Today's Bike Ride

[Graham Breeze]

But is it better than a European Duathlon Champs medal?

I am not impressed by contrived events designed by people for people who aren't very good at one pure simple thing.

So an Olympic Gold Medal for the Triple Jump is - admittedly a gold medal - but being very good at doing a hop, a skip and a jump against the relatively few people who bother or being the best at synchronised swimming isn't, I suggest, quite the same as, say, being the fastest runner in the world over 100 metres.

As you know we increasingly see this gimmickry in cycling. Gravel anyone?

[Travs]

I've had a similar dilemma (although not really a dilemma as i've made a decision and not wavered).

I've waited years for Peris Horseshoe to be a champs race.... and not only is it a champs race next year, but due to the one-off format, it is THE champs race.

However i'm fully committed to the World Masters Uphill next year. I could in theory still do Peris as it is the weekend after the World Masters, however i'm spending the next 9-10 months training specifically for 6km uphill, i'm probably not going to perform very well over 18 miles at Peris.

The English Champs races do look brilliant next year as well, which will also sadly be missed (although i do plan to do one of the Welsh Champs races as a warm up)

[Marco]

This has brought my 2023 total to only 986 miles.

A very poor effort!

With Graham approaching 3000 miles for the year, I thought I'd better check to see how many miles I've done in 2023. And the figure is, 1968 - which doesn't include social trips, rides to see Deltics on the WCML, and test runs after I've fiddled with the bike. There were a couple of rides where I forgot to take my Garmin too, and it also doesn't include time spent on the turbo trainer.

I'm happy with a figure of around 2000 miles after 11 months. I might do more next year, I might do less, it doesn't bother me greatly. I doubt I'll add to it much now, as traditionally November and December were the 'off' months in cycling when you rested - which makes a lot of sense when you look at the roads from a cycling perspective at this time.

[Llani Boy]

With Graham approaching 3000 miles for the year, I thought I'd better check to see how many miles I've done in 2023. And the figure is, 1968 - which doesn't include social trips, rides to see Deltics on the WCML, and test runs after I've fiddled with the bike. There were a couple of rides where I forgot to take my Garmin too, and it also doesn't include time spent on the turbo trainer.

I'm happy with a figure of around 2000 miles after 11 months. I might do more next year, I might do less, it doesn't bother me greatly. I doubt I'll add to it much now, as traditionally November and December were the 'off' months in cycling when you rested - which makes a lot of sense when you look at the roads from a cycling perspective at this time.

You'll have to get out there and do 32 miles Marco. I'll be doing at least 14.

[Graham Breeze]

On Tuesday I did 43 miles (2300 ft) and by turning right instead of left at some country road T -junction I discovered a little road west of Gargrave and today I thought I'd relive the pleasure.

But it was icy and so I thought the Boardman ADV would put more rubber on the road than the 25mm of my favourite bike.

But 13 miles along the rear hub starting clattering like a bag of hammers and the fun stopped. I don't suppose the bearings would really seize from a lack of lubrication but I was some way from home and it was a bit cold and the racket was driving me mad. In fact my Garmin recorded an average of 30.5 F and a minimum of 24.8 F in the 36 miles (2300 feet) I rode. I call 24.8 F cold. So 2924 miles so far this year but the sun is bound to shine tomorrow so I can get back on the B**nch*.

[brett]

You really must get out more...

I discovered a little road west of Gargrave

I think the setting on your mechanical GPS may need updating...

In fact my Garmin recorded an average of 30.5 F and a minimum of 24.8 F

graham's garmin.jpg

Or is it this one?

graham's older garmin.jpg

[Graham Breeze]

You really must get out more...



I think the setting on your mechanical GPS may need updating...



graham's garmin.jpg

Or is it this one?

graham's older garmin.jpg

Yep! Could be the cheap and cheerful cyclo model but with only showing 5778 miles - it must be on the fifth or sixth time round the clock.

[Graham Breeze]

A freezing 39 miles to Grassington and back via Cracoe, Linton etc. One of the many good things about this out and back-ish ride is that Grassington lies upstream from Ilkley so the ride back is more down hill than up hill. Always good.

I thought Luke was keeping the Craven Heifer afloat but apparently not. It is closed, fenced off and For Sale.

It reminded me of the opening scene of Xanadu in Citizen Kane - but I may have been in sugar debt.

[mr brightside]

Never been to the 'other craven', the appletreewick one is too good to refuse. Mind you, Richard is always complaining about people getting the two mixed up, and arriving at the craven arms having booked a table at the craven heifer. I guess that won't be happening any more.

[anthonykay]

Never been to the 'other craven', the appletreewick one is too good to refuse. Mind you, Richard is always complaining about people getting the two mixed up, and arriving at the craven arms having booked a table at the craven heifer. I guess that won't be happening any more.

And then there are the people who end up at Craven Arms in Shropshire . . .