Howdy doody!
What a lovely day it's been today in Morayshire! Spring has well and truely sprung. Daffodils, swallows, sunshine, etc. Terrific! And all of a sudden the days seem twice as long. Somewhat surprisingly therefore this morning I'd decided to give the cycling legs a rest today. I've just started my running programme again in preparation for another marathon later in the year and, as usual, the initial runs have taken their toll on my muscles. You've got to be careful when going from non weight-bearing cycling to running, particularly if you're wanting to up the running mileage quickly. So, with a rest day planned, I set about checking my bikes over for wear and tear, etc. A few hours later and I'd identified that my bikes require a new headset, disc brake pads, gear & brake cables and various "cosmetic surgery" to improve appearances. Cycling's great, but it can take its toll on the wallet at times! After my efforts, the only bike fit for immediate duty was my road bike and, with the sun still shining brightly in the late afternoon, I convinced myself that my legs could stand a few miles on the road - so much for the rest day!
Launching myself at a steady pace into the countryisde with no particular route in mind, the miles began to tick by nicely. It's funny how seemingly tired legs can so quickly come round and before long I'd increased the pace a little. The roads seemed even quieter than usual (which is pretty damn quiet!) and at times it felt like I had the entire place to myself. Everywhere is certainly looking very green. I think the only "greener" place I've been, and a country which seems to have many similarities to the geography of Scotland, is Norway. I was lucky enough to spend three weeks travelling up and down Norway a couple of years ago. What a fantastic country! The scenary, geography and geoloy of the place is breathtaking. From huge, powerful waterfalls to similarly immense Fjords and rock walls, at times you don't know which way to look! It's certainly a place I intend to return to, whether on foot or bike. If you get the opportunity to go, I wouldn't pass it up. The only downside is that it tends to rain quite alot. But, I guess the waterfalls, etc wouldn't be too spectacular without it! When the rain stops though and the sun shines, rest assured, if you like the "great outdoors" you'll love Norway. Here's a somewhat "extreme" view of Norway courtesy of the guys at Oslo Base - don't forget to check out the scenary whilst your jaw is dropping! The one throwing himself off the enormous cliff is a chap by the name of Andre Bach. I happen to know that he's also partial to spot of mountain biking.......when he wants to take things a little more sedately...... . Don't try this at home folks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYGJQkr2t4o
Regards
TPR
Sunday 27 April 2008
Sunday 20 April 2008
New Trail
Having covered some 70 miles or so on the road bike in good company yesterday, I decide that a little off road adventure will go down very well today. Nothing too big, the legs not having fully recovered from the previous day's exertions - about 15 miles should do. And to up the interest factor, I opt to break some new trail - new to me that is. I really enjoy picking up the map and planning a new route. Today's ride will take me on forest and moorland track into the middle of nowhere - nowhere being the heart of Morayshire!
Only a mile or so into the ride on rough track, I'm pleasantly surprised to see another human being- rare in these parts! A farmer on a quad bike checking his livestock. I give him a cheery "How do?" as I pass and he responds with a less than enthusiastic, "Alright" - clearly he's thinking something along the lines of, "What is this silly bugger doing out here on a bike? Nowt better to do!" - but I might be doing him an injustice! Three or four miles covered, mostly uphill, and I reach a high stile. Having just about managed not to fall off the top, bike in hand, it's all new trail from now on. The track leads south, deep into beautiful moorland. Whilst game shooters clearly come this way now and again in 4x4s, I wouldn't be surprised if no other mountain biker has being here in months, years, or possibly ever! A couple more miles under the wheels and the moorland opens up all around, providing stunning views and revealing a lovely little loch. My approach disturbs what look like a couple of Canadian Geese (although I'm no Bill Oddie!), which take flight. I pull my pump action shotgun from my backpack and let rip, taking them both down, feathers flying in all directions! Goose for tea. Only joking, readers! Just checking you're still awake!
Off in the distance, further to the South I spot what looks to be a bothy. It appears to be at the trail side and I decide to make that my turnaround point. As I draw nearer the building, I see that it is in fact a large wooden shed with windows. It stands a hundred yards or so from the trail and, ditching the bike, I approach on foot. Could there be someone at home? A deranged gamekeeper perhaps, driven mad by too much whisky, gun in hand, waiting, watching for those that would dare to trespass...... . Funnily enough, no. It's empty, bar for a long table and benches. But what a view it commands in the April sunshine! You'd have to see it to believe it. But that would mean revealing my location and I think I'd like to keep this spot to myself for a little while.....
Once again, the reasons I love to ride off road are impressed upon me. For those that have yet to tear themselves away from their road bikes and the tarmac to give the trail a go, I can only say, don't leave it too long.
Yours
TPR
Only a mile or so into the ride on rough track, I'm pleasantly surprised to see another human being- rare in these parts! A farmer on a quad bike checking his livestock. I give him a cheery "How do?" as I pass and he responds with a less than enthusiastic, "Alright" - clearly he's thinking something along the lines of, "What is this silly bugger doing out here on a bike? Nowt better to do!" - but I might be doing him an injustice! Three or four miles covered, mostly uphill, and I reach a high stile. Having just about managed not to fall off the top, bike in hand, it's all new trail from now on. The track leads south, deep into beautiful moorland. Whilst game shooters clearly come this way now and again in 4x4s, I wouldn't be surprised if no other mountain biker has being here in months, years, or possibly ever! A couple more miles under the wheels and the moorland opens up all around, providing stunning views and revealing a lovely little loch. My approach disturbs what look like a couple of Canadian Geese (although I'm no Bill Oddie!), which take flight. I pull my pump action shotgun from my backpack and let rip, taking them both down, feathers flying in all directions! Goose for tea. Only joking, readers! Just checking you're still awake!
Off in the distance, further to the South I spot what looks to be a bothy. It appears to be at the trail side and I decide to make that my turnaround point. As I draw nearer the building, I see that it is in fact a large wooden shed with windows. It stands a hundred yards or so from the trail and, ditching the bike, I approach on foot. Could there be someone at home? A deranged gamekeeper perhaps, driven mad by too much whisky, gun in hand, waiting, watching for those that would dare to trespass...... . Funnily enough, no. It's empty, bar for a long table and benches. But what a view it commands in the April sunshine! You'd have to see it to believe it. But that would mean revealing my location and I think I'd like to keep this spot to myself for a little while.....
Once again, the reasons I love to ride off road are impressed upon me. For those that have yet to tear themselves away from their road bikes and the tarmac to give the trail a go, I can only say, don't leave it too long.
Yours
TPR
Friday 11 April 2008
Show Time!
Hello!
Firstly, apologies for my weather prediction in my previous post. So much for no more snow or gritting wagons! Surely winter is about to begger off until next year soon though! Let's hope so.
Well, we have some local road cycling races this weekend. All time trials, they're taking place in and around Forres. We have a 10 mile time-trial (TT), a 25 mile TT and hilly TT of around 17 miles.
I'm particularly looking forward to watching some of the hilly TT. I'm not competing myself - no, I'm afraid what with my dicky knee and dicky bladder, I'll just have to sit this one out on the touch lines with the fat wheezy boys, as General Melchett might say. As such, I intend to observe a bit of the action on one or two of the climbs. There's nothing too steep to tackle on the course, but a couple of the climbs are quite long. One of these is "Craigmill" which comes a mile or so outside Rafford. A gradual ascent, it should suit powerful flat land riders who can also climb a bit. I tested myself on this particular climb recently and posted a time of 6 minutes dead - only to the junction the turns left to Edinvale mind - but not too shabby a time I think. However, that's just a mile and a half perhaps, whereas Sunday's unfortunates must crucify themselves for 17 miles - such is the nature of the "race of truth". Those hoping to do well in the hilly must, as always, think carefully about pacing. Any rider, for example, who reaches the final long hill out of Pluscarden with not much left in the tank will doubtless lose vast amounts of time to those who have kept some powder dry. Here we could see a spot of seriously demoralising "overtaking", i.e. riders being caught by the competitor behind. The very thought of it!
For those seeking a spot of climbing inspiration, here's a short clip of Mr A. showing how it should be done - the famous Stage 9 of the 1999 Tour de France from Le Grand Bornand to Sestriere (courtesy of YouTube). Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiCIJ2JewPE
Just a short post this evening. The night is fine for the moment and I feel like getting a few miles in on the road bike before darkness falls. It only remains for me to wish all this weekend's competitors the very best of luck and a safe race.
Regards
TPR
Firstly, apologies for my weather prediction in my previous post. So much for no more snow or gritting wagons! Surely winter is about to begger off until next year soon though! Let's hope so.
Well, we have some local road cycling races this weekend. All time trials, they're taking place in and around Forres. We have a 10 mile time-trial (TT), a 25 mile TT and hilly TT of around 17 miles.
I'm particularly looking forward to watching some of the hilly TT. I'm not competing myself - no, I'm afraid what with my dicky knee and dicky bladder, I'll just have to sit this one out on the touch lines with the fat wheezy boys, as General Melchett might say. As such, I intend to observe a bit of the action on one or two of the climbs. There's nothing too steep to tackle on the course, but a couple of the climbs are quite long. One of these is "Craigmill" which comes a mile or so outside Rafford. A gradual ascent, it should suit powerful flat land riders who can also climb a bit. I tested myself on this particular climb recently and posted a time of 6 minutes dead - only to the junction the turns left to Edinvale mind - but not too shabby a time I think. However, that's just a mile and a half perhaps, whereas Sunday's unfortunates must crucify themselves for 17 miles - such is the nature of the "race of truth". Those hoping to do well in the hilly must, as always, think carefully about pacing. Any rider, for example, who reaches the final long hill out of Pluscarden with not much left in the tank will doubtless lose vast amounts of time to those who have kept some powder dry. Here we could see a spot of seriously demoralising "overtaking", i.e. riders being caught by the competitor behind. The very thought of it!
For those seeking a spot of climbing inspiration, here's a short clip of Mr A. showing how it should be done - the famous Stage 9 of the 1999 Tour de France from Le Grand Bornand to Sestriere (courtesy of YouTube). Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiCIJ2JewPE
Just a short post this evening. The night is fine for the moment and I feel like getting a few miles in on the road bike before darkness falls. It only remains for me to wish all this weekend's competitors the very best of luck and a safe race.
Regards
TPR
Tuesday 1 April 2008
The Holy Grail
Hello there! Been away, but now I'm back.
Spring has arrived since my last post! Longer days, more cycling time, better weather (fingers crossed!), etc. Thank goodness. Winter is the pits!
Well, it's got to go! What has? One of my saddles. Three or four years ago I bought a Selle Italia Flight saddle. The "original" model, albeit with titanium rails, this particular model saddle has been around for a long time and is well known and well loved by many cyclists. But not by me! Having read several reviews of said saddle and being aware of its popularity for some years, I eventually got around to buying one.....just as it was being superseded by lots of other new designs. Nevertheless, it was still about £40 and remained popular at the time. I can recall one of the reviews saying something along the lines of it might take a while to break in, but when it is you'll love it, very comfortable, etc. Rubbish! I've been trying to break it in on a regular basis for the past three years or more and the only thing I've succeeded in breaking in is my backside! I'm beginning to think that there is no such thing as a truely comfortable saddle, i.e. one which is still comfortable, with no trace of aching arse after 50 plus miles in the saddle. I might even be so bold as to say that those cyclists who proclaim to have found the perfect saddle only do so because after several decades they have simply lost the strength and will to continue in a search akin to that for the Holy Grail! However, I will continue in my quest. I already have a Fizik Arione saddle on one of my other bikes and this is much better. Indeed, I would recommend it, but not, alas, whole-heartedly. So, the Flight saddle will probably soon be appearing on Ebay. The fact that it looks exactly the same as when I bought it is perhaps proof positive that the "breaking in theory" is a load of hogwash - it's too hard! But at least it looks decent enough to sell. I wonder if it might attract more attention on Ebay listed under "instruments of torture"?......
But what of lighter and more joyous cycling matters? Well, on the off road front the Morayshire trails are beginning to dry out with the improving weather and, in respect of matters tarmac, with any luck we have now seen the last of the gritting wagons - no more bike-corroding salt! I took to the road myself over the weekend and it was nice to see some sort of "bike convention" taking place at one of the local schools as I passed by - good to see young cycling blood being encouraged. I also got a few off roads miles in on some local forest trails on Sunday and, having regard to the sunny and warmer conditions, donned my shorts for the first time this year. Fortunately, I didn't come across anybody on the trails, although a number of sheep in a nearby field were unlucky enough to behold my legs in all their terrifying winter whiteness. Since then I have seen them bumping into each other, gateposts, etc - clearly their retinas were reduced to ashes by the glare! Alas, I am truely "the pale one".
Here's to a cracking Spring and Summer on road & trail!
Cheers, all.
TPR
Spring has arrived since my last post! Longer days, more cycling time, better weather (fingers crossed!), etc. Thank goodness. Winter is the pits!
Well, it's got to go! What has? One of my saddles. Three or four years ago I bought a Selle Italia Flight saddle. The "original" model, albeit with titanium rails, this particular model saddle has been around for a long time and is well known and well loved by many cyclists. But not by me! Having read several reviews of said saddle and being aware of its popularity for some years, I eventually got around to buying one.....just as it was being superseded by lots of other new designs. Nevertheless, it was still about £40 and remained popular at the time. I can recall one of the reviews saying something along the lines of it might take a while to break in, but when it is you'll love it, very comfortable, etc. Rubbish! I've been trying to break it in on a regular basis for the past three years or more and the only thing I've succeeded in breaking in is my backside! I'm beginning to think that there is no such thing as a truely comfortable saddle, i.e. one which is still comfortable, with no trace of aching arse after 50 plus miles in the saddle. I might even be so bold as to say that those cyclists who proclaim to have found the perfect saddle only do so because after several decades they have simply lost the strength and will to continue in a search akin to that for the Holy Grail! However, I will continue in my quest. I already have a Fizik Arione saddle on one of my other bikes and this is much better. Indeed, I would recommend it, but not, alas, whole-heartedly. So, the Flight saddle will probably soon be appearing on Ebay. The fact that it looks exactly the same as when I bought it is perhaps proof positive that the "breaking in theory" is a load of hogwash - it's too hard! But at least it looks decent enough to sell. I wonder if it might attract more attention on Ebay listed under "instruments of torture"?......
But what of lighter and more joyous cycling matters? Well, on the off road front the Morayshire trails are beginning to dry out with the improving weather and, in respect of matters tarmac, with any luck we have now seen the last of the gritting wagons - no more bike-corroding salt! I took to the road myself over the weekend and it was nice to see some sort of "bike convention" taking place at one of the local schools as I passed by - good to see young cycling blood being encouraged. I also got a few off roads miles in on some local forest trails on Sunday and, having regard to the sunny and warmer conditions, donned my shorts for the first time this year. Fortunately, I didn't come across anybody on the trails, although a number of sheep in a nearby field were unlucky enough to behold my legs in all their terrifying winter whiteness. Since then I have seen them bumping into each other, gateposts, etc - clearly their retinas were reduced to ashes by the glare! Alas, I am truely "the pale one".
Here's to a cracking Spring and Summer on road & trail!
Cheers, all.
TPR
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
