John's Cycling Diary

I had a particularly sh1te day….

Some complete twat thought it would be funny to put a stone through the car window overnight…

I got back home at a reasonable time from work (Used the other car)….The sun was out and it was perfect cycling weather…

Instead I took the dogs for a walk….

Poppy has settled in very quickly and Rosie thankfully doesn’t appear to be put out (Apart from the occasional grumble at doggy meal time)

I had a nice long chat with Rafe this evening about the O2E Champagne Supernova that is coming up very soon (A quick little jolly from Calais to Reims).

I also re-plotted the route for Sunday’s pro-tour so that it actually follows the road!!!

I will TRY not to cycle to far tomorrow in preparation for Sunday… Problem is the weather forecast is good and I do enjoy my cycling!!!

Got in from work, got changed and went straight out on my 20 mile route…

The weather was perfect again

1800		20.1	°C	ENE	11	mph			40	km	1019 hPa, Falling
1900		18.4	°C	ENE	8	mph			40	km	1020 hPa, Rising

I set of and was averaging around 20 mph for the first 10 miles, it was boding well for a good time as the second half is always faster

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Speed
1	00:30:07	10.01	19.9
2	00:26:31	10.03	22.7
3	00:03:44	1.23	19.7
Summary	01:00:23	21.27	21.1

It was a stunning ride, interestingly not my fastest…I actually managed a 21.5 on Mon 24th August 2009!

The Garmin had the ride as 21.27 miles in 1 hour 23 seconds with an average speed of  21.1 mph, route here…

I have been looking at the route for Sundays Prostate Cancer Tour Ride 2010…It looks quite interesting

Worked from home today…and the summer is back

At 4:30 I downed tools and set of on the Wednesday evening Chain Gang route, the weather was perfect!

1700		19.6	°C	E	8	mph			30	km	1019 hPa, Falling
1800		19.5	°C	ENE	10	mph			30	km	1019 hPa, Falling

As things were going so well I hit the lap button at 10 miles…then 20, 30 and 40..

Lap	Time	Dist	Avg
1	00:30:24	10.02	19.8
2	00:28:55	9.99	20.7
3	00:28:57	10.01	20.7
4	00:28:45	9.99	20.8

I actually got faster as the ride progressed

It is amazing what a bit of calm, sun and warmth does…amazing as a week ago I was on the winter bike splashing through flood water!

The Garmin had the ride as 40.29 miles in 1 hour 58 minutes with an average speed of 20.4 mph, route here…

As I had such a cycletastic weekend I thought I would give cycling a rest tonight…

I got in from work at a reasonable time..The Merida was in much need of a darn good clean after traversing several welsh mountains in the rain.

I did the normal chain off, wheels off, cassette stripped down and frame cleaned…

See how I follow Rafe’s advice and clamp the bike by the seat post (Only on the carbon bike I’m afraid – All the others are far to heavy and get clamped on the top tube!)

I am well happy with the way the chain/cassette strategy has been going…The cassette is looking darn good even though it has now done over 4000 miles.

By this time last year I was already on my third or fourth cassette.

The bike was then re-assembled, lubed and hung in the hallway ready for tomorrow

As it’s the end of the month it’s stats time again…

Count:	20 Activities
Distance:	1,096.43 mi
Max Distance:	147.21 mi
Time	68:33:15 h:m:s
Elevation Gain:	32,323 ft
Max Elevation Gain	6,483 ft
Avg Speed:	16.0 mph
Max Speed:	50.9 mph
Calories:	79,866 C

And for the year….

Count:	171 Activities
Distance:	7,598.32 mi
Max Distance:	189.68 mi
Time	485:13:14 h:m:s
Elevation Gain:	266,624 ft
Max Elevation Gain	10,703 ft
Avg Speed:	15.7 mph
Max Speed:	50.9 mph
Calories:	557,880 C

Yipeeeee I have a new top speed And  shockingly according to Google 266,624 feet of elevation is over 50 miles!!!

Shame that the cycling year is coming to an end – I think I will struggle to do a 1000 in September

Ohhh where to start……I guess with Saturday! then Sunday…followed by a bit of today!

Saturday woke up early, had cereal for breakfast and was out on the bike at 8am.

First interesting problem was which direction to set off in…I had pre planned the route, but I always use a tcx (Bread crumb trail) instead of a gpx (Dynamic Navigation)..so I had to zoom out on the map to get a handle on where I was going!

My first major climb of the day was from Blaenau FFestiniog to Dolwyddelan over the Crimea Pass

The climb didn’t seem quite as long or as tough as the last time I did it…

It was actually quite good to get warmed up, the morning had started quite cold.

The views from the top were stunning…and the descent was perfect, wide clear open roads…I hit my highest speed ever on the bike – according to the Garmin 50.9 mph

I headed onto the A5 and through Betws-y-Coed – I was obviously up and out before the masses of tourists hit..the place was very pleasant and quiet

I turned off the A5 and headed up a very steep and narrow little lane (It is crossed in a number of places by the Marin Trail), you can tell a good road when you see it – by the way it grows!

I was really quite pleased, the road kicks up to quite a sharp gradient just before a junction – the last time I went up here I had to get off and walk (2 years ago) – This time I just dug in and grunted up it

The little country excursion re-joined the A5 at ‘The Ugly House‘, I carried along the A5 to Capel Curig, then turned left to climb over the ‘Nant Peris’ pass…

I turned right and carried on over the ‘Pen-y-Pass‘, again the views were stunning – but I was more interested in the descent than I was taking photographs

The next port of call was Caernarfon, I was hoping to see the castle….but I didn’t

I followed the A487 south out of Caernarfon – It was a very bad choice of road – very busy

I turned off onto the A499 and it got a little quieter – thankfully!  – I also started to get my first glimpses of the sea

The road had recently been turned into a mini motorway (I am sure everybody will be complaining about the speeding traffic soon)…but the old road has been left as a perfect cycleway

The Lleyn peninsular is not that wide…As I was heading out over the hillier north coast I could see the south coast (My return journey on the horizon)

I am still not sure if it was the best decision – Big steep hills into a headwind…But at least the smooth flat return with a tailwind would be a welcome rest!

I was determined to go as far around the peninsular as possible, so as the B4417 turned left I carried on along much smaller country lanes…The sun came out and the sea looked perfect

Just as I was starting to get quite hungry, I came across a sign pointing to a Cafe…so I followed my nose…I ended up at the most perfect sheltered beach (Whistling Sands)

I parked the bike up at the beach front Cafe …

And had some much needed fuel….

The sun was out and it was a perfect place to be

People did look on in amazement as I got back on the bike and cycled up the VERY steep hill back out of the cove

I soon got back into my rhythm and was heading East along the south coast of the peninsular… Even the steep climb out of  Aberdaron wasn’t to bad with the tail wind and the refreshing food…(Picture taken looking back down the hill)

With the flatter terrain and the rather welcome tailwind my pace picked up somewhat    – As my pace picks up my inclination to take photos declines

I left the quieter roads of the peninsular and turned onto the A497..It was quite good to see again..where the road had been straightened (and sped up!) the old road had been turned into a cycleway..

It was quite interesting to see without traffic how the edges of the road quickly overgrow.

I cycled over the cob at Porthmadog…again some stunning views of the mountains…

The last little stretch down (and Up) the A487 was quite busy but I back to Maentwrog in one piece…

The Garmin had the ride as 111.71 miles in 7 hours 11 minutes with an average speed of 15.5 mph and a maximum speed of 50.9 mph route here…

Now Sunday….

The weather was a lot different…VERY windy and VERY wet in places…

The plan was to head south

I started of with a tailwind to Harlech

Then I turned south to Barmouth…interesting still with a tailwind?

At Barmouth I followed the Estuary to Dolgellau..

At Dolgellau I started the climb that continued more or less for the next 30 miles….

I headed down the south coast of Lake Bala…much quieter and more scenic roads than the north

From Bala I started heading over the Berwyn Mountains…into a VERY stong headwind…And at some points VERY heavy driving rain that actually stung when it hit!

After 30 miles of climbing it was quite welcome to finally reach the descent…This however was not going to be a high speed affair…  narrow, steep and gravely roads….this was going to be slow and surely (and another set of worn out brake blocks).

It did however give me plenty of time to enjoy the views!

I was really starting to get quite hungry and thirsty…I was hoping to stop for a bite and drink at Penmachno…unfortunately the pub was closed

I carried on to Betws-y-Coed…The traffic was a nightmare! the fastest way to get through the place was by bike I ended up stopping for lunch at a craft shop at Swallow Falls (just outside Betws-y-Coed)

A bit of a come down from my wholesome grub by the sea on Saturday But at least it was food…on the bright side the wind had dropped and the sun was out

I head out along the A5 and turned left at Capel Curig…following the same route as Saturday…

This time instead of heading over the ‘Pen-y-Pass’ I dropped straight down the ‘Nant Gwynant Pass’…It was stunning

I stopped at the bottom and took a picture over the lake looking back up the mountain

The descent continued more or less to Garreg…I stopped and opened the second Lucozade I had bought at Swallow Falls..It promptly fizzed all over my hands

I drank the remaining contents of the bottle…and continued on….the stickiness of my hands became very annoying so I pulled over and washed my hands in a very clear fast running stream

After the final climb and descent of the day I arrived back at Maentwrog.

After I helped out in the garden a bit and had a shower, I went for a walk to stretch my legs…..

I took some more photographs of one of the most photogenic lakes

The Garmin had the ride as 99.84 miles in 6 hours 46 minutes with an average speed of 14.7 mph, route here…

I would love to know what the wind speed was on top of the mountain!

And finally Today (Monday)

We loaded the car up first thing and we helped tidy the house up a bit….then we headed of back South… We stopped for lunch at a really nice pub along the way..

When we got back home, I unloaded the car….I was the allowed to go out for a short cycle ride

It is amazing how a few days in the mountains changes ones impressions of hills!

I was seriously intending only doing 10 miles…but the sun was out, it was warm and I was really enjoying it so I carried on somewhat.

I ended up doing 26.02 miles in 1 hour 29 minutes with an average speed of 17.5 mph, route here…

That brings my bank holiday weekend mileage up to a rather respectable 237.57 miles

Well I think I am ready for next Saturday’s Tour of Britain – Pro Ride

Well that was tough! Cycled up a mountain into a headwind, it was worth it – the views were spectacular!

I completed the planned route, getting back to the stat at just over 99 miles – the sun was shining and the wind had dropped in the end

Pictures and full details tommorow.

Had a good ride, 111.7 ish miles, did my fastest speed ever on a bike > 50mph.

Pictures and more detail when I get a web connection!

Woot there’s free wifi in the hotel we are eating at

I loaded the bike onto the car at 5:30 am and drove to work, wifey drove up and met me at 4 o’clock.

We then set of in the car to Maentwrog, leaving no 2 car at my work for the weekend, the journey wasnt to bad! but now I could eat a horse, its field and the stable…

I am really looking forward to tomorow’s ride.

No ride today…It’s cold, wet and dark out….

I haven’t had a chance to fix the front tyre on the winter bike and I am not inclined to get the other bikes dirty!

I am heading straight of to Wales from work tomorrow…The area I am heading to has next to no phone signal so I suspect the blog will not be updated until Monday…But I will try!

Worked from home today

I got up early and gave the Merida Cross bike a good clean, the weekends activities left it in a right state!

The bike was done and hung up in the hallway by 8am….Not long after it started raining….

Most sane people would abandon going for a cycle ride when it has been raining heavily all day and is forecast to rain heavily all night…

1300		13.7	°C	SSE	6	mph			9	km	1014 hPa, Falling
1400		12.9	°C	ESE	9	mph			10	km	1013 hPa, Falling
1500		12.7	°C	E	10	mph			9	km	1012 hPa, Falling
1600		12.6	°C	E	9	mph			4	km	1011 hPa, Falling
1700		12.6	°C	ENE	13	mph			3	km	1010 hPa, Falling
1800		12.6	°C	E	16	mph			4	km	1009 hPa, Falling
1900		12.5	°C	ENE	14	mph			3	km	1008 hPa, Falling

I guess I may not be sane…I just swapped bikes .

The first time since the spring that I have had to use the winter bike, also the first time for overshoes, high viz rain jacket and lights

The tyres needed pumping up, they were down from their normal 110 psi to nearer 20 psi, other than that I was obviously quite good – putting the bike away for the summer in good order.

I headed of on the Chain Gang route, the high viz rain jacket kept the rain out for all of about 10 minutes, thankfully just long enough for me to warm up, so the gradual creeping dampness wasn’t to much of a shock.

As I was plodding around the rain appeared to be getting heavier…..the roads turned from wet to water logged.

The front tyre looked like it was loosing pressure….I don’t think I picked up a puncture it looked like a very slow leak I hoped it was going to hold enough pressure to get me home.

About two miles from home it reached that bouncing on metal point, I had no choice but to stop and pump it up

After the re-inflate I carried on and completed the 40 miles…I think it may well have been the wettest ride I have ever done…

The Garmin had the ride as 40.28 miles in 2 hours 22 minutes with an average speed of  16.9 mph, route here…

I have also planned my Saturday and Sunday rides in Wales (Thankfully the weather is looking good)
Saturday’s ride follows the coast (I do love the sea)

Sundays ride follows a bit more coast then goes up some mountains

The descent looks awesome!