My return
Well, after far too long, I have returned to the saddle.
I don’t genuinely know why I have been so off cycling of late, I think it has something to do with my “more miles = better” mentality. I have thought hard about this, I think I was trying to do to much to soon, and basically over – did it. So what am I going to do? well, I think that Im going to aim for lesser miles more often, eg 10 – 20 miles a couple of times a week rather than 40 odd once in a blue moon. This I hope is achievable, although going into the winter even this could get tricky!
So what has spurred me back on a bike? well apart from Gaz and Joby with their constant cycling chat on twitter and blogs, the fact that the dates for 2 of my main goals have been published:
Oxfordshire classic – 9th May
Manchester – Blackpool - 11th July
This has focused my mind, made it all feel a load more “real” I’m scared.
Rafe also helped during the week by pointing out that I’m still way out of shape and have got a bloody long way to go if Im going to enter these events…though I feel he worded it far better!
Todays ride:
The weather was amazing for late October, mild, dry and only a gentle, steady wind from the South(ish) so decided I would head out towards the Harwell business centre, then back home via Hanney. It was all mostly on quiet roads / off-road tracks which were a bit sticky but nothing too bad.
Got the first mile under my belt with out too many problems, however the chain was jumping a bit in the rear gears a stiff link I think. Got to around 1.5 miles and the chain jumped off the low gear and stuck fast on the frame! however I managed to use a blunt screwdriver to prize it out and got going again. The stiff link also cleared itself, which was a result to say the least!
Fairly gentle ride to Harwell, overtook a few racehorses…and did not see much in the way of other traffic. Took a left at Harwell (home to the 1st nuclear reactor) and headed down into the village on a rough gravel path where I have jarred my wrists, which isnt too pleasant. then headed up a fairly gentle hill, overtaking a family of 4 in the process…god that felt good! had a great tailwind, which helped my speed up the hill at a fairly average 13 / 14 mph. Then I got to the top and almost straight away its down hill into the village of Steventon, made a new PB to speed of 32mph, this was scary, due to the roughness of the road at the bottom of the hill or maybe its just because I’m not too use to the speed!
Smooth sailing back home from there, stopping between Hanney and Grove to watch the trains on the main line for a while…I’m a secret very part time anorak, saw 60073 with some empty oil tanks then 66578 with a container train!
Was very pleased with the new sweat wicking t-shirt I got, although not able to wear it on its own, due to public decency laws it worked really well under another t-shirt.
HERE is the route from g-maps
The stats:
Trip: 18.24 Miles
Time: 01.34.07 (hh.mm.ss)
Average speed: 11.6 mph
Average Cadence: 56rpm
Total Miles: 242
Some advice required:
I have been recommended trying a saddle with a hole down the middle for me “ahem” bits, as I get quite a lot of pain in the area when I cycle, so any suggestions / recommendations?
Padded shorts / legging / trouser things – yay or nay? Looking round its going to have to be an order from the USA because of the size thing, again been told this would also help out with the above pain issues.
Ordering new lights which have been recommended by Rafe, so should be good for those dark rides.
Right, hopefully out again on Thursday for another similar distanced ride
Your back on the bike – thats all that matters!
And, its a little different for me and Gaz because we have to cycle to work – it would take far too long to drive or catch the train, and is quicker to cycle
)
Oh, and suggestions about your middle…
Don’t shave and wear tights – it itches like crazy
O
point taken
Too long indeed! You definitely need to get out more often! And I’m not just talking about trainspotting
2-3 times a week is the important thing (says he who has failed to get out much himself of late). If that’s 10-20 miles then great, you’ll naturally progress to longer distances as you get fitter. I did 15-20 miles three times a week for 3 months before I did London to Paris. Towards the end I ditched one 15 miler in favour of something longer (and longer) at the weekends. That worked for me.
My office is in Steventon and I think I know the route you took. Have done it on my MTB after work a few times.
The idea is to wear wicking layers throughout otherwise as soon as you get to cotton it’ll be absorbent and yukky. You don’t have to spend a fortune on cycle specific clothing, especially if you hope to out grow it soon, anything in a man-made fibre is okay.
Saddles – one man’s heaven is another man’s hell. On my MTB I have a Charge Spoon which is pretty minimalist but comfy even off-road. On my road bike I have an Intake Volaire which is big and squishy, I keep meaning to swap it out for something more streamlined but it’s comfy!
Padded shorts are a must. I like the Endura CoolMax Padded Briefs as they’re an underwear rather than a short. Means I can use them with my MTB shorts or road trousers (I tend to wear long trousers as if it’s less than 20 deg C my knees ache when cold!). Gaz wears padded shorts, ask him where he gets his from.
The other thing I don’t mind admitting to using on long rides is a chamois cream. The only “proper” one I’ve used is Udderly Smooth but like it. Don’t bother with it unless I’m doing 50+ miles, but then I find it helps keep everything comfortable.
Remember you’ve got support from us and you can call upon it anytime you like! Can’t say I’m the guru Gaz says I am, but I have learnt a lot in the last few years.
Hopefully I wasn’t too harsh, I just thought I’d clear up any doubt
By July next year I should have my new car with decent dual bike rack (don’t know what car I fancy but I’m having a decent dual bike rack!) so am happy to give you a lift to M2B 
excellent, thanks Rafe, you are the Guru!
You were not too harsh at all, its the way I prefer it anyway, ache like hell this morning and that has proved that even after that short route im grossly out of shape. Going for another 20 ish tomorrow, more or less the same route but avoiding Harwell village and going via Upton, Didcot, Sutton Courtney. Will drop you an email probably tomorrow with a few dates I should be free for a bit of a ride
I’ve written a comment almost as long as the original post! I apply Udderly Smooth direct to skin rather than into the shorts.
We should meet up for another ride sometime followed by dinner or a drink. Then I can really bore you with all the stuff I’ve picked up (which is probably 50% twaddle).
even if its 50% twaddle, the other 50% will be helpfully which will mean Im more clued up than I am now and that is never a bad thing!
Well done mate, you have plenty of time to make the Blackpool ride, if you keep it up now, winter is harder but you lose more weight as your bisy is working harder to keep you warmer, now is the time you need to put the hard work in and ovr the summer enjoy the rewards
PS Rafe is only a Guru of WHITE HYBRIDS these days, but as he says we are ALL here to support you mate
Cheers mate, feeling positive about riding again, going to build up slowly this time!
Rafe will always be a guru…I do after all ride a hybrid too…though mine is Silver
@Gary – cheeky f*cker. Deep down though I know you love me really coz you listen to the pearls of wisdom I’ve given you
And, I note, repeat them to others. And my hybrid is Silver.