Audax 230km

Well here is the Garmin data from my first Audax ride. This shows the timed loop from start to finish. I also cycled to the start and home again so covered an extra 12 miles making it 155 miles all told. I did the ride with John who I made contact with via CycleChat and who's done this route a few times before. It made a big difference not having to stop to check navigation and also having someone to cycle with. He was a great motivator.

We stopped a few times for short breaks and to collect receipts in order to prove we had passed set places along the route and at what time. On through Frodsham and Ellesmere Port we went. We also had a stop on the Wirral overlooking Wales as we cycled up the only off road section through Wirral country park - The Wirral Way. This was a lovely bit before we hit the tarmac once more for Birkenhead and the train under the Mersey to Liverpool. I never knew there was a train tunnel there as I suppose the ferry kind of eclipses other forms of river crossing for non-Liverpudlian's. Through Liverpool and north to Formby from where we turned east for Manchester via St Helens.

John and the bikes on the Wirral with Wales in the distance

The weather was lovely on the whole except for a constant head wind on the way back. I was approaching 100 miles and could see my average speed getting slower and slower as my legs grew heavier and heavier. I called to John that he should go on at his own pace and I would complete when I could but he stopped, told me to eat some sugary stuff, drink some water and have a rest for a few minutes. The psychological barrier of 100 miles, the head wind and hitting a sugar low all at the same time were soon overcome as the sugar hit my bloodstream and we set off again.

Coming into the outskirts of Manchester over the Warburton Bridge the light had gone from the sky and my Edelux light came into it's, carving a nice wide path out of the unlit roads and allowing a fair lick of speed to be maintained. As we travelled through Sale and into Trafford, I was tempted to head off home as the route then took me away from my abode south of the city centre and onto the Velodrome. I persevered but it was difficult and made all the worse by a cramp in my right thigh which made actually turning the pedals with any force a real struggle. 

John went ahead for the last couple of miles due to my slow, ponderous and laboured cycling at this point, We met up at the Asda ATM for our last receipt and then bid a quick but heartfelt farewell. I still had 6 miles to cover for home. The wife was waiting and there was bottle of wine to celebrate with. And the next day? Well I felt fine apart from a little weakness in both hands. Not what I expected at all and I certainly could have done it again if I had the time. 

Good start I think!

First 100+ miler

I did it! 155.4 miles or 250 km. The timed element was over 230 km and the upper limit for this distance is 16 hrs. Managed it in just under 14 hrs. Legs tired and calves doing some strange quivering but otherwise pretty good. More details to follow when I have the energy...

Audacious Cycling

Audacious meaning bold. Now shortened to Audax and the type of cycle ride I am going to attempt tomorrow. Not the most extreme ride anyone has ever done but at around 250 km (155 miles including cycling to and from the start) this will be my longest and boldest ride by far. And while I normally just pootle at my own pace and decide when and where I will finish cycling that day this is a timed event and I must get proof of passage and completion at various points on the way. 

So, I am meeting a fellow Audax rider at 07.00 hrs tomorrow in Manchester and we are going to follow a circular route to Liverpool/Wirral and back to Manchester. He has done this before so I will be very much in his hands. The weather is looking great and the bike is ready. I'll aim for no alcohol this evening and an early night. Quite excited but just a little nervous.

If I can do this within the time limit and not be too knackered I will be well on my way to preparing for LEL 2013. The first physical and pyschological steps will have been taken and everything after will be easier because of that. If I struggle tomorrow I will have to reassess my goal to complete the LEL. I am hopeful it will not be too taxing. I have done rides of 145 km before with camping gear, found it pleasurable and was ready to do it all again the next day but perhaps that will be my upper limit. I suppose only time (and distance) will tell!

Priority Traffic Lanes And Bicycles

I cycle for commuting and fun covering thousands of miles per year. Most of my interactions with traffic are without incident and generally predictable. I have stopped routinely filming my commutes because it became all consuming, made be rather bitter and I don't think it actually achieved much. However, I really cannot stand so called professional drivers - not white van men or mini cab drivers but drivers who have to take a seperate road test to gain a HGV or PSV licence - when they feel they can bully their way on the road. This is an email I sent to First Bus Company in Manchester along with thier reply about such an incident. 

I don't know the outcome and I am going to leave it that. I do hope though that bringing this kind of poor driving to the attention of  appropriate managers will result in the few bad drivers being made to think twice before they behave in such an appalling manner.

My email to the bus company

Dear Sir/Madam

I am a frequent road cyclist and cover about 100 miles per week on numerous roads. Most of my trips are done around Manchester. I have the greatest of respect for the driving of most bus drivers I encounter but I am writing as I wish to very strongly complain about a First bus driver who very nearly caused a serious road traffic collision recently.

I was cycling north along the A56 towards Bury on Friday 16 Sep at about 12.20hrs. I had just entered the priority lane near Gigg Lane and was moving at about 20 mph, wearing a bright red top and in the "Primary" lane position. Weather conditions were dry with good visibility and traffic was moderate in volume. I became aware of a single decker bus passing me very closely - so closely in fact I could have touched the side of the vehicle with no effort. The bus driver had not completed the pass when the vehicle moved towards the kerb forcing me to brake hard and aim for the gutter to avoid a collision.

Obviously I was very shaken by this display of poor driving. The bus continued to move up the lane and stopped at the next passenger halt 150m or so ahead. I decided to challenge the driver about this incident. I cycled passed the bus while it was stationery and stopped in front. I made eye contact with driver and moved to his window. I asked him if he realised how closely he had passed me. His reply amazed and infuriated me.

Rather than apologise and tell me he hadn't seen me or even that he had misjudged the manoeuvre, he proceeded to inform me I had been in "his" lane, had no right to be there and further that I should have been in the pedestrian/cycle shared lane (this runs adjacent to the priority lane for 200 m or so on the pavement). I explained with some vigour I had every right to be in the priority lane as it is a shared bus/taxi/cycle lane and pointed out the pedestrian/cycle lane is not mandatory for cyclists and no road cyclist moving at 20 mph is going to choose to use it over the road. He continued to insist I should not have been "in his way" and that the lane was for "buses only". This is incorrect and there are clear signs at the beginning of the lane stating the lane is for buses, taxis and cyclist between 07.00 - 19.00hrs

It quickly became clear to me the driver had in fact seen me, felt I should not be there and was in his way. I am therefore forced to conclude the closeness of his pass was not an error of judgement but rather a deliberate attempt to force me to a stop or even off my bicycle. This was not just careless driving but a very deliberate and dangerous attempt at intimidation that could have resulted in serious harm or even death. If I had wobbled, hit a pothole or manhole as I was being forced to the gutter I would, without a doubt, have gone under the rear wheels of the vehicle with disastrous consequences.

I expect you to take this further with driver concerned. I have not reported this matter to the Police but may yet do so depending on the actions taken from this point onwards. The bus was a 93...

 And the reply I got today

Dear...

I write in response to you  recent email regarding the behaviour and driving standards displayed by one of our drivers on our 93 service on the 16 September 2011.

Good customer care is a principle of First and there is no excuse for the behaviour of the type you described, which certainly fall shorts of these standards.

You may be assured that in view of your comments, the driver concerned will be interviewed under the company's disciplinary procedures. If necessary, appropriate action will be taken with a view to avoiding any further instances, such as this. Due to employee confidentiality and the restrictions under the data protection act I am unable to disclose the form of action that will be taken, however it will reflect the seriouness of your complaint.

In closing therefore, I would be grateful if you could accept my sincere apologies for the incident, and my thanks for bringing this matter to my attention. It is through receipt of such information that we are able to monitor the performance of our drivers and seek improvement where necessary.

I hope this incident has not deterred you from travelling with First in the future.

Yours....

Nerves Of Steel!

I have been planning a big family day out on bikes all Summer. There was going to be my sister with her family, my brother and his family, me, the OH and The Golden Child - six adults and six kids all told. Unfortunately it never came to fruition for a variety of scheduling pressures. 

The brother in law and I were going to take his two eldest girls for a day out last Saturday on hired tandems but in the event this plan was dashed when he was informed they were in Girl Guide camp that weekend. We were both still free though and fancied doing something a bit different. As I had always wanted to try a tandem we decided to hire just one and did a twenty mile return trip along the Tissington Trail in Derbyshire. It was an experience I never, ever wish to repeat. 

The film shows the outward section which is mainly a gentle uphill pull. At 10 miles it started to rain hard and continuously so we turned round. The combination of: a wet slippy surface, thin tyres, woolly steering, the increased speed and two big blokes made it a quite hair raising journey. Filming was the last thing I wanted to add to the mix so there is no visual record of this part. Anyway, we did get back without coming off but it was nerve wracking trip. I know I'll be sticking to my own bike(s) from now on. Tandem riders must have nerves of steel!