Today's Bike Ride

I'm convinced that fresh air and gentle exercise are an antidote to the lurgy so with tired legs from yesterday it was out on the Arkose for a tarmac and trail ride.

Up towards Chelmorton but even though the sun was shining I got fed up with the cold headwind on my heavy, knobbly tyred steed, so took a left down to Monyash. Up The Rake and past Arbour Low to Friden. Along the 515 to Biggin where I joined the Tissington Trail. What a mistake that was. It was snided with people, many of whom where just either deaf to the sound of my bell or just ignorant twats. I battled on to Parsley Hay where I was looking forward to a latte, to warm me up and provide some energy, but the 10 deep queue was so slow moving that I started to get cold so I continued on the trail to Hurdlow and then straight home via Monyash where I treated myself to poached eggs on toast!

A total of 24 miles, 1'683 feet in 1hr 52 min and another reminder to avoid the trails on Bank Holidays.

I don't know if you have caught any of the cyclocross on Eurosport over the last few weeks but it has been amazing and something I will try and get to sometime in person.

Today's race was a mudbath - veritably so for some unfortunates. MVDP aced his 8th win from 8 races. WVA a credible 2nd but a minute behind. Everyone else races for next best these days.

Today's ride for me may not be comparable in terms of distance or effort but the banks of the Tividale and Dudley canal conspired to cover me in a comprehensive coverage of mud and who knows what else. I knew it was bad by the look on my wife's face (who is obviously used to me returning from exercise with a liberal coating of the stuff.) Today was another level and one that took a good hose down in the garden for me and the bike. A slow 35k through the mire in just under 2 hours.

I have seen a couple of them. The bike handling skills on show are exceptional and I'm sure they would be even more impress in the flesh.

Out on the gravel Arkose this afternoon but mainly on tarmac apart from a nice snow covered mile of bridleway. Although the sun was out it was bitterly cold, especially on the faster downhills. Still aching a bit from Sunday but nice to get the legs moving without them having to carry my weight!

Just over 20 miles and 1,663 feet in 1hr 34 min. Unsurprisingly, no other cyclists seen!

Jocelyn had blown herself out by yesterday evening so whilst my son was swimming I had a glorious moonlit gravel ride on the Arkose along the Monsal Trail from Bakewell to Blackwell and back. Only one man and his dog seen but full concentration required as there were a lot of small branches/twigs on the trail.

20 miles in 1hr 20 min.

Normally at this time of year in foul weather I would be riding my Boardman ADV and the Bianchi/Campagnolo ensemble would be snug and warm in my bedroom so she would be the last thing I look at before sweet dreams.

However last time I went out on t'ADV the rear hub sounded like a bag of hammers so it is clearly time for some TLC from Halfords (who make Boardman bikes) for her.

Unfortunately the foul weather has prevented me cleaning the Boardman to the showroom shine standard I insist on achieving before I let Halfords' mechanics catch sight of her - and so, rain or shine, out on the Bianchi it currently must be.

I hope she will forgive me her rust.

A trip to Otley library today (being part of Leeds it is far superior to the Ilkley library - a part of Bradford) took my 2024 total to 210 miles after 25 days which extrapolates to 3000+ miles for the year.

Which'll do to be going on with until the rain stops.

I had to brave the offensive conditions on Tuesday cycling back from ilkley bodyshop after dropping the Polo off for repairs. The wind changed direction especially for me, and i forgot my gloves. On an atlantic system it should blow down the valley, not up it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

Normally at this time of year in foul weather I would be riding my Boardman ADV and the Bianchi/Campagnolo ensemble would be snug and warm in my bedroom so she would be the last thing I look at before sweet dreams.

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Even I'm not that sad. Yet

Returning from Mercian Cycles in Derby, where my Shimano Alfine 8 hub gears had been serviced. Flat riding along NCR6 as far as Wilson. then an unnecessarily hilly and indirect route across NW Leicestershire. Rather blustery, with the wind direction being a crosswind on average; helpful when going eastward, but not when going southward. about 21 miles altogether.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anthonykay

Returning from Mercian Cycles in Derby, where my Shimano Alfine 8 hub gears had been serviced. Flat riding along NCR6 as far as Wilson. then an unnecessarily hilly and indirect route across NW Leicestershire. Rather blustery, with the wind direction being a crosswind on average; helpful when going eastward, but not when going southward. about 21 miles altogether.

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Are Mercian a semi-pro cycling team? I've seen a lot of frames for sale online with the Mercian 'barber's pole' colours.