Spring rides

I haven't been doing any particularly long rides lately, just commuting to work once or twice a week and the odd weekend ride. Last weekend I did a 15 mile ride up over Ashridge and saw some bluebells poking through. Then on Sunday Nicky and I did a slightly longer ride to Stewkley and back via the Red Lion pub at Marsworth (25 miles).

I've also started doing some training for the Ashridge Half Marathon on 22nd June. My longest run since school is 10km about 5 years ago, so it will be quite a challenge. I'm just looking to finish though by a mixture of jogging and walking!

Skiing the Col du Tourmalet

I spent half term skiing with my wife and our 2 sons in the Pyrenees and had good weather and snow. The area included a famous pass used in the Tour de France, although the pass is only snow free in the summer.

I was pretty stiff at the start of this last week and had a work conference away, but I did a 22 mile ride this afternoon in springlike conditions.

Lunch at Winslow

The weather was sunny and quite mild, so Nicky and I cycled to Winslow for a light lunch in a cafe. 35 mile round trip.

Afternoon Ride

I've just done a 25 mile ride on my hybrid this afternoon over Ashridge to Eddlesborough then across to Mentmore via the great train robbers bridge and back through Wingrave. I didn't fancy a full days ride like last Saturday which seemed to take a day or two to recover from. Anyway it was wet this morning and I had my Tesco shop to do as usual. The hybrid made a pleasant change on the bum, and was only slightly slower, with an average of 12.2 mph. Mind you the comparison is difficult as today was shorter - but hillier 

Ride in the Sun

The weather was clear and sunny today, if a little cold, so I set off at 8:30 for a decent ride. Stopped for a coffee at Winslow then across Aylesbury vale and uphill to Brill. Then went on to Long Crendon for a cafe lunch. Back via Thame and Longwick, where I bought a tea from the garage and drank it sitting on sacks of coal. I was feeling pretty weary by the end of the ride, at 2:30. 61 miles total, average speed 12.6 mph.

Xmas Rides

I managed to fit in 3 rides over the holiday period on my road bike, in between the showers, including a 23 mile ride on Boxing Day in the mist - with the sun breaking through.

I was given an iPhone 5 case for my bike by one of my sons, but haven't tried it out yet. We also got a cycling book called 'Escape Routes' with short round trips in England. I plan on doing a fair bit of cycling this year to keep fit, however the only long trip we have planned is a tour of East Anglia in May with Nicky my wife. We'll carry our own luggage and stay in pubs and B&Bs.
My wife, eldest son and I all made resolutions to loose some weight this year, and apart from a low fat, high fibre diet, I'll be continuing my regular jogging, gym and swimming sessions. I did a 7 km run on Monday on often muddy footpaths. I'm 12 stone now, and hope to get down to 11 stone by Easter.

Cycling Safety

Whilst the recent deaths of cyclists in London are undoubtedly the fault of dangerous drivers and bad junctions, I think there's quite a bit cyclists can do to improve their safety. I always wear a helmet and high-vis or bright clothing and have lights on or flashing in dim light or at night. I'm not sure you could enforce helmets etc legally, but wouldn't object for main roads at least. I also tend to hog the centre of a lane at junctions, and am wary of undertaking on the inside of traffic or cycling between queuing traffic. I'm not sure if cyclists undertaking is legal, although it is for cars in traffic where there are 2 or more lanes. I quite often use the middle of the road in traffic on the A41 into Aylesbury in the mornings, provided there is plenty space. I also generally avoid bike lanes that force cyclists to cross busy roads at separate crossings, although like the idea of totally segregated bike lanes with preferential traffic lights.

Hopefully they'll get the London problems sorted - I wouldn't fancy cycling there.

Ashridge

The weather's been sunny today, so we had a walk in the morning, then I did a 15 mile circuit up Ashridge. I could have stopped to photograph the nice autumn colours and sika deer, but the place was crowded with cars and walkers. I'm now using my winter boots and warmer tops, but haven't needed winter tights yet.

Nicky and I have decided to do a tour of Suffolk and Norfolk next May, starting and ending at Southwold, where one of Nicky's cousins lives. This year's hills in Devon and Cornwall have made her hanker after something flatter.

Pub Ride

I did a 15 mile round trip with our eldest son this afternoon via Wingrave and Mentmore (my usual route) then stopped for a pint at Long Marston. An enjoyable trip. His new gears worked fine. This pic is from the web, it wasn't quite as sunny as this.

Ricci Repair

Our eldest son managed to break his Campag derailliers a while back - well the spring had gone anyway and it didn't keep the chain tensioned. Rather than trying to get replacement Campag gears I bought a Shimano Tourney one for £15 and fitted it myself. It seems to work a treat - although spoils the look a bit of the vintage steel Ricci bike. But as we only paid £20 for the bike he didn't want to spend much money on it.

I was hoping we'd do a ride last weekend, but he was busy, so I did a 15 mile road bike run on my own. I'd also cycled to work 2 or 3 times last week.