My Longest Ride Yet

Thursday's ride went OK. I can say that now but it was surprisingly gruelling at the time. It was a total of 118 km long, which is the longest ride I have ever done, and I got home at about 6.30 after a 10 am start. I expected a long flat easy ride but the demon wind started to kick in after I changed direction South of Preston. I was fully loaded and felt the difference all the way.

I met George at Tarleton only a little late and after exchanging the customary insults and a bite to eat we set off towards Southport. We took the coast road and battled against the wind which seemed to turn as we turned. It's a phenomenon which afflicts all cyclists apparently. I checked on a weather website yesterday and found the wind at Southport on Thursday had been from the West and between 25 and 37 kph which is quite tough. Enough bleating, we got through the worst and stopped at a little cafe in Ainsdale for a breakfast barm and then headed for home through Aintree, stopping at the famous Melling Road for a tweet. George got his standard puncture on the East Lancs Rd after Kirkby and, as he set off again after the repair, he found his gear mechanism had snapped. Oh no, the indignity of phoning for a lift home. I had to leave hime to it and made my own way home via Rainford and Upholland.

I eventually made it home and had at least one pint of Vimto and a nice bath and was then whisked off to my neice's place for Adam's 13th birthday party. It was good to see everyone and I drank lots of water and scoffed a lot of unhealthy stuff but I deserved it. I met up with the codgers a bit later than usual but still awake. Scratchings were presented and duly dispatched. Nigel had read the blog at the end of his lunchtime and realised, too late, that he had not done his duty and called at the indoor market for the evening's delicacies. He was redeemed by my late arrival which allowed him time to buy some "Black Country Specials" from an earlier venue. Very nice they were too and most welcome.

Predictably, Friday was a rest day and a half but I managed to get to mother's and back today which is about 24 miles. I think I am used to the bags now but need to build up mileage this week for the Brampton assault in two weeks time.        

Big Training Ride Tomorrow (Thurs)

I fitted the front bags today and also a little kick stand which was actually a great help when I was fitting the bags and will be no doubt if I'm ever in the middle of nowhere with nothing to lean the bike on. I also prepared my lunch, flavoured noodles which only require boiling water, on my little solid fuel cooker which was very quick and efficient. You can buy any number of lightweight super-duper gas contraptions for £100 or more, with a fuel canisters and fuel extra, but this little gem, which cost about a fiver with fuel, beats them all. I'm taking it with me tomorrow to see how it works in the open. I bet I forget to take matches.

I hope to record tomorrow's ride on the usual website  http://www.shareyouradventure.com/ only if you've nothing better to do, that is. The redoubtable George is meeting me up near Tarleton and we'll head off to Southport, maybe cooking lunch on the coast road.

I also had a load of cycling kit delivered today from Sportsdirect. I only ordered it on Tuesday. How's this? Jacket, 2 cycling tops, cycling shorts, 2 pairs long cycling pants, gloves, socks, waterproof pants - £74??? I couldn't believe it. Looks like decent quality  but time will tell. I'll be trying them out tomorrow.  

Wireless Technology

I had a little rest over the weekend but I am back in the swing with a 20 miler today and yesterday. Yesterday I took it easy and felt like I hadn't been out at all. I had to go slow because I was keeping an eye on my progress on the GPS app on my phone which was nestling in a phone handling contraption I had just received from Hong Kong via Ebay. I was also distracted by my pulse rate displayed on a wristwatch type thingy receiving wireless messages from my Lidl heart monitor. No, its not the size - it's the shop. Add this to the wireless computer and I am up there pushing back the frontiers of modern, more like 20 years old, technology. I'm just glad the various messages didn't get mixed up, or did they? I did notice a slight headache at the end.

The ride today was pretty quick. I really pushed hard up the hills and I felt it in the legs when I finished. It would have been quicker but it was late afternoon when I went out and I got caught up in a lot of rush hour traffic. The roadworks on the way back didn't help either.

I'll have a day off the bike tomorrow and fit the new front bags, together with a kick stand I bought today. I'll get fully loaded for a long slow ride on Thursday up to Preston and home the long way round via Southport, Formby, Aintree and the East Lancs Rd, about 70 miles in all. Six hours should do it including stops. I just hope I get back in one piece and don't fall asleep during the Thursday session. Maybe the sound of the pork scratchings will arouse me.  

Today's the Day.....

...I would have been setting off. That's if I had kept to the original date. It was a really nice day for it as well but I know I have done the right thing. I have been looking at campsites over the last week and have found, as I suspected, that not many would have been open. Now, I can pick and chose and can go further if I feel OK or stop if I don't feel OK, knowing there are more options available.

I had a job to look at this afternoon in Appley Bridge so went on the road bike and carried on to my mum's. I had an hour there and came home over Parbold Hill with a stop at the usual lamppost. The road bike doesn't have the ultra low gears the tourer has and that is the difference. I can't believe that I was struggling through Arctic conditions a couple of weeks ago and sweltering today.

The front panniers arrived today so I will be fitting them tomorrow and may go out for a short trial with a few weights in the bags to start getting used to the balance situation. The weather isn't promising over the weekend so I may leave it until Monday before I go out again.

George has confirmed his availability for the Brampton trip at the end of this month which is excellent news. I would like to do a couple of long rides before that.  

Next Project

I felt OK this morning so, after a productive couple of hours work-wise, I got back in the swing and did the standard 20 miles around Chorley. There was a time when 20 miles would have knackered me but I'm pleased to say it feels quite easy these days, even after a wee cough. I fitted mudguards the other day and today ordered front panniers, which should be the last of the required equipment, and hopefully will have them installed in time for the next project which is a four day ride, there and back, to see my mate John who, with Yvonne, has been carrying out missionary work in Cumbria for a long time, too long if you ask me. I will be heading North on Monday 26th March for 50 odd miles to an overnight stop at Oxenholme which has all the necessary accessories, a camping ground, a pub which does B & B in case the weather is ridiculous and a railway station in case the unthinkable happens. Day two will start with breakfast in the tent and packing etc, followed by a ride over Shap and up to Brampton. My host has offered a fantastic menu involving Cumberland sausages, locally brewed beer and a fine malt as we nod off on the couch. Needless to say, the menu was well received by myself. Day three will see me heading South back to Oxenholme for another night's camping and home on Thursday in time for the meeting of minds in the Anvil where I probably won't be of much use to anybody. (cue predictable response) At the moment I am not sure if I will be undertaking this epic journey solo or if my good pal George will be leading me out. I hope he can make it but he is going through a busy time at the moment so we'll see.

A four day, fully-equipped ride two weeks before departure should just about see me right.