Day 333 - Bit of a Drag

Thursday and another ride out with the AVP. I can't believe how much I am enjoying this night riding but can't deny that I am really looking forward to the return of summer, this period of dark and dampness is getting to be a bit of a drag.

Meeting up at the usual time, usual place - 6:30 at the Kings Arms - it was great to see the usual suspects gathering for tonights ride. After last week, getting dropped on my Crosstrail during the final run in from Musbury, I was pleased to see the return of Barry, fellow night time hybrid rider, who would be able to join me at the back of the peloton. We have a challenging time out there mixing it with the road bikes but it's all good training! Tonight was also going to be Kilian's last AVP ride as he returns home to Germany at the weekend. Kilian's first ride with us was back in September when he joined us at the last minute as a guest on our 100 miler, riding of all things a mountain bike! He'd have no trouble on a hybrid, but that's what 30+ years does for you .. my excuse anyway!

 

Jolly struck the route which would take the 12 of us out via Farway to Offwell and back through Colyton. It was a a good circuit, relatively free of traffic, bar the meeting of a tanker down one narrow lane requiring all to take to a water filled tractor furrow. The 1,500 feet of climb was challenging but not excessive and the down hill runs were, in reward, fast and thrilling. We are noticing the temperature falling a little more now, as I heard mention of 'ice cream sandwich headaches' on more than one occasion. So extra warm headgear and gloves are now definitely de rigueur for the winter night rider.

The run out tonight was my quickest yet on the hybrid, with a new one hour and 20km record achieved and a PR on the 1 mile 'Bit of a Drag' Strava segment, albeit almost a minute off the pace of the road bikes, so a revisit on the Roubaix will be required.

Again, a dry and incident free ride brought us home to the Kings Arms ahead of the Mountain bikers and in good time for some quality après-cycing chat, beer and chips. Another perfect 20 mile night ride out with the AVP!

Day 327 - Saddle Sore

When cycling it should be no surprise that you spend a good deal of time sat in the saddle and as such this is a key piece of bike furniture which should, I feel receive more attention than I've given it to date.

In the 11 months that I have owned my Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc, I have spent 4 saddle sore days rolling over 1100 miles of potholed Devon lanes. In that time, I've just assumed that bikes are naturally uncomfortable and one just has to get on with it. The Crosstrail comes with a Specialized BodyGeometry Targa Sport 155mm saddle .. this is the larger of the two versions available and retails for around £35. More recently, now averaging 20 miles a ride, I've been finding it to be far from comfortable and when I saw one of my favoured eBay sellers with a new Prologo Nago Evo X10 Pro T 2.0 for sale, I wondered whether this would be a suitable replacement. This saddle was said to have come Christmas Day on a Felt F5x cyclo cross bike and was removed and replaced with his own saddle before the bike left the house.

Prologo Nago Evo X10 Pro T 2.0 Saddle

After a bit of on-line research, I learned that this saddle is very versatile, being recommended for both MTB and road bikes. It thus seemed the perfect match for my hybrid. Also, at a retail price of £135, I felt, I would certainly notice an improvement in quality and comfort over Specialized's standard offering. Yes, it was a bit of a punt but with a low maximum bid placed, it seemed a safe bet and if I won the auction, it would be a low cost option to test out how a quality seat performs. I am now the proud owner of a new X10 Pro for less than the price of a Targa Sport! Don't you just love eBay ;)

My Crosstrail was in need of a service, its gears were missing badly, so I thought I'd get it serviced before fitting the new saddle. Monday this week the service was completed and Tuesday was the day I set about fitting the saddle. Our first real outing was on this Thursday's AVP evening ride. The X10 is a little narrower than the Targa and so I initially thought it would take a bit of getting used to, but no, I found it surprisingly comfortable. It provided cushioning support where needed and a reduced friction surface resulting in a smother ride and less effort required when moving out of the saddle to make steep climbs. So far, I am very impressed and pleased with my punt of a purchase.

I'm now keen to have a look at my Roubaix, as I've never found that very comfortable either. I don't think, in this instance, that it is the quality of saddle which is at fault, but rather its positioning. The Roubaix has a BG Toupe RBX Sport saddle retailing for around £90 and looks very similar to the X10 in design. What I feel is needed, however, is for me to move it forward a few cms so that I connect better with the padded area.

So, as I get more familiar with my bikes, I'm starting to understand what works and what does not and what needs to be changed. I am even considering a professional bike fix for me on the Roubaix, before that is, I embark on my year of sportifs, as I feel I'm still not getting the best performance I can from it. I will keep you posted on whether I go ahead with this and on any results of me making those fine saddle adjustments.

Day 326 - For Once A Dry & Puncture Free Ride

For once a dry and puncture free ride awaited our 11 cyclists who braved this evening's AVP road ride. The circuit was a brisk 20 miles out to the mast on Stockland Hill and back, via Shute, Wilmington, Dalwood, Kilmington and Musbury.

Regrouping at the A35

Waiting to cross the A35

1200 ft of climb, average speed of 12.5 mph and 30 mph descents, most noticeably down Ham Road from Worham's Lane at the top of Stockland Hill - for those interested in stats - meant for a highly enjoyable workout. The beer and chips back at the Kings Arms were also good!

The Ride profile .. that did seem a long climb too!

As for the route art .. back by popular demand, I am thinking a bunny on a pogo stick!

Day 322 - Morning Ride with Wilco and Woody

With the weather surprisingly clear, bright and frosty, my Sunday morning started with an 08:30 meet at the TIC for what was going to be the longest ride so far of the new year.

This was the first time my AVP buddies, Andy (Wilco) and Ed (Woody), and I had been out on a weekend ride since the end of November and it was good to be back on the road together. We decided on a route Wilco and I have done twice before, the first was a week before the AVP 100 in September (Day 187) and the last was my first ride using SPDs back in October (Day 223). This route takes us along the coast to Sidmouth, inland through Ottery Saint Mary to Honiton for coffee and cake, and returns via Stockland, Shute and Colyton. 40 miles of mixed terrain and 3,000 ft of climbing.

Our first stop was Sidmouth where the obligatory photos had to be taken.

From the seafront, we headed up hill out of Sidmouth and to our scheduled cafe stop at the Boston Tea Party in Honiton. 

Woody and Wilco on Sidmouth seafront 

My Specialized Roubaix 

Woody and Wilco @ our coffee and cake stop in Honiton

Honiton sits deep in the Otter valley and thus it is no surprise that any route out involves a climb. Northcote and Stockland Hills are two painful 11% ascents but are relatively quiet and so when needed the zigzagging climb approach can be used. While still not a good climber, I was pleased, on this occasion, not to have to rely on this method to get to the top - I like to think this is a measure of my gradual improvement in climbing fitness over these past few months.

The ride profile

This was a tough ride; at first I thought it was just because I was still recovering from the Christmas break, but on checking my Strava stats, I found that I'd 40 new Strava segment records and a new one hour distance PB (15.44 miles) which considering the hills, I felt was very impressive. No wonder I ached so in places I never knew I had!

Day 319 - NYR #20 Ride in the Rain

Which ever way you looked at it, which ever station you chose to tune in to, the weather was not looking promising for a dry Thursday night ride. However, having taken Cycling Weekly’s “40 Top Tips to make this year my best ever” as my New Year’s resolution, I felt there was no better time to cross #20, "Ride in the Rain", off the list!

Arriving at the Kings Arms to find the meeting area devoid of Pedallers, led me to believe this would be a solo effort and my keenness for a ride in the rain was not one that was shared by others. Then, thankfully, Rex arrived to double our number, as too did a loan mountain biker. I had visions of a mixed AVP ride until a few other off-roaders appeared and we were again just two.

In the absence of our seasoned route planners, Rex and I decided to head off in the direction of Sidmouth and we’d see how things went. As we made our way out of Seaton along Beer Road, Rex sighted a single beam of light closing in on our tail; it was Airfix! and now we were three. We took the Stovar Long Lane route to the A3052 and then turned in towards Honiton and Farway with a plan of riding out to the golf club then doing a loop back to Colyton.

So far, the promised rain had held off and our way was illuminated not just by our lights but also by a bright moon which accompanied us throughout the rest of the ride. Once we’d turned off the main roads onto Northleigh Hill, the effect of recent persistent rain was very evident. Curb side puddles joined in the middle creating lakes across the road and I was only too glad to be wearing overshoes. Feeling that we were making good progress and had time on our hands, we turned off the road to Colyford and headed towards Widworthy, down the most pitted road I’ve seen in some time, possibly the worst in Devon! I even dropped and ran over my water bottle at one stage, the jarring from the potholes was so severe. At the bottom of the hill is the ford which crosses Offwell Brook. Normally a light trickle, if that, the Brook tonight was a raging torrent, luckily Rex spotted a narrow walkway - which like mountain goats we crossed - else we would have had the uncomfortable climb back out the way we came.

The ride back to Colyton from there was a gentle down hill roll. The rain did start to fall as we descended but we only had a few more miles to do. As home was the north side of Seaton for the majority, we decided on the White Heart for apres ride beer and chips, and a pat on the back for completing an unexpectedly good 20 mile ride.

Day 315 - AVP Sunday Morning Social Ride

20+ AVP Riders met at the TIC this morning for a 10 mile gentle ride out to Colyton, a heart pounding climb up Colyton Hill - Bar Bunny leading a breakaway from the peloton at this point - and a speedy drop down past Beer Quarry Caves, to finally all regroup at Handbag's for mulled wine and a small feast.

Thank you Handbag for leading us out and for laying on such a spread! If this is what Sunday rides are all about, I'll be back for more ;)

Day 314 - A Quick One Before Sunset

Following a relaxing day strolling through Bridport, I felt the need on my return to make best use of the final hour of the rare sunlight we had been enjoying since first light. I decided on a ride out to my new hill climb training ground, Stepps Lane.

With the weather being so perfect, I took the Roubaix, giving the Crosstrail a rest for the day. I've been surprised at how well the Crosstrail has been performing against the Roubaix, which having clocked up 2nd and 3rd fasted climbs on my last outings, the Roubaix had something to prove!

There are 2 main Strava segments on Stepps Lane .. the 3 mile stretch to the A3052 and the steep 10% initial climb. The first I was pleased to achieve my 2nd best time, I had to pull over to let a car pass, but for the second, the main climb, I knocked 40 seconds of my September time to give me a new PR. 40 seconds may not sound much but over a 2/3 mile 10% climb it seems like hours! I also, and surprisingly, achieved another PR on the 2.2 mile Bosshill descent. Surprisingly, because on the fast -9% section, I was on the brakes trying to avoid the shingle which had been deposited in the recent flooding and which was threatening to slide me off the road and into the hedgerow!

From Boshill, I rode through Colyford and returned to Seaton via Harepath Lane. With still some daylight remaining, I decided on a ride down to the beach where the light over the sea and the sight of the sun beginning to set, was truly wonderful. It is hard to believe that tomorrow will bring rain.

Pro Cycling Teams Announce New Kit

The Pro Cycling Teams have announced their new kits for 2014.

Many will by now have seen or read about Chris Froome's tweet on 31st December .. "Trying out my new 2014 @TeamSky @rapharacing kit. This skin suit takes #marginalgains to the next level pic.twitter.com/UlnSTDgVtv" which has caused quite a stir in the cycling press.

Froome trying out his new 2014 Team Sky Kit

I'm hoping this will not be on general release for the Mamil brigade .. if it does, many will be pleased to hear that it will certainly not be added to my collection!

I've also seen that Team Sky, as well as renaming themselves this year from Sky Pro Cycling, are also to use blue, rather than the green water bottles this year. It is just like a new football season, cycling has very much now entered world of big business and mass marketing. I am trying - so far not very successfully - to avoid being sucked in!

Luke, proud to be rocking the Welsh flag on his kit for 2014 ! 

Meanwhile, may be due to this being the year of the Commonwealth Games, Luke Rowe has been showing off his Welsh Dragon motif which this year replaces the Union Jack on the Sky Team's jerseys. May be something we'll need to get used to if Scotland exits the Union later this year. I am waiting to see if Wiggo and Foome will, likewise, be wearing the St George's Cross.

Day 312 - Cheesy Chips Were Never So Good

While Luke Rowe and the Sky team enjoy riding in 40 degrees down under, 8 AVP riders braved a clear starry winter's night on the weekly Thursday evening ride through the blacked out Devon lanes. Tonight, Tigger led us - Handbag, Jolly, Andy, Rex, Richard, Killen and me - out to Axmouth and up Combe Road to Rousdon. We bypassed Stepps Lane, on this occasion and also avoided the school which, following an altercation with a disgruntled resident during last Friday's AVP ride, thought it best to give it a wide berth.

Richard's Boardman punctured

With no more than 5 miles covered, Richard's Boardman punctured. Two inner tubes later and with a hand from from Handbag, who is always in the thick of it with either a tube or pump to loan or bandaid to affix, we were back on the road making swift progress towards Axminster. I was having a tough time keeping up with the chain gang on my Crosstrail, my legs spinning rapidly but seemingly making little gains on the twinkling red lights of the riders ahead. I should have brought my Roubaix.

Sticking to the roads, pleasingly keeping clear of the cycle paths which cruelly punctured me when I was last out this way, and it being an away night, we returned to Colyford via Kilmington and Musbury having covered a good 18 miles.

Apres Ride Beer & Cheesy Chips

The pace was a quick for our standard evening ride, clocking an average of 13 mph, which meant that even with the stop we were back in the warm well before the mountain bikers and in good time to get in a pint and a chat before the very welcomed cheesy chips were served. I'm going to need a thicker winter jersey, it's getting cold out there, Bar Bunny please get the order in.

Day 307 - Afternoon Two Stepp

Against all the odds, the weather being as it has these last few days, this week has been my best for 5 weeks and reminiscent of my peak riding performance back in September.

My best cycling in many weeks

I've been focussing on my hill climbing this week. This is my weakest area. I normally hit a hill and have to drop to a crawl and without my buddies looking out for me, would be dropped every time. 

Today, I took advantage of a short a break in the foul weather to get out on the Crosstrail, its full mudguards and chunky tyres better suited to the debris strewn flooded roads than my thoroughbred Roubaix. The plan was to do the Stepps Lane climb and return but after the first assent I still felt there was more in the tank and so circled back for another climb. While the second was slower than the first, both were quicker than my previous last two climbs on the Roubaix .. I think I benefitted greatly today form a total lack of any head wind, what a difference it makes.

After the second climb, I stopped to take in the view and snap a winter picture; one with me proudly wearing the Sky proCycling race cape, looking rather snug in my upright position but its amazing how well it keeps out the wind and rain while riding.

The closest I'll get to the Sky Cycling team

Next week, work returns to its frenetic pre Christmas pace and I'm going to have to be very innovative with my time management to keep up this level of training. Oh, if only I'd stuck at this cycling when I last made a return to the saddle some 30 years ago, but then again that was a very different time, today is a unique period in British cycling and I'm going to make the most of it!

Day 305 - First Ride of 2014

My first day back in the office and after yesterday's appalling weather, why should I be so surprised to see the sun come out!  Not to be side tracked by work on such a beautiful day, I took the opportunity for a ride out on the Roubaix before heading to the office.

With the Dartmoor Classic just six months away and my hill climbing stamina so lacking, I was driven to hit the hills I dread. The first was Stepps Lane, a 3 mile climb out of Axmouth to Rousden which at its steepest has a gradient of around 14%. I thought I'd made one of my best times on this climb, however, on analysing my stats, it was actually one of my slowest! My best time was done in September when I was accompanied on one of the AVP evening rides. Just shows what a difference it makes being in a group.  

From the top, I would have loved to have turned right towards Lyme Regis but the call of work was too strong, such that I turned left towards Colyford and the thrill of a 40mph decent down Boshill.

Three of my most challenging climbs

I would then normally have turned off into Colyton via Cowhayne Lane, however, the persistent and heavy rain of New Year's Day had submerged it beneath a couple of feet of water. I had to take the main road to get to my next climb.

Flooded Cowhayne Lane

The Old Sidmouth Road, out of Colyton, is a 2 mile climb with a gradient of around 11%. The steepest mile of which is the Strava segment called the Social Club Climb. In contrast to my Stepps climb, I surprisingly achieved a new PB. 

With the thought of still having to get to work on my mind, I did not continue on to Sidmouth but instead crossed over the main road and dropped down into Beer to tackle my last steep climb. This is the short and painful, 16% gradient, Mare Lane Climb up to Pecorama and one that is near impossible not to complete without getting out of the saddle. 

Beer

From the summit I then took a short ride down to the beach. It was hard to look out over the sea as the sun was so low and bright that its reflection was blinding. The view looking back towards the village centre, however, was idilic and the pub beside me so inviting. Work, however, was calling and it was time to return. 

So, just shy of 17 miles covered and 1,600 feet climbed was not bad for my first morning ride of the year. I now plan to take every opportunity the occasional break in the winter weather will afford me, as I do so need to get the training hours in .. This New Year's Resolution - as I have now declared it to be - is going to test my creative planning skills to the limit .. watch this space.