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/

 

Not related to Cycling – but….

I’m also training for a Private Pilots Licence (PPL) – you can read about my progress (!) and experiences at : http://joewillis27.spaces.live.com/

Camping Equipment

Well I’ve been taking advantage of the January sales and getting myself various bits of equipment.   The camping equipment that I’ve got so far, has come from Millets, Field and Trek and The North Face.  See below.

 

From left to right – top to bottom

• Terra Nova Tent – Field and Trek
• Down “Kilo” Sleeping Bag – The North Face
• Self Inflating sleeping mat -  Field and Trek
• X Large Microfibre Towel – The North Face
• Medium Microfibre Towel – Millets
• LED Weatherproof Torch – Millets
• Camping Pillow – Millets
• Groundsheet Protector – Field and Trek
• Silk Sleeping Bag Liner – The North Face
• Compass (top right) – Millets

Together all this lot weighs in at exactly 5.00 kg

In particular, I’d like to compliment Field and Trek (42 Maiden Lane, London WC2) – the service and advice provided there was really first class.  The Girl advising me even put up a tent in the middle of a busy store so I could try it out for size.

I’ve ordered a Bike plus Panniers and gear from Bromley Bike – delivery expected end January 2010.  More information when it arrives.

Weblinks

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/

http://uk.thenorthface.com/tnf-uk-en/

http://www.millets.co.uk/home.html

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

Joe – The Demon Shopper

Joe has turned into a shopper from hell, searching out the items for his trip well in advance. We went to London the other day and the only shops we went into were camping equipment and outdoor gear specialists! He then lovingly unpacked all the items in front of the TV, blocking my view of Lewis, or Morse, or whatever I was vainly attempting to watch.

Big Wheel – What it’s all about

Myself and a friend, Pierre, have been talking for a while about doing a cycle trip across France.  Basic route is Calais, Le Touquet, Arras and on to Angers in the Loire Valley.  Overall distance is approx 700Km.  Coming back, we will take a train (TGV and Eurostar) from Angers back to London

So to move things on from talking about it to doing it, we discussed various dates and finally decided best dates were  14th to the 23rd May 2010.  Plan is to do the trip without a support vehicle – so we will need to carry all the camping gear and other items with us on the bikes.

We met up in a pub (Edgar Wallace nr Temple) on 14th Jan 2010 to look at options and actually made a decision to do it.

We will use this blog to give updates on planning and of course on the trip itself.  So keep an eye on this blog to see how we are getting on.