Happy days .. was a bit of a trial getting this installed👨🔧
Although this has been a sense of achievement, I won’t be giving up the day job anytime soon! 👨💻
Thanks Ben @colyford_cycles for the encouragement!
Sunday, 24 November 2019
12,000 Mile Service for the Roubaix
Happy days .. was a bit of a trial getting this installed👨🔧
Although this has been a sense of achievement, I won’t be giving up the day job anytime soon! 👨💻
Thanks Ben @colyford_cycles for the encouragement!
Tuesday, 24 September 2019
Back on Mull
Five years after my first visit to Mull we're back to experience the quiet roads and spectacular scenery.
Here are a few shots of the Venge which I decided to take on this trip, probably not the best choice for the wet and windy isle but worth battling the elements for the views!
Here are a few shots of the Venge which I decided to take on this trip, probably not the best choice for the wet and windy isle but worth battling the elements for the views!
And here's the route taken, following in that discovered 5 years ago and I just hope it's not another 5 years before I return!
Thursday, 19 September 2019
The Gordon Arms Mountain TT
Set in the Scottish Borders and based at the Gordon Arms Hotel, runs an early season Mountain Time Trial.
As British Cycling events page describes: "The course starts and finishes at the Gordon Arms and you start with a long climb to the Berry Bush then a fast technical descent to the Ettrick Valley. You then have a fast undulating route down the Ettrick Valley to the start of the Swire. This famous borders climb has to be ridden and can often have snow by the side of the road at this time of year, It is followed by a fast descent to Yarrow kirk and finally the homeward run along the Yarrow Valley to the finish".
It was a total coincidence that I was able to combine my new found love of the TT with a chance few nights stopover near Ettrick, en-route to Mull and naturally I just had to do the ride! Missing the official event by 6 months, there was no snow and the warming September sun was kindly doing its thing. I wasn't staying at the Gordon Arms so I had to enter the course at the base of the Cat 3 Swire Climb (should really be the Cote de Swire). It was here that I realised that the 'Mountain' reference in the TT's title was not the understatement that for some reason I had thought! This is a 3km climb at an average 8% gradient with beautiful switchbacks and views to match. Once at the top as per the route description the drop in to Yarrow Kirk is steep and with the previous evening's rain now running off across the shingle covered tarmac, some caution was required. How the riders cope with this back in March with the risk of snow and ice, I can't imagine.
After a stop at the Gordon Arms for a photo, no time for refreshments, I imagine the hustle and bustle here of the official start. On this September morning, there was a noticeable absence of anyone, let alone any other cyclists. From this official start, the 6km Cat4 4% climb to the Berry Bush is no trouble for this Devon cyclist, albeit I have some work to do with a time of 7mi 32s v the KOM 3mi 40s, although I've never claimed to be a speedy hill climber and my position of 2783 / 7078 does place me in the top half of the table, so I'm happy with that.
It managed 2 rides over this route and would definitely do it again at the drop of a hat, although probably not in March!
As British Cycling events page describes: "The course starts and finishes at the Gordon Arms and you start with a long climb to the Berry Bush then a fast technical descent to the Ettrick Valley. You then have a fast undulating route down the Ettrick Valley to the start of the Swire. This famous borders climb has to be ridden and can often have snow by the side of the road at this time of year, It is followed by a fast descent to Yarrow kirk and finally the homeward run along the Yarrow Valley to the finish".
It was a total coincidence that I was able to combine my new found love of the TT with a chance few nights stopover near Ettrick, en-route to Mull and naturally I just had to do the ride! Missing the official event by 6 months, there was no snow and the warming September sun was kindly doing its thing. I wasn't staying at the Gordon Arms so I had to enter the course at the base of the Cat 3 Swire Climb (should really be the Cote de Swire). It was here that I realised that the 'Mountain' reference in the TT's title was not the understatement that for some reason I had thought! This is a 3km climb at an average 8% gradient with beautiful switchbacks and views to match. Once at the top as per the route description the drop in to Yarrow Kirk is steep and with the previous evening's rain now running off across the shingle covered tarmac, some caution was required. How the riders cope with this back in March with the risk of snow and ice, I can't imagine.
After a stop at the Gordon Arms for a photo, no time for refreshments, I imagine the hustle and bustle here of the official start. On this September morning, there was a noticeable absence of anyone, let alone any other cyclists. From this official start, the 6km Cat4 4% climb to the Berry Bush is no trouble for this Devon cyclist, albeit I have some work to do with a time of 7mi 32s v the KOM 3mi 40s, although I've never claimed to be a speedy hill climber and my position of 2783 / 7078 does place me in the top half of the table, so I'm happy with that.
It managed 2 rides over this route and would definitely do it again at the drop of a hat, although probably not in March!
Monday, 2 September 2019
Bike Fit #3, Bike n.5
Like busses as they say ... you wait 5 years and then 2 bike fits come along in as many weeks! But why so soon, when the Venge fit was such a success just a few weeks ago?
Yes, bike n.5 has been acquired. Having made it known to my cycling buddies that I may be in the market for something more suitable to ride next year's Time Trials, I was pointed to a couple of cycle buy and sell FaceBook pages. Deja Vu the Venge purchase, as what should appear on my screen during a random browse ... a Specialized TT bike. It was not the new Shiv with the eye watering 5 digit price tag but a model I had not previously come across. It was a bike frame called the Transition, and advertised for not only a "come and buy me" price hard to ignore, but more amazingly it was for sale in North Devon and in my size!
The die was truly cast. Another day trip west was planned and the outcome mirrored that experienced with the Venge almost 4 years ago, I handed over the crisp notes in payment and loaded the bright red, Specialized Transition Pro into the bike transporter!
Being a total TT bike novice, in the extreme, I didn't dare test drive it; to have fallen off would have been very bad form! So, the first thing I had to do .. well after renewing the bar tape, fitting some pedals and changing the saddle .. was to get a proper bike fit and thus back to Tony at Tribe Cycle Solutions I went.
When I had my first ever bike fit, the technician confirmed that on a flexibility scale of 1-10, I was probably close to zero, therefore, getting into a most unnatural superman position, while pedalling at the same time, felt as alien to me as the visitor from Krypton must have been to the people of Smallville!
At least, however, I now know how this craft should be flown and my plan now is to hit the turbo as many week day evenings as possible through the winter in a vain attempt to mould myself into the personified TT superman, I need to be to ride this thing faster than the Venge in next year's events. Oh my!
Yes, bike n.5 has been acquired. Having made it known to my cycling buddies that I may be in the market for something more suitable to ride next year's Time Trials, I was pointed to a couple of cycle buy and sell FaceBook pages. Deja Vu the Venge purchase, as what should appear on my screen during a random browse ... a Specialized TT bike. It was not the new Shiv with the eye watering 5 digit price tag but a model I had not previously come across. It was a bike frame called the Transition, and advertised for not only a "come and buy me" price hard to ignore, but more amazingly it was for sale in North Devon and in my size!
 |
| 25th August 2019 bike n.5 |
Being a total TT bike novice, in the extreme, I didn't dare test drive it; to have fallen off would have been very bad form! So, the first thing I had to do .. well after renewing the bar tape, fitting some pedals and changing the saddle .. was to get a proper bike fit and thus back to Tony at Tribe Cycle Solutions I went.
When I had my first ever bike fit, the technician confirmed that on a flexibility scale of 1-10, I was probably close to zero, therefore, getting into a most unnatural superman position, while pedalling at the same time, felt as alien to me as the visitor from Krypton must have been to the people of Smallville!
At least, however, I now know how this craft should be flown and my plan now is to hit the turbo as many week day evenings as possible through the winter in a vain attempt to mould myself into the personified TT superman, I need to be to ride this thing faster than the Venge in next year's events. Oh my!
Sunday, 18 August 2019
Bike Fit #2
It's hard to believe that it was 5 years ago that I had my first and only bike fit. This was the day that I picked up my new shiny Specialized Tarmac, bike n.3, from the Bike Shed in Exeter. My cycling and riding position has improved considerably since then and on reflection, I probably need another fitting as my body has taken on a more pro cycling form .. in my head anyway!
But this was not the reason for me heading over to Tribe Cycle Solutions in Bovey Tracy last Friday with Clive, my fellow Pedaller and recent time trial coach. The shots of me participating in the recent local TTs, sitting in a way more like I'm out on a gentle Saturday club run than in the aero tuck required of a time trial, has made me think of purchasing a dedicated TT machine or at least look to convert my Venge into one. The visit to Tribe was therefore to assess the suitability of the Venge and fit my self into a more aero position for the 2020 season.
After a day's pure bike pampering in a sweaty room behind a quite idilic cycling cafe on the edge of Dartmoor, I now have the Venge in a much more, power, aero and comfort maximised setup. Since I purchased the Venge, it has always been a challenging bike to ride; so stiff, so compact and skittish. Now I feel I have the measure of it and may be will save the ££££ in upgrading or purchasing a new and give 2020's TTs a blast with this new setup.
You'll have to keep tuned to see if this happens, or whether the n+1 card is played, as I can't believe it's close to 4 years since bike n.4 joined the family!
But this was not the reason for me heading over to Tribe Cycle Solutions in Bovey Tracy last Friday with Clive, my fellow Pedaller and recent time trial coach. The shots of me participating in the recent local TTs, sitting in a way more like I'm out on a gentle Saturday club run than in the aero tuck required of a time trial, has made me think of purchasing a dedicated TT machine or at least look to convert my Venge into one. The visit to Tribe was therefore to assess the suitability of the Venge and fit my self into a more aero position for the 2020 season.
After a day's pure bike pampering in a sweaty room behind a quite idilic cycling cafe on the edge of Dartmoor, I now have the Venge in a much more, power, aero and comfort maximised setup. Since I purchased the Venge, it has always been a challenging bike to ride; so stiff, so compact and skittish. Now I feel I have the measure of it and may be will save the ££££ in upgrading or purchasing a new and give 2020's TTs a blast with this new setup.
You'll have to keep tuned to see if this happens, or whether the n+1 card is played, as I can't believe it's close to 4 years since bike n.4 joined the family!
Friday, 26 July 2019
Seaton Wetlands Cycle Path
Back in 2015 there was a new cycle path laid through the Seaton Wetlands to join Colyford to Seaton. This cycle path was all part of a major investment proposed in 2009 and finally approved in 2011 to make the Wetlands more accessible, with hides and raised walkways for visitors to enjoy this tranquil environment and to extend the Stop Line Way cycle route. The former has been a total success the latter, well, we've yet to see.
The cycle path is accessed from Seaton via the cemetery's shingle carpark and exits abruptly onto the Colyford road with no signage at either end. Just as only Hogwarts Students know how to access their platform at Kings Cross, only those in the know would ever be aware of the Season Wetlands Cycle Path, let alone how to access it!
It transpires that not everything is as straight forward as one thinks it should be. I understand there's been a bit of an issue with landowners and a misaligned council agendas .. much of the human race is naturally flawed to be narcissistic and sociopathic. It just has to be accepted these days that it takes years to conclude something which should take seconds to agree and put in place, though I'm not sure anyone actually benefits in the long term.
I had the opportunity to meet with our local town mayor a few weeks ago and put to him the issue of the lack of signage for the 'new' Wetlands cycle path. This led me on the trail to Devon County and East Devon District Councils. Oh don't we love our bureaucracy. Anyway, the upshot of all this is that some signage will be put up but they won't be official Cycle Path ones as the path is not actually finished ... !
The positive news, is that Martin Shaw, Independent East Devon Alliance County Councillor for Seaton & Colyton, informs me that the County Council is at last formally proceeding with the CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) for the Wetlands route, as seen marked in this map of the land to be acquired.
Also, Cllr Ian Hall (Axminster) has also apparently recently expressed an interest in the development of the rest of the Seaton-Axminster route; this Stop Line Way
The cycle path is accessed from Seaton via the cemetery's shingle carpark and exits abruptly onto the Colyford road with no signage at either end. Just as only Hogwarts Students know how to access their platform at Kings Cross, only those in the know would ever be aware of the Season Wetlands Cycle Path, let alone how to access it!
It transpires that not everything is as straight forward as one thinks it should be. I understand there's been a bit of an issue with landowners and a misaligned council agendas .. much of the human race is naturally flawed to be narcissistic and sociopathic. It just has to be accepted these days that it takes years to conclude something which should take seconds to agree and put in place, though I'm not sure anyone actually benefits in the long term.
I had the opportunity to meet with our local town mayor a few weeks ago and put to him the issue of the lack of signage for the 'new' Wetlands cycle path. This led me on the trail to Devon County and East Devon District Councils. Oh don't we love our bureaucracy. Anyway, the upshot of all this is that some signage will be put up but they won't be official Cycle Path ones as the path is not actually finished ... !
The positive news, is that Martin Shaw, Independent East Devon Alliance County Councillor for Seaton & Colyton, informs me that the County Council is at last formally proceeding with the CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) for the Wetlands route, as seen marked in this map of the land to be acquired.
Also, Cllr Ian Hall (Axminster) has also apparently recently expressed an interest in the development of the rest of the Seaton-Axminster route; this Stop Line Way
I am informed by a fellow Pedaller, however, that this is similar to a position we were in back in 2016 so, I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, 24 July 2019
The Tour de France & Memories
One thing that has always been special about the modern day coverage of the Tour de France is the amazing photography and scenic shots from the helicopters which follow the peloton as it weaves its way across France. Having spent many a happy summer’s holiday across the Channel, it is alway a thrill to catch a view of a familiar sight which brings back fond past memories. One year I am determined to combine the two!
Anyway yesterday the peloton was in Nîmes and memories of a steamy visit to the amphitheater flooded back. We were there last June, when gladiators were replaced by a music act rehearsing for an evening show.
The peloton was later seen crossing the Pont du Gard, the Roman aqueduct and the destination of another of last June’s holiday excursions. Amazing to think of the peloton crossing that narrow ancient structure just as we had, I wonder if they were in as much awe as us or was it just another road to traverse?
One attraction I did not see them passing or visiting, as we had on that day, was the Haribo museum! I’m sure they would have had they known they were so close, those little sugary morsels being such a good friend of the cyclist .. or is that just this one!?
The peloton was later seen crossing the Pont du Gard, the Roman aqueduct and the destination of another of last June’s holiday excursions. Amazing to think of the peloton crossing that narrow ancient structure just as we had, I wonder if they were in as much awe as us or was it just another road to traverse?
One attraction I did not see them passing or visiting, as we had on that day, was the Haribo museum! I’m sure they would have had they known they were so close, those little sugary morsels being such a good friend of the cyclist .. or is that just this one!?
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