My cold is just about gone. I've managed to avoid them mostly for about 18 months so that's not bad going.
On Friday I'm hoping to do my first decently long run of the year: about 80 miles from Stepps to my folks' house near Pinwherry in Ayrshire. I have a half day to use up so I'll aim to work in the afternoon as the endorphins slowly ooze away.
Then on Saturday I'll do the return journey, then head up to Stirling for a party. I won't be able to hit the beers too much as I'll cycle home again on Sunday, a mere 25 miles or so.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Splash testing
I did a few long training runs last year where I got terribly lost. So I decided this year to get GPS for the bike, and chose the Garmin Edge 800. It's probably over the top, but it's really nice and will hopefully give years of service. However, I chose the performance bundle instead of forking out for (yet another) set of maps which would just go out of date. This meant installing some free maps on a micro SD card.
I've never really had to fiddle with those little cards before. Like their larger relatives, they are ejected via a spring. I learned this after getting myself a nice fresh cup of coffee. Yes, you guessed the next bit right - my brand new card got a little swim. After rescuing it, I realised that it would probably be ok, since they are so small and have everything bar the contacts embedded in the plastic. The packaging even said it was waterproof. I'm glad to say the test was succesful, since my maps are now installed and work perfectly. Thank you SanDisk.
If only other hardware was just as forgiving with those little mishaps...
I've never really had to fiddle with those little cards before. Like their larger relatives, they are ejected via a spring. I learned this after getting myself a nice fresh cup of coffee. Yes, you guessed the next bit right - my brand new card got a little swim. After rescuing it, I realised that it would probably be ok, since they are so small and have everything bar the contacts embedded in the plastic. The packaging even said it was waterproof. I'm glad to say the test was succesful, since my maps are now installed and work perfectly. Thank you SanDisk.
If only other hardware was just as forgiving with those little mishaps...
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The importance of thumbs
The other day I sliced the side of my thumb with a penknife while opening a pack of brake pads. It's my own stupid fault - twice before this the blade had come close, and a little voice in my head twice said "You should really get off your arse and find another way to open this you know".
Anyway, it means I'm largely restricted to my middle sprocket on the front, because it was my left thumb I hurt; I can change down, but through my winter gloves it's quite a shove to get up the gears again.
In a way it's a blessing in disguise - I can't be lazy on those hills I really ought to be able to get up easily now, unless I want to risk bursting my cut open again.
Hopefully it'll be better soon...
Anyway, it means I'm largely restricted to my middle sprocket on the front, because it was my left thumb I hurt; I can change down, but through my winter gloves it's quite a shove to get up the gears again.
In a way it's a blessing in disguise - I can't be lazy on those hills I really ought to be able to get up easily now, unless I want to risk bursting my cut open again.
Hopefully it'll be better soon...
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Wheelie bin rescue
I took pity on my "old" bike today.
It's a Ridgeback Velocity I got last April, a commuting bike which I'd considered using for LEJoG. However it's a bit tinny and the straight bars make it less comfortable for long rides. It has given me most of 4000 miles of fun since I got it.
Anyway, back to the pity: the Velocity was looking a bit worried about the Newcomer. I reckon it was keeping clear of the wheelie bin and any passing skips in case I got fed up with it and tossed it in. Not so: it's still my trusty day-to-day bike, and now has new brakes and cables, ready for more North Lanarkshire grit and Scottish rain.
It's a Ridgeback Velocity I got last April, a commuting bike which I'd considered using for LEJoG. However it's a bit tinny and the straight bars make it less comfortable for long rides. It has given me most of 4000 miles of fun since I got it.
Anyway, back to the pity: the Velocity was looking a bit worried about the Newcomer. I reckon it was keeping clear of the wheelie bin and any passing skips in case I got fed up with it and tossed it in. Not so: it's still my trusty day-to-day bike, and now has new brakes and cables, ready for more North Lanarkshire grit and Scottish rain.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Help, my foot's stuck!
Collected the new bike today, the one I'll use for LEJoG. After much swithering, decided on the Ridgeback Panorama. It's a lovely machine, though it was hard to tell in the downpour I had to ride it home in.
I thought I was being prepared by donning my SPD shoes, then realised the pedals were adjusted to maximum tightness. On my first real push away from a set of lights, my right foot stuck, and remained this way all the way home. Note to self: fix this.
It has been many years since I had drop handle bars, so this is going to take a bit of getting used to. However, the ride is very smooth and the gear changes are very subtle. When I got home I was a good boy and dried it off...
I thought I was being prepared by donning my SPD shoes, then realised the pedals were adjusted to maximum tightness. On my first real push away from a set of lights, my right foot stuck, and remained this way all the way home. Note to self: fix this.
It has been many years since I had drop handle bars, so this is going to take a bit of getting used to. However, the ride is very smooth and the gear changes are very subtle. When I got home I was a good boy and dried it off...
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