Wiggle Spring Sportive 2016

Hi all,

So this year I decided to do my first event. I was fairly nervous to be honest having not done anything like the distance required before but I was certain I could do the distance.

The problem with these events is actually time. If I do this event again I'll keep my average moving speed, but cut my breaks down. Now I've done a few big rides I know what I'm capable of.

The bigger drain on this ride was the wind. It was horrendous. A really strong headwind most of the way round.

I met a friend of mine on the start line, which meant I had a ride buddy. We cleared the first 30 miles quickly, but I really needed him for the last 25 miles. I got huge cramp. Sorry, that's not big enough.

I got HUGE cramp.

Both legs.

It didn't even play nicely. It cramped at extension and reflexion. At one point I had to jump off my bike and lie on the grass for a bit. Eventually it gave way and I could jump back on for a mile or so. It really tested me.

Saying all that, it was good fun. Pretty cool stuff. I met some nice people, I got overtaken by a really old gentleman making a noise like a steam train. I couldn't keep up with him!

I will do the one later this year, but I'll definitely do the spring one next year.

Photos and Strava below:

I don't know who this guy is. 

New MTB. A spin around my home town.

Hi all,

So you buy a new MTB and you want to take it for a spin. So I did. I did a lap of my home town.

This is what I love about cycling, you can go pretty much anywhere, do pretty much anything. The miles quickly add up and start making no sense at all. I left home with the bike, my phone and a drink and basically explored all the paths I hadn't explored yet. Awesome fun, and I was only out for a couple of hours.

Photos below:

It's pretty cool I have all this on my doorstep. I'm a lucky guy!

Thanks for reading,

Bournemouth bounce

Hi all,

In 2015 a friend and I tried to get to Bournemouth and back. Considering that neither of us had really trained for that distance it went surprisingly well. This year, I thought I'd give it a go again. I did it on my own this time as said friend was unavailable.

I packed my usual kit then hit the road.

I took a different route out to last year. I'm still not too happy about going down the A35, especially on the way back. Such a horrible road. I'll look for something a lot better next time.

Anyhew, about an hour and 50 mins later I arrived in Bournemouth. Nice. Good speed. Unfortunately after an hour dossing around on the beach my right knee decided it wasn't going to work properly any more. 30 miles on a shanked knee is not a good thing. Ah well. I made it home in pretty good time considering and I did manage to get an ice cream at the beach which is the most important thing.

Photo's and strava below:

Thanks for reading

Close call with some new cyclists

Hi all,

I'm only posting this because it was a very odd situation and both the car driver and I shared a look as we passed. So there I was, coming home from another hard day at work, hoping that another commute would take place with not a lot going on when all of a sudden...



What I meant to say was:

"The first thing about cycling on a road is to be very predictable. If the car driver knows what you are going to do, they can plan for you. It's safer. Always stick to the left hand side of the road unless signage says otherwise."

What I actually said was:
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!?!?"

Basically they got spooked because they were holding up a car while going around the lorry. The woman then decided to freak out and bail into my cycle lane, while her partner tried to decide between gutter and following her and basically putting himself right in front of the car.

If you are in this position just chill. Signal left. Pull in. Stop. Take a breath. Then move on. Don't do the above, it's plain silly.

Thanks for reading,

Stockbridge struggle - April

Hi all,

Stockbridge. Stockbridge, Stockbridge. I have a love hate relationship with this route. I've done it 3 times and every time has been a bitch. The first time, my legs really weren't up to it as I'd only just started riding. The second time, I was with 2 people on roadies and I pushed far too hard on my 20kg commuter to keep up with them.

This time, I was on my own. I could ride at my own pace. Surely this time the ride would be better?
Surely this time I'd be sorted?

Nope.

I ran out of water about 10 miles from the end. I hit the wall horribly. No energy left and no water.
I phoned my wife, and I was going to beg pathetically for a pick up, but then she said that there was an ice cream parlour nearby.

I dragged my sorry ass the next 2 miles and got to the shop. "Home-made" ice cream. Real Coffee. OMG so good. I stayed there until the stars went from my eyes, and I could walk without my head fizzing and headed home as nice and gently as I could. I'm going to try it again soon!

I will crack this ride!

Pictures and Strava below:

Thanks for reading,

New Totton to Marchwood cycle lane

Hi all,

This route has since been completed and I've been down it a few times. It's a bit safer than Pookesgreen but a little bit longer as it takes you through the village. Here is a video from when a a mate of mine and I found one end of it after a hop to Hythe and back.



If you are going to tank it down there, don't bother. Not because the surface isn't very good, you can see in the video it's flat as a pancake, but because small children and families go down there as it keeps everyone away from the main road. Personally I like taking it easy down there, and I like being nosey and checking out the solar farm.

Thanks for reading

Fordingbridge

Hi all,

This was a nice ride. I found it on a CTC website so I thought I might scope it out. It's a very picturesque route with a couple of really good cafe stops in the village before you turn to head south.

Some of the hills I found a little hard going towards the end. It was also fairly warm and humid which didn't help. I am getting better at food and drink management but I've still got a little way to go.

On one of my rests I got interrupted by a military plane flying fairly low. Unfortunately I didn't get chance to photograph it quickly enough. You can see my effort below though.

It's such a nice area of the Forest and I'm aiming to do this ride again soon.

Pictures and Strava:

Thanks for reading