Wind and rain!

After a day at work during which I was sorely challenged by the trials and tribulations of the human condition I needed to get out on the bike and take it all out on local roads.

I have found that cycling is a great stress reliever. If things with work were different (not having to cover half of Wales, the distance - almost 30km, no facilities for a shower or wash) I would commute on the bike every day.

Anyway I took off into the Vale of Clwyd and did this circuit: -





It was fine when I set out. By the time I got to Llandyrnog it had begun to rain. By Llanynys it was chucking it down. As I turned back toward home the wind had picked up and I was now riding into rain and a stiff breeze! By the time I got home the rain had stopped (or I had ridden out of it) and the wind had pretty much dried me out!

I make no claims to badass status as I break so many of the Rules despite my efforts.

I got round the circuit in 50 minutes which I am pleased with. Stress very much busted!

JoD

Windy Saturday

Yesterday was windy and there was a constant but unfulfilled threat of rain (Friday evening was very wet). After the usual weekend chores I took off on the crock on the Nantglyn route (see below) and extended it. I felt great after doing it even though I didn't manage it without stopping (Oxygen debt ya know! Definitely a rule 20 issue).

Here is the map:

Mapping routes

I have made a useful discovery in the website MapMyRide which is easier to use than Google Maps and also gives me data on climb and elevation as well as many other things.

I managed to get out yesterday after work and do what has become my fitness reference cycle at the moment - the climb up to Prion then back down to Ruthin Road at Pentre Llanrhaeadr and home. If I make it to Prion without stopping I am on form. It also spurs me on to train more to take on ambitious routes.





JoD

Saturday morning!

What a day.

We were awake at the crack of dawn (5am for K. and 5.40 for me) as, for some unknown reason the heating had come on and it took a while to sort out. Tried to go back to sleep and failed so after some tea I decided that it was a nice morning for a ride.

By 7.05 I was cycling up Vale Street to town and then heading out towards Nantglyn with the sun on my back. This is a quiet road so I was on my own pretty much the whole way.

The road to Nantglyn is not too challenging but once there I turned right to head up to Groes and back down. Aarrrgh! what a climb and a perfect demonstration of how much more work I need to do to get properly fit (Rules 5, 10 and 20 apply here). The bike doesn't help as it is heavy and not a road bike.

The map makes it look deceptively easy. It wasn't!

The Cat (JoD)

Opportunity knocks...

I took some time back from work on Tuesday - they owe me 12 hours. As I had some free time and it was nice I went out on the old crock of a bike (it's getting worse!).

I took a new route just to see where it went and to begin to get a feel for a challenge I've set myself - to cycle up to and around the lakes on Denbigh Moor.

Here it is.

View Half way to Nantglyn 14.5km in a larger map

Zoom out to get an idea of the full thing.

The Cat (JoD)

New bike.

On the subject of a new bike, I've done a bit of research within budget and I like the look of the Marin Hybrid range, either one from the Road Alp range or the Street City. I also took a look at Specialized. Hmmm?

Lots of saving to do first though.

The Cat (JoD)

Me on a crap bike...

Oh the shame. That helmet is so wrong.
The eye wear is prescription though. I can hardly see the bike without them!

Non-the-less the ride was good. Around the Alwen reservior on a good day with my daughter is always worth it.

View The Alwen reservoir 10.91km in a larger map

The Cat (JoD)

The art of the possible.

Lets see what can be done with Blogger.

I left work early today and was glad that I did. As I did I heard that the Police (bless 'em) had closed the A55 in both directions around the Rainbow Bridge ( Rainbow Bridge ). 20 minutes earlier I had driven under it eastbound and there was a jumper sitting at the apex of the bridge with someone trying to persuade him not to do it.

Anyway all this is not really relevant to the point which was that, having left early I had the chance to ride to an appointment on a bright day and get fit into the bargain (Rule 5). It has confirmed my opinion that I need a new bike and I have my eye on this (Boardman Hybrid) on the basis that I do more road than off road but want to be able to go off the beaten track and funds are an issue. Nor do I race and I am not a member of a club.

The ride itself was fairly flat terrain and left me feeling great (Map). I have been drawing maps of rides and walks for a while now so that I could repeat what I had done and get an idea of distance (in km of course (Rule 24)). I keep looking for new challenges and often combine routes into longer excursions.

It's a start.

The Cat (JoD)

Think I need to...

...visit more often and post something.

I might just have to start blogging about the trials and tribulation of riding a crap bike up and down local hill and vale.

...soon.