yorkshire dales hills....

38 miles in the dales

no flats up and down all the way... in fact more up than down!

adrian with his sore bum did amazingly well and kept up well.

I cycled hard and we got lost...big time... at the top of a dale...light fading, wind blowing, rain splashing... and no mobile signal or money... and only a hill farmer to help us...

on reflection this was a tough ride, the constant climbs and drops were hard word but amazingly satisfying. the scenery was amazing and however hard the climbs were the drops were intense, scary and mind blowing. really worked on cornering at speed and resisting touching the brakes.. ohhhh it was goood.

adrian on his first ride like this did brill.. much better than i ever would have done on my first biggie.

its also good to know that he lived in the dales and would never get us lost and send us 16 miles in the wrong direction, up a dale, in the wind, driving rain and bitter cold, with no mobile signal, money or humour!

still he tries...

i could tell my climbing improved the next week for the big 72 miler, it was still tough but i am able to get out the saddle quickly and for longer periods and when i choose the right gear i am able to keep it smooth and steady and solid...

here are some piccys to have some fun with....

more to follow!

60.7 miles!

yes that's right...

miles increased again today. 60.7

was a fab ride hard work into strong headwind for over 35 miles which made progress interesting. but all great training.

the weather was hot hot hot and tan lines look great!

and to top it off cycling took place in lycra shorts and no over shorts... first time and was brill!

will give a full run down very soon.

craig

oh yes...52 miles!

52 miles achieved today with bags to spare in the tank...

oh yes and weight loss again and bmi down.. in fact weight has dropped nearly five stone since starting!

what an amazing ride. Loved it was a tough one!

so, I even managed to ride out of the saddle up a hill (well ok part of a hill) and this was so cool... except choosing a wrong gear firstly caused my legs to spin round so quick I felt like I was shaking my booty!

some great climbs on this ride, all of which I completed. Some were very tough and I felt like I was walking backwards... but I completed every single way, slowly at times but completed!

suffered severe numbness in the toes after 3 hours of both feet, tried looseining shoes but that didnt work... may need to check this out further as it was painful.

the bike was cool, two water bottles makes a difference (ok I know that obvious).

I got a 'road bikers lesson in style' and was ceremoniously encouraged to tear my reflectors off the bike. I felt liberated almost free...

apparently if I put a bell on my road bike I am going over a bridge...

so... next steps...

over 75 miles this weekend, next weekend I am determined to achieve more.

so far there are four of us ready for the 100 miler and then lands end to john o groats

possibly five... if boston bike guru joins us... you know it makes sense bbg...do it!

damaged tendon...

ouch...

it official i have damaged a tendon in my right foot...

from the centre of the heel to outside edge of the foot.

it painful.

i cant cycle for a few days... this is gutting.

could it be i suddenly feel confident to wear the lycra shorts without over shorts.? did the gods of taste n decency see my legs in the lycra and blow chunks??

either way i sad and wanna cycle....

weight loss and lycra...

oh yes...

i have lost more weight, ave 2-3 pds per week so i am well happy over 55 pounds so far... muscles building which is great and I took my first cycle ride in lycra shorts without cover shorts...

very liberating and feels so much better....

this was in Spain I am not sure if the uk will manage seeing me in lycra... i wld hate to cause peoole to complain..

see ya!

hola!

Yes I am in Spain again and have been taking advantage of life, sun, pool, cycling and doing nothing!

well cycling...

man I have had a nightmare of late with my gorgoeus Bianchi...

knackered the shifters - sora shifters are not that great anyway... so they needed changing after my LBS - local bike store for those of you wondering - had suggested it was the front mech...

anyway one front mech sold in the wrong size later and servicing and new ultegra shifters the bike was ready..after eleven friggin days...

great news... ready for my first ride...

wonderful same as before except with new shifters and more clunking. hmmm

LBS re look and adjust and get her working...

bike ride 2... wonderful can shift rear mech gears - smooth as silk excellent - front mech still shagged... feels like someone has taken some sand mixed with broken glass and rubbed it all over the mech to make it so so so smooth...not...

so i made a decision...

off with the knackered sora front mech and on with a new right size ultgra mech... and the same with the rear mech... - amazing deal at www.chainreactioncycles.co.uk ...

new wheels with ultegra cassette and new bar tape- bright green lizzard tape - amazing...

when I arrive home I need to get bike into LBS for repairs and then ...finally... i will be out later this week on a long ride on my updated Bianchi... which will become the best damn winter bike in history...

oh, did i not mention... winter bike means new road bike could happen due to my reward for weight success and absolute love for this sport...

cycle hard.... cycle long... and smile!

latest scribbles from my hand...

ok quicky for you...

lots of great cycles this week, including two longish this weekend... resulting in a sunny day, pot holes missed from sun glare and knackered front mechanism ...ouch...

my bianchi is in for repairs and I am frustrated...

however...

cadence is upto 80 bpm and ave speed over 14 mph...

mid june it was taking me 1 hour 10 mins to achieve 12 miles on a slightly hilly ride

yesterday was 49 minutes on hillier ride...

im quite shocked...

new wheels... waiting to be fitted some gorgeous mavics mmm thanks again boston bike guru ...

ok time to go now but will be back soon, folding bike in car as i am away for few days...

oh yes if you are reading this be a chum and add yourself to a follower , also tell your friends please!

take care

craig

oh yes lost more weight 2 pounds wooohoooooo