Tag Archives: Focus

Early #Oct100 #Cycling Round Up

Why So Early?

I know that October hasn’t quite finished yet.  It’s only the 31st as I write this.  But I was thinking…. it’s Monday, it’s quite warm out (in the UK at any rate) and there’s technically one more riding day until November… So maybe, just maybe, this article might push a few people out of the door tonight.

I’m also hoping that I might pressure myself into a final ride, as I’m about 16 miles short of the target for #Oct100.

How’s The #Oct100 Looking?

As at today, we’ve got 4,169 miles ridden in October by 25 cyclists, of which 3,423 was either outdoor leisure miles or time on the turbo trainer.

You can see the graph by clicking onto the Monthly Cycling Challenge page on this site and if you haven’t joined in yet, why not give it a whirl? There’s a wee form there, just fill it in to join or to ask me about it.

Worth A Mention:

Mental John Berry turned in his 10,000th mile of 2011 during the month, with over 1,000 miles in this month alone.  If that’s not worth a special mention, then what the hell is?

End Note

If you think you can, just pull the bike out, check it works and get on it.  You might only get round the block, you might notch up a 100 mile day like Mental John does some days.  But I promise you this: you will enjoy yourself.

Just get the bike out and ride it...

Get Your Bike Out.

So just do it. Tell ’em Phill sent you.

Riding Together? Whatever Next?

I’m Not Sure How To Deal With This…

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Other Half.  I love life at home. I love arriving back from work to the welcoming bosom of my family.

But there’s a slightly unnerving feeling when your OH says she wants to join you on the weekly bike ride… isn’t there?

Let me explain.

My Tuesday Night Autopilot Loop is as much a part of my weekly routine as Saturday morning lie-ins and Sunday night Match Of The Day 2.  I don’t so much compete against myself, but I do hammer it some nights in an effort to give my quads a beasting.

The solitude of the ride is a relaxing departure from the chaos and demands of normal daily life.  Come rain, shine, hail, wind, ice or snow, the routine of following a similar loop week-in-week-out gives me an enjoyable escape.

With a second rider, no matter how pretty or how scintillating the conversation, the experience will be… well… just different.

So What Am I Going To Do About It?

I’ll tell you exactly what I’m going to do.  I’m going to embrace the opportunity.  I’m going to enjoy the company.  I’m going to enjoy the experience of watching another rider’s experience increase and skills improve.  I’m going to have the sorts of conversations that only take place when two people are relaxed.

Then I’m going to find another night to go out on my own and ride fast. 😉

Are you with me?

What Mountain Biking Is About

The Tale Of A Weekend Ride Resurrected

This weekend was my routine opportunity to build up a decent run to add onto the #Sep100 spreadsheet – and of course to enjoy the great outdoors.  Unfortunately circumstances conspired to make it impossible for me to get out on Saturday.

I won’t bore with you the details, but suffice to say that the following factors were involved: A fish; Some fungus; Rain; Work. Not necessarily in that order, or to scale.  I achieved a (not very impressive) total of marginally over 2 miles in a trip to the garden centre and back for essential supplies.

Hardly a long Saturday ride.

So, On Sunday…

… I was a bit antsy. We had plans for a houseful for late lunch so I thought I’d be stuck in all day.  My blessed Other Half perceived my angst, so she sent me off to play out on my bike.  I didn’t need to be asked twice. “Why don’t you have a couple of hours out on your bike while I sort this stuff out?” – “Ok, bye!” *whooosh*

I opted to try a new loop, climbing past Tandle Hills Country Park along Thornham Old Road (Thornham Lane) after a climb across to Royton.  I was really pleased with how the old legs held out, without needing a rest at all on the way up.  From the top of Thornham Lane it’s a great, grin-inducing descent to Slattocks.

From Slattocks, it’s less than mile alonf the towpath (avoiding the parallel main road) to Thornham New Road which leads back towards Royton.  I’d not ridden this lane before, and now I know why it’s not too busy:

 

Soggy Socks

Don’t Drive Up Thornham New Road!

 

At this point, I’d already ridden through three or four similar puddles but this was the deepest.  There was no option but to swallow hard, loosen up and keep pedalling. Thankfully there were no surprises lurking in the murk, so I got to the dry track unscathed and relatively dry.  My feet did get submerged as I pedalled but noting more unpleasant than that.

My Advice?

Don’t try riding the length of Thornam New Road unless it hasn’t rained for a week or more!

Having said that, I had a lovely 15 mile ride out, got lovely and muddy and cleared the cobwebs nicely.  Arriving home, refreshed and smiling, I hosed the bike (and my soggy shoes) down, went upstairs for a shower and prepared myself for my afternoon’s role as the gracious host.

You can see the route here, if you fancy a nosey.

Happy Days 🙂

Superstar Components Brake Pads

Fitting My New Superstar Components Brake Pads

Last week I spent £5.48 on a pair of Superstar Components brake pads.  Now that’s cheap!  Shimano or Ashima were all the wrong side of £10 so I took a chance and ordered one set to see how they were.  If they were rubbish I’d only have wasted £5.48.

They’re not rubbish. They’re bloody marvellous so thank you @Mattmbr !

Fitting The Brake Pads …

… was easier, but took longer, than I expected.  Le me explain.  Extracting the old pads was simple:

– Remove the wheel, squash the split pin on the brake unit and pull it out (easy).
– Push the old brake pads out with a small screwdriver (easy peasy).
– Put the spring clip and new brake pads together and push into the void left by the old pads (pretty easy)
– Re-insert the split pin and bend the end with the small screwdriver (lemon cheesy)

So far, all good. No issues. Hunky dory. Five minutes top end. Smiling.

Then put your wheel back on.  No, hang on, the new pads won’t let the brake disc rotor back in. Oh no, now what?  Drop back wheel, put the small screwdriver between the pads, work them apart, put the back wheel in again.  No?  Repeat several times, with swearing.

Eventually, to be fair, the wheel went on.  Just remember that your brake pistons gradually work their way further out when pads are worn, so when you fit new pads they’ll be too close together unless you force them back in with a little bit of grunt (and of course some care).  Once the wheel’s back on, you should be laughing.  And, more to the point, stopping.

Don’t forget to wear your new pads in with a few long, hard stops to get the rotor and pad heat up so they form to the shape of the rotor.  Then you’ll stop properly.

I’ve ordered the second pair today, so I might let you know if the second fitting is better 🙂

Superstar Components Convert

I took some advice via Twitter earlier this week and ordered some new brake pads direct from Superstar Components.

Two days later, less than half the price of Shimano OEM or Ashima and with no postage costs, here they are!

20110804-120645.jpg
I’ll fit them at the weekend and hopefully bed them in with a long descent from Blackstone Edge, but based on my first Superstar purchase, I’m a convert!

I also got a bag of Haribo! Wiggle haven’t sent me any for ages, so Superstar win on that score too.

p.s. I posted this via my phone, so sorry if it looks pooey.

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