Sweating on the Pinarello

Had a phone call from Parkers today - bad news - minor problem with the headset bearings for my Pinarello - they have promised to get it done for Friday - lets hope they make the deadline or I might have to ride the Wyre Forset Sportive on Sue's Monoc. Not that the Monoc is a bad bike, [it used to be mine prior to the Pinarello], but it has been set up for Sue to ride & would require several adjustments - not best prep - fingers crossed for Parkers.

On the plus side the gearing has been 'tweeked' and my new black bar tape has been fitted - I will fit the new continental rubber on Friday evening all being well!

Something for the Weekend, Sir?

My trusty Pinarello is in for a bit of a service this week in time for the 'The Wyre Forest Stinger' sportive.

I'm having new headset bearings fitted as my bars have been stiffening over the past couple of weekends & my gearing is being tweeked to iron out the missed gears I've been experiencing lately.

And just to spruce it up - new black pinarello bar tape to go with the Carbon [effect] bar plugs I purchased last week, my ride will be shod with new rubber as I also have a pair of Continental GP4000 S tyres [with black chilli compound] waiting to finish it off nicely.

New Boots & Panties

Not quite, but a new crash helmet qualifies all the same, finally got my new lid and took it for a test ride today, I am now in possession of a Giro Ionos in Black & Carbon, very nice! - not only does it look good but the Ionos was also extremely comfortable and should be for the arm & leg that its cost, still buy cheap, buy twice, thats my motto!

So kitted out & looking resplendent in my new crash helmet I was out early doors today to beat the heat from this blistering weather we are having, joined by Darren from work, we did a near 50 mile ride out back of Newport to Tern Hill before rounding back towards Waters Upton & High Ercall a great ride on relatively flat terrain suitable for anyone really with a desire for some distance/endurance type training to do.

A-Ma-Zing

If you haven't already seen this you MUST watch this amazing piece of bike handling - on a road ride!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z1fSpZNXhU&feature=youtu.be&a

Billy No Mates

It was a case of 'Billy No Mate's' this weekend as I forgot to arrange a Sunday outing with the lads from work. Anyway I did manage to do a 40 miler, another combo ride mainly on a mix of A&B roads. As last weekend riding up to Broseley & on to Wenlock, but this time taking the Shrewsbury road & dropping into Harley - the 12% descent at 45 mph was awesome - I was in danger of overtaking cars at one point which is risky on skinny rubber. Continued to Shrewsbury along the Cressage road which is pretty straight & boring before turning for home through Atcham, Uffington & over Haughmond hill. A decent enough outing with the Wyre Forest sportive on the horizon - but I need to plan more miles before the stinger in 2 weeks time - hopefully a double ride next weekend, it would be rue not too with this weather and all.

Miles Better

Good weekend for cycling - just as planned for a change. Saturday was a 37.5 mile combo route [2 previous rides mixed together]. From home I climbed up to Horsehay before dropping down into Ironbridge via Jiggers Bank, followed by a stiff 2 1/2 mile climb up to Broseley & out through Wiley & Barrow before a speedy descent into Much Wenlock, but that was nothing to the descent from Farley down into Sheinton & Cressage...Wow! - I'm gald I was going down it & not cycling up it [maybe one day]. Once into Cressage I picked up my Acton Burnell route riding along some glorious undulating lanes before finishing with the 6 mile flat sprint home along the A5 etc.

Sunday I was joined by Darren & Lee for a 54 mile route out to Worfield & Albrighton - this is the route I had planned to do last week which was cut short by my Garmin battery failure and me not knowing the exact route. But today was different and this is an excellent undulating ride with several climbs - nothing too steep but enough to drain the legs. 1 small issue was that the Cosford Air Show was in full swing and the lanes were a wash with cars & people having picnics - so we had very few places for a p**s stop?

Wyre Forest Stinger Sportive 'Link'

Here is a link to the Wyre Forest Stinger Sportive - on the Cyclosport website

http://www.cyclosport.org/eventdetails.aspx?id=486&eventid=1013

And a direct link to the Stinger which is organised by the Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club

http://www.wyreforeststinger.co.uk

Registered for Sportive No3

Just registered for my third sportive of the season - Wyre Forest Stinger [mini] - 113 km starting in Stourport-on-Severn and meandering around the surrounding lanes & hills. I think the sting comes in the latter section of the ride judging by the profile.

I have a target time, for my age category, [no laughing] for Gold medal I have to finish in under 4 hours 30 minutes.

Must remember to turn on the Power in future?

Intended to do a new route of 54 miles out to Worfield yesterday...hhhmmm. Relied on the Garmin to navigate the new route but my Garmin battery power gave out after about 6.5 miles - thought I knew where I was going - didn't - made a few wrong turns & ended up doing a shorter ride of 41.5 miles.

Must turn the power on when charging the Garmin in future?

To top it off when I was cleaning my crash helmet I noticed the shell was cracked at the front - this now means I have to buy a new helmet before I can ride again.

Time to set a target

Set a target of getting home in under 2 hours on my 37 mile route out around Wistanswick [Nr Hodnet] - I averaged over 18.5 mph and returned home in 1 hr 58 min - target achieved!

OK I might not be within the realms of Fabian Cancellara for my time trialing ability but I was pretty stoked to have maintained that average speed.