& one for Dad...

Since his stroke a year or so ago & due to impaired vision, my Dad has been riding bikes as his main source of transport. Although the circumstances are unfortunate, I'm always happy to see him out on two wheels & it's helping to keep him in trim too.

He was given an old Saracen MTB by one of his friends whom had not used it for some time so it was put into service as Dad's 'daily getabout' I've done a few bits of maintenance on it & stuck some 1.5" slicks on it as the tyres that it came with were about to give up the ghost. After deciding that slicks were far too uncomfortable for him, I was told to order something more appropriate & get them fitted.
As my folks are currently away in Barbados, I decided it was time for the bike to get a complete overhaul & bring it into line ready to go, upon their return.

I neglected to take photo's of it before the job but it was in a pretty messy state with years of grime getting a free ride wherever the bike went. In addition to the new rubber (Continental Traffic 1.9's) I also got a new rear derailleur cable & outer as the existing one was damaged. The rest just cleaned up well without any major issues. The rack was fitted the wrong way around (no wonder it was interfering with the rear brake!) & the rear cantilever was almost seized on the lug on one side & you could have made a wig with the amount of hair tangled in the rear mech!

Here's the finished project, it's had a coat of wax to bring the frame up a bit & it now all works as it should.

Jobs a good'un!

Solo not recovery...

As my mate TonyB was busy this week, I decided that I should still go out on my own. The wind was blowing a good'un & the skies were just waiting for me to step out the door into a shower. There's no point in trying to rely on British weather so I suited up & head out on another magical mystery tour. I do prefer not knowing where I'm heading & it only increases the sense of adventure I get from riding on 'new roads' that I haven't treaded down previously. So I took in the usual sights of N Newington, Wroxton & horley way & then wen't over to Hanwell & on to Great Bourton & Cropredy, Williamscot & back into the familiar ground of Chacombe (memories of lovely summer evening sessions at the ramps with friends). I Checked into Banbury Cycles on the way through town to see if my seat pack was in yet (it wasn't) & then on home.

I do need to invest in some replacement cycling shorts as the Santini's have about had their day & are becoming more uncomfortable as my rides progress. Also the chain tension problem seems to be improving due, I think, to the fact that the wheel nut is now biting into the dropout through the paint & keeping it's grip where it should be.

I would also like to mention that since I've started riding my Kona at Christmas, I've lost a stone in weight & my fitness levels have improved well which I'm very pleased with!

Get out on your bikes soon!

17 miles done...

Riding as the weather permits...

First ride this week was just a pootle around the local villages just riding without a pre-planned route. Went out to Bloxham & then up the hill on the Tadmarton Road past Highlands to Lower Taddy. I went up to 5 ways & then on the Plain Road through Balscote to the Stratford Road & then back into Banbury to see my Nan. I've been concerned about getting more punctures & I've ordered a seat pack to cover them as they rear their ugly heads again but it is stopping me going out too far after a couple of rather extended walks lately. My water bottles seem to be disintegrating too so will have to look at superior replacements sooner rather than later.

13.5 miles covered

The usual Friday run...

Rode out with TonyB again & we did an extension of our usual loop. The weather was fab & we had a good old chat about bikes & life in general. My riding is improving well & I'm finding hills that used to be a struggle are now just not an issue. Went into Banbury Cycles for a mooch & then home for Coffee.

22 miles all in...

One for the boy...

Jamie found this bike a few years back, it was just laying in the park looking like someone had just done a runner on it & had dumped it for an alternate 'getaway' means. We took it to the local authorities but no one claimed it so we gave it a home. It was set up to run as a single speed with some major adjustments of the dérailleurs, as it had no gear-shifters on it & after a few years of my son running it into the ground, I figured it was time to 'go to work'

Here's how she looked before I started:

It was fully stripped to assess the condition & get a list of parts that were required to make it rideable again. It appears that this was two bikes that had been merged (probably stolen?) as it had the wrong headset in it, a 6 speed rear dérailleur on a 9 speed block & a disc brake on the rear hub but no provision for a disc brake assembly on the frame. The frame is in very good condition bar a few scratches & the rear dérailleur hanger which was quite bent but was persuaded back to true with some gentle hammer & vice work. The forks are so heavy it's stupid & they do tend to 'dive' quite badly under heavy braking from the front disc setup. All the other parts were in good condition although the seat had a badly bent rail, so had to go.

After cleaning everything up I could start the rebuild. The wheels were trued up & a new rear tyre was sourced as an exact replacement for the 'skidded to within an inch of it's life' old one. I changed the existing 9 speed Shimano block for an 8 that I had taken off my Cindercone & also had the XTR 8 speed shifters left over from the Cindercones 7 speed conversion. This was planned a while back as I had some old 7 speed thumb-shifters & DX levers from about 15 years ago that I always wanted to go back on the Kona before she was sold.

It all went back together nicely & with some new rear blocks for the V brake, a new rear derailleur & a full set of new brake & gear cables, it was ready to roll. I put my old BMX homemade bar ends on it as the grip ends were mashed & the seat I salvaged from this lot was used to replace the damaged GT one.

Cost was around £45 all in which, seeing as the bike was a freebee in the first place, seemed to be money well spent!

After getting it dialled in with numerous trips around the block, it rides quite well for what it is & the gear shift is very smooth as it should be. Jamie was pleased that he could ride up hills on it now & even bought the old man a big bar of Fruit & Nut to say thank you - good lad x

It's a beautiful day!

Went to MK yesterday & went into Evans to look at the seat packs. Ended up coming home with 3 pairs of cycling socks instead!

So looking out today & the conditions looked perfect for a nice sunny ride out. I went up the Warwick Road as I wanted to finally nail the short, sharp uphill out of Horley towards Wroxton. Passed by Ray's & noticed the car was in so had a chat with him for a while & then went off down Hanwell fields to the Southam Road. Went up the Southam Road & then off to Hanwell & across the Warwick Road to Horley. As I came down through Horley, to the hill which had beaten me a month or so ago, I was winding it up & was determined to get up it this time. As I cranked it to the top it was a good feeling of accomplishment & I let out a "woohoo" with my little taste of victory.

I continued on & turned up the Shutford Road & came in the back end of Wroxton & then went back towards Horley again. As I coasted down that hill I wasn't gloating in the slightest ha! Made my way back up from Horley to the Warwick road (another steep one conquered) & then back to Banbury & round through Hardwick est to my folks place for a nice cold drink.

15.5 miles done.

Short & not so sweet....

After only getting to Wroxton via the Stratford Road I had a puncture & had to walk back home. It's surprising how quick you get there biking but how long it takes you to walk that same distance home. I was a bit pissed off with myself as I'd said this wasn't going to happen again. I really do need to invest in a seat pack & bits to cope with a flat. Consoled myself with a short ride out with my wife which was very pleasant in the afternoon sun.

The whole day totalled 12 miles (3 walked)

Joining the recovery...

Did an hours ride with Tony B again today on one of his recovery rides & I had to really think hard whilst checking the mileage to remember where we actually rode!? We always have a good laugh & don't really think about how far or fast we are going which is lucky because Tone is a world ahead of me in cycling fitness! After the ride out we had some coffee & watched a stage of a current cycle race on Eurosport. Good stuff.

20 miles total.

Another day another ride...

Did another ride as I wanted to do the loop that Iain & I had done last week, only in the other direction. It seemed pretty steady going up the Warwick road & felt great by the time I'd got to Edgehill. I decided to carry on on Sugarswell lane to go around Epwell to make the route a little longer but I ended up riding through the little lanes of Epwell itself & then getting back on the Shutford road. Made fast progress all the way back in but by the time I'd got to Giants cave I was about cooked. My back & shoulders ached pretty good but I kept the pace as best I could home.

20 miles done.

Windy...

Thought I'd do a short loop just to keep the momentum going. I went out to North Newington & up to 5 ways but then went right towards Alkerton & past the tip onto the Stratford Road & back to Banbury. The wind was in my face for most of the ride & when I wasn't 'monkeying' up those hills, I was battling with a vicious head wind until I got to the Stratford road. It's hard work wind, I kept looking at the sky as I was expecting to get wet too but it gradually started to brighten up after a few spots of the old wet stuff. Once I got to the 'home straight' I finally had the tail wind I was hoping for, fantastic run back to town & I was bobbing on my seat my legs were working so fast. I think the few motorists that came past me were wondering exactly what I was grinning innanely about! Stopped into Rays on the way home but he was out.

Didn't feel quite as strong as I have done on the uphills, but still enjoying it :-)

13.5 miles done

Back in the saddle with my old pal Iain D...

Iain & I used to work together years ago & we always shared a common love of bikes. We'd go MTB riding regularly & the last time we did a ride together was the Hell of the North Cotswolds off-road 50k ride. I remember it as the hardest ride I've ever done & due to having zero bike fitness at the time, I was totally fucked afterwards but it was rewarding nonetheless.

So we had been talking about doing another run out together & now he had his new Olmo (very nice) road bike sorted, we decided on an early morning Sunday spin.

Leaving mine at 9am we headed out to North Newington & I was feeling pretty good with the nice blue skies & fresh air in my face. We did Newington to Shutford & on to Epwell & Sugarswell Lane to Sunrising. From there we road across to Edgehill & on around Camp Lane to the Warwick Road at Warmington. The ride across Camp Lane was great & we got up a real good average speed of 20mph but as we got on to the Warwick Road we were greeted by an evil head wind which battered us about all the way home. We stopped at my folks place for coffee & then made our way home.

Already looking forward to riding out again soon as....

20 miles done.

Riding & walking...

Another beautiful morning & Tony & I were out on the Warwick Road again. We turned off for Horley & followed the road up past Varney's & Hornton again. Coming back in on the Stratford road I got a puncture & whilst trying to reinflate my tire the bloody valve blew off! It was decided that Tone would go on & get the car whilst I started a nice long walk towards Banbury. As the sun was out it was rather tranquil between the Bennie lorries hurtling past me as I strode on towards home. Nick from the Banbury Star came past & had a chat which was cool & I even got offered a lift from a kindly van driver who was travelling in the opposite direction! Goes to show there are some good folks left in this shit-bag world! Nick met up with a fellow rider & said goodbye & then Tony turned up in the motor as I got to Wroxton. I said that was the 1st & last time I was going to be that unprepared & I'm going to get some bits to take out with me to cover those sort of eventualities that are bound to happen again at some point.

Spanner - check
Allen key - check
Tyre levers - check
spare tube - check

8 miles riding
2.5 miles walking

Got home & gave the bike a good clean up as the wheels were off it...

Thanks Tony ;-)

Feeling it!

Did another recovery ride with Tony B today. We headed out on the Broughton Road & followed it to the Epwell fork. Across through Epwell & Sugarswell Lane to the Stratford Road & back to Banbury. Good conversation & the ride was done before we knew it but pushed it quite hard for me & I was very tired for the rest of the day...

20 mile loop

Well that didn't last then!

So Tuesday brings rain, might have known that you aren't getting two whole days of nice weather but I was undeterred & got my stuff together to get some more miles in.

Went out to North Newington & I made it up the hill into the village without getting out of the saddle! Seeing as this was a big ask back in January I was stoked at my progress once I got up top. Made my way up through the village & then right to Wroxton. Made the big rise out of the saddle & noticed the building dark grey skies as I cranked along the top to the Stratford Road. Did a LH & went out a little way on the Stratford Road & then RH & back towards Horley. The wind was getting up by this stage & rain was defo on the cards any time soon. Made my way by the Scout Camp site & up onto the Warwick Road & back through Hardwick estate. My water bottle disintegrated on me so was launched over someones garden in disgust, temper temper young man! Before long I was tucking into a bacon sandwich with my folks - spot on...

10 miles completed.

It's a beautiful day!

Monday morning & the Sun is out, wow! what a rare occurrence & one to be taken advantage of. You can't beat getting out in the sun on your wheels (whatever they may be) & it was full-on good vibes as I peddled up the road.

Met up with Tony B as he was doing a recovery ride from his Hard riders TT race on Sunday. We headed out up the Warwick Road for a gentle ride around the villages. We did Horley up past Varney's & Hornton & then back on the Stratford Road & off to North Newington. I was surprised at how quickly it went & with all the chatting & banter, I really don't remember a lot of the cycling!?

Googlemaps says 20 miles all in...