Bike Fit #2

It's hard to believe that it was 5 years ago that I had my first and only bike fit. This was the day that I picked up my new shiny Specialized Tarmac, bike n.3, from the Bike Shed in Exeter. My cycling and riding position has improved considerably since then and on reflection, I probably need another fitting as my body has taken on a more pro cycling form .. in my head anyway!

But this was not the reason for me heading over to Tribe Cycle Solutions in Bovey Tracy last Friday with Clive, my fellow Pedaller and recent time trial coach. The shots of me participating in the recent local TTs, sitting in a way more like I'm out on a gentle Saturday club run than in the aero tuck required of a time trial, has made me think of purchasing a dedicated TT machine or at least look to convert my Venge into one. The visit to Tribe was therefore to assess the suitability of the Venge and fit my self into a more aero position for the 2020 season.

After a day's pure bike pampering in a sweaty room behind a quite idilic cycling cafe on the edge of Dartmoor, I now have the Venge in a much more, power, aero and comfort maximised setup. Since I purchased the Venge, it has always been a challenging bike to ride; so stiff, so compact and skittish. Now I feel I have the measure of it and may be will save the ££££ in upgrading or purchasing a new and give 2020's TTs a blast with this new setup.

You'll have to keep tuned to see if this happens, or whether the n+1 card is played, as I can't believe it's close to 4 years since bike n.4 joined the family!

Seaton Wetlands Cycle Path

Back in 2015 there was a new cycle path laid through the Seaton Wetlands to join Colyford to Seaton. This cycle path was all part of a major investment proposed in 2009 and finally approved in 2011 to make the Wetlands more accessible, with hides and raised walkways for visitors to enjoy this tranquil environment and to extend the Stop Line Way cycle route. The former has been a total success the latter, well, we've yet to see.

The cycle path is accessed from Seaton via the cemetery's shingle carpark and exits abruptly onto the Colyford road with no signage at either end. Just as only Hogwarts Students know how to access their platform at Kings Cross, only those in the know would ever be aware of the Season Wetlands Cycle Path, let alone how to access it!

It transpires that not everything is as straight forward as one thinks it should be. I understand there's been a bit of an issue with landowners and a misaligned council agendas .. much of the human race is naturally flawed to be narcissistic and sociopathic. It just has to be accepted these days that it takes years to conclude something which should take seconds to agree and put in place, though I'm not sure anyone actually benefits in the long term.

I had the opportunity to meet with our local town mayor a few weeks ago and put to him the issue of the lack of signage for the 'new' Wetlands cycle path. This led me on the trail to Devon County and East Devon District Councils. Oh don't we love our bureaucracy. Anyway, the upshot of all this is that some signage will be put up but they won't be official Cycle Path ones as the path is not actually finished ... !

The positive news, is that Martin Shaw, Independent East Devon Alliance County Councillor for Seaton & Colyton, informs me that the County Council is at last formally proceeding with the CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) for the Wetlands route, as seen marked in this map of the land to be acquired.

Also, Cllr Ian Hall (Axminster) has also apparently recently expressed an interest in the development of the rest of the Seaton-Axminster route; this Stop Line Way

I am informed by a fellow Pedaller, however, that this is similar to a position we were in back in 2016 so, I'll keep you posted.

The Tour de France & Memories

One thing that has always been special about the modern day coverage of the Tour de France is the amazing photography and scenic shots from the helicopters which follow the peloton as it weaves its way across France. Having spent many a happy summer’s holiday across the Channel, it is alway a thrill to catch a view of a familiar sight which brings back fond past memories. One year I am determined to combine the two!

Anyway yesterday the peloton was in Nîmes and memories of a steamy visit to the amphitheater flooded back. We were there last June, when gladiators were replaced by a music act rehearsing for an evening show.

The peloton was later seen crossing the Pont du Gard, the Roman aqueduct and the destination of another of last June’s holiday excursions. Amazing to think of the peloton crossing that narrow ancient structure just as we had, I wonder if they were in as much awe as us or was it just another road to traverse?

One attraction I did not see them passing or visiting, as we had on that day, was the Haribo museum! I’m sure they would have had they known they were so close, those little sugary morsels being such a good friend of the cyclist .. or is that just this one!?

End of my First TT Season

This evening I completed my 4th local time trial event and the final one of the season. Although only achieving my 3rd quickest time over the course, I’m still pleased to have maintained my targeted sub 30 minutes.

I’ve been amazingly consistent on the first split with most time, gained or lost on the second; so something to work on for next year. My season’s times for the 10 mile course were - 29:57, 29:15, 29:30, 29:54.

It’s been a blast and naturally I’m now going to be looking out for those bike upgrades and personal improvements to make those all important marginal gains which could help me achieve a sub 28 minute time next year!

Thanks to Clive & Richard, my AVP racing buddies, for their encouragement and support in getting me into this new area of competitive cycling.

New AVP Race Jersey

With the advancing interest in competative cycling, the AVP has a new jersey for its fledgling race team! This is a potential game changer for a club which has a predominately social and ageing cycling membership. The importance of the second kit, lost on some but starting to be understood by most, is to differentiate the heritage from the competitive; after all, the memory of me being asked to remove the word 'sport' from our Charter a few years back is still all too fresh in my memory! I've even designed a new club flyer to illustrate the intent.

The new Club flyer

You'll notice the new jersey sports, not only a new colour scheme but also a couple of sponsor names: our local and now more of a club house than cycle and coffee shop, The Filling Station & Colyford Cycles and RBS Scaffolding.

You'll see this more and more over the summer as we have 2 riders competing in the Seaton Cyclefest and race and TT season gets into full swing.

Time to Time Trial

We have a transformation taking place within our cycling club at the moment. With the establishment of a race committee, the interest in competitive events has soared. In the past 2 months we've had 37 member entries to crits and time trials, an almost a 10 fold increase on last year.

So when I had the call from one of my racing members to see I wanted to join him and take part in my first local TT, how could I refuse!

The entry list was not large, but this meant at least I was guaranteed a top 10 position! And my time was just under 30 minutes, a credible time for an old first time as myself!

Will be back next week for another go .. I may bee hooked!

Tour of Cambridgeshire 100

Never Say Never Again is that Bond movie Sean Connery should never have made. Every time I get the urge to enter another sportive, I am reminded that these are the same words I say after every such event and yet just as with Connery, I never know when to quit! So, when one of my Coffee Club mates suggested we ride the Tour of Cambridgeshire 100 mile sportive, the answer was obviously, yes.

A couple of weeks before the event, I had the perfect excuse to call it all off when my ride partner, a fanatical Liverpool fan, though the Champions' League Final was a more important occasion than riding 100 miles with his Coffee Club mate! But just as with Connery, for some reason I decided, I had to do it; after all, when would a Devon cyclist have such an opportunity to ride so far over such flat land.

The Saturday before the ride was the day to register and an opportunity to test the route I would be cycling to start; thus avoiding the closed roads, the A1 and the extortionate parking charges the East of England Show Ground proposed charging for the privilege of parking on their grass!

The 'cycle path' was not really fit for the Venue

Registration at the East of England Show Ground

Registration complete .. this is my number
The same which ever way you look at it!

My steed, this will be its longest ride 

The day of the ride begins well. I enter the start gate from the wrong direction, but this at least ensures I am at the front of the peloton, even if I get a few strange looks. This actually turns out to be an important advantage when food and water unfortunately soon starts to run dry at the feed stations for later riders.

As for the ride, well it was a different from anything I've done to date .. no hills! But strong winds over the Fens made for an interesting experience. I think I prefer the hills, at least you can see them!

So that's it, no need to do another one .. or is it another case of  never say never again?!