Today's Ride

What is it about bikes and trains, as a young man I put my bike in the guards van and sat on the floor with it, this used to amuse the guards. Now unless it folds we are taking a chance.
I look at where and how you and your friends are cycling and realise I don't have the fitness requirements to do it. However this thread inspires, I now have a better idea where I'd like to be.
Enjoy dinner with Fiona.

For what it's worth roughly this time last year I had absolutely terrible insomnia and anxiety due to it, awful diet, smoked/vaped, energy drinks throughout the day just to stay awake from the insomnia (would be dozing off maybe 10/11pm and waking up anywhere from 2/3 and this was for months on end) etc. One random sleepless night on the 30th July last year seemed like a nice morning so I got my old Orbea mtb out and did about 7 miles on the coast. Enjoyed it, kept at it, went through a couple different mountain bikes etc. Insomnia slowly started going away, quit smoking/vaping because it seemed pretty counter productive to be going out hammering myself on a bike up a hill then smoking, started eating much better etc. Built the Kona Blast I had and started getting up there to 50-60 mile days, really prioritizing nutrition and self care, got into running to supplement the days off the bike. Built the inbred, realized I needed something better for my riding so got the Bianchi, quick crash course into being a roadie, zone 2 training, intervals, 100 mile days etc. I'd imagine being on the younger side for an RB member definitely helped with all of that but the point is unless you're one foot in the grave (or underlying issues etc) chances are there's always time for you to get out there and smash it. This would've been one of the first rides last year:

U5NBhHu.png


And this was the last one before getting smoked by two cars anyway 😂 Improvements always there if you chase it.

Yynh3w3.png
 
For what it's worth roughly this time last year I had absolutely terrible insomnia and anxiety due to it, awful diet, smoked/vaped, energy drinks throughout the day just to stay awake from the insomnia (would be dozing off maybe 10/11pm and waking up anywhere from 2/3 and this was for months on end) etc. One random sleepless night on the 30th July last year seemed like a nice morning so I got my old Orbea mtb out and did about 7 miles on the coast. Enjoyed it, kept at it, went through a couple different mountain bikes etc. Insomnia slowly started going away, quit smoking/vaping because it seemed pretty counter productive to be going out hammering myself on a bike up a hill then smoking, started eating much better etc. Built the Kona Blast I had and started getting up there to 50-60 mile days, really prioritizing nutrition and self care, got into running to supplement the days off the bike. Built the inbred, realized I needed something better for my riding so got the Bianchi, quick crash course into being a roadie, zone 2 training, intervals, 100 mile days etc. I'd imagine being on the younger side for an RB member definitely helped with all of that but the point is unless you're one foot in the grave (or underlying issues etc) chances are there's always time for you to get out there and smash it. This would've been one of the first rides last year:

U5NBhHu.png


And this was the last one before getting smoked by two cars anyway 😂 Improvements always there if you chase it.

Yynh3w3.png
Fantastic effort mate. I can manage about 70 miles with a 25kg load on my Randonneur. We average 10mph with that load. Some of the really steep hills I have to push up. Not all the way but some. I'm asthmatic, haven't smoked in a long time. I'm possibly twice your age.
What you have achieved in such a short space of time is amazing 👍
 
but the point is unless you're one foot in the grave (or underlying issues etc) chances are there's always time for you to get out there and smash it.

As the kids say, hang this in the Lourve. Couldn't agree more.

On that theme, especially this last week post staycation, the legs and mindset have taken the weeks of turbo trainer sessions into riding. I've noticed I'm in the saddle far more than out on climbs, and without any Garmin proof to back up, I swear my cadence is higher and more steady for longer. The only factual proof I have are the times it's taking to complete my usual routes has dropped, and that I'm not stopping for a quick breather half way around anymore. As a result, the legs and soul feel even better than before, and to be fair, they were pretty good then (for me at least). I should caveat I'm not aiming for Le Tour grade just yet 🤣

Right enough with the self-reflection gush, and on with the snap, with a very quick stop at Sancreed Beacon.

Mild 13, felt like that in the misty spots around Sennen (said hello to someone starting Lejog), before the warm sun starting burning through, quickly rising to 15/16. Barely a breath of wind, hazy blue skies and very light yellow sunshine.

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Technically yesterday's ride. I had been fettling my M Steel tourer all evening and couldn't resist a quick blast at sunset even though the bike was far from complete. Still needed bar tape and a front mech for the Sugino triple cranks but I needed to try it out. Apart from a vicious front wheel brake judder it rode like a dream and the short sunset ride felt great. IMG_3305.webp
 
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if I had a commute like yours...




find this ...errr... newly built jumping spot on one of my favourite singletracks a fey days back. a single good word cannot be said, all wrong with it. :mad:
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today I was lucky enough to run into the guy building this. a young lad, not much more than 1/3 age of mine. he seemed to be very cooperative and open to my suggestions how to modify his creature to be much safe. (I don't wish the spot to be demolished, just to be avoidable on a clear line without ruining the flow - aka a comfortable chicken line 🤭 - and be signed a few meters above on the trail.)
 
I enjoyed my sunset ride yesterday so much I tried it again with a spot of off road this time. Today I said goodbye to my 2020 Cube Disc braked road bike. It was good but just a bit anodyne and I sold it for the same price I'd paid for it a year ago, so lots of fun for free!
The buyer dropped by at 8.30 to pick it up so after that I had plenty of time to finish the M.Steel tourer...did I mention the frame was built by Dave Yates. :D
It is now complete and the brake judder fixed thanks to some words of wisdom from GIGFY, thanks mate!

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Showing off my new bar tape.
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Now we are off road on the valley that is the run into Winchester on the King Alfred's Way
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Sunset
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I think I like it!. Thanks Dave, I wonder how many bikes he built in his time and how many are still being used.
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I enjoyed my sunset ride yesterday so much I tried it again with a spot of off road this time. Today I said goodbye to my 2020 Cube Disc braked road bike. It was good but just a bit anodyne and I sold it for the same price I'd paid for it a year ago, so lots of fun for free!
The buyer dropped by at 8.30 to pick it up so after that I had plenty of time to finish the M.Steel tourer...did I mention the frame was built by Dave Yates. :D
It is now complete and the brake judder fixed thanks to some words of wisdom from GIGFY, thanks mate!

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Showing off my new bar tape.
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Now we are off road on the valley that is the run into Winchester on the King Alfred's Way
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Sunset
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I think I like it!. Thanks Dave, I wonder how many bikes he built in his time and how many are still being used.
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Love the colours of your bike. I’m tempted to change mine to more silver shiny stuff, the black transmission and wheels are what I had available. Lovely bike to ride.
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