Terrible Weather

Looked out the window this morning and the sky was dark, the wind was howling and the rain was pelting down – perfect me thinks for a test of my wet weather gear.  So after a lunch of Steak Frites and a glass (or two) or red wine, it was off to cycling.  By now the sun had come out and the wind had dropped and it was quite a nice day.  Even so,  Lorraine (a friend) and I set off for a short cycle run with a planned stop at a local bar.  Well the bar was closed and on the way back, dark clouds appeared,  hail stones followed by heavy rain started to fall and the wind got up.  Lorraine got soaked but my wet weather gear seemed to work and I got back reasonably dry.  So a tick in the box for the wet weather kit.

Short run, so vital statistics : Distance 12.8km, average speed 8.1km/h and max speed of 32.1km/h.  (Google Earth) kml file below.

http://sites.google.com/site/joewillisinfo/JW2Apr2010.kml?attredirects=0&d=1

Shopping

Been out shopping over the past days and together with birthday pressies, I (think I) now have all the kit I need for camping and cycling.

We are planning a “Dry Run” on the 10th and 11th April.  Probably cycle down to Ashford, Kent and stay in a campsite there.  This will allow us to check equipment etc actually works and try out cycling with all the kit onboard.  Approx distance 82km each way, so approx 165km round trip over two days.   Here’s hoping the weather will be kind – and I must really do something about starting training.

More details later

Not quite cycling but…

Over in Brittany for a few days and one of the Hotels has a Gym.  So not exactly cycling but it’s an exercise bike.  Did one hour yesterday and 15 mins today plus a bit of swimming in the heated pool.  Also did a bit of hiking over the hillside yesterday and around the beach today.  So sort of training I suppose.

At last – a decent cycle run

Arranged to hire a bicycle this morning as the weather forecast was good.  Temperature was 25 degrees Celsius, winds were light, so a good day for a run. My planned route was a mix of off-road and on tarmac (about 30% off road).  Sun was getting hot, so after a liberal application of sunscreen, it was time to hit the road.

First few K’s in town were on cycle tracks so easy so far.  Then I  moved off road where it was a bit bumpy and rocky and apart from a few 4x4’s I had the track to myself.  Then the sun started getting hotter, the wind got up a bit, the track started getting really rocky and interspersed with sand – even some 4x4’s started having second thoughts.  Cycling on sand was hard, bike sliding a bit and generally unstable.  The (few) towns I passed through were not named and there were no signs.  Lot’s of 4x4 drivers studying maps and trying to work out where they were – thank heavens I had GPS.  So only about 5K’s to the next town so persevere with the sand, potholes and rocks. Then the road turned to tarmac as I passed a lighthouse – relief.   Using my GPS managed to work out the correct route and soon was setting off to pass the volcanoes.  Sun was really hot now, so after covering a bit of distance, stopped off in a roadside bar for an ice cold beer.  Barmaid seem impressed that I had cycled the long way round.

Now moving on to main roads so a bit more traffic and got overtaken by some Germans on flash racing bikes,  my rather clunky mountain bike could not compete.

Now moving on to the home straight on a main road.  Wind was behind me so an easy run back.  A cold beer at the end of the run, followed by a dip in the pool really hit the spot.

Vital statistics : Distance 43km, Duration 3 hours 2 mins, Average speed 14.2km/h, max speed 37.7km/h.

Some pictures taken on route below.  The originals contain Geotags so should show location information.

 

(The small white creature on the saddle is a Teddy Bear (Polar Bear) which accompanied me on the trip).

So where was I?  Look at the KML file (link below) on Google Earth to find out….  First person to comment on this blog with the correct location wins 5 “Cycle Points”

http://sites.google.com/site/joewillisinfo/JW04March2010.kml?attredirects=0&d=1  (You will need Google Earth to view this – see below.  This is a text file, open in Notepad if concerned)

So after 43km I didn't feel too bad.  Legs a bit stiff for an hour or so after the run but recovered quickly.  So a run just under half what we will need to do each day – well it’s a start.

Trial ride with a bit of off-road

Despite the fact it was snowing I wanted to try a bit of off-road cycling today.  Possibly a bad idea as it was a bit muddy and slippery, so I wasn’t able to do as many Km as I wanted.  Still, I was also able to check my “Sportstracker” application for my Nokia 5800.

If you have Google Earth installed on your PC – the following link (which is a .kml file which you will need to “download” or” Open”) will show you my route.  Hopefully when the weather improves a bit I can do some longer runs.

http://sites.google.com/site/joewillisinfo/JW10Feb2010.kml?attredirects=0&d=1 

(Note: Google Earth is required for this link to work – you can install it at http://earth.google.co.uk/)

First Cycle ride of 2010

As it’s not actually snowing today, I took my new bike out for a quick spin in a local park.  Idea was to get used to the gears, how it steers and the clipless pedals with my (new) Shimano cycling shoes.  So ended up doing a 10km run reaching a max speed on the flat  of 30km/h for a few seconds.  (Apologies to those people who work in miles, but I work in kilometres).  Pleased to find I didn’t fall off and that my legs didn’t hurt afterwards.  Bike is a pleasure to ride, responsive without feeling like it’s going to throw me off at every bump.

I’ll need a bit more practice with the clipless pedals if I’m to avoid falling over when I stop and looking like a real prat – especially in traffic or when I have to stop suddenly because of a bus, dog,  car driver who doesn't look etc.

So very pleased with equipment – now just need to get some real training in, 14th May is not that far away.

New Bicycle

Picked up my new bike today from Bromley Bike Co.  It’s a Specialized Tricross and is fitted with Vaude Discover Pro front and rear panniers and a Handlebar box.  I’ve also got Cats Eye lights (front and back) and a Cycle Computer.

Unfortunately its snowing today – so not really able to give it a go.  Roll on the better weather.

Bromley Bike Co were very helpful and gave me excellent advice in choosing and putting together all the kit.  It certainly feels like I’ve got the right equipment to get me across France in May.

http://www.bromleybike.co.uk/