Chilterns Bike Ride

A couple of LEJOG friends Ellen and Steve joined me yesterday for a 35 mile ride cross country through the Chilterns. We cycled via Wendover to Longwick on fairly busy and decent roads, then up to Bledlow Ridge and beyond on very minor roads. My handlebar bag came in useful for coffee and penquins at the top of the hill.
Then it was on to Speen up another even steeper hill before going down to cross the Wendover-Amersham road then up a gravelly dirt track of a road up to the Old Swan at Swan's Bottom pictured. There were lots of cyclists on the roads, mainly mountain bikers at some sort of event. We had a hearty lunch before the final 5 miles back to Tring.

New Handlebar Bag

I bought a new handlebar bag pictured ready for our Yorks Dales trip next month. A bike book I have suggested that your luggage ought to be distributed with 40% at the front and the rest at the back. It's big enough for a flask of coffee and a waterproof jacket.

We tested it out doing a 15 mile ride to a pub (Old Swan at Swan's Bottom) last weekend.

I've booked our accommodation in the Dales at Grassington, Hawes and Masham.

Chiltern Charity Ride

Last Sunday Nicky and I cycled a 35 mile round trip from Aylesbury through the Chilterns for the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home charity with some work colleagues, and have so far raised £185 (See http://www.justgiving.com/esricycling). It was a nice day and we took our time and enjoyed the scenery. Here are some photos. Spot the Goodies style trandem.

Hythe to Folkstone and back

Nicky and I stayed a couple of nights in Hythe on the Kent south coast at the weekend and brought our bikes. We cycled to Folkstone along the promenade cycle path in the mist. Had lunch in a nice pub in the centre of Folkestone with real fires and decent ale and food. We weren't too impressed with Folkestone as a town though. Nicky was keen to visit the war memorial so we carried on up the hill in quite thick fog, and Nicky managed to fall off her bike whilst mounting the kerb - but was ok apart from a couple of grazes. Saw a Spitfire and Hurricane and monument, then headed back down to the coast and back along the prom. The weather had brightened up and the route quite busy, which made passing from behind a bit of a pain especially as people were walking 4 abreast (a couple of tings of my bell usually did the trick though). Our round trip was 15 to 20 miles. We had planned to do another bike ride that w/e, but the weather was a bit wet and windy, so we walked instead.

New Maxxis Overdrive Tyres

I bought a pair of new tyres for my wife's hybrid - as hers are not puncture resistant. I use these 'Maxxis Overdrive Maxxprotect Pro 700 x 35c' tyres on my own bike and have not had a puncture with them in over 2 years. They have a Kevlar belt and a good grip for wet town and country rides - good enough for some off road trails. Only £13 each too.

I had a puncture after the first month in one of the Bontrager Satellite tyres supplied with the bike.

Phoenix Trail - Thame to P Risborough

I bought a book called 'Traffic Free Cycle Trails' by Nick Cotton that has details of UK cycle tracks for hybrids and mountain bikes. So Nicky and I tried out this one today and put our bikes on my new roof rack. It's a nice track along a disused railway line and is part asphalt, part gravel. There are scupltures such as these Clanger type creatures and wooden structures along the way. We had a pub lunch at P Risboro then cycled back to Thame (18 miles) from where I cycled home making a round trip of 39 miles.

New Cycle Rack

I bought (from Halfords) a couple of roof mounted cycle racks (£20 each) and some roof bars (£60) and fitted them today. They're pretty good value and easy to fit - although I need a step to get the bikes up.

I already have a boot mounted rack but it doesn't really cope with 2 bikes, obscures your lights and prevents access to the boot.
The plan is to use this on our Yorks Dales trip and on day trips.

Short Ride to Mentmore

Nicky and I did a 16 mile ride on the BH Monday through Wingrave - where we had our flask of coffee, and back via Mentmore. It doesn't sound much but it's quite a milestone since it's the longest Nicky has cycled since her back problems. It also involved a couple of fairly steep hills.

I cycled to work yesterday and went to the gym today. Hoping to loose a pound a week over the next few weeks to get down from 12 to 11 st.

New Year's Day Ride

I cycled a 35 mile round trip today in the drizzle to Drayton Parslow where I sheltered in the church foyer (pictured) and had a pack lunch. I tried out my wife's Altura Arran pannier, which proved waterproof - and unlike my Halfords ones doesn't require extracting a plastic cover from a pocket in the base.
The snow we had until Xmas had melted on our return from visiting relatives up north. I also had a 20 mile ride to Wendover and Little Kimble on the Thursday. We've also been doing quite a bit of walking and sledging on Xmas day, and have broken in my wife's new hiking boots.

More walking in the snow

The weather was icy during last week and then we had an inch of snow on Friday followed by 5 inches on Saturday. On Sat I walked for about 3 miles along the canal and reservoirs as the snow fell, then Nicky and I did a 5 mile walk up to Ashridge cafe on Sunday in fine weather. Had some more nice soup.

I did spot a couple of mountain bikers, but didn't fancy it. In fact my car hasn't moved from our drive since Friday as the roads are so bad. Fortunately I can work from home ok. I must try to get some exercise tomorrow somehow though.