Water, Water Everywhere.

Ok. so I know I go on about the weather but today was just the pits.  Heard on the radio that Scotland has had the wettest winter in over 100 years and I can confirm it. Looked out the window this morning and it was lashing down, wind from the south.  Decided to head south into the wind ( get it over with first ) and do 40 miles. Completed 27 miles and called it a day.  Could feel pools of water in my socks, my hands were numb and fingers getting stiff.  My waterproof socks had let the rain in but then wouldn't let it out. Slosh,slosh.
Managed another 13 miles on the exercise bike at home, so I got my 40 miles total. Tomorrow looks dryer so will go out again, if my clothes have dried??  No pleasure in this.

String and Ross Roads



The String Road  760 ft

Top of the Ross 952 ft -  Bitingly Cold day

In the local paper this week it stated that 'the String Road' and 'the Ross Road', Isle of Arran have been included in 'the Cyclist's Guide to Hillclimbs on Scottish Lowland Roads'. This book describes the toughest road hillclimbs in Lowland Scotland.  With this mind on Monday, I cycled over the String, from Brodick and returned via the North End. On Tuesday, I then cycled over the Ross from Lamlash and back over the String.  I go over the String at least twice a week normally but the Ross more infrequently.  I don't really like it.  Not because of the climb but I find the road just seems to go on forever and I feel I am never reaching the end. A lovely route, I know, but not one of my favourites.

Saddle, Sleeping bag, Tent

Have now completed 300 miles on the saddle and it is a lot better. I just become slightly aware of it after 25 miles so by the time I go in 4 weeks should be ok. Have received my ' Alpkit Mummy Goose Down Sleeping Bag' and it feels lovely -  soft, warm and surprisingly quite roomy. Says it should be ok down to -5*. Hers's hoping.  It came in a stuff sack 9''x2''. I rolled up the sleeping bag and fought the stuff sack for 20 minutes.  I then watched on You Tube how it was done and off course 'as it says on the tin' you
'stuff' it in.   Easy no problems, so I am getting there. Practising putting up my tent as 'if it is raining' and
 'if it is dry'.. Hope all this gets easier.

New Saddle - Ouch! Ouch! Ouch1

Why am I doing this to myself??? Bought a new Brooks leather saddle and it is like a brick. Reviews say it takes at least 200 miles to break in.  I am now at mile 117 and it is still sore.  All the reviews ( 113 out of 115 ) say once broken in, it is the best saddle ever, better than synthetic and gel, comfortable in both cold and heat.   Some people say they were just about to bin it when suddenly it felt great.   Hope this happens to me before too long because I need to put in some long days, just 5 weeks to go.  Anyway, I still have my old saddle to fall back on if I am still suffering.  Should have done this months ago.

Bike in Hospital for Refit

Thought I'd better get the bike into Ian Leader's Bike Shop for a once over before I depart in 5 WEEKS time. Ahhh.  I knew it needed quite a bit done, brakes, gears etc because of the weather and road conditions. Turns out it needs new chain, cassette, cables, brakes, back wheel and rear mech.- a good overhaul.  Still, I will be cycling where there are no services for miles ( Texas ) so best to have the bike in tip top condition.  The front brake hasn't worked for weeks so now I feel much more secure. Bike was in for 3 days and saud's law the weather was great, sunny with very little wind.  I was on the exercise bike looking out. I don't believe it.
Getting all my equipment gathered together and learning how it all works - tent, groundsheet and the latest, a Thermarest Prolite Plus Womens Self Inflating Sleep Mat.  When I unrolled it, it looked like plastic stuck together, like an old balloon but open the value, wait 10 minutes and amazingly it self inflates.   A couple of puffs and that's it, about 1.5'' thick. Not much I know but seems very effective.  Will see if I still feel the same way about it after 8 weeks. The only big item I have still to buy is my sleeping bag - want a down filled one. They all seem to be 'mummy' shaped which I find a bit claustrophobic but think I will have to settle for that.

Assisting Janices' Training.

Sunday the 22/01/2012, a day of very windy conditions and heavy showers but I decided to go out on a cycle with my wife to help with her training for her trip across America. Enjoyed the cycle up to North Sannox Bridge despite the weather and we came back to Lindsays', Sannox Golf Club tearoom and had our usual enjoyable lunch, then headed home.

Glasgow Adventure

Had a great cycle to Glasgow last week - a round trip of 74 miles. It wasn't without mishap though.  Set of with friend Linda to get 8.20am ferry. Due to weather, told it might not get into Ardrossan so might have to divert to Gourock.  We chanced it and the crossing was fine.  Picked up Glasgow cycle path then came across a path closure, coped with the divertion and picked up the path again. Linda was stopping at Paisley so that left me with another 9 miles till my sister Liz's house. One mile later I got a puncture in the back tyre - I should say by now it was sleeting quite heavily. Bike and me was covered in muck from path so I hoped it was a slow puncture and pumped up tyre. Cycled another mile but no good.  Then I remembered the Quick Release lever was too stiff for me to release to repair. I was by now in the worst part on the track, between Paisley/Glasgow, remote wood, underpass. Not the best. I decided to walk out then thought 'Oh just keep walking' so walked the next 6/7 miles to my sisters house. On the plus side it was still daylight and it was a scenic walk mostly through Pollock Park.  At sisters repaired puncture then cycled back the next day to Arran over Fenick Moor.  Poured the whole way with a strong headwind. This route was in a worse state than the previous day, due to the bad weather, and I was sure I would get another puncture, but no.  Had a great cycle and I thoroughly enjoyed it - felt fit and strong. Maybe my training is paying off at last.  Ferry sailed OK and when I got home put on new tyres that I have bought for America Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 700x32. They get a good write up so time will tell. All good practice and experience