#claudebutler

As you may see below, I have uploaded a few photo's from today's bike ride that illustrates 2 points:

1) I need to get the photo's correctly rotated before uploading.

2) I need to take more photo's out when cycling, as opposed to just at the pub stop!

I was hoping to write a post regarding today's ride with photo's detailing where we travelled. I've pretty much failed on both points. The ride was short and the number of photo's taken was even shorter.

We covered around 10 miles and worked in a pub stop for a pint of Blackcurrant (party animal), had to make a dash across the A1 and had our route blocked at one point so had to scramble through some woods. This made me realise the mistake I had made today. Going for a ride on the tourer instead of the Mountain Bike.

I had become caught up in the theory of the tourer providing additional speed and less road resistance and generally allowing me to perform better and over longer distances. I had indeed proved this over the last few days on the road.

Today I was hindered by it's general off road uncomfortableness and lack of grip on the loose stuff which just slows me down. Made me realise I shouldn't get carried away in the idea of additional performance and higher top speed, when what I really need is something I know can do the job.

After reading a Blog post by a friend I feel compelled to write about my recent cycling experiences  or adventues (I'll let you decide on which is more appropriate). First I'm including a link to his blog as his latest post illustrates a very important point:

http://southlondoncyclist.wordpress.com/

As is becoming a theme now, I'll refer you to my initial post, where I wrote that I had rediscovered my confidence on two wheels. Over the recent weeks I have completed a number of bike rides along with occasional ad hoc miles instead of using the car. My crowning achievement was a 26 miler through Sherwood Forest over some challenging terrian (well it was challenging for me). This has all been completed on my 10 year old Trek 4500, stock photo below:

Now, feeling a bit more adventurous, I fancied trying to eat some road miles up and try and get some use out of the bike for local journies. I can't for see the bike being used for a daily commute anytime soon as the office is 20 miles away, and I only need visit there are 5/6 times a month, but I dygress.

So now, I have very fortunately been loaned a Claude Butler Regent touring bike, stock photo below:

I'll spare everyone hours worth of details, however Claude (as it is known) is a little heavier but has much higher gearing, similar to that of a road bike to allow you to really get motoring. I will come on to how I demonstrated this today.

So saturday morning I found myself, in the rain, adjusting the saddle (due to my stupidly short legs for my 6ft 2 frame, but that's for another day) and heading out for a ride. I had a tootle round the estate to make sure I was happy and then hit the road ate up a few miles, called it a success and headed home. 2 days later I used the bike again to visit my nan and nip to the shop. Marvellous, not clocking up the mileage, but these days also involved a visit to the gym.

Monday afternoon arrived, waking up from a night shift, and I decided that I wanted to get some extra road miles in on Claude, before my off road bike ride on Wednesday (it's a regular weekly thing) using the Trek. As it was already 4pm due to the fact it took me ages to get my contacts in, my first job was to nip to the 'rents house and borrow some lights, then fit them. This was succesful.

I set off, figured out a 10 mile route that never took me far from home or off road, but included calling in a 2 houses for a brew. It was while I was heading down the main road into town I demonstrated the speed and pulled 27 MPH through a watch your speed sign, this may not be fast to seasoned cyclists but was possibly the fastest I had been on a bike, ever.

Anyway, this brings me to the point of this post, tying in with the link I posted up top. I have been a car driver for nearly 9 years and only back in the saddle for 1 month. I found at times, I was absolutely terrified by the cars around me. I was on a bike, with lights and wearing a reflective yellow jacket, and it hadn't got dark yet, but somehow people just couldn't see me.

I don't want this to be a moan, but I feel that this experience could put me off cycling and if that's the case for me, could it be affecting others. I had forgotten how much fun cycling can be, the wind in your hair, the thril of going down hill and the joy of reaching your destination unscathed. I think some, and I say some because it is not all motorists, need to just sometimes give way or allow a bit of extra room for a cyclist.