Sunday Off 2

This week the weather has got the better of us - yesterday evening's rain has frozen overnight & its just too damn icy . so in the best interest of everyone's safety & well-being we have decided to give it a miss.

Xmas holiday is looming & I have planned to be out on 3 or 4 occasions [weather permitting of course] - the invitation to the Sunday morning crew has gone out & I expect to be joined for a few miles on the following dates - Sunday 27th, Tuesday 29th, Thursday 31st & Sunday 3rd. Rides will commence at 10.00 am each morning & will start opposite the Woolpack pub in Shawbirch.

Sunday Off

Didn't ride last Sunday - just too many jobs to do & with Christmas around the corner a bit of shopping was in order. 3 of our normal group did manage to get out in what was a heavy frost, they rode about 25 miles out & around Weston Park & Cosford area before deciding it was just too damn cold. Sorry no route information?

Sunday & all is fine

We have certainly been blessed with the weather again, the backbone of our Sunday morning rides was out again this weekend with what turned out to be a 40 miler out & around Acton Burnell. As I said the weather was excellent - bit chilly but good sunshine all the way. We did Acton Burnell a few weeks ago but this route had a couple of changes at the end - climbing the South side of Haughmond hill then buzzing the lanes through Roddington back home.

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/gb/telford/746125701794639022

Circle of the Wrekin

Todays Sunday morning ride was a circle of the Wrekin, breaking clouds & chilly sunshine made for great conditions. Our circuit took us along a few new lanes out of Sherrifhales where we had to negotiate crossing a swollen Ford [that's not a bloated Transit]. The lanes out back of Shifnal were excellent with a reasonable climb into Kemberton.

The road down into Coalport has now been resurfaced & made for a super fast descent - although the sharp right at the bottom is a good test of the brakes. Passing through Ironbridge we picked up a mountain biker who desperately tried to hang on to our wheel, we eventually lost him on the climb out of Buildwas. One final test of the legs was the drag up thru Eaton Constantine & Wrockwardine - all in all an excellent 34 miles with a few testing climbs.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/telford/413125813454519739

Sue has also been out twice this week - mountain biking with Barney. Normal route around Bratton, Bean Hill Wood & Admaston

Sportive Calendar for 2010

Event organizers have started to release details of next years Sportive calendar so I will be doing a bit of homework over the coming weeks - I am planning to do a series of 100 mile challenge rides from March - October next year & have them all mapped out by the end of December - Look out for updates!

Rain Stop Play - Ride 1 in Reverse

After last nights deluge I checked the local weather on the internet before setting off this morning, so armed with the BBC's forecast [giving us false hope] of Sunny Intervals through until mid afternoon the ride was on. With a hardy group of 5 & with a few raindrops already falling we set off - but as we crested Lilleshall hill it was already looking pretty bleak, we continued up past Adeney & had to cycle through a couple of flooded spots in the lanes, the rain was now pretty heavy it was here that we reconsidered the BBC's forecast. Only 5 miles into today's 30 miler the group decided enough was enough - disappointed but still in good spirits at having made the effort we cut short at the first chance - cycling down the B5062 & turned back towards Preston-on-the-Weald Moors. By the time I had cycled home I had clocked up 20 miles in total - not bad considering.

But how typical of the british weather? - an hour after getting home the sky's cleared & the sun came out.

Sunday - its all a bit ad-hoc

Sunday's outing was a bit ad-hoc despite pre-planning a ride - we had reduced numbers turning up this weekend [3] so I changed the starting point to make it a bit more friendly & made some improvisations along route. The climb out of Cressage to Acton Burnell 8 miles in - is worth a mention & the country lanes that followed were virtually traffic free & made for excellent cycling.

I have to mention the lunatic motorist who overtook right into our faces at high speed as we rode up Haughmond Hill - he may have missed us but it really highlights how vulnerable we are when mixing with traffic & why we try to route our rides on country lanes as much as possible.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/telford/623125785751722462

Sunday Best

Today was our fourth Sunday morning bike ride as a group & I have to say probably the best route to date. A planned 37.5 miles out around Cheswardine & Norbury Junction turned into 39.2 miles with what have now become obligatory minor detours. The opening 16 miles were very pleasant - easy country lanes & steady pace but after turning at Cheswardine the lanes started to undulate, nothing too serious just enough to make it interesting.

Generally the weather was good & held out again, overcast & a bit chilly, a few sunny spells & with 1 minor shower.

A couple of the back lanes were a bit messy from farm traffic but you have to expect that this time of year.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/-telford/690125701710748250

Ride Mapping

I have just discovered [well last week actually] www.mapmyride.com - a very user friendly web based site for mapping bike rides on/off road. It has a host of great tools for marking & mapping your routes and will also show elevation information - awesome.

If you search by location to find bike routes near your own town that may be of interest - Fine tune your search to include Telford & Sunday Bike Ride to view my routes

My Sunday morning bike rides will be mapped here from now on with a link added to each Blog entry - I have already added a link on the 3 rides we have completed.

Anyone who completes one of our routes can log onto www.mapmyride.com add their comments & rate the ride.

Hopefully weather permitting we will out in the country lanes again this Sunday.

Sunday Morning IV - Cancelled

Call me a fair weather cyclist if you want but I had to cancel Sunday mornings planned outing due the torrential rain & high winds. The group had already decided in advance that if its rains - we don't ride. I suppose its just the time of year & we really should expect it, the ride will keep until next weekend.

Sue managed to get out on her mountain bike today doing her normal loop around Admaston, Bratton, Wellington & Bean Hill Wood & as usual Barney trotted along behind.

Sunday Morning III - a bit of everything

We had a bit of everyting this morning - new member to the group - welcome to Dave Newbrook - Early morning sunshine, minor rain shower at the mid-point & blustery head winds all the way home making the going tough. Thanks to Chris Nosek for mapping this weeks 34 miles - out around Church Eaton - Wheaton Aston & Weston Park - a good ride.
I also managed to fall off my bike today - glanced behind to make sure everyone had made it up the penultimate climb - then hit a large lump of turf on the roadside which threw me from my bike - luckily I wasnt going too fast & had a soft landing on the grass verge - only dented pride & bruised knee - but it goes to show how easliy accidents can happen?
Sue accompanied me on the ride out to our meeting point at the Clock Tower - then she rode home into a strong head wind - so 10 miles for Sue & 44 miles all-in-all for me.http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/-telford/910125701642665828

Saturday & Sunday Morning Bike Rides

Last weeks Inaugural Sunday Morning bike ride had an added 5 miles when we missed a few turns in the back lanes, so this weekend I decided to ride the route on Saturday in advance of the group's ride Sunday Morning.

Here's how I faired on Saturday morning - took the wrong turn out of Gnosall which led to a bit of a grind for 2 miles, then I took the first turn to Ellenhall & shared a very rough road with squirrels, pheasants & the like, then after Eccleshall I couldn't find the turn for High Offley. Decided to cycle the main road back to Newport before finding a sign post for Bishops Offley which would put me back on track for Shebdon - Forton etc etc -ended up doing about 47 miles.

So it was back to Google maps to find out where I had gone wrong in time for Sunday morning.

In bright Autumn sunshine Sunday morning was much better as the route was cycled at a good pace by the group with just the right amount of climbs which were not too difficult. This actually turned out to be a great ride & with the added miles from home & back I covered 45 on Sunday morning - so thats 92 miles for the weekend - excellent.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/telford/653125701573844163

Sue's Weekend Bike Rides

Sue was out again with Barney on Saturday doing her normal 5 mile run around the Bratton area on the mountain bike. Sunday morning she decided to accompany me to the start of my Sunday morning ride with the lads from work. So it was up with the larks & out into the bright Autumn sunshine, 5 miles+ out & back - so a 10 mile+ loop.

Fund Raising Total

Its taken a while to get the dribs & drabs in of pledged sponsorship & certain individuals still haven't paid up, but I have decide enough is enough & closed off my London 2 Paris Sponsorship of 2009 for Action Medical Research.

My Fund Raising Total is £2,637. 63p

I really feel a major sense of achievement 1st in raising this amount of money & 2nd for completing the event. Its the first time I have done anything like this & I really have to thank family, friends & work colleagues for helping me along my journey. A big thanks also to Mike who joined me on the L2P & went from a complete novice to a cyclist in just 4 months - Chapeau Mike!

This event has now spurred me on to achieve much more on my bike, on a personal level of fitness & to do more fund raising events in the future - Bring on 2010.

Spinning Sue & Barney Too

Sue was out on the mountain bike today - around Bean Hill Wood & along the Silkin Way to Wellington back down the Silkin Way & around Bratton - just to spin the legs & keep things moving - probably covered about 5 miles for a guess. She decided to take Barney for a run as well - he loves it!

Sue's at it again

As planned Sue was out on the bike again today, after work. This time for a spin around the country lanes of Wappenshall & Preston Upon The Weald Moors - 7.2 miles - at a leisurely pace. It was so leisurely that she was overtaken by an elderly gentleman!!!

Inaugural Sunday Morning Ride 1

As planned we met at the Clock Tower Donnington - 9.45 am - the weather was a little damp with light drizzle which soon subsided - disappointed with the turn out as 8 were expected & only 5 materialized [maybe the drizzle put them off]. Not deterred we set off at 10.00 am as planned for the 30 miler, a couple of minor detours added an extra 5 miles to the overall distance & a couple of punctures for Lee & myself added 20 minutes to the ride time. A good laugh & yakker helped the miles roll by, hopefully everyone enjoyed themselves & the word can be spread to the non-attendees [& further] on what they missed in time for next weeks ride.http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/telford/138125701471666509

Sue's Sunday Outing

Sue has done her first Sunday bike ride in ages, hopefully the first of many as she prepares for next years "Fun2Tri" Triathlon. www.fun2tri.co.uk

10 miles - 5 out & back - on a cool morning with a little drizzle, result was OK, not too many aches & pains.

Next outing is planned for Tuesday after work.

Inaugural Sunday Morning Rides

A friend at work, Chris, was not looking forward to doing autumn/winter training rides on his own so suggested we got together & invited work colleagues & friends to join us.

So, this Sunday 11th October sees our inaugural Sunday morning bike ride with a group from work. We are meeting at the Clock Tower in Telford at 9.45 am for a brisk 30 miler around the country lanes. Keeping it short & sweet for the first few rides to gauge the groups ability [& not scare anyone off] the rides will eventually increase in length & difficulty as the group progresses & wants.

We have set a few standard rules for anyone wanting to join us: road worthy bike, helmet, waterproof, spare tubes, own drink - just the basics really - I will also be issuing a route card for each ride - [Map & directions]

Should be an interesting mix as we have a group that contains "the serious" to "the novice".

Photo's from the Cat & Fiddle

P1: Ready for the Off. P2 & 3: On top of the Cat & Fiddle for a cup of tea. P4: Challenge completed. P5: Off home in time for the match [Chelsea 2 - 0 Liverpool - happy day's]

Today's the day - "Cat & Fiddle Challenge"

Today's the day - "Cat & Fiddle challenge", Dave has pulled out & Mike is suffering with a cold but will start. Signed on just before 9.00 am at the Community centre by Brian Rourke's Cycles its very busy the early morning sunshine has brought everyone out. We set off at 9.15 in bright sunshine but its a bit chilly. The first 23 miles are bye in a flash - we turn right in Macclesfield onto the Cat & Fiddle climb - get into a good rhythm & the 7 miles of climbing will soon pass - its actually easier than expected - it starts to rain 1/2 way up, a persistent drizzle - you know the kind - it soaks you right through. But not to dampen the spirits I chat to a few people as I climb. I'm on the look out for Jack Allen - the 74 year old who has just cycled around the British coast line. I cycle up to an elderly gent with a grey beard [who looks like Jack from the photo's on his blog] our conversation goes something like this :-)

"Hello are you Jack?"

"No I'm Harry!"

"You look like Jack but its nice to have met you anyway Harry"

"You've put me off my rhythm now"

I apologize & pedal past - [maybe I won't get to meet Jack - as this is the fourth guy I've seen with a grey beard - none of them Jack?]

We are soon at the Cafe near the top of the Cat & Fiddle climb, Sue & Clare are waiting with tea/coffee & words of encouragement. This is about 30 miles into the 55 mile challenge & we are in good company stopping here as Malcolm Elliot [Candi TV/Pinarello Pro Elite Rider] has also stopped for refreshments.

As we set off a fellow cyclist comments that the easy bit is over & we have the hard bit to look forward too - how right he was. The ride off the moors down to Buxton was fast, furious & treacherous on the rain soaked roads with the odd car trying to weave in/out of the abundance of cyclists. The second climb of the day back up onto the moors was 2 miles or so long & steeper - it was so bleak on the top but worth the effort for the 14% descent into Leek down the other side - I think we were close to 50 mph.

The real sting of the challenge were the 4 sharp climbs on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent - real killers - all probably a mile or so long. These really took there toll on the riders - several climbing off & pushing - one poor chap had collapsed on the side with cramp in both thighs really suffering. Concentration was at the max as I struggled to keeping a steady rhythm but manage I did & completed the challenge in approx 3 1/2 hours.

Back at the community centre I am elated & refuel on the plentiful bounty of sandwiches, cake & coffee.

Thinking I've missed him I actually bump into Jack Allen whilst grabbing a coffee - I introduce myself as a "blog watcher" of his round Britain journey & that Andy Howells is my brother-in-law [Jack knows Andy from way back] we converse about his journey, I congratulate him & we shake hands. After his exploits I say that this was "probably a stroll in the park" he replies yes, a bit of a training ride - I am so glad I met Jack [wish I'd got a photo].

I also bump into & shake hands with Shaun Kelly - "Tour de France - Green Jersey Legend" - just to complete a great day.

If at first you don't succeed...then Tri..Tri...Triathlon?

Have I got news for you? I mentioned in an earlier post that I had challenged Sue to ride the London2Brighton event next June, a 60+ ride to the seaside, meet on the beach have a ice cream & come home lovely Jubbly. This was of course a joint challenge with friend Clare.

Now entry to the London2Brighton can be a bit of a lottery by all accounts, so as not to be disappointed - if entry were not gained - Clare has come up with an alternative challenge, a Triathlon for beginners - & Sue has accepted the challenge

What's it all about I hear you cry?

The event takes place next May & goes something like this, start with a swim of 200 metres followed by a 20 Km cycle ride & then they will finish with a 3 km run. Well girls, lots of training to be done, best get started.

A Hilly Sprint

With so much footie on Sky today I didn't go out until 6.15 pm & with the sun setting fast I decided to do a hilly sprint around Haughmond hill. Leaving home I skirted the south side first passing through Walcot & Upton Magna - not particularly tough but a shallow gradient which opens the lungs & stretches the legs especially when you want to keep a high cadence & tempo. Turning onto the Uffington road I realised the sun was setting faster than I had anticipated & with the north side of Haughmond hill still to negotiate I was in a race to beat the setting sun. The little kick over the brow of Haughmond always seems to deceive me but not tonight, I power over the top picking up my speed on the down slope I continued my sprint through Roden & High Ercall all the way home.

More Hilly Miles

Saturday morning ride was not too long but as I said in a earlier post with the "Cat & Fiddle Challenge" looming it was hills all the way. Whilst not steep, the long drag of 5.5 miles from home up over Horsehay is a steady gradual start to my ride today - this was followed by a great descent down Buildwas bypass. Turning up towards Much Wenlock I started my main climb for the day, continuing through Wenlock I climbed towards Broseley through the villages of Barrow & Willey before descending back into the Ironbridge Gorge. This climb has a couple of nasty kicks & despite the false flat when you reach Wenlock would surely be a Cat 2 climb in any bodies books at 7.5 miles long.

Once through Ironbridge I rode out towards Shrewsbury on the back road which has a succession of small hills - before blasting back home.

Fund Raising

The final date for banking fund raising for this years London to Paris ride is on 21st September. Donations & various funds raising has been taking place over the past 2 months since we completed the London to Paris event.

This has included a Tombola stall which raised £85 & the Ricoh Photographic Society did a portrait photo session raising £255 both at the Ricoh family fun day, my Eiffel tower bottle brought in a further £52.60. Pledges from friends & work colleagues have been rolling in steadily & my total fund raising currently stands at a fantastic £2,564.63.

I will post the Grande Total next week after the 21st Sept.

Back on the Road

After 3-weeks of no cycling including a week lazing around a pool in Sicily and with the Cat & Fiddle challenge only 3-weeks away it was about time I got back in the saddle. The C&F challenge has a number of climbs so all my rides leading up to 4th October will include hills, Friday afternoon was a spin up around the Wrekin, today I rode the back road to Ironbridge taking on Leighton Hill & Buildwas bypass, down Jiggers bank [for a change] through Ironbridge to Coalport then up Blist Hill & Madeley bypass before the run down to home. A misty foggy morning which soon gave way to brilliant sunshine - really enjoyed the ride & the legs felt good considering my 3-week sabbatical.

The Wrekin [South Side]

I took a route around the south side of the Wrekin for a change which was really good. Climbs were the order of the day with the upwards elevation starting at the bottom of Wrockwardine village hill. On through Burcot & past Neaves Castle around the south side of the Wrekin up to Little Wenlock & then on up & over New Works this was a gradual climb over 6.5 miles with the odd lung busting gradient requiring a low gear. Only covered 21 miles in total [just to keep the legs ticking over] - as I also wanted to get back to watch Chelsea stuff Fulham.

Sue & Barney

Sue & Barney have been out cycling together again, this time I accompanied them to take a few photos, we did the same 3 mile route that Sue had done previously which is mostly off-road. We had to stop for a few minutes on the way back as Barney likes to cool off in the stream at Bean Hill Wood.

4 Castles "Comedy Moments"

There were two rather humorous comedy moments during our ride which are worth a mention, firstly I managed to fall off my bike when stationary [?] yes stationary. Clip-in pedals are wonderful things but they can catch you out occasionally, always make sure that you unclip the correct foot before attempting low speed manouvers.

The second comedy moment was when an elderly cyclist passed us wearing the full Astana racing kit, I jibbed that we had just passed Albert Condor-Moment [Alberto Contador] which raised a giggle or two.

4 Castles Ride [Nantwich]

Mike's planned ride taking in 4 castles situated around the Nantwich area. Most castles are located at the tops of hills so this ride was to be a good leg tester with at least 3 stinging climbs. The planned 43 miler turned into 53 as Mike's map reading skills [?] & lack of sign posts on country lanes meant doing an extra 10 miles. As for the 4 castles [?] we only actually got to see 2, Peckforton Castle [Hotel] at the top of a tree lined climb, Beeston Castle in the distance [didn't actually ride up to this one] Bickerton Castle [we must have missed somewhere doing the extra 10 miles] & Chomondeley Castle was closed.

A good ride non the less in fair but blustery weather.

Mike is now registered for the Cat & Fiddle - Dave, MIke & I will be getting together soon for a few rides in preparation.

The Cat & Fiddle Challenge

I've just registered for the Cat & Fiddle Challenge - so its all uphill from here!

Good news - Dave has registered - just waiting for Mike to confirm.

Tomorrow is a bit of a training ride with Mike - doing his "Castle ride" 43 miles undulating?

www.cftrust.org.uk/help/events/catandfiddle

Cycling [Related] Songs - "Racer or Penny Farthing"

5 Cycling [related] Songs - have your say in the comments - Vote - "Racer or Penny Farthing"

1. Pedal Pusher - Stereophonics

2. Bicycle Race - Queen

3. My White Bicycle - Tomorrow [or Nazareth]

4. Tour de France - Kraftwerk

5. Push Bike Song - The Mixture's [or Mungo Jerry]

More to follow shortly to make a top 10

Classic Kraftwerk

Check out the Video bar at the foot of the blog page for some classic footage of Kraftwerk & Le Tour de France

Sue is back in the Saddle

Having not ridden her bike in anger for a few years, Sue was back in the saddle last week after work on a couple of occasions. Using her Mountain bike for starters & with Barney [our Terrier] running alongside for company - she cycled a local loop on the cycle paths of approx. 3 miles, this was probably the limit for Barney, as he is only 10" tall as it is.

[I will try & get a photo for next time]

As you know from the "Pedal to Paris" blogspot Sue [along with friend Clare] will hopefully be tackling the London2Brighton charity ride for BHF - next June [see attached link]- so this is the start of the training.

www.bhf.org.uk/get_involved/take_part_in_our_events/bike_rides/london_to_brighton_bike_ride.aspx

Next Up - Its the Cat & Fiddle

Looks like Mike & I will be taking on "Rourkie's Cat & Fiddle Challenge" - 55 miles around the Peaks, Staffordshire, Cheshire etc including the infamous 7 mile "Cat & Fiddle" climb used on the Tour of Britain.

Still got to register - probably this weekend - entry is £15 with proceeds going to Cystic Fibrosis. More details at the attached link.

www.cftrust.org.uk/help/events/catandfiddle

P.S. I have also asked another friend to join us & hopefully Dave Timmins will be up for the challenge

A New Beginning

Following on from where "Pedal 2 Paris" left off - my new blogspot "Wheel Spokes & Pedal Strokes" will be a catalogue of cycling adventures & information as we [this now includes Sue & friends]continue our passion for cycling.

I hope you like the new site.