I did a short 16 mile ride to Berkhamsted and back via Ashridge on Sunday when rain showers were threatening. A mixture of sunshine and heavy showers. I didn't have mudgards on or somewhere to stash my waterproof when I got too hot in the sun. So I got pretty wet and sticky. Not having riden a bike without mudgards in the wet before I found the wet bum sensation and extra splash on your shoes unpleasant. So I've added Crud 2 Road Racer mudguards (only 180g) and the larger saddle bag that I used on LEJOG. I need to have mudguards for the Audax I'm booked on next month anyway. The bag, a Dirt Monkey one, attaches to the back of the saddle and doesn't require a rack. I've considered using a rucksack for waterproofs but it feels restrictive and sweaty. The bag is big enough to store my waterproof jacket and a few other essentials. The flask in the photo is just an idea at present - I'm not sure if it would stay in. You can get special flask holders for bikes which might be an idea, although on long rides I'll probably use two bidons (water and energy drink).
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Ride in the Rain
I did a short 16 mile ride to Berkhamsted and back via Ashridge on Sunday when rain showers were threatening. A mixture of sunshine and heavy showers. I didn't have mudgards on or somewhere to stash my waterproof when I got too hot in the sun. So I got pretty wet and sticky. Not having riden a bike without mudgards in the wet before I found the wet bum sensation and extra splash on your shoes unpleasant. So I've added Crud 2 Road Racer mudguards (only 180g) and the larger saddle bag that I used on LEJOG. I need to have mudguards for the Audax I'm booked on next month anyway. The bag, a Dirt Monkey one, attaches to the back of the saddle and doesn't require a rack. I've considered using a rucksack for waterproofs but it feels restrictive and sweaty. The bag is big enough to store my waterproof jacket and a few other essentials. The flask in the photo is just an idea at present - I'm not sure if it would stay in. You can get special flask holders for bikes which might be an idea, although on long rides I'll probably use two bidons (water and energy drink).
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
New Pump
I bought one of these today a Blackburn Air Tower 1, as it's difficult getting my tires hard enough with a hand pump, and my car foot pump and adapter doesn't inflate to a reliable pressure.I also noticed that my tyres were pretty spongy yesterday on my road bike when I checked - so I probably did my 105 mile ride on underinflated tyres, making it harder.
I've also enrolled in a 100km Audax next month starting from near Amersham, so will need to keep my speed up.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Chipping Norton Round Trip 105 miles!
Spurred on by my colleagues' LEJOG efforts I decided yesterday to put my new road bike to the test on a long ride and cycled to Chipping Norton, via a conveniently placed cafe for coffee and bacon roll then Buckingham. I travelled on fairly main flattish roads and got to Chipping Norton about 1pm for lunch at a nice cafe ("No 24"). Then returned via Bicester and Thame and another cafe in Long Crendon just as I was flagging. It was a round trip of 105 miles and an average speed of 13.6 mph (I don't rush!). Further details here http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/48395716
Compared with my hybrid it was easier on the legs but harder on the bum. No doubt it was a bit faster too, although I've never really measured ave speeds on my hybrid much. The carbon forks reduced numb hands - on my cromoly fork hybrid I get numb hands after 40 miles, but on my road bike I didn't notice any numbness until 90 miles. I've no particular aches or pains today, although feel pretty knackered.
Compared with my hybrid it was easier on the legs but harder on the bum. No doubt it was a bit faster too, although I've never really measured ave speeds on my hybrid much. The carbon forks reduced numb hands - on my cromoly fork hybrid I get numb hands after 40 miles, but on my road bike I didn't notice any numbness until 90 miles. I've no particular aches or pains today, although feel pretty knackered.
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