Cycling

[Matt Cycle]

100km ride out into Cheshire today to Knutsford and surroundings. Had a vague idea of doing a big ride but that's all it was...a vague idea, i.e. didn't happen! Not as warm as yesterday when we went to Alton Towers but with hazy sunshine and a breeze blowing it was still very nice. Forecast rain tonight and thunder tomorrow but after that the week is looking okay. Not up to last years standards but alright.

Strava stats are 63.8 miles completed at an average speed of 15.3mph and elevation gain of 2587 feet. (With the Cycle for Cities ride on Monday that's over 150 miles for the week).

Set the pump at 60% TBR and with 4 days left of the Libre it showed after a spike (breakfast timing issue) a fairly steady 7-10 mmol/l. A couple of drops into the 5's. Did 2 or 3 bg checks and they were within 1 or 2 mmol/l. Bg on return was 6.1 mmol/l (Libre was showing 7.1 mmol/l). On the ride I had 2 cereal bars and a gel. Just glad everything was 'normal' or as normal as anything to do with T1 diabetes is but still annoyed with myself for not doing a set change before the Cycle for Cities last week and having to put up with higher than I'd have liked bg's on that ride.

This was at Lower Peover (they did a WWI display last year - the horse from that has made a reappearance). Not quite sure what this was about? but appears to be nursery rhymes/fairy tales. Little Miss Muffett, beanstalk around the bus stop.


Wheatfield near Gawsworth would have got a battering in the rain just over a week ago but is slowly turning golden. With the rain and now the sun things have had a growth spurt. Saw loads of poppies.



Cows in a field chewing the cud. I wonder what they talk about? This is near Rudyard.


Here's the Garmin summary.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Off this week so as well as the other things I have to do I thought I'd head out for a ride today. It was a bit overcast but dry and fairly warm although there was a bit of a breeze, especially higher up. The sun broke through a few times and it really warmed up. Went into Cheshire but came back via Congleton and then over Biddulph Moor - steep! Went through Lower Peover again (see above) and I think the display is something to do with decorated gates. Saw a few others in the village itself.

Strava has given it as 58.4 miles completed at an average speed of 14.7mph and elevation gain of 2709 feet.

Pump was set at 65% TBR this time and it was back to blood readings as the Libre sensor ran out this morning. I've been impressed with it just need to find out what's happening at the clinic in terms of who's getting them on prescription. Readings on ride as follows: at start 9.7 mmol/l, at 18 miles 9.4 mmol/l, at 34 miles 6.7 mmol/l (had a cereal bar), at 44 miles 8.2 mmol/l, at 52 miles 5.8 mmol/l (had a cereal bar and a gel, should have been one or the other but hey ho) and back home 10.4 mmol/l.

Heading towards Biddulph Moor. There's a zebra in the field. Not very animated, either dead or plastic.


Also heading up to Biddulph Moor. Sun was out at this point.



A ford near Horton. I went around it. Cobbles and wet is a recipe for trouble. 😱


The Garmin.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Another day, another ride. Cooler than yesterday but quite windy. I headed into the Peak District - Hartington and Monyash before Buxton and back over the Cat and Fiddle. Had to circle back and take the A515 when I got to Monyash because the road on my route was closed - something to do with a cycle race. Bloody cyclists! The A515 is an exposed two lane road, strong winds and cars whizzing past at 60mph - not my favourite stretch of tarmac. A strong headwind on the Cat made it a tough climb but the drop down into Macclesfield was also difficult with the wind. The sun showed it's face at points and it felt warm but then kept clouding over. Hard work in parts but a sense of achievement when you get back! 🙂

Strava stats are 55.9 miles completed at an average speed of 13.7mph and elevation gain of 3963 feet.

Put the pump on at a 60% TBR and readings as follows: at start 4.2 mmol/l (had a couple of biscuits and some fruit pastilles), at 10 miles 4.2 mmol/l 🙄 (had a gel and a cereal bar), at 21 miles 8.3 mmol/l, at 31 miles 11.2 mmol/l, at 38 miles 9.2 mmol/l, at 49 miles 8.8 mmol/l and back home 8.0 mmol/l. Can live with that. See what fun and games the overnight levels bring. No Libre at the moment but if I wake up in the morning then I'm happy with that.

Near Grindon. Looks dark and was a bit overcast but probably the rubbish phone camera doesn't help.



Heading up the Cat and Fiddle.


Team Type 1 on Tour - changing diabetes. (I wish they would bloody change it because I'm sick of it. ) Well it's just me really. Attempting to smile after a gruelling climb - at the top with Cheshire in the background. You can see the pub on the other side of the road reflected in my glasses.


From the same place. Cheshire plains partly in sun and partly in shade.


The Garmin.

 

[TrevA]

I cycled to Skegness with the wife last week - 71 miles and the longest ride of the year for me. We were lucky to have quite a good westerly breeze behind us, so we were able to maintain a good average speed of 16.2 mph and completed the ride in about 4.5 hours riding time. Had a cafe stop at Ruskington, at 35 miles, for a full breakfast and a water stop at Stickney as we were crossing the Fens. It did get quite hot later in the ride, so we were drinking quite a lot. We had fish and chips in Skeggy before catching the train home. A nice day out.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Back out today for a 100km ride to Tatton Park at Knutsford. Marquees were being set up for the flower show next week. Weather was overcast with a light breeze - it felt alright at around 17 degrees, not too hot, not too cold. It had that look of rain but stayed dry. Came back via the now Unesco World Heritage site of Jodrell Bank. Nice ride today. 🙂

Strava stats are 63.2 miles completed at an average speed of 15.5mph and elevation gain of 2448 feet.

Pump was set at 65% TBR and I've currently got a Libre sensor on. Good news as well as I've got the training session at the end of July to get them on prescription. 6 months trial. Presumably if you're not scanning or your HbA1c goes up you don't get them at the end of the trial? This current one has performed quite well. At the start it was 6.2 so had a few sweets and a biscuit. Photo below of the Libre when I got back with bg meter. On its way down - time for summat to eat with lots of lovely carbs. I checked it against blood reading part way round - Libre was saying 8.1 and meter said 5.4 (had a cereal bar) could have been an interstitial timing thing? No hypos though or massive spikes and it was probably reading on the high side for some of that- that's how you tame proper T1 (well at least for a few hours). 🙂

Apologies as the photos from the ride are even worse than usual. In fact there aren't any as I was very remiss and forgot my phone! 🙄 Confused myself as I went back in the house to get my rain jacket and put it in the saddle bag along with some cash and bg meter but had left the phone on the side. A few missed photo ops as well - deer at Tatton Park and the wheat field at Gawsworth is now a lovely golden colour.

 

[Robin]

Aw, missed my weekly fix of your lovely countryside!

 

[Matt Cycle]

Aw, missed my weekly fix of your lovely countryside!

I was 'off grid' without the phone. Not a bad thing I suppose. Although not sure what I would have done if I needed to call anyone. Do they have phone boxes anymore?

 

[SB2015]

I was 'off grid' without the phone. Not a bad thing I suppose. Although not sure what I would have done if I needed to call anyone. Do they have phone boxes anymore?

I saw the title on recent posts and knew that I was going to get some lovely views of your area. Thanks.

All the phone boxes seem to be ‘libraries’ around here and quite a few have changed colour.

 

[Matt Cycle]

A longer ride today as I went to Mickle Trafford near Chester. Stopped at the Meadow Lea farm cafe. First time back there since I went with the Diabetes Fairy herself back in 2016. Weather was good for a ride, not hot and mainly overcast with a light breeze (probably a bit too breezy on the way back). Getting hotter next week though! The route took me winding through Cheshire including Delamere Forest. I was expecting everywhere to be busy but the roads (for a Summer Sunday) seemed surprisingly light of traffic - maybe everyone's gone away with the school holidays now on. Wasn't feeling 100% as played football on Thursday for the first time in ages and the legs were really sore. Think it must be the sideways movement of your thighs when you kick the ball. Cycling is just constant turning of the pedals - no violent movement. I also think I've got conjunctivitis as my eyes are itchy and sore with discharge (sorry if you're eating your tea whilst reading this!!) But I wasn't going to miss going out! Enjoyed it.

Strava stats are 104.2 miles completed at an average speed of 15.0mph and elevation gain of 3561 feet.

Bit of an experiment this week as I put the pump on 75% TBR rather than the usual 60-65%. I reasoned this would allow me more snacks without messing up the bg's. It was longer ride today anyway but this is what happened: Libre sensor finished last week (training session for getting them on scrip is in 1.5 weeks) so it was back to blood testing. At start 4.3 mmol/l (had a few sweets and biscuits), at 20 miles 5.5 mmol/l, at 31 miles 6.3 mmol/l, at 52 miles 6.5 mmol/l, at 61 miles 5.2 mmol/l, at 72 miles 6.7 mmol/l, at 81 miles 5.6 mmol/l, at 90 miles 5.3 mmol/l, at 96 miles 8.0 mmol/l and back home 7.2 mmol/l. A bit on the low side some of those as I'm aiming for 7-10. However, no hypos and nothing sky high. On the ride I had 4 cereal bars, 1 gel and cheese on toast with a double espresso from the cafe. Although it was very nice it was a bit of a mistake choosing that as I could taste the strong cheddar all the way back. Not pleasant when riding. 😱 Chose that when I went there before but also had a cake which probably masked the taste on the ride back. No bolus used. Not sure what I'll do next time, might go for 70%.

Bg levels were therefore okay but a T1 lady who rides audaxes (mega long distance rides) had mentioned she had high ketones at the end of some of her rides. I rarely check mine as my bg levels don't often go sky high and when I do check they're always 0, 0.1 or 0.2. Out of interest I decided to check today after the ride and it was 0.8. Still not high but higher than it normally is even with elevated blood glucose levels. I'm assuming that means my body is burning fat (which I haven't got) for energy? Don't really want that.

Near Whitegate


Always see these two in this field at Cranage. That's the M6 in the distance where the treeline is.

Grass is green and things are growing with the rain and sun we've had. This is near an overcast Gawsworth.


Lovely and golden wheat near Gawsworth. Must be close to being harvested.



Here's the Garmin. Almost 7 hours riding. The ride summary doesn't show the decimal point when it goes over 100.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Team Type 1 and the fully defunct beta cell gang back out on tour. Yeah, alright it was just me on my own. 🙄 After the shocking weather over the last week and a bit (think rain at some point everyday including torrential rain) today was actually looking alright so I headed back over to Tatton Park (remembered my phone this time!) and a cycle through Cheshire for a 100km ride. Weather felt fairly warm and the sun came out in parts although a bit of a breeze on the way back. Roads were bone dry but some had the telltale debris at the sides from the week's downpours. Apparently more rain expected tonight/tomorrow! 🙄 Rain and the few bits of sun we've had have meant things have gone wild on the verges and fields. It's like the day of the triffids.

Strava stats are 63.9 miles completed at an average speed of 15.2mph and elevation gain of 2460 feet.

Went to the Libre training session last week and they gave us one sensor at the time (and a reader even though I've got one) and they will now be put on prescription. 🙂 Did a set change on the pump on Thursday and levels have been slightly high. Not high enough to do another set change so could be working but not properly, could be illness I don't know about. Who knows? What it meant was I put a 75% TBR on the pump. However this was steadily climbing up to 13 at around the 15 mile mark. I changed the TBR to 90% and it slowly started coming down. As usual there was a some variation between the Libre and the occasional blood readings I did (e.g. Libre said 8.2, blood was saying 6.4). Libre then started rising past 10 so I cancelled the TBR and was on the normal 100%. Got back to a 6.1. Not sure what's going on with that although I'm suspecting pump site/reservoir. I'll see how it goes as due to change it tomorrow anyway. On the ride I had 1 cereal bar and I stopped for a double espresso from Jodrell Bank cafe. Not a lot to eat for 100km. Don't like not knowing what's going on but that's par for the course with T1. 🙄 I think I have a hate/hate relationship with T1. PITA sometimes.

Deer at Tatton Park. Not bothered at all by me or anyone else going past.



One of the lakes at Tatton Park.


This is near Gawsworth. As predicted in previous ride it's all gone now. Your shredded wheat has gone off for processing.


The Garmin.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Poor weather over the last week or so (at least in these parts) but today was promised fine. Turned into an eventful ride. I'd arranged to head over to Sheffield to see the family including my brother over from Spain with his family. They were going on a canal trip in the morning so it would give me time to have a bit of a ride around Sheffield and see what had changed. After the torrential rain yesterday it looked okay first thing but then started to drizzle 🙄. I waited for it to stop and dry out a bit before setting off. Next issue was as soon as I set off the chain was skipping. I'd changed the chain last week so headed to the local bike shop to see if he could have a look. He said the cassette was worn (should have changed it myself when I changed the chain 🙄 ) but he put a new one on. In and out in about 20 minutes - much quicker than what I'd have done even if I had a cassette. Top man. So bike was now running well and I was on my way. Weather was windy though!

By the time I got there it didn't leave me much time to have a look round so had a brief ride, quick double espresso at a local cafe before heading to my sister's house. I knew I'd have to leave around 5pm to get back before it went dark but didn't leave till nearer six. 😱 There was a headwind/crosswind, I was knackered (lots and lots of hills) and there were a couple of showers just for fun. My lights were on as the daylight started fading and for the last 7-10 miles it was dark. Not got a problem riding in the dark it's just that I don't do it very often and most of that bit was over the moors. Overall though great to see the family but the ride was quite hard work although a sense of achievement when I got back.

Strava stats are 77.8 miles completed at an average speed of 13.0mph and elevation gain of 6229 feet.

The two Libre sensors I've had so far have been pretty good. On this ride apart from a spike after setting off (up to 14) and a smaller spike at my sisters the rest was hovering around the 7-8 mark. I'd put a 70% TBR on the pump. At my sisters I had a veggie burger in a breadcake and carrot cake along with the veggies and salad etc - it was a barbecue. On the ride I had a cereal bar and 2 gels.

This is Baslow Road on the way up to Owler Bar. Stream and heather.


Close to Owler Bar on the way back through Holmesfield. Looking out over Sheffield.


Not been here for a while. Light fading as I look back on my way towards Hartington.


The Garmin (in the dark!). Must be the first time Strava has speed higher than Garmin. (13.0mph v 12.9mph).

 

[SB2015]

Thanks for your post Matt.

Good to hear that you have the Libre in prescription now.

I think long distance cycling is a bit like riding a horse for me, I like the idea of it until I try it!!
I shall stick to walking, slower I know, and using the bike in town.

 

[Matt Cycle]

A bit late maybe but Summer's here...at least for a couple of days anyway. 🙄 After last weekends leg killing jaunt to Sheffield I opted for a less hilly steady ride to Knutsford. Sun was shining but a light breeze meant it wasn't humid so pleasant conditions for riding. Busy on the roads though with the sunny weather and bank holiday weekend traffic. Not been feeling 100% on rides for the past few weeks and it was the same again today. Don't know what it is. Always enjoy getting out though but just seem to be struggling a little bit at times. Probably in my head!

Strava stats are 60.1 miles completed at an average speed of 14.9mph and elevation gain of 2342 feet.

Levels have been a bit wayward recently which hasn't helped. Things had been going really well (60-65% TBR on rides worked pretty much every time) but as ever with T1 (as Lisa66 mentioned) it then decides to f**k about for no apparent reason. I set the TBR on the pump to 75% and set off. Libre then started the climb and after 10 miles was up to 16mmol/l (bg was saying 13.5 mmol/l) so I scrapped the TBR and just went with 100%. I corrected with 0.2u and it started dropping eventually down into the 7's and 8's. Libre was showing 7.2mmol/l so I did a blood reading and this was 5.0mmol/l. You then start doubting what the Libre is telling you! I had a cereal bar and a gel and carried on and it seemed to stick in the 7's and 8's. Had another cereal bar and apart from that initial spike I suppose the readings on the Libre aren't that bad.

Tree of Imagination at Lower Peover. Didn't see any fairies or elves today. Some of the doors open and there are staircases and trinkets inside. Not sure why the cannon is there? To fire at non-believers? 😱


Always stop to see these when I'm passing at Cranage. 🙂 The grey one is only small and I'm assuming is a foal? Think I saw the mother last time but don't know where she was today. I'm sure the brown ones are mother and child but are now not far off being similar sizes.



Maize field in the sun near Siddington. The corn cobs are still forming on the plants.


The Garmin summary. 4 hours ride time today.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Bank holiday (realise all the UK is not having one) and a lovely day again so headed out this afternoon for a ride into Cheshire. Rode on the leafy Cheshire lanes towards Knutsford again but always have to venture onto the not so welcoming A roads. It was warm but not hot with a light breeze meaning it wasn't humid. Pleasant conditions. Warm hazy sun and blackberries and apples growing gave it a feel of end of Summer/early Autumn. Despite some bg issues I felt better on this ride compared to the previous ones. Enjoyed it. 🙂

Strava stats are 57.2 miles completed at an average speed of 15.9mph and elevation gain of 2211 feet.

Later start today than usual and levels were on their way up. I gave a small correction and left the basal rate as was. Libre was showing a rise up to 14 but this was a continuation of what had already been happening before I left. Then a steep drop to the 6's. I had a cereal bar and a gel. It then hovered around the 6's, 7's and 8's with arrows in all directions. I had another cereal bar and gel when it said 6 with a down arrow. Got back to a Libre 5.6 and down arrow and the bg said 4.4. Not entirely sure what's going on with it at the moment. Hey-ho. 🙄

Hazy conditions near Twemlow. Maize field to the left. Saw a few wheat fields yet to be harvested.


Must be close to afternoon milking time at Siddington. Cows all waiting in the field on the left.


Hazy sun near Rudyard.


The Garmin (same as Strava).

 

[SB2015]

If only I could count reading about your cycle rides as my exercise!!
Sounds like you have had a good day.

 

[Matt Cycle]

September already. Two thirds of the year gone! 😱 Wasn't sure if I'd get out today but the forecast said rain later on ( 🙄 ) so I thought I'd head out for a 'quick' spin into Cheshire. Cooler day today and windy. Got caught in the odd brief shower but it was four seasons in a day as I came back to warm-ish sunshine. Spotted a plum tree at the side of the road near Rudyard, plenty of fruit on it so helped myself. Probably someone had lobbed a plum stone from a passing car years ago. You often see apple trees at the side of motorways. Enjoyed the ride. 🙂

Strava has it as 50.1 miles completed at an average speed of 15.8mph and elevation gain of 1971 feet.

After the issues I'd had with levels over the last few weeks they have been pretty good this past week. Managed to get my TIT (you can see why everyone else calls it Time in Range ) up to 90% (yesterday) for the past week. The vicissitudes of T1 diabetes. 🙄



Still playing about with TBR's so I stuck an 85% TBR on the pump and levels on the ride didn't really move outside 6's, 7's and 8's. I had 2 cereal bars on the ride and it was dropping when I got back to a 4.9.

Fluffy clouds. A few blackberries in the hedgerow. This is near Jodrell Bank.


More lovely cloud formations (although some darker bits as well) as the sun comes through. Also near Jodrell Bank.


Here's the Garmin. Bike could now do with a clean. 🙄

 

[Matt Cycle]

Took to the hills today with a ride in the Peak District taking in Warslow, Hartington, Monyash, Buxton and back over the Cat and Fiddle. Dry and mainly sunny conditions but with a chill in the air first thing and just a light breeze. Just had usual Summer gear with a base layer. I was debating whether to put on a thicker jersey or bibtights, glad I didn't as it warmed up in the sun and felt okay (not cold) high up in the hills and back down at base camp it was positively balmy. Slight exaggeration but certainly felt warm. An early Autumn feel about things although no mists but plenty of mellow fruitfulness with blackberries and other fruits and berries filling the hedgerows. Hard work but enjoyed the ride. 🙂

Strava stats are 60.1 miles completed at an average speed of 14.3mph and elevation gain of 4295 feet.

Pick a number, any number. Decided to try a 75% TBR on the pump and it worked a treat (on this ride anyway 🙄 ). Libre started at 7.5 and didn't go over 9 or less than 6. That's a result in my books. On the ride I had 3 cereal bars and 1 gel.


Near Grindon.


This is near Chelmorton just outside Buxton.



Top of Cat and Fiddle shots - wasn't as bleak as it looks.



Could be anywhere this but it's also at the top of the Cat and Fiddle sat on my bike. Not riding when photo taken. 😱


The Garmin.

 

[Matt Cycle]

It's a thread four year anniversary special this week!! Not really, although it is 4 years yesterday since the thread was started but it's the same old rubbish posted. This week it was a 100km ride as I went to Mobberley near Wilmslow in Cheshire to watch the Tour of Britain. It's a strange old business watching cycling events as you wait patiently for an hour or more and they've gone past in 30 seconds. Always a friendly atmosphere though from those watching. Lovely day for cycling although cool first thing - breath condensing in the cold air. It did say it was going to reach 19 degrees in the afternoon. It felt quite warm in the sun but there was still a slight chill in the shade by the time I got back. Really enjoyed the ride - nice weather, saw the race, loads of friendly riders out and about. Great day. 🙂

Strava stats are 62.5 miles completed at an average speed of 15.7mph and elevation gain of 2415 feet.

Had a strange few days bg wise as on Wednesday and Thursday I struggled to get in single figures with TBR's and corrections. It was a set change anyway but that didn't make much difference. A couple of people at work had bad colds and I was sneezing on Wednesday so it's maybe something to do with that? Feel okay though. Changed the Libre sensor on Wednesday as well and have had several gaps appear and quite a few sensor unavailable messages as well. It's still working and seems to be reading okay with the odd wild reading. On the ride I went with a 75% TBR on the pump (perhaps should have increased this) and readings on the Libre were around the 7-10 mark. It did climb up to 14 when I stopped to watch the race but dropped back down. Got home to a Libre 5.3. On the ride I had 1 cereal bar.

This was very early stages in the race but there were already two in a breakaway and had built up a bit of a gap (they're next to the silver car).


There was one other who'd broken away but here comes the peloton.



Here they are.


The Garmin.

 

[Matt Cycle]

100km Friday ride in the Cheshire lanes. Busy tomorrow and Sunday is forecast wet so took some of the day off to make the most of the weather with a ride into Cheshire and what a glorious day it was. Sunny and warm with a bit of a breeze. Occasional showers of acorns when passing under oak trees and the wind was blowing! Summer gear on topping up the vitamin D. One of those warm Autumn days. Make the most of it folks.

Strava stats are 62.5 miles completed at an average speed of 15.9mph and elevation gain of 2160 feet. (Into the final third of the year and I'm up to 2230 miles for the year now. I tend to aim for 3000 but I'll just have to see how things go.)

Put the pump on 80% TBR and the Libre was showing between 7 and 10-ish. Did a couple of bg's to check and on one Libre was 7.6 and bg was 5.5. Could be the interstitial lag but can live with that. On the ride I had 1 cereal bar and 1 gel and stopped for a quick double espresso at the Jodrell Bank cafe.



Stubble fields at Over Peover.



The Garmin ride summary.

 

[Jasper]

Had a ride out at Sherwood Pines Mountain Bike trail. Wet, wet, wet. I was a bit worried as it is my first week diagnosed T2. BG before breakfast was 6.8, had poached eggs on wholemeal toast.Conditions were shocking on the Kitchener Trail: ankle deep in water and mud most of the way. Lungs almost exploded. Hard going and I got a bit worried my BG may drop with the exertion as it is pretty hard work (rated Red Route: Difficult). Only 15km but took almost 85 mins including one or two spills in the water. Came back with dirt in every nook and cranny. Tested when I got back, 6.1 so my worry about low BG weren't necessary ( i dont think?).