Cycling

[HOBIE]

It was superb. Only did about 5miles but I got to 20MPH. Fancy gears & big wheels. Was busy when I set off with to many cars about but it was a road bike & I am used to my Mountain bike which is good away from traffic. Superb pic Northy . I might think about getting one. Will do more than 80mile a cha

Back out today into Cheshire to test out my new shoes and pedals and a bit of a contrast to last Monday with the weather. Not quite Gansey weather but certainly a lot cooler, bit of sun but mainly cloudy - base layer on. Breezy again and the BBC forecast for what seems like forever has said breezy - sun and breezy, cloudy and breezy, rain and breezy etc. Must be summat to do with El Nino or climate change. 🙄 Loads of riders out and about today with a sportive going on. I've gone from double sided clipless pedals to single sided clipless road pedals. There's a million and one adjustments to get the cleats right on the shoes - measuring where the ball of the foot is, marking it on the shoe, adjustments fore and aft and left and right and angle of the foot. After that ride it needs a couple of adjustments. The main issue was with the pedals which have a spring adjustment for clipping in and out. I'd adjusted them to a middle setting, clipped in and set off. Unclipping I nearly broke my ankles twisting to release the cleat and realised I had to put all my weight (there's not a lot of it) on to clip in. Foolishly didn't take a 2.5mm allen key to adjust it to an easier setting so had to put up with it. Despite that enjoyed the ride and although I don't feel 100% the legs felt really good.

Strava stats are 61.6 miles completed at an average speed of 15.4mph and elevation gain of 2683 feet. With the Pedal for 7 ride that's over 150 miles for the week.

Sort of feel okay at the moment but think I may have a sore throat/cold or something on the way as I've had to put my basal up over the last 2 days to 115% due to wayward levels. Today I started with a 60% TBR but changed this part way round to a 70%. Still got the Libre on and I have to say the readings have been pretty much spot on compared to the Contour Next. I think the Neo or the Neo strips in the Libre when I used those tended to read low. Either that or both the Libre and Contour are wrong. The Libre started at 6.4 mmol/l then it was into the 7's but climbed to the 10's and 11's before dropping back to the 6's/7's/8's and I came home to a 5.7. Quite like riding along checking as you go. On the ride I had 2 cereal bars. Missed out on my coffee as Costa was rammed at Alderley Edge and the same at the Jodrell Bank cafe. Had one when I got back. One of the riders on the Pedal for 7 as well as being T1 was training to be a DSN. He said he thinks within a couple of years everyone (T1) will have access to the Libre on the NHS.

Back here again near Goostrey and it looks like maize again to me.
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It's only a week since I was last here at Gawsworth and it's already turning golden. Some of the other wheat fields I saw look ready for harvesting.
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Don't want to frighten you too much but it's one of me at the top of the climb near Rudyard. Does anyone else find it difficult (getting the background in and not looking like an idiot) taking selfies?
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Here's what the Garmin said - the same as Strava!
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Happy Nu Shoes Matt ! Pics good as always 🙂

 

[HOBIE]

Have been out today on Electric Bike for an hour. Its addictive. 😎 Sun was out 😉but coolish.

 

[TrevA]

I did 200k audax yesterday, ended up with 128 miles. Started in Lichfield and made our way via lovely quiet lanes over towards Charnwood forest. A climb up to the top of Beacon Hill from the west then a long descent to Woodhouse Eaves, Quorn and the first cafe stop at Stonehurst Farm in Mountsorrel. The next leg was across the Soar valley then out through Gaddesby, Great Dalby, Wymondham then over to the A1 services at Colsterworth. We'd had a tailwind up to this point, but now faced a 60 mile headwind ride back to Lichfield. We headed back via Waltham on the Wolds, Six Hills and Barrow on Soar to a third cafe stop on the outskirts of Loughborough. Not finding the headwind too bad, but we now faced a long climb over Charnwood forest to Whitwick, Ashby, Measham and more quiet lanes back to Lichfield. Finished the ride in 11 hours 10 minutes with 9 hours 18 mins actual riding time and 6000 feet of climbing and an average speed of 13.9 mph. I felt pretty much OK, just a bit of a sore under carraige after the ride.

Feel fine today, my legs don't even ache much. This was my second longest ride ever and my longest since 2011. I also managed 265 miles in total last week, as I rode every day except Saturday.

 

[HOBIE]

Been out today on Elec Bike. Sun was out & had to give it back to my mate today. Will have to be a good lad & see if Santa wants to do me a favour 😉

 

[HOBIE]

Have been all over the web looking at Electric Bikes. Well well hoocked. I cant believe it.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Nice day today and I headed to the hills taking in Hartington, Monyash, Chelmorton, around Buxton and over the Cat and Fiddle. Was hoping to get back for the England game but set off late and realised I wouldn't get back in time but thought I'd watch it when back. However, it was clear from people pouring out of the pubs they'd won. Weather was warm and sunny but not hot with quite a strong breeze especially higher up. I'd eased the tension on the pedals which meant I didn't sprain an ankle clipping in and out. Also made a few slight adjustments to the cleat placements so I'll see how I get on with those over the next few weeks. I'm still getting used to the single sided pedals though. 🙄

Strava stats are 55.0 miles completed at an average speed of 14.0mph and elevation gain of 3917 feet.

Still not feeling 100% (perhaps it's an excuse and I'm imagining it ) although levels have been okay but decided to put a TBR of 70% on. Libre finished yesterday and even though I've had issues with them in the past I've been really impressed with this one and how close it's been to the Contour Next Link 2.4). Levels as follows: at start 3.7 mmol/l (had some fruit pastilles and cereal bar but had to set off to try and get back for England game), at 10 miles 3.6 mmol/l 🙄, at 21 miles 7.2 mmol/l, at 30 miles 8.4 mmol/l, at 41 miles 4.3 mmol/l, at 48 miles 7.7 mmol/l and back home 6.1 mmol/l. Erm, might reduce the TBR to 65% next time. On the ride I had 2 gels and 1.5 (that's 1 and a half not 15 😱 ) cereal bars.

I'm off work tomorrow and Tuesday so I'll try and get out. Even warmer this coming week with 25-26 degrees mentioned here and then going into the following week. Make the most of it folks. 🙂

At the Cat and Fiddle looking back in the direction of Buxton. Not as busy today probably because of the game. A few cyclists and bikers and assorted others. As the pub is closed there's a refreshment van on the right. I didn't indulge.


Also at the Cat and Fiddle - Jodrell Bank telescope in the distance.


Cat and Fiddle again. That's the road I'm going down to Macclesfield. Ground looks bone dry (hosepipe ban soon? 🙄 ).


Here's what the Garmin said on the ride summary - same as Strava! 3hrs 55 minutes ride time.

 

[HOBIE]

A big box of bars ? Good numbers & pics. Well done. Miles 😉

 

[christophe]

Must have been the day to haul bikes out of hibernation and go ride again..!
My blood values have been terrible for a couple of weeks, the only cycling I have been doing is indoors to wipe out too many mmols that won't go away any other way. But, I eventually did the one thing I didn't want to and increased my basal shot... got my control back. Now I need to reassess what basal actually does, or at least increase my understanding of it..

Anyway also 55 miles, went off reservation to where it's not flat and found 750 metres of ascent .. was on the heavier bike but I don't think it would make much difference! 16mph, which is something to work on.. I am slowing up too much on hills.. thanks to the people in TNN kit for making that blindingly obvious a while back ( always swung back to the group though on the flatter bits and pushed on the front before the next hill swung me off the back again!)
Blood behaved but the libre has started to read under at low levels and over at high.. kept between a real 4 and 7 though (libre saying 2.6 to 8.4..), three quarters of a bottle of water.. half a frusili and an entire Stoats oat bar. Setting off with a bit of activity left in a mid morning shot just feeding little and often. Feels kind of back on track..

Got a bit of work to get @TrevA distances.. you were a few miles from my house, not that Hinckley compares to Woodhouse Eaves or anything but it's not that far away.. coffee's good here if you stop by..

@Matt Cycle .. got a tipp ex pen? I draw around the cleat so I can see how much I change the position and in what direction, then a heavy outline when it's in the right place, fitting a new cleat is easy after that but the trial and error has to be done first..

 

[Matt Cycle]

@Matt Cycle .. got a tipp ex pen? I draw around the cleat so I can see how much I change the position and in what direction, then a heavy outline when it's in the right place, fitting a new cleat is easy after that but the trial and error has to be done first..

Good idea. 🙂 I can get one. As you say trial and error involved in the set up. I did all the foot measurements and masking tape for the distances on the side of the shoes. Felt reasonably okay today. The tension adjustment I did after the first ride with them made me feel more confident and I could concentrate more on the riding.

 

[HOBIE]

Must have been the day to haul bikes out of hibernation and go ride again..!
My blood values have been terrible for a couple of weeks, the only cycling I have been doing is indoors to wipe out too many mmols that won't go away any other way. But, I eventually did the one thing I didn't want to and increased my basal shot... got my control back. Now I need to reassess what basal actually does, or at least increase my understanding of it..

Anyway also 55 miles, went off reservation to where it's not flat and found 750 metres of ascent .. was on the heavier bike but I don't think it would make much difference! 16mph, which is something to work on.. I am slowing up too much on hills.. thanks to the people in TNN kit for making that blindingly obvious a while back ( always swung back to the group though on the flatter bits and pushed on the front before the next hill swung me off the back again!)
Blood behaved but the libre has started to read under at low levels and over at high.. kept between a real 4 and 7 though (libre saying 2.6 to 8.4..), three quarters of a bottle of water.. half a frusili and an entire Stoats oat bar. Setting off with a bit of activity left in a mid morning shot just feeding little and often. Feels kind of back on track..

Got a bit of work to get @TrevA distances.. you were a few miles from my house, not that Hinckley compares to Woodhouse Eaves or anything but it's not that far away.. coffee's good here if you stop by..

@Matt Cycle .. got a tipp ex pen? I draw around the cleat so I can see how much I change the position and in what direction, then a heavy outline when it's in the right place, fitting a new cleat is easy after that but the trial and error has to be done first..

Good numbers Chris.🙂

 

[christophe]

Good numbers Chris.🙂

Thank you! Took a bit of a leap in the dark and it worked.. at least for now, but that's type 1 for you.. means I can ride again with a bit of confidence that nothing too unpredictable is going to happen.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Got out for a shorter ride late afternoon into Cheshire to Jodrell Bank. Still very warm when I set off but had started to cool down when I got back (but not by much!). Believe it or not but the tarmac on some of the lanes had started to melt. Warm weather set to last all week here but forecast says cooling down a bit next week. A few issues with hypos on this ride (see below).

Strava stats are 40.1 miles completed at an average speed of 16.0mph and elevation gain of 1760 feet.

Said I was going to reduce TBR to 65% after yesterday's ride but realised later I'd forgotten my own advice and I'd set it at 70%. Levels as follows: at start 7.0 mmol/l, at 10 miles 2.1 mmol/l 😱 on the positive side I did have some awareness of this but no idea how it happened - thought I was going a bit slow before I checked , at 20 miles 6.2 mmol/l, at 27 miles 5.6 mmol/l, at 35 miles 3.7 mmol/l 🙄 and back home 6.8 mmol/l. On the ride I had 3 gels, 1.5 cereal bars and 1 fruit bar. Hey ho

Golden wheat field in the evening sun near Gawsworth.


Evening sun near Rudyard looking in the direction of Congleton.


The Garmin (Strava has rounded down 0.1 mile distance and 0.1 mph speed)

 

[TrevA]

Another Audax for me last Saturday, starting from Hulme End near Hartington and taking in many of the old railway trails in Derbyshire. Starting with the Manifold Trail, then a lot of climbing over to Ilam and up past Thorpe Cloud and onto the Tissington Trail. Over to Carsington Water and the track around the lake, then over to Bakewell for lunch. Then the Monsal Trail with its 6 tunnels. Over to Chelmorton and onto the High Peak Trail down to Longcliffe. Back to Hulme End via Parwich, Alsop en le Dale, Alstonefield and Wetton. 76 miles and 6000 feet of climbing.

 

[HOBIE]

That's SUN in the wheat field ? Not used to it 😱

 

[Randomdiabetictype1]

That's SUN in the wheat field ? Not used to it 😱

Yeah unssually weather for normal rainy or windy UK

 

[Matt Cycle]

Away from the negativity, sniping and general melodrama welcome to the haven of the cycling thread where positivity reigns. 🙂 If someone like me with T1 for over 30 years can go out and do it, anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Anyway, half the year gone (soon be Christmas 😉 ) and it was warm or you could say hot! I set off fairly early as it was due to get even warmer in the afternoon and I was hoping to get back to see TNN rider Sam Brand <<<<< in the photo with me there (another positive T1 role model) in the GB National Road Race. GB Cycling had technical issues so couldn't stream it on facebook from the start at 1pm but the latter stages of the race will on ITV4 from 3pm today. (If you're reading this next week you can get it on catch up for a limited time! ) A bit of a breeze today meant it wasn't stifling but still very warm as I headed out to Alderley Edge. Loved the ride today. 🙂

Strava stats are 55.4 miles completed at an average speed of 15.8mph and elevation gain of 2219 feet.

Put the TBR on 60% and it all went swimmingly today. At start 5.9 mmol/l (had a biscuit and couple of fruit pastilles), at 14 miles 5.2 mmol/l, at 31 miles 8.9 mmol/l, at 38 miles 7.4 mmol/l, at 44 miles 7.2 mmol/l, at 50 miles 6.2 mmol/l and back home 5.1 mmol/l. Wish it always like that! On the ride I just had a cereal bar and a cortado from Costa in Alderley Edge (it was like being on the continent, sat in the sun at pavement cafes etc).

Maize near Goostrey. This must be have been a late starter as there's one near Gawsworth with plants twice the size.


There's your shredded wheat baking away in the sun at Jodrell Bank. (I think it's wheat anyway ).


Field next door to the one above.


Here's the Garmin with the ride summary.

 

[HOBIE]

Well done & give Sam a pat on the back from us on the forum. A good example both of you. Cant wait for Xmas (might get a new Toy)

 

[Matt Cycle]

Well done & give Sam a pat on the back from us on the forum. A good example both of you. Cant wait for Xmas (might get a new Toy)

What I found on the Pedal for 7 ride is Sam is a really top bloke and very approachable. Willing to talk about how he manages T1 when racing, do the promotion stuff, pose for photos etc. All three of the TNN riders on that day were great. The TV footage on ITV4 from today's race concentrated on the breakaway which Sam wasn't in although someone on twitter posted an image of him from earlier in the race. Results show only 38 finished out of 146 starters so I'm guessing the majority dropped out before the last lap when they had no chance of catching the breakaway. It was not far from you Hobie in Stamfordham.

Is that the e-bike you're expecting from Santa?

 

[HOBIE]

That's only about 15 mile from me. Stamfordham. I have to be a good boy for Xmas . My mate said he would lend me a Mountain bike version of electricory !🙂

 

[christophe]

Away from the negativity, sniping and general melodrama welcome to the haven of the cycling thread where positivity reigns. 🙂

And then you ruin it by saying half the year gone!
I didn't dare tear myself away from the Moto GP coverage so missed the nationals.. then went out and it was hotter than I expected. Did 100km but it was a chore to be honest, need to re-repurpose my two bottle cages but I don't know where to carry a Frio pouch where it won't get dried out, any ideas would be good! Got tools and novo rapid in one cage, some spares in a seatpost mounted tool wrap thing and pump/phone/libre/food weighing me down in pockets, gives me one bottle to carry.. which is usually enough but not today.

Got to agree about Sam Brand and the others.. I guess there is a bit of pr training done but that isn't a bad thing, anyhow his personality comes through and he seems to be a decent bloke, can ride a bit too I am told...

@HOBIE... check Bultaco ebikes out.. I would be very happy if santa was handing those out!