Category Archives: Cycling Challenges

Cycling Safety And The b=n+1 Rule

By 4 commentsCycling Challenges, Diabetes, Rides, , , ,

Cycling Safety IDs

Clive’s blog today really struck a chord.  I have diabetes.  I ride alone at least once a week, after dark.  I have diabetes so if I was to take a tumble or get clipped by a motorist, I could potentially be having a post-exercise hypo whilst insensible with an injury.

I’ve looked at RoadID before and always thought they looked cool, but expensive and that I was unlikely to wear them each time I ventured out.  I’m not inclined to keep a wrist band on permanently, as I do a corporate job and a watch is enough adornment.  I remove the watch and my two rings when I ride as I don’t like things jangling about on me.

So, Clive’s blog was a Godsend.  These little stickers stick onto your lid, so if you’re a cyclist you’ll never leave home without them accidentally.  Now that’s perfect for me, as I don’t run. At all.

Ask yourself: if you were to come a cropper on a ride, what would happen next?  Then, think about buying the stickers, eh?

The b=n+1 Rule

Chris reminded me of something I’d forgotten this morning.  The equation b=n+1 applies to all cyclists, where:

  • b = Number of bikes required
  • n = Number of bikes owned

This equation defines us all as cyclists.  Once it takes effect, there’s no going back.

This equation is the reason that I downloaded the eBay app to my iPhone.  This equation is the reason that I saved the searches “Rz120” and “Whyte t120s” into the eBay app.  Now whenever anyone puts either of those two bikes for sale on eBay, I will hear a cheerful “BING!“, see a notification on my phone and instantly become stressed about whether or not to get involved in watching, or worse still participating, in the sale.

Oh yes, of course I rationalise: I’ve told myself that I’m just seeing how cheaply you can pick up a nice 120mm trail bike.  I’ve told myself that I’ll save up diligently and not spend impulsively.  I’ve told myself that I’m looking at shiny new trail bikes because my son is outgrowing his 24” bike and I can pass on my Fat Boy to him, so I actually really neeeeed a shiny new trail bike…

But we all know, it’s just the maths working their magic.  The equation’s got me.  I’m doomed.  I’m a cyclist.

Are you? 😉

First #Apr100 Ride – And Gadget Update

By Cycling Challenges, Reviews, Rides, , , , , ,

Wasn’t Saturday Lovely?

After a brief downpour caused by Jon Moore buying some masonry paint, I ventured out for some proper off-road MTB action.  The route was mapped from the latter pages of Singletrack Magazine, and my plan was to join it at Ogden (near Newhey) and enjoy the moorland and bridleways of my local environment.

The trail didn’t work out as planned thanks to some technical issues (see below), but it was still a cracking ride.

You can view the Google Map/Earth view here, or the Daily Mile record here.  All in, I did a very enjoyable 12.77 miles, only 2 or so of them on the roads.

Tech Talk – Cyclemeter on iPhone4

Last week a new iPhone4 arrived, so I took a little advice from the land of the internets and plumped for Cyclemeter as my training GPS tracker of choice.  I must confess, it’s been a good start.  I stuck the phone into one of the kids’ mp3 armbandy thingies and off I went.

I imported my route via an email I sent myself, with the gpx file attached.  Admittedly, I rode the first 3 miles without my route imported properly, so when I stopped at the top of a killer hill, I imported it again and tracked properly for the rest of the afternoon.  User error aside, I’m very impressed so far, and the app links automatically to Facebook, Twitter and DailyMile to record the tracks like the one linked just under the pictures above.

Respect

… to the bloke who went past me on his orange Turner (5 Spot?) as I sat messing with my phone and trying not to pass out at the top of a bridleway hill that pulls steeply out of Ogden.  “That was a proper grueller” he explained as he pedalled past me, then continued without a breath up and over the brow of the hill.  I followed his tracks until I took a wrong turn on a dry bit.  You’re fit, man.

Anyway… enjoy your riding everyone.  Don’t forget to follow the #Apr100 hashtag if you’re on twitter, and join the challenge if you haven’t done already.

March Review. #Mar100 Superstars.

By 2 commentsCycling Challenges, Rides, , , ,

That Was The Month That Was

I hope you enjoyed some riding in March.  I did.  Once again, I didn’t hit the 100 miles but I clocked just over 70 and I’m chuffed to have done so.  The best ride was over to Bury from our Rochdale home to buy my spanking new camera, then back past home and up to Hollingworth Lake before a little climb up to the Moorcock pub in Littleborough.  I didn’t have the time to attempt Blackstone Edge that day, but the 26 miles were a total pleasure.

Performances and Props

26 different riders logged miles in the #Mar100 spreadsheet, which is amazing, considering the dark nights, cold days and general  everyday life. I’m cuffed to be associated with such motivated people, and that motivation gets me off my bum and into the saddle more often than you know.

Mental John Berry once again took the crown with a staggering 908.55 total miles, 896.99 of which were non-commutes.  I’m still allowing turbo miles, by the way, although I’m not sure how much longer I can let you lot get away with pretending to ride! 😉

Martin wasn’t far behind with 606.69 qualifying miles and our Canadian recent recruit Jane Victoria King put over 350 miles into the British Columbian early spring.  Nice!

Too many other riders stand out, but special props to Jo Simcock who’s ridden over 360 miles on a basic MTB with little more than coffee and determination powering her through ride after ride, after ride. Fantastic stuff, Jo!

The #Apr100 is already underway, and the sheet can be found at the end of this linky.  Get riding and get logging, people!

Summary. It Wasn’t Summery

Despite the weather, the #Mar100 riders amassed a total of 6,374 miles in March.  More than 4,800 miles were not commuting.  I am humbled by your efforts and I am inspired to get on my bike today.

My plan is that I’m going to try uploading a gpx file to my new phone and follow a track I copied from Singletrack Magazine up over the moors from Newhey towards Oldham and back via the good old Lake.  Wish me luck!

30 Days Of Biking

By 6 commentsCycling Challenges, Rides, , , , ,

A few weeks ago, Phil at TheTribe mentioned a website to me that I think you should all register on.

30 Days Of Biking

30 Days Of Biking

You’ve go to love the strapline these guys use: “We Ride Our Bikes, Every. Friggin’, Day“.

The idea is that you ride your bike every day in April.  Then you tell the guys about it.  Register here.  I’m not going to be riding every day, but I’m certainly going to keep looking at the website and I’m going to be inspired by other people’s stories.  It seems to sit ideally alongside our 100 mile month challenges and I’ll be emailing everyone on the Mar100 sheet about it.

What do you think? Are you joining in?

Tell ’em Phill sent you 🙂

Review and Renew

By 12 commentsCycling Challenges, Rides, , , , ,

For my first post of the year I thought I’d follow an old routine and put 2010 to bed before waking up 2011 with a bucket of cold water and a strong slap around the chops.

2010

So, how did I do?  Well, I registered one substantive Fail: the Great Manchester Run, which I didn’t do.  Running and me have decided that we don’t really get on, so we’ve parted company.  So I won’t be joining the triathletes among you.  Maybe I’ll do a duathlon one day if the swimming isn’t too bad (and if I get another bike).

On the plus side, there was much Win.  I completed the Manchester to Blackpool ride and was very happy with my (very mediocre) time.  This helped me to hit the 100 miles in that month’s challenge, which spurred me on to other months too.  Many of you joined me trying to amass 100 miles each month until the end of the year.  With your help (and I can’t say how much you helped me, you really did) I rode 628 miles last year.  My furthest ever, mostly to Littleborough and Hebden Bridge.

Raising £500 through the year for Springhill Hospice was fantastic.  To those of you who helped, I’m more grateful than you will ever know.  My Mum will be smiling on us from whichever afterlife you prefer to imagine – or if you don’t believe, then those who are spending time in that wonderful hospice will be grateful for the dignity and care that you’ve helped to support.

I’ve also made my life linger and happier with the fitness you’ve motivated me to maintain.  For this I am thankful, too.

2011

Once again, I’m keeping my goals SMART* this year.  I’m focusing on a small number of them, as I have difficulty concentrating on more than one thing at a time.  I am a man and I make no excuses.

This year I shall try to:

  • Cycle 1,000 miles
  • Raise another £500.00 for Springhill Hospice

If you can help me achieve either of these, then I love you. But not in that way.

You can definitely help by joining our January 100 Mile Challenge and simply getting on your bike.  I will keep the link always on the right of this blog, in the little brown box.

* SMART = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed.

So What?

I realise that this post is mostly in the first person.  That’s because it’s about me.  But I hope you can identify with what’s happening, especially at this time of year.  Please join me on the challenges.  Please divert what money you can into a worthy charity for the sake of others.

Please have a fantastic year and lots of cheesy grins like this when you get home:

2011 - A Year For Grinning.

Chilly and Cheerful, 2011 The Year Of The Grin

I know: scary, but I’m having a great time.  Will you this year?


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