tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64275662592521987692024-03-13T12:37:28.048+00:00Johns Cycling DiaryJohn Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.comBlogger740125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-75408213798789020282010-04-29T20:31:00.001+01:002010-04-29T20:32:58.144+01:00Blog moved...I have moved my blog to <a href="http://www.johns-cycling-diary.co.uk/">http://www.johns-cycling-diary.co.uk/</a><br /><br />And I forgot to post to tell everybody!!!John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-33295067904944826452010-04-24T21:23:00.003+01:002010-04-24T22:59:33.447+01:0024th April 2010I felt better this morning :-)<br /><br />I got up and changed straight into cycle gear...A long sleeve top today (It was still a bit chill out!)<br /><br />I headed of for the ChainGang at 9:20 for the 9:30 start, I was surprised to find only a handful of people there...<br /><br />At 930 we headed of on the familiar route...It was a fair pace again this week (19.9 mph Average), with some people unfortunately taking some risks on corners and junctions :-(<br /><br />As the ride progressed the weather warmed up and it was a very enjoyable ride...<br /><br />The Garmin had the ride as 40.69 miles in 2 hours 3 minutes with an average speed of 19.9 mph, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/31050259">here...</a><br /><br />When I got back home, after a shower and change, I spent the afternoon snoozing in the sun..<br /><br />In-between snoozing I finally got around to reading 'The Cyclists Training Bible'...more geared to training for road racing, but well worth the read anyway!<br /><br />It explains some common sense things that I hadn't thought of! The main things I am now pondering are....weight training (winter), power training, diet (It appears my 2 a day Banana habit may not be a healthy option), recovery training and diet...<br /><br />The book makes some sensible statements regarding the human body and the modern diet...<br /><br />I have also been having some Blogger issues, I am finally going to make the move to Wordpress, I am hacked off with the sometimes flaky comment system and the lack of real customisation options...I have registered a new domain name and am in the process of re-organising my extensive web space :-) Once I am happy with things I shall switch it on...so to speak :-)<br /><br />---------Edit----------------------------<br />No blog taking shape at <a href="http://www.johns-cycling-diary.co.uk">www.johns-cycling-diary.co.uk</a> Please have a look and tell me what you think so far....<br />-----------------------------------------John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-90871396462006451522010-04-23T20:03:00.004+01:002010-04-23T20:10:30.458+01:0023rd April 2010Well I was sick.....I went to bed at 6:30 pm and slept right through to 5:30 am.<br /><br />I felt a little tender and very de-hydrated when I woke up so I thought it was best to work from home today..<br /><br />After work I cleaned and lubed the Merida in preparation for the weekend.<br /><br />I still dont feel 100% at the moment so instead of going for a ride I went for a nice walk with wifey and Rosie (dog).John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-85891503861735192762010-04-22T18:22:00.002+01:002010-04-22T18:25:04.169+01:0022nd April 2010I was supposed to go out for a ride with my son tonight...But I am not feeling very well :-(<br /><br />I have a stomach ache...I even came home from work early......<br /><br />Blah I hate feeling unwell.John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-36070536699592532462010-04-21T21:51:00.003+01:002010-04-21T21:58:23.541+01:0021st April 2010Worked from home today...<br /><br />Didn't do the club TT tonight, instead I planned to do a country lanes ride with Dave Carr and Andy Wiggins :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg80nodv_io0Tpc02_oN55Kl3qPaiwIfWw0P7R9ruqyL0J4h4774DIfMvKydr7mY-J5I0r5ddJFKhFwBMR7LijVes-MxMxs5ALl211rrwiTyvUzrXQQngA2cRblDkzB_9uGtmxV9nTNONE/s1600/IMGP1567+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg80nodv_io0Tpc02_oN55Kl3qPaiwIfWw0P7R9ruqyL0J4h4774DIfMvKydr7mY-J5I0r5ddJFKhFwBMR7LijVes-MxMxs5ALl211rrwiTyvUzrXQQngA2cRblDkzB_9uGtmxV9nTNONE/s200/IMGP1567+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462696758388515746" border="0" /></a><br />Andy and Dave pitched up at 5:30 ish and we set of at 6 for a nice 25 miles around the lanes<br /><br />It was a very pleasant sociable ride...although I did find it difficult to slow my pace down...I normally try and get around this route as fast as possible!!!<br /><br />The Garmin had the ride as 25.79 miles in 1 hour 28 minutes....route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30818362">here...</a><br /><br />When we got back home we had a lovely BBQ and chatted the evening away :-)<br /><br />We have agreed to repeat the whole process again next Wednesday...This time I will sort out a route south instead of north...John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-67858976267480670222010-04-20T20:51:00.003+01:002010-04-20T21:23:05.078+01:0020th April 2010Went to work today....but not to Warwick :-)<br /><br />Instead I went to Benson in Oxfordshire....Nice to go somewhere familiar but different...<br /><br />It was really nice to get up at a civilised time and get back home at a civilised time :-)<br /><br />I stopped on the way home in Halfords and picked up a new cycle helmet..the old one has served 2 years service and has been dropped a few times...<br /><br />I also picked up a set of pedals and a topeak pump...<br /><br />When I got back home I fitted the Dawes Hybrid for wifey and swapped the SPD pedals for the new flat pedals..<br /><br />I am now ready for the new bike :-)....unfortunately its not going to be here for another couple of weeks :-(<br /><br />I am going to the Lake District on Hols in July and I was intending taking 3 bikes...Wifeys Mountain bike the Dawes and the Merdia Race, I am going to do the Fred Whitton 4 seasons challenge, and go cycling with wifey...Now I am only going to take two bikes, the Dawes set up for wifey and the New Merida Cross....I should be able to do the wifey leisure rides and the Fred Whitton on it...I hope!<br /><br />When I finished all of my tinkering I settled down to play computer games, but my friends obviously got bored waiting for me and they were all gone :-(John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-32217614159221237572010-04-19T21:26:00.007+01:002010-04-20T09:49:07.754+01:0019th April 2010Managed to make it out for the lunchtime walk, just a couple of miles as I didn't have a great deal of time...<br /><br />When I got back home I changed into summer cycle gear then got straight out on the bike :-)<br /><br /><a href="http://redbikes.blogspot.com/">Redbikes</a> suggested that all of my rides are flat...and thinking about it I have sort of drifted into flatter rides. So tonight I thought I would ride some of the local hills :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAAT5LN7TTRuEHTYDd_T9ES6bFautKe8UH_LwRMdCCZu6GjuBEy677fRHxPkTpL-eD8oqS7e-gvchTUGBOX-PebDdB5uhHfdqFrOA-9MvU1hG8pm0YCNvH0Bt4jchb2034FeLxXDkMr_r/s1600/IMGP1558+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAAT5LN7TTRuEHTYDd_T9ES6bFautKe8UH_LwRMdCCZu6GjuBEy677fRHxPkTpL-eD8oqS7e-gvchTUGBOX-PebDdB5uhHfdqFrOA-9MvU1hG8pm0YCNvH0Bt4jchb2034FeLxXDkMr_r/s200/IMGP1558+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461950618581566962" border="0" /></a><br />They are not mountains but they are steep enough...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfk7MMwCMgXCizldFOGl6mIBL2djUWL7cGAk8d2M9wnN-aX5w0MIcsje3jVCtczc9AHj_04TLHeFbSB8twLXBOeiQ4ONJVQ2-b31aNw1pTieOjYUSx_nzS-A-Mpx-P8DzdCK8NQW2Fd8M/s1600/IMGP1565+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfk7MMwCMgXCizldFOGl6mIBL2djUWL7cGAk8d2M9wnN-aX5w0MIcsje3jVCtczc9AHj_04TLHeFbSB8twLXBOeiQ4ONJVQ2-b31aNw1pTieOjYUSx_nzS-A-Mpx-P8DzdCK8NQW2Fd8M/s200/IMGP1565+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461950630823335442" border="0" /></a><br />The ride started out warm enough..<br /><table><tbody><tr><td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>1900</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w3.gif" alt="Sunny intervals" title="Sunny intervals" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">13.7</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">NW</td> <td class="dayRow value">8</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">25</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1015 hPa, Falling</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>2000</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w1.gif" alt="Sunny" title="Sunny" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">11.7</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">NNW</td> <td class="dayRow value">5</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">13</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1015 hPa, Steady</td></tr></tbody></table>Put towards the end it was starting to get quite chilly...<br /><br />The Garmin had the ride as 18.64 miles in 1 hour 9 minutes with an average speed of 16.1 mph and a maximum speed of 46 mph :-) ....route<a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30599423"> here...</a><br /><br />I am confident that Sunday's <a href="http://www.whitehorsechallenge.com/index.html">White Horse Challenge</a> should not present to many difficulties now :-)<br /><br />Two more pieces of news....<br /><br />1) I have entered and paid for the O2E Champagne Supernova...16th/17th September 200 mile ride across France :-)<br />2) I have ordered a Cyclo Cross bike...A <a href="http://www2.merida-bikes.com/en_INT/Bikes.Detail.180">Merida Cyclo Cross 3</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn78zlEe-kVVDtAaVOsMuTmPWblqQXrbuZim0gx1r4DbSA2Zh1_aUinkzLRvBSNV_Kw47bRdts-eQfjHVGRvfTnRLV_82oiFxhaq0gep2Eyr_Micwognm5hdGACZV6WlNwVSZoa_YcuPJf/s1600/f3caa4ebcdb44e13803461d48f7d7e77.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn78zlEe-kVVDtAaVOsMuTmPWblqQXrbuZim0gx1r4DbSA2Zh1_aUinkzLRvBSNV_Kw47bRdts-eQfjHVGRvfTnRLV_82oiFxhaq0gep2Eyr_Micwognm5hdGACZV6WlNwVSZoa_YcuPJf/s200/f3caa4ebcdb44e13803461d48f7d7e77.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461954340295872114" border="0" /></a><br />Plan is to do some more NCR rides and to have a go at Cyclo Cross at the end of the year :-)<br /><br />And finally...Paul W took a photo of me on the 125k Audax......<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGki4y6VoqquM3HLTHXjwUA4Xte7kfKPsNobbdD-_CzXMo-1mM2cZlUuqhNuO81R4uyLRk-ptgngxDEN3YXjk_AMhEJWrCrkeFm-ZmdjXg6J1_9lGohS_Hf9y9dP_hghIk4huMFS8WWkOf/s1600/2010-04-18+11-59-08+-+P1000058+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGki4y6VoqquM3HLTHXjwUA4Xte7kfKPsNobbdD-_CzXMo-1mM2cZlUuqhNuO81R4uyLRk-ptgngxDEN3YXjk_AMhEJWrCrkeFm-ZmdjXg6J1_9lGohS_Hf9y9dP_hghIk4huMFS8WWkOf/s200/2010-04-18+11-59-08+-+P1000058+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461955344222007026" border="0" /></a>John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-10144854267662257902010-04-18T16:01:00.014+01:002010-04-18T17:14:27.940+01:0018th April 2010Today was the day of the club 125k Audax, I had picked up the route sheet on Wednesday but I could not plot it on bikehike/ridewithgps as I kept getting lost :-( so I was either stuck with navigating myself from paper or tagging along with people that did the ride last year :-)<br /><br />The weather for the day was perfect....REALLY perfect :-)<br /><table><tbody><tr><td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>0900</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w1.gif" alt="Sunny" title="Sunny" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">5.7</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">NE</td> <td class="dayRow value">1</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">11</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1015 hPa, Falling</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>1000</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w1.gif" alt="Sunny" title="Sunny" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">8.9</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">WNW</td> <td class="dayRow value">1</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">12</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1015 hPa, Falling</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>1100</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w1.gif" alt="Sunny" title="Sunny" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">11.7</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">SSW</td> <td class="dayRow value">2</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">13</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1015 hPa, Falling</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>1200</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w1.gif" alt="Sunny" title="Sunny" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">13.5</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">ENE</td> <td class="dayRow value">1</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">17</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1015 hPa, Falling</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>1300</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w1.gif" alt="Sunny" title="Sunny" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">15.2</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">E</td> <td class="dayRow value">2</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">30</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1015 hPa, Falling</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>1400</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w1.gif" alt="Sunny" title="Sunny" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">15.5</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">NNW</td> <td class="dayRow value">5</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">22</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1014 hPa, Falling</td></tr></tbody></table>I started of with shorts and short sleeve top and arm warmers and was a bit chilled, it was only just 5 degrees when I set off from home at 8:30..<br /><br />I signed in as soon as I got to the Bath road car park then moved into the sun and chatted with Paul.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsQqhUGgeAJ-ct4MtYSIrw79z4cQidiMFdLDs4jJUDS_5Fgh4djTlkY7_XBkyLAjXUrtxI5elDxAeoepU64Jc_-lpOGN-q6eHScJmGURWVDIB_AXh9nmywJ9esWyn76ETCmMb_bawaksU/s1600/IMGP1507+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsQqhUGgeAJ-ct4MtYSIrw79z4cQidiMFdLDs4jJUDS_5Fgh4djTlkY7_XBkyLAjXUrtxI5elDxAeoepU64Jc_-lpOGN-q6eHScJmGURWVDIB_AXh9nmywJ9esWyn76ETCmMb_bawaksU/s200/IMGP1507+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461498661112301490" border="0" /></a><br />At 9 am we all set off, as is my constant desire I zoomed off and overtook everybody (Paul stayed on my back wheel)...I sort of knew the first bits of the route :-)<br /><br />Thankfully as we reached Easton Lane we were overtaken by Andy and David and a nice group of ten or so formed...most of the start of my ride looked like this.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW5gji7RiixkUF8nh35tD3OHomu7F_4bxPZsg7g86HQfeLqKR-l5W-q2hTEdBOJMUnoNCSitAY7DhpJdyoRw0joLw356cmvKv-wbtMeeXtc4txU3_v89Sc6_dCIbp7X86FXKiHIHOAqZp/s1600/IMGP1508+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUW5gji7RiixkUF8nh35tD3OHomu7F_4bxPZsg7g86HQfeLqKR-l5W-q2hTEdBOJMUnoNCSitAY7DhpJdyoRw0joLw356cmvKv-wbtMeeXtc4txU3_v89Sc6_dCIbp7X86FXKiHIHOAqZp/s200/IMGP1508+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461499888403278322" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not complaining it was a cracking pace and they knew the way :-) The whole ride turned into a very social, enjoyable and fairly quick chain gang ride :-)<br />The first Control was at Sainsburys in Frome, we all self certified our Brevet cards, as I have reached that age I stopped to water the horses..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ945UrT7JmWNK_73dp4seWDAZAEPl71wTmQx07tufZFkHcurIcco-zBSx0phssSzeW-hzoAxWqXGbS5G3dbKV_UJgqQuYENEJsF_xVqLYo-urhyphenhyphendDEtqVEjpT_19r-fqB5CvkrcSyJBe/s1600/IMGP1513+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ945UrT7JmWNK_73dp4seWDAZAEPl71wTmQx07tufZFkHcurIcco-zBSx0phssSzeW-hzoAxWqXGbS5G3dbKV_UJgqQuYENEJsF_xVqLYo-urhyphenhyphendDEtqVEjpT_19r-fqB5CvkrcSyJBe/s200/IMGP1513+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461500731987981250" border="0" /></a><br />After Frome we ascended the only major climb of the ride 'Gare Hill' and I was very pleased with myself not to be dropped or lagging behind on the hill, in fact I got to the top reasonably quickly and ahead of the game :-) I even had time to stop and take photies of everybody else in our little group going by :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDC0HKAyIF9KVpoIkssNGbnsTqGYxQ51id6NJUT3bYyWAMuH8-A8ZsURPlkM0C505AKLSs6c2RQqDa98yeip5BG2YYCkgAeFhD84Rnt9HuuDC7EhP49AXdjOm_8hF_Xv2stpVG438hUOUN/s1600/IMGP1517+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDC0HKAyIF9KVpoIkssNGbnsTqGYxQ51id6NJUT3bYyWAMuH8-A8ZsURPlkM0C505AKLSs6c2RQqDa98yeip5BG2YYCkgAeFhD84Rnt9HuuDC7EhP49AXdjOm_8hF_Xv2stpVG438hUOUN/s200/IMGP1517+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461502400885367506" border="0" /></a><br />The countryside and weather was perfect, and sitting in a group I was being dragged along nicely :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvZsxgZKTqokDKl_y45WCtTXgtJXkXa5qSq_VspVYLFgrLBVmJ6qqvKxkFSONYDgOaBhTKCLVBis-pgl95d9WznwwSn6C5_HG3bhtLTPHU8dYMuYZGtNFQLG4YLNQaxKkAQPzztHyAKHy/s1600/IMGP1520+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvZsxgZKTqokDKl_y45WCtTXgtJXkXa5qSq_VspVYLFgrLBVmJ6qqvKxkFSONYDgOaBhTKCLVBis-pgl95d9WznwwSn6C5_HG3bhtLTPHU8dYMuYZGtNFQLG4YLNQaxKkAQPzztHyAKHy/s200/IMGP1520+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461503012542140818" border="0" /></a><br />We passed Shear Water and before I knew it we were at Longleat...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey1v-LqPAWJNRD3P7szlxQ0qtWN6SRKkANpdNFN5YWWOgzhB2CzqWOhog8MlAYCcrmGfgFlnGaPgKuk3TMKiiUYrtT16WvOi-f9PHGMr0u5-vw9ErpvFf1Kf_EoqJEImc7JzDrt4ZopUy/s1600/IMGP1522+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhey1v-LqPAWJNRD3P7szlxQ0qtWN6SRKkANpdNFN5YWWOgzhB2CzqWOhog8MlAYCcrmGfgFlnGaPgKuk3TMKiiUYrtT16WvOi-f9PHGMr0u5-vw9ErpvFf1Kf_EoqJEImc7JzDrt4ZopUy/s200/IMGP1522+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461503692065068850" border="0" /></a><br />We all decided against stopping for a brew and a cake at Longleat instead opting to stop and sit in the sun at <a href="http://www.brokerswoodcountrypark.co.uk/">Brokerswood</a>.<br /><br />I have done a few rides through Longleat, but I normally stick to the roads I know, It was great to find that you can cycle next to the Lions enclosure and past the Rhino's, Hippo's and the Gorilla Island...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDmb88nUQrGXoSMFVQT7mhLEwCN1UMm2l_9fWvqgnriEU_ygo6o9KeL0UTfy7xkAddiNbWOqXKzKjAYApr10ogDyMHRHQWCLxivVM_1rdi7_y74QEePLKqYD7WXRpmfqnm9m_dE-0eTLz/s1600/IMGP1527+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDmb88nUQrGXoSMFVQT7mhLEwCN1UMm2l_9fWvqgnriEU_ygo6o9KeL0UTfy7xkAddiNbWOqXKzKjAYApr10ogDyMHRHQWCLxivVM_1rdi7_y74QEePLKqYD7WXRpmfqnm9m_dE-0eTLz/s200/IMGP1527+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461505088491773314" border="0" /></a><br />For some reason I found the climbs out of Longleat quite challenging, but I still managed to keep with the group....once we were out of the climbs I was sailing along again :-)<br /><br />We passed a rather nice looking pub on the way to Brokerswood and somebody mentioned Cider :-) Now I was all up for stopping for a pint of the lovely cool apple juice...but the rest were not :-(<br /><br />So I put the Cider thought to the back of my mind....but tea is just NOT the same...<br /><br />We stopped at the Cafe at Brokerswood...David had remembered that it was his shout..I had bought the last teas and cake a few weeks ago...<br /><br />I did the decent thing and reserved some prime sun soaked real estate (Chair and Tables)..he delivered my Bacon Roll and Cake to me :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKlVwXdOtKs9JIq6_LsYq3CAxM1klp1VgC6j1jly7-7qCZZw7kLTvIAV8nEqCni2cdCPU4aT1yngto2Auapa3pThWt1cIYvoVeScYGKTZj-EcDcF3Y8nZHUn6miBA0i8yIfyqyoTXKKQv/s1600/IMGP1540+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKlVwXdOtKs9JIq6_LsYq3CAxM1klp1VgC6j1jly7-7qCZZw7kLTvIAV8nEqCni2cdCPU4aT1yngto2Auapa3pThWt1cIYvoVeScYGKTZj-EcDcF3Y8nZHUn6miBA0i8yIfyqyoTXKKQv/s200/IMGP1540+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461506832491409778" border="0" /></a><br />Apparently he did not have enough hands to bring my tea as well, but as I was settled in the sun he did the decent thing and fetched it for me :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMxxuEkostccm5R6oAnVi4sqdQy9tTMboqSWlElZQkz0tErpGlALDD5-lXGNC4sB5oEy6_ShIhoKudj5ZW36QZ9Ju0eijZ5QCaW6LheW5Y9Vlz6OLGz4QVkc07QBQZ3kKmCuazvs1MgZq/s1600/IMGP1541+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMxxuEkostccm5R6oAnVi4sqdQy9tTMboqSWlElZQkz0tErpGlALDD5-lXGNC4sB5oEy6_ShIhoKudj5ZW36QZ9Ju0eijZ5QCaW6LheW5Y9Vlz6OLGz4QVkc07QBQZ3kKmCuazvs1MgZq/s200/IMGP1541+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461507402091823666" border="0" /></a><br />I do somehow think I AM going to pay big time for this charitable act....<br /><br />After a rather pleasant sit in the sun it was a short (17 mile) ride to the Chippenham Sainsburys and the end of the Audax..<br /><br />Andy picked up all of the Brevet cards from our little group to take to the club evening on Wednesday..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAZQC1XS7fNOeIvs5kG_CeRlCEkuWYt_rVvnTp93sP4unpItI3koY7KAEnkPgorLxIvY6im2RgoGoNRHx7kycTZM6fnv2NJfHwMnkCecARJd9EQbjEceJbWd7UPRJSyi8sMhCBNSsnzwk/s1600/IMGP1549+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAZQC1XS7fNOeIvs5kG_CeRlCEkuWYt_rVvnTp93sP4unpItI3koY7KAEnkPgorLxIvY6im2RgoGoNRHx7kycTZM6fnv2NJfHwMnkCecARJd9EQbjEceJbWd7UPRJSyi8sMhCBNSsnzwk/s200/IMGP1549+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461508095198580514" border="0" /></a><br />It was a nice short cycle home...then I cut the grass and finished filling in the pond in the garden...<br /><br />Finally I had a shower and then sat in the garden with a nice cool glass of cider :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pJYrzmUisPtwC2F_ia53zxRsKH6wYfS_HwQ1FgGVvih83nV0hU5xyVqx0eQvg0C-MP_zI_kjMhGT5sGWYhsc2DCxrYWEHGzHYIcoDmPNXhsaT5OD4A3SfElvKOUR9PPkYdgYKUOUH7J4/s1600/IMGP1550+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pJYrzmUisPtwC2F_ia53zxRsKH6wYfS_HwQ1FgGVvih83nV0hU5xyVqx0eQvg0C-MP_zI_kjMhGT5sGWYhsc2DCxrYWEHGzHYIcoDmPNXhsaT5OD4A3SfElvKOUR9PPkYdgYKUOUH7J4/s200/IMGP1550+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461508690724579042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Garmin had today's ride as 79.08 miles in 4 hours 25 minutes with an average speed of 18 mph, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30422828">here...</a>John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-5510227287943588032010-04-17T20:24:00.006+01:002010-04-17T22:26:32.738+01:0017th April 2010Got up and the sun was shining, I dressed in summer gear...the weather forecast was for 16 degrees...unfortunately it was only 5 degrees at present...<br /><br />I finally got around to un-boxing the new cycle shoes as the old ones were looking a bit shabby<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_CRRG5Yq26gUhr2MTgfHCWfBu4bhWMnsIFrFlmY7rg4DD9dLrwE-4U09FlHiHFgf-yieBRQk6OrG3ljZjH3iFwI8OWjyfT95kcmD_iInu3xQSIEoanLARivvBwudjfWj11BV4tvctaDe/s1600/IMGP1498+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_CRRG5Yq26gUhr2MTgfHCWfBu4bhWMnsIFrFlmY7rg4DD9dLrwE-4U09FlHiHFgf-yieBRQk6OrG3ljZjH3iFwI8OWjyfT95kcmD_iInu3xQSIEoanLARivvBwudjfWj11BV4tvctaDe/s200/IMGP1498+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461217763795484978" border="0" /></a><br />The new ones looked very shiny :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7832pt15AeadzjvxRFk_OQ-FPWQZSWc-HRb5gcOfQQ1bknws2SaWYrH3QQM6LfZJNXmgdO1Ikl4kCR1uBeLUVdR4R2-kZzPE4eGX1Eo8tqfJ0jVsvgiUD649aa4YEtaOkNDJYQrALbxoA/s1600/IMGP1499+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7832pt15AeadzjvxRFk_OQ-FPWQZSWc-HRb5gcOfQQ1bknws2SaWYrH3QQM6LfZJNXmgdO1Ikl4kCR1uBeLUVdR4R2-kZzPE4eGX1Eo8tqfJ0jVsvgiUD649aa4YEtaOkNDJYQrALbxoA/s200/IMGP1499+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461217770899557890" border="0" /></a><br />My only real concern was setting up the cleats in the right position...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydlrgZhR-7Zd4LiSA32XYsF46hTgP2x82d7BTNw3RZfHuRGDrs8zsJNiMUFVTJ0WV9UyZsFpw3HJCfN6BW_XFPgv_iCMBssj_GGRni3pfu1YVUmcR7YoqhJWfNa55Hhsv6GvV9oWahiKa/s1600/IMGP1500+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydlrgZhR-7Zd4LiSA32XYsF46hTgP2x82d7BTNw3RZfHuRGDrs8zsJNiMUFVTJ0WV9UyZsFpw3HJCfN6BW_XFPgv_iCMBssj_GGRni3pfu1YVUmcR7YoqhJWfNa55Hhsv6GvV9oWahiKa/s200/IMGP1500+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461217775755304690" border="0" /></a><br />I set fof for the Chippenham Cemetery at 9:15 for the 9:30 start and it was a tadge chilly, but I had high hopes for it to warm up :-)<br /><br />There were a lot of people turned up for the chain gang so we split into two groups, a fast and a slow...I was of course in the fast group :-)<br /><br />As the ride progressed it started to warm up nicely :-) I actually started to feel sorry for everybody else with their leg and arm warmers.<br /><br />It was the fastest chain gang of the year so far...40.73 miles in 2 hours with an average speed of 20.3 mph, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30280250">here...</a><br /><br />When I got back home I had a bacon sandwich and basked in the sun for a while...<br /><br />At 1:50 I went out for a short slow ride with son, 16.11 miles in 1 hour 9 minutes with an average speed of 13.9 mph, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30337586">here...</a><br /><br />The weather was absolutely perfect....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CVIONYkbquy2SMW3LY5T4yfSusJBhT90i_ShBZw83Qg4iDzvMRyzjBXGaZXNxNMk_G5-tIm83CeWqkXQsOsLNz56Nb94M-xrll1y_eqMeJ-rbLaB9WG_n0Ae0mz6DRaZ1KnPWml8sqOC/s1600/IMGP1501+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CVIONYkbquy2SMW3LY5T4yfSusJBhT90i_ShBZw83Qg4iDzvMRyzjBXGaZXNxNMk_G5-tIm83CeWqkXQsOsLNz56Nb94M-xrll1y_eqMeJ-rbLaB9WG_n0Ae0mz6DRaZ1KnPWml8sqOC/s200/IMGP1501+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461216847704539058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yQoEpjS4TfeWjiOgxqF8wowIRN7-eKI9GspHF755nqOcoNq6-OTcLChWtueEhDh2v5lGs6SIAtCIpGGQmjorJO31dQU0c29TnvNGt-YjB0qu-YjGt-4L6cugOTEm6OSAstmKAIuJg0f6/s1600/IMGP1503+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yQoEpjS4TfeWjiOgxqF8wowIRN7-eKI9GspHF755nqOcoNq6-OTcLChWtueEhDh2v5lGs6SIAtCIpGGQmjorJO31dQU0c29TnvNGt-YjB0qu-YjGt-4L6cugOTEm6OSAstmKAIuJg0f6/s200/IMGP1503+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461216855621774738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-4dYSpaAHJ56iOmdBpQ_mP6OAqpHTbtkJcpQqgBRbaZOIjvdv95WeZsgqQ374onXQKSDTfGMs8xhJI9VGRULoEufri0zzmTx64b2LUDw-_woFh6Cvce2owfIynD2xVxDcpCKEBNya2dl/s1600/IMGP1505+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-4dYSpaAHJ56iOmdBpQ_mP6OAqpHTbtkJcpQqgBRbaZOIjvdv95WeZsgqQ374onXQKSDTfGMs8xhJI9VGRULoEufri0zzmTx64b2LUDw-_woFh6Cvce2owfIynD2xVxDcpCKEBNya2dl/s200/IMGP1505+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461216858893899586" border="0" /></a><br />When we got back home I set about making a gate to replace the second garden gate...John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-45141733510648703272010-04-16T20:47:00.004+01:002010-04-17T08:55:46.374+01:0016th April 2010Had Friday pub lunch, (Sausage,Eggs,Chips and Beans) I normally have something a little lighter but I was supposed to be going to a play in the Theatre Royal in Bath tonight...<br /><br />I had worked through a couple of lunchtimes mid week and was intending to set of from work in good time....it didn't happen :-( I left work late..<br /><br />Now I can't really remember agreeing to go to the Theatre, but wifey insists I was asked and I said yes. When I phoned home after setting of from work, wifey asked me if I would be OK going as I had had a long day n all.....Ohhh I looked at the warm sunshine outside of the car window and thought of a cycle ride....<br /><br />I think wifey had realised I wasn't that keen on going and had offered my ticket to one of her friends :-)<br /><br />When I got home I changed into summer cycle gear and I was off....I didn't fancy fighting with cars so I headed off down the country lanes.<br /><br />I ended up doing the same <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/27833073">ride</a> I did with Dave Carr a month or so ago....and I flew....It was so fast and so nice, the bike was purring along, the gears set up just right...the only thing that would have made it absolutely perfect was a few more degrees in temperature and a little less wind.<br /><table><tbody><tr><td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>1900</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w1.gif" alt="Sunny" title="Sunny" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">11.4</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">ENE</td> <td class="dayRow value">11</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">30</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1026 hPa, Falling</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>2000</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w1.gif" alt="Sunny" title="Sunny" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">9.8</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">ENE</td> <td class="dayRow value">8</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">30</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1027 hPa, Falling</td></tr></tbody></table>I ended up doing the 25.8 miles with an average speed of 20.4 mph in 1 hour 16 minutes, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30234728">here...</a><br /><br />It is certainly a nicer route than following the main road around Lyneham, it is a good TT speed training route but it has NO hills, so my benchmark speed course has to be my normal 20...<br /><br />When I got back home, I gave the bottom bracket a look over to make sure all was well and I noticed a small amount of play, so I nipped up the crank adjuster a little...and the play was gone :-)<br /><br />I was going to cook a bacon sarnie but I couldn't be arsed , so I ordered a small Donino's Pizza and Wedges instead...<br /><br />This weekends weather looks gorgeous...I have a couple of rides planned for tomorrow and a 125k Audax on Sunday, its going to be greeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttttttt :-)John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-69406432665867923932010-04-15T21:44:00.005+01:002010-04-15T21:58:34.423+01:0015th April 2010Busy day at work, didn't manage to go for lunch time walk :-(<br /><br />Didn't actually leave my desk all day :-(<br /><br />When I got in from work, I ate tea, then went for a walk with wifey and Rosie (dog)<br /><br />When I got back I put the Merida on the bike stand.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk169Xs94OX3JMvz_TMx4rlRkjRxO3FKsF9DY1Etok70eDdxIMvnmZWldX9PqK1MKL0BMuY7s2kFYCcT5WUjeu43UhfmXrYa8Cy97lshPvwuePh171i4qJEVJICSRz9bOKgektrJ0gG1Lv/s1600/IMGP1489+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk169Xs94OX3JMvz_TMx4rlRkjRxO3FKsF9DY1Etok70eDdxIMvnmZWldX9PqK1MKL0BMuY7s2kFYCcT5WUjeu43UhfmXrYa8Cy97lshPvwuePh171i4qJEVJICSRz9bOKgektrJ0gG1Lv/s200/IMGP1489+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460469471655224786" border="0" /></a><br />I gave it a clean and then set about changing the bottom bracket.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigy3ICTCefApI5SczCB1Psi0qazCSQAeKDxIlLhPvNlGytpbc63OqRqa5_fiAoVvAN8TrjzLLwrqlBowlWonkRsItE68XstvWfMw0oLp1ddwJadE08rgISIiRKE6PQZTCA0q5Kk_iyfxQx/s1600/IMGP1491+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigy3ICTCefApI5SczCB1Psi0qazCSQAeKDxIlLhPvNlGytpbc63OqRqa5_fiAoVvAN8TrjzLLwrqlBowlWonkRsItE68XstvWfMw0oLp1ddwJadE08rgISIiRKE6PQZTCA0q5Kk_iyfxQx/s200/IMGP1491+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460469656450309474" border="0" /></a><br />The job was not as difficult as I had imagined, although the caps were tighter than expected, it was a good job I had a BB socket as well as the BB spanner :-)<br /><br />I cleaned up the chain rings, spider and cranks off the bike and re-assembled the lot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNfqtQxdZC3H00SM8Tv1MLS6GQkG0D2WCc0-Qg4Ilqs-ZMLNEfbKP4EMt97alB3-rdExkMRsKTENQh0U3Y9u1ZAGgnraPbpKTfZijguxMPhJ9UT9ecy_ESP_QGZVOWvEs5BehgK0xUvzn/s1600/IMGP1496+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNfqtQxdZC3H00SM8Tv1MLS6GQkG0D2WCc0-Qg4Ilqs-ZMLNEfbKP4EMt97alB3-rdExkMRsKTENQh0U3Y9u1ZAGgnraPbpKTfZijguxMPhJ9UT9ecy_ESP_QGZVOWvEs5BehgK0xUvzn/s200/IMGP1496+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460470614048947298" border="0" /></a><br />I put the bike on the turbo and set the gears up, It all seemed a lot more positive...John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-57574420763591559782010-04-14T21:33:00.003+01:002010-04-14T22:30:59.847+01:0014th April 2010Worked from home today :-)<br /><br />I was intending to go out for a ride at lunchtime, but it was far to cold, so I gave it a miss :-)<br /><br />At 5:30 I headed off to the Queens Field for the 6:15 sign in for the club 10 mile TT...<br /><br />I got there early and signed in first, I got my number (1) and pinned it on my shirt...We were supposed to do the normal 10 route, but news of traffic lights was mentioned so the course was changed to the 'P' course, unfortunately nobody knew where it started or where it went :-)<br /><br />The route was explained to us and I sort of grabbed where it went, as I was first up I had nobody else to follow...I pedalled to the start and waited...and waited...and waited, I started to get a bit worried that I was in the wrong place, a few more guy's turned up thankfully...and eventually the time keepers turned up and we were ready to go :-)<br /><br />I set off straight into a headwind...downhill...<br /><table><tbody><tr><td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>1800</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w8.gif" alt="Low-level Cloud" title="Low-level Cloud" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">11.1</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">NE</td> <td class="dayRow value">14</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">30</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1020 hPa, Falling</td></tr></tbody></table>At Great Somerford the course turned right to Dauntsey, at Dauntsey the course turned left back on to the normal 10 mile course which at Great Somerford went back up the hill to the start point, it was much easier being blown up the hill.<br /><br />It was quite interesting as I was finishing to see people starting, they all looked so serious!<br /><br />My official finish time was 27:31, the Garmin had the ride as 10.13 miles in 27:55 with an average speed of 21.8 mph, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30061264">here...</a><br /><br />I cycled back from the TT via the cycle club to pick up the route sheet for Sunday's club 125k Audax.<br /><br />The total ride today was 25.7 miles in 1 hour 27 minutes with an average speed of 17.6 mphJohn Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-63053844546106577642010-04-13T21:51:00.000+01:002010-04-13T21:52:13.217+01:0013th April 2010Night Off, Played computer games :-)John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-1346889139387130312010-04-12T21:01:00.003+01:002010-04-12T21:28:40.185+01:0012th April 2010Went to work today, didn't see the point in loosing a days pay...<br /><br />Went out for my lunchtime walk, 3 miles...RunGPS decided to record absolutely nothing :-(<br /><br />When I got back home I changed straight into long sleeve cycle top and trousers and went out for my 'Normal 20'...I had visions of going straight at the evens (20mph average) but the strong northerly put paid to that :-(<br /><table><tbody><tr><td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>1800</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w7.gif" alt="Medium-level Cloud" title="Medium-level Cloud" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">11.0</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">NNE</td> <td class="dayRow value">14</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">15</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1026 hPa, Falling</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><strong>1900</strong></td> <td class="dayRow" align="center"><img src="http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/lib/images/symbols/w3.gif" alt="Sunny intervals" title="Sunny intervals" height="24" width="26" /></td> <td class="dayRow value">10.2</td> <td class="dayRow unit">°C</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">NNE</td> <td class="dayRow value">15</td> <td class="dayRow unit">mph</td> <td class="dayRow value"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow unit"><br /></td> <td class="dayRow value">15</td> <td class="dayRow unit">km</td> <td class="dayRow" align="center">1026 hPa, Falling</td></tr></tbody></table>I was 5 minutes off the evens pace at the 10 mile point, I did push hard on the home straight but I was never going to make the time up :-(<br /><br />The Garmin had the ride as 21.28 miles in 1 hour 9 minutes with an average speed of 18.5 mph, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29862057">here...</a><br /><br />When I got back home I showered and changed then had salad for tea....interestingly my legs are aching now....but they didn't ache at all yesterday!<br /><br />I noticed on the ride that the chain-rings appeared to be oscillating in and out as I was pushing the pedals down....The bottom bracket has gone again :-( Surely it should last longer than 3ooo miles? This one was a Dura Ace, the 105 one lasted 5ooo miles, I have just ordered another set of 105 cups.John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-49031526605211499522010-04-11T19:22:00.003+01:002010-04-11T19:39:50.656+01:0011th April 2010Its amazing how rejuvenating a nights sleep is...I woke up this morning with NO ill effects from yesterdays ride, if it wasn't for the pain that wifey would inflict on me I would have considered going out on the club leisure ride...but I thought it would be safer to do NO bike things today :-)<br /><br />We went out for a shortish walkies with Rosie (dog) then I set about tidying up the garden...all of this cycling has left it rather neglected :-(<br /><br />Once the grass was cut and the garden tidied I spent the afternoon making and hanging a new garden gate (4 ft by 6 ft).<br /><br />I had provisionally booked Monday off work as I thought I may be completely knackered, but as it stands I don't quite know what the fuss was about and I will go to work in the morning.<br /><br />And on a final note...I was tidying my drawers up at work on Friday and I decided to bring my spare clothes home (I used to ride a motorbike back and forth and kept a dry set of clothes at work just in case I got soaked through). I think the jeans were about 3 years old...They are a tadge big for me now :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjdF-KQGrCYtF3UauTpt6lwy8iFP0zUh-4kLjHQ9PRX4Quhq5LRO1Q1QMxZ4HGdxM9pYzzUpKuFv7-6RMD9am10wRxgb9PObL_7srOG_P2-HyBEAYNu2oMDHmnpzi_AsgZ-qZyFXiIwwF/s1600/IMGP1483+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjdF-KQGrCYtF3UauTpt6lwy8iFP0zUh-4kLjHQ9PRX4Quhq5LRO1Q1QMxZ4HGdxM9pYzzUpKuFv7-6RMD9am10wRxgb9PObL_7srOG_P2-HyBEAYNu2oMDHmnpzi_AsgZ-qZyFXiIwwF/s200/IMGP1483+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458950874498777058" border="0" /></a>John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-5512191491062663902010-04-10T21:27:00.003+01:002010-04-10T22:17:37.346+01:0010th April 2010Got up at 4:30 am....put on short sleeve top with arm warmers and my light wind proof top and cycling trousers over shorts...It was only 4 degrees but the forecast was for it to be a scorcher mid afternoon :-)<br /><br />We made it to the Watermoor Hall in Cirencester for 5:45 for the 6 am start, thankfully my leg was feeling 'normal' :-)<br /><br />I picked up my Brevet card and at 6 am I was off....and as is normal for me I was off at the front :-)<br />It was Dark...I didn't want to put the back-light on the Garmin as power was going to be an issue as it was so I pedalled along with <a href="http://www.velocake.co.uk/">John</a> he was doing the 300k on a fixie!<br /><br />The sun started to rise pretty darn quickly and soon enough we were in some fantastic Gloucestershire countryside :-)<br /><br />There were a lot of deer in the fields and it was a wonderful morning, if not a little chilly! I was really quite pleased I had the trousers and sleeves on..there were some people in shorts and short sleeve tops....<br /><br />The first control was at the Tudor Rose tea rooms at Alcester (41 miles)...It was just about starting to get warm, but was far to soon for me to need nourishment so I got my card stamped and set straight on...<br /><br />The next stage from Alcester to Atherstone was really interesting for me.....I did a training ride with <a href="http://johns-cycle-diary.blogspot.com/2008/08/day-138-sunday.html">Nathan and Joy in 2008</a>, and this stage revisited some of the same roads. The control was at Winnie's Cafe (78 miles) I had a lovely cuppa and a round of Beans on Toast, I also took the opportunity to take off the wind-proof top, arm warmers and cycling trousers....I was in summer gear :-)<br /><br />It seemed no time at all and the first 100 miles had been and gone :-) now the work began! The terrain was pretty flat on stage 3 Atherstone to Daventry...it was also pretty damn boring....As quick as the 100 was the 21 to the control seemed to drag....I also took a wrong turn and got lost in a Daventry housing estate :-(<br /><br />Finally I made it to the control ...Roso Cafe (121 miles) and I had another cuppa and another round of Beans on toast...<br /><br />I was warned that the next stage Daventry to Tackley had a killer climb as you leave Daventry.....well it was steep but it certainly wasn't a killer....This time the control was a pub....so I promised myself a cider and a pudding....it was also a reasonably short stage (34 miles).<br /><br />It didn't seem to take too long to get to the control, but I welcomed the rest from the bike!<br /><br />After the refreshing stop it was back on the road for the final leg..Tackley to Cirencester (36 miles), in many ways this was the toughest leg...1) it was new distance territory for me, 2) The place names were familiar to me but were dauntingly still a long way from home and I could place how far away they are from Cirencester! 3) My leg was starting to hurt :-( -But I wasn't going to give up in the last 30 miles!<br /><br />Funny thing is that the last 35 miles was my fastest of the day! (16.6 mph average speed). It was a great success, the Garmin lasted the whole ride without issue, I made it around the 300K (191 miles) without collapsing in a heap, it was still daylight when I got back!<br /><br />The Garmin had the ride as 189.68 miles (I kept on forgetting to restart the timer after the stops!) in 12 hours 9 minutes with an average speed of 15.6 mph, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29602939">here...<br /></a>John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-67471859910731127842010-04-09T21:20:00.002+01:002010-04-09T21:34:29.737+01:009th April 2010Did short walk to pub lunch :-) It was beautiful warm sunshine...<br /><br />When I got home I changed into summer cycle gear and went out for a short ride with son..(10 miles)...we met wifey and daughter at pub and had food, son was knackered so loaded his bike in the car and he went home with wifey...I cycled home, arriving shortly after them :-)<br /><br />The Garmin had the ride as 11.83 miles in 45 mins 46 sec with an average speed of 15.5 mph, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29490976">here...<br /></a><br />My leg feels much better now, so I am going to give the 300k a try tomorrow...<br /><br />The bike is all sorted..(It feels sooooo light and responsive after dragging the Dawes around last week :-)<br /><br />I have cleaned out my camel back and loaded up the Torq gels and Fruit n Fibre bars....my only real worries now are a) will my leg be ok? and b) will the Garmin batteries last for the 200 miles?John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-59498109616073473072010-04-08T21:28:00.002+01:002010-04-08T21:33:15.616+01:008th April 2010Made it out for my lunchtime walk..It was wonderfully warm sunshine...3.04 miles...route <a href="http://www.gps-sport.net/trainings/walking_261013">here...</a><br /><br />Another night off the bike :-( Leg is still twinging a little...<br /><br />I went for a longish walk with Rosie (Dog), then spent a few hours cleaning and lubing the Merida in preparation for Saturdays ride...John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-13760466353536944142010-04-07T19:42:00.015+01:002010-04-07T21:40:49.191+01:007th April 2010First day back at work :-(<br /><br />It would have been a perfect day for a cycle ride.....but I am being careful with my leg....<br /><br />I desperately want to do the Heart of England 300k on Saturday...<br /><br />I have been eyeing up a Cyclocross bike for the next NCR ride, I may or may not do....(NCR 8 Cardiff to Holyhead)<br /><br />Whilst I still remember the NCR5 ride I thought I would summarise the ride and my thoughts...<br /><br />I don't know how typical NCR5 is from any other cycleways but I do not think it is intended to be treated as a usable route....In the same way as the A1 or A5 roads.<br /><br />The first 10 feet of NCR 5 gives an indication of how usable some of the National Cycle Route is...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglV-2AnPMBgZj6O_tW33Bla5rQBHy22HzNqhtDASaWPx8RkSdGR3V0upzZA2LQyYKvzFpfVEXWjncR2Ztl91ZhD5a3uY_qq8jyKcVeOLJQHGdCNIN7HdinPQzvNOTFAhrutML3DpjkY-sd/s1600/IMGP1292+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglV-2AnPMBgZj6O_tW33Bla5rQBHy22HzNqhtDASaWPx8RkSdGR3V0upzZA2LQyYKvzFpfVEXWjncR2Ztl91ZhD5a3uY_qq8jyKcVeOLJQHGdCNIN7HdinPQzvNOTFAhrutML3DpjkY-sd/s200/IMGP1292+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457475895770907906" border="0" /></a><br />It does however take on some very picturesque and quiet roads<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRg_TEksoClB3yXv0PjWySeLdr8SrEPK6Ossly5Yft-GMp_UPDAebWWacLvPzpwEaLGBSNm-A5Xlv-ex_zTe3HHedmn4CZgrfBkuqwGzygulP0-bbxfjL2X-UaQi8fHUVIMkHEbU7JYZ7-/s1600/IMGP1319+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRg_TEksoClB3yXv0PjWySeLdr8SrEPK6Ossly5Yft-GMp_UPDAebWWacLvPzpwEaLGBSNm-A5Xlv-ex_zTe3HHedmn4CZgrfBkuqwGzygulP0-bbxfjL2X-UaQi8fHUVIMkHEbU7JYZ7-/s200/IMGP1319+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457478993180646226" border="0" /></a><br />It extensively uses pre-existing footpaths (that have not been adapted for the use of bicycles)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmfUHPO4zd2ScNtY6xDp-1ZVN7q7RVc0VNpvNSxQrV6jvpp6UD8iBMLtAtoGc4x5SvBkIdknqfxvMrKSt3lXWcOFvnnuhFL-SFv1MKJc4o1oqG_esc0Y7ZYp8mBFJq0vsbMbGUSmavjqt/s1600/IMGP1310+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmfUHPO4zd2ScNtY6xDp-1ZVN7q7RVc0VNpvNSxQrV6jvpp6UD8iBMLtAtoGc4x5SvBkIdknqfxvMrKSt3lXWcOFvnnuhFL-SFv1MKJc4o1oqG_esc0Y7ZYp8mBFJq0vsbMbGUSmavjqt/s200/IMGP1310+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457478362515232130" border="0" /></a><br />Quite lanes (Although there are less cars there are still cars and impatient drivers)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQNWTM5vxhFapBqcjSclt63IHjQqEVFHbqt9EcmgwiLmmOAJ3_22-kshStBtLosLFg_kvOdKS_l4sGrWzWl51SL8b8rqZVazn9h8xCDHI6YMcxVFmj5S_YIo9guDKYzKN0yPhDPoTp3-w/s1600/IMGP1300+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQNWTM5vxhFapBqcjSclt63IHjQqEVFHbqt9EcmgwiLmmOAJ3_22-kshStBtLosLFg_kvOdKS_l4sGrWzWl51SL8b8rqZVazn9h8xCDHI6YMcxVFmj5S_YIo9guDKYzKN0yPhDPoTp3-w/s200/IMGP1300+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457476843484874610" border="0" /></a><br />Canal tow paths...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg3pvvrAqUvE7SrW4yywhV3iga_aUhqZUmLx9uMb7cAkDznLbzNOEEnnqJlEL31PiXznKirdnNYHHpk4Zdx4r92DyNfBBAbz6uP3a_6LAUcimNq4XoH38rn0pRZ_N0c6aRE2G1KAcEVfZ/s1600/IMGP1362+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg3pvvrAqUvE7SrW4yywhV3iga_aUhqZUmLx9uMb7cAkDznLbzNOEEnnqJlEL31PiXznKirdnNYHHpk4Zdx4r92DyNfBBAbz6uP3a_6LAUcimNq4XoH38rn0pRZ_N0c6aRE2G1KAcEVfZ/s200/IMGP1362+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457479676101560866" border="0" /></a><br />And even muddy fields and byways<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_d57xN7VeTkjrNeajfgRBUuBKrtihDXqgsqmoH6Ew-auuRmj9cbF39jO0Xv35iDh2W56j0wOm_FBZ6gTq6UEZkRWylcYasU725YjJxe6PzDI5CD7m8Z5qQlICCHRrjpvVdzFpWEXO-ftM/s1600/IMGP1324+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_d57xN7VeTkjrNeajfgRBUuBKrtihDXqgsqmoH6Ew-auuRmj9cbF39jO0Xv35iDh2W56j0wOm_FBZ6gTq6UEZkRWylcYasU725YjJxe6PzDI5CD7m8Z5qQlICCHRrjpvVdzFpWEXO-ftM/s200/IMGP1324+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457480359130466274" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJqUsp-wYQeBVxKWkIsRPOkR567-Ne0yK3eB1YASmUi0_11zlLc_tWIlmcTvwGX1rLmLslcj_fHzGddjuOg1y5v96MU9S3bjwLkSGVpOjMBGlxqeos3QJom0Xt4RAAhtgAJrvHPVK6jUJ/s1600/IMGP1326+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJqUsp-wYQeBVxKWkIsRPOkR567-Ne0yK3eB1YASmUi0_11zlLc_tWIlmcTvwGX1rLmLslcj_fHzGddjuOg1y5v96MU9S3bjwLkSGVpOjMBGlxqeos3QJom0Xt4RAAhtgAJrvHPVK6jUJ/s200/IMGP1326+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457480362186243634" border="0" /></a><br />Every so often there is a shining example of how it could all be (Stratford-upon-Avon Greenway and Chester-Connaughs Quay)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzayjbjkNj2_SOcAHT12lnn_ilrh9jWjKosVGKUvGrJDl2B_HI-2DKu0O2ZSI8RNh3jDWfRWKAUXLFEGwR7DegNVXDU4hTgAWjEZaXPKpSFlRfYejCSNu5XdvNILSWdmbgf0lpii7p3Z04/s1600/IMGP1340+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzayjbjkNj2_SOcAHT12lnn_ilrh9jWjKosVGKUvGrJDl2B_HI-2DKu0O2ZSI8RNh3jDWfRWKAUXLFEGwR7DegNVXDU4hTgAWjEZaXPKpSFlRfYejCSNu5XdvNILSWdmbgf0lpii7p3Z04/s200/IMGP1340+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457481481871918690" border="0" /></a><br />But all with the exception of the footpaths, roads and fields are marred by the obstacles that are placed in the way to stop bicycles from traversing the cycleways....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg294SqJ4vCh8GRKNWuFXPA3gueJk45NOe0nSxZ4bF3dtqasTC_ZEd2iWvG9pgeF59e83howFvVYWY9EBBJAQKG7jxrvDalhwnbR7fVoJXFc1OogKxesjy8oma4AfDcb7eK-rVT-lg9YQy4/s1600/IMGP1403+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg294SqJ4vCh8GRKNWuFXPA3gueJk45NOe0nSxZ4bF3dtqasTC_ZEd2iWvG9pgeF59e83howFvVYWY9EBBJAQKG7jxrvDalhwnbR7fVoJXFc1OogKxesjy8oma4AfDcb7eK-rVT-lg9YQy4/s200/IMGP1403+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457484620759063442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1_HTzWX1o9gw3_gij5RrpGy286ddwJEcUOQPIXovY9hsaGh4s6RepIFrfVwEU0O03EnqgAuTIUz62831k53pTwO8v3vzpPN8MZFjeY4vr8SuKCEeC3GT5sGYw1hP0Vtw4mZ_BgZfylEN/s1600/IMGP1356+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1_HTzWX1o9gw3_gij5RrpGy286ddwJEcUOQPIXovY9hsaGh4s6RepIFrfVwEU0O03EnqgAuTIUz62831k53pTwO8v3vzpPN8MZFjeY4vr8SuKCEeC3GT5sGYw1hP0Vtw4mZ_BgZfylEN/s200/IMGP1356+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457484613235026674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJwnwYxDRJodh5BaZO8Ik0lyUwZz9Xn_pD40RXrOyGqaEZ52aen_qEbd4PUUwTZrvtUOmp7-wQu0SoxLbfkZGvA8jckZSX_I34x65relbGgFcU6bF3EUQ0ysgCF4wgyTqs3dqwn5UqHin/s1600/IMGP1341+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJwnwYxDRJodh5BaZO8Ik0lyUwZz9Xn_pD40RXrOyGqaEZ52aen_qEbd4PUUwTZrvtUOmp7-wQu0SoxLbfkZGvA8jckZSX_I34x65relbGgFcU6bF3EUQ0ysgCF4wgyTqs3dqwn5UqHin/s200/IMGP1341+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457484607594105666" border="0" /></a><br />I do understand the need to slow the bicycles down in the area of pedestrians and also to make it impossible for motorbikes/mopeds to use the paths, but some of the obstacles make it VERY difficult to get a bike through, I would suggest that children/elderly would NOT be able to in some cases.<br /><br />I was very disappointed when the cycle paths were closed to find NO assistance on how to rejoin it, as a minimum all that was required was a few directions on a notice or even a map...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6jw8c7SJ_2uj5F_inkQnjYgQ03styFrTlvKwXCDdhNqbhWc_T277KW4bfBFvqlzB9lI4_kTGTSyDBwqSmJECCSLPn1t0kNAAnbM6OA3ZqBEEUGe4EIjV1dRkt-CKhffY1DXKOXzRSutH/s1600/IMGP1420+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6jw8c7SJ_2uj5F_inkQnjYgQ03styFrTlvKwXCDdhNqbhWc_T277KW4bfBFvqlzB9lI4_kTGTSyDBwqSmJECCSLPn1t0kNAAnbM6OA3ZqBEEUGe4EIjV1dRkt-CKhffY1DXKOXzRSutH/s200/IMGP1420+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457487724891171938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHhdiqH4deGdagEYaRy3ElPIRw4-3_J9W5-U3qQoStuMaxa5aMUU6BOUH84MOxduVF6rSlLp_gfm13bRJvSz4ZNxvrWJEN0Q1S7kpVojJX8jnvIgGXhBTT-KyGBBfhdT93It4FaYgybCw/s1600/IMGP1390+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHhdiqH4deGdagEYaRy3ElPIRw4-3_J9W5-U3qQoStuMaxa5aMUU6BOUH84MOxduVF6rSlLp_gfm13bRJvSz4ZNxvrWJEN0Q1S7kpVojJX8jnvIgGXhBTT-KyGBBfhdT93It4FaYgybCw/s200/IMGP1390+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457487713746349874" border="0" /></a><br />The NCR signs can be almost impossible to see, without a GPS and a pre-plotted route it would have been impossible to follow it! Even WITH the GPS it was bloody difficult!<br /><br />I sometimes found it difficult to fathom why the cycle way followed some of the routes it did...The Canals were sensible, the Greenway and Chester cycle ways were a joy but doing a loop up hill around Bangor was strange and hard work...If it was to get a view of the mountains there were much better on the other side of the Menai<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsJQV2E_MWwcz6czpouIVUILMarm61OLzpWcTSMMfe8iAZGqf5pAg6VpFq5-gPJy9IW3qy2eLVrOYK-fQgopPpX9cwDKh2Dx9YdGPd_QyoQ1iVLlwrGBQDrLEmNwG6ltlp7MiMvu7IijQ/s1600/IMGP1462+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsJQV2E_MWwcz6czpouIVUILMarm61OLzpWcTSMMfe8iAZGqf5pAg6VpFq5-gPJy9IW3qy2eLVrOYK-fQgopPpX9cwDKh2Dx9YdGPd_QyoQ1iVLlwrGBQDrLEmNwG6ltlp7MiMvu7IijQ/s200/IMGP1462+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457490364950225010" border="0" /></a><br />I found the 4 days 377.74 miles and 11,531 ft of climb of NCR 5 considerably harder than the 11 days 950.11 miles and 61402 ft of climb of JOGLE, and I am considerably fitter and more experienced now! The main reason it was harder was the terrain, the road bike rolls and can maintain 17 mph easily, the Hybrid on the rough tracks was difficult to maintain 12 mph, we could always argue that the weather conditions of Sunday and Monday didn't help and I would agree, but I am factoring in that on Fridy and Saturday I had a full on tail wind and it was still bloody hard work!<br /><br />I did enjoy doing the ride and I do think that the National Cycle Routes are a good idea...but for it to work it needs better support, in some cases it was clear that the cycleway was a jewel in the crown, but in other cases it was equally clear that they were just to get the bicycles of the road...<br /><br />And some of the cycle lanes were just down right comical and add to the scepticism of their true benefit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rktZ-TaO9auFEpfmWdsVkn7Q6z5029BzT76YVUStsWxXumgaVd53AJtrtrfdvfKuCasnqHa4UfQQSKFRU8tVXr2CDOkthYnTRZPY2X3CiSIklJmHG2rHV5uiybxkexMFGH4j-H7nMxpt/s1600/IMGP1443+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rktZ-TaO9auFEpfmWdsVkn7Q6z5029BzT76YVUStsWxXumgaVd53AJtrtrfdvfKuCasnqHa4UfQQSKFRU8tVXr2CDOkthYnTRZPY2X3CiSIklJmHG2rHV5uiybxkexMFGH4j-H7nMxpt/s200/IMGP1443+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457494067553071234" border="0" /></a><br />It was sometimes very difficult to know where I was, if I was in a car I would get a welcome to Oxford or Birmingham sign, on the cycle path it was as if they didn't want me to know where I was!<br /><br />It would be good to see a real end to end cycle infrastructure but I do not believe there is the political will or the money to actually make it work....John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-54618239161404070752010-04-06T19:00:00.013+01:002010-04-06T22:26:01.616+01:006th April 2010I didn't go cycling at all today! The tendon in my left leg is still aching, but not as bad as yesterday :-)<br /><br />We spent the night in Snowdonia (Tan-y-Bwlch near Maentwrog), then set off home straight after breakfast... I did not feel well at all last night, I could hardly eat anything, I ended up going to bed at 8:30!<br /><br />.....I suppose I should fill in the story for yesterday...then a few pictures from Sunday followed by what I have been doing today :-) I will write a full trip summary tomorrow...<br /><br />Yesterday...NCR5 Day 4<br /><br />I met up with Jon (<a href="http://redbikes.blogspot.com/">Red Bikes</a>) where we left off at Prestatyn, I thought the headwind on Sunday was bad enough, but Monday was hell.<br /><br />It didn't take to long to cycle the couple of miles to the sea front, where the whole journey suddenly seemed worthwhile :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7SFYfwx_jdQhJH_L3tz2aOpH3kYsReJO1KIAGu0RK8Nz-Pi2IiFazFcpZU-bG86yR1ifol9X8VT-Bb8_bCNrLJ6C6XWRWikqDJOzspMNMfmA0KtJjPVE5dB7F5i65252UQc5W49Kxfej/s1600/IMGP1433+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7SFYfwx_jdQhJH_L3tz2aOpH3kYsReJO1KIAGu0RK8Nz-Pi2IiFazFcpZU-bG86yR1ifol9X8VT-Bb8_bCNrLJ6C6XWRWikqDJOzspMNMfmA0KtJjPVE5dB7F5i65252UQc5W49Kxfej/s200/IMGP1433+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108220338488738" border="0" /></a><br />Although I should have realised that a sea front ride would include sand, and sand isn't easy to cycle on...On my first encounter I almost nose dived in....Jon seemed completely unphased by it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvBP5yjf-KcrEF3KngOhoVAipSboI36HbY_vHxzGDmechv3Ov71jOSLMUN4DgFG5BJ8BCDO4T709Ca3Ur_6UFOUf04a-md3uVH4gNBsVYpc36t5XTNrl8lFRcOpoaLxaw3Bn6UoSCnNTq/s1600/IMGP1437+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvBP5yjf-KcrEF3KngOhoVAipSboI36HbY_vHxzGDmechv3Ov71jOSLMUN4DgFG5BJ8BCDO4T709Ca3Ur_6UFOUf04a-md3uVH4gNBsVYpc36t5XTNrl8lFRcOpoaLxaw3Bn6UoSCnNTq/s200/IMGP1437+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108223144881346" border="0" /></a><br />The journey was incredibly slow going, in the first hour we had covered little more than 12 miles, as Jon hadn't had a particularly hearty breakfast and I fancied a Cuppa (and a Bacon Roll) we stopped at a beach-front cafe at Abergele...I also took the opportunity to text <a href="http://www.biking2work.co.uk/blog">Joby</a> of our current situation...<br /><br />Once we were fuelled we struck on...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwgt25LuaF9CCDJPIvzKlVc_9BDv31-aMNuVsVy3n-KLMkT-ppelxGd_4fjJAbLjdpcBiGLCVQNUX3D-PmHK_0cI6URgeKgTXibgheOyswDj4W5kAgR17fqY3dnES3cQlg3DibbzNWA-T/s1600/IMGP1441+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwgt25LuaF9CCDJPIvzKlVc_9BDv31-aMNuVsVy3n-KLMkT-ppelxGd_4fjJAbLjdpcBiGLCVQNUX3D-PmHK_0cI6URgeKgTXibgheOyswDj4W5kAgR17fqY3dnES3cQlg3DibbzNWA-T/s200/IMGP1441+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108236284728866" border="0" /></a><br />The head wind was still bloody painful!<br /><br />As we approached Colwyn-Bay there was some more comical cycle lane painting....do they really expect people to weave in and out of the lamp posts?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HooZTRq-LAi5WeWLL9x36iKL6BfFD4G3Ny0nXWjIjyFwa-8IowO_GrqH-RQ0zTR2e2Fd96UKwW6jHid9E3e6DnxVrvIV-T6Dypd7927CzqbhdBKLwNlFrsrCOLurRwEiUQWXA98ued61/s1600/IMGP1442+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HooZTRq-LAi5WeWLL9x36iKL6BfFD4G3Ny0nXWjIjyFwa-8IowO_GrqH-RQ0zTR2e2Fd96UKwW6jHid9E3e6DnxVrvIV-T6Dypd7927CzqbhdBKLwNlFrsrCOLurRwEiUQWXA98ued61/s200/IMGP1442+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108246244555826" border="0" /></a><br />At about 11:45 we finally reached Conwy Castle and met up with Joby...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndROVAB5FcuJTUG3BMZgYjR1fl0Twuq0SR_dT7t6Q7bgM9cvvaVMYDhgXayUJ5PLVEVcFw44SihXJsLtIgo9IhwN1yvtiK0tguT7YoBVeZGxaCEEJcDevurp0q9nZxzILLKb-2mBEh_a4/s1600/IMGP1445+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndROVAB5FcuJTUG3BMZgYjR1fl0Twuq0SR_dT7t6Q7bgM9cvvaVMYDhgXayUJ5PLVEVcFw44SihXJsLtIgo9IhwN1yvtiK0tguT7YoBVeZGxaCEEJcDevurp0q9nZxzILLKb-2mBEh_a4/s200/IMGP1445+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108431822560882" border="0" /></a><br />As Joby had some local knowledge he had sensibly opted for the road bike, with the very strong head wind I was seriously envying him!<br /><br />The original plan was to meet up and head over the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sychnant_Pass">Sychnant Pass</a>, but as the head wind was so strong, Jon had the world's heaviest loaded bike and my left leg tendon was starting to ache again we opted to stick with the NCR 5 coast route.<br /><br />Although having a two way cycle way (not wide enough) and cycling head-on to very fast traffic with no crash barrier was interesting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywTKdj2l1sifXtiyxy8zsEH8GbpOAhyphenhyphenkfQvUtb9tnf_et2uGAdO4teX4pqeP2lnyHdOpBE7ob3iKahIpt9nqlTVmsQs37oawl24ugo1oXaaI_dOKOTGgoEAA_zYouNzqyXDUZcf1DnU6l/s1600/IMGP1448+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjywTKdj2l1sifXtiyxy8zsEH8GbpOAhyphenhyphenkfQvUtb9tnf_et2uGAdO4teX4pqeP2lnyHdOpBE7ob3iKahIpt9nqlTVmsQs37oawl24ugo1oXaaI_dOKOTGgoEAA_zYouNzqyXDUZcf1DnU6l/s200/IMGP1448+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108440203888338" border="0" /></a><br />A little further down the road we were taken off the A55 and on to a rather good purpose built cycle way...<br /><br />After the toughest 40 miles I have EVER done the first signs to Holyhead appeared...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidw1UCzUJXvtJDVz76gWLjyBt1OpFFf_0mW-cB9vF58TrQRoEevWK8-jZMGXU0LaqnjRXBkMkLKj7n2Vq9WheH3KqrOrZeVXDrKwwk0J9kiFjOTkTarcpf92ya2qobJB0aWsbihRvn4P4_/s1600/IMGP1449+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidw1UCzUJXvtJDVz76gWLjyBt1OpFFf_0mW-cB9vF58TrQRoEevWK8-jZMGXU0LaqnjRXBkMkLKj7n2Vq9WheH3KqrOrZeVXDrKwwk0J9kiFjOTkTarcpf92ya2qobJB0aWsbihRvn4P4_/s200/IMGP1449+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108447672153186" border="0" /></a><br />We rode on for another couple of miles then came across a farm shop / cafe that was celebrating its opening, near the entrance was a warm dry area where we could park the bikes and eat/drink<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT1VnGYIVNkLq7iRRn9dqDwRVXFIPZ6GiFm8gKJ84dFUNIKeZYax3_4-VczswqgHxg8EOiu6ilmIVOWDBGT6NK_zrBFHTpgLokD-Chhx7jvir9Uw-6lbj1SBd4cTTb6y6ipOhopWyQy-V/s1600/IMGP1452+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT1VnGYIVNkLq7iRRn9dqDwRVXFIPZ6GiFm8gKJ84dFUNIKeZYax3_4-VczswqgHxg8EOiu6ilmIVOWDBGT6NK_zrBFHTpgLokD-Chhx7jvir9Uw-6lbj1SBd4cTTb6y6ipOhopWyQy-V/s200/IMGP1452+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108455068374402" border="0" /></a><br />They had cider on tap :-) so I took the opportunity to have a pint and a sandwich :-)<br /><br />After the stop we battled on again to Bangor where NCR 5 did another one of its interesting twists.....Joby did try warning us....but didn't insist enough!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTYl7zUlIf8Z-d3q5a18R8fjfzj-E6oLH12RoGxT0EqcX91bwGXJQzB_CY_BDCfsXahElreT7etA5n9tdknPGm2zHaU3isiT8jx6RFcfwITXWmKPZ5VyoLUrkwpotYBnijPKCvJZPZSaW/s1600/IMGP1456+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTYl7zUlIf8Z-d3q5a18R8fjfzj-E6oLH12RoGxT0EqcX91bwGXJQzB_CY_BDCfsXahElreT7etA5n9tdknPGm2zHaU3isiT8jx6RFcfwITXWmKPZ5VyoLUrkwpotYBnijPKCvJZPZSaW/s200/IMGP1456+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108462713219650" border="0" /></a><br />NCR 5 took us up ferkin steep hills (I guess so you could see Snowdon) to then double back on itself, we ended up doing about 4 miles to cover 1 mile in distance :-(<br /><br />But finally we reached another milestone....The Menai Bridge<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztkgg5OCARseJU5E8mxsdT1kG0B9RndDc-pUdN5xSOYLcQ_Gf2inmEF0t99X5IU6HaLcmZGaofJxayD7eTsBNya4Lr1VglgMw3p6z_lpkUzA31Wll740X-EkbLCLCClMPURFHFv-VswJz/s1600/IMGP1458+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztkgg5OCARseJU5E8mxsdT1kG0B9RndDc-pUdN5xSOYLcQ_Gf2inmEF0t99X5IU6HaLcmZGaofJxayD7eTsBNya4Lr1VglgMw3p6z_lpkUzA31Wll740X-EkbLCLCClMPURFHFv-VswJz/s200/IMGP1458+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108681398769570" border="0" /></a><br />At the other end of the bridge the cross wind was so strong that I had my left foot unclipped from the pedal and was using it as a counter balance...the bike was tilted 45 degrees for me to keep in a straight line, god knows how Joby stayed upright on the road bike?<br /><br />After the Menai Bridge we headed north for a brief period and had the full on tailwind behind us for a couple of miles....it was sheer heaven!<br /><br />As we turned back west the cross winds became more than a little dangerous....I needed to stop to stretch my left leg...it was starting to become VERY painful....but the views were awesome..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmrIVx7yqBD2q57XjxcG283OyH9pEr7t-_FTYKyUQSUnRTRzenHUVB-B0bYD8HHnyAP5aACjAiVoRotFpaotIO78XbwevMRaEw7C2S9eDd4-Fj8GNCWlZ6IfnC-AA8K8pXrP8KRFLy0EJ/s1600/IMGP1462+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmrIVx7yqBD2q57XjxcG283OyH9pEr7t-_FTYKyUQSUnRTRzenHUVB-B0bYD8HHnyAP5aACjAiVoRotFpaotIO78XbwevMRaEw7C2S9eDd4-Fj8GNCWlZ6IfnC-AA8K8pXrP8KRFLy0EJ/s200/IMGP1462+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108685440104034" border="0" /></a><br />Jon also took the opportunity to take off the boil in the bag rain jacket and Joby made the sensible call to get picked up from Holyhead instead of attempting to cycle back Llandudno.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2FCuL9qF_daWWkDUpohyphenhyphenRc7z9GjVljkT5mmYPvIwkP0R-74aVzpp6I33lGxKl5FesS0dkBTJ4WLp7GVICe5LvWPNI3CO8dA3pqDn5HydhWGeZGD_rrplXccmfbIEkFsY0LW6qN69uIQ2/s1600/IMGP1464+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2FCuL9qF_daWWkDUpohyphenhyphenRc7z9GjVljkT5mmYPvIwkP0R-74aVzpp6I33lGxKl5FesS0dkBTJ4WLp7GVICe5LvWPNI3CO8dA3pqDn5HydhWGeZGD_rrplXccmfbIEkFsY0LW6qN69uIQ2/s200/IMGP1464+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108690143876242" border="0" /></a><br />After the stretch my leg felt a little better so we continued on....The almost constant load was not helping...it was even hard work going down hill at times...<br /><br />We stopped at a small shop to stock up on fluids, and we all agreed to make a direct B line to Holyhead, the wind was dangerous and we all wanted to finish, the people in the shop said we were about 17 miles from Holyhead....unfortunately none of us really knew where we were! and the only maps we had were electronic :-(<br /><br />As we plodded along I came to the realisation that there were only two roads into Holyhead the A5 and the A55 and if we weren't careful we would be heading on to the wrong one...We came to a crossroads and I opted for turning right and taking us back onto the planned NCR5 route.<br /><br />The finally the inevitable happened...after 370 miles.....a car was parked blocking the cycle way..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQh_vwN84kfj9zNsW04fwYI1_FjgdD_X4_zMl4iaLFBAdQcnpV7mWE4QVpCkvMr7pkIlJB01KyNLa-CZV9ZOASDQap8QIClqRsESbwV64A-jZ305F4Qi0Gdu79XmM0A7bhXcPz913dvi4/s1600/IMGP1465+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQh_vwN84kfj9zNsW04fwYI1_FjgdD_X4_zMl4iaLFBAdQcnpV7mWE4QVpCkvMr7pkIlJB01KyNLa-CZV9ZOASDQap8QIClqRsESbwV64A-jZ305F4Qi0Gdu79XmM0A7bhXcPz913dvi4/s200/IMGP1465+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108694353546210" border="0" /></a><br />Then it was a slow and painful ride over the bridge to Holy Island...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtFBX8AgQM1Qb2VmeoVTMOhZRhyHSE12jzCjayUkpdwTKmXjnX1ndT3TGhm3jZmTW1KUQcgqJMqv5nOLkf0LTngoHqVNPx4WEh1Z6Mwl02wSu0_oKygimH5xPPIb6vkTzPkb_XmkEnOcp/s1600/IMGP1466+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtFBX8AgQM1Qb2VmeoVTMOhZRhyHSE12jzCjayUkpdwTKmXjnX1ndT3TGhm3jZmTW1KUQcgqJMqv5nOLkf0LTngoHqVNPx4WEh1Z6Mwl02wSu0_oKygimH5xPPIb6vkTzPkb_XmkEnOcp/s200/IMGP1466+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108700258148882" border="0" /></a><br />A short ride through the Island...where we managed to lose Jon.....he decided to practise some of his mountain bike skills by traversing a major swamp, where Joby and Myself decided to divert using a nice tarmac surface...I don't think we were allowed to cycle through the golf club but if we were stopped I was going to pretend to be Polish :-)<br /><br />Then it was on to the worlds biggest anticlimax......the end of NCR 5.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNiqiU-4sUvhp31IgTmSmqBwQTaYQ0sM4oT1pxNExA2Zc1yMxwznVTcrcObYt7ZG0ob-cznAa6Cez6ZQQQT-d7ygCYdHOcuRQPYArDBVBkk_erbbW-AeJgZ4AgPmu5U9eFEWXz5ocCxqm/s1600/IMGP1470+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNiqiU-4sUvhp31IgTmSmqBwQTaYQ0sM4oT1pxNExA2Zc1yMxwznVTcrcObYt7ZG0ob-cznAa6Cez6ZQQQT-d7ygCYdHOcuRQPYArDBVBkk_erbbW-AeJgZ4AgPmu5U9eFEWXz5ocCxqm/s200/IMGP1470+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108872950787330" border="0" /></a><br />The sign shows the way to......<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVdVG5xRuwxyy-BZPAXid06f3dz41l9rPWQtO-z2eyxJjyeZedziKL308QT-LlTtOcNAm0ocY6ezbpQK5awZ_2AIpuifLBcIyuj1BFaqqjkpoW4tuGE0VOiptFtqLhhe_t6PG_3n0yb3u/s1600/IMGP1468+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVdVG5xRuwxyy-BZPAXid06f3dz41l9rPWQtO-z2eyxJjyeZedziKL308QT-LlTtOcNAm0ocY6ezbpQK5awZ_2AIpuifLBcIyuj1BFaqqjkpoW4tuGE0VOiptFtqLhhe_t6PG_3n0yb3u/s200/IMGP1468+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108870953648194" border="0" /></a><br />The ferry terminal......<br /><br />They could have least ended it at the sea front....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF3yctGLe6ua5iYpkfl9QVKKD6OFIiX6BYX5NSj0u0drr6CwOlTJ6zSqW1CD2UmNWdIfZSWc6dqVTVZx_93olr0yeO5kLIkqDXQPjB-o7fJV0kaFFcxr1E7rzJwrqx557XnJHXMKQIVHb/s1600/IMGP1472+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF3yctGLe6ua5iYpkfl9QVKKD6OFIiX6BYX5NSj0u0drr6CwOlTJ6zSqW1CD2UmNWdIfZSWc6dqVTVZx_93olr0yeO5kLIkqDXQPjB-o7fJV0kaFFcxr1E7rzJwrqx557XnJHXMKQIVHb/s200/IMGP1472+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108886515854786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChuMPgSuBEfZ82XcS7RiAylIx0CkOe3DAkOXBwe7PRIEz5sZxbGvs90oj85zlA0XtWk0y_vkZncF4oUjOVhyBA68WTu98pGUjpXTN9UoeLw5TkwygD_70R128at2_B_1hXm9YsLQGyT2L/s1600/IMGP1471+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChuMPgSuBEfZ82XcS7RiAylIx0CkOe3DAkOXBwe7PRIEz5sZxbGvs90oj85zlA0XtWk0y_vkZncF4oUjOVhyBA68WTu98pGUjpXTN9UoeLw5TkwygD_70R128at2_B_1hXm9YsLQGyT2L/s200/IMGP1471+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457108877285274130" border="0" /></a><br />My Wifey and Joby's family were waiting at the end of NCR 8....at the sea front....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ek0EUkHKt_dHX4cHGehUQxdL1tFedv-kcvM63FkzZnJMFyr9w4MxCszywFWjbsiX6SToEP_yM0WoXr6AZiSo6tlGg0KejBeMeY9NKyfvt2x-K90RFApsRP4lM5kDbZXODjB_09tboutB/s1600/100_2369+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ek0EUkHKt_dHX4cHGehUQxdL1tFedv-kcvM63FkzZnJMFyr9w4MxCszywFWjbsiX6SToEP_yM0WoXr6AZiSo6tlGg0KejBeMeY9NKyfvt2x-K90RFApsRP4lM5kDbZXODjB_09tboutB/s200/100_2369+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457128221018224034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hmmmmmm NCR 8....anybody fancy doing Cardiff to Holyhead on NCR 8 :-) now that goes over some mountains :-)<br /><br />The Garmin had the ride as 77.6 miles in 6 hours 37 minutes with an average speed of 11.7 mph, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29186326">here....</a><br /><br />Here are some photies from Sunday....<br /><br />The Start of NCR5 at Stone<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb7GLzFwOUZnPR2GZIytg-jN5f6Z5KWsPYrJO2tr3RR51jpp3Tpjw65cmgokTDBizieJDisOcn3dNBtir2l0c6rB8coHAlTOylKnnmYP5tCNbMz6ACI3vwKC3dAyNorKRhBZSFj0Dp4rh/s1600/IMGP1399+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb7GLzFwOUZnPR2GZIytg-jN5f6Z5KWsPYrJO2tr3RR51jpp3Tpjw65cmgokTDBizieJDisOcn3dNBtir2l0c6rB8coHAlTOylKnnmYP5tCNbMz6ACI3vwKC3dAyNorKRhBZSFj0Dp4rh/s200/IMGP1399+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457130323726046066" border="0" /></a><br />Back on to pleasant canal paths<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLU_wjFnCVZaXWoWTE4P5ut6Wq9P4STWrr9pqxQrJgE_Gng2wNtRZL8jKhrv6zneN-luXm-syQBAtxI7KaYvHacr92DE_c41GmJqltvIXxuA1zRb1_65NoSVRX1GdqRYCk4TQELUkGR_d/s1600/IMGP1402+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLU_wjFnCVZaXWoWTE4P5ut6Wq9P4STWrr9pqxQrJgE_Gng2wNtRZL8jKhrv6zneN-luXm-syQBAtxI7KaYvHacr92DE_c41GmJqltvIXxuA1zRb1_65NoSVRX1GdqRYCk4TQELUkGR_d/s200/IMGP1402+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457130331811496258" border="0" /></a><br />But with ridiculous cycle barriers...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCBhNJn-TnakGjkMtzzv8XC4e5N4GQjlUivQIx8NKSLyRgwcliDAZ9lIS_I8v716JbKUL-LsJahqkh2pZ84Q3qYt3BrCCitiHTfakR76mZG1fRa4-b3-P2dRzHriUK7s76wTljheinlP8/s1600/IMGP1403+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCBhNJn-TnakGjkMtzzv8XC4e5N4GQjlUivQIx8NKSLyRgwcliDAZ9lIS_I8v716JbKUL-LsJahqkh2pZ84Q3qYt3BrCCitiHTfakR76mZG1fRa4-b3-P2dRzHriUK7s76wTljheinlP8/s200/IMGP1403+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457130339745133602" border="0" /></a><br />I though I had missed Jon....he said he was at a place called Hanley....thankfully there was a canal map on the canal....I hadn't got to Hanley yet :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2QhsmEAxKRjtPcthfJ0V57RtLfBKycpcmAumSHjhkT6UxuF1CNT4eOIs8XVFF3GvMpLJN0ea1o8AWS24xSMBNlsRK15bR9OZP8yfCz7ekG_tkoRrAA5p4TDPaCItIbFEtUTLZfhyphenhyphenIeWS/s1600/IMGP1404+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2QhsmEAxKRjtPcthfJ0V57RtLfBKycpcmAumSHjhkT6UxuF1CNT4eOIs8XVFF3GvMpLJN0ea1o8AWS24xSMBNlsRK15bR9OZP8yfCz7ekG_tkoRrAA5p4TDPaCItIbFEtUTLZfhyphenhyphenIeWS/s200/IMGP1404+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457130342466618338" border="0" /></a><br />I finally met up with Jon...It was a bit daunting he was riding a fully loaded bike weighing a ton and was still flying up the hills....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr4prhVAbcFKJFB_9SYY4IvfHeX8NV_G7peuo-S2EedCKFeeJtpM75Vs39hVNeBNpVu_wabtprdmFtWgI2sW14n9sZFb9yrC5_y75t4fCcfHjnOyHZ4VkoTKkrzfOS8uhyphenhypheneEjhP1UXOm3/s1600/IMGP1410+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr4prhVAbcFKJFB_9SYY4IvfHeX8NV_G7peuo-S2EedCKFeeJtpM75Vs39hVNeBNpVu_wabtprdmFtWgI2sW14n9sZFb9yrC5_y75t4fCcfHjnOyHZ4VkoTKkrzfOS8uhyphenhypheneEjhP1UXOm3/s200/IMGP1410+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457130351086504226" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the obstacles were a little more problematic for him than me....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMr9Mqcw5locpCHHSM7pYf-oRP-G2XFMomy_HvNJAs6_wkXMpf_4UOCuWmqrhCCiNVP0kvpy8aXPV_gzrmZeVeOKt2IB3GMIK4WP2bexz7mmBgIcuVYRSCGyo_Omhvg1rWPZTmUgyvGaci/s1600/IMGP1413+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMr9Mqcw5locpCHHSM7pYf-oRP-G2XFMomy_HvNJAs6_wkXMpf_4UOCuWmqrhCCiNVP0kvpy8aXPV_gzrmZeVeOKt2IB3GMIK4WP2bexz7mmBgIcuVYRSCGyo_Omhvg1rWPZTmUgyvGaci/s200/IMGP1413+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457130517278637346" border="0" /></a><br />Another muddy bog farm track that is titled as a cycle path!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe5O-T33QOfc7cW9k6SZvLXHsvm21tYZXboV9gr6SW-Y5dp_G9bvN3NdTd9t9SCSYDbUujOC4pDus2fYel-ZtoCrbQvWcKGpv3DWS7kMn4VMZXY4A8DcKshzbL6NCQWjreev7zjN3gVID/s1600/IMGP1414+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe5O-T33QOfc7cW9k6SZvLXHsvm21tYZXboV9gr6SW-Y5dp_G9bvN3NdTd9t9SCSYDbUujOC4pDus2fYel-ZtoCrbQvWcKGpv3DWS7kMn4VMZXY4A8DcKshzbL6NCQWjreev7zjN3gVID/s200/IMGP1414+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457130525645592370" border="0" /></a><br />Yet another closed cycle path with NO clue signed to how to rejoin it :-(<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDFTDqqX0NA05NNqdzLtgbe_hXqbh54CnKUWUlNGEmBXV5-FQ0XG2cLJIDeverugy3d_8PTVzCQqhEteMtaEacl7u6KFlQsVDE3YZhn-U4dYrl6mVvnDuZmfoqetDTvr4Ik-tSlwyz9aV/s1600/IMGP1420+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDFTDqqX0NA05NNqdzLtgbe_hXqbh54CnKUWUlNGEmBXV5-FQ0XG2cLJIDeverugy3d_8PTVzCQqhEteMtaEacl7u6KFlQsVDE3YZhn-U4dYrl6mVvnDuZmfoqetDTvr4Ik-tSlwyz9aV/s200/IMGP1420+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457130527242212626" border="0" /></a><br />Flint castle....not far from my night stop, but like some fool I decided to do the extra 10 miles to Prestatyn.....it turned into the worlds toughest 20 miles!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3sMYhtM9flQjPjfg2TI0fBJD2PzQSebsxaVkkIIoeQE0pywgOimkLHxhyphenhyphenR50aFTnHDrOWheLl52_WmNA-oU8tJ0dLYjq_galgeqV4hcRx2u_XjgvAwwtklq4UTKfF5sLmUYGvhUWSp2A/s1600/IMGP1421+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3sMYhtM9flQjPjfg2TI0fBJD2PzQSebsxaVkkIIoeQE0pywgOimkLHxhyphenhyphenR50aFTnHDrOWheLl52_WmNA-oU8tJ0dLYjq_galgeqV4hcRx2u_XjgvAwwtklq4UTKfF5sLmUYGvhUWSp2A/s200/IMGP1421+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457130534674311602" border="0" /></a><br />Jon was starting to find dragging the ton of bike up hills a bit of a bind......I would have given up long ago...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzBTuldJQYf9WHwXTVpERRuSwVAFnzrwpicuFGk5O_mRWrkkGK2nwYu81MXbySTZlH0adHZcnvOxnj7L_V9_Y94RGvFsYxnymJbRiJpAiX7kiDNWNzt7EWTHv8alV1ZUaJ2IBTeI6zmwh/s1600/IMGP1425+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzBTuldJQYf9WHwXTVpERRuSwVAFnzrwpicuFGk5O_mRWrkkGK2nwYu81MXbySTZlH0adHZcnvOxnj7L_V9_Y94RGvFsYxnymJbRiJpAiX7kiDNWNzt7EWTHv8alV1ZUaJ2IBTeI6zmwh/s200/IMGP1425+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457130542894788034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And on to today.....<br /><br />We got back home from Snowdonia at 12:30 ish, I went for a walk into town to get a haircut and my leg was still aching (Not really helped by driving nearly 200 miles...)<br /><br />I then spent the first part of the afternoon cleaning the Dawes<br /><br />Not only was it VERY dirty...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qvVarrgojuVItL696ke56nFuoequRVtxMY1Y9Y_t87qtjgX2VIcG_YvMXexCDCKbRbbrI-Br3Gd6ORoZzzlnPMS9KyXvr-gcxz5Gg6V623gRoX9kZKLZ1L_XNTnb0aYvcqHVu6WdH9fR/s1600/IMGP1476+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qvVarrgojuVItL696ke56nFuoequRVtxMY1Y9Y_t87qtjgX2VIcG_YvMXexCDCKbRbbrI-Br3Gd6ORoZzzlnPMS9KyXvr-gcxz5Gg6V623gRoX9kZKLZ1L_XNTnb0aYvcqHVu6WdH9fR/s200/IMGP1476+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457135612958299762" border="0" /></a><br />The cassette was full of sand...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Mtw0mc1plwa9SYEK7fy4LzVKPckNaHgCgdfB2cx1sCSXXLPfgOqdNOQVskyXdQE2JReHd6MjbEDNGON1ycYlyYVLFmA5K4qTTC5T0VxkV0gwRf6tjm4aRe58ihJ-lBZ-U9XD02cW3m0B/s1600/IMGP1473+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Mtw0mc1plwa9SYEK7fy4LzVKPckNaHgCgdfB2cx1sCSXXLPfgOqdNOQVskyXdQE2JReHd6MjbEDNGON1ycYlyYVLFmA5K4qTTC5T0VxkV0gwRf6tjm4aRe58ihJ-lBZ-U9XD02cW3m0B/s200/IMGP1473+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457135606465292322" border="0" /></a><br />It was all stripped down and cleaned (including jockeys) and was treated to a new chain, the old one was stretched...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadsHDUvVzP3-3eVSfgry8wL1-RKoevQR_TnPbIxRv9hU4XDxYTsuGNBqoZahrLnyCqKW2fOyq2f2NmJdKnQ_wJr52v3kDSS5nhPri5TWteLREFh-V0JBHnxN4kKrejuwOYjADBT6yTPBq/s1600/IMGP1477+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadsHDUvVzP3-3eVSfgry8wL1-RKoevQR_TnPbIxRv9hU4XDxYTsuGNBqoZahrLnyCqKW2fOyq2f2NmJdKnQ_wJr52v3kDSS5nhPri5TWteLREFh-V0JBHnxN4kKrejuwOYjADBT6yTPBq/s200/IMGP1477+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457135619574295538" border="0" /></a><br />After the Dawes was re-assembled, I started cooking tea...<br /><br />As the Lamb shanks were simmering I cleaned up and lubed the Peugeot it was also treated to a new cassette and chain...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB8DL6qRNsjggIsuCD2E52lUKrIqLVNMDJHStlO9hu1tXd2kPmOiMJnZrD6gc-153PrkIxWhZH43mDNtnmnN4mXkKL11s1IybfLt3MdIr5tO8DCEw-DTKXmNnqNGrDknroiJT3cBB0Yar/s1600/IMGP1478+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB8DL6qRNsjggIsuCD2E52lUKrIqLVNMDJHStlO9hu1tXd2kPmOiMJnZrD6gc-153PrkIxWhZH43mDNtnmnN4mXkKL11s1IybfLt3MdIr5tO8DCEw-DTKXmNnqNGrDknroiJT3cBB0Yar/s200/IMGP1478+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457135625478977778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As I like the idea of doing another NCR ride I also started exploring the idea of a cyclocross bike, I find the Hybrid to hard on my hands and I need drop bars to get out of the wind....John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-27084503510276646112010-04-05T18:20:00.001+01:002010-04-05T18:20:35.329+01:005th April 2010 (NCR 5 Day 4)<SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-WEIGHT:Normal;'>Short post, I will fill it in more tomorrow, when I have a web connection.<br><br>I completed the ride to Holyhead according to plan :-)<br><br>Started of the day where I left of yesterday with Jon, straight into a very tough headwind.<br><br>Met up with Joby at Conwy<br><br>Today was the toughest 70 miles I have ever done.<br><br>My tendon started playing up again at 30 miles, by the end of the ride it was very painful.<br><br>Thanks to Jon and Joby for a fun but tough day, pictures and more details to follow.</SPAN>John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-48807325719676945062010-04-04T21:25:00.002+01:002010-04-04T22:04:18.853+01:004th April 2010 (NCR 5 Day 3)Short post as I am knackered...<br /><br />Got up early for breakfast, It was a continental breakfast so no big blow-out :-(<br /><br />After my toast, pain au chocolate, yoghurt, cereal and croissants, I dragged the bike out of teh back of the car, lubed the chain and changed the very worn out brake blocks.<br /><br />Just as I was about to set off I had a text from Jon (Redbikes) to say he was setting off, the plan was to meet up with him.....Problem was I didn't have a clue where he was coming from so had no idea where to expect to see him..<br /><br />I set of up the A51 into a very tough head wind towards Stone to get to the start of the NCR5..<br /><br />At Stone I joined the canal and had a very pleasant ride down the towpath, I was expecting to see Jon.....but didn't.<br /><br />NCR 5 took me of the Canal and I was worried that I had missed him in a Zig where I should have Zagged moment, but it was ok...he didn't have a clue where I was and he mentioned some place I had never heard off and had not cycled through :-)<br /><br />Some many miles later and on yet another Canal path we eventual met...<br /><br />I thought I was having it tough with the heavy weight and very draggy Hybrid, his bike was heavily loaded and weighed a ton....But he was dragging it along as if it was a light weight road bike...<br /><br />When we got to Hanley, the cycle route became almost impossible to follow...after doing some pointless loops we managed to find the cycle route and headed out into the country...<br /><br />Even when you know where you are supposed to go the cycleways are not always easy to find!<br /><br />We stopped for lunch at a riverside pub, they didn't do Bacon Rolls :-( I was forced to eat a steak pie!<br /><br />It was reasonably impressive when we eventual found the cycle way out of Chester into Wales (The start point where we were supposed to get on it was closed....with no indication of where to go to join it....) As we were getting onto it a guy was also joining it on a road bike.....he followed us all the way to Queensferry...when we went our separate ways he remarked on how he had trouble staying with us :-)<br /><br />When we got to Flint instead of turning off for my night stop I had decided to carry on to Prestatyn with Jon (I would drive there in the morning to save time) - What we should have done is ignore any NCR 5 signs and head straight down the Coast Road...we didn't :-( The 8 mile journey turned into a 20 mile journey as we headed inland up some really tough climbs...I was already tired and by right leg tendon was aching...Poor Jon was dragging a ton of bike up the hills.<br /><br />I have to admit on one of the steeper stretches I stopped and walked....he did not...(In my defence my leg was killing me and I even found it hard to walk)<br /><br />Thankfully just outside Prestatyn wifey had stopped to take some photographs of us, I opted to call it a day, I was cold and tired, I had ran out of drink miles earlier and I was starving hungry, poor old Jon had at least another mile to go...<br /><br />Lesson learnt if you don't know where you are, don't follow the cycle way!<br /><br />The Garmin had today's ride as 106.63 miles in 8 hours 39 minutes with an average speed of 12.7 mph, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/28963633">here...</a><br /><br />Photos and things will be added later when I can be bothered...<br /><br />Sorry for not responding to any comments....I will do when I have a better interweb connection....but rest-assured I am reading them:-)John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-53232365441540969192010-04-03T21:02:00.012+01:002010-04-03T22:03:12.764+01:003rd April 2010 (NCR 5 Day 2)Woke up and got up earlier than expected :-)<br /><br />Didn't get to sleep very early :-( The Falcon Hotel need to make up their mind if they are going to be a hotel or a disco....<br /><br />I did have a descent cooked breakfast at 8 :-)<br /><br />After breakfast I dragged the bike out of the car and cleaned/lubed the chain, the bike was looking pretty damn dirty after yesterdays off-road shenanigans.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8m0mxEq-4HF0KUtv5PzUNoOOntVDg0tsodBCEyTt8X6lpizYrEqfVlhmc2Fl8NsOmS78zvQJWRZUQxSkbHt-EFaWVOrdvjpCDpqKBbYYP9KoFdC9Bzyjofv-VTjCo-BeHb_d1K9RLAqc/s1600/IMGP1331+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8m0mxEq-4HF0KUtv5PzUNoOOntVDg0tsodBCEyTt8X6lpizYrEqfVlhmc2Fl8NsOmS78zvQJWRZUQxSkbHt-EFaWVOrdvjpCDpqKBbYYP9KoFdC9Bzyjofv-VTjCo-BeHb_d1K9RLAqc/s200/IMGP1331+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456005974292554162" border="0" /></a><br />I ended up setting of at 8:40, after some very quiet and pleasant lanes I turned onto the Stratford-on-Avon Greenway<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrexTEoJyHur9hNIP52vlwKH8m9wLVeOfHbInH4OEBlzhbITjJf3Ntyce2RLpWlPI4eoYHhUIHYikRosVhP3iyhG1_ztXtAtOYjnBrDpLwEEJ6MzxSIOcOTUu3jfDeL0jNVe_2mQVxF_of/s1600/IMGP1340+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrexTEoJyHur9hNIP52vlwKH8m9wLVeOfHbInH4OEBlzhbITjJf3Ntyce2RLpWlPI4eoYHhUIHYikRosVhP3iyhG1_ztXtAtOYjnBrDpLwEEJ6MzxSIOcOTUu3jfDeL0jNVe_2mQVxF_of/s200/IMGP1340+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456007223566557554" border="0" /></a><br />It would have been perfect if it wasn't for the ridiculous obstacle courses at every junction.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNb8c9lvvarTyNOgxd1GpFk17ogyAJzLIpo5YY8IDJhA-EyItMBp5LFPcF5Kd7TCRfqGWPNTAPAxEFCDHI-EV_L2SKdCQgaBRabWsuY8KCibjBr41aed71_h4-x9W-dAEtXDxut2fbOHfL/s1600/IMGP1341+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNb8c9lvvarTyNOgxd1GpFk17ogyAJzLIpo5YY8IDJhA-EyItMBp5LFPcF5Kd7TCRfqGWPNTAPAxEFCDHI-EV_L2SKdCQgaBRabWsuY8KCibjBr41aed71_h4-x9W-dAEtXDxut2fbOHfL/s200/IMGP1341+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456008056006629970" border="0" /></a><br />After the Greenway the route followed the Canal into Stratford.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj51bXjpGn90umAdAFqfCqY9NFAG7TDQUC9tuSRcwqQQ11OCHEpvu7QQwp4KOs61O1QDL8FS0ZEU6Ijm6rMyEnCAKC6kbqEFXYBCYXhoa2L2FRc7XQokT-2KjoL9lKf_CqjVYI7GQbEslL/s1600/IMGP1358+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj51bXjpGn90umAdAFqfCqY9NFAG7TDQUC9tuSRcwqQQ11OCHEpvu7QQwp4KOs61O1QDL8FS0ZEU6Ijm6rMyEnCAKC6kbqEFXYBCYXhoa2L2FRc7XQokT-2KjoL9lKf_CqjVYI7GQbEslL/s200/IMGP1358+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456008921605416066" border="0" /></a><br />The cycle routed skirted the edge of Stratford, after Stratford it was a reasonably quick ride to Redditch and lunch with Russ :-)<br /><br />I gave him a call and he came over to escort me to his mansion :-)<br /><br />2 Bacon Sarnies and 2 Hot Cross buns later and I was off, I stopped and gave <a href="http://massivemtber.blogspot.com/">Clive</a> a call when I was 7 miles from Bromsgrove...<br /><br />After what seemed an age I finally met up with him at the top of a hill, and we were off, he set off at a fair lick and I was quite happy to maintain it :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGKh4yO-zfSUnUaAKhdQAF9_NnUUYfK2uCrlVzBI6_dxStyMQnlVtW3iduvnUMYYmjeP4ZGg0Z4ppb0HJBf7-vcKfVlboMbzeHaj0I7nOZqIPcpNzuBdU0PF9VjOwt1CpnHbahgifSg4F/s1600/IMGP1384+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGKh4yO-zfSUnUaAKhdQAF9_NnUUYfK2uCrlVzBI6_dxStyMQnlVtW3iduvnUMYYmjeP4ZGg0Z4ppb0HJBf7-vcKfVlboMbzeHaj0I7nOZqIPcpNzuBdU0PF9VjOwt1CpnHbahgifSg4F/s200/IMGP1384+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456011907848284226" border="0" /></a><br />Clive escorted me right through the centre of Birmingham and got me onto the canal path on the way out....Then we parted company and I continued on the Canal.<br /><br />It was interesting, the Stratford Canal was very scenic and pleasant to ride down, the Birmingham Canals had a completely different feel.<br /><br />It seemed like a very long drag from Birmingham to Walsall, and I have to admit not very pleasant :-(<br /><br />I was quite happy following the route to Lichfield and then...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZlHbrYxY3nIQjqsEZjztUpC801tTp1Qm_YorHIcVU8_s6aiu7j3YHSshyphenhyphenTkwEENGu_EaRG8__zwzN5j1Rv3H7YyK9gFiMmfChpbd2Wvk1Bmkc39cSsdDiFV1lxbIPj6Emb6HWrxP0I6-/s1600/IMGP1390+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZlHbrYxY3nIQjqsEZjztUpC801tTp1Qm_YorHIcVU8_s6aiu7j3YHSshyphenhyphenTkwEENGu_EaRG8__zwzN5j1Rv3H7YyK9gFiMmfChpbd2Wvk1Bmkc39cSsdDiFV1lxbIPj6Emb6HWrxP0I6-/s200/IMGP1390+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456013696359455506" border="0" /></a><br />Great...they just closed the path, no diversion no redirection...just closed :-( I followed the main road and managed to rejoin the path about 2 miles down the road.<br /><br />The cycleway followed a canal for a short stretch before heading down a path, and I encountered yet another cycle friendly feature :-(<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIg-1lrka3KaSpwkZ62OyPPWwfwZ7nL_nb6fMGNK0YicKsiurPFUIfVuFDCUYRYnpYDsDUnYQe18jmrcnbiZ0YYxL1Yse61O9eI40sEIm9CiWx9y5a9wMISHDKWXmV2YHCYOVw7M41IP4/s1600/IMGP1391+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIg-1lrka3KaSpwkZ62OyPPWwfwZ7nL_nb6fMGNK0YicKsiurPFUIfVuFDCUYRYnpYDsDUnYQe18jmrcnbiZ0YYxL1Yse61O9eI40sEIm9CiWx9y5a9wMISHDKWXmV2YHCYOVw7M41IP4/s200/IMGP1391+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456014867619331714" border="0" /></a><br />Once I had got to Lichfield and the end of NCR5 (It restarts again near Stafford) I joined the A51 and had the fastest ride of the past two days to the night stop.<br /><br />When I got to the night stop I was able to use a hose pipe and a brush to wash of the Dawes, it was in a very poor state.<br /><br />The Garmin had the ride as 102.75 miles in 8 hours with an average speed of 12.8 mph, route <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/28840465">here...</a><br /><br />I am starting to see the cycleways with mixed emotions, some of them are fantastic and a credit to Sustrans and will help promote cycling, some are a safe alternative to major and dangerous roads and some I just cannot explain the motivation for them!John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-17096075659333596952010-04-02T20:10:00.022+01:002010-04-03T22:07:08.651+01:002nd April 2010 (NCR 5 Day 1)Got up nice an early, burnt some stodgy porridge for breakfast whilst I was finishing of some route details...<br /><br />Loaded all of the kit in the car then set off to meet <a href="http://www.forgot.co.uk/">Rafe</a> and <a href="http://www.weightybiker.co.uk/home">Matt</a> at the Wokingham Waterside Centre in Reading....Got there far to early as per usual!<br /><br />Rafe and Matt arrived 5 minutes later, I unloaded the nice shiny,clean bike out of the car, put the last of my cycle kit on, then we were off - just a little bit of NCR4<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7exwL7Okyb0S7f_tSQ3UGeTCjqLGa8p-3sU-HLKWPrnuS6BtEaWKxvPCXf6Vr1g62MUOJlm4m_ZWWzH_0RSS1OOmTYltBiK0NvaRfEz64ZvQS3mKIth22NduLuB92Ile9OzqX_npVVv0n/s1600/IMGP1288+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7exwL7Okyb0S7f_tSQ3UGeTCjqLGa8p-3sU-HLKWPrnuS6BtEaWKxvPCXf6Vr1g62MUOJlm4m_ZWWzH_0RSS1OOmTYltBiK0NvaRfEz64ZvQS3mKIth22NduLuB92Ile9OzqX_npVVv0n/s200/IMGP1288+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455622055094826322" border="0" /></a><br />Before the Start of NCR5<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9jrPcWewyRsTAsJ9c4-RyKuv60yOR4nUA5roH01W4QK5xfv097DuauuyuCwOT8jBYlXWSDWDphjvTiSCMtMl1OqI-TW8-qRxJDvx0Ow6Mc67O7uH0qnvjwlSAtCSM288jB8daALhQHdx/s1600/IMGP1291+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9jrPcWewyRsTAsJ9c4-RyKuv60yOR4nUA5roH01W4QK5xfv097DuauuyuCwOT8jBYlXWSDWDphjvTiSCMtMl1OqI-TW8-qRxJDvx0Ow6Mc67O7uH0qnvjwlSAtCSM288jB8daALhQHdx/s200/IMGP1291+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455622490311946098" border="0" /></a><br />And the first (but not last) cycle friendly obstacle of the day...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8_KsTIA7cf1dcZGp4FDGpcY5avNjhGYUbxy7-jGzQTXzy7Osrsw_zavXZyb-aJTgficJSZ4CslyIBIBBvSB0hzjn1g8fLRIzg1dnL8-v6xaWnjXSzD2mZUYsOKeyPrlkBLtpSCqfX2pH/s1600/IMGP1292+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8_KsTIA7cf1dcZGp4FDGpcY5avNjhGYUbxy7-jGzQTXzy7Osrsw_zavXZyb-aJTgficJSZ4CslyIBIBBvSB0hzjn1g8fLRIzg1dnL8-v6xaWnjXSzD2mZUYsOKeyPrlkBLtpSCqfX2pH/s200/IMGP1292+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455623078085196962" border="0" /></a><br />We soon got into a good rhythm and Reading started disappearing behind us, Rafe's bike started making some interesting noises whilst changing gear, then on one of the climbs he decided to leave his chain on the road...<br /><br />As he carries a mini workshop around with him as well it wasn't long before the offending broken and twisted link was removed and the chain rejoined...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfTEBo8GLFERYVaBp3fsWCfTyO1tfYuUcO759tUgYiBO10L7Icg8pzJ2b9OgS7_J5ywQb1gCCGAgSfgTdYf9LJuHS7S4vgwEpZ7iNEgLkUIrGHeaeSzpEHvj2XY1n2xqATKAu2pdIulGR/s1600/IMGP1295+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfTEBo8GLFERYVaBp3fsWCfTyO1tfYuUcO759tUgYiBO10L7Icg8pzJ2b9OgS7_J5ywQb1gCCGAgSfgTdYf9LJuHS7S4vgwEpZ7iNEgLkUIrGHeaeSzpEHvj2XY1n2xqATKAu2pdIulGR/s200/IMGP1295+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455624713311423218" border="0" /></a><br />The going was better than I had expected, the quiet lanes were ...quiet..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxkhd96fUPplVkjyCo_UMBTydD8L2_t63QLp62JFQz2b6omiTebZgYyM2S2-swb0bAAZWoP45I-OlcxUGFAnvOnclRNH0MFZFmZ4SSjub7ospYOMjoR4j2idI9KpXgJhSAMb6_JqdLfkK/s1600/IMGP1296+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxkhd96fUPplVkjyCo_UMBTydD8L2_t63QLp62JFQz2b6omiTebZgYyM2S2-swb0bAAZWoP45I-OlcxUGFAnvOnclRNH0MFZFmZ4SSjub7ospYOMjoR4j2idI9KpXgJhSAMb6_JqdLfkK/s200/IMGP1296+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455625586795520994" border="0" /></a><br />It seemed like no time at all and Didcot was visible on the horizon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipe1mNoLm94tWaCiVJlMFCo70nVqts0RElgOdfQPnLUuwCbPeTTmDBUfwJo9NTyqQ0iqji9tC6KjiR0_VBknQ3p9mUsg9IqPSpNT1sHuIZLAIjZaVGT9r6okC3wvuo4U6lQzfWGs3nDfoh/s1600/IMGP1298+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipe1mNoLm94tWaCiVJlMFCo70nVqts0RElgOdfQPnLUuwCbPeTTmDBUfwJo9NTyqQ0iqji9tC6KjiR0_VBknQ3p9mUsg9IqPSpNT1sHuIZLAIjZaVGT9r6okC3wvuo4U6lQzfWGs3nDfoh/s200/IMGP1298+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455626181910258498" border="0" /></a><br />It was a lovely down hill from the Ridgeway, from the first glimpses of Didcot it seemed to take ages to actually get there!<br /><br />The main roads to and through Wallingford were incredibly quick with the smooth road surface and strong tailwind being a welcome relief.<br /><br />We followed the cycle route signs and not the GPS through Didcot (I am guessing the cycle route has been re-routed and OCM is out of date)<br /><br />We followed the Thames into Abingdon then lost sight of the cycle route :-( We followed the one way system around the town centre and turned left back on to it....I still can't work out exactly how the route is supposed to go....Some of the cycle route signs are almost impossible to follow..<br /><br />From Abingdon it was a very pleasant ride into Oxford...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0KR8DeCUaOLBg1UnX5Of9HUcQGFrRgrHstdmVii2373yJvmhExNQ9as1Kj52MaBfZVlj7kEg1ShIAGvmmPK1g0q9AIHYWS2sPcCyyp_0Azvz9iJJAgPt8gmHGRCpnGQ_bui0H6to5EiM/s1600/IMGP1304+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0KR8DeCUaOLBg1UnX5Of9HUcQGFrRgrHstdmVii2373yJvmhExNQ9as1Kj52MaBfZVlj7kEg1ShIAGvmmPK1g0q9AIHYWS2sPcCyyp_0Azvz9iJJAgPt8gmHGRCpnGQ_bui0H6to5EiM/s200/IMGP1304+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455628967569198482" border="0" /></a><br />And then we stopped for lunch...Rafe was very excited about having some vegetarian thing but the words Bacon and Roll had already been used...he had his thing..and I had mine :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPtYPCEULs6QEkrdEtak2BjuoiLkSh6ZUxwtjhLVykg96zVjd83eA2KAb97QguLDo4Y4enYH2xYXfg4rt54UvHirhh35dbUBNutKe2Nc-PKb9dSn0M3eEF8BlzIh2_XhyphenhyphenIxRUtIbXKoHj/s1600/IMGP1306+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPtYPCEULs6QEkrdEtak2BjuoiLkSh6ZUxwtjhLVykg96zVjd83eA2KAb97QguLDo4Y4enYH2xYXfg4rt54UvHirhh35dbUBNutKe2Nc-PKb9dSn0M3eEF8BlzIh2_XhyphenhyphenIxRUtIbXKoHj/s200/IMGP1306+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455629889720013010" border="0" /></a><br />Unfortunately the threatened rain began....and it started to get very wet and cold :-(<br /><br />Rafe carried on with me for a few more miles then we headed our separate ways...Thanks Rafe it was fun :-)<br /><br />I had a fair few very fast but very wet miles following the A44<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvq9oKmFj1FkREWPjx3J9BmS49vUjPQwYrVFdAbMc2j0VUodNfL6-Pr93jYRBQTJEPP58vOazgQ6I3hlTjUcQVAVHUAk5bSB9cOhPZh2h0QWEZJ4OMPtsL6bhhjaH8X5MU2lnmrJ5nVzZD/s1600/IMGP1310+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvq9oKmFj1FkREWPjx3J9BmS49vUjPQwYrVFdAbMc2j0VUodNfL6-Pr93jYRBQTJEPP58vOazgQ6I3hlTjUcQVAVHUAk5bSB9cOhPZh2h0QWEZJ4OMPtsL6bhhjaH8X5MU2lnmrJ5nVzZD/s200/IMGP1310+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455632622471053074" border="0" /></a><br />At Woodstock the cycle route started heading cross country to Banbury...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW-julwgXzC4K2-TEAc_CuKbS7bt_rJR17HKSib-42doiKR6bx3lZfshN1_jXAuk1YUrE9bNc3VbfI-eMVRUXo3rUaEAif9F0TW61tMiyi9Bu_GqFOkUMPiiZW638Z1zBQ69OEuwZgYAb/s1600/IMGP1311+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW-julwgXzC4K2-TEAc_CuKbS7bt_rJR17HKSib-42doiKR6bx3lZfshN1_jXAuk1YUrE9bNc3VbfI-eMVRUXo3rUaEAif9F0TW61tMiyi9Bu_GqFOkUMPiiZW638Z1zBQ69OEuwZgYAb/s200/IMGP1311+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455633858742724994" border="0" /></a><br />The rain stopped and the sun came out :-) and I spied the first blue bells of the year :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVV2BvkppJHFfjwdD1R7aY4pEaJryHSO80BMgrNQgCZ-ZDh1oRRl79XO19YYzOvrZhDZrT72GbQnfoEG1fkGhMhkObRJdiyrCvHvlkG-Zp62VAmq8wt0pyEFUmG5HMfUafSphqyS3X0gCK/s1600/IMGP1315+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVV2BvkppJHFfjwdD1R7aY4pEaJryHSO80BMgrNQgCZ-ZDh1oRRl79XO19YYzOvrZhDZrT72GbQnfoEG1fkGhMhkObRJdiyrCvHvlkG-Zp62VAmq8wt0pyEFUmG5HMfUafSphqyS3X0gCK/s200/IMGP1315+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455634975842711618" border="0" /></a><br />Up-to this point the cycle way had been as I expected, a mixture of road, quiet lane, purpose built cycle track and re-use of byways and paths....Then came the unexpected..<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiPkFAVf9jbPWyYYrRceh87obeWMzIKcp9etOt3QTfm4qI9S6xxQosS0G9ltDLnBILr26rbmvVN8ZwQrs_JdzfOlwTwO1RA4HZT3t2zfgruoYhfwOr8X73gv9lKpEEGSCscJodeRKZOBT/s1600/IMGP1324+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiPkFAVf9jbPWyYYrRceh87obeWMzIKcp9etOt3QTfm4qI9S6xxQosS0G9ltDLnBILr26rbmvVN8ZwQrs_JdzfOlwTwO1RA4HZT3t2zfgruoYhfwOr8X73gv9lKpEEGSCscJodeRKZOBT/s200/IMGP1324+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455635920381701090" border="0" /></a><br />Yes NCR5 crosses a muddy field....what you can't see in the picture is the steep muddy hill...I thought I had gone wrong...but nope all of the signs pointed this way...and when I had traversed the bog for a couple of miles it turned back into a track and the NCR5 signs were ever present...<br /><br />The poor terrain was very energy sapping, unfortunately it did not stop here.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkFAMANgTM-qJsTXkILhyphenhyphenSBoQ7Gk-9wpZmqSlsVRRmy4JEnOXHTmbJaRTIBVrdo3g108ZSDIlIbrtieBEc8ElD9x7jf_QtcWUCM2pjHKGKjjsa9LhXXCPUNbi2TM-ewc9lr8eP0oma9Am/s1600/IMGP1328+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkFAMANgTM-qJsTXkILhyphenhyphenSBoQ7Gk-9wpZmqSlsVRRmy4JEnOXHTmbJaRTIBVrdo3g108ZSDIlIbrtieBEc8ElD9x7jf_QtcWUCM2pjHKGKjjsa9LhXXCPUNbi2TM-ewc9lr8eP0oma9Am/s200/IMGP1328+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455637290807185970" border="0" /></a><br />By the time I got to the top the bike was covered in mud....and I was knackered!<br /><br />Even the ford I cycled through didn't clean the bike much. I could have done with a downpour to wash everything off!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V7J_CqgvfkCT7buNEBJHpZRuHUVP3jND09T3r1Ex134CBcMtSVY86ixg3XAOLC4CrZaWoIFD111O9hNPZQDNeiapsqHa8hXLeOTLGWlT7-56nQIf-kQSB9LHxN9Nw5mISDzHld-gXeb3/s1600/IMGP1329+%28Medium%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V7J_CqgvfkCT7buNEBJHpZRuHUVP3jND09T3r1Ex134CBcMtSVY86ixg3XAOLC4CrZaWoIFD111O9hNPZQDNeiapsqHa8hXLeOTLGWlT7-56nQIf-kQSB9LHxN9Nw5mISDzHld-gXeb3/s200/IMGP1329+%28Medium%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455638239857064226" border="0" /></a><br />Just as I got to the Hotel the heavens opened...but by then it was a little to late, I wiped the main soil of the bike and chain then loaded it in the back of the car for security.<br /><br />The Garmin had today's ride as 87.76 miles in 7 hours 3 minutes with an average speed of 12.4 mph, the poor terrain really is punishing!...the route can be seen <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/28721461">here...</a><br /><br />My first impressions of NCR5 are...some good bits, some bad bits and some bits that cannot in anyway be called a cycle path!John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427566259252198769.post-73944153790780498692010-04-01T20:31:00.003+01:002010-04-01T21:21:18.915+01:001st April 2010The Dawes is all sorted for tomorrow :-) Everything cleaned, checked, adjusted and lubed :-)<br /><br />I did all of the wheel bearings, interestingly the rear bearings were in need of cleaning and lubing as well...That is ALL of my bikes have had dry freehub side bearings, I must keep a 3000 mile check on them!<br /><br />Most of the kit is packed up and ready to go, unfortunately the weather forecast is rather unkind :-(<br /><br />My Stats for March were...<br /><table><tbody><tr><td>Count:</td><td>24 Activities</td></tr><tr><td>Distance:</td><td>724.58 mi</td></tr><tr><td>Max Distance:</td><td>79.42 mi</td></tr><tr><td>Time</td><td>44:46:23 h:m:s</td></tr><tr><td>Elevation Gain:</td><td>18,554 ft ft</td></tr><tr><td>Max Elevation Gain</td><td>2,877 ft</td></tr><tr><td>Avg Speed:</td><td>16.2 mph</td></tr><tr><td>Max Speed:</td><td>40.3 mph</td></tr><tr><td>Calories:</td><td>52,090 C</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I am currently doing more miles than I did this time last year...perhaps the 11400 mile challenge is actually possible :-)<br /><br />By this point last year I had only done 1469.77 miles this year I have 1941.72 miles (I am only 59 miles off my plan) - I have some BIG rides in April so I should be back on track in no time at all :-)John Berryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10502827266877599594noreply@blogger.com2