Looks familiar

The weather is playing havoc with my bike. After the soaking last Sunday getting wet on the daily commute didn't seem so bad. The biggest problem is the toll it takes on the bike. Luckily I have the 'old' Pearson to draft into service but my frequency of repair has shot up. Last Thursday I cycled home from work in an absolute deluge which left my bike plastered in road grime, the brakes sounding painfully metallic and the tyres full of flints.

The bike (at least I hope it is) has developed a range of creaks and squeaks despite glue-like, blue-coloured Wet Lube Luca supplied for last year's Vatternrundan. While I was out and about I ran into this young chap and asked him if he'd like to give my bike a clean. I also gave him a few tips on riding hills which he seemed grateful for but he's got a lot to learn about cleaning a bike properly.

I'm sure I've seen him somewhere before.

Hats off for the new SBR team member

Rain of biblical proportions ushered in Sunday morning. This was the day of the Dorking sportive at which I had agreed to ride with the latest member of the SBR team.

The good news was he still wanted to ride despite the weather, he also brought along a rather nippy friend.

I hadn't managed to get an offical entry for the ride so I agreed to meet my riding companions just beyond the start. I had sorted out the Blue Pearson Audax to compete as I didn't want to get my nice Carbon Pearson Palace all muddy. In the morning I had a fry up put on my rain coat and a cap to keep the rain from my eyes. As it was raining so hard I opted for Biofinity multifocal contact lenses and my favourite eyewear, the Garmin Transitions orange/white Oakleys (Thanks Mark). I rode the 25 mins or so to the start but as soon as I got there I realised I had forgotten to wear my helmet. Because the sportive couldn't ride Box Hill ( see previous post) the route had been changed and, considering we were in the Surrey Hills, the first half surprisingly flat. We set out at a very brisk pace into the rain dodging the debris in the road and spray from the leaders' wheels. The rain fell harder, the road became more filled with stones and twigs and in at least two places was heavily flooded. Despite all of the the pace was good, I would say when we weren't lost (the route was a bit iffy in places) our average speed was around the 16mph mark despite the hills.The half way was marked by a food station at the junction of the A24 and A29 and a start to the pospect of some climbing. This meant drink and cake, for offical riders and a wait in the increasingly heavy rain for bandits such as me. Eventually the climbs came as we rose up onto Surrey Hills before a descent into Shere and then back up via Coombe Bottom onto Ranmore. A second food station appeared before another descent and the infamous Crocknorth Wall then onto Whitedown and finally Leith Hill.

The biggest issue for me was footwear. I had carefully selected my Shimano winter waterproof boots,trouble being once filled the water has nowhere to go.I had to lift my legs and empty them out whenever we stopped. Given the massive number of punctures being suffered by other riders I think I got off lightly. Our new SBRer will be a great addition to the team and will have already raised the average speed by 4mph I would guess! He also has Hans-like calf definition, a swanky new bike and black and white Oakley Jawbones which must bode well for the challenge ahead. As I waved goodbye to my riding chums to cycle back home the heavens opened again.Once there I hosed the bike and myself down. Looking at the computer I had covered 65 miles in a little over 4hrs and 25 mins. Given the conditions not a bad ride.

Out of the Box

I'm all set to ride around the Surrey Hills with a fellow SBR rider this weekend. He's not from these parts so was keen to get out onto Box Hill ahead of the Olympics. Sadly I read on the ride organiser's website that(not only is it going to be soaking wet but Box Hill will not be on the route as the National Trust is charging race orgnaisers £1,000 for the privilege of using their road.

That's funny I distictly remember it recently being resurfaced for the race by the council. I think I helped pay for that. Box Hill is one of my everyday rides, here's a pic of me at the top.

Other sad news is finding a replacement for the late departed Brooks saddle (see last post). After much deliberation I decided I would opt for a Swallow chrome and break it in ready for Le Mans, getting hold of one has been a bit more of an issue. let's just say an order has been placed.

How to murder a Brooks saddle

I've always loved my leather Brooks saddle. Until I got my latest carbon bike I always rode with it. It's done several Ironman triathlons long rides, commutes, trips to the coast, Alpe d'Huez, vatternrundan. More recently it has lain alone in the shed. The carbon has a nice white saddle that was Cyclefitted to me, the old blue Pearson is ridden by son No 2 who hates the Brooks and the fixed has a cheapo saddle as the Brooks is too bouncy. So ( see last post) when the fixed's cheapo sadddle broke its was time for a new lease of life for the Brooks. It looks great but straight away it was clear the leather was stretched and there was no space left on the end of the tension bold. So should I: A: retire it gently B: beat it with a bseball bat, run it over in the car and then set fire to it? In the event I did something much worse, I Googled what to do. Part II to follow.........

I got those Father's Day, bicycle maintenance blues

With the return of the summer I have been back on the fixed wheel bike for the daily commute. This has been fortunate as I haven't really been out for longer rides at the weekend and commuting is a great way of clocking up those miles in readiness for the big event. Alongside all of the decorating, ferrying kids around and gardening I haven't really had much time for training rides but Father's Day opened up an oasis of me-time in this desert of chores. A little sad I know but I decided to tinker with my bike as a treat. Needless to say I wish I hadn't. I found out that the brake blocks were worn out, My saddle was split so I replaced it with my old Brooks which has reached to end of its life too. I also noticed that I can't see the wear line on the front wheel any more. I think I should have just held out for a new bike!

Stormy weather

Having ridden the North Downs in blazing sunshine and spent the next week clocking up even more miles in the heat the Jubilee weekend brought a big change in the weather. Last Tuesday Bank Holiday morning I managed a small ride out with son number 2 around the newly-smoothed surface of Box Hill. I'm still in full decorating mode so I kept it short thinking I'd been on the bike again later in the week and back to work. Think again. The weather has been shocking. Despite being prepared to suffer a soaking there just hasn't been a day when I felt it was worth it or safe. I softened the blow with a little retail therapy, purchasing some nice new road shoes. Perhaps I'll get chance to use them sometime.

After last Sunday's King of the North Downs ( see previous post) I thought I would need a rest but this week has turned out to be anything but.

Workwise the four day Jubilee weekend has ment getting out an entire issue in three days. The rain has meant lots to do in on the allotment ( I strimmed for 2 hours on Monday evening) and on the house there is still more decorating to do........arrggghh. As far as the bike goes the KOTD was about 115 miles, though the hills made it seem a lot more. I left the bike at home on Monday but have ridden each day since. That's another 100 miles. I'm rather pleased ( OK smug) 220 miles, all hills in five days is not bad. The legs are tired and the undercarriage a bit sore but otherwise good conditioning. Possibly good enough for 24 hrs in the saddle???