Global Warming & Drought

Well, I'm back blogging for a short while. Not much to talk about really other than the weather.

As a cyclist the weather matters - cold nasty days are for those hard people that do that racing thing. Nice warm days are for those like me, over weight and ageing.

Looks like those hard people are getting all their weather then! It's May, and it's cold (7.5 degrees) and it's very, very wet. Funny how it's so wet, and has been for a month, we have full reservoirs and still we have a drought?

Come on weather - it's May for goodness sake - start to bloody warm up!

RIP Wouter

On another note - one year ago in the Giro Wouter Weylandt tragically died while descending on Stage 3. A tragic loss to his young family and the wider cycling community. Spare a thought for him as you go about your business today.

Rich

Route Cam Video

I've added a new video to Route Cam on my YouTube channel. The video can be viewed here:-

The ride route can be downloaded from Bikely.

It's a nice ride with some great roads. Take care around J14 of the M6 though.

Rich

Biking and Bowfell

Well, It's been a long time since I posted a blog entry - to be honest I've had too much to think about with my parents. They have dementia and have been getting steadily worse to the point where they both broke limbs in late November - I was kind of tied up sorting them out to be truthful.

I've not got much riding done of late - still suffering with back, neck and shoulder pain as a result of the crash. I did manage to get quite a few cold miles in during December and January and I've bought a new toy - a GoPro HD Hero2 camera. I've been playing with it and have produced a couple of videos:

I've also come up with an idea for a Route Cam - a simple idea to link in with mapping sites, I'll map a ride or a hike and then video it. That way anyone thinking of doing the ride will be able to see any difficulties etc. The one above is a test ride for Route cam.

I've just come back from Great Langdale in the Lake District - I managed to not get run over this holiday. I was helped by the big dump of snow we had on our arrival. A luck would have it I took more walking/climbing gear than bike stuff and I got a few good hikes in on the mountains. The best was a good hike up Bowfell - it's been video'd for Route Cam, and here it is!

I'm pleased with the GoPro, it gives some good results - I'm not pleased with my claim though! Can't say more at the moment as it's STILL being dealt with. Expect a HUGE rant when it's finally sorted out.

Enjoy your riding,

Rich

A Little Confidence Back - Sore Neck & Back!!!

Today I tried a bike ride. I did 21 miles over well known terrain at an easy pace. After 5 miles my back began to hurt, after 10 my neck was really sore so I turned home. I need to take it easy for the next few weeks.

That said, today did my cobnfidence no end of good. I didn't want to get on the bike never mind ride it on the open road. For the first few miles every car I saw made me really nervous and jumpy, but, that passed and I began to enjoy the ride (despite the pain) again.

I'll try a longer but more relaxed ride tomorrow, I expect more pain in the back and neck, but I need to ride!

Rich

Lost Confidence & Motivation

Well, it's now been a week and a half since I was hit by a car while out cycling. I'm still feeling the effects of that and I've been off sick until today - my sick note runs out today.

The bike went back to the retailer for them to check it over and they've recommended that I write the bike off completely. They say that they can't certify is as being safe to ride as it was involved in a collision with a car and  there might be internal damage that isn't showing on the outside. I'm really cheesed off at that but at least I still have a good quality second bike to ride. The only big issue with the bike is that the Addict is no longer widely available and the bike shop have quoted me £2799 for a new Scott Foil 20, the closest in colour and performace to the Addict R3 (including my upgrades). Now I need to see if the other parties insurance will pay for that PLUS my Fulcrum R1's......they have admitted full liability but I foresee a struggle!

As for riding the Spesh - Well, been feeling a bit to sore upto now, bad back neck and stomach muscles along with a swollen ankle. But I need to try - problem is, I've lost confidence! It would appear that this crash has taken more from my mind than it has from my body in terms of after effects. I've no motivation to get back in the saddle and my mind just makes me cry off every time I think about it.

I think I need to get up tomorrow, and go and do a nice slow, easy and gentle 30 miles to see if I can ride the bike yet. I'm putting the pounds back on every day and I'm starting to get really down.

I'll report back tomorrow.

Rich

Off Sick

Well, following on from my crash of last week where I was rather rudely knocked off my bike by a blind driver up in Scotland I decided to visit the doctor. I've not been sleeping properly because of neck and back pain.

She has now signed me off sick for at least 7 days - so no work, although I was only in for one night out of the 7 anyway coz I'm still on leave! But it also means no bike riding for a while. I can feel the pounds piling on as I type. I need to do something to keep the weight off but I think I'll struggle!

So, all I've been doing is uploading my photos to various websites here are a couple of then for you to look at, they're not cycling related, but from my other expensive passion - Landscape/wildlife photography.

Enjoy them:

Thanks for reading, call back soon.

Rich

Bad Driving

Well, I'm on holiday and supposed to be enjoying myself. I was until yesterday. I've done a couple of rides while I've been here and enjoyed the first despite it raining on me. I went from our digs upto Loch Arkaig and then part way to Spean Bridge, short but hilly with stunning views over the Scottish mountains.

Yesterday I decided to head out on the bike to Glen Nevis, I've done some hiking and climbing in that area and wanted to head out there to look at the area again. The ride to the Glen was fine, even the little bit in Fort William and the ride up the Glen was stunning.

I turned and rode back to Fort Bill and diecided to head up the A82 to the Nevis Centre for a coffee and then up to Spean Bridge and back to the digs at Gairloch. Well, that was the intention. I got as far as the traffic island at the junction of the A82 and the Glen Nevis road and then, as I was going round the island I was hit by a car. I can't say more as police action is being taken against the driver. I can say that I ended up on the road, watching my front wheel flying off down the road. Back is hurt, hip is sore as is my ankle and left shoulder. My bike is worse off, the front forks are damaged to the point of being un-rideable  and the front wheel is kaput.

Had to order a new pair of wheels from Ribble at £563.00 and the replacement forks are £200.00. The bike needs a good inspection to see if it's damaged and I'm pissed off as the whole holiday has been ruined. I contacted the insurance of the driver and they said they'd call me back, surprise surprise, no call from them. I can see that they are going to be a pain to get my money back!

Now I have a few more days holiday, sitting in a bit of pain and not being able to do what I came here to do......what a shit.

Here is a link to Endomondo for the trip.

Time to see how things pan out with the insurance claim and the injuries. I see a forced spell off the bike.

Rich