Warmth at last

Did this run on Sunday: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/523337 A large chunk of it is a repeat of the previous week's long run, only I did the Erskine Bridge as well.

It was 2 or 3 degrees warmer this time though, and that made the difference between an unpleasantly cold day and pretty bearable. It rained a fair bit, but that bothers me less than icy surfaces.

Logistical problems this week: both bikes need to go back to the shop. The Velocity needs it's free service and the Panorama needs it's 200-mile tuning. This means 3 visits to Billy Bilsland, and hopefully like last time they'll lend me something to get home again...

Don't know what this weekend will involve yet; trying to take it slightly easier this week to recover from the weekend.

I ride and I ride and I ride...

All quiet on the blog front but not the cycling. Did this ride on Sunday: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/516052

Last week was also great for long rides to work and home; this week's more of a challenge with the rain, but I'm managing > 20 miles a day, 30 on a good day during the week.

Not sure what long runs will work this weekend...

Away the Crow Road

Thanks to Maria for taking the boys to Adventure Planet while I had a good bash at the new bike, testing it out on the Crow Road above Lennoxtown and through the Campsies. It was a misty day but mostly dry, and very comfortable. I've mapped it here: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/509081

The bike will need some tweaking at the shop because the smallest front sprocket doesn't work with the second largest on the back, possibly an indexing issue. It's too new for me to start fiddling with it myself, and that's really only a serious hill-climbing gear so it can wait. 1 and 3 on the back were fine, it was just 2 which was unhappy.

The GPS was proving invaluable, especially the elevation view which would warn me of climbs ahead so I wouldn't waste my energy on a straight stretch. This was also my first experience of the Tak Ma Doon road, and the surprise ford at one point - fortunately I didn't get my feet wet but I did walk across, I just don't know this bike well enough yet.

First training report

This has been a successful first weekend of proper distance training. Friday (74 miles), Saturday (96 miles) and Sunday (23 miles) makes it about 193 in total, just short of a fifth of LEJoG...

Saturday was the best day, as my return from Pinwherry was pretty fast along the A77. Today's return home from Stirling was worst - a lot slower than getting there yesterday. The explanation for this is simple: beer.

Nearly one-eyed cyclist

Return journey from my parents' place was cold and wet. Then I spent a few hours at home before heading for Stirling for a party. On the way, I stopped for a bit to check the GPS properly as it seemed to be sending me onto the M80 - then the right lens from my glasses fell out.

Fortunately, the screw was still in place, and my trusty CERN penknife got it tight again.

That's a tool I'll be taking with me on LEJoG then... ;-)