ish) so 1 hour 20 (ish)

On arriving home I finished mixing up the cake and shoved it in the oven, had a shower, then made up pastry for some mince pies :-)

Friday, December 5, 2008

Day 234

Got home late...very tired...Taking night off

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Day 233

Another night off....Gone to a party.

Will just have to work twice as hard tomorrow ;-(

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Day 232

Work from Home today....

Managed to tear myself away from the laptop and lovely warm fire...

Did my 'normal 25' and it was cold! Lyneham met office had it at 3 deg, My biggest worry was NOT getting cold but encountering black ice and falling off.

I was very cautious on the down hill stretches and generally avoided any areas of the road that had an icy shine.

I did the 25 miles in a fair 1 hour 33 minutes and spent a couple of minutes washing the road grime and salt off the bike when I got back home.

I hadn't really contemplated that the cold temperature would keep me from cycling, I had just thought torrential rain and howling gales but I have no desire to throw myself down the road.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Day 231

w00t night off playing computer games.......

Must shoot Zombies..........

Monday, December 1, 2008

Day 230

Turbo trainer again...

30 minutes, 5 minutes warm up, 20 minutes endurance (Highish gear plodding along) 5 minutes cool down.

Cycle computer shows 10.7 miles in 30 minutes 58 seconds Average speed of 20.7 mph