Week 15 Sayonara mon petit Pompetamine, Hello hills

Time to part company with my On-one Pompetamine

All cleaned up, serviced and listed on ebay.

2 days and the buy-it-now was taken, perhaps I sold it too cheap and I certainly didn't want to sell it but it needed to go to make way for new projects, farewell it is.

Brucey bonus, the chap that bought the bike off me is an illustrator called Matthew Burton, known for among other things images for cycling mags, on collection he presented me with an original print from a series he did for peloton magazine, not sure what i'll do with it but i quite like it.

No cycling in the week, resting for the Dorset Coast 200k.

Before that though was Bespoked Handbuilt Bike Show. I have been so excited about this show, not quite as excited as last year when i got to present my own bike and it was with some in trepidation as i knew that downlands cycles would be there, who i can't help but feel are mostly responsible for my frame breakage. Anyway moving on from that...this years show was much bigger and as much as I liked last years venue, the new venue at the Olympic Velodrome, Lee Valley Velo Park was fantastic. An absolute pain to find and disorientating when inside but it really was a brilliant venue.

I really enjoyed the show, there were quite a lot of new things to see, mostly re spins on things I had seen before, how much can you vary a bicycle? right?......well it was lacking in some areas where some of the innovators of the past are obviously building bikes for paying customers instead of flights of fancy. There were new builders that were great to see, some more mature than others. There were the eccentric's as well, pushing their imagination, but only a little, influences being seen from other custom scenes such as chopper motorcycles and steam punk.

For me though, despite the excellent execution of some of the bikes there was one frame builder that stood out. Perhaps because it appealed to my own style but I thought Sparrow Cycles were truly standout. Hailing from Liverpool, their machines really oozed creativity and in a subtle way, innovation. The bikes all looked like patina restorations or really old school, to the casual on looker they would have looked like old bikes that were still usable but look closer and the detail was exquisite. These bikes were the only ones that made me look on in wonder, trying to understand how they had achieved what they had, some have still left me intrigued.

Dorset Coast 200k

This was to be a varied adventure, which actually started straight after Bespoked. I had to dash back from London (I say dash but the reality of London traffic was crawl) to get home before my cycling buddy Tim turned up.

After some grub (Indian...yum yum) we loaded the car up and both set off for the Sea. Initially this was to Poole where we would stay the night on Step Dad, John and mother's boat, 'La Mystique'.

Staying the night meant we didn't have a 2 hour journey straight before the 200k ride the next day. Tim seemed quite excited to be staying on the boat, after a cup of tea and a chat it was off to bed.....early start on the morrow :-(

I arose in the morning realising that I had set my alarm 30 minutes late, already I was on the back foot and starting to panic, no panicking from Tim of course. Mum made tea and toast, perfect start, then once in the car we both necked a couple Weetabix breakfast drinks. We had a vanilla one each and I think I had chocolate and Tim had strawberry, the unanimous conclusion was that the vanilla one was the better tasting.

Bikes unloaded and another cup of tea and it was time to set off.

Quite a large entry for an audax, some had already left and some were still faffing but we set off with a large group. The pace was blistering, warp drives engaged we covered 23k in under 45 minutes, i heard mutterings that we had done 30k in 30 minutes but the stats say different. At this point we got on the chain link ferry toward Studland.

Passing Studland Bay, Tim recounted stories of making an exhibition of himself on the beach, I tried to ignore him, closing my ears to such depravity.

The route was predicted to be a hilly one and it didn't "disappoint", the hills were rolling and the sections on the route sheet had anecdotal titles, one of which being the "roller coaster".

The scenery was absolutely stunning, the contrast of lush green grass, black and white cows against a crisp blue sky with the sea in the background. As the day progressively warmed and so we progressively removed layers. 

We hit upon a minor ish snag as we were to cross the MOD firing range.....the MOD were firing, making progression according to the route both illegal and dangerous. Our detour initially took us in the opposite direction, a local lass on the ride informed me in a ridiculous amount of words that if I went left and left again i would then be going in the correct direction, nice of her but nothing I couldn't have worked out for myself. 
We did take the initial left of suggestion, after which the same female whilst with a group of other locals wizzed past, informing us we were on track and to take the next left. However I had other ideas, we had obviously changed direction and added distance, my GPS showed that with a further detour, we regain some Peter's (Peter Kay's...K's....kilometers) whilst discussing this idea, with Tim showing a distinct lack of faith, the organiser arrived with apologies and a suggested change of route in the direction that I had suggested. Off we went fervently determined to now beat the group which went left.

Weymouth was our control, free cup of tea and a stamp for our brevet cards, we sat down for a cooked breakfast and along came the "turn left" group, mighty satisfied we were.

Breakfast devoured we pressed on feeling good and pretty quick. The scenery still ever beautiful.

Next stop was Axminster, a school being manned by a crazy woman threatening to give us detentions if we didn't eat lots of cake. The food was included in our entry fee so we obliged.

The next stint went well, couple of monster hills which made us puff a bit, I was really please that I didn't lag behind Tim by more than a few metres, (it can be hundreds of metres). 
Tim announced that there was a particular jovial anecdotal title for the penultimate section, it had "torturous" in the title. We interpreted this to mean there was a massive hill coming. I had my doubts, I kept trying to remember the route profile and kept thinking there was only one big hill before Dorchester and we had certainly gone up a big hill. We neared Dorchester, closer and closer, we rode through newly built up Georgian style areas. as we entered and exited each square our backsides were pummeled by sharp edged cobble rumble strips. After a few of these we realised "torturous route" wasn't describing a hill, it was the rumble strips, they were indeed torturous.
Our control was to be a cafe in the centre of Dorchester, situated just off a carpark. Dorchester itself is a beautiful town and well worth a visit, the disgusting greasy spoon we had the misfortune to use as our control was not. By far and away the worst eating establishment I have ever been in, The only good thing about this place was is signified only 20k ish to go which meant it kind of felt like the end,a flat route ahead and only 20K it was as good as done. In no time at all it was indeed done. We finished without the need for lights in 11 hours something, which we thought for such a hilly event was pretty good.
We loaded up and set off for home in search of a McDonald's to fuel the drive home. 
Another brilliant ride in the bag which was superbly organised with a beautiful route..

Total distance for the week 208.6K
Total distance for the year so far 1486K

Week 14 can't think of a title for this week

Started the week with a commute home off road stylee on Monday, plan was to mountain bike from work to home all the way, taking in Swinley forest on route, well I was delayed leaving the office and I knew "her in doors" was going out so it all got a bit tight for time.

Nothing to do but go for it and hope I didn't get too much of a telling off for getting back late.

I absolutely rode the wheels off my Genesis, the route slightly differed to usual on the run up to Swinley forest which came and went in a flash. Other side of Swinley I made a mistake and went off course missing a road out which was no bother, bizarrely the road I missed was called "Hodge Lane" what are the chances of that......well just as bizarrely the road i ended up on had house off it called "Christopher cottage"...spooky i thought.

Usual time for mountain bike commute is 2hrs 15 mins to 2 hrs 30 mins, not today, just under 1hr 53 mins, absolutely smashed it, didn't get told off by the misses either, just a mild heart attack, having pedaled as hard as I could, constantly, all the way, chuffed just the same.

Tuesday heralded a return to commuting on my DIY bike, still adorned with it's winter snow tyres, the plus side being i could go cross country on my usual single speed cyclocross route.

It was a bit strange having gears to change, I kept forgetting to change up or down. nice and quick though and great to be back on it.

Wednesday I was working from home which permitted a long lunch, bike ride. I had plotted a route which followed the Burnham Beeches Cycle Way and home again which I thought could have made a nice ride out for my ickle girl.

Considering it is "sold" as a family route, I wasn't impressed, for the first half I largely knew the roads, none of which would I choose to be on and I certainly wouldn't have chosen to be on with my 10 year old.

As I neared Burnham Beeches, the roads opened up a bit and quietened down, knowing that there are some beautiful traffic free roads through the Beeches I was expecting a nice section ahead. This was not to be, the route taking me on a short sharp road straight accross via a massive dip which would have been terrifying for little tot on the way down and unrideable on the way up, not impressed so far!.

Burnham Beeches behind me, the route continued on to Black Park. The roads much nicer for this part but more akin to nice audax roads than family riding roads. 

Some confusion as I got to Black Park itself, then through the park, past the pushchairs and bewildered looking mum's and I was on the return route home following Sustrans cycle network route 61, this I had ridden before and except for having to ride past a school as they kicked out for lunch is a nice quiet ride. Route 61 goes through Upton Park in Slough, somewhere I rarely venture, this time with some time in my back pocket I thought I would see if a couple of places from my childhood had changed in 25 years. Both were next to each other. 

The first was Remote World Model Car Club, back when i were a lad i was into radio control cars and race at this track frequently, it used to cater for electric cars rather than purely IC cars as it does today. It looked a bit posher and more permanent than i remember despite that it once held a round of the world chamionships. Someone was testing their car, the familar sound of a glowfuel engine flat out was a nice blast from the past. 

The next location to visit and ever so slightly more topical was Slough BMX track. 1986 Slough hosted the World BMX Championships, that's right folks, 2 world class venues 50ft apart and in Slough. It was sad to see it had deteriorated significantly, though testament to how well it must have been built, it was still rideable, just not 4 abreast. For old times sake I rode around breathing in the dust of my childhood, and the M4 fumes, remembering the camel humps and the banked corners, I was 10 all over again.

For the remainder of my journey home I wafted along feeling both nostalgic and a little melancholy but the sun was shining and my lunch break nearly over. I arrived home with very much mixed feelings about this route, one thing I was certain of was that the Beeches Cycleway is not a great route to take your kiddiewinks on.

Friday I was back in the office and decided to bike and train it. Uneventful as it was, it was nice to have pedaled all the same.

No cycling at the weekend, though I was satisfied with my varied cycling exploits giving me encouragement for the 200K planned for next week.

Total distance for the week 161.6K

Total distance for the year 1277.4K

Week 13 Ultimo giro per Pompetamine

Last ride for Pompetamine

Due to work commitments again, commuting by cycle wasn't really an option this week, however as everyone knows the weekend starts on Friday

soon as i got home I donned my cycle gear and headed out on my single spped.

Chosen route was what i am calling my "Stolen Morf" route which is a poor anagram of "Mostly Flat Off Road" but i kept remembering it in a different order so "Morf" it is.

I stole it off bikely.com and have ridden it before in torrential rain on my mountain bike but thought at the time that it would be a good single speed cyclocross route.

The sun was shining as i set off and the temperature mild to warm, got into a rhythm and started eating up the miles, my target was less than 2hr's 15mins as that was how long i told No.1 Son when i would be back for food and a film, previously it had taken just under 2hr's 40 on my mountain bike in bad weather but i cut the route short a little.

As i pedaled towards Twyford (i think) the sun was setting beautifully ahead of me, drawing me towards it, encouraging me to pedal harder, it felt like an old fashioned summer day, no sound of cars as rode on an old bridleway through fields, the only thing missing was traditional lemonade and "Little House on the Prairie"

The bumps at times were jarring on my skinny wagon wheels with no suspension, thanks in part to the dry ground with the embedded remains of horse hoof prints. The speed was intoxicating though, faster and faster i pedaled through some of the more technical sections, feeling free and solitary the weeks stresses evaporated.

The fire roads turned to woodland, some but little mud remained from the past flooding, a stark contrast to my last adventure on this route.

Quite stop for an over exposed picture of my Pompetamine as i knew this could be it's swan song.

I continued to tap out a swift rhythm and my time went quick, as i neared home the need for lights arose. I arrived at home in dimpsy light and a little muddy, after 2hrs 14 minutes and 29 seconds, in time for some quality time with my Lad.

Saturday morning started slowly and with some apprehension, i had completed the rebuild on my DIY bike in the week, everything fitting together as it should and set up with ease all be it with some pre-assembly cleaning. My initial intention to ride my 4 bridges route had faded, instead i went for a short, half commute loop to test ride my rebuilt DIY bike. I have been enjoying my single speed so much i was uneasy about getting back on my DIY bike, having invested so much time and money into it and with the trials and tribulations it has thrown at me i wanted it to be the best ever all over again.

Still on its winter tyres which are as safe as they are slow, i limited my expectations. taking the cross country route to disguise the sluggishness of the continentals i was delighted to find that it felt right, the seat needed adjusting but still, it was all gravy.

Ultegra gear changes snappy, solid and quick, Avid BB7 SL brakes responsive and effortless, EC70 bars comfy and vibe free, yes this was the bike i remember and with it's new bare tubes and joints i think i like it a little better than before, possibly with the shine knocked of it a little it felt freeer, not so precious, the gravel paths of no concern, scratches! Pah! the paints missing, how scratched can it get.

I returned home smiling.

Early rise on Sunday, mothering Sunday of course intially was hoped to be a visit to Spin London bike show but i went with the safer option of rallying the sprogs to show their mum some love, didn't go totally according to plan but that's another story,with time available before church me and my baby girl opted for cycling to church. Eve has ridden her bike for a long time but she always seems capable so i wasn't worried about the distance at approx 5 miles each way. I can normally pedal to church in 15 to 20 minutes so i allowed about 45, so i thought but with a bit of faffing we were finally on our way with about 35 minutes to spare.
Eve gave it her best shot, pedalling relentlessly and happily on her 3 ton single speed BMX thing complete with pearlescent pink paint scheme. We proceeded at her leisurely pace with no pressure applied. It was a beautiful morning and we cycled carefree chatting away for 1hr 5 minutes...ooops...pretty late for church, Eve didn't have her bible either, not a good start.
As a Mum's day treat we were planning on cooking a roast dinner, wifes favourite, this meant a fast departure, in hind sight i should have returned solo with Eve coming home in the car but we didn't do that, instead we pootled home, took a detour which i thought might be the same or quicker along the Thames, alas we added a couple of miles and Eve ran out of puff. She'd done very well but we ended up late at home with mummy having to peel the potatoes...oops along with a disgruntled son.
It would also transpire that my rear tyres air would escape at which point I know not but escape it did, given that we were walking the last couple of miles it didn't matter.
This was to be the last ride for my Pompetamine, i shall remember it with fond memories of the many places it has taken me and the adventures enjoyed.

Total distance for the week: 78.8K
Total distance so far this year: 1115.8K