Sunday 28 November 2010

Ashridge trip in cold

The weather's been pretty freezing this weekend, so I decided to give the ride around Stevenage a miss yesterday, as there was a dusting of snow on the ground in the morning - on top of a heavy frost and the possibility of more snow showers. So we went for couple of walks instead - (Wilstone Reservoir pictured left). It's been sunny but cold today so this afternoon I cleaned my bike with some new spray from my bike shop - which appeared to dissolve my tyres a bit too, or at least make them a bit slimey. It did a good job of cleaning the gunk off the chain and gears. Then I went for a 12 mile ride up Ashridge to Ivinghoe Beacon car park and back before it started to freeze again - although you had to watch out for black ice in shady bits of road. My feet were like blocks of ice at the end as I thought that 2 pairs of socks would be enough - but I should have worn my neoprene overshoes.

I've only been cycling to work once or twice a week recently because of the weather, although I have been going to the gym and swimming quite a bit. Most days I do some sort of exercise. My attempts at a diet have failed - and I've put back on the few pounds I've lost - but am still just under 12 st. I might try again in the spring when I can be a bit more active.

Sunday 21 November 2010

Quick Spin & Puncture

I decided to take my wife's newish bike for a 15 mile round trip to Mentmore this afternoon. It hasn't been riden much lately so thought it might need oiling etc. One mile from home on the way back I got a puncture so walked the last bit. It looks like her Bontrager tyres aren't as good as my Maxxis Overdrives which have never had a puncture - in over 2 years.

Saturday 6 November 2010

Unwaymarking

This afternoon I had a ride around all the places I'd stuck orange way marker triangles, such as the one shown here, in order to leave the route tidy. I'd put these up to mark the start and end of our Wallingford bike ride over a month ago. All of them were still there - if a little weather beaten. The trip from Tring to Longwick and back was around 27 miles. With the 2 rides to work I did this week brings my weekly total to around 60 miles.

I've decided to use the saddle bag shown for day trips as it's big enough for waterproofs, wallet, phone, flask and snacks, and offers less wind resistance than the panniers I use to work.

My diet's going ok. I seem to be loosing around 1 lb a week, although some weeks I loose 2 lb during the week and put on 1 lb at the weekend. Anyway I've lost around 3 lb in 3 weeks by just eating a little less, and trying to get some sort of daily exercise. If I can get down to 11st this way I'll be really pleased - however Xmas will probably make this difficult!