Today's Ride

[Betsy]

commuting by bike must be great! I am very envy, since I've just started a new job which means 2*90min commuting by train per day. I'm in doubt how long will it take before I give up. (previous place changed WFH policy, resulting in 5*2*90min/week commuting by car (!!) instead of the former one office day per week sheme. so the job-change was inevitable, but painful.) sorry for the rant...

I moved within commuting distance of my work around 7yrs ago.. at this point i had a li'll VW Lupo for a city commuter and an old Volvo 240 for a weekend camping / fishing / bike wagon.. I thought.. i can either sell the Volvo and commute in the Loop or sell the Loop and commute by bike.

My old school friend used to be manager of Langestt Cycles.. when i was considering becoming a cycle commuter.. he said "Don't!.. you'll end up hating it and you'll view cycling as a chore instead of a joy.. and when it comes to the weekend, you'll ride less because you've been doing it all week.. if you ride less at the weekends there will be less joy in your life +motorists are absolute c**ts"

Anywhoo.. i've been commuting on the bike for 6+yrs.. i hardly drive nowadays.. in the first year the Volvo only did 400 miles and this includes a trip to Manchester airport .. i wouldn't say i love it but i enjoy it more than being stuck in traffic in the car, with the added bonus of excercise.

He was right about motorists, especially Uber / Black cab drivers.. oh and 4WD.. they're the king of the c**nts!

 

[al-onestare]

Yesterday evening was, well, this








The off-road season is closing in but whilst it's dry and calm, we'll keep going.

This morning was equally still, with no breeze whatsoever but dank and grey. The lights were on all the way home, although the picture from the end of the ride makes it look a lot brighter than it was. Mild 12 degrees. Sea mist beginning to roll in. Legs were still strong so happy with that.

 

[Betsy]

The off-road season is closing in but whilst it's dry and calm, we'll keep going.

Off-road has a season?

 

[highlandsflyer]

Off-road has a season?

We used to go into the hills in winter; once the frost was in you could ride over the bog.

 

[Betsy]

Breaking 'puddle ice' is one of life's greatest pleasures..

 

[al-onestare]

Off-road has a season?

It does in my house. Have I mentioned I'm not a fan of riding in slop...or a gale...both of which will happen here in approximately <checks watch> next week

 

[Betsy]

Come up to the Peak District.. it never stopped

 

[highlandsflyer]

Breaking 'puddle ice' is one of life's greatest pleasures..

Especially with studded tyres; will be the weather for them soon!

 

[al-onestare]

Come up to the Peak District.. it never stopped

Which is why I live here...and have it full on for 6 months instead

 

[db95]

Decided to go give Crawleyside a crack again, seemed a good way to judge how much fitness I've gained back (or lost) as that was one of the last big rides I'd done prior to accident and it's a good measure of fitness at around a 70 mile trip with 5000ft of elevation! Didn't take a massive amount of pictures sadly.

So how did it stack up compared to last time I did it? Todays stats vs July's..

According to the segments 1:31 slower up the entire climb, pretty much every segment related to it off by about a minute which I'll happily take since I felt way stronger after the climb (and set a 10 mile PR shortly after getting up it!). All things considered I'd say fitness has gotta be close to how it was prior to accident, stats aren't exactly the same due to roadworks however did spend the first 2 hours getting there being hit with a 25/30mph headwind alongside a touch more elevation so it probably evens out Ride safe all.