Topic: Cycling
The Aberystwyth Adventure on the Radio
I didn’t post this on Saturday morning as I was concentrating on getting everything ready but my friend Julia mentioned me on her show on Rhubarb Radio.
I’m mentioned just after the mgmt track.
Just a little update, I’m planning to attempt this again, and to take on the coast to coast non stop.
Home & Broken
I’ll post a ride report in the travels section once I work out how to convert Garmin gpx files into something a little more visual on the web but for now here is a little info on how I got on with the Aberystwyth Adventure.
Being a man of style and fashion I arrived late for my own grand departe, not on purpose mind I had to stop and remove the toe clips as they were crippling me, somedays I really miss my spd’s but as I almost fell off a couple times later it was probably best I was using flat pedals. After a few photos and some jokes about possible death and such I set off almost wrecking the bike by riding down some steps which required a quick detour.
The first part of the journey was quite easy going and counting roundabouts using the count from sesame streets voice seemed fun for a bit until the hills started. While the Bromptons 6 gears are great for the city and the occasional small hill 10% inclines were hard work involving stopping, praying, cursing and occasionally pushing. Thankfully the fully ( and possibly over ) loaded bag on the front acted as an air brake and the descents never got out of hand, considering I didn’t see pot holes until the last minute.
I’d reached my halfway point of 58 miles by 5am and tried to eat some dinner, of which I managed about 2 spoons and settled for a cup of tea, some water and a energy gel. I think stopping for too long here turned into a mistake as it took a while to get going again as I’d stiffened up.
I pushed on deciding to follow the A44 rather than the mountain road as my knees were starting to sting a little and managing to pick up some water about 8am at an open public toilet as the rain came in. While the A44 was flatter and easier going than some of the roads I’d cycled on the head wind felt like I was pushing a bus along.
With only 25 miles to go disaster struck and the chain snapped outside nPower’s wind farm. After unsuccessfully trying to hitch hike the last stretch I resorted to pitching my tent and waiting for my rescuers to arrive. While I had spare chain links in my tool kit I had managed to leave the chain tool at home I guess after a night of me standing on the pedals pushing for all my worth it just couldn’t take any more and sheared.
I’m not planning to try this again at all … ok so I am but maybe on a proper bike or with less stuff or less pie in me.
The Aberystwyth Adventure
At each Jamboree Unit meeting I’m always surprised at the amount of money the youngsters bring in from various sponsored activities. So I order to demonstrate that I’m just as up to the challenge as they are and to push the unit forward towards it’s target I’d like to announce a little sponsored activity of my own.
The Aberystwyth Adventure
At 9PM on Saturday the 28 August I’m going to start pedalling from the Council House here in Birmingham and I’m going to cycle through the night to Aberystwyth Pier. My google maps calculations make it to be just over 110 miles and involves cycling over the Cambrian Mountains, and I’m going to do it on a folding bike … Unsupported!
People who know me from old will realise that I’m not the strapping 18 year old I once was and part of the challenge is to loose enough weight and build up enough fitness so that I don’t die somewhere in North Wales. So there’s a lot to do, I’ve got to stop dawdling on my commutes and stop eating pie. The Brompton will need some fettling to make sure I don’t end up having a cataclysmic failure on the way and I may have to buy some more suitable long distance cycling clothing, jeans and a polo shirt might not cut it.
How can you help I here you cry …
Well to be blunt, you can give me your money. I’ll have sponsor forms with me pretty much all the way up to departure and probably with me when I cycle to Aberystwyth. You could also come and see me off, or for the brave and adventurous you could meet me in Aberystwyth and cheer me over the finish line … and then make sure I don’t collapse in a heap on the promenade.
If you don’t think you’ll see me before the event and still want to support me, or would rather use your credit card you can use the handy link below (uses Just Giving).
Bikes it’s a love hate thing
I’ve not had much luck recently, first my beloved Bromptons rear wheel split this is after replacing the whole wheel in December. Then while putting my mountain bike back together discovered that the freewheel had jammed up over the winter, it’s now a geared fixed. I can actually pedal backwards though I am pretty sure that won’t do the de railer any good. Meanwhile my Kona needs new headset bearings, bottom brackets, and a few spokes for the rear wheel.
All this means that I’ve had to drive to work, which sucks hard.
With all being well, i’ll have a new wheel in the Brompton by sun down on Monday and I’ll find my chain whip and free up the free wheel on the mountain bike. The Kona is going to get some shiny toys over the summer to kit it out as an uber fast winter commuter.
Has this put me off cycling in any way, nah, not whatsoever.
Eighties Steel Touring Frame
I’m in Edinburgh for the last weekend of the fringe festival and I was kinda hoping I might come across a steel touring frame for a bargain price while I was up here. I’ve had a bit of a mooch about and visited a car boot sale on the bottom floor of an underground multi-story car park, but alas no frame so far.
I’m heading home tomorrow and I’m going to have to continue my search for a frame for my bargain bombproof touring bike frame on the Internet.