Another Puncture. What is Going On???

Had another puncture, 2nd in a month,  rear wheel this time.  What is happening - I have had no punctures in years and years of cycling over thousands of miles and now 2 in the same month. Can't believe it, anyway I am getting new tyres for America, Foldable Marathon Supreme 700x28. Any comments on these tyres welcome.  Still, this is great practice for me and I managed to change the back tyre (slowly).  Only problem I have is closing the QR lever but that is a matter of strength and correct tension.  Will have to work on it or ask a passing friendly redneck!! 

Wind, Wind,Wind Go Away.

What weather, wet and windy.  What a battle, like cycling straight uphill and so dangerous if a gust catches you. Fed up with it as it is affecting my mileage, have to use exercise bike which I hate. Pounding away on the bike and going nowhere fast. Wish it would get cold and calm. Starting using overshoes and waterproof socks when out.  Feet feel warmer but will reserve judgement until the snow comes then see how warm they are.  Toasty at moment. 

Training with Vanda and Archie.

Vanda and Archie, whom I cycled with in India, came to stay for a few days.  Vanda is cycling in India again, next February, so wanted to do some training.  Unfortunately, the weather was against us and we only managed 26 miles on Wednesday ( 2080 feet climbed ) and 35 miles ( 2640 feet climbed ) on Thursday.  I should add though that they arrived at 11.00 o'clock on Weds so daylight was against us. It was great to have their company and I thoroughly enjoyed their visit.  Archie is remarkable, at 84 years he cycled straight over the String Road, elevation 750 feet over 2 miles.   Vanda's determination and guts see her through and I'm quite sure come next February she will cruise up to Kalimpong, West Bengal, elevation 5000 feet, (for her 3rd time) without any problems.  We feasted well when they were here, east meets west, curry, haggis and red wine.  What a combination but it all went down well.

Puncture at Last

Yippee.  At last I have had a puncture.  All the years, and thousands of miles I have cycled and not one puncture.  Perfect setting for 1st puncture - in garage just about to go out and noticed front tyre was flat. Managed to change tube and put tyre back on.  A little bit of glass was the culprit.  Now I know I can do it - next time it will probably be out on the road with wet and windy conditions.  So happy!!!!

October Training - What a Wet and Windy Month.

Well that is the first 5 weeks of training completed and it has gone quite well. I wanted to do at least 100 miles per week and I have managed between 125 and 139 miles, so well over. Every week I cycled 5 days of about 20 miles and one longer day between 34 and 38 miles.  The weather has been awful.  Wet and very windy but mild. At least, I am not cold.  The wind is a killer - a trip of 20 miles mostly uphill with headwind can seem like double that distance.   On Arran, wherever I go, there are hills, hills, hills which is great training but exhausting.  Difficult to have an easy day.  I have started looking for detours - along Strawhillian Road,  Clauchlands which adds 2.1/2 miles, King's Cross etc. For November I hope to cycle 150 miles per week, just a gradual build up. Its great having company - Murray, Isla, Linda. The miles fly by as we blether. It can be difficult fitting training in as life gets in the way.
Still on track though.