Jeepers. I’ve seen people doing this sort of stuff before, but on a road bike? Who’d have thought it, eh?
Description from YouTube:
Martyn Ashton takes the £10k carbon road bike used by Team Sky’s Bradley Wiggins & Mark Cavendish for a ride with a difference. With a plan to push the limits of road biking as far as his lycra legs would dare, Martyn looked to get his ultimate ride out of the awesome Pinarello Dogma 2. This bike won the 2012 Tour de France – surely it deserves a Road Bike Party!
Hey, remember I said I was going to get the gearing changed on my bike? (Here, in case you don’t.)
Well today I finally got around to taking it in to Scuffwheels, now in their new shop in Stevenage Town Centre. Alex wasn’t there this time, but I spoke to Tom who agreed with Alex that doing what I was hoping shouldn’t be a problem at all, so they’re going to get it sorted this week.
I’ve asked them to put an 11-25 cassette on the back and 50/38/26 on the front. Or something like that.
And if you understand that, you’re a better person than I am.
Picture nicked off their website. Sure they won’t mind.
Last June year I took my bike to Cycledealia in Hitchin for a pre-Paris service. It needed a new chain, and also a new cassette. The mechanic there declared that he wouldn’t be able to replace the cassette on such an old bike so just gave it a general tune-up and reassembled it as it was. (You can’t have forgotten about it, I did, after all, write about it here.)
Of course the bike did get me to Paris fine. This year I was lucky enough to have the loan of a fancy-schmancy road bike to ride to Paris, and I’ve spent a good few months on and off pondering and researching the possibility of buying a new bike for myself. Perhaps I may have mentioned it. (The latest one that’s caught my eye is this from Charge.)
But.
When I go out on my old bike, I love it.
And what do I need anything super-light for anyway?
So today, just thirteen months after it was rejected by the guy in Cycledealia, I finally took it elsewhere for some other opinions. Only this time I knew what I wanted. New chain, new cassette, and possible new chain rings, too. You see, I want to change the gearing to something a little more road-friendly. For those mechanically-minded of you, it currently has a triple on the front (48/38/28) and a seven speed cassette on the back (13-30). Around town I frequently find myself in the highest gear (48-13) with nowhere left to go, so I want smaller cogs at the back and possibly larger ones – or a wider range – at the front.
Highway Cycles is where I bought the bike back in 1993, so that’s where I rode first.
Not possible, was his verdict. They could replace the cassette, yes, but only with a 12-28 because that’s now “the only one Shimano make to fit a bike like this” and putting larger chainwheels on “won’t be possible because of the shape of the frame.” And he promptly tried to sell me a Trek hybrid. Thanks. But no thanks. I left feeling a bit flattened. Bugger, maybe Cycledealia were right all along.
But still I had other places to try.
Marshalls Cycles wasn’t open when I arrived. It should have been. But before I’d left, along came one of the mechanics, waiting for the owners to open up shop, so I grabbed him for an opinion. Shouldn’t be a problem at all, he reckoned. Heck, they might even have at 11-28 cassette in stock. Generally more positive. Seemed reasonably keen to help, and a nice guy to boot. But the shop wasn’t open yet so he couldn’t actually check. And I’d have to book it in for them to look at as they’re very busy at the moment. Still, I rode away much more encouraged.
And then I went to Scuffwheels in Stevenage’s indoor market, where Alex’s eyes positively lit up when he saw my bike. This guy was really enthusiastic, extolling the virtues of my Reynolds CroMoly frame and the general build of the bike, and – most importantly – completely and utterly confident that he could do pretty much exactly what I was wanting. And he must be doing something right: after only eight months in business he’s about to move from his stall in the indoor market into a proper shop unit in the Town Centre – something he’d not expected to be doing until three or four years.
Once he’s moved in, I’m planning to take it to him and hoping he’ll work some magic.
There is one other guy working locally who I’ve not visited yet. Revolution Cycles was started by Carl in an industrial unit in Stevenage and has recently moved into a shop in Knebworth. I’d emailed Carl this morning, and since all my visits this morning have exchanged several emails with him. He’s asked a few questions and offered a lot of useful advice which will help me decide what to do even if I still end up taking it to Alex. But perhaps I ought to let him take a look before I finally decide.
I did like Alex, though. Despite (or maybe because of?) his extremely religious t-shirt.
Now look here: if I’ve put all this rubbish up here for all my training rides you didn’t think you were going to get away with avoiding it for the real thing, did you? Here are the lovely maps and stats for each day of London to Paris.
Distance: 86.81 miles
Time: 9hr 36min
Moving time: 7hr 27min
Average speed: 9.0 mph
Average moving speed: 11.6 mph
Top speed: 31.6 mph
Distance: 81.23 miles
Time: 8hr 42min
Moving time: 7hr 01min
Average speed: 9.3 mph
Average moving speed: 11.6 mph
Top speed: 34.8 mph
Distance: 65.43 miles
Time: 7hr 15min
Moving time: 5hr 42min
Average speed: 9.0 mph
Average moving speed: 11.5 mph
Top speed: 33.4 mph
Distance: 47.35 miles
Time: 4hr 56min
Moving time: 4hr 23min
Average speed: 9.6 mph
Average moving speed: 10.8 mph
Top speed: 26.1 mph
Disclaimers:
Well, that took a while. But I’ve selected, edited and uploaded my photos from the ride. There’s even a video tucked away in there somewhere.
Just click here to get to them.
We woke to fog. At 5:45. Yes, 5:45. Day four meant another early start; we had to set off in good time to reach the Arc de Triomphe by one o’clock knowing the approach to Paris would be slowed down by all the traffic lights just like getting out of London was. So we had a seven o’clock start.
A good breakfast in me, and I was ready to go after how much I’d enjoyed day three. But that fog, together with a long slow climb right at the beginning of the day, was not a great start. For the first eight or nine miles you just couldn’t see anything. There may have been some beautiful scenery; I have no way of telling. The fog was the type that settles on your glasses which then need wiping regularly so you can see, and it made everything damp and feel ‘heavy’. In combination with that long slow climb it was feeling like this was not going to be a fun day.
Eventually, of course, the fog lifted, and were were left with a glorious sunny day. The best weather we’d had of the whole ride. Some great riding roads, and I think we looked great all riding with our official ride tops again. A slight tinge of sadness knowing this was our last day riding together, and that approach into Paris really is a bit tedious; I think there were actually more traffic lights than London, and we kept getting split and regrouping only to get split again. But as we got further and further in, so the excitement started to build.
I well remember from last year the feeling when we eventually rounded a corner to our first view of the Arc. I guess Euphoria is the right word. We may be tired and sore, and riding on cobbled streets (thanks, Paris) but we’d done it. The support van reached the Arc just before us and the crew were still unfurling the “WELL DONE” banners when we circled the Arc and congregated at the top of the Champs Elysees. Hugs all round, champagne and medals distributed, congratulations shared.
We’d ridden (according to my Garmin) 282.91 miles in total.
It’s a great achievement. If you fancy a challenge, and meeting a great bunch of people, you can already sign up for next years ride on the Arch to Arc website.
Like last year I took lots of photos. Next job: get them edited and uploaded to Flickr.
Day three has been a lovely day; I have really, really, enjoyed it.
We woke to drizzle and a completely overcast sky, which at first made my heart sink, but thankfully the rain stayed away and the cooler weather made for great cycling conditions. It was a shorter day – just 64.4 miles (or more, or less, depending whose Garmin you look at) and a mostly easier terrain. Still a few nasty hills, but long stretches of mostly flat stuff on which we could maintain a higher speed for big chunks of the day.
Compared to yesterday the scenery was pretty dull: mile after mile of agricultural stuff. And even the villages we passed through, despite sometimes being quite pretty, seemed very devoid of life. Seriously, lots of places seemed deserted. Where were all the people who live in these places? If felt like we hardly saw a soul.
We’ve had a lot of bad luck with punctures ever since we set off. Last year there was just one puncture the entire ride. So far this year I’ve lost count. Maybe up about 15 by now. Each one causes a delay as innertubes – and sometimes tyres or even wheels- are changed and checked. I guess we were lucky last year. And some of the French roads have been horrible. Some really rough surfaces. I don’t remember that from last year. At least the drivers at mostly considerate and give us lots of room.
As for me, I’ve been really pleased. Okay, so I’m aching, and have sore bits in places I’d rather not think about, and my occasionally dodgy shoulder and neck has been playing up more than ever before, but none of that matters when I’m having such a great time.
Tomorrow’s the big day: an earlier start with the aim if arriving at the Arc de Triomphe about one o’clock. Wish us luck!
And don’t forget to donate!
I’m sitting in the lobby of the Ibis Hotel in Abbeville. Bits of me ache. Other bits of me are sore. Still other bits both ache *and* are sore.
81 miles today, straight after yesterday’s ride. Not sure this is quite what my body is designed for. Either that, or confirmation that I didn’t train enough.
The day started well enough, but the hotel breakfast was pretty poor, and mid morning it became clear that I’d not had enough to eat. (Two dinners the night before didn’t count.) I was flagging severely and half way up one hill I stepped off to the side for a breather. If at all possible I don’t like to walk up hills, but I’m happy to stop and catch my breath before continuing. This time the thought of continuing was a bit daunting.
We have a few expert riders in the group, and I was very glad of Mike who stopped with me, gave me a couple of energy gels and lots of encouragement, and helped me back on my way. We rode at a slow walking pace up the rest of the hill. The group had got a long way ahead, and Andy the group leader came back to see what was up. By then Mike and I had just about got to the top of the hill, and he and Andy sheltered me from the wind to get me back up to speed. The energy gels were just about kicking in, and before I knew it the three of us were belting along at 18mph to catch up with the group. When we stopped for lunch I made sure I filled up with lots of carbohydrates. Tomorrow I’ll have a big breakfast.
Apart from that, it’s been a great day. Some really beautiful scenery and the most picturesque villages you can imagine. Lots of hills, but again I made it up them all.
As a group of 26 were mostly aiming to ride together now rather than splitting up into abilities, and today we found our rhythm. Usual cruising speed of about 13 or 14mph. Slowing up the hills of course, and occasionally, where the route allows, letting the speed demons take off ahead to have some fun; there are some very strong cyclists here.
And now up to bed. To sleep. And to ride again on my sore parts tomorrow.
Next stop Beauvais!
Getting up at 4:15am is never the easiest of things, but it was made easier for my knowing that the stuff to make myself two bacon and egg rolls was all laid out and easy to hand in kitchen. And made even easier knowing a friend was coming to pick me up at five so I didn’t have to think about cycling to catch an early train.
The drive down to Hyde Park was lovely, and so little traffic on the road that we were surprised to find ourselves among the first to arrive. Before the support crew, even. Soon enough though, the little car park was beginning to fill up with cyclists of all shapes and sizes 29 of us in all. (Four had needed to withdraw because of injury.)
Getting such a large group out of Central London took quite some time as of course we’d be split into two or even three groups at every set of traffic lights – and there are many. After the first ten miles my Garmin was showing an average speed of less than 6mph. (The same of course would be true for all the cars grinding their way through all this lights.)
But the route out to that first cafe in Kent seemed easier than it had a fortnight ago. For one thing, we had sunshine. We hadn’t officially split onto ‘groups’ but at one point I found myself leading a small party with the others nowhere to be seen. Not quite sure what happened, but I think we’d overshot a turning and my Garmin had re-routed itself. Slightly worrying at first, but the net result was that we reached the cafe first. Changing the settings on everyone’s Garmins should mean that doesn’t happen again. A third bacon and egg roll of the day and I was ready for more.
Unfortunately the next section involved something I’d really hopes we’d avoid: rain. And it was a really cold rain. Freezing. Didn’t last too long, but was not pleasant at all. And in the rain we managed to loose a small group, too. (Don’t worry, we did find them eventually.)
And of course there were hills to contend with. Lots of hills. I really, really, chuffed to report that this year I made it up every one of the hills. Some really nasty ones, too. Those of you who have done London to Brighton will remember Ditchling Beacon at the end. Worse than that. Just saying.
Lunch break was a picnic lunch from the back of the support van in a pub car park, thankfully in the sunshine, and we were off again.
Keeping such a big group together hasn’t proved easy, and the ride leader was keen for us to push on to Dover. You may recall we were aiming to get there for half past four. Ahem. Seven o’clock. Three or four punctures, a couple more incidents of loosing people. That sort of thing.
Being so late, most of us ate on the ferry. With the crossing time, and changing the clocks for France, we weren’t getting to the hotel until 10:30. But the hotel had arranged for the kitchen at a nearby restaurant to stay open especially for us, so we all ate again.
And that pretty much summarised day one. We’ve lost three riders along the way; one who was only joining us for day one by design, and one couple who despite their training just couldn’t cope with the hills and bailed out before we reached Dover.
Next stop Abbeville!
(Note: The lack of working wifi in Le Bel Azur in Calais means that although I could write this it won’t get published until later. I’d recommend avoiding this hotel, by the way; also no tea and coffee stuff in the rooms!)
