Training 6 April 2008

SNOW! Winter came back overnight and dropped a few inches in Cheshire. The morning was picture perfect but not conducive to riding! After a quick trip to work, I was ready to hit the roads as the snow quickly melted, leaving only a little on the hills. You may just be able to make it out in the picture below.

During the previous week I gave the bike a mini service due to it hitting its first 1000+ miles. I replaced the poor quality standard fitted tyres and tubes with some Continental Ultra Gator Skins and tubes. I also solvent washed the chain and sprockets with White Lightning Clean Streak and finished with White Lightning Epic chain lubricant. There must have been a pound of gunk that came off! I must remember to do this more often. The solvent came in handy once more as I de-shined my brake pads. The new tyres and service made a noticeable difference during my ride. I was a little bit quicker and the chain and derailleur were working very smoothly.

The ride itself was strange, how can the wind be head-on the whole ride, when you ride in a loop? To add insult to injury, I swear a large black storm cloud was following me. Just as I was pulling into the drive, the snow started to fall again. In all I coved a modest 56 km (35 miles). Steve is back this week. Hopefully he will have a good run at it this weekend. I won’t be able to join him as I am going into hiding over the weekend to commiserate my turning 40, aaaarrrrggghhh!

Chuck