Day 114

Wifey and rely's went fishing so had BBQ Mackerel for tea ;-)

I was going to go for a 20 mile ride but due to the BBQ couldn't set off until later than planned so went out for a 10 on the mountain bike instead..

Cycled along the cycleway from Chippenham to Black Dog Halt and back 10 Miles in 41 Mins 24 Secs...

I went to a cycle shop at lunchtime today to pick up Joy's bike with her.

It is a really good bike, I hope Joy can get used to it...

I bought some ergonomic hand grips to see if they would ease the hand discomfort only to find they are Ergonomic GP1 and the Dawes already has Ergonomic GP2 grips, So I modified them and fitted them to the mountain bike instead ;-)

I have also replaced the first set of cleats on the SPD-SL shoes as the yellow 'treads' were falling apart.

I am looking forward to going out on the ride with Dave tomorrow to see how much - if at all that I have improved

Day 113

WFH day today...

No morning ride as I had to drop Motorbike of for MOT ;-(

Evening ride was delayed as it is our wedding anniversary and I cooked tea. (Cod fillets poached in white wine, mash and beans/peas and a rue sauce)

Intention was to go for a 30 mile ride as I missed this mornings outing, but the light was already poor when I set off so I just did my normal Chip -> Calne -> Lyneham -> Dauntsey -> Chip route with a slight change at the end as Chippenham High street was open and the normal cycle route I use is closed for bridge repairs.

I now have a proper cycle top and some cycle underwear instead of cycle shorts, It made a BIG difference, I normally get home soaking wet and my T-shirt normally weighs twice its weight in water (Even without rain), The cycle top remained light and I wasn't ringing wet! (I guess these cycle cloths have function more than a weird fashion statement!)

Tonight I cycled 21.47 miles in 1 Hour 14 Min with an Average Speed of 17.2 mph with Lyneham met office quoting a 6mph SSW wind I am very happy with that ;-)

The first outing with proper cycle top and cycle underwear was a success and I will be looking to purchase some more, problem is I will want cool looking tops (Marmite and Bones etc) and wifey will want sensible prices!!!

Day 112

Left work VERY late.....Got home VERY late....

No cycle :-( Tired

Playing computer games instead!

Day 111

Was supposed to go swimming......

Wifey rely's are over and they cooked us tea so didn't feel like a swim, went for a short doggy walk cycle with wifey instead.

5.2 miles ;-)

Along the way saw a cow stood in the river......Nothing wrong with that I suppose, but it just looked strange and made me chuckle ;-)

Day 110 (Sunday)

Got up at 730 ish and went out in the general direction of Marlborough with no real plan in mind....

I was overtaken going up hill at the Ridgeway and I worked to keep up with the guy (who appeared to slow down a mile or so after passing me) I then overtook him going into Marlborough and we both commented on its easier when you have somebody to follow, we cycled together through to Pewsey - It was fantastic, it really pushed me, and I actually think I may have been pushing the other guy along as well ;-)

After Pewsey things slowed down a bit mainly due to turning into a head wind ;-(

On the return leg I stopped for a munch and glug and took some piccies of the middle of nowhere;-)

If you look at the hills in the distance you can see the rain showers that I carefully avoided ;-)



More fields waiting to be harvested....


Further along the road were some interesting straw bundles.

It can hardly be cost effective unless the straw is used for something and needs to be undamaged???

The last 20 miles was a tough slog and I was very pleased to get home....

Today I managed 47.9 miles in 3 hours 4 mins with a Max speed of 41 mph and an Average speed of 15.6 mph.

The route ended up being Chippenham -> Calne -> Marlborough -> Pewsey -> Rushall -> Devizes -> Chippenham the gmap can be found here...

On getting home I was completely soaked in perspiration and I have new muscle aches....I worked hard today! It was good to see that I could hold a reasonable pace with somebody that appeared to be a fit cyclist ;-)

Day 109 (Saturday)

Wifey planned my ride today.

I set of at 9am in the pouring rain planned route was.....



It all went well, although very wet! until I cycled down 3+ miles of hills down into Nailsworth, and I couldn't find the right turn toward Tetbury, (There was 3 potentials but I wasn't inclined to play murder in the dark!), So I turned around and cycled back up the 3+ miles of steep hills to a safer turn into Tetbury.

The route from Chippenham to Nailsworth had me going through Pennsylvania and Petty France so I do feel well travelled.

I stretched before, during and after the ride and it helped!.......Perhaps all of these guru's are right!

Today I cycled 55.78 Miles in 3 Hours 34 Mins with and Average Speed of 15.6 mph The route can be found here... , and trackme actually appeared to work properly!

I also took the camel-back Hydration Pack with me, I do not need it on my 'normal' rides and I have not wanted to take it on a longer ride - just in case I dont get on with it! so hence I have never taken it! It worked well although I need to flush the plastic taste through it....

Day 108

Got home from work normal time....managed to get wifey out on bike ;-)
We cycled together to Lacock had pub grub and cycled home.

Total round trip of 8 miles in 55 minutes with an Average Speed of 8.5 mph ;-)

It was great.........And actualy quite hard work as all the little hills required effort to get up as there was minimal forward speed.

Wifey did incredibly well as looking back 100 days I found the trip we did this evening very difficult.....Perhaps I still might persuade her to do some long distance rides with me ;-)

Ohhhh My knee has stopped aching ;-) so I can do a longish ride tomorrow ;-)