Day 59 - Spring Air

Finally, I feel spring is in the air! Under clear blue sky, although still a little chilly, we headed out for a gentle circuit. After struggling nearly a whole week, a month back, to complete my three hills in one, I now pretty much glide up them without noticing .. well almost without noticing. At the top of the hills the views can be superb and today I even came across a friendly couple of ponies, if only I were carrying an apple or carrot, although where in my lycra I could hide such items is anyone's guess!

This dark pony was very keen on having a pat.

Heading on down to the sea was equally idilic. Had the temperature been a little warmer and had I been dressed for such an excursion, I would have been over the pebbles and in for a swim. The sea was like a mill pond.

The return trip was as on Sunday with an extended loop to include the hospital. I saw potential to move from baby elephant, in my new found interest of 'route painting', to may be a cat? What do you think .. either a cat laying down with nose (the 3 mile marker) in the air or looking out towards us?

Stats: 3.85 mi, 22m 10s, Avg 10.4 mph, Max 27.9 mph, 246 kcal

Day 58 - Weekend Circuits

I had some good friends visiting this weekend so headed out early Saturday and Sunday to avoid eating into our socialising. I have not, as yet, found cycling to be the most social activity .. as a minimum your friends at least need a bike of their own!

Both circuits were easier than I expected, considering my enforced grounding.

On Saturday we (my steed and I) headed out to Colyton and returned via Axmouth covering just under 9 miles in 45 minutes .. it felt good. Later that morning, following the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group recommendation that one in ten journeys should be by bike, I thought I'd cycle the mile and a bit down to the builders merchant rather than take the car. When I got there, however, I found them closed for stocktake. No justice! Also, Endomondo decided to play up, failing to track my ride due to a logon error, was not best pleased with that either.

Stats: 8.95 mi, 45m 23s, Avg 11.8 mph, Max 21.8 mph, 503 kcal

On the subject of the APPCG recommendation, please take time to read their Report and sign the e-Petition, it would make such a positive change if only a small part of this were implemented.

Later that evening, I was back in Colyton with friends for a few beers. Coincidentally, we were invited to 'gatecrash' a 60th birthday party in one of the local pubs, so a great evening was had. On Sunday morning, I confess, I was not feeling much like getting back on the bike; the sky was grey, the temperature cool and the late night revelry was resting heavy on my head and other regions. Thinking that a ride would do more good than bad, I kitted up and hit the saddle. To clear the cobwebs, I decided on the 3 hills route .. a painful climb but two great rolling descents to look forward to.

Doesn't this Sunday Three Hills circuit look a little like a baby elephant lying with its trunk in the air?

Stats: 3.57 mi, 21m 41s, Avg 9.9 mph, Max 26.1 mph, 240 kcal

Day 56 - We're Back

After 10 days, which seemed interminably longer, without my steed, we are back on the road!

As planned, I collected my Specialized from the Bike Shed last night. It's such a great service that they have late opening until 8:00 pm every Thursday and what perfect timing with all the repairs having been completed that morning.

Fast forwarding then to this morning and with the sun breaking slowly through the morning mist, I took my long awaited morning ride down to the sea. We climbed, as we've done most mornings, up hill to complete a 'stall turn' into Marlpit Lane, to then dive down hill, following Marlpit, Sea Lane into Sea Hill and levelling out onto the Promenade .. bliss!

To settle back into the groove, we completed a few mile circuits of the Promenade before heading off across the park towards the wetlands. I can't believe how big the lambs have grown in the last 2 weeks .. so cute!

At the 4 mile mark we leave the Cycle Route and return back into suburbia, steadily climbing back up hill, threading our way through the lanes and cycle paths home.

Two observations from this morning's ride, first I'm talking here of 'we' when there is just myself and my bike and doesn't the route outline below look a little like a gnome sat fishing? Hmm, I think it's time for work!

Stats: 5.63 mi, 32m 26s, Avg 10.4 mph, Max 22.4 mph, 360 kcal

Day 54 - Minus 9

After a couple of days of glorious weather, I'm wondering what it would have been like to have been able to have cycled out in just a t-shirt. I have this enjoyment still to experience, continued good weather  permitting, once my steed is returned.

On the subject of the return of my steed, a quick call with the Bike Shed today confirmed it was being returned to the Exeter branch from Crediton with the replacement parts for repairs to be completed. The outlook is that all will be well for me to collect it tomorrow, taking advantage of their Thursday late opening hours.

Day 51 - Minus 6

As I move to within a day of having been without my bike for a week, I'm still on a high following the Bike Shed's Friday call informing me that parts were now on order with Specialized. The warrantee repair has obviously been approved. 

With a following wind, I am hopeful that I'll be able to make use of their Thursday night late opening to collect my steed and be back in action on the Seaton roads for Friday. Can't wait!

Day 49 - Minus 4

Not expecting to hear any news of my steed today, so sitting here reflecting on a week of little biking activity. I did venture out last night for a brisk walk and thought I'd do the same this morning but alas I can't get up the enthusiasm. There is something special in the whole preparation for a ride that I just don't get in grabbing a coat and putting on shoes for a walk.

The clothing, day-glow or lycra; the gloves, full or fingerless; is the air warm enough now to forgo the cap, or will leaving it behind induce that 'ice cream sandwich' headache; fixing the headphones for my latest audio book read; tightening helmet in place, small screw at the rear and chin strap secure; pre-flight checks, lights on or off, starting gear correct, water bottle full or not required; Endomondo engaged, 10 second countdown; takeoff!

Missing my steed.

Day 48 - Minus 3

Update from the Bike Shed. My steed in on its way to Crediton for shipping back to Specialized. So much for me hoping on a quick fork replacement in time for a sunny weekend. This is doing my fitness plans no good.

Bike Shed say 'we'll call you in a couple of days with an update'. May be, as has been suggested, I should take up morning power walks while I'm grounded. It's something to consider.

Day 47 - Minus 2

Keeping myself from calling the Bike Shed from first light today has been a real challenge. Luckily I was snowed under with work, so the day flew. By 5:30, I'd just about given up and you'd probably be reading a rant now had the mobile not vibrated into life.

The very matter of fact update was that photos of the damaged fork had been sent across to Crediton to get confirmation as to whether they can proceed with the warrantee repair or whether Crediton need to have the bike shipped to them. Not sure how long it will take to make that decision. Meanwhile, my legs have stopped that aching, so that's one positive outcome but I'm missing my morning workout and had got used to having an ache or two about me!

I've dug out a few pics I took of the offending forks. The broken adjuster switch and the damaged flange.

Tomorrow, will be day 3 without my steed or knowing when I'll get my Specialized back and after this weekend, I'm concerned that I'll not be able to get over to collect it until the wrong side of the bank holiday. I can't currently comprehend that situation, so think positive, all will be sorted soon.

Day 46 - Minus 1

Today is day 46 of my 'Tour de Fitness' but really this should read 46 minus 1, as this is the first day that I've been without my bike following the disaster that befell my trusty steed yesterday .. or may be it was the Friday before.

Anyway, this is not going to be the ranting blog of a disgruntled customer as that would just be a bore and a little too tabloid for my linking. So, without being able to tell you of my latest outing on two wheels, I suggest I update all on the progress of its fix and return. Well, I would that is, if I knew.

You may recall from yesterday's blog that the Bike Shed have a very formal way of dealing with warrantee claims, in that it is the Crediton branch which takes the lead. This is primarily so that there is a single point of contact and it avoids confusion for the customer and the staff over who is dealing with the repairs. By late afternoon today, having still had no call from the team, I thought I'd better check in, just in case I'd given them the wrong mobile number. Their response, however, defied all logic .. today was the guy who deals with warrantees' day off!

I shall say no more, tomorrow's another day and I'm sure it's all in hand.

Day 45 - Breakdown!

Shock horror, the worst of all disasters!

As I previously reported, on Friday, my steed returned to the Bike Shed, Exeter, for it's first service; this is when they tighten cables and check it over for safety. Over the weekend, persistent rain and other activities - decorating! - kept me away from the bike, and so it was not until this morning that I was finally able to return to my training.

We made good progress climbing Seaton Down Hill but on turning down Marlpit, the somewhat potholed lane, an awful rattle became very audible from the front of the bike. I initially thought it to be cables which had worked themselves lose, but no, there was nothing obvious there. In fact there was nothing visibly wrong anywhere, but the knocking was becoming quite disturbing. I made it down to the Esplanade where I pulled up to give it a further looking over. Dismounting to get a better view, there was still nothing obvious and I wondered whether it could have anything to do with the adjustable  shocks in the front forks. There is a small plastic switch on top of the shocks which, coincidentally, I remember examining on collecting the bike on Friday as something did not quite look right but nothing came of it then, tragically this morning, however, with one turn - to see if this could be the cause of the rattle - it sheered off! There was also a broken flange around the left shock. This made me believe, without doubt,  that the forks were at fault, something catastrophic had obviously happened. I was left with no option other than to nurse the bike home, drawing an early close to my morning ride.

If like me you hate having to return faulty goods, you'll appreciate my feelings making that early morning call to the Bike Shed. My view was that on Friday the bike was running perfectly and on Monday it has a rattle and visible signs of damage and the only change between these days had been the service. Why did I not spot this, you may ask - I did - on my way back to the car on Friday afternoon? Well. Exeter is a whole lot noisier on a Friday afternoon than sleepy Seaton at 07:00 am, also, my attention was focussed on finding my way along a very unfamiliar route. I reserve commenting on the Bike Shed's view for now, as just as your car insurance company advise not to admit liability in the event of a knock, it is safe to say that the sales team were adopting the same approach with me today, both on the phone and when I dropped it off in my lunch hour.

I was hoping to hear back from the Bike Shed this afternoon on how long it was going to take to fix, but alas no call was received. They have, it was explained to me, a very formal way of dealing with warrantee claims, only the Crediton branch can deal with these, so they were unable to tell me how long a fix would take but I was promised that they would call me later in the day. I always believe that you only see the true quality of a great retail outlet by the way they handle complaints. How the Bike Shed now perform will be of most interest to me. Their lack of an update call this afternoon, when they could see how anxious I was to get my 6 week old bike back as soon as possible, has not been the greatest of starts!

Day 42 - Exeter

My bike having completed 140 miles and my car being another year older, both were due a service today, so off to Exeter we travelled. I had planned out my route from car garage to Bike Shed and all looked very straight forward. Famous last words! It is funny how the roads never look as they do on the map and the 2.5 mile direct route became at least a 4 mile zigzaged detour around Exeter. I was not best pleased.

The route back, as in the map below - I won't share the earlier one! - was much more direct, as Marsh Barton even appeared on the cycle route sign posts. The cycle paths were a mixed bunch here. This one is labelled the National Cycle Route 34, covering the Exe Valley .. another one off my list .. and includes marked off sections of the main road, which cars think they have a right to stop in and block, forcing you into the main carriage ways, - my bell has never had such a hammering - shared and marked off sections of wide pathways which pedestrians just ignore and let their kids and dogs on mile long leashes roam aimlessly across and unsurfaced potholed tracks which jar every sinew in your body. I know, another dig at our poor excuse for cycle paths. Some of the route along the river is, however, quite idilic as I hope a couple of snaps I took along the way will show.

Despite all the challenges cycling in this country presents us with, I'm still having a brilliant time. You see so much more from a bike than you ever get to see from a car and I can't wait to get out again next week.

Stats: 5.71 mi, 42m 59s, Avg 8.2 mph, Max 21.4 mph, 433 kcal

Day 41 - Kangaroo Circuit

I've done well these last two days in avoiding the downpours. The quick circuit this morning was again timed just right, because as I type the rain is again falling while I managed to return dry just some 30 minutes ago. My route this morning, when drawn out on a map, alarmingly reminds me of the shape of a kangaroo! I now need to look back over my previous routes to see if any other objects come to mind. This is like staring into the sky on a summer's day and seeing shapes in the clouds. I can also see something else happening here ... routes predefined by the shapes they will draw on a map, now there's a challenge!

Moving swiftly on, before the sirens and men in white coats arrive, my 4 mile ride this morning has brought my total distance travelled up to 140 miles in 6 weeks and my Endomondo statistics dashboard has finally registered me as having made 0.001 trips to the moon ... those astronauts certainly have a long way to peddle!

Tomorrow is a special day for my bike, but more on that later.

Stats: 4.39 mi, 25m 07s, Avg 10.5 mph, max 21.0 mph, 278 kcal

Day 40 - Between the Showers

A break in the showers this morning, allowed me a pleasant ride out to Colyton. Into a golden sun rise and through the sea mist and fog, I cycled. Passing a fellow rider coming in the other direction, I was gad of my day-glow top and flickering neons, as I feared whether any speeding motorist would even see him in his darkened outfit! Another dig on the lack of cycle paths.

I was pleased not to have any major hills to climb today as my legs have been complaining something rotten! Is this something athletes just learn to live with? I was also not planning to do the Colyton circuit today, but once I got rolling, I just did not want to stop and with tomorrow looking like it may be another wash out, I was pleased to get another 8 miles under my belt.

Whatever happens with the weather tomorrow, at least I have interesting outing planned for Friday. More on that later!

Stats: 8.07 mi, 42m 35s, Avg 11.4 mph, max 21.6 mph, 472 kcal

Day 39 - Spring on Hold

Having just thawed out from yesterday's Seaton short circuit, with a bit of Wetlands thrown in for good measure, I was hoping to get a longer ride this morning, however, nature had other plans for me. A change in wind direction has brought back the rain and a reoccurring pain in the tum has sealed my fate for today.

I'll check back at lunch time to see how the land lies but it looks as though we've more wet and windy stuff coming in and I may need to sit the next few days out. I know my legs will be at least happy with that decision!

Posted with Blogsy

Day 37 - Sidmouth

Something different today .. a park & ride trip to Sidmouth, which lies two further villages west, along the coast from Seaton. Having to drive and drop my wife off in Sidmouth this morning, I thought I'd load up the bike and do a bit of exploring.

With an hour to play with I had intended to do a circuit out along Sid road to Sidford and back into Sidmouth along the main A375, however, after a detour over Mill Street ford, which for some reason was specifically signposted "unsuitable for cyclists", I wheeled upon the Sidmouth section of National Cycle Route 2.

This is an idilic 2 mile tarmac route through parkland along the river Sid, winding its way over bridges on an interesting crisscrossing path which exits either north, in Sidford, my intended mid point or to the east at Fortescue, onto Sid Road.

I enjoyed the outward run to Sidford so much that once back in Sidmouth I circled around and up the beach to retrace my route along the cycle path, turning off this time at the eastern fork to Fortescue where I was able to join Sid Road which took me over the river back into Sidmouth. 

The weather was near perfect, much warmer than earlier weeks and so, I was finally able to shed the majority of the Michelin-man layers that I'd been carrying since starting my Tour-de-Fitness. The strong easterly breeze along the front, however, took a great deal of peddle power to maintain forward motion, while returning in the opposite direction on the second circuit was a dream!

At the 8 mile point, I came upon a coffee shop and after pondering for a while over whether I could risk leaving my steed untethered outside while I took on caffeine within, I spotted a handy takeaway window, from which my beverage was duly served. 

I was then able to enjoy sitting in the sun, overlooking the beach watching the Exe to Axe runners pass by on their torturous route from Exmouth to Seaton, it gets no better than this!

Stats: 9.5 mi, 54m 36s, Avg 10.4 mph, max 26.5 mph, 605 kcal

Day 36 - Ten Miles

It's starting to feel like spring is finally here and while the air is still too call to shed the layers, the sun is certainly now giving off some warmth when out of the wind. So, into the sun I rode this morning with the 10 mile challenge in my sights.

I took the 3 hills and visited the landslip closed road, where the council have now erected a very permanent steel fence and signs redirecting walkers onto the upper road to continue their coastal path walk are now in evidence. Nature one, human occupation nil.

Heading down hill to the sea and harbour I reverse the circuit I completed a couple of weeks ago through Axmouth, Colyford and into Colyton. It is an absolutely beautiful day to be out on the bike. My return journey takes me down Seaton Road, across to Harepath and the 90 right to join Seaton Down Hill for the exhilarating, but controlled - after yesterday - decent into Seaton.

Endomondo reports I've completed 10.5 miles but on closer inspection it obviously lost its GPS signal at the start as it's missed a good mile of the route .. so today's circuit was more like 11.5 miles. Also, I'm surprised to see that I've covered 115 miles over the past 35 days, I would never have believed this possible 6 weeks ago!

Stats: 10.6 mi, 1h 12m 47s, Avg 8.7 mph, max 25.5 mph, 807 kcal

Day 35 - Beer

After a snowy and unpromising morning - weather wise - the arrival of the sun this afternoon was such a welcome sight that I had get back out on the bike. Don't you just love these long evenings!

But where to go? Yes, another village needed to be conquered, this time, Beer. I had been holding off on cycling to Beer because I would have to tackle those three hills that have caused me such pain this week. So after this morning's success, I felt they could no longer be used as an excuse. How quickly I was, therefore, breaking my promise to my self, when I said this morning: "if you do this today, you'll never have to do it again"! Clearing the hills again, the drop down into Beer was exhilarating. I thought I'd even beaten my speed record of 28.7 mph, but I actually only reached 28.6 mph, it felt much faster!

Arriving in Beer, I had to dismount to climb the 1:1 hill (OK a slight exaggeration - but only just) up to Pecorama, the gardens and miniature railway attached to the only model railway manufacturer, Peco, left in the UK - something to be proud of. The views from up here are spectacular, on a clear day, like today, you can even see Portland on the horizon.

The journey back was equally thrilling, this is a great coast road. I did however, almost come a cropper  on a sharp right doing 20+ mph. My brother would not have been impressed by my lack of high speed cornering ability, I could never get the hang of leaning into a corner! Luckily the extensive path and grass verge prevented me from colliding with the wood beyond. It must have looked quite dramatic. I then continued up the hill using the path, as if this had been my intent all along! Note to self, attempts at a new speed record are on hold until further notice!

So a highly enjoyable ride, and another 'location star' added to my steed.

Stats: 3.88 mi, 29m 47s, Avg 7.8 mph, max 28.6 mph, 330 kcal

Sustrans - National Cycle Routes

On Tuesday this week Sustrans published via their Facebook page that they are looking at launching a new way of supporting Sustrans in the future called Sponsor a Mile. The idea is to give current and new Sustrans supporters a chance to support their favourite part of National Cycle Network.

Down here in Seaton, we have a section of National Route 2 which runs along the south coast of England, from Dover to St. Austell and the final stretch of National Route 33 which starts (or will, as it is still under development) in Bristol and will cross Somerset and Devon to reach the English Channel at Seaton via Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater and Chard. Here in Seaton, the 33 uses the existing Route 2, so no new development required there.

While in principle, in these days of austerity, I am happy to consider sponsoring the provision of good cycleways, after all, bikes don't need to pay road tax, the very short section available to me in Seaton would need improving. For example, the near impossible to negotiate anti bike chicanes, dogs roaming freely off their leads, stagnant water along side the sewage treatment works, handlebar width lanes and rickety bridges with no passing places, leaves much to be desired. I would also hazard a guess that the length of this path is no more than half a mile.

I've commented on before how on I wished they were more than just a token and intermittent offering. Town planners need to be targeted to promote and install paths to encourage people to get out of their cars. As a car enthusiast, I have frequently come across a lone or group of cyclists out on the narrow Devon roads and feared for their safety. Now finding myself in their position, appreciating how very exposed it is out there, I find it hard to understand why more is not being done. I can now see why some cyclists risk being perceived by us 4 wheeled motorists, safe and secure in our cozy armoured vehicles, as having some form of arrogance when it comes to riding two abreast or a few feet out from the gutter. Most car drivers have no idea what it is to be a cyclist .. may be a day on two wheels should be part of the driving test!

So, should Sustrans put in place this sponsorship programme, I will be very interested to see how they intend these monies be used to improve the infrastructure and not just provide much needed funding for its upkeep. I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops. 

Day 35 - Feel No Pain

Today, cycling through light snow flurries, I was determined to beat these three hills which had so far caused me such pain and grief. Having returned day after day this week to this same route, it is funny how by telling myself that "if you do this today, you'll never have to do it again", I was able to finally push through the pain and complete my three hills. I wanted to move on to something new, which luckily, I can now do .. phew!

With the weekend now in sight, I feel the next challenge coming on .. watch this space!

Stats: 3.95 mi, 26m 41s, Avg 8.9 mph, Max 26.9 mph, 296 kcal

Day 34 - Hills!

My third circuit of the 3 hills route this week and it's still causing me grief. My boss suggested when I spoke of buying bike, of me getting one of those electric ones for the hills, I'm beginning to think he was right!

I am not giving up though, tomorrow is another day.

Stats: 3.92 mi, 27m 05s, Avg 8.7 mph, Max 26.4 mph, 300 kcal

Day 33 - 3 Hill Challenge

I've decided to stick to one route for this week. It is the circuit I walked Monday and rode for the first time yesterday. I'm finding it to be a bit of a killer. It starts with a 3 hill climb which I've not yet completed cleanly and has 3 superb down hill stretches which bring tears to my eyes and an all body vibration that people would pay good money for! I then get good views of the sea and the estuary before a short final climb to complete the circuit. Phew! I'm short of breath just thinking about it. My plan is to crack it either by the end of this or next week.

My other objective this month is to break the 10 mile distance which I see more as a duration challenge rather than endurance, as I've already come close. I'm just going to need a good book to listen to!

Stats: 3.90 mi, 26m 23s, Avg 8.7 mph, max 26.2 mph, 292 kcal

Day 32 - Back to the Cycle

Inspired by yesterday's walk, I took off this early frosty morning on the same route, but what a climb it is up Bunts Lane before dropping down through the woods to the seasonal water splash. I would have loved to have been able to have continued on along Old Beer Road, but the land slip last year has now closed the road to all traffic forever .. very sad as this was a very picturesque coastal road and path for cyclists and walkers alike. So, I had to climb again, up the new Beer Road. All these hills!

One adventure on the circuit was my first slipped chain event. Doing a sharp turn from Marlpit to Bunts Lane, having performed a quick change down, I had to brake hard to avoid an oncoming car coming around the blind corner. The combination of events dropped my chain off the central cog. Luckily it all looked worse than it was and all now seems OK.

What surprised me about the bicycle v biped mode, was that walking the circuit supposedly burned 100 more calories, my body, however, would say otherwise!

Stats: 3.90 mi, 27m 58s, Avg 8.4 mph, max 27.9 mph, 310 kcal

Day 31 - Switching to Biped Mode

I left the bicycle behind today in favour of a sociable power walk with my wife. To keep the my Tour de Fitness records straight, I switched Endomondo into walk mode. Interestingly, to me anyway, this app also has a table tennis mode .. I've got to try that one day!

We headed out towards Beer, along a wooded route I have yet to do on the bike. Then taking the non-cycle route through the park and past the labyrinth, we dropped down to the beach and walked out to the marina. From here we returned along one of my well worn routes via the wetlands and the cricket pitch to conclude a very enjoyable and energising walk. This exercising is getting addictive!

Stats: 3.84 mi, 1h 04m 54s, Avg 3.5 mph, max 4.8 mph, 412 kcal