New Year ramblings...

I completed my week on Saturday 2nd January with the Slines Oak Sloth in the grey and cloudy weather. The roads were a bit wet but that was about it. In total another 15.34 miles bringing my weekly mileage to roughly 57 miles, possibly more as I haven't added up the fractions.

On Sunday 3rd January I rode to meet Andy at the Tatsfield Village bus stop where we chatted about a range of subjects, the main one being Andy's assertion that tourism was pointless. Perhaps not pointless but I think what he was getting at was foreign holidays and simply sitting around doing nothing for a week, which I always thought was the point, but I know what he means. Andy says time passes quickly when you're sitting around doing nothing. Now, I'm not sure about that. I always find that a busy schedule makes the time pass faster than if I'm doing nothing and don't forget that a watched kettle never boils, so there you have it. But Andy has point: how many people visit London, I wonder, and think that seeing Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament is all there is to the UK capital? Or who goes to Paris just to see the Eifel Tower?

It was foggy and I thought a little cold so I wore the balaclava and several layers of clothing as well as my face covering thingy, not sure what you call them, possibly a 'snood', but who knows? Either way it made life a little more comfortable on the bike. 

Riding to the Tatsfield Village via Woldingham clocks up 18.23 miles. As you can see from the shot below, the roads were wet and because of the fog the air was damp. At one point I encountered sleety rain, or possibly even snow, on the 269, but nothing came of it.

On Clarks Lane, just past the Botley Hill roundabout...3 January

It's now Monday 4th January and I'm back at work, which was a bit of a wrench if I'm honest. I finished just gone 1630hrs and now I'm sitting at the dining room table blogging. I really hope to be able to get more miles in this week, but as it's dark by 1600hrs then I might need to look at early morning rides that get me back before I start work at 0800hrs. We'll see how that goes. Perhaps a couple of early Norfolk Nobbler Double Loops (10 miles). It would be good to get the mileage up to over 60 miles this week.

Tuesday 5th January and it's cold and rainy outside. It's now 1841hrs and I'm sitting in the sun lounge blogging. I wanted to go for a walk, but it would be too unpleasant. Ben Fogle's back on Channel Five tonight with a new series of New Lives in the Wild. Can't wait. Not sure if I've mentioned this before, but Ben Fogle is one of the best things on television. After that I'll probably watch another 'scary' movie. None of them have been scary yet, just a little bit naff if the truth be known.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the lockdown. Yes, for the third time since March last year we're back in lockdown. For how long nobody really knows, but we've got the vaccines on the way so hopefully it won't be too long. I'm gunning for Easter. Everybody's getting tired of it now, I know that I am.

So, a week of no cycling. But the weather was poor. It was cold and rainy and not really conducive to enjoyable cycling. My cycling week ended on Saturday 9th January and all I managed was around 40 miles, probably just 39. Today (Sunday 10th January) I rode to meet Andy at the Tatsfield Village Bus Stop. He wasn't there. But he did try to contact me. Unfortunately, my phone (once again) had run out of power so I sat alone drinking tea and giving Andy until 1000hrs before heading back home. He never turned up. Later, when I'd charged my phone at home, I opened up the messages and there it was: Andy had aborted, but only because he couldn't get into his garage. An iced up lock prevented him from attending the Sunday morning meeting of NoVisibleLycra. There's always next week.

The weather was cold over the weekend. Yesterday when I rode out around 1000hrs it was just 1 degree as I headed towards my destination: Westerham. I rode there via Pilgrims Lane, past the VeloBarn and then into the town centre. I didn't have a mask or any money so I couldn't stop for a cappuccino and some cake at the Costa on the green. Instead, I rode through the high street and then turned right and headed for the hill that would take me out of town and on the road to Botley Hill. There was thick fog most of the way and on Sunday it was just the same. It was also very lovely. The trees were frosted white and were shedding showers of ice, glass-like shards shaken from the bare branches as the sun tried to poke its head through the swirling, steamy grey clouds. Sunday I rode back from the village via The Ridge and that means my mileage was 18.23. If I could do four Slines Oak Sloths this coming week it would be good, but let's see what the weather has in store.

It's not just the weather, of course. Now I'm back at work my cycling windows are getting smaller. It's dark around 1600hrs, meaning lunch time and first thing in the morning are the only other options. The last thing I want to do is go out first thing in the morning as I need a bit of chill time prior to starting work around 0800hrs. By lunch time I'm in need of a break, so it looks as if cycling is reverting back to two rides per week, at the weekends, but only during this period of darkness and bad weather. Hopefully, as the weather improves, I'll be pushing the envelope again...unless COVID restrictions mean I can't ride out to places like Tatsfield village or Westerham. I think I'll take the risk on that front.

Not riding as much, but why fret about it?

I missed a week. Didn't write a thing. Maybe because I didn't really do a great deal. Well, I didn't ride the bike that much. Last week I didn't really do a great deal either. Alright, I got out on Sunday last week to meet Andy at the Tatsfield village bus stop, but since then only one ride, a 6.13-mile jaunt around my local streets. Quite a work-out, but normally I ride two laps, this time just the one. It was still worth doing, any form of exercise is worth the effort, even if it's only for half an hour. When I say I haven't done much, I mean cycling, nothing else. I don't want anybody thinking I haven't been working. In fact, I'd say work has kind of taken over a bit, or it did last week.

Velo Barn today

Today the ride was blessed with heavy fog. I mean, there's always fog at this time of the year around the Botley Hill area, but today was something else, it was everywhere. Once I found myself on the 269 there was fog and it went all the way down Clarks Lane and was even hanging around as I made the turn left into Pilgrim's Lane on the final stretch of gravel before reaching the Velo Barn. I was going to sail right past it, ride into Westerham and then back up the hill, but in the end I decided it was worth stopping. Then I said to myself that I wouldn't order cake, just a large cappuccino with chocolate on top, but I weakened. I sat outside, wearing shorts for heaven's sake, but as I say it wasn't cold and there's nothing better than chilling in a place like the Velo Barn, among other cyclists, drinking a decent cup of coffee and munching on a piece of cake before heading back up the hill towards the fog and home.

Velo Barn last Saturday...

In recent times I've taken to riding along The Ridge and into Woldingham rather than chance my arm on the 269, which is an inherently dangerous piece of road, and even more so in the fog. But even along The Ridge there was mist, albeit not as thick. I rode down Slines Oak Road and then up the steep bit towards the lower end of the 269 and there was no fog. I cycled into Warlingham and headed down the Limpsfield Road towards Sanderstead and home and now I'm chilling. I was listening to music, but now I'm writing this blogpost and I'm amazed I skipped a week as normally I'm pretty good at regular weekly posts. I hope my millions of readers haven't taken offence at my laziness. I'm sure they haven't. I mean I've not received any complaints and none of the TV channels seem to be mentioning my absence from cyber space. Should that be two words or one?

So my weekly mileage for the current week is what? I rode around 18 miles last Sunday, then six during the week, that's what, 24 miles, and now I've added another 20 miles, so that's a grand total of 44 miles, the equivalent - in 'old days' terms - of two runs to Westerham at the weekend. Not bad really, but I should have rode my local run twice and had I done so I'd have been on 50 miles dead. I'm wishing I'd got out there earlier if the truth be know. I should have left around 0700hrs and headed for Dunton Green, that would have meant around 55 miles, which would have been even more respectable. But it's funny how the weather dictates everything and how, as the nights close in and we steam towards Christmas, that desire to go all out and ride 20 milers three or four times a week disappears. I think the key thing here is not to fret, not to get uptight about mileage and just get out there, even if it's on a short ride round the block.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to meet Andy and possibly Phil and/or Geoff in Tatsfield. Tomorrow starts my cycling week and next week I'm hoping to get two local rides in. Let's see. The key is not to get uptight about anything, as I'm prone to do.

This week my sanity has been preserved by watching I'm a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here. I know, it's rubbish television, but for some reason I look forward to it and I think it's because I need that escapism at the moment. Rubbish TV on one hand, Chuck Palahniuk on the other, both good in their own ways, but if I had to make a choice, it would be Chuck as there's a big difference between escapism and inspiration.

Postscript - riding off without my rucksack

How ridiculous and how typical of me, mind wandering all over the place, fretting about this and fretting about that and what did I go and do? I'll tell you. I was sitting in the Velo Barn on Saturday morning, enjoying a slice of coffee and walnut cake and a large espresso, and then I got up to leave. In fact, I left without my rucksack, which I'd placed on the floor beside me, resting against the wall of the Velo Barn. I got up and rode off, leaving the rucksack behind. I rode all the way home without even noticing I didn't have it and when I reached home it still hadn't twigged. There are reasons for this, of course. Because I wasn't carrying the flask and the mug and the milk, there was no cause to even think about the rucksack, and because I hadn't had a puncture (and, therefore, did not need my puncture repair kit) the rucksack was of little importance). I reached home, came into the house and got on with my day. It was only the following morning (Sunday) as I searched for the rucksack in order to place inside it my flask, mug and milk container that I realised it was missing. It wasn't in the garage and then, of course, I remembered, it was still at the Velo Barn. Everything has a knock-on effect. No rucksack meant no tea for Andy and I at the Tatsfield Village bus stop. Fortunately, Andy offered to buy me a coffee from the shop so all was not lost and then, instead of riding all the way to Woldingham with Andy on the return trip I rode in the other direction to the Velo Barn to pick it up. I stopped for another cappuccino, but no cake, and then I rode home. There was thick fog again so I followed The Ridge into Woldingham as I did on Saturday, still foggy, but not as bad as on the 269. Oddly, while we were sitting at the bus stop, Andy said a quicker way to reach the Velo Barn would be to take the off-road track past the golf course. "No, the problem with that is I'd get a puncture," I said, happy with riding along Pilgrim's Lane instead, but as I approached the off-road bit, I decided to take it and, as I suspected, the bit at the end was just as rough and muddy as I remembered it. Anyway, later, as I approached home territory I noticed a wobble and sure enough the bike had a rear wheel puncture. Very annoying. I trundled down Church Way and limped my way into Ellenbridge Road and home. As I write this the puncture ain't fixed, but I'll have a bit of time tomorrow so I'll get it done. At least it didn't happen while on the road and at least it didn't happen when I didn't have my rucksack containing the puncture repair kit. You live and learn. Or perhaps you don't.

Great week of cycling and fairly decent weather too...

I took last week off, which is a bit strange when you're working from home; it's a bit like going to the office for a holiday. Well, not really. I've grown accustomed to my work and home environment being one and the same thing and it's easy to adapt and separate the two. The first thing is just don't do any work; that's easy enough, you simply keep your desktop computer off, go nowhere near it, and don't answer your mobile phone either. 

Coffee and cake at Velo Barn...

Ultimately, therefore, I had a great week. I cycled a lot (unlike this week) and ultimately I rode around 94 miles, just over, closer to 95. This was achieved not by riding long distances like I did in the summer, but by riding short 10-milers every day. I managed to ride over 50 miles between Monday and Friday and when I added up all the fractions of a mile, the grand total on Friday night was an incredible 71.71 miles. Bon and I had talked about a ride to Redhill on Saturday, but in the end I rode to the Velo Barn for a cappuccino and a slice of coffee and walnut cake. The perfect way, you might say, to round off a week of cappuccinos and cakes. Let me see now, I had a large cappuccino and a slice of coffee and walnut cake in the Sevenoaks M&S cafe just prior to lockdown; I visited Knole on two occasions and had the exact same order, then there was a slice of cake standing on mum's doorstep and, then, of course, there was the Velo Barn on Saturday. I'm missing one more occasion, but I can't for the life of me remember what I did as we never ventured far from the house, Sevenoaks being the furthest journey. It doesn't matter. Either way I had a lot of cake and a lot of cappuccino, but fortunately, I did a lot of cycling so I think I'm in the clear where the health police are concerned.

The weather was fairly good too, a bit blowy on a couple of the local 10-milers, but generally fine and no rain. The ride to Velo Barn was, as always, wonderful. I left the house around 0800hrs, got there just after 0900hrs and sat outside eating my cake and sipping my cappuccino, surrounded by Lycra Monkeys.

Sunday, of course, was the start of my cycling week and, as usual, I rode to the Tatsfield Village bus stop to see Andy and Phil. No sausage sarnies or cakes this week, which was just as well when I consider my week of over indulgence. It was, as always, just over 18 miles as I rode back along The Ridge to avoid the 269, parting with Andy at the top of Slines Oak Road in Woldingham.

Nice weather at Velo Barn and loads of Lycra Monkeys too

It would be remiss of me not to mention the US elections and the fact that Trump lost. It goes without saying that he thinks he won and that the whole thing was rigged by the Democrats. Personally, I think he should quietly and not be such a bad sport, but he's a bad loser and it looks as if he'll be going on and on about it for years to come. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not somebody who hates the Republican party, I'm not a socialist by any stretch of the imagination. Had the Republican guy been Mitt Romney or even Bush I wouldn't have been THAT bothered who won the contest, but it was Donald Trump and as most people know, if they've been watching, he's been a complete arse with his wall separating Mexico from the USA, with his Muslim travel ban and God knows what else, he's just a complete arsehole and nobody, apart from toothless Americans with guns and a prepper mentality seem to like him. Mind you, we have our 'Trump' here in the UK going by the name of Boris Johnson. He's not been in power for a year yet, which is a pity as it means we have four more years to run before we can get somebody decent in Number 10. Now, I know people say that Starmer's a good egg, and he might be, but the party he's in charge of has taken a right drubbing from the Corbyn years and there's a lot of stuff that needs to be resolved before I vote for him. 

Tatsfield Village on Sunday morning, note Phil on his bike

The virus continues and we're all under a kind of lockdown until 2nd December, but then what?

Cycling this week has been a no-no so far, but I'm aiming to get out tomorrow morning BEFORE work to put that right and then, hopefully, ride Thursday and Friday, giving me a total for the week of around 49 miles. Then, if I ride to Westerham again and repeat last Saturday's ride (or even head for Botley Hill) then I might put in a fairly respectable weekly mileage. We'll see.

To the Velo Barn and then to Tatsfield Village (in the rain)...

Not a particularly impressive week on the cycling front. I went out once on a 10-miler, two laps of local streets, and that was it. The main cause of my lack of riding was the weather. It was one of those situations where, if I left it until after work, which was roughly 1630hrs, then the chances of rain were very high and if it was raining I'd stay indoors. On the day I did go out, it was first thing in the morning, 0710hrs to be precise, and having enjoyed a good night's sleep it was a pleasant ride and not a tiresome one. Afternoon rides after a day at work are just that, tiresome. I feel weary and want it to end so I can get back home and chill in front of the television or read a book. So just one ride. The most disheartening aspect of it all was the weather app on my iphone, which sported a cloud with rain underneath it for most days of the week. Very depressing. I started to pin my hopes on the weekend, but noticed that the rain cloud symbol appeared for both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday it looked as if my only chance was to head out early and try to get back before the rain, which, according to my phone, was going to start at 1000hrs. I left around 0800hrs, which I thought might be too late, and rode to the Velo Barn, a 10.73-mile outward journey and it was rain-free, which was just as well as I wasn't wearing any protective clothing. Well, alright, I had on an old Regatta waterproof top, that was all...and trousers, of course, underneath which I had my Lycra cycling shorts.

The other day I was wondering whatever happened to our pal "Dawes Galaxy".

As I approached the Velo Barn I did seriously consider riding further, like last week. Yes, Dunton Green sprang to mind as a 31-mile ride would give me a respectable weekly mileage figure of 41 miles. I say 'respectable' and I mean 'respectable' inasmuch as I'd only been out once during the week. But, as I reached the end of Pilgrims Lane, with the Velo Barn on my right, the temptation provided by the thought of a cappuccino and a slice of lemon cake proved too much. And besides, I'd brought my book with me and intended to read some of it, which I did. As always, the place was full of Lycra Monkeys, but I don't really mind them. Soon it was time to go and I was still in need of more cycling so instead of heading home I rode into Westerham and rode through the town and home via the usual route up the hill, adding, I reckon, about two miles to the journey, possibly two and a half miles, but let's not quibble, it's not as if I put in a great performance last week, is it?

The ride home was as expected, except that I didn't feel in anyway phased by the ride towards the hill, which, on other occasions would have been a tiresome experience as I thought ahead to the slow incline all the way to Botley. I took the whole lot in my stride and this was because my level of fitness had improved thanks to a summer of almost daily cycling in decent weather. I can't remember what time I reached home, but I was pleased to have avoided the rain, or most of it. I managed to reach Sanderstead High Street when the rain eventually started, but I was only five minutes from home and while five minutes of rain did mean I got wet, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. 

The Sunday ride was next on the agenda and both Andy and I were hoping upon hope that it would take place, although we knew there was little chance of seeing Phil or Geoff. Rain was promised, but before I hit the sack on Saturday night I heard a weather forecaster talk about light rain in the morning and heavier downpours later. This time I thought I'd go out in full waterproofs and I did. It was raining when I stepped outside and in pre-lockdown days this would have been cause for an 'abort' text, but after a good six months of almost daily riding I wanted to be on the bike, rain or shine, so off I went and it was fine. Invariably it is fine, it's just the thought of riding in the rain that's off-putting. I kept up a reasonably good pace, rode the fast way along the 269 and Andy was there when I arrived. Our new destination appears to be the Tatsfield Village bus stop, we've moved on from our old haunt of the bus stop at the end of Approach Road. We made small talk as we always do, drank tea, ate a biscuity snack and chatted with an old guy who described as both as 'mad men' for riding all the way from our respective homes in Sanderstead and Caterham in the rain. Perhaps it was a little mad cycling in the rain to Tatsfield Village, it's not as if much goes on there, but it had to be done and we're both glad we got out and did it and that the rain didn't prevent us from going out as it used to.

The ride home was easy enough. The rain had eased, although it hadn't been too bad. I rode along The Ridge with Andy and parted company at the top of Slines Oak Road in leafy Woldingham. Even riding up Slines Oak and on to the 269 was no big deal and I reached home before 1000hrs.

A few words about waterproof cycling clothing. In a nutshell, I wish I hadn't bothered if the truth be known, although, saying that, I probably would have been wetter and more uncomfortable when I arrived at the village if I'd left it behind. My problem with it is this: it makes me sweat so when I reach home I notice that I am wet through. Everything I was wearing was wet as if I hadn't worn any protective clothing and my shoes were full of water and soaked through, so I'm now thinking I would have been better off just wearing the cycling shorts and, alright, possibly just a waterproof top to protect my upper body. It wasn't cold, that's the key thing, but as it was everything had to be peeled off and everything is now drying on radiators or on clothes horses. I jumped into the shower and now I'm dressed and washed and shaved and feeling good. 

I'm hoping to get more riding in next week, certainly more than last week, but right now I'm chilling and thinking about lunch.

Points of Order

* Incidentally, if you're wondering why there's a photograph of our old pal "Dawes Galaxy" included with this post, it's there for two reasons: First, my iphone is now such a pile of poo that the battery is always running low very quickly and invariably when I go to take a photo it packs up; Second, I was thinking about him yesterday as I rode to the Velo Barn. We haven't seen him since the above shot was taken and I fear the worst.

* Velo Barn. I've been wrongly pronouncing it as the "Veelo" barn when I should have been saying "Vello" barn, as in 'velodrome'. It's definitely 'vello' drome and not 'veelo' drome so I'm guessing it's 'vello' barn and not 'veelo' barn. Lesson learned.

* Lastly, thanks to Andy for a brand new pair of gloves. He inadvertantly found himself with a spare pair and gave them to me. Much appreciated.

Messing around with saddles and another ride to the Velo Barn...

Sunday, Tatsfield Village, sausage sarnies, Phil, new bike, talked about giving up alcohol, and motorbikes, drank tea, great times, rode back via the Ridge, had a nasty puncture incident, took ages to fix, but got there in the end. Reached home late, gone 1130hrs then drove to Slindon in West Sussex. 

It's looking like a no-cycling kind of week. First, there's the rain, second there's the fact that I decided I could fix a new saddle on to my bike, I couldn't. I brought the seat post into the house, managed to get the old saddle off, but getting the new one back on is one hell of a job especially as I managed to take all the fittings off and now can't get them back on again. I should have realised that I'm a complete cock when it comes to fixing things, especially bikes. I can manage a puncture, even a rear wheel puncture, but the fiddly nature of fixing the saddle means that if you gave me a bike and a saddle and asked me to fix it while staying on a desert island, I'd still be on the island today, I'd be there for months, if not years, that's how bad I am. I don't particularly want this to be the case, but that's the way it is. I wish I could go on a bike maintenance course, like an in-depth course, and learn the whole lot, but I don't have the time or the money so I'm going to have to rely upon bike shops for the foreseeable future.

Last Sunday's puncture on the way back from Tatsfield Village

Rain has been another reason for not riding, although it's more a case of perception and believing the weather app on the iphone than the reality of things. I was in the office yesterday. Now, don't get me wrong, I couldn't have cycled to the office Wednesday because there was no saddle on the bike, but the chief reason I'd ruled it out initially was the weather. The app said rain later in the day so I thought, well, I could ride in and train it back, but decided not to bother. As it turned out, when it was time to head home the weather was fine and it remained that way. I could have riden in and back and that would have been 24 miles under my belt, but no. It's now Thursday and I've only got 18 miles in the bank and a bike without a saddle.

And the saddle situation gets more complicated. The new Daway saddle arrives a day early and wow is it big! It's huge. A bit like the sort of seat you'd find on a vintage Harley Davidson or Indian motorcycle. I'm thinking this is going to be very comfortable, but being a total nob in the technical department, I'm forced to head down to Cycle King to get it fixed on, so I jump in the car with the saddle and seat post and visit the shop. They fix it in place and charge me £8, no problem, and a job well done. So I get home and put the seat post back on the frame and because the saddle is so huge I can no longer touch the ground when sitting on the bike. It gets worse. I discover that my seat post won't go down any further, there's something inside the frame that stops it. This is all very annoying and I start thinking about buying a hacksaw, but then think better of it. To be honest, the seat post issue has arisen before, even with the old Selle Royal saddle, which proved to be not so royal after all (it punctured, hence my need to replace it). There appears to be some kind of bracket inside the frame that prevents my seat post from being any lower, meaning that whenever I stop the bike, at lights etc, I have to make sure I'm off the saddle or I'll simply keel over. So now I'm thinking about a new seat post.

New saddle and a crossbar bag, my new purchases...

To be honest, the Daway 'comfortable' saddle isn't that comfortable and I find myself getting a little annoyed with the Selle Royal product, which I thought was great until it punctured and I had to tape it up. I have to start looking for a bank statement that has details of the original purchase as I can't remember whether I bought it on Amazon or elsewhere. It's still under guarantee so I contact Amazon (after finding a bank statement entry for 10 December 2019 stating I bought it for £45) to see if I can get a refund. In short, I can, so as I'm 'chatting' with the site's online chatbot (actually, I think it's a real person, it has to be, they understand me) I decide to get the Selle Royal refund AND a refund for the Daway too. All fine, except that the bank card I used to buy the Selle is now null and void so I'm offered a gift card instead of the money. Not a bad idea as I need to buy a new saddle so I accept. Then I set about buying a new saddle. I noted with anger, however, that the Selle Royal was now £20 more expensive than when I bought it last December so I shop around and eventually find one (a Serfas) that I buy for just £36. Then I realise I'm not getting any change from that gift card so I decide to buy something else to make up the money: a Wild Man crossbar bag that'll take stuff like a mobile phone, bank card, front door keys and so on. Total order, around £45. In fact, because of the gift card, I only end up paying something like £4 on top for the saddle and the cross bar bag. Result!

The next step, however, is to get the Daway saddle off the bike and into a box and then send the box (containing both saddles) to Amazon. Within five-to -even days I'll receive a refund for the Daway and all will be good. However, my new saddle won't arrive until the 19th October, next week. Fortunately, I have the Rockhopper's original saddle in the garage, which ain't a bad saddle, and this time I'm going to try to fix it by myself. I don't hold out much hope, but let's see. Either way it'll be a temporary measure as when my new saddle arrives I'll be taking it off and replacing it... better make that Cycle King will be doing it. I reckon they'll also be putting the Rockhopper saddle on the seat post, but let's see. All of this is very annoying as it means I haven't been out on the bike all week and it's nothing to do with the rain. Today is Friday, it's been a bad week on the cycling front, but I'm hoping I'll be riding somewhere tomorrow morning.

Well, first, how about an update on the saddle situation. It's all good news. I managed to get the Daway saddle off the bike and into a cardboard box along with the Selle Royal, which, incidentally, had risen in price from the £45 I paid last December to almost £60! And why would I re-buy the saddle that, ultimately, let me down? So I searched Amazon and eventually found the Serfas, designed for blokes, and I think it's better than the Selle Royal. The Serfas saddle employs the ICS 'infinite comfort system' which basically protects your bits, it's as if somebody has sliced a big chunk of it out of the middle, leaving a one-inch depth channel running the length of the seat. I don't plan on fitting it until after tomorrow's ride, just in case I have problems and have to cancel the ride. The original Specialized saddle is fine because I've also bought some pretty decent cycling shorts, yes, cycling shorts, made of Lycra, that I wore today for the first time. I rode to the Velo Barn with the intention of recording the mileage of the ride, which I reckon, all-in, is about 20 miles. Unfortunately, my iPhone ran out of power so I failed in my task, but it doesn't matter. 

When I reached the Velo Barn, just before 0900hrs, I loitered outside until they officially opened on the hour and then ordered a regular cappuccino and a slice of lemon cake. Perfect. Then I sat down and chilled, watching my bike, which was parked outside. I really needed a book to read, that would have been perfect, or a newspaper, but had neither so I just chilled, eavesdropping on other people's conversations before ordering a mug of tea, purely to extend my time sitting there doing nothing. Eventually, of course, I had to go, but the journey back isn't at all difficult. I rode along a short stretch of Pilgrim's Lane, just like last Saturday, and then rode up the hill towards Botley. It was a walk in the park and soon I found myself on the 269 and heading for home. 

This morning I'd woken up at 0459hrs and, for some reason, I needed to listen to Jump by Van Halen, so I headed downstairs, switched on the lap top and found what I was looking for on You Tube. Perfick! And I followed up with Ian Brown's First World Problems, equally perfick. With a bowl of Alpen, grapes, sliced banana, raspberries and blueberries, not forgetting a cup of tea, I was feeling on top of the world and looking forward to getting out there on the bike. The original plan had been a ride to Woodmansterne Green, but Bon didn't reply so I figured he might have gone out and rode instead (as you know) to the Velo Barn. It was the perfect end to the week, but a week marred by no cycling and loads of hassles with bicycle saddles. Still, it's all sorted now and tomorrow there's the ride to Tatsfield Village to meet the guys.

Round town top cranking...and other stories

I can't believe that I rode for 14.5 miles around local streets yesterday (last Saturday to be precise). I worked out a lap that incorporated the Norfolk Nobbler. Each lap turned out to be almost five miles and I did three. Fortunately, the weather held out. Around 0900hrs I headed out on damp roads and wearing full waterproofs, but the rain had stopped and it didn't start again until I'd finished my ride. I'll be totally honest, it was a really hard ride as I'd thrown in many hills. A true work-out. When I got back I needed a shower and it goes to show you how deceptive things are: I was well and truly whacked on my return, more so than when I finish a ride from, say, the lakes or Westerham, and it's all to do with constantly facing hills on the local rides.

But I went via Beech Farm Road...

Andy and I were feeling a bit gung-ho about everything and had vowed to get out there today, today being the Sunday after last Sunday, rain or shine, but in all honesty, when I woke up around 0500hrs, I peered out of the window and noted the rain hammering down on next door's flat-roofed extension. As I write this (at 0712hrs) I'm guessing it's still hammering down, I'll take a look at the bird bath in a minute, but Andy and I have aborted the ride, the first 'abort' of the whole summer. Very annoying. We're both hoping to get out on local rides, which means I might attempt yesterday's ride, or possibly two laps of it, which equate to 9.82 miles, so all I need to do is ride the length of the Ridgeway and I reckon that'll be 10 miles (8 miles short of what I'd planned for today, unless, of course, things brighten up). Somehow I don't think they will.

Let's go and check that birdbath. Hold on for a second...its a right shit storm out there. The birdbath is frothing with turbulent waters, raindrops are dancing in the puddles, but when I look out front there's nothing but stillness. That said, I still might get out there and do at least two laps. I've got the whole day so I can pick my time. But alas, the rain cavorted in the puddles all day long and now, at 2203hrs it's too late to go anywhere. Instead I sit here watching Michael Palin's Around the World in 80 Days. It's quite amazing when you think that, back then, in 1988, there were no mobile phones and no Internet and it all looks very old-fashioned, not to mention 'terribly British'.

Fucking flytipping bastards...

On Monday I headed for work, but not on the bike. The threat of rain loomed large for the ride back so I decided to take the train instead, a big mistake. It never rained (of course it didn't) and the sun came out and I can't say I was happy about missing the chance of a swift 24-mile ride. So far this week, nothing, not a single mile. Remember, my week starts on a Sunday and yesterday was rained off (see above for details). I've got until Saturday (10 October) to put on some miles. If I can reach 70 I'll be happy. Last week I managed 73 and I'm concerned that the mileage will drop as the weather gets colder and we all slide towards Christmas. I've really got to get out there tomorrow, but let's see what the weather brings.

Having not gone out on Sunday or Monday, I was glad to get out on Tuesday late afternoon. I decided to ride to Westerham, the slow way and it was fine. There was a bit of rain, but it was short-lived and light and didn't have any adverse effects. The ride out was fairly smooth, apart from some fly tippers who had dumped a load of old rubbish, including a door, on the upside of the hill coming out of Westerham. It's very dangerous for cyclists as you come down the hill, not expecting anything, but then suddenly come across it, no warning, and there are, of course, cars coming at you on your side of the road in order to avoid the mess. After dark I'm sure there will be accidents. I rode the slow way, along Beddlestead Lane and when I got to Westerham I loitered for a few moments, took some shots of the bike near St. Mary's Church and in front of Churchill's statue and then headed off up the hill. I took a right turn off of the 269 and rode along Beech Farm Road, turning left into Washpond Lane, right on Ledgers and then left on Church Lane, heading towards Warlingham Sainsbury's. It was a fairly long ride, 23.65 miles in total and I reached home around a 1845hrs, fired up and ready to make a prawn curry, which was delicious, and then I watched Midnight Run with Robert De Niro, a great movie that I'd never seen before. Hit the sack around 2330hrs and woke up around 0500hrs. It's now Wednesday morning, 0744hrs and I've got to start thinking about work. Incidentally, Strava informs me that I'm the local legend on something known as the Rugby Dash, but again, I don't see anybody pointing at me as I pass or taking photographs. "There he is! It's Matt, he's the local legend for the Rugby Dash! Hey, Matt! Can I have your autograph?" Nobody knows me, which is just as well.

St Mary's Church, Westerham

Wednesday afternoon and rather than hit the road on the bike, heading for God knows where, although I had been planning a repeat performance of yesterday's ride to Westerham, I decided instead to slob around and do nothing. I didn't feel like if I'm honest with you and while I kind of considered doing a bit of Round Town Top Cranking, like on Saturday in between rain showers, I didn't and soon the moment had passed and I'd have to regroup myself, think about tomorrow and hope that despondency didn't win again, not that it really won today, I wasn't feeling despondent at all, well, perhaps a bit, but no, I just didn't get out there, end of the story. And now, at 2305hrs I'm writing this and watching the documentary of the Rolling Stones playing in Havana, Cuba, a momentous moment for the Cubans and an exhilarating experience for the band. They're a great band, the Stones. I like all of them in equal measure and hope they continue to rock into the future. I wonder whether they ever thought they'd be still playing?

It's Thursday morning and I slept badly. It might have been that slice of chocolate cake or the fact that I simply ate far too much last night, but either way, I went up around 2330hrs and was still awake around 0330hrs. Not good. I woke up around 0630hrs and I still haven't looked out at the weather, although I'm guessing it'll be raining. Well, according to the iphone there's a chance I'll get a ride in this afternoon if I'm feeling chipper. By rights I should head for Westerham again for another 23-miler, but I'm saying nothing. I don't want to commit to anything and then disappoint myself.

It's now 1312hrs and the sun is out. There was rain earlier, but it might be good for later when I down tools and head out on the bike. The plan is leave as near to 1600hrs as possible and see if I can get some decent miles under my belt.

Well, the plan was faulty, or rather, not adhered to. I never went anywhere other than a very pleasant after dark walk around the block. Sometimes I guess I'm not in the mood and this week, disrupted by last weekend's rain, is one of those weeks and I need to resign myself to the fact. It was a similar story on Friday, although I had to drive into East London so any thoughts of a ride had to be put on hold. For some reason (probably because I was told as much by the weather people) I expected the whole week to be a wash-out. I was amazed to get out there on Tuesday for an evening ride to Westerham, but I did, and there were plenty of opportunties to have jumped on the bike, but I didn't take them and more fool me I guess.

It's now Saturday morning and there appears to be sunshine seeping through the curtains. It's just dawned on me that I could go for a ride and probably should get out there. Choices enter my head: a lonely ride to Botley or Westerham even or a shorter ride to mum's or to see Bon on Woodmansterne Green. Decisions! Decisions! I've just had breakfast: bowl of Alpen, a toasted teacake, a strawberry yoghurt and, of course, a cup of decaff tea and now, with the end of my piss poor cycling week approaching me, I have to decide one way or the other: do I go out there or sit around here feeling sorry for myself?

Postscript: a ride to the Velo Barn

I went out, rode a good 22 miles, the slow way to the Velo Barn. The Velo Barn? It's a new bicycle repair shop and cafe. The weather was fantastic and when I got there I ordered a cappuccino and a slice of lemon cake. After ordering I went outside and basked in the sunshine. The Velo Barn is technically in Westerham, although (equally technically) it's about a mile outside of where Andy and I usually go when we pay a visit to the Northern Kent market town. It took them a while to deliver coffee and cake to my table and I was on the brink of going in to suss out the problem, but then I realised that the place was choc-a-bloc with Lycra monkeys in full kit, loads of them. So I sat back and soon enough it arrived. They'd even stencilled a bike on the froth. The only thing about Velo Barn I didn't like was the fact that it wasn't a bike shop. I was expecting to see a load of bikes for sale, tyres, saddles, you name it, but there was nothing, except for a repair shop. Look, don't get me wrong, it's a great place to go on a bike and cake and hot beverages at the halfway point of any ride take preference over bike stuff. I'm not complaining. So I sat there and enjoyed the whole experience and around 1100hrs I got on the bike and rode home, it took one hour exactly, but only around 15 minutes to reach the Botley roundabout. I soared up the Westerham hill, even beating a Lycra monkey. All-in-all a great ride and I'm glad I did it as it boosted my weekly mileage to around 45 miles. Not brilliant, but good enough for the last ride of my week. My phone was out of power again, so the ride was not recorded on Strava, more's the pity, but then I do own an Apple iphone 5S and it needs replacing.