Cheshire Cat

Mark and I have signed up to do our first sportive. For those not familiar with this, a sportive (or cyclosportive) is a mass-participation bicycle event that combines elements of road bicycle racing and long distance bicycle touring. Some cyclosportives offer a choice of routes of different lengths or difficulty. Although a cyclosportive is definitely not a cycle race, to define it you could say it falls between a traditional road race and a non-competitive event. Riders sometimes carry a number and the time they take to complete the course is recorded, and there is sometimes an upper time limit within which the course must be completed. The routes will usually be well sign-posted and/or marshalled riders will be able to use feeding stations positioned at intervals along the route to replenish their food and drink supplies, and mechanical and medical support may also be provided.

 

The name of the sportive we are doing is the Cheshire Cat, a loop ride based out of Knutsford. The event has three lengths at 37, 66 and 102 miles. Since it is the first ride of the year and we (well me really) have put on a nice layer of winter fat, we will be riding the 37 mile (60 km) event. We are thinking that we should be able to do this in the required 2 hours if we put in some saddle time. I have been using my turbo trainer which is great if a little boring. The cold weather we have been having looks to break soon so we should be able to hit the lanes!

 

Chuck

A Winter Tale

December 6, 2008

 

With the sun on full this Saturday I decided it would be a good day for a winter spin. It was quite cold the night before (-4 C), the cat was stuck on us all night like a limpet. The day promised a balmy +4 C, it was time to ride. My kitting up took more time than I thought. Bib shorts, thermals (top & bottom), tights, long sleeve base layer, winter jersey, neck warmer, skull cap, gloves, cycle socks, wool socks, overshoes and shades. I was an overstuffed sausage (Pork and Lycra) but ready to go none the less. I even managed to put my arms down, unlike poor little Ralphie's brother in the classic film "A Christmas Story". In the film a little boy's mother puts so many layers of clothes on her son to go to school that he can't see or even put his arms down. I think the remark about "preparing for deep sea diving" was quite apt. Anyway, the mother says "you can put your arms down when you get to school". Anyone who grew up in the great white north can sympathize.

 

I had a really nice ride out into Shropshire enjoying the sun. No wind but the roads was awfully wet. About 25 km from home, I saw black ice on the tarmac ahead. The ice crystals were gleaming at me like the Sirens of Sirenum scopuli. By the time I said "Oh Sh-" I was on the deck! Ouch. A genetic mutation of Lance Armstrong and Olga Korbut couldn't have kept my bike vertical. I took the full force on my hip, hand and shoulder. Why oh why does this always happen the absolute furthest from home? I was literally at the half way point! I stared into the blue sky assessing the damage with one foot still clipped onto the bike. Nothing broken, relief. I gathered my self upwards for a better look, adrenaline course through my veins. Nothing too major, just sore all along my right side, in particular my hip and elbow. Having three layers on saved me some serious road rash. The only visible damage was small tears in my glove and overshoes.

 

Being in the middle of nowhere my next concern was for the bike. Both tires were true and inflated. Only a slight bend on my handle bars and STI's. Both of these problems were easily fixed on the road. At least I had transport. Feeling totally paranoid about ice, I set off on a slow hobble, not wanting to risk another episode. After about 30 minutes of walking and very slow un-clipped riding, I managed to get to my return roads, which I knew were ice free.

 

Once at home I dosed up on some cycling candy (ibuprofen), washed/repaired my bike, got some hot food and hit the showers. Once in the shower I saw a nice bit of bloody road rash on my arm. The strange thing is, there was no tearing or ripping in either my jersey or base layer. How this happened I don't' know, comments please.

 

The lesson for the day was 1) don't ride the day after a heavy night frost, when in doubt stay home. 2) 25 mm wet tires have 0 grip on icy tarmac, you will fall. 3) Several layers of clothing are a good thing. 4) Having a dedicated winter bike is well worth it, if it had been my Madone, I would have been in tears. 4) Red wine and a hot bath cures all fall related ills.

 

Chuck

 

p.s. 5 falls since 2005 only 1 trip to hospital.

 

Hadrian's Audax - Day 2 Grindon to Whitley Bay

I was up early on the morning, watching the sunrise over the moors. A lot of low lying fog and lavender skies made for an eerie scene. We had a band of rain pass over us during the night and the forecast was for clear skies with a cool morning. Our host Les set us up for the day with another full breakfast (not losing any weight on this trip!). We setup our bikes for the relatively short ride, hoping to finish by the afternoon.

We set off at 9 a.m. exactly, quite well for us as we are normally about an hour late. The low lying fog was still around but made for some wonderful scenery. Our altitude was such that we didn't have to ride through any fog but could see it all around us in the valleys to the south. Although we were enjoying our warm up I think we were all thinking about crossing the North Tyne River in Chollerford. In order to cross this river, we drop all of the altitude we had gained over the past day down to the river. Once over, we had to gain it all back plus a little more in a very short distance. We all were a little apprehensive about "making it to the top".

We made the descent into the valley at high speed (60+ km/hr). Losing all our gained altitude in mere minutes. We had to throw out the anchors to keep from going too fast and putting ourselves in a position where a fall would be disastrous. A quick stop on the river for pictures and we were on our way up a 14% grade again. This one was tough. Mark and I set off ahead of Steve and Maile (still struggling with a duff derailleur). Within the first few minutes, Mark and I were on our lowest gears and out of the saddle. When it looked like we were beat and ready for a stroll, the slope levelled off just enough to catch our breath. We then marched a slow and steady cadence up to a point where we finally levelled off. Although we both felt knackered (and a little sick) we had made it without too much difficulty. Steve and Maile were not far behind. We stopped for a quick breather before going up and over the last 80 metres.

The only redeeming thing about this climb was that it was mostly downhill to the coast from the top. There would be a few small hills, but there would also be a lot of coasting and fast spinning. By the time we descended the moors, we were desperate for a coffee and cake stop. Fortunately there was a farm shop just in the right place. Nothing like hot coffee and cake to warm the soul and a cool morning!

Not soon after our cake stop, we hit the built up areas of greater Newcastle. This section of the ride was not meant to be much fun, just a means to an end. We had to fight the traffic, lights and roundabouts along the A191 to the coast. Not too many dicey moments, just a lot of stop-start riding. We were all amazed at the huge volume of traffic on the roads, given that it was a Sunday afternoon. It was a continuous stream of traffic the whole way. Quite disheartening to think that this is the way the country is heading, cars tail to tail 24/7. It seemed ages until we finally saw the coast. None of us felt that tired as we rolled to a stop in Whitley Bay (total distance 148 km). The beach was busy as it looked like the last day of sun we might get for awhile. There was nothing else for us to do but get some fish, chips and mushy peas on the seaside!

After some seaside snaps, Mark's wife took him and Maile back to Grindon to collect the car while Steve and I waited. Steve and I decided to pedal north to find a pub and wait for Maile to collect us. We had a couple of pints at a pub in Seaton Sluice before heading to the nearest car park for collection. The drive back south was uneventful and we made it back to Crewe and Nantwich at 9 p.m. We all agreed it was a great and fulfilling weekend. The next trip is in the capable hands of Mark. What will he have waiting for us?

Chuck

Hadrian's Audax - Day 1 Bowness-on-Solway to Grindon

We all met up on the evening of Friday the 26th in Carlisle to make our final preparations and have a few jars of ale. We managed to behave ourselves that night as we were saving ourselves for the first days ride. We stayed at the lovely Howard Lodge Guest House in Carlisle (very cycle friendly). A grand Victorian building set close to the centre of Carlisle. A huge cooked breakfast set us up for the days ride on a cool morning. Maile dropped Steve, Mark and I off in Bowness-on-Solway by car a bit later than we had planned but still at a reasonable start time of 10 am. Maile headed back to Carlisle to pick up her bike and head to the halfway point (Grindon) before catching us up on bike by heading west as we headed east. Confused? Yes it was a logistical quandary.

Our ride east towards Carlisle followed along the south coast of the Solway, just above sea level. Nice and flat, allowing us to warm up slowly and digest our meaty breakfast. The road was mostly closed to road works, so we had a relatively traffic free run into Carlisle. We did, however, have to dodge the occasional cow, sheep or cattle grid. The sky to the north was black as coal but the sun was shining to the South. We were prepared for the worst but hoping it wouldn't materialise.

Once in busy Carlisle we happened to stop and chat to a Swedish phrenologist with an interest in the progression of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Only when you travel do you meet some interesting, if slightly eccentric, people. We now know a few things about cycling in Sweden that would bore the socks off the most hardcore dullards.

Once out of Carlisle we found some very pleasant riding near Lanercost Priory. The lanes were rolling, woody and quiet. With black clouds still looming we climbed steeply through the village of Banks up onto the moorlands and hooked up to Hadrian's Wall, which we would follow all the way to Newcastle. Some sections of the wall are still in good condition, considering they were built ca. AD 122. We stopped at a few places along the wall to take the ubiquitous pictures. Once we started following the wall, we could see quite clearly how the Romans liked to build walls and roads, straight at possible! By this point we were desperate for a coffee. Fortunately we found Slack House Farm near Birdoswald, which does excellent organic coffee, scones and jam. The cheese looked good too, but there wasn't enough room in my bag for cheese. I have enough trouble getting myself up hills, let alone with a block of mature cheddar!

A few miles further on we finally caught up with Maile at Greenhead and the sun came out. It was good to see she was getting on okay, but she had some news for us. We had a 14% graded hill to climb not far ahead! This hill was a pretty good test for all of us. Mark made it up first with me next, huffing and puffing. Steve wasn't far behind with Maile bringing up the rear. Unfortunately she had to walk up some of it as her rear derailleur was playing up. After we caught our breath (some time later) we made good progress along the B6318, stopping for a pint and nibble at some pub whose name I can't remember. Good beer though. A fairly relaxing, and very straight, ride for the next few miles brought us to our halfway point at 4 pm. We had enough time to relax and enjoy the evening. We stayed at the very conveniently located Old Repeater Station, where our host Les kept us fed, watered and somewhat entertained.

Chuck

The Next Challenge - Hadrian's Audax

For our next outing we are planning to do a coast-to-coast ride roughly following the line of Hadrian's Wall. We will be setting off on the 27th of September from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria. We will be doing the ride over two days with a stay at The Old Repeater Station, which is North of Haydon Bridge. Our ride ends at Whitley Bay, North of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Since this ride will be in the autumn, we are hoping for good weather, but not expecting the best. There are four riders on this journey, the profiles of which will follow later. Here is a map of our route (~150 km).

Chuck

It's All Over

Our Justgiving.com page has closed on the 2nd of September 2008. We have raised a total of £1450, which is £450 more than our target. A huge "Thank You" to all of you who have donated. Since the charity ride is over I think it is time to recycle this blog. We will now be using it as our general blog for our cycle related outings. We have a trip coming up very soon, watch this space.

 

Chuck

 

Day 7 Bodmin to Land's End

We made it! This was our last day. After looking at the maps the night before we realised that the quickest way from Bodmin to Land's End was along the A30, all the way. We set off at about 9 a.m. joining heavy traffic on a windy and wet dual carriageway. This wasnt the best place to be during poor visibility. We had quite a few dicey moments where cars and lorries were flying past us at 70 mph just a few feet away, and in some instances it felt more like inches. When the lorries pass, you get a huge gust of wind which can either push you from behind or the side. The verges are also full of rocks, glass and debris. We had to concentrate very hard to keep the wheels straight. The added adrenaline must have helped as we covered our first 50 km by lunch (pasties of course), which was just at the end of the dual carriageway. Traffic was heavy due to it being a friday and schools are just starting to break up for the summer.

 

After a quick break in Hayle, we went up and over the pennisular to Penzance to prepare for the last leg. There were quite a few sharp hills on the ascent to Land's End from Penzance. We found them very hard as 6 days of intense riding was seriously taking its toll on our legs. Once we levelled off on the last 5 miles, we could see the end and the sheer joy of finishing helped to propel us along at quite a good clip.

 

Coming into Land's End was a fabulous feeling; joy, relief and exhaustion. I still had enough energy to attempt a few weak wheelies at the finish line though. Once we unclipped for the last time, John had a bottle of bubbly waiting us and the celebrating began in earnest. Did we want to get back on the bikes and head the other way? No.

 

Distance Covered: 93 km

Saddle time: 5 hours

Champagne consumed: 1 bottle

 

We spend the night in Bodmin. We had a curry (no energy food! yes!) and a few jars of ale to relax the muscles. Driving back to Cheshire I am starting to realise the scale of this ride. In a car it seems impossible that you could cover vast distances and climb big hills on a bike. I have really enjoyed the ride, bad days and good. We have seen some beautifiul countryside, met some very friendly and generous people. The nights spent at campsites, hotels and pubs enjoying a good laugh will stay with me forever.

 

Lowestoft to Lands End Final Stats

 

Days Riding: 7

Days off: 0

Distance covered: 800 km (500 miles)

Total Saddle Time: 43 hours

Punctures: 2

Falls: 3

 

Time for the thank you's. Thanks to John Welsh, for driving (~ 1500 miles), sorting accomodation, organising food and putting up with us for the last seven days. Thanks to Maile for taking time off work to support us and help John. Thanks to our wives for putting up with all the training runs and spending money on bike bits. Thanks to all of you who have given us words of encouragement and sponsorship money. We should exceed our goal by next week. I think its time for a day of rest and relaxation, until the next challege?

 

Chuck