Today's ROAD ride
- Thread starter Mike Muz
- Start date
jackosbournesnr
Senior Retro Guru
Yesterday's ride now, but a great fun if chilly 40 miles with 600m of climbing... And most importantly, the first proper test of the new Cougar build.
Most of the hills to the South of Glasgow max out at 15% and even then only for very short stretches, but there's a couple of miles of climbing to be had nonetheless... And a good test for the legs having not ridden a standard chainset for at least 10 years...
On a warmer day the 39t would be absolutely fine but I'd be lying if I said today was easy. +2°C and even short 15% inclines are compact gearing territory when you're an old fart like me.
Highlight of the day though was handed to me about half a mile from home...
Car draws alonside and I hear something being said... I look round and see a private hire cab and as a daily cycle commuter automatically think "FFS...here we go".
I ask the driver "what did you say?" and the reply comes back...
"Thats a great looking bike, mate!" Thumbs up, big smile, and he doesn't then try to run me off the road!
Most of the hills to the South of Glasgow max out at 15% and even then only for very short stretches, but there's a couple of miles of climbing to be had nonetheless... And a good test for the legs having not ridden a standard chainset for at least 10 years...
On a warmer day the 39t would be absolutely fine but I'd be lying if I said today was easy. +2°C and even short 15% inclines are compact gearing territory when you're an old fart like me.
Highlight of the day though was handed to me about half a mile from home...
Car draws alonside and I hear something being said... I look round and see a private hire cab and as a daily cycle commuter automatically think "FFS...here we go".
I ask the driver "what did you say?" and the reply comes back...
"Thats a great looking bike, mate!" Thumbs up, big smile, and he doesn't then try to run me off the road!
Re:
Bout time I had another go on the Trek tourer, thought I... so I did.
I was interested in how useful a spread of gears I have, how the Trek would climb, would the new saddle hurt my ar$e and least important, what kind of average speed could I keep up. So I took one of my regular climbing rides, worked in a couple more climbs and some nice countryside and off I went.
Along the toll road from Sand Bay, then along the sea front as W-s-M and a surprisingly large number of chilly looking half term holiday visitors, past the old hospital, past the new hospital then up towards Roman Road.
The view from the very top of Roman Rd, having started at sea level, that is the Bristol Channel with West Somerset and the Quantock Hills in the far distance.
Down off the hill and through Canada Combe which was muddy as anything, so no Strava PB's down there today. Along the main road and then off into the countryside again, starting with another stiff climb over Banwell Hill, then a nice roll down the other side, that's Winscombe and the Mendip's in the distance.
From there it was up and over the M5, through the back lanes to Bleadon village and up the b'stard that is Celtic Way, this is half way up.
Once over the top it was back to the sea front, through the town and up another climb towards home, then just for good measure I worked in another short sharp 10 percent'er before the little climb back into my road and home.
The Trek climbs just like an mtb, so slowly but easily compared to any of my road bikes. The spread of gear is good, unloaded I was able to tackle many of the climbs in the middle ring, only using the small ring for the steepest part, the Charge Spoon is great, but as I have several I kinda already knew that, and the average speed, unloaded, was pretty good, although laden I recon to drop maybe 5kph.
41k, 780m of climbing and just a touch under 20kph ave.
Overall, I'm very pleased.
Bout time I had another go on the Trek tourer, thought I... so I did.
I was interested in how useful a spread of gears I have, how the Trek would climb, would the new saddle hurt my ar$e and least important, what kind of average speed could I keep up. So I took one of my regular climbing rides, worked in a couple more climbs and some nice countryside and off I went.
Along the toll road from Sand Bay, then along the sea front as W-s-M and a surprisingly large number of chilly looking half term holiday visitors, past the old hospital, past the new hospital then up towards Roman Road.
The view from the very top of Roman Rd, having started at sea level, that is the Bristol Channel with West Somerset and the Quantock Hills in the far distance.
Down off the hill and through Canada Combe which was muddy as anything, so no Strava PB's down there today. Along the main road and then off into the countryside again, starting with another stiff climb over Banwell Hill, then a nice roll down the other side, that's Winscombe and the Mendip's in the distance.
From there it was up and over the M5, through the back lanes to Bleadon village and up the b'stard that is Celtic Way, this is half way up.
Once over the top it was back to the sea front, through the town and up another climb towards home, then just for good measure I worked in another short sharp 10 percent'er before the little climb back into my road and home.
The Trek climbs just like an mtb, so slowly but easily compared to any of my road bikes. The spread of gear is good, unloaded I was able to tackle many of the climbs in the middle ring, only using the small ring for the steepest part, the Charge Spoon is great, but as I have several I kinda already knew that, and the average speed, unloaded, was pretty good, although laden I recon to drop maybe 5kph.
41k, 780m of climbing and just a touch under 20kph ave.
Overall, I'm very pleased.
Hi all and thanks MIke for pointing me in the direction of this thread. I post up nearly once or twice a week on the macretro forum and didn't really think to post on here as well.
Unfortunately today I was unable to get all the way down to Selkirk for the Border Randonee Audax. Due to having to go to Inverness on Thursday for Heather and then catching up yesterday and not getting away in time to get down and get accommodation sorted for the 8am start. Sometimes life just gets in the way and has other plans
So after doing a few things chore wise around here, rebuilding and old road hub and then eating a late lunch and watching Milan San Remo, I managed a late ride out on the Merckx.
After what seems like ages riding the Trucker, Big Dummy and even the Mercian it was great to be back on my old faithful Corsa. Lightweight, fits like a glove, rolls and changes slick, just nice. Sometimes it is all about the bike.
A few hours in the fading light around the coast, dodging showers and blowing off cobwebs from the week and regret and disappointment from not getting to Selkirk. A great ride and with the constant showers around me and the changing light made for a great skyline.
Had a nice ride to nowhere in particular, so just thought I would share. A case of riding for the sake of riding
Hope the weather was good with everyone else
Jamie
DSCN3464 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3469 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3475 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3481 (2) by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3478 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3483 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3484 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
Unfortunately today I was unable to get all the way down to Selkirk for the Border Randonee Audax. Due to having to go to Inverness on Thursday for Heather and then catching up yesterday and not getting away in time to get down and get accommodation sorted for the 8am start. Sometimes life just gets in the way and has other plans
So after doing a few things chore wise around here, rebuilding and old road hub and then eating a late lunch and watching Milan San Remo, I managed a late ride out on the Merckx.
After what seems like ages riding the Trucker, Big Dummy and even the Mercian it was great to be back on my old faithful Corsa. Lightweight, fits like a glove, rolls and changes slick, just nice. Sometimes it is all about the bike.
A few hours in the fading light around the coast, dodging showers and blowing off cobwebs from the week and regret and disappointment from not getting to Selkirk. A great ride and with the constant showers around me and the changing light made for a great skyline.
Had a nice ride to nowhere in particular, so just thought I would share. A case of riding for the sake of riding
Hope the weather was good with everyone else
Jamie
DSCN3464 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrDSCN3469 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrDSCN3475 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrDSCN3481 (2) by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrDSCN3478 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrDSCN3483 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrDSCN3484 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrTodays ride:
Well another day and another changeable type of forecast. Woke this morning to it really coming down, heavy and consistent.
After heading out for lunch with the family and between showers taking the dog out, it started to show signs of it being sunny for longer periods.
Decided that I would head out for a bit, do a rough type loop to the south and inland and maybe head back along the coast as it was really crazy wind blowing about 30mph. can't escape the wind up here so I manned up and decided to head straight into it and then if I needed to get back quickly I would get the benefit on the return run. I was really just meandering and thought I would take a couple of back roads and some gravel as well rather than just push into a wind on the open country up here. While it has been quite wet, the wind was so strong it was drying the tarmac out quickly as well as some of the gravel stretches. Out from the loft came the Mercian as I wanted to see about it's setup and how to improve it as it's still pretty much cobbled together build wise and I do have some new Nitto stuff ready for it.
Ride started sunny, though the wind was pretty bitter and after cruising a long for about an hour or so, always into this wind, I stopped after one of the local villages and noticed that the rain was sweeping across the coast where I was headed. Went a few more miles and noticed that it was closing in on me pretty quickly. Decided to turn and race it back, as I could see it was already closer to my place than I was on the coast.
It was a very fast ride back, one of those where I turned around and was moving along an open stretch thinking that the wind had died down, only to see my speed up a long gentle rise was almost double what it was rolling down it
I also felt the wind when about a mile from home I turned across it and it took me from one side of the road to the other, and then I felt the rain drops. Just made it back and even took a pic out front of home as you could barely see the water let alone Hoy across it.
Hope the weather was better with everyone else, but hey, any rides better than no ride
Jamie
Starting out looking south west, storm had passed so a clear window opened.
DSCN3486 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3488 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
A short stretch of gravel
DSCN3491 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
Turned round, rain coming back in
DSCN3495 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
Rain coming off the water, closer to home than I am
DSCN3498 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
Looking back to the south west just before home and taken not far from where the first one in this post was taken.
DSCN3500 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
Out front of home and can barely see the coast or water let alone Hoy.
DSCN3502 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
Well another day and another changeable type of forecast. Woke this morning to it really coming down, heavy and consistent.
After heading out for lunch with the family and between showers taking the dog out, it started to show signs of it being sunny for longer periods.
Decided that I would head out for a bit, do a rough type loop to the south and inland and maybe head back along the coast as it was really crazy wind blowing about 30mph. can't escape the wind up here so I manned up and decided to head straight into it and then if I needed to get back quickly I would get the benefit on the return run. I was really just meandering and thought I would take a couple of back roads and some gravel as well rather than just push into a wind on the open country up here. While it has been quite wet, the wind was so strong it was drying the tarmac out quickly as well as some of the gravel stretches. Out from the loft came the Mercian as I wanted to see about it's setup and how to improve it as it's still pretty much cobbled together build wise and I do have some new Nitto stuff ready for it.
Ride started sunny, though the wind was pretty bitter and after cruising a long for about an hour or so, always into this wind, I stopped after one of the local villages and noticed that the rain was sweeping across the coast where I was headed. Went a few more miles and noticed that it was closing in on me pretty quickly. Decided to turn and race it back, as I could see it was already closer to my place than I was on the coast.
It was a very fast ride back, one of those where I turned around and was moving along an open stretch thinking that the wind had died down, only to see my speed up a long gentle rise was almost double what it was rolling down it
I also felt the wind when about a mile from home I turned across it and it took me from one side of the road to the other, and then I felt the rain drops. Just made it back and even took a pic out front of home as you could barely see the water let alone Hoy across it.
Hope the weather was better with everyone else, but hey, any rides better than no ride
Jamie
Starting out looking south west, storm had passed so a clear window opened.
DSCN3486 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrDSCN3488 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrA short stretch of gravel
DSCN3491 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrTurned round, rain coming back in
DSCN3495 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrRain coming off the water, closer to home than I am
DSCN3498 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrLooking back to the south west just before home and taken not far from where the first one in this post was taken.
DSCN3500 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrOut front of home and can barely see the coast or water let alone Hoy.
DSCN3502 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrI think we were all pushing into the wind today
Mike, it's very open and exposed until you head west. Like I used to think when I was younger, 'if you don't have hills then hopefully you will have the wind' Now I'm older I am not so sure
Jamie
Mike, it's very open and exposed until you head west. Like I used to think when I was younger, 'if you don't have hills then hopefully you will have the wind' Now I'm older I am not so sure
Jamie
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