Today's Bike Ride

My usual 54 mile route tonight on very tired legs still. Weather was dry here but very windy. Took it steadier tonight and met 3 Derby Mercury riders coming back down the A6 and they let me sit in with them.

Eavsey you will get used to rding in the wet. Its wise to be cautious. I put my centre of gravity slightly further back if I am cornering but then again Its an individual choice. For straight descents I sit on the toptube with hands on the tops and keep really low. You will see some of the pros doing it in races. It takes a bit of mastering but its quite comfy.
Cleaned my bike after the ride and I just use soapy water on my rims and a wet cloth.

24 mile this lunch time. Nice to be out and just pottering round.
Managed 1700 feet up on the moorland roads round Junction 22 M62.

Felt good on the quicker downs as I had just fitted my brand new Ultremo ZX tyres. Always nice with a fresh set of rubber.

I cycle to work and back most days.
On friday in the rain i was travelling along the leeds/liverpool canal,i was near to apperley bridge(sunken barge)
it was about 19.00 and raining,the ruts were full of water and some sections were getting a bit sloppy.
i was clocking about 16-18 mph.
this section is quite rough and difficult to find a good line.
i went through a puddle,my wheel was knocked side ways,i had a choice,right myself left,fall flat on my face,right,fall side ways into the canal,or keep straight into the canal.
i stood on my pedals and headed into the water.i thought my front wheel would take the impact on the bottom but instead,because of the drop i started to somersault.I was under water trying to figure which way was up,while slowly blowing down my nose to stop water entering.i saw a faint green blur of the sun,
i got to the surface,feet still in the spds,unclipped on foot and swam bike in tow to the side.pulled the bike and self out.
checked bike,just chain off,coated in a nice green slime and the odd leaf.
checked self,fine.absolutely soaked,i had no option but to burst out laughing.fortunately there was no one about.
i made my way home(about another 4 miles)i really hammered it as the cold was starting to bite.
got home and just threw everything in the wash,showered then steam cleaned bike.
my lights have stopped working,my mobile has fallen out with me and my shoes smell something special.
a good experience is priceless.

Wow storming etape Daz

Dylan you just made me laugh!

30 minutes of hill reps on a steep twisty cobbled number I've found, and then a little 6 mile loop ride cool down. Legs weren't too clever today so ride cut short.

Dylan,

I too live in Thackley and often cycle on the canal past the sunken barge (wonder what happened to the interesting character who used to live in it..?)

Next time you are about to attempt one of these stunts please let me know as I think a performance like that is definitely deserving of an audience....!;)

Neil

Dylan, EPIC :)

Did my first race of the season last night... managed to stay at the front, tried to break away a couple of times, got chased back... was a tad fast, Garmin says 72 kms in 1.30.34 and that includes the neutralised section :w00t:

Got complacent on the 2nd half of the last lap... was too far back in the bunch for final sprint and ended just inside the top 20 but on hindsight should have tried for top 10 as legs feeling fresh afterwards... mind, not bad in a men's race with a full field of 80... and I have the vets handicap national champs road race tomorrow, so probably good to not have given it all :) Best of all, knee held out! Oh and I never have had the need for bigger gears... but last night I felt 53/12 wasn't quite enough, tanking down the dual carriageway going through and off with the break at 58 km/hr :w00t:

Well done hanneke on your race. Remember one of the most important things in racing is being in the right place at the right time. But glad your comeback is going well. A steady 45 miles for me last night and then a hard spin session follwed by 10 miles to home.

You maybe want an 11 sprocket on for racing. Always handy to have it.
I hope you was keeping those guys in check. Well done again

Windy(very) and wet 55 miles this morning. Nearly got blown off the bike a few times on the Rhigos, just as well I was riding a solid Alu number rather than anything fancy! Scuttled back down the valley for lunch rather than push it over the bleak looking Bwlch.

Pouf.