Sabbatical Day 16/65 - Lost in Translation

I'm now back in Devon, I returned ahead of the weekend and the heavy rain which fell on us on Friday and Sunday. Having seen the forecast, however, and following a chat with Glenn in the Broom Wagon sheltering from Friday's downpour, it was agreed we'd have a quick spin on Saturday afternoon.

It is amazing how once the clouds clear the temperature climbs and while on Friday I was preparing to fire up the heating, only shorts and tee shirts were required for when we road out at 5:00 pm the day after. Glenn and I had planned a 25 mile circuit, the one we did with the AVP and I repeated a couple of weeks back, out to Charmouth and back. However, joined last minute by Kelly, whom I've not ridden with since the Axe-pedition, a turning we should have made at 10 mile point was missed as we were all engrossed in some good chat. Kelly, also had in mind another longer circuit we did with the AVP last year. So with the plan very much lost in translation, this culminated in rather epic 45 mile ride and me being woefully late for dinner! I even had to make a stop at a friendly pub to refill my bottle .. with water obviously!

Being aware of the miles to be covered and time slipping away, I stepped on the power more than I have done for some time. Luckily my rides while up north had been perfect in not exhausting me but in providing valuable opportunity to keep the legs spinning, as such, I smashed many a PB! May be I was also a little inspired by Froomie's success on the TdF, something I was also celebrating in wearing Team Sky's colours rather than my usual AVP kit.

Sabbatical Day 11/65 - Complete the Circuit

Today is the start of week 3 of my Sabbatical and as planned, I'm still up north with my parents. What was not, however, planned was for my dad to be now battling with complications following a routine hip replacement! Those out there with family members requiring acute medical attention will know how much time is spent travelling, waiting and sat by loved one's beds, such that it is important to find a balanced routine to ensure some sense of normalance is preserved. For us, we seem to be settling on the evening run to the hospital, which means that this morning, with the weather behaving, I was able to saddle up for a ride.

I should, on reflection have gone further than I did, but my legs felt very heavy and drizzle had started to fill the air as I completed my planned circuit; the one I spoke about and should have done yesterday, 'In the Steps of Hadrian'. This is a really enjoyable circuit, reminiscent of my Honiton Golf Club run back home; a little less climbing overall but it still has a couple of hilly moments to keep things interesting. I head out of Brampton along The Swartle, a 5km faux plat climb out to Lanercost Priory. From here the road rises steeply, at first reaching 11% and then levelling out for a lumpy raised ride alongside Hadrian's Wall. Panoramic views from here are excellent. I see very few cyclists on this road but plenty of walkers, some laden with waterproofed back packs, others in tee-shirts having just stepped off their air-conditioned coaches.

As the wall disappears into the distance, the road makes a sharp turn to the left and drops away to meet up with the B6318. It is here that my route turns west, marking both the top of the circuit and the completion of the main climbs. From here the road gently undulates into the village of Walton, across the single traffic light controlled bridge over the River Irthing, before taking a gentle 3% climb back into Brampton. At 30 km this is near enough an hour circuit and perfect for a quick leg spin when time it tight, as it is for me at the moment. I'm sure it will be revisited again soon!

Sabbatical Day 10/65 - In the Steps of Hadrian

This week I have travelled 350 miles north to the Boarders, where the English county of Cumbria meets Scotland along a line drawn by the Roman emperor, Hadrian in 122 AD. The purpose of my visit is not to cycle, so I have not got in any where near the miles of last week's cycling fest, but I have brought my Tarmac with me so, where possible, I have and will continue to take advantage of every opportunity. The weather has, however, deteriorated as the days have passed such that Saturday's Rock & Roll CC ride couldn't run due to high winds, and even golfers playing in the Open Championship at St Andrews had to down clubs when 40mph gusts of wind suspended play!

Last Week's AVP Leaders' Table

I've managed a couple of rides this week, totalling 41 miles. Although 20 short of my weekly target, as last week I did over 3 weeks' distance, I can afford this time for 'recovery'.  My last ride of the week was along the Wall, taking in the great views of the rolling countryside and amazing historical Roman sites of mile castles, forts and of course the wall itself.

Views from along the Wall ending with Hadrian himself

I normally like to do a full circuit, hating to retrace my own steps but without a map and with no sense of direction, I chose the simple route of cycling 10 miles and then making a u-turn to retrace my steps. I've seen since returning, that I could have continued all the way to Walton from where I know my homeward route, so weather and time permitting, I'll have a go at this next week.

Sabbatical Day 3/65 - Ride Fest

Today was a total ride fest, not necessarily for the distance covered nor the places visited, but because every moment had been cycling related. The day started with me catching up with this cycling blog over a leisurely breakfast, then at 10:00 am, I suited up for a wet ride with the AVP Wednesday Wibblers. I last rode with the Wednesday team back in February 2014 when we had 12 riders roll out of Seaton to the Colour Wheel. This morning, with the rain falling, we started with just half this number. With the Wibblers, I am the youngster on the carbon bike, so it is not a hard or fast ride but it is a very sociable cycle along the lanes checking out interesting historical landmarks and buildings. It was a perfect recovery ride after the last two days.

After the Wibble, I dropped in on Glenn at the Broom Wagon where I enjoyed a good chat, good coffee and watched some good cycling from the TdF on the TV. The latter bing continued over lunch back at home.

So now with the afternoon almost over I had two decisions, do a bit of gardening or get back on the bike for another spin. With me still being in my cycling kit and the sun now shining, it was an easy decision. I nipped out on the Roubaix for a quick 20 mile circuit out to Honiton golf club and back. This ride never ceases to please me .. a steep climb out of Seaton, a bit of blast along the main road before cutting inland over Farway Common, spinning right at the golf course and then dropping down through Southleigh to Colyton and finishing with a 'sprint' along the estuary.



Tomorrow, I have the weekly AVP Thursday evening ride, so during the day, the garden will get my undivided attention.

Sabbatical Day 2/65 : Wet & Windy Crewkerne Circuit

I found myself driving through Crewkerne at the weekend and thought this would be a great destination for one of this week's rides. It's about 20 miles from Seaton and has two routes one can ride in and out of, both of which I always seem to drive; via Axmouth on the way out and Lyme Regis on the return. The roads are also smooth and well covered, a novelty for around our lanes and perfect for the Tarmac.

I awoke this morning to rain .. yes rain! This was not in the plan. I had set today aside for this Crewkerne ride, Wednesday being the Wibblers, Thursday the Club, and Friday the Flyers. By 10 am,  thankfully, the sky over Seaton had miraculously cleared and all was well again. I saddled up and rode out towards Axminster, moving more swiftly than in yesterday's strong winds, getting a new PB on the Boss Hill to A35 segment.

Rain on the road from Axminster towards Chard

As I crossed the single lane bridge over the river at Weycroft, no more than 5 miles into my ride, the rain returned and over the next 10 miles I became quite soaked. On every turn of the pedals my feet sloshed in my shoes and water ran relentlessly down my back. Confident that this would blow over and once the sun shone again I would soon dry out, I pressed on. Just after Tythleigh and before entering Chard, I turned off the main A358 down the quieter and more direct Roman Road to join up with the A30. I'm not one who likes riding the major roads, getting buffeted by speeding vehicles has never been a favoured pastime of mine. This, however, is a quieter stretch of the A30 but the road width and surface is perfect for cycling on .. I just wish that, as in France, we could have a clear metre or two of space at either side of the carriage way for bikes to ride in. I appreciate that we have less open land than on the continent but for such major roads, I can not see it making that much difference.

The drop into Crewkerne came up before me quicker that I had expected and after such a time riding on my own, it was a shock to the system to be thrust into the throng, dodging cars, lorries and a parade of tourists who seemed to be on a walking tour of the town; it was bedlam. I had thought of seeking out a friendly cafe for an alfresco coffee. I had visions of slipping out of my damp shoes and drying my socks in the sun, but the state of traffic control and rammed streets led me to make a b-line for the road to Lyme and out of Crewkerne.

A quick stop between Crewkerne and Lyme

The quiet and calmness of the countryside soon returned to me as I climbed out of the town and up to Clapton; it's name making me chuckle as I imagined how different this was from its North London namesake. The road I was now riding on, the B3165, would take me all the way to above Lyme Regis, no turnings to make, no risk of a navigation error, I could just sit back and enjoy the scenery. I was also starting to finally dry out, the process being enhanced by the now higher winds and warmer air. There would be those pieces of clothing which would need longer than I had left to cycle; my cap was still dripping, perspiration now combining with the rain water, my feet were still damp but it would be a few days before I would be at risk of trench foot and most uncomfortable were my shorts and the soggy chamois pad!

The final 10 miles from Lyme flew by, the Tarmac had performed well, albeit over some of the less even ground it jared every sinew, bone and tooth in my body and totally justified me having the two bikes; the Tarmac for the smooth quick flat circuits and the Roubaix for the rough lumpy lanes. All that remains to be decided, is which bike joins me on the Wednesday Wibble tomorrow.

Sabbatical Day 1/65 : Too Windy for Speed

Monday 6th July marks the first day of my 3 month sabbatical. I have no epic cycling adventure planned, but in addition to the central family theme, I do hope to come close to a sub 4 min Seaton Down Hill climb and a 56 min 30km TT, oh yes, and enjoy a bit more cycling in the sun.

Today opened with me heading off to Exeter to pick up the Specialized Tarmac from the Bike Shed. While I've always been impressed with the friendliness of their staff and fantastic range of bikes and great deals, I've previously been a little critical of their mechanical prowess. All three of my bikes have now been retuned for multiple warranty repairs and whether their fault or the manufacturer, it's hard not to see them as one in the same. So, I was a little apprehensive on my return to them today. I had asked for a call to see if they would swap the FSA for a compact Shimano chain set, but I had to chase them late last week, only to be told that the work had already been done, they'd stripped the bottom bracket and re-greased it. Not only, however, had they fixed the creaking crank, they had also trued the old set of buckled wheels that I had dressed the Tarmac in so as not to risk damaging my new carbon rims. My faith restored!

I was home in time for a spot of lunch and to catch the start of today's TdF, stage 3 Anvers - Huy. With the forecasted midday rain having not arrived, I thought I'd take advantage of the dry conditions to ride the Tarmac out on a circuit of the Axe Estuary and perhaps make an attempt at that sub 56 min TT.  I swapped wheels, alloy for carbon, and fitted the eye level Garmin bracket. Heading towards the beach, my starting point, I found myself having to pedal uphill into a strong onshore headwind. There would be no records broken today.

Decadence in the sun with an ice cream

I continued on and around the circuit considering where to go. I had it in mind to call in on Soanes Cycles in Colyton to check on kit levels. As I pulled up at the pulsating warning lights at the  Colyford tram crossing, to await the carriage of happy holidaymakers pass, I decided I had time to do a loop over to Beer before dropping down into Colyton. Climbing Castle Hill out of Seaton, I thought again at how pleasant it might have been to now be running on a compact chainset! Once I'd climbed out and above Beer, I was feeling like doing a few more miles before making the return to Colyton and so headed out in the opposite direction, towards Sidmouth. After no more than a few minutes the light seemed to change. Did the sky ahead of me look unseasonably dark, or was that just my glasses? As I closed in on the Honiton turning, cool drops started to splash my legs, arms and face. Rain! I quickly took the Honiton turn, there was heavy rain over Sidmouth and it was coming my way, time to change direction.

I got quite a soaking crossing Farway Common to the golf club, but the weather did appear brighter ahead, so I kept my legs spinning. While now very damp, I was not the slightest bit cold, oh the pleasures of summer rain. I had thought about stopping at the Colour Wheel coffee shop but being neither cold nor yet in need of coffee and cake, as I find one can rarely be taken without the other, I cycled on. As I continued north, crossing the A35, Stockland was my next destination. The mention of Stockland to most in the area conjures up the word "hill". Stockland Hill is the site of the TV Transmitting Station serving East Devon and West Dorset, so not just a little bump in the road! The unsuspectingly named, Old Chard Road is probably the steepest ascent and one I steered clear of for my Red Nose Day ride earlier in the year. Strangely and contrary to my whining about the Tarmac's gearing, I found it surprisingly easy today, albeit a minute over my PB set last year with Jason while training for the Ride London.

From Stockland it is a lumpy but beautiful pedal back to Seaton. Crossing the A35 at Kilmington, rain on my skin had given way to perspiration and it was not coffee nor a visit to Soanes that I craved, but ice cream! This decadence was satisfied on my arrival in Colyton.

I so enjoyed the no rush, free feeling of being in my own timeless bubble on this ride. It is only day 1 of my sabbatical, but if it can continue like this, and I can get in a few more leisurely rides, I'll be a very happy bunny!

The Last Week of June

The last week of June has brought a sun filled sky and temperatures soaring into double figures. Although central and eastern England may be melting under a early summer heatwave, here in the South West we are enjoying a pleasant warm spell just perfect for a post work spin on the bike. Which  is just what I've been doing these past 4 days.

My week of cycling actually began on Sunday when I grabbed a quick hour to clock up the 20 or so km I was missing from my targeted weekly 100km. With no cycling buddies around and with a packed afternoon agenda, such that I had no time to hang around, I thought I'd ride my own time trial by doing 4 loops of the Axe Estuary. Averaging over 30 km/h this was a perfect one hour ride. I had thought I would surely be the only one to be daft enough to take on such a ride, alas no! Back in 2011 another chap registered the same 4 loops on Strava and frustratingly in a time of 4 minutes quicker! A re-run will definitely be required as I know I was definitely slowed up on some sectors by a couple of 4 wheeled carbon junkies and I'm sure I could take some of the rises quicker. Perhaps when I get my Tarmac back on the road.




On to Monday and the start of the new working week. After another scorching day, I'm in the lycra and pedalling up Seaton Down Hill before the town clock has had time to strike its five bells. The Mont Ventoux experience has done me well as I'm climbing quicker than before. It's all relative, however, as I'm out on my own with none of my normal whippet riding companions to compare myself against. I do, however, set a new PB of 4m:16s on this first 1km climb. I very much remember when I was striving to get below 5m, so a sub 4m must surely now be possible.

The circuit I have chosen is my favourite 20 miler, up to Honiton golf club, where I shout "haven't you heard, cycling is the new golf!" and then down the beautiful Northleigh descent past the dairy farms and through the clouds of kamikaze bullet flies, on into Colyton. The most frustrating part of this ride today, is the number of carbon junkies fugging up the roads. This is beginning to be a theme; oh I'm missing French roads!




Tuesday, and I'm surprisingly keen to hit the saddle again for a post work spin. Today the wind has picked up but the heat is still there. Lycra'd up and for the second day wearing my Mont Ventoux off the shoulder number, which I had thought, while back in Provence, would only ever be worn again as a light weight gilet, I head out in a reverse direction of yesterday's circuit.

I decide on the Offwell climb up to the golf club. On paper it is higher but being a little longer than Northleigh, I'm hoping it should be easier as my legs are now feeling the effects of cumulative rides. May be it will rain tomorrow!




Wednesday, it's my wife's birthday tomorrow, so my thought is, if I can get a cycle in today and complete my 100km, I can afford to duck out of the Thursday AVP club ride and may even take the weekend off as well.

I have in mind a slightly longer circuit, as I need around 25 miles if I'm not going to do the AVP ride. As soon as work is done, I'm out through the door and spinning along the estuary towards Lyme Regis. The route I have planned is similar to last week's Climbs and Punishment club ride. I was obviously not thinking straight when deciding this, as the title I gave that ride should have hinted as to whether it was suitable for a hot, post work circuit .. In truth and hardly surprising, it was a little hilly for my tired legs, but no pain no gain as they say.

While climbing Mont Ventoux, I experienced for the first time, heat and exertion displayed in the form of sweat dripping from the peak of my cap. Climbing out of Charmouth, I was able to repeat this feat as I hit an ascent sheltered from the wind but in plain view of that fiery orb in the sky!

With the climbs finally behind me, I realised that an ascending road takes the longest to traverse. I was now well behind plan and my tummy was rumbling! I had proposed to take a wider circular route out to Whitford but with my Garmin doing that favoured SatNav trick of getting lost and time slipping quickly away, I took the direct route back to base and that exhilarating 40km+ Bosshill descent into Colyford. Fortunately, having added a few km to the route by stopping off at Charmouth beach, I did not actually need the wider circuit to complete my 100km .. I can now rest up until Monday, the start of my sabbatical and a new adventure.