LEJOG ride entry, 6 April 2012

Posted on April 20, 2012 by nick

Bike: Hunter, a.k.a. Snaggletooth

The night was cold and fitful. I’d only had four hours restless sleep when the first end-to-enders arrived to start their journey. The Easter weekend is a popular start date as people get ten clear days run at the trip for the cost of only four days holiday. I must say this first bunch were overly cheery.

An hour later at 7:30 another couple turned up. Their support crew actually asked me “where are you going?”, before realising the stupidity of his own question and doing a facepalm.

“I can’t believe I just asked that.”

As they finished their obligatory photos in front of the sign I realise that I too had better make a start. So I rolled up my sleeping bag, mat and bivvy bag, packed, and took my photos.

Start

Once the camera was away I uttered the now traditional phrase to start any long trip, courtesy of Tim Cahill and Garry Sowerby, thanks to their book Road Fever describing their record breaking drive the length of the Americas.

“Let’s see what this baby will do.”

Time of start, 8:20 am.

Things hadn’t yet warmed up and the run into Penzance was freezing. As well as the six riders who had already set off in front of me I counted two more in the car park, saw two bikes on the roof of a car heading for Lands End, and saw clean rider with panniers heading that way too. So at least a dozen LEJOGers setting off before 10 o’clock by my reckoning. I wondered how many would make the trip by next Saturday, giving themselves Sunday to get back home. John O’Groats promised to be busy!

I stopped at the Cornwall Cycle Centre in Penzance to try and meet up with Mike Mulroy, erstwhile organiser of Velocake, who’s Maglia Rosa I was rocking for the first few days of my trip. Unfortunately the shop was closed and I missed Mike. Fortunately the pastie shop was open so there was compensation. It did feel slightly wrong not then going surfing and suffering pastie and seawater burps as I had the crap kicked out of me by Cornish surf.

From here my path diverged from other end to enders as I made my way South, as South as you can get on the mainland to The Lizard. I’ve ridden an end to end before so I wanted to get some other extreme points this time. The windsock at RNAS Culdrose confirmed I had a headwind. What with hanging around in Penzance for Mike, and only running a singlespeed – though I will concede the knobblies were pumped up hard – it was lunchtime by the time I reached The Lizard.

Start, take 2

However it would have been rude not to take tea and scones and jam at the Polpeor Cafe. So that’s what I did. I already had 35 miles under my belt, but being as South as South can be and with all riding to be undertaken now heading North I felt as if I was behind some imaginary schedule. My last end to end had finished in Okehampton on day one, a distance of 100 miles. I was well down on that.

Tea

After polishing off all the butter and jam I set off for the North coast, Newquay. The windsock at RNAS Culdrose confirmed that whilst I had partaken of tea the wind had changed direction and I was cycling into, yes, a headwind.

I passed through Redruth which I was glad to see was “World Capital of Cornish Tin Mining”. Well, that stopped those sleepless nights, tossing and turning wondering where in the world might be capital of Cornish tin mining. At least I knew now it wasn’t somewhere like Coober Pedy.

At 4:51 pm precisely, and I know this because I checked my watch, I passed a sign on the A3075 for Healeys Cornish Cider, sorry, Cyder, Farm. Home of Pear Rattler. I was just rueing the fact they’d only be nine minutes from closing when I passed another sign saying “open until 6pm”. I promptly did the cycling equivalent of the ShakeAway walk* and headed towards the farm. Bless ‘em they even fetched me a cold one out of the fridge.

TK-421 clamours for his share

From there it was but a few miles to Newquay for the first of two Cornish traditions.

Firstly there is “tattoo sleeves” at Fistral Beach for an appraisal of the surf conditions. Named for the advert for some small Peugeot or other. The tide was in and it was as flat as the proverbial witches tit. All in all, disappointing.

Secondly there is the “bloke in a dress run”. This is named for our first weekend here and the man dressed as one of the Pythons pepperpot ladies getting gradually more and more hammered all weekend with his solitary mate. It is amazing how many stag does think that getting the groom to put on a dress is in some way original. Unlike tattoo sleeves this tradition delivered. On the main drag I saw not one, but two blokes in dresses. One in a sailor suit with slightly too short skirt revealing fat, pale, thick, but bandy legs. This one even had people less familiar with Newquay following him and taking pictures. The second was trying to look cool and David Beckhamesque in a sari. He almost carried it off. But not quite.

The worst thing about being in familiar territory is knowing the roads. I had thought of going up the coast road to Padstow via King Surf, maybe even stopping to catch some waves with them. It was too late in the day to meet them now. If I went to see them tomorrow the trip would be well behind my imaginary, yet self-imposed, target of 100 miles per day. And finally I knew how hilly that coast road gets. Very, er, coastal, with lots of descents and corresponding ascents.

So instead I left Newquay out on the A39, the Atlantic Coast Highway, which would get me through Cornwall and Devon. I settled into a nice rhythm. Dusk fell, and I decided I needed to get past the horrible section of the A39 between Camelford and Wadebridge. It’s a narrow, damp feeling valley, even on a Cornish summer day. First time on the trip riding at night and Cornish drivers were really good. Running two rear lights, one at high level on the back of the helmet helped. I explored some side roads looking for a suitable bivvy spot. Despite scratching the backs of my calves – scratches that are still there BTW – I didn’t find anywhere suitable.

Then just outside Camelford itself I spotted an open gate. I checked that the field didn’t contain livestok, wasn’t under plough or crop, then made my way up the headland far enough to be out of sight from the road and settled down. A quick check in with loved ones to let them know I had stopped and was safe and very quickly off to sleep.

Distance today: 103.87 miles, Lands End – The Lizard – Camelford
Distance so far: 118.76 miles

* The immediate change in direction of someone realising that there is a ShakeAway milkshake outlet in the vicinity. The nearest thing is Mexican Buzz Lightyear dancing during the credits of toy Story 2.

LEJOG ride entry, 5-6 April 2012

Posted on April 18, 2012 by nick

Bike: Hunter, a.k.a. Snaggletooth

First of all one must get to the start.

I finished work early and rushed home where everything had been packed the night before. Even so I went through it all again with a checklist (which I will publish at the end of the LEJOG series). Checking my ticket booking email I misread an old email and promptly got into a panic thinking I had 5 minutes to retrieve Snaggletooth from the car, load the bags on, change into riding kit, and get to the station. So as is my wont I spent the last few minutes at home needlessly panicking.

It was only when I got to the station and checked the right email to check the time of my train from Paddington that I realised my mistake, and I had the luxury of catching a slightly earlier train than scheduled into London. Even so if I had misplaced something in my panic it was now too late to go home and fetch it.

And so it begins..

As I climbed the steps from the platform into St Pancras International I was greeted by my lovely wife who’d been on a business trip in London. Out last chance to share a coffee and chat together for a week, if not two.

All too soon it was time to leave her and set the wheels rolling again to cross London to Paddington Station. My riding was spurred when I was overtaken by a Rapha clad tourer on a Salsa Fargo with an incongruously large front dyno-hub that looked well out of place in the Fargo’s skinny forks. Even though he ran a couple of red lights I still arrived at Paddington at the same time as him. Count the gears smart boy.

Time at Paddington to get the evening meal, and I started as I intended to carry on, by frequenting fast food outlets. Tonights highly calorific food choice was Burger King. While waiting in the queue I was flattered by the first compliment Snaggletooth was to receive this trip as the lady in the queue behind me told me her son, a young teenager, thought my bike looked “cool”. Say what you like about the practicality of loaded tourers they are rarely regarded as “cool”, especially not by teenage lads.

I hadn’t booked Snaggletooth onto the train, but I was directed to the guards van where I was able to strap it in next to another couple of bikes and some surfboards. I don’t know why I was so surprised at the surfboards, this was the Penzance train after all.

I found my seat, next to a young woman having beer and crisps for tea. The train was already standing room only unless you’d booked. So it was particularly inappropriate for a fat lady with a large suitcase and a reserved seat at the other end of the carriage to ignore the fact that carriages have doors at each end and make her way from one end to the other down the aisle of a completely rammed train making everyone move. How rude.

Then settle down with the iPod for 6 hours and a last chance to top up the phone charge.

It was after one o’clock when we rolled into Penzance. I wanted a reasonably early start in the morning, so got on and set off cycling towards Lands End. Now it turns out that there’s actually quite a bit of land between Penance and Lands End. Unfortunately for the laden singlespeeder it’s also rolling, and cresting each rise simply reveals yet more land to be ridden, shining under a full moon.

Passing through Sennen always makes me think of shoegaze, being as it is the name of a song by Ride, shoegaze band of choice in my youth. Then at the “famous” First and Last Inn I was greeted by a lovely smell of herbs and fresh soil. Not long now…

Just after two o’clock I arrived at the Lands End tourist attractions. I found my way to the signpost and took some obligatory photos of the signpost in the dark. Then I settled down for possibly the cheekiest bivvy I’ve ever had; right under the signpost.

Cheeky bivvy

Time for some shuteye and an early start. Little did I know how early that would be…

Distance today: 14.89 miles
Distance so far: 14.89 miles

Prepared

Posted on April 4, 2012 by nick

Well tonight I suppose I am sort of ready. The Hunter has had the tyres inflated, chain lubed, and an old fashioned cycle computer fitted. I won’t be near electricity enough to keep Endomondo tracking my progress, but I’d still like to know how far I travel each day. Fitting a simple wheel magnet and fork sensor felt very 1992.

Ten days kit

Then I laid out everything I think I needed and crammed it into the Viscacha, bar bag and old North Face bum bag. That’s ten days kit above. I think I’ve overpacked. Solo, unsupported, no accommodation booked ahead. Just a bivvy bag, sleeping mat and sleeping bag.

I start tomorrow. I have a train to Penzance that gets me in at 01:35 on Good Friday. I plan on riding to Lands End, then depending on my mood may just kip down behind a handy wall, or just set off. Then I have provisionally ten days to make it to the other end of the country. I’m going to call in at The Lizard and Dunnett Head on the way just to get Southernmost and Northernmost points too. I’m not bothered about Corrachadh Mòr because getting West and East points too would mean having to visit Lowestoft ;-)

I’ll see what off-road I can find, definitely planning on a lot of the WHW and then off-road to Inverness. I’ve ridden both coasts at the top of Scotland so this time I’m going up the middle through the flow country to Altnaharra.

Keep an eye out on my twitter feed which automagically appears here on this site too.

Over and out for big posts for a fortnight.

Ride entry, 1 April 2012

Posted on April 2, 2012 by nick

Bike: Il Pompino
Distance: 55 miles
Playlist: Random

I’ve entered Rob Lees #1000miles in April challenge and even with a big ride planned later in the month the weather was too nice to miss. The Ronde Van Vlaanderen was being shown at Look Mum No Hands, which appears to be becoming a destination of choice for me, having been there three times since the end of February.

Rather stupidly I appear to have made it from North of Luton into the East End of London in just over two and a half hours. I wasn’t sure if I’d left myself the legs to get home. Oh, and thanks to the skate-boarding lads for the “nice balance” remark as I held a perfect trackstand at the lights on the ring road.

Ronde Van Vlaanderen and Vedett

Statistics were being bandied about on the web that 1/10 of all Belgians would be out on the streets cheering on the race, with the other 9/10 at home or in a bar watching it on TV. I can vouch that most ex-pat Belgians in London were in the bar, excitedly pointing out where they lived.

When Boonen crossed the line in first place the result was definitely right.

Seeing as it was only just twenty to four it felt a little early to job out and take the train home, and I was sure that I had the miles in my legs.

I’d just climbed all the way up Edgeware Road to, well, Edgeware, when I started to feel some resistance in my riding. I stopped and checked the rear brake, then set off again. I could still feel some resistance, and was going uphill when suddenly the forks disappeared from under me and I found myself led in the middle of the A% looking backwards at a bus slowing down for the bus stop I’d just ridden past.

Heartfelt profanities

Fortunately was only doing 6.80 mph at the time of the crash*. So nothing broken, just a bit of road rash. Even my poncey white shorts and top came away unscathed apart from the blood. And Persil has even managed to get that out tonight.

I made it to the side of the road when a Met police car drove past a bloodied biker next to a snapped frame with the WPC in passenger seat staring/gawping at me. Did they a) stop to check I was OK and even knew who I was, or b) continue on their way?

There are no prizes for guessing a).

With more than 30 miles still to get home or a two mile walk carrying a broken bike to the nearest station I made a call to the cavalry for rescue.

Before the litigious amongst my readers wade in I should point out that these are nine year old pre-production prototype forks that On-One didn’t go with in the end. Their failure was an accident – “an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally”. Such things do occur without other people being to blame!

55 miles for the day was 35 short of my target. With no road bike now I’ll miss a couple of commutes this week that would have got me another 75 miles too. I’m sure my upcoming e2e will see me reach the target.

Speaking of which despite being told to take two weeks off and ride at my own pace and finish when I can I have now been set an artificial, purely emotional blackmail deadline within this two weeks to be finished by. Encouragement to make time for myself and enjoy my riding is always withdrawn at the last minute.

*According to Endomondo; it’s like having your own black box recorder.

Ride entry, 31 March 2012

Posted on March 31, 2012 by nick

Bike: Il Pompino
Distance: 38 miles
Playlist: New Order

Both Grant and 360 were threatening my 4th place in the March Cheeky Challenge on Endomondo. Which would not abide.

Just shy of forty miles should cement my place unless either of them goes out for a night ride.

Cold not shown

Thanks to Piers Vallance, out on a triathlon training ride, for keeping me company for 15 miles.

Ride entry, 28 March 2012

Posted on March 28, 2012 by nick

Bike: Il Pompino
Distance: There and back again, plus diversions
Playlist: Genius Bowie/Genius Blue Oyster Cult

Felt flat going into work today. The legs had steady miles in them, but no top end. Bit like a diesel really.

Thank goodness for strange part clothes that we have developed for cycling. I didn’t realise how cold my feet were until I got into a hot shower in the gym at work, but my arms and knees had been kept toasty warm by, er, arm and knee warmers. By the time I came to commute home it was definitely naked knees and elbows time. Being able to cover/uncover the appropriate bits rather than have to decide whether to commit to one length arm and leg for the day makes life so much easier.

to make the girls wink

Rather pleasantly there were no knobs in cars on the way home.

Which was nice.

Ride entry, 27 March 2012

Posted on March 27, 2012 by nick

Bike: Il Pompino
Distance: 37 miles
Playlist: Shuffle/Genius of “Aces High”

Two dawns this morning. The first as I made it to the top of the hill in the photo below. Then I rode into another valley and had second dawn as I climbed out of that one. I felt good and fast going in but my commute time would indicate otherwise.

First dawn

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that some of the music Kirsty has bought from iTunes has been automatically synced to my phone and just after dawn I found myself listening to the Ride of the Valkyries. “Charlie don’t surf”.

Representing the cake

The ride home was also fast and uneventful. I did try and pace myself at the end for a good time up the local hill where I am currently ranked 4th on Strava, but I started my final effort too early and legs turned to jelly just before the top.

Still, there’s always tomorrow.

Ride entry, 25 March 2012

Posted on March 25, 2012 by nick

Bike: Hunter
Distance: 33 miles
Playlist: Rock
Wildlife: Herd of deer, see below

Just a few miles playing out and exploring cheek in Woburn.

After Fridays near encounter with a herd of deer I had another in Woburn deer park.

Fake timelapse

I can confirm that with sufficient run-up the deer can cross the road in a single bound.

I rode to Woburn because some people on the Singletrackworld forum are trying to excuse “all the gear and no idea” mincing on the Gisburn Slab. By “mincing” I mean “chickening out” because it’s all of 36°s and apparently that’s “steeper than it looks”. Forget that it has a nice roll in and out and reaches that figure only on the middle section. Anyway I just wanted to measure the angle of the apex of some of the Woburn switchbacks for comparison. They reach 40°. Even the Southerners I encounter these days don’t mince about and walk down those. What happened to Northern MTBers? If you have a four inch travel bike with wide bars and fat forks and sticky rubber and can’t ride the Gisburn Slab just sell the bike now and take up something like golf.

Alternatively instead of spending money on skill compensating parts these riders could spend money on a skills day. Two problems. Firstly they all think they are “good enough” and don’t need teaching anything. When patently their inability to roll down a slab says otherwise. And secondly Patches O’Houlihan and his bag of wrenches came to an untimely end in a tragic accident in a Las Vegas casino. And he’s the only coach I can think of with enough MTFU to spare.

TK-421 enjoying the singletrack

Anyway we found some new downhill cheek today in the woods near Brickhill. New to me at least. It’s obviously been there a while but doesn’t look like it’s been ridden lately. Like all the trails it was already dry and dusty.

There are some benefits to living in the South.

Ride entry, 24 March 2012

Posted on March 24, 2012 by nick

Bike: Il Pompino
Distance: 35 miles
Playlist: Shuffle

A gentle ride to just keep the muscles loose. Oh, and try and catch Grant Doig in the March Cheeky Challenge. Not only has he put effort in to try and stay ahead of me but Callum Sword has appeared from nowhere and is chasing me down. Still, if I do lose a place I will at least get a chance to use my quote from the Prisoner.

Naked knees*

Nice and sunny, no knee warmers straight from the off, and lost the arm warmers after just a mile.

Oh, thanks for the peptalks Simon; I appear to have found some combination of settings that lets them through.

Spring is good.

* and silken calfs. Do you need brain bleach?

Ride entry, 23 March 2012

Posted on March 23, 2012 by nick

Bike: Il Pompino
Distance: 37 miles
Playlist: Shuffle

Foggy on the way home, nice and sunny on the way home. It was definitely too cold for short fingered roadie gloves on the way in, and almost too warm for arm and leg warmers on the way home. What’s that all about then?

Both commutes were without incident apart form the herd of roe deer, including a white hart, which tried to cross the road in front of me in the fog but thought better of it.

Foggy panda

I’m currently running Endomondo to track my routes, and then uploading them to Strava to see which is best. I like the range of sports offered by Endomondo. It covers everything I need, and more besides. Such as golf. Golf is not exercise FFS. It’s barely even a sport. Strava on the other hand has a narrower selection but does allow me to compare my times on the local hills with other riders. Which can be a bit of an arse as I’m a competitive bastard. Just 18 seconds to knock off the local killer climb and I’ll be on the podium. Not bad on 44:16 if I may say so myself. And I do.

32sixteen

falling off bikes since 1975

Category Archives: singlespeed