2 rides in 1 weekend!

Blimey! I can't believe it - 2 rides in one weekend - I was certainly going to take my opportunity with the break in the winter weather, nothing too long in distance just a couple of short testy rides.

Saturday was a hilly 20 miles around the south side of the Wrekin, quite hilly & if you choose to go downhill at any point, you know you have to cycle back up.

Sunday was a little flatter with a 25 mile circuit out to Newport & back along the Crudgington Road - very strong head winds made for difficult conditions - pushed hard into the head wind so good resistance training for the legs.

Both outings were good leg training considering my lack of recent activity

Nil Miles

Didn't plan a group ride with the lads from work this weekend been too busy at work & missed the lads Friday Lunch time. So the plan was to do a solo to test the Garmin on a longer ride now I've sorted the GPX files.

Got into doing a few chores around the house on Saturday & missed the best of the weekend weather - woke Sunday morning to a blanket of snow & by the time it had cleared I was back into doing chores again, never mind at least I can get into the shed & garage now. The next couple of weekends need to be good rides in prep for the Jodrell Bank sportive on 14th March.

Garmin GPX

It appears there are two types of GPX files...[1] GPX route...[2] GPX track. I currently use Ride with GPS to map my routes with automatically generates both GPX files. I have been downloading "GPX route" with all but 3 of my rides, this explains why it has been fine on some rides & telling me I've arrived before I've left on others?

Another point to note is that the file size is also significantly larger for the "GPX track" 64k as opposed to 16k. I tested this on my commute to work last Friday & it was fine - happy days - now I need to test on a much longer ride.

ALL "GPX route" files have now been deleted & updated with "GPX track" files - Just a note on deleting files - after deleting files from the 705 unit into the trash bin make sure you empty the trash bin before next connecting your 705 or they will automatically reload onto your unit.

What could possibly go wrong?

Got the Garmin, got a map for back up, so what could possibly go wrong? Where to begin....the Garmin failed to load my gpx correctly so was saying I'd arrived before I'd even left?..no matter plan B "the map" - 20 miles in to our planned 44 mile ride out to Minsterley, we miss a turn in Pulverbatch & end up doing a bit of cyclo-cross before getting back on the tarmac. Then end up going 12 miles in the wrong direction - yep, that means 12 to get back on course so a total of 24 extra miles. By now the feet have started to freeze up & one of the lads is suffering badly with a distinct lack of energy, so even minor ascents turn into major cols.

Bloody hell, were still 19.5 miles from Shrewsbury + another 13 to get home. I eventually part company with the others on the A5 as they head to Wellington & I turn towards Admaston - 5.5 hours & 68 miles later I eventually get home - cold, tired, hungry & in the dog house.....

Here's the link to our ride today

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-kingdom/wrockwardine/770126617589651833

The Weather Breaks [for now]

Finally a bit of decent weather, little bit cold but nothing to stop you getting the bike out. The numbers were a bit sparse this morning for our planned ride out around Cheswardine - I know a couple of the regulars were unavailable but only two of us turned up for the off. No matter - we still had a reasonable outing - approx. - 35 miles.

According to forecasts the weather will be back with a vengeance next week - with minus 12 temperature & more snow on the horizon.