10th September

Home to Attenborough nature reserve - Beeston Marina - Beeston Canal to Lenton - cycle path past QMC to Woolaton Park, through Woolaton Park on Robin Hoods Way to Hemlock Stone and Trowell, route 67 to Sandiacre, across Toton sidings to home.

Distance = 19.71 miles
Time = 1hr 55 mins
Cadence = 79
Ave Speed = 10.3 mph
Top Speed = 24.8 mph
Weather = Sunny Spells, Dry, 16c

Enjoyable ride taking in Wollaton Park and Hemlock Stone, accidently found some single track and a couple of hairy desents whilst loosing Robin Hoods Way, cant wait to get the new bike out and do some more of that.


Cadence up slightly again which is pleasing.



Kayak's on Beeston Canal



Hemlock Stone

Scrap the VAT

On line petition set up to pursuade No 10 to scrap the vat on bikes accessories and parts.

"There's been a lot of talk lately of the impending price rises affecting Bikes & cycling equipment that are going to take effect in 2009 and the way those rises are likely to impact cyclists.

We've already recently discovered the the UK Government doesn't have the ability to make any changes to the amount of import duty charged on Bicycles imported into the UK as that's all controlled by Europe. However, one thing they do still have control of is VAT.

So I've set up an online petition asking the Prime Minister to do the following:

Zero rate VAT on Bicycles & Tricycles valued over £129

Zero rate VAT on all Bicycle safety equipment (not just helmets)

Reduce (Special rate) VAT to 5% for all Bicycle parts, components & accessories.

The Petition runs until February 8th 2009 and if there's any chance of having some success we need to get as many signatures as we can!

It will take you all of 2 minutes to sign the Petition, your details won't be used for any nefarious purpose and you'll potentially be doing a great thing for Cycling in the UK.

There have been a couple of similar Petitions started lately but none of them have gotten anywhere near the required amount of support - please don't let that happen again! For this to be effective we need to get as many people as we possibly can behind this Petition.

That's me done. Please sign the petition!"

Scrap the VAT blog

Petition

Currently working on..........

I'm currently working on getting my cadence up to an average of around 90 rpm, anyone who knows a little about cycling will know that this benefits greatly especially in endurance events as well as every day riding. Lance Armstrong used to cycle at around 110 rpm +

At first I was unsure that peddling faster would actually make things easier but how wrong was I.

I aim for around 90 rpm whilst on the flat, this I will increase over time, my average is being brought down whilst off road and coasting down hills. Maybe I'll never hit an average of 90 rpm but if I can get well into the 80's I'm sure I'll feel the benefits. In 1 month I've upped my average from 70 to around 76 so I'm heading in the right direction.

8th Sept 2008

Route 67 - West Hallam - Centenary Way to Stanley - Spondon - Borrowash - Route 6 to Home

Distance = 29.05 m
Time = 2hr 48 min
Ave Cadence = 75
Ave Speed = 10.4 mph
Top Speed = 29.3 mph

First real off roading I've done with some tough field work up hills in some long wet grass and well as occasional minor flooding. Some good hills climbed on road as well. I need plenty of practice on the hills for the C2C.



Start of Centenary Trail near Ilkeston Derbyshire




Stanley Brook crossing Midshires Way




Erewash Canal Museum



Erewash Canal Museum

Previous rides

Here's a quick look into my shed which doubles up as my bike workshop, as you can see I currently have a rebuild on the go for my daughter which is being painted a lovely shade of purple :s

Just a quick catch up on a few rides I did before the blog started.

2nd Aug 2008

Route 67 + Nutbrook Trial to Shipley Park & back.

Distance = 21.35 m
Time = 1hr 51m
Ave Cadence = 70
Ave Speed = 11.6 mph
Top Speed = 26.1 mph

10th Aug 2008

Route 6 - Borrowash & back

Distance = 12.54 m
Time = 58m
Ave Cadence = 73
Ave Speed = 12.9 mph
Top Speed = 25.3 mph

23rd Aug 2008

Route 67 - Heanor - Trent Lock - Home

Distance = 30.26m
Time = 2hr 36 min
Ave Cadence = 71
Ave Speed = 11.6 mph
Top Speed = 26.6 mph

30th Aug 2008

Route 6 to Elvaston, footpath to Ambaston - Shardlow, footpath to Sawley - Attenborough - Home


Distance = 20.54m
Time = 1hr 53 min
Ave Cadence = 77
Ave Speed = 10.8 mph
Top Speed = ?

Introduction

Since taking up cycling again recently I have decided to blog my modest efforts on 2 wheels. I am planning to ride the C2C next year so will be getting ready for that over the coming months.

Here I will note routes and ride stats for my own reference as well as post photo's from my rides occasionally.

My routes have mainly been on canal paths and smooth cycle trails up to now, once my latest bike (see below) is ready I plan to do some proper all terain riding.

I am currently riding between 20 - 30 miles per ride on a 12 year old Giant GSR MTB at an average speed of approx 12 mph (including off road).

I have recently purchased another Giant MTB, this time an NSR which I am currently part way through servicing and getting ready, this will be my steed for the C2C.