Posts Tagged ‘Colnago’

Cycling & Cruising – Thank God for Both

Posted: May 3, 2014 in charity, COPD, Cruising, Cycling, Health, Travel, Uncategorized
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I’m not going to say too much this week, mainly because I haven’t got much to write about. This is possibly a good reason to seek out another adventure, most likely on a cruise ship. There is however a couple of news worthy items (in Podge’s world they’re news worthy anyway) I will mention.

1) My breathing has improved, though there is a twist 😦

2) WheelsForRotary – Ride to Remember in July is Cancelled, though all is not lost.

Health – Having reported to my Vet (more correctly referred to as a Doctor 🙂 ), ready to extoll the virtues of a dairy free diet I noticed his preoccupation with my pulse and readings from my recent ECG and blood tests. With respect to my blood test, he informed me that my glucose reading was 8.3 which could be a cause for concern but he wanted a 2nd test (with no food for 12-hours beforehand) before we got excited over it. My heart however was racing too high for his liking and the ECG suggested an erratic nature. This meant my heart was  not very efficient and so not oxygenating my blood properly. So, next stop for me 1) Blood Test (Again) and 2) Cardiology. Boo. But on the up side, my breathing is improving. Yay.

WheelsForRotary – Clearly, I was over ambitious. Following the success of last years inaugural ride and raising over £5K for charity, my goal this was to repeat the event but on a grander scale and tweak the route so that we could visit the D-Day Beaches in recognition of this year being the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings. And, as it was the 70th Anniversary, I really wanted 70 riders to ride 70 miles a day for 7 days (70 days would have pushing it a bit). Well, I got a lot of good / positive feedback and positive responses from likely riders but I’m afraid the ride wasn’t to be. Confirmed riders just didn’t materialise – and so with such few riders, the event simply wasn’t viable.

There is however, an upside.

The ride has been rescheduled such that all we do is to ride [over a long weekend] from the town of Ligueil in France to  its twin town of Hungerford in the UK but still making a stop at Pegasus Bridge to recognise the D-Day event. And Asthma, COPD, Arrhythmia, Diabetes, whatever I’ve got will not stop from doing this ride and we’ll still raise funds for Warchild and Bruce Trust Barges.

So, it ain’t so bad after all. Yay.

Still means I’ve got to cycle 260 miles though. Boo.

So, with all this going on, Mrs Me and I feel the need of another cruise. Fortunately, we have a short cruise at the end of May when we join the Azura sailing to Bruges and St Peter Port with Alfie Boe. Not literally with him of course but he’ll be on board singing. I have ideas for next year (The Amazon) and even for the following year buy I need to turn them into reality. So for this long Bank Holiday Weekend, I will be perusing the Cruise Brochures and websites to see where I [need] to go.

I might also be getting my bikes back out of the garage to see if the wheels still go round, which I’m sure they., or, should I seek out a new one: Do I really need another one.

Mind you, Colnago have brought out the shiny new Colnago C60 for my 60th Year. Slurp.

Job Done

Posted: July 15, 2013 in charity, COPD, Cycling, Rant, Travel
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First and foremost, let me express my heartfelt thanks to all those that supported me through my 550 Mile Cycle Challenge. To all those who supported me through donations via my Just_Giving page I would like to say a big Thank You: both the charities (End Polio Now & Bruce Trust Barges) and I genuinely appreciate it. For those who supported me during my training and the event itself, I also say Thank You: without you, I wouldn’t have been able to make it.

I’m not to going to make out it was easy because it wasn’t. In fact it was harder than I thought it would be. The combination of daily long distances, temperatures as high as 105f and a worsening of COPD did take its toll. But there are others worse off than me, which is why I take on, and complete these challenges.

While I will write a more comprehensive account of each day, this is just a brief recount.

We left Hungerford at the allotted time (mid-day) to head for the Ferry Terminal in Portsmouth where we were to encounter our first challenge of getting 6 bicycles and 7 passengers into a 2-berth camper van along with all the associated luggage and provisions including 18 Kilo’s of Bananas(!). One big problem was that the cycle rack on the van was only designed for three bikes, but with the aid of numerous zip ties, we were able to extend the rack’s capacity to 6 . I’m not sure if we could have taken to the public highway, but for boarding a ferry, it was ideal.

2013-07-07 20.08.00

Each day thereafter brought with it, its own challenges, low points and high points. The challenges, in the main, were distances and hills combined with high temperatures. The highpoint, for us all, was the reception we received from Hungerford’s Twin Town of Ligueil: they certainly know how to lay on a barbeque and their hospitality was second to none. The low point? It has to be me being taken out by a stupid driver who clearly wasn’t yet awake. As I was navigation round a roundabout, using the well marked cycle lane, a Renault 4 failed to spot me (a great big overweight cyclists in garish cycle clothes on a garish Colnago) a turned off the roundabout taking me with it. I was only bruised and winded but with a dented pride I just lay there gathering my thoughts before getting back up and continuing with my journey.

All too soon however, the ride was over and we headed back to England and Hungerford to a fantastic welcoming committee laid on by the local Rotarians and Bruce Trust Barges plus many more well wishers, all of whom plied us with drink and cakes (I think there was sandwiches as well). And then, it was over: we all dispersed and went home to rest and then rest some more.

Now the planning starts for next years ride……

Must Stop Cycling: Must Stop Cycling. . . .

Go Podge, Go

www.justgiving.com/kevin-stirzaker

The Hungerford Big Wheel

Posted: July 2, 2013 in Cycling, training
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Ok, so there I am, lying in bed on a Sunday morning, recovering from the previous days cycle ride down to see Mummy, when the 07:30 alarm goes indicating time for me to get up and psyche myself for today’s great adventure. To be honest, after the 50, 60, 70+ mile rides of late, the 26 mile family ride wasn’t really going to be an issue!

It would however be different..

All the banners advertising The BigWheel suggested a start of 10:00 but I suspected otherwise and that 10:45 was nearer the mark: I was right 🙂

Actually I wasn’t right: we started at 10:43 but what’s 2 minutes between friends?

Anyway, Charles, Nick and I arrived to register and pay our fee, plus donations to the causes as well of course (as we weren’t getting sponsorship for this ride). Then came Nicks turn: oh, have I got to pay? ‘Err, yes you do” I replied. Now I should of course known that ‘oh, have I got to pay’ actually meant ‘get your money out’ 🙂 still it was for a good cause and I knew Nick would enjoy the ride! Especially as he’d brought his Colnago EP (all carbon) to do the ride! Mind you, it was decked out with Shimano 😦
So, at the allotted hour of 10:43 we were set off from Hungerford Common (pleased to note that the cows had been moved away: I hate cows) along the back roads. Then it happened, we were directed off the road into a field where we followed a single track across farmland, crossed A338 and into a private estate with yet more tracks. Generally speaking, we were off road more than we were on road. Small wonder then that Nick buggered off with his brother, Matt, to do their own thing. The next time I was to see them was to be back at home.
Down track, up track, along track we went. I was amazed to see just how many homes there actually down these tracks, though we never saw any inhabitants. Curious. Then we came to a long track under low hanging trees all flooded. 2-choices faced me: go through the flood (but what was under the water) or work round a small track made by previous riders (that’s right, we weren’t at the front): I opted for the latter. Trouble is, I didn’t see the outcrop of flint against bare tree roots. Both were slippery and both went in different directions as did and my bike. The bike folded and laid down while I went over the bats into the lake (okay, the ‘lake’ was a puddle) where I found the water to surprisingly warm, as was the day.
Naturally, with the minimum of fuss and just a slight murder of ‘oh bother’ I remounted my steed and carried on. And on I went wondering what was the rattling, scraping sound coming from my rear tyre. Charles quickly appraised me of the situation, my mud / crud guard had loosened and fallen onto the wheel. This was an easy fix, rip it off and shove it in my back pocket on on we went, deeper and deeper into Savernake Forest until at last, the BBQ was espied. Burgers, Hot Dogs, Flap Jack, Cake (all makes), tea, coffee & juice. We had arrived at cycling heaven. And so Charles and I relaxed and pigged out. Well actually, I had two burgers and a very very small piece of cake while Charles tucked into his Veggie burger.
All too soon, it was time to leave, but which way? There were no signs. But, secretly, I’m an expert tracker so we followed the wheel tracks left by previous cyclist (still not at the front). Charles had already warned me about the next bit. Apparently, it was to be a very very steep drop down a grassy bank and though trees. F%#*k me he was right. There were even signs (confirming we were on the right route) advising us to dismount – believe me, I already had. It was steeper than stairs down to a town house cellar but, slippery as well. Down we went through small trees and huge stinging nettles, all desperately trying to sting my wounds from my earlier fall) until at last, we reached level ground.
From here on it was a dioddle, an absolute doddle. All the way, it wad flat, bumpy (very bumpy) but flat. Charles provided a running commentary on who lives where and which greedy cad owns which fields and the scoundrel who gave over the minimum amount to public right of way (I don’t think Charles likes rich land owners) until at last we reached the point from where we started. After that, it was down to thee Downgate for a pint, or two, of rehydration fluids (beer). And then off home to rest an recuperate.
So that was that: 26 miles, mostly off road, which must equate to 40 miles on road.
The next big ride will be the BIG one, to Ligueil.

Go Podge, go

When you have wind, Go with it!

Posted: June 25, 2013 in Cycling, training, Travel
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After my 74 mile epic last Sunday, I decided [on behalf of the others] that this weeks ride would be a shorter one. I did concede however that hills ought to be included and so the decision was to redo the Gibbet ride of a few weeks ago when I was plagued with punctures. This should give us about 40 miles plus three or four series climbs. We also had the added benefit of very, very strong winds.
After the first mile, straight into the wind, Mike suggested we did a straight out and back flat ride; the logic being straight out into the wind (resistance training) and then straight back (fast riding). Excellent idea I thought and so we stopped and reset the Garmin 800 (cycle sat nav) to take us to the centre of Devizes via Burbage and Pewsey. That done we set off, into the wind, following the purple line on the Garmin for a long 25 mile flat ride out.

  • I’ve used the Garmin (other makes available) for some time and can’t recommend them enough. On a trip through France, we would type in the hotel address we needed to get to and simply did as we’re told, and it never let us down.

    • On reflection, the concept of a flat ride through Wiltshire was perhaps a little flawed, but the scenery is stunning. And, I saw another White Horse carved into the chalk: that’s two in as many weekends.
    After passing Pewsey, poor old Charles shouted ‘PUNCTURE’ at the foot of what looked like being a long, long drag uphill with no cover and all into the wind, but stop we had to do. ‘poor Charles’! Well, he’s been riding his trust 23 year old steel ‘mountain’ bike without a single problem, then we switch him to a Colnago Road Bike. Since then, he’s had punctures every time and his gears needed needed to be adjusted as many times. The latter is more down to me not setting them, but nevertheless it’s ironic.
    Puncture fixed, off we set, onwards and upwards, straight into the wind. The rest of the ride was much of a muchness, head down and pumping pedals, we eventually reached Devizes where Charles asked that we stop while he went into the local Lidl for supplies. Basically this consisted of chocolate, and very yummy it was too.
    So, hunger staved off, we reset the Garmin to take us back home, this time with the wind. Such joy. Hills? Of course we had hills, but who cares when you have such strong winds helping you along, but we deserved it. 25 miles headwind had been good resistance training, now it was time for speed. At one point, Mike was doing 30+ mph trying to catch me: His Podgeness had been released. No more punctures, no hill trouble, just lots of speed. It was so much worth the effort going out.
    Before long, the finish arrived and it was all back to Podge’s Towers for a couple of Speckled Hens and a Desperado for Charles and just chilled in the afternoon sun, yes the sun was coming out to greet us, as we ‘lived the dream’ reflecting on our adventures.
    And that was that, 50 miles clocked up. Our first ride of the year on the 7th April, we did 14 miles and both Charles and I were knackered. Now, here we are, chilling after 50. We are all definitely fitter. Tomorrow, I shall do another 20.

    Go Podge, go.

    Update , I did do the 20 miles the next day.

    Mostly Yesterday

    Posted: June 17, 2013 in COPD, Cycling, training
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    I was cycling (often in the rain) around Wiltshire & a little bit of Oxfordshire. Why? Partly because I’d paid my entrance fee; partly because I had already said I would; partly to get out of household chore but, mostly because I needed to: in just 21 days time, I’ll be setting off on a 500+ mile cycle challenge to Hungerford’s twin town of Ligueil, and back. And why am I doing that?

    Mainly because I love cycling, I love it to bits [back in the 60’s I missed many a school day just so that I could ride my bike] and not cycling would leave such a massive hole in my life. So when I was told I had COPD and that it wouldn’t get better but would in fact deteriorate I was more that a little bit upset.

    Resigning myself to the fact that my breathing was only going to worsen I started selling my bikes. First the Colnago fixie (sad, sad day), the thee the Specialized Roubaix. Next was to be the De Rosa when I thought NO, COPD is NOT going to do this to me. I was going to ride my bike(s) and prove that I could still do so. But, i needed a goal, something to aim for. Hence the series of cycle challenges.

    Anyway, back to yesterday. We (Matt, Nick and myself) arrived at the registration point for the Great Western Sportive where we were met by Mike, Barry & Charles. Together we would take on and beat the route (72 miles) and, get back before the organisers took down the directional signs. Which by the way, we did.

    Riders were sent off in groups so as not to crowd the roads with hundreds (literally) of cyclist all at once. Our allotted start came and off we set: left out of the venue, left at the roundabout, left at the junction and away we go. After two miles we were stopped by road works traffic lights. It was then that we realised we had lost Charles. We waited, waited and waited. So, Nick being the young whippet that he is was despatched to find him. In the mean time, the next wave of cyclist went by. We were losing time. Then I got a call: Charles had got a puncture as we left the departure point and had gone back to the service station for help. Nick came back to report that couldn’t find him (not surprising really). We waited as the next wave of cyclist went by. So, this time, His Podgeness was despatched to find him. After a mile Charles spotted coming out of the junction and in time, all we’re reunited. All except that is for Matt. While we taken on the 72 mile ride, Matt had opted for the 100+ mile route. Ooh, what a show off.

    Anyway, having lost at least 20 minutes, we were off and away. We had been warned of the first hill shortly after the start and so we approached it with dread. But, on reflection, it wasn’t that bad and reaching top we fairly whizzed along. God, this is great. This is what I was born to do, ‘ride my bike’.

    The first stop was due, I calculated, after 24 miles. As we came to a right turn with a friendly cyclist come Marshall, we were told the stop was at the top of the hill. I looked forward then up, then I looked up some more and I saw one of the white horses carved into the hill side. What a magnificent site it was. Then, I realised the road went up and around the horse, then up some more. This is where my breathing limitations (48% effective) made their mark and the bike became a ‘push bike’ 🙂

    Anyway, we reached the stop, and the rain came. Fortunately, I had my rain top tucked away under the saddle. We rested for a good 10 minutes before setting off along some great roads and into Avebury. By now, we were getting a little bit wet (can cyclists get trench foot) but on we went.

    Eventually we reached Ramsbury and started heading towards Hungerford coming within 4 miles of home. Unfortunately, my car was in Swindon with another 30 (hilly) miles to go. So we resisted the temptation and turned left to go upwards towards Lambourne. Not long after we espied two damsels in distress. His ‘gallant’ Podgeness couldn’t just leave them and so, along with Charles, assistance was offered. By now of course, the rest of the group were well in front so we thought we might as well stop. For AA few minutes we stood chatting while watching try to sort their puncture out then frustration took hold and I helped them refit the tyre. Satisfied they were once more roadworthy, we bid them farewell and off we went. After 20 miles the ‘damsels’ whooshed by us and with a thank you for our help, they were gone. Charles and I were now convinced we were the ‘lantern rouge’. Still, I said, at least we’re something.

    After that it was just a case of slogging onwards and upwards until at last Swindon was in view. From our vantage point I could clearly see the hospital. Well, I certainly wasn’t going there! From here we seemed to be in a holding pattern as we zig zagged along the top of the hill before eventually dropping down to the ride end and a welcome coffee and Mars Bar: I’d earned it.

    And that was that. 74.5 miles and it was still daylight.

    Next week? Something shorter I think.

    Go Podge, Go
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