The Velotard Thread.

[machin05]

Did anyone see the Zoe Ball Sport relief programme the other day? 350 miles from Blackpool to Brighton over 5 days (70 miles a day). Was a pretty good watch, especially as she was one of my teenage crushes!

I got stupidly excited when she was cycling out of Ironbridge up a pretty mean little climb that I've done a few times. Unfortunately, she didn't quite make it up.

Strava Segment (I'm currently 909th our of 3,432) - https://www.strava.com/segments/1095125

Program (about 29 mins in) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09wd4gd/sport-relief-2018-zoe-balls-hardest-road-home

Street View - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.6...4!1slcbxDiNFGTJE1hfQolJrxg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

[machin05]

First proper organised ride of the year (after 2 had been called off due to snow!). 50 mile loop from Pattingham through South Staffs, Penkridge, Gnosall etc.
Felt pretty good. Started off with a pretty quick group which I stayed with for about 3/4 of the way round. Found myself isolated once I lost contact with them, but had enough in the legs to get me back without too much struggle. Pretty happy with the average speed, even if there wasn't really any climbing to speak of.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1470747408

 

[Wombat del combate]

You need to add some commentary about local landmarks and suchlike so we can all pretend we're at the TdF.

 

[machin05]

I was caught and overtaken by three guys about 200m from the finish, which kinda felt like being a breakaway rider in the TdF being caught by the peloton. Kinda.

 

[Wombat del combate]

You always feel for that man or those men. I can't remember if it was the Giro or TdF last year but someone had been in the break all day and looked like he might just hang on but got gobbled up with less than 200m to go.

I've hardly ridden over the last month-and-a-bit (got out twice this weekend though), and trying to organise a group ride within my club is a pain because people don't communicate; there's a regular one on Wednesday evenings in the summer but it makes for a long day, plus the logistical problems of taking a bike to work, bringing it back and so on, so it looks like solo efforts in the main for me as I search for a higher average speeds and so on, unless I mainline some Ventolin and take a cocaine enema.

Oh, and Strava segments: Have you got any records which you can't now get near, in spite of being notionally fitter and more experienced? I have one which I got to within a minute or so on Saturday and that wasn't holding back a great deal, thus I can only surmise that I must've turned myself inside-out and then some for that particular PR.

 

[machin05]

Yeah, there's a hill on the way to work that I can't get close to at the moment. I PR'd it with a 1:50 back in August and since 2018 I've not done it within 2 mins. I'm blaming the weather (you're slower when it's cold, right??) and not getting too worried about it for the time being!

https://www.strava.com/segments/1319662

Also, annoyingly, that climb I linked to a couple of posts back coming out of Ironbridge. The first time I tried it (before I even knew it was there, as it was just on a sportive on a route I'd not researched) was the quickest. I'm sure I've been up there in much better shape and better prepared! Must be a mental thing, building up to it, knowing it's approaching, knowing it buuuuurns! In fact each time I've done has been slower than the previous!

https://www.strava.com/segments/1095125

 

[Keef]

Bit of shameless plugging here,if any of you are interested,from Monday 16th I'm aiming to ride a bike to Armenia,was going to be Kazakhstan,but finances,visas and probably Donald trump may put a stop to that,I'm flying out to Kraków(I know,if I was doing it properly,I'd start from home),then it'll hopefully be
Slovakia
Hungary
Slovenia
Croatia,for the zadar sea organ(YouTube it)
Serbia
Montenegro
Albania
Bulgaria,old communist party HQ and shumen memorial
Turkey,Istanbul then Black Sea coast
Georgia,gori for the Stalin museum
Armenia
It's going to be about 6000 miles,hilly and a struggle on a loaded bike
The bike is a mid 90s steel mtb,24 speed,26" wheels bought for £28 off eBay,now stands me at around £300.
I've got a page going on Facebook if anyone wants to see if an unfit ex bus driver can do it,the page is
A Giant Roam2 Eastern Europe.
Couple of people follow me off here and seem to have enjoyed the last trip I did. So that's
A Giant Roam2 Eastern Europe if anyone is interested

 

[Kenny]

Best of luck on the trip. Looking to forward to following your difficult journey whilst I eat Pringles...

 

[Keef]

Best of luck on the trip. Looking to forward to following your difficult journey whilst I eat Pringles...

Cheers for that,at least one of us will be having a good time then

 

[darlowolf64]

Good luck Keef...Try to keep us up to date with how things are going

 

[Keef]

I'll put a bit on here,occasionally,main bits will be on the Facebook page and I'll do an Instagram page as well.people have asked if I'm going to do a blog,that just seems like work tbh,and would just be along the lines of 30 miles in the rain and headwinds for the third day,please stop being windy and wet,it's not exactly Bill Bryson levels of travel writing

 

[lemonjelly]

Definitely pop some links up on here to your facebook and/or instagram mate. Sure there's a few of us would be interested. I read your last blog a couple of times, but when I did pop onto it for a look, I'd read loads of interesting stuff.

 

[Tredman]

Just seen your kit on FB Keef, you aren't taking much!!

 

[machin05]

Holy shit! Sounds pretty tough going Keef. All the best! Oh, and Strava, or it didn't happen.

 

[Keef]

Just seen your kit on FB Keef, you aren't taking much!!

Rear panniers 4-5kg each
Tent 3kg
Front panniers 3kg each
Barbag 1.5kg
Going to be about 20kg at the start,bit heavier after the first shop to stock up,I've tried to go light this time,as I've got to pedal it about! It did all fit in the rear panniers,but was just horrible to ride

 

[Keef]

Holy $#@!! Sounds pretty tough going Keef. All the best! Oh, and Strava, or it didn't happen.

Away with your strava nonsense,im not bothering you just end up obsessed with the numbers,and I'm hardly likely to be king of the mountains at any point,I'm not even taking a trip computer.

 

[Keef]

I'm all packed and just weighed it
Rear panniers 6.5kg each
Front panniers 3kg each
Tent 3kg
Barbag 2kg
Way heavier than I wanted,looks like stuff will be left in a hotel at some point,lots of room left in the panniers so that's good,at least I can stash my walking boots when I switch to sandals in the summer.

 

[Keef]

Here we go,first trip update,it's Saturday 14th 14.15 and as it stands,the bike is unrideable! Stripping it down to put in the box,and the little star nut that connects the handlebars to the forks has fell down into the forks,it only fits one way,and once in,will only go down and not up,so I can't retrieve it.
Just waiting on the local bike man to phone back,hoping he's got the part to fit a new one.
Could have been worse,could have happened as I was rebuilding it in the airport.

 

[machin05]

Good start!

 

[Keef]

On a par with your pre sportif wheel bearings from last year,Taxi turns up 10.45am Monday,loads of time to sort it........