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• #3926
TheorySwine
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Finally finished writing up my week in Wales:
Saldy the (redord-breakingly) terrible weather curtailed my long ride plans, so these are the hills I had to 'cheat' on and drive to the base of:
http://100climbsfor2012.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/tour-de-wales-hillbagging.htmlAnd a write up of this year's excellent Dragon Ride:
http://100climbsfor2012.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/tour-de-wales-dragon-ride.html -
Went out with my 6 year old son out this morning for a mini roll around the streets where we live. It was really good just to be cycling and chatting together and as we came back home he was already talking about wanting to go further and faster next time.
As we have we got pretty bad reception around here, when we did finish our little 5mile pootle, the GPS reported we had apparently done 5,282 feet of climbing and managed to hit a top speed of 41.95mph!
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I set off today for the Velo City Tour Berlin, hoping to see a good day's racing despite the thunder that was threatening to start as I left my flat. I ended up taking part in my first competitive track race, meeting loads of great people and having a fucking great day.
We left Keirin Cafe late, after half an hour of me standing around and talking to nobody, exactly like my first forum ride. The ride was slow and winding - 21 miles long for somewhere that was about 8 miles away - but at least the streets were ridable, unlike when I attempted the same ride on Thursday and had to contend with cobbles, potholes disguised as patches of sand, irate van drivers and stern policemen. What we did have was a nasty injury - someone got their wheel caught in a tram track and caught a very nasty and bloody graze between the straps of the old-school leather helmet that might very well have saved him from much worse damage.
By the time we got there and got set up, it was pissing down again. What was supposed to start at 14.30 started at 18.00, in the rain, after three and a half hours of standing, freezing, and hopelessly optimistic conjecture that it was clearing up.
Despite the wet track, it still took place - certainly ill-advised, but we all accepted and understood the risk. As such there were only two events rather than the whole day - sprints in categories for couriers, non-couriers, and women, with a flying lap to decide position and a three-lap sprint knockout thereafter.
Just before the rain had really started, I said fuck it and signed up. tl;dr, I came somewhere in the middle of the non-couriers in the timed lap (29.something seconds for 333m - in the wet, please bear in mind). I was relatively pleased with that considering I didn't want to push it too much in the conditions, and the fact that I have only had 4 training sessions and an induction at Herne Hill.
In the sprint race, I went in front, kept up a decent pace, and tried to sprint off into the last curve. I should have looked behind after setting off, and if I had seen that I had taken him by surprise a little I could maybe have held out. As it was, he came round the outside, took me by surprise and finished about a length ahead. He went on to finish second overall, so I was still delighted. I need MOAR.
Some pictures:
Where the magic happened:
Wound dressing on the way:
The nicest stretch of the journey out:
Nässe:
Huddled:
Not fit for purpose:
Steed:
Boredness:
Schön, wa? It's drying out...
Sprinting:
Das war's.
Fantastic day out.
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Broke the new bike (and myself) in with a nice 35km half-day ride out to a temple in the mountains north of Kyoto. First proper ride since my little crash. A moderately nasty uphill for about 5km, although most of the way there is at least a gentle uphill.
She's great - what an absolute joy to ride (which I'd love to say about the smokin' Venezuelan girl I made the trip with...). So responsive, a little unforgiving, always exciting. The 5km downhill on the return was hilarious.
I feel great and there's nothing like a couple of hours of shaming roadies on long uphill stretches to get you back in the saddle...
EDIT: Who says Lycra isn't an aphrodisiac? Just got myself a proper date with the aforementioned voluptuous Venezuelan girl. Top day!
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Turned out nice again.
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Just got back from a week in Amsterdam.Had to attend work conference and someone suggested I ride out... so London to harwich in the sun last Thursday nearly killed me, then rest day before overnight ferry.
Cycling in Holland was an absolute fucking joy, cycling through the dunes north of the hook in the warm sun was ace. And any country that has cross country road signs specifically for bikes is good by me.
Stopped in katewijk on the way back for a quick paddle and had ice cream.
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Yesterday I lead a few friends out for 60 miles to Whitstable along MA3K's Herne Bay route, and it was beautiful. Despite flood warnings and a nasty looking forecast, it was sunny all day, we made quite good time (for us), only problem was one puncture for a mate and it was easily fixed.
The route had a fair bit of A road stuff, but also some really beautiful countryside, and Whitstable was fantastic for oyters, fish and chips, swimming in the sea and local ale.
This was my third proper decent length ride and I'm loving them more and more. Thanks very much MA3K for your route.
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http://app.strava.com/rides/12821741
102 miles of very, very wet black top
Three punctures (4 if you include my deflated spirit), one minor collision with a car. The white line is there for a reason, fucknugget.
Slower than last year, (6hrs 44), weather, mechanicals and a complete lack of big mileage under the belt.
Pleased to finish and be at home with my rioja and a curry.
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So I had a go at a three peaks walk and cycle. It took about half an hour outside of 72 hours.
[I][/I]
Good bits included: Setting off from Snowdon for a night ride to The Lakes, descending alongside the friendly looking giants at Glencoe, and legging it down Ben Nevis with my girlfriend (who met me in Fort William for the final climb).Bits of the trip I found difficult to the point of dribbling, but overall I thought it was an excellent adventure, and one I'd be tempted to try again.
All in it was roughly 470 miles, and three mountains. I finished up a couple of hours ago, and I am quite sore.
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O_o
^^understated...I'm surprised you had the energy to dribble.
Well done. You should write a little more about it if you can be bothered, while it's still fresh. For those built to read, not to ride...
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http://app.strava.com/rides/12821741
102 miles of very, very wet black top
Three punctures (4 if you include my deflated spirit), one minor collision with a car. The white line is there for a reason, fucknugget.
Slower than last year, (6hrs 44), weather, mechanicals and a complete lack of big mileage under the belt.
Pleased to finish and be at home with my rioja and a curry.
So I had a go at a three peaks walk and cycle. It took about half an hour outside of 72 hours.
[I][/I]
Good bits included: Setting off from Snowdon for a night ride to The Lakes, descending alongside the friendly looking giants at Glen Coe, and legging it down Ben Nevis with my girlfriend (who met me in Fort William for the final climb).Bits of the trip I found difficult to the point of dribbling, but overall I thought it was an excellent adventure, and one I'd be tempted to try again.
All in it was roughly 470 miles, and three mountains. I finished up a couple of hours ago, and I am quite sore.
Lots of rep-spect to you both, inspiring rides.
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I mentioned the Purer 3 Peaks to the bird at work doing it. No response, strangely enough. Didn't know anyone was doing it. Well done!
Food for thought..
http://www.thethreepeakschallenge.co.uk/national-three-peaks-challenge/purer-three-peaks.aspx -
Quick spin around the Alps, in the blazing sunshine, dodging weaving Nordics and spotting small furry creatures. Amazing. The office seems like hard work this morning in comparison
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Not a 'weekend' ride but you know...
Decided to ride the 45 km from Kyoto to Nara today. Two beautiful cities joined mainly by a rather quiet cycle path with a little road/urban cycling mixed in.
First problem: 35 Celcius, 75% humidity
Second problem: The route is actually 60 km, making for a return distance of 120 km (75 mi).
Third problem: I'm 2 1/2 weeks shy of a big-ish crash and probably can't tackle what I want to tackle yet.
Fourth problem: A combination of tiredness forcing me onto the (multi-use laned) sidewalk so as not to tangle with rush hour traffic, wherein I meet an asshole cyclist who I have to forcefully evade at speed, during which time I hit a terrible pavement repair... all causes me to do a spectacular endo and save my recently-fixed face by throwing up my forearm and shins instead.
Fifth problem: Idiots parking along a busy dual carriageway (with obvious NO PARKING signs) force me to ride consistently in the 'dooring zone' between said parked cars and a lane full of angry, fast moving traffic for nearly a mile.
First good thing: The route is gorgeous.
Second good thing: I somehow manage it anyway (albeit completely fucked).
Third good thing: Escaped the endo with grazed/banged shin and slightly sore wrist.
Fourth good thing: I got a chance to give one guy who was sitting in his terribly parked car a staggeringly loud earful of abuse as I rode past, to which he looked like he had physically shat himself. Hopefully he learned a lesson.
All in all, a good day!
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