Day 76

Got home 6:30 ish, had a light salad for evening meal (Had some pickled onions ;-)

went swimming at 7 ish in the pool at 7:20, burped pickled onions up and down the pool for 20 minutes. I worked very hard at getting nowhere, Sweating in a swimming pool just does not seem right?

On the way home stopped at a pub for a pint of cider (Stowford press) and watched the sun go down ;-)

Wifey dropped the wheel of at the local bike shop, they said they would try and get it done this week ;-) (Although I am in no rush as its Iron Maiden concert on Saturday and I'm continuing the Mountain Bike Ride in Sunday)

Not WFH on Wednesday so Mountain Biking all this week ;-)

Day 75 (Sunday)

Well I wasn't going to go out today but I had finished all of my chores and after lunch I got bored...This cycling thing is a bit addictive!

I decided I would explore the rest of Sustrans route 4 from Chippenham to Avebury, then see If i could work out the Kennet and Avon route back ;-) here's a route I found on the interweb

I set of on the familiar Chippenham -> Calne cycle route, when I arrived at Calne I got instantly lost ;-) I cycled backwards and forwards around Calne until I finally found the continuation of the cycle way (The route is very strangely signed)

I finally picked up the route and headed of on very rough tracks.


Some of the cycleway can hardly be called a path....


The cycle way takes you right past RAF Yatesbury (Closed in 1964)


I eventually ended up right in the centre of Avebury, I then followed some other cyclists and ended up on the Ridgeway - I didn't really expect that!


I stopped when I reached Overton Hill and called wifey as I could not work out how to go on to the Kennet and Avon, we decided that it would all be to difficult so I headed straight on back home down the A4, following in reverse some of yesterdays route ;-)


So today I completed 38.2 miles on the Mountain Bike (Walter) where the majority of it was cross country (It was a lot tougher - But FUN)

Trackme did a fair job of plotting the route (Even the zig zagging across Calne) - I have now worked out how to get to the Kennet and Avon so I intend to repeat this trip next Sunday and at least go to Devizes along the Canal if not all the way to Bath ;-)

I have also removed the back wheel from 'Diana' and its ready to go to the Bike shop for repair. (Wifeys MotorBike has turned into a bike hook ;-) - I will get it repaired professionally this time, but I will also buy some spare spokes and next time I will attempt to fix it and true it myself ;-)

Day 74 (Saturday) - Mic, Marian & Nathan

We had an early rise in preparation for Mic, Marian and Nathan, I also wanted to inspect the back wheel on 'Diana'

My worse fears were born true I had broken a spoke on the cassette side which is why the wheel kicked out of true. I twisted the broken spoke around an adjoining spoke (So it wouldn't snag the chain or anything else important) and trued the wheel as best I could with a spoke missing! (If it wasn't for the planned ride I would not have taken the bike out!)

Photy of broken spoke

I will take the wheel out and get the spoke replaced and the wheel trued on Monday

Mic and Marian arrived in good time for the 10:30 start (About 9:50) - Nathan as expected didn't ;-)

We eventually set of at about 10:50


I did find it quit difficult to keep the pace down when I thought I had slowed down enough for Nathan to keep up, Nathan had the audacity to speed up and overtake! - It only happened the once!

Zoom in to see Nathan ;-)


Ahh here he is....


Joking aside I think Nathan did extremely well to keep with us for the ride, I know I couldn't have done anything like it On my 2nd Day, at that point I had only just been able to do 10 miles!

The first leg of the ride was 22 Miles, mainly A4 with a nice tail wind which made the hills quite nice to go up ;-)

When we turned the corner at Clatford we were smacked in the face with 15MPH head winds.

We arrived at the Pub at about 13:20 (A bit later than expected-but no real bother)

Nathan wisely decided to stop at this point - He did exceptionally well to get there ;-)

We left the pub at about 14:45 (I was very much anaesthetised by a couple of bottles of Green Goblin), We returned via Devizes, Bromham, Melksham, Lacock, and Chippenham Arriving back in Chippenham at 16:56 ish (The Cycle Comp had the entire journey at 48.7 Miles)

Not the Fastest round trip but a very good learning experience. It was nice to go out with friends and see the countryside ;-)

The trackme server did a good plot of the route :-)

Here's some more photies of the trip.

Mic giving a thumbs up


Marian n Mic pulling in to wait.....


Me ;-)


I will have to learn to pace myself with other people, I have my own speed that I am comfortable with, Unfortunately it is faster than anybody else ;-( However It was quite nice to pull up every 10 minutes or so and let them catch up. Today's ride is an experience we must do again - I think it is essential that we have to find a pace or a way of riding that does not let us split up or spread out, and NOT force people to go at a speed they are not comfortable at (either slow or fast)

Day 73

Worked from Home again today ;-)

Went for cycle ride at 5pm, Headed of towards Corsham, Five Ways and Atworth returning back over Gastard Hill. Total of 18.1 miles with the last half in the rain ;-(

I am having a bad week.....When I was cycling out of Corsham I heard a metallic ping, I stopped looked over the back wheel and everything seemed ok, when I set of I noticed the back wheel has buckled slightly (About 2cm). I think it will be OK for tomorrows ride - but I will get a straightend on Monday.

Apart from the wheel the ride was good.

I noticed Marian has name her bike Beryl.......It seems like a nice idea so officially the Dawes is going to be know as Diana..... Diana Dawes ;-)

And the Mountain Bike is going to be called Walter.......Its a Raleigh ;-)

Day 72

Wrist was aching all day. Got home and the rain was persistent down

Perfect for ride on cycleway........Wifey suggested that would be a bad idea.

So night off to help the wrist recover.

I will go for a ride tomorrow evening (No Swimming as we are going out to a play)

Day 71

Today was a WFH day....

I set of for ride at 4:30, the wind was strong again (Lyneham had the wind speed at 22 mph Westerly Gusting to 36 mph)

I set off towards Dauntsey, Climbing up Dauntsey Banks, Lyneham through Calne and returned back to Chippenham. I did the 21 miles in 1 Hour 20 mins ;-)

I did have a disaster at Dauntsey..... I fell off ;-(

I came up to a junction and saw a car coming, Thinking it would be going at mach 2 I didn't un-clip my foot, It was a learner - It was going at learner day 1 pace, I overbalanced couldnt un-unclip and fell ;-(

Luckily the bike fell on top of me so it wasn't damaged (apart from a small scratch on the pedal) ;-) Unfortunately I grazed my knee and have a sore wrist...... (And I feel more than a little embarrassed) But a new lesson learnt - Always un-clip at a junction!

Here's some photies of damage and embarrassed me.

Grazed Knee


Grazed pedal


Embarrassed me

Day 70

Night Off....

Playing Computer Games ;-)

Day 69

Did a drive by and picked up wifey to go for a swim.

Got to the pool and it was full so came back home in a grump (Thinking about stopping the membership, and pay as we use it)

Got back home and had salad in the garden ;-) and wifey agreed to go on a cycle ride with me ;-)

We cycled to Black Dog Halt and back (10.2 miles 1 hour 7 min) It was a long way for wifey! it wasn't that long ago it was a long way for me we took some photies at Black Dog.

Wifey looking knackered


Me looking cool ;-)


It was really nice to go for a slow cycle with wifey ;-)

Day 68 (Sunday)

Wow a lot of firsts today ;-)

First time 60 miles (I actually did 61 Miles - The gmap plot doesn't show the mile + of me getting lost ;-)
First time cycle through a City
First time I had to take a map with me because I had NO idea about the roads!
First time I actually planned to buy lunch out and stop at half way point

I cycled to Chew Magna Reservoir and back, touching the outskirts of Bristol on the way there and cycling through the city of Bath on the way back.

Had I have actually checked the wind speed before I left I may not have bothered!
The met office report when I returned stated...
Sunny intervals 16.2 °C WSW 25 mph Wind speed Gusting to 38 mph

So the first 30 Miles was into 25 Mph head winds! I was actually finding it hard work cycling down hill! But once I set off It is difficult for me to give up, Besides my thoughts were for an easy ride home ;-)

So I set of from home at 10:15 arriving at a nice tea room on the shores of the reservoir 2 Hours 20 mins later, I stopped and had a can of drink and a Ham Sandwich, The ride back was with the wind through Bath and up Box Hill arriving back at home at about 3:30......

I hadn't quite realised that all of the effort of getting there would mean that even the easy ride back would be tough!

I took 3 500ml bottles of liquid (2 Squash and 1 Energy drink) along with 3 Taxi Bars. I polished the lot off! But due to the slightly cooler weather I had about the right amount! If it were warmer the I would have needed more!

But this weekend my Total mileage has shot through 900 Miles. I feel that my planned 80 Miles to west Bay is within my grasp (Providing the wind isn't 25 MPH+)

This weekends total Mileage is ...46.9 + 61 = 107.9

If the wind is strong when we do JOGLE we will be in trouble! Today was tough even without the extra 10 miles!

Ohhh the GPS Phone went from fully charged to flat in 4 hours, gracefully turning itself off, I am planning on getting a freeloader solar charger to hopefully keep the power going - I dont like the idea of being hours away from home without a phone!

Day 67 (Saturday)

Got up later than normal! Porridge for breky and took Rosie for walk.

Has Pasta salad for lunch, Then went for a cycle ride, my internal pigeon sense noted the wind direction was from the north so decided against heading south (The return would have been into wind)

So I headed of to the north, Calne, Avebury, Wroughton, Malmesbury, Chippenham a total of 46 miles. Unfortunately my pigeon sense is not as strong as spider sense and the wind direction was South South West so my return was into head wind ;-(

There was a very strong police presence in Avebury due to the summer solstice. Quite sad really - The only day people want to go there and they cant!

Ohhh I actually did 41 mph going down the hill into Wroughton ;-)

Wifey took a picture of my return.



The SPD pedals and shoes were fantastic, I really did notice a difference!

I am planning on doing the Chew Magna ride tomorrow ;-)

Day 66

Didn't go swimming today......I didn't feel like it

Went for a cycle to Black Dog Halt and back (10 Miles) Did the whole trip in 41 Mins ;-)

Thinking about cycling to Chew Magna Tomorrow....But I will see what the weathers like first!

Day 65

Managed to get son to go on ride today ;-)

We cycled to Lacock and up Bowden Hill and stopped for a nice pint of cider (me), Guinness (son) before cycling back home again for tea.

When I returned I fitted the new pedals to the Dawes and set up the cleats on the shoes. I had a little practise at getting the shoes hooked up and more importantly un-hooked. They seem OK ;-)

The heel twist to unlock, Is positive but not awkward ;-) The cleats allow the foot to rock which is nice as the toe clips didn't allow any foot swivel at all.

I will see more on the first real ride with them on Saturday but the first impressions are good!.

Here's some photies of pedals n cleats n things...

The existing pedals....


The new (Shimano PD-R540 Pedals)


The New Shoes without cleats fitted


And with the cleats fitted..

Day 64

WFH Day ;-)

Went out for the Chip > Calne > Lyneham > Dauntsey > Chip Ride, It seams like ages since I last did it. It also seamed a LOT easier ;-) Even with the tough return cycling into 17 MPH SSW winds.

I did the 21.5 miles in 1 Hour 27 Min....Not the worlds fastest time but hell it was windy!

I tried the heart rate sensor for the first time today, It does appear to work well although it doesn't record the maximum rate???? but it does have a hidden bonus of stopping the trip showing so no more watching the miles drag by ;-)

The shoes and pedals have arrived ;-) Still reading everywhere horror stories of people unable to detach there feet from the pedals! and falling over with feet still attached to the bike

I intend to fit them tomorrow evening after I get back from the ride (10 miler Probably on Mountain Bike). I will practise clipping in and out before I set off anywhere!

I have decided it would be a good idea to cycle to Mic 'n' Marian's house for a weekend in August It will be somewhere between 90 miles (Autoroute no Main roads) or 70 miles (Gmap using mainly A4 ) (Each way) I must admit I am drawn to the Autoroute map although much longer the quiet country roads do sound appealing ;-)

Day 63

Night of.

Did play computer games for a while.....But got totally hacked of with it.

Intending to do 20 on road bike tomorrow.

Had message on phone to say peddles and shoes have arrived ;-) They ordered the wrong shoes so I am getting R099 instead of R075 but at the price I have already paid ;-)

Day 62

Normal Day...

Did a drive by wifey pick-up on the way home and went straight to swimming.

Stopped for pub grub on the way home ;-)

Feeling very lethargic today! wondering if it was the weekends cycling catching up?

Day 61 (Sunday)

Got up early (as usual!) Porridge for breky, took Rosie for a nice walk around the river.

went out on cycle ride at 10am(ish) not really sure where or how far I was going to go.

I ended up doing 51.6 miles! I cycled to Corsham, Bath, Kingsdown, South Wraxall (I stopped at the church and visited my grandfather, grandmother and uncles grave), Trowbridge, Steeple Ashton, Devizes then back through Calne (The gmap can be seen here) Trackme appeared to work reasonably well today as well. And to top it all I have finally set up the wireless cycle computer so that it agrees with the mileage (Wheel size now set to 2105mm)

I really...NO REALLY enjoyed it. But I definitely ran out of energy when I reached Devizes I stopped at a garage and bought some grub and a topup drink. Whilst I was stopped I was fortunate enough to meet another cyclist (Andy Gibbons) who is on day 1 of a 2000 mile ride! From Bedfordshire to Lands End to John O Groates and back to Bedfordshire.. read here he seemed 'normal' , so there is hope for us!

This weekend I have cycled over 100 miles! Yesterday 48.5 today 51.6 = 100.1 miles ;-)

All I need to do is do that in 1 day! The total ride time is not that bad at just over 7.5 hours - But if today is anything to go by the fatigue hits suddenly!

Sorry about this but I feel the need to post a picture of my grandparents grave.....Morbid I know but I feel I have to! (I was named after my uncle who died in a motorcycle accident he was David John - I am John David, It still gives me goose bumps)



My grandfather had a really cool name Ezra...Shame I cannot remember him ;-( and my grandmother died before I was born).

Day 60 (Saturday)

Tada...Today is Day 60 ..some sort of milestone I guess

Started of with a nice bowl of cereal and a child out slow morning ;-)

Took Rosie out for a fab walk at Morgan's Hill, the wild Orchids are out and the whole hillside was a blanket of wild flowers and grasses.





It would be really good to take the mountain bike there as the paths are quite interesting.



When we got back from the walk, We had some rice for lunch I then set out on the Dawes for a really nice afternoon ride, the plan was to try the ride out I have in mind for the 28th when Mic, Marian and Nathan come down for a ride :-)

The ride was great... 48 miles (2 Miles shy of Mic's requested 50) It does however take in some of Wiltshire's best - Avebury (sort of ;-), Silbury Hill, West Kennet Long Barrow, West Woods, The Barge Inn at Honeystreet (Ohhh they sell Green Goblin Cider), Lacock

The planned route can be seen here... (Planned for the 28th and performed by me today :-)

It was a bit strange cycling to a pub and not actually going in!!!!! (Ideally at the half way point 25 miles)

I really must learn to take enough liquid with me! I had two 500ml bottles, I had finished them both and ended up cycling into Lacock village to an Ice Cream van and buying an Ice Lolly because I was parched.

So Today I did 48.5 miles and the psycho computer has it at 3 hours 9 mins (It actually has the distance at 49.5 miles!)

went in to Cycle shop this morning and they reckon the SPD peddles and shoes will be in on Monday......(Sort of excited and concerned in the same breath!)

Ohhhh Had BBQ for tea ;-) Experimented with BBQ cod poached in parcels with lemon, white wine and spring onion - It worked perfectly ;-)

The 2 bottles of GG are turning the evening very mellow... (Planning tomorrow's ride already ;-)

Day 59

Got home.

Feel really lethargic....Scripted up some stuff for the CSS server...

Opted against doing anything but sitting down.......

Day 58

Hmmmmmm I never intended to go very far!

I got in from work late and didn't get on the bike until after 7, problem was I got carried away and ended up doing 19 miles (1 hour 10 Min) gmap here

A new massive top speed was achieved of 39.9 mph ;-) (On hybrid bike of course!)

I have taken some photies of the custom hand grips on the mountain bike...

So to answer my daughters question, her leg warmers are now cushioned hand grips ;-)

Day 57

Today was a WFH day ;-)

I started work early and hardly moved all day. Not conducive to exercise!

I stopped and took dog for a walk at just before 5 to try and warm up a little.

The clouds started again! so I opted for a shorter 10 mile ride on the mountain bike...
I cycled from Chippenham to Black Dog Halt and back along the Chippenham, Calne cycle way.

Considering I found it difficult to actually get going once I was on the bike I thoroughly enjoyed it again I did the 10 miles in just over 40 minutes ;-)

I intend to do another shortish ride tomorrow then go out for a longer ride on Saturday, I am looking forward to trying out the 40 mile off road I have found ;-) Route here...

My hand started to feel a bit achy again on the mountain bike....It is definitely the MB grips.. I think I have remedied it by taping a pair of socks folded up to the hand grips ;-)

Day 56

It was very...no VERY sunny all day today, I was desperately looking forward to getting home and going out on the bike.

When I got home and got changed the moment I walked out of the door the sun went in and the clouds came out ;-(

Still I went for a really nice ride 16 miles in 1 hour and 4 mins ;-) My knees didn't ache and my hand isn't numb. I did not push myself and I was enjoying the ride ;-) gmap of route here

Again I cycled down a route that I did many times as a teenager, the hills seamed bigger and longer then than they actually are.

I am happy I had a little break, I am just hoping now that the sun comes back out so I can go for a nice ride at the weekend ;-)

Wifey bought me another water bottle today and I fitted a second bottle bracket to the bike :-) I will not go thirsty again!

I forgot to mention that I bought a pair of SPD-SL peddles and shoes at the weekend (Expecting them to arrive at the shop this week :-) Everything I have read and the people I have spoken to all say that 'proper' cycle shoes will make a big difference.

I am now re-building the game server........Its like watching paint dry.............

Day 55

yay ;-) went swimming today ;-)

Stopped for pub lunch on the way home ;-)

Unfortunately the CSS game server died today ;-(

Tomorrow night I am going for a cycle ride ;-) Then back and rebuild the game server ;-(

Day 54 (Sunday)

Another really nice day. Wifey n me took Rosie out for a cycle ride.......(Doesn't count as a training run!)

Built a supported shelf from CLS and floor boards (Printers and computer still work! - Junked the TV)

Looking forward to getting back on the bike proper....

Day 53 (Saturday)

Fantastic sunny day, Went for a really nice walk on the Ridgeway.

Cut the hedge and grass. Had fab BBQ, then disaster struck, The heavily overloaded shelf in the office came down to earth. (A computer, 2 printers, TV, freeview box, junk mail....etc..etc..etc)

Major re-think in office ergonomics required.....

Day 52

Day 3 of rest......

We were going to go for a swim.

I thought it would be nicer to go out for pub food, so we did :-)

I had 2 Black Rat ciders that went straight to my head....

I have found some non road cycle route 40 miles+ and am looking forward to using them!!!

Day 51

Day 2 of self imposed rest ;-(

Plan is to do all of the house chores I haven't done in the past 50 days! Then on Monday strap the hand up and get back on the bike...

Planed the weekend up already so there is no space for bicycle weakness!

My left knee only aches now pressing the clutch and walking up stairs, So I will be good to go again Monday.

This evening spending some time reading the sustrans books.

Roll on Monday.......

Day 50

WFH day ;-)

Had some ibuprofen after breky. My knees are starting to feel a little more 'normal' now, I think I overdid it a little at the weekend ;-)

I will still rest up this week and over the weekend, but may venture out next week. I missed going out on the bike today ;-(

I fitted the wireless cycle computer to the bike this evening.

Wifey had ordered some cycle network books from sustrans that turned up today, It will be good to scope out the cycle network without having to be there!

I insured the bike today as well, included is personal indemnity insurance, theft and accidental damage.

Cant wait to get back out on the bike.........Day 1 of self imposed non-bike :-(

Day 49

Wireless cycle computer and heart rate monitor arrived today ;-) I should now be able to see the amount of effort I am putting in!

But today is Day Off!!!!!!

Playing computer games ;-)

I have been reading a bit more about handlebar palsy , I have currently been ignoring it, hoping it will go away, All advice is to stop until the ulnar nerve inflammation stops, then do some specific exercises to strengthen the wrist/hand joints.

My exercise over the weekend has also cause my knees to ache again this is probably down to patellofemoral syndrome Again the treatment advice is to stop, rest and do specific exercises to strengthen the patellofemoral joint.

I have decided that if I continue without stopping I am going to break something, I am enjoying the cycling and I don't want the current annoying aches to turn into real pain, So I am going to stay of the bicycles for a couple of weeks to help my aching joints recover.

Day 48

Swimming was called of by wifey.

It started raining on the way home ;-) I was well happy with the idea of going for a 10 mile mountain bike ride on the muddy cycle lane ;-)

I did the 10.2 miles in 46 mins, I don't know if I am a lot stronger or if the slicker new tyres made the difference?

Here's a piccy of my happy and filthy return



I am really enjoying this cycling thing!!!!!!!

Day 47 (Sunday)

Today was another good day ;-)

Bit of a repeat actually! got up early did normal Sunday house tidy chores had porridge the went for 5 mile slow ride with Rosie and wifey.

Had a couple of ham rolls for lunch then at 1pm went for a cycle ride, again I cycled in directions I haven't been in over 20 years!
It was very strange to cycle past my parents house - They are both now deceased, I must admit the ride seamed easier than it did when I was a kid, I suppose the effort I am putting in is paying off as well as the light weight and well geared bike!

I ended up cycling down a VERY busy A road form Beanacre to Chippenham, the sort of one I have been dreading going down, I guess my confidence has grown with my ability as the experience was NOT all bad.

I intended to do 30 miles and I ended up doing 32.57 miles in 2 hours 13 mins.

Giving today a day total of 37.57 miles and a weekend total of 95.32 miles! Ohhhhh I am well happy with that!

I flashed the rom on the phone to the TLR Kaiser 21.05.08 it appears to have helped trackme perform properly, so the Day 47 route is plotted correctly

Today was a lot tougher than yesterday! My knees were already aching and my butt started aching at 10 miles, I think I need to ignore the cycle computer, I end up watching the miles tick over like watching the second hand of a clock tick! I think now its time to bring out the MP3 player and head bang to Iron Maiden and Metallica whilst burning up the miles ;-)

This weekend was very enjoyable, but the time commitment of doing this sort of miles may be difficult to maintain. I think I will try and do a biggy ride once a week and curtail my ambition in favour of family time on the second weekend day! Although I still intend to do a back to back 100, but that can wait until the end of the year!

I am now very confident that I can do the planned Chippenham -> Chesil Beach ride in July (80 Miles)