Closing down sale...

This blog is now closed.

You can now find me at my new bike blog.

Back in the saddle with my old pal Iain D...

Iain & I used to work together years ago & we always shared a common love of bikes. We'd go MTB riding regularly & the last time we did a ride together was the Hell of the North Cotswolds off-road 50k ride. I remember it as the hardest ride I've ever done & due to having zero bike fitness at the time, I was totally fucked afterwards but it was rewarding nonetheless.

So we had been talking about doing another run out together & now he had his new Olmo (very nice) road bike sorted, we decided on an early morning Sunday spin.

Leaving mine at 9am we headed out to North Newington & I was feeling pretty good with the nice blue skies & fresh air in my face. We did Newington to Shutford & on to Epwell & Sugarswell Lane to Sunrising. From there we road across to Edgehill & on around Camp Lane to the Warwick Road at Warmington. The ride across Camp Lane was great & we got up a real good average speed of 20mph but as we got on to the Warwick Road we were greeted by an evil head wind which battered us about all the way home. We stopped at my folks place for coffee & then made our way home.

Already looking forward to riding out again soon as....

20 miles done.

Riding & walking...

Another beautiful morning & Tony & I were out on the Warwick Road again. We turned off for Horley & followed the road up past Varney's & Hornton again. Coming back in on the Stratford road I got a puncture & whilst trying to reinflate my tire the bloody valve blew off! It was decided that Tone would go on & get the car whilst I started a nice long walk towards Banbury. As the sun was out it was rather tranquil between the Bennie lorries hurtling past me as I strode on towards home. Nick from the Banbury Star came past & had a chat which was cool & I even got offered a lift from a kindly van driver who was travelling in the opposite direction! Goes to show there are some good folks left in this shit-bag world! Nick met up with a fellow rider & said goodbye & then Tony turned up in the motor as I got to Wroxton. I said that was the 1st & last time I was going to be that unprepared & I'm going to get some bits to take out with me to cover those sort of eventualities that are bound to happen again at some point.

Spanner - check
Allen key - check
Tyre levers - check
spare tube - check

8 miles riding
2.5 miles walking

Got home & gave the bike a good clean up as the wheels were off it...

Thanks Tony ;-)

Feeling it!

Did another recovery ride with Tony B today. We headed out on the Broughton Road & followed it to the Epwell fork. Across through Epwell & Sugarswell Lane to the Stratford Road & back to Banbury. Good conversation & the ride was done before we knew it but pushed it quite hard for me & I was very tired for the rest of the day...

20 mile loop

Well that didn't last then!

So Tuesday brings rain, might have known that you aren't getting two whole days of nice weather but I was undeterred & got my stuff together to get some more miles in.

Went out to North Newington & I made it up the hill into the village without getting out of the saddle! Seeing as this was a big ask back in January I was stoked at my progress once I got up top. Made my way up through the village & then right to Wroxton. Made the big rise out of the saddle & noticed the building dark grey skies as I cranked along the top to the Stratford Road. Did a LH & went out a little way on the Stratford Road & then RH & back towards Horley. The wind was getting up by this stage & rain was defo on the cards any time soon. Made my way by the Scout Camp site & up onto the Warwick Road & back through Hardwick estate. My water bottle disintegrated on me so was launched over someones garden in disgust, temper temper young man! Before long I was tucking into a bacon sandwich with my folks - spot on...

10 miles completed.

It's a beautiful day!

Monday morning & the Sun is out, wow! what a rare occurrence & one to be taken advantage of. You can't beat getting out in the sun on your wheels (whatever they may be) & it was full-on good vibes as I peddled up the road.

Met up with Tony B as he was doing a recovery ride from his Hard riders TT race on Sunday. We headed out up the Warwick Road for a gentle ride around the villages. We did Horley up past Varney's & Hornton & then back on the Stratford Road & off to North Newington. I was surprised at how quickly it went & with all the chatting & banter, I really don't remember a lot of the cycling!?

Googlemaps says 20 miles all in...