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.