Insurance matters!

Continuing on from post below, I rang my Insurance Co this morning to work out how much of my losses would be covered, they took brief details and then informed me that they would be passing the claim onto anoher company to deal with. I had a call within 30 minutes to inform me that I would be receiving a new bike - A Scott Speedster S30 Triple 2011 as pictured below.

Most impressed by quick and efficient work by all concerned - so thanks to all invoved for that. I have accepted the offer - new bike should arrive within 7-14 days.

My leg is much better, still a bit sore but am walking a lot better today, back is very painful still, so may need to get that checked out again if it does not improve.

Just need to track down the mutant in the lorry now...?

Open Letter to that Large White Lorry Driver

NB - That's a Large White Lorry, not a Large as in weighty driver of said Lorry (but both could be true i guess?!)

Dear Sir or indeed Madam,

I hope the impact that you managed to cause with myself at approximately 7.20 this morning whilst I was proceeding northwards on the A140 on my cycle dwells upon your mind and that ultimately you do the decent thing and inform the Police.

It may be of interest to you, that despite your best attempts I am still alive and walking albeit painfully,and would appear to have suffered a nice set of cuts and bruises - one particularly nasty one on my right thigh (for your reference the point of impact with the front of your vehicle).

At this point I would just like to express my gratitude to a number of people, firstly the car driver and his passenger who initially stopped and inquired about my well being and offered assistance (something which perhaps innocently in my mind would be usual practice in such circumstances) and also to Graham, a fine gentleman who i have only had the pleasure of meeting this morning but who scraped me up of the side of the road and transported me and my bike home, and then in conversation realised that we share a passion for bikes and all things cycling.

It may be of further interest to you that your actions or perhaps the lack of, have been reported by myself to the Police, which upon doing so i was pleased that the officer at the end of the phone know as much about the incident as i did as it has already been reported by an eye-witness, placing the blame firmly at your door - a fact that i was already sure of but was pleasing to have that confirmed too.

If it helps your recollection, I was the one wearing that yellow hi-viz jacket, with TWO rear lights on my bike, who fortunately bounced off your vehicle just prior to the turn to Hainford (Waterloo Road). Not that you have enquired, (on the basis that you did not stop) but i think my bike is ok, but I will perhaps reserve judgement on that one - perhaps I could get back to you?

I sincerely hope that you drive more observantly and safely in the future as i feel that in this instance i have been very fortunate, the next cyclist may not be?

Yours faithfully,

Darren

Out with the Old, in with the New

OK so I could not resist the temptation of wheel on tarmac and succumbed to two further 2010 rides, clocking up a additionl 70 miles in the process. That makes a final 9073 miles for 2010.

Snow has retreated, to be placed by damp misty and foggy conditions, but compared to recent weeks it is positively balmy weather. Have tried out my new hi-viz waterproof and the difference in riding the dirty bike with a fixed bottom bracket is immense.

Christmas present update:
Tickets to UCI World Track Champs - 18th Feb http://trackworldcup.co.uk/
Hi-viz waterproof jacket
2 x Twin-six T-shirts
Cyclopedia by William Fotheringham
Bike Snob book
100 Greatest Cycling Climbs Book
Trion-Z Necklace

So a look back and a glance forward:
Highlights of 2010, include L2P24 as well as a storming ride in the Norwich 100, also seeing the Tour of Britain, having the opportunity to buy a carbon framed bike, time spent in France on hols and just generally enjoying my bikes.

Personal Bests:

One hour  20.82 mi
10 miles    26m:08s
20 km       35m:05s
50 km       1h:32m:37s
50 miles    2h:37m:13s
100 km     3h:22m:06s

Targets then for 2011:
Lose some of the christmas/new year weight gain - hovering around 12 stone at present - eeek!
To do a 10 mile in 25 minutes (or under)
Tour de Norfolk (Simon and I circumnavigating our fine county 170 - 200 miles in a day)
Norwich 100
Tour of the Peak
Tick off a few classic hills
10,000 miles completed
Continue to enjoy riding

Finished - well almost?

This could possibly be the final post of 2010, currently enjoying (?) a well earned rest from 2 wheels, after finally completing my revised (twice) target of 9000 miles for the calendar year. Actual total was 9003.37, after completing just under 133 miles in 3 days last week. - Perversely I have been pushing towards my weekly averages of the summer despite all the snow and ice!

As well as hitting my annual target i had also set myself a target of reaching 2000 miles across the Autumn, helped along by my participation in the online Endomondo challenge for Cyclicts of Britain - Autumn Ambit http://www.endomondo.com/challenges/394861?f=0. What a result - winning my first cycling event!!!!

Weather is improving, and although still cold, most snow has gone - winter bike has had bottom bracket replaced, so there is still chance of a jaunt or two in between Christmas and New Year, but if not, am pretty happy with the year's total - gonna have to be 10k next year! - Looking at last year's monthly mileages, as ever it will be key to bank miles early - Jan/Feb last year totalled about 850 miles, whereas Nov and Dec were 1200+. I have also decided that REST will be important too - REST being a pneumonic for Ride Every Single Time!

Closing Personal Bests:


One hour    20.82 mi
10 miles      26m:08s
20 km         35m:05s
50 km         1h:32m:37s
50 miles     2h:37m:13s
100 km      3h:22m:06s

Room for improvement and 2011 targets will be published soon...

Planet X are offering an unbeatable offer at the mo - a merino wool long sleeved top,(pictured above) with FREE overshoes and gloves all for £35 - had to avail myself didn't I?

SPOTY was a complete stitch up as Cav trailed in down the pecking order behind AP McCoy - a worthy winner but surely Cav's personality was the best on show with or without his season's achievements? Cycling Season and in particular the TDU starts on 16th Jan with Lance riding his last (?) pro race. The Shack's team roster also boosted by the addition of Robbie McEwen and Robbie Hunter, with the demise of Pegasus Sports, following the UCI's decision to not grant them a licence.

Ouch!

Another 200 miles clocked up this week, through varying degrees of chill, cold, ice and snow remnants.

To top the week, or maybe that ought to be bottom (or that region anyway) i went for an early Sunday am ride with Simon. Air was fresh, roads were damp, but ok, then just prior to mile 23 we turned into a lesser used road - white stuff right across other than tyre tracks - continue or not was the question - after a minute of deliberation we decided to continue - bad mistake!

Bang on mile 23, i went left, and the bike went right - resulting in me hitting the ground and sliding for a bit - Ouch! The result a snagged top, damaged gloves and ripped bib tights, 1 x cut elbow and a nice haematoma on the hip, oh and the bruised pride of course!

How do i know it was mile 23 - well this was the point my Garmin decided to enter a world of its own - remembering the overall mileage and time, but not recording the map or time for it specifically before the 23 mile point.

On the upside i am now in the market for some new winter gear!

Onwards to 9000...

Help - Everything is Frozen!

2 weeks ago, it was all damp, misty and cold - now it's decidedly wet, snowy, foggy, icy and sub-zero.

Nevertheless - 372 miles covered in the last fortnight, that's 8,670 ytd - through snow, ice, frost and arctic winds. On the up side, once the Cayo comes out of hiding in the Spring I'm gonna fly!

Take this morning for instance, by the time I got to work 25 miles and sadly over an hour and a half after leaving my house, I had frozen fingers and toes, my back brake had seized (fortunately off not on) and my water bottle's contents were solid. - BUT having said all that, I am kind of enjoying it (must be the sadist in me?)- need either some better or an extra pair of gloves, but am warm otherwise, I am resigned to the fact that I will be cleaning theb ike twice a week, that I will be slower, so just simply concentrating on turning them pedals over and over...

Only one almost altercation with a vehicle when a car slewed out in front of me at a crossroads where I had the ROW - he had skidded due to braking way too late despite my best efforts of impersonating a xmas tree he allegedly had not seen me - words were exchanged - his were apologetic - and on we continued.

3 weeks of 2011 left, 330 miles to complete to hit the 9000 - oh yes!

Autumn / Winter is here (to stay?)

As I tweeted over the weekend, meet my three new cycling friends - Fog, wet and cold. Having said that I have discovered some positives about autumn/winter cycling:


Love the fog other than the (obvious) visibility issue - early morning, becoming lighter, that eerie shroud of wispy cloud and the damp air is somehow enthralling - makes you notice the amazing landscape. At night when you can’t see your hand in front of your face, (lights on my bike, just about allow me to be seen, but not necessarily see) perhaps not so romantic?

Wet - I guess I use the term friend in the loosest sense here, no one likes the rain do they? coming home is ok - nice hot shower, clean clothes, coffee etc, but going somewhere is rubbish - do you ever realy dry out on a damp day?

Up to a point cold is good - not the snap your fingers off sub zero temps, but whilst the temp hovers in single Celsius figures, there is a kind of freshness that wakes you up, keeps you alert and ensures that you keep pedalling! - But then there comes another linked question:

Leg warmers or bib tights - ah the epic decision, at present trying to maintain the leg warmers for a long possible, although if it is lashing down, I prefer the bibs.

The answer then - go with your gut - look at the weather, hey stand outside even, layer up, but most of all - get out there and keep turning the wheels.
 
As for me, another 185 miles this week, after a paltry 110 last week - so thats 8298 for 2010 - hmmm must start thinking of some target achievements for 2011 soon?
 
Dirty bike, needed a new back wheel this week, so glad it remained dry as the posh bike came out for a few days- Have cleaned both bikes and also fitted some Crudcatcher mark II road racer guards to the dirty bike.
 
Looking at the weather forecast and scare mongering in the press today - could be snow any day soon - bring it on!!!
 
In other news - Cav has confirmed he will be at TDU in Jan (2 months to go....) Rumour mill still runs on Bertie and also who is going to whch team for 2011.

8000 v 462, vain or (in)sane

OK, a few months back I posted something likening mileage to vanity, and hours on the bike to sanity, well 8000 miles for 2010 says i am vain, and the corresponding 462.5 hours probably confirms my insanity too!

The stats, a shortened week during half term, due to a much needed and much enjoyed short break in Ireland, produced 75 miles, followed by last week's 206 brings me up to a non too shabby 8002 for the year.

The rain and fluctuating temps are not helping the cause at the moment but am determined to grit my teeth and push on - 9000 miles has to be achieved now! Cleaning 2 bikes most weeks is pretty galling, but i do get a kick out of riding a gleaming bike even if it only lasts 5 minutes!

In other news a mixed bag at the European Track champs, Hoy misses out on Gold, but Kenny takes it in the keirin and the Team Pursuit boys bring it home too. Rumour mill and transfer moves still going on - hey it is the off-season after all - ho hum soon be January!

BST almost ended...

...And don't i know it! Temperature has steadily dropped, rain is more frequent and blustery days have become the norm. Necessitating the purchase of a new pair of overshoes as pictured!

Having said all that the mileage keeps going - 2 back to back weeks of 190 and 196 respectively, making 7,720 miles covered year to date.

As i have been dodging raindrops, I have alternated between the Cayo and my Trek - ave speed is also tailing off, but it has been a long year i guess?

In other news Lance has confirmed participation at TDU in 2011, The Schlecks have added Jens "shut up Legs" Voigt to their ever increasing team roster, and Bjarne Riis is confident of holding onto his sponsorship whether or not Bertie comes up positive.

Off to Ireland on Weds, so severely truncated cycling week - will start November with gusto though!

October rocks!

Loving October, the seeingly endless rain has...er... ended, and the sun has been doing a great job! An indian summer? Global Warming? - Who knows, fact is the Cayo has had a week's worth of riding and it's all good!

So stats-wise, first double century for a week since end of July - just shy of 205 miles, making 7,335 ytd. More in the tank too, that 9000 is on!

Short week this week, only 4 cycling days available, so will front load on mileage still aiming for 160-170 if poss? Dry weather is looking like lasting throughout so shiny white steed will continue!!

In other news, not much to report in the commonwealth games - Am i the only one who gets completely confused that all these Brits are wearing different colours?! The Aussies pretty much whipped our butts in all cycling disiplines so far - but i am comforted by the fact that they are all technically Brits anyway, albeit the remnants of ex-convicts from 200 years ago! Millar got a bronze to go with his silver at the Worlds. Watch out for him in the TT.
Radioshack grabbed 3rd place with Steegmans at Paris-Tours, which pretty much sees the end of the Cycling Season on the road.

And finally (very news at Ten) got an e-mail offering me the chance to take part in L2P24 2011 - just look who is in the marketing picture:

Yup, that's me 6th from right, yellow gilet.

More soon.