AVP Thursday Climbs & Punishment Social Ride!

Thursday saw me make a return to the AVP fold with a social 25ish mile saunter through the Devon lanes under a brilliant blue sky. Having just returned from my Mont Ventoux adventure, I was expecting to eat up the hills without trouble and I certainly had my fill tonight.

Riding in the AVP peloton

After 2 years of cycling the local roads, there are very few which I've not covered with the AVP; only my poor memory continues to make for an interesting cycle! Thursday's ride, however, saw Tigger leading us down paths we'd not travelled before on a highly enjoyable if not lumpy ride. With over 2k ft of climb, many of the hills in excess of a 10% gradient, I was glad to be riding my Ventoux busting Roubaix, its gearing so very well suited to these hilly and bumpy lanes.

AVP'ers and our pink member under the viaduct arches

I was not out riding my new Tarmac, not due to the hills, but because I think its bottom bracket bearings have gone! After less than only 600 miles, I am not best pleased to be following in the footsteps of my previous two bikes, in having to return to the Bike Shed for a warranty repair. I'll keep you posted on what they find, indeed I may be wrong and it may be something less major. If a strip down and new bearings are required, I'm tempted to get the FSA components swapped out for a compact Shimano chainset. Specialized have recently been using FSA (Full Speed Ahead) components in place of Shimano on some of their high end bikes, I have no idea why, may be cost. Back in March this year, Mark Cavendish caused a crash in Terrino following his chain slipping off the big cog, something my Tarmac was doing for many of my early rides. May be he too lost confidence in FSA as he was then spotted in May riding with a Shimano chainset!

Freewheeling

On the day the Froomie has to settle for 6th on the Volta a Catalunya, the BikeShed return my freewheel duly repaired and I have one of my best rides of the season.

Freewheel looking good

The BikeShed should have really fixed my wheel last month when they had it in for a service .. a stitch in time and all that, but they recovered well with a rapid fix enabling me to get in a weekend ride on my Roubaix.

What views!

With the majority of the Pedallers, including my buddy, Andy, having had a ride out yesterday, I was left to do a solo cycle this afternoon. I had a plan to do a re-run of Thursday's quick loop out to Farway Common and this I did with a slight detour into Farway having turned off a little early. This resulted in one of the steepest climbs of my 'cycling career' up Ball Lane .. one to miss in future. I even passed an old guy getting out of his car and was showered with admiration from him, little then did I know what was in store.

Old petrol pumps in Farway on the turn to Seaton

In spite of the detour, the climbs and solo ride (I normally do better with company), it was a quick ride. I got a new PB of 16.13 miles for 1 hr and a 43.54s for 20 km last set back in September 2013! I also achieved 5 Strava segment PBs, even beating Andy on the Golf Club to A35 segment :)

Feeling a lot better this week!

Bike Shed Deja Vu

Do you remember April 2013, when after a BikeShed service my Crosstrail had to be returned for a warranty fix on the front shocks? Can lightening strike twice? I didn't think so, when I took my Specialised Roubaix in for its first service.

Along with a request for them to replace the white handle bar tape which was by now very grubby, I asked them to check out a noise in the hub or gear environment - I'm no expert - which had developed and had got increasingly worse over the last few months.  When I collected it on 26-Feb, they confirmed it was a "Noisy Freehub" which should be OK. 

A couple of rides later .. check back on my blog entries you'll see just 3 on the Roubaix ... the fee hub expired today and I had to walk home! Deja vu and poor show BikeShed! and Specialized really, as these are not cheap rides.

Determined to get a cycle in while the weather remained clear, I switched to the Crosstrail and who should I bump into while heading out of Colyton but Andy returning from his King of the Brother's ride! It's been a couple of weeks since Andy and I have been out on a ride, so it was fortuitous and a real coincidence that we should meet up in such a way. If I'd been able to get out on the Roubaix, chances are our paths would not have crossed.

I, thus, joined Andy on his return ride and completed what was a reasonable 10 mile circuit, shorter than planned but just what I needed - although I could have done without the Roubaix problem. So, it's back to the BikeShed next Saturday and another weekend without a long ride.

Day 167 - Moving to the Next Level

It had to happen. I've been thinking long and hard recently about moving to the next level in my cycling and perhaps next year buying a road bike to both achieve the speeds of my fellow pedallers on the Thursday evening rides and to increase my distances. I have also been mulling over the AVP 100 Mile Ride scheduled for Sunday 15 September and whether I wouldn't be better acquiring a new set of wheels now rather than waiting for next year ..  as a) I'm already at the stage of needing to make the move and b) I'm not getting any younger so why delay! So, yes, it had to happen, a trip to the Bike Shed saw me striking a great deal on a 2013 Specialized Roubiux Sport Compact model 90E3-6152 in carbon, charcoal and white. I'm still pinching myself!

A new stable mate for my steed, the new Roubiux

The weekend started, however, with a quick 9.5 mile ride over my three hils and a circuit of Colyton. I've remarked before on how this is a perfect mix of flat and hills and all this can be done in less than an hour.  I need to record it on my Garmin as a lap so that I can track my performance from one day to the next while actually on my ride, I am sure I can do this, I'll have to dig out the manual again. Having completed this Saturday circuit on my hybrid in a reasonable 45 minutes, I had wondered what the same would be on my new road bike, so a re-run was on the cards for Sunday afternoon.

My steed, my trusted hybrid Crosstrail

Two things were however against me on the Sunday, not even counting the unfamiliarity of my new racer - yes you can see I'm managing your expectations here - an afternoon in a seaside town in holiday season meant the roads were crowded with lost tourists and my legs were still killing me after my over ambitious attack on the Thursday hills. So, first impressions. I was very impressed with its initial pickup, carrying considerably less weight that the hybrid and it made the first rise up Seaton Down Hill with ease. I found that in the high speed down hill sections, I had less confidence than on my steed, the racer being lighter and more skittish, than my seemingly invincible hybrid, is going to take time getting used to. I was, however, amazed with how it soaked up the bumps in the road. I guess this is a combination of the flexing built into the frame, its lightness and the extra padding in the handle bars; it is really designed for our Devon roads!

Overall, the racer covered the same distance in 42 minutes, a 3 minute improvement. Many of my split times were not as good and the top speed was slightly down, but the average speed was an extra mph quicker overall. So I can see great potential, I just need clear roads and a return to fitness.

Stats:
Sat:  9.5 mi, 45m :24s, Avg 12.6 mph, Max 36.9, 503 kcalSun: 9.5 mi, 42m :01s, Avg 13.6 mph, Max 32.7, 504 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

To the Start

Saturday 2nd March is the day that my Tour de Fitness commences with the purchase of my first bike in about 30 years! After much deliberation over supplier, bike and financing (self or work plan) I came away today, from Exeter's Bike Shed with a new shiny, Specialised Crosstrail Sport Disc -2013.

This afternoon, I took it for a gingerly two mile familiarisation ride down to the beach and back. I can't believe how unfit I am. The rest of the afternoon is spent lying on the sofa watching Top Gear on iPlayer .. I love cars!