Progress report

Since I started out on Xmas eve I've managed at least 30km a day. Not much in the grand scheme of things, but given my state of fitness and the load, it's been pretty tiring!

Today was bad, as there are high winds across Lincolnshire (up to 47km/h according to the BBC). My direction of travel meant that it was alternately a cross wind and a head wind. The head wind slowed me down to around 13km/h but the cross winds were worse.

About halfway along my route the terrain changes from the rolling small hills of the south end of the Wolds with hedges and trees along the roads to the fens. The fens are practically obstruction-free (there's the odd tree or house) so the wind was at full strength when it met the road.

Once I'd been blown clear off the road once, I decided against going the remaining 15km!

I think this might be it for my ride this year as tomorrow is looking windy as well.

Last minute Xmas preparations - ride tomorrow!

Took the Fuego and (unladen) trailer out for a 30km test ride yesterday.

One thing I learnt was that the stretch of off-road shared use path out towards Bingham is not nearly wide enough for passing, frequently obstructed and the points at which are you're redirected into the recessed bus stops are not suitable for a three metre bike+trailer. Looks like I'll have to mainly stick to the road!

Also, the rough treatment that the trailer received mostly ruined the Cat Eye mount at the back, stripping out the notches that hold the light in place around the mount axle (this is what allows you to adjust the light angle up and down). I'll need to get a replacement for mounting the Volt50 to my (upright) saddle again and for the time being I've glued the broken mount in place.

Tomorrow's the day! Hope to set off at 10 and be there by 2. If the weather looks too bad I'll call the whole thing off and try to go for longer rides in January instead.

Xmas preparations

I've got the trainer tyre off of the Fuego now ready for some rides before I set off on Christmas eve.

My trailer has also already been modified to take a Cat Eye Volt50. This involved drilling a couple of holes into the end of the base:

Angling it down at the ground should prevent it dazzling anybody behind me and it's bright enough for the patch of light to be seen from a good distance.

Carry Freedom Y-Frame Large

After various recommendations and a demo by David Gardiner, I decided to try using a trailer instead of pannier racks this year. Also, I had to return something large to someone on the other side of town, so enter the Carry Freedom Y Frame with its large capacity and superb build quality (which you do pay for, at circa £200 delivered).

That's a 100*80*50cm chest of drawers and fairly heavy. Thoughts on the trip after the break...

Volt 50 on Fuego and storage switcharound

Just put the trainer tyre on my Fuego to get some training in and to try and figure out what's up with my knee, despite the time constraints of the overtime at work. In order to fit the trainer and bike on the floor this means I've had to move the Brompton onto the wall hook. From the desk it appears to float eerily:

More after the jump.

Endura Stealth Lite Biblongs & Cat Eye Volt 50

One (probably) last post on new Endura gear! Replacing my waterproof trousers is the last bit I needed to do to be more recumbent friendly in the winter. Complementing this was a Seal Skinz Belgian style cap, which is also ostensibly waterproof and very warm.

It turns out I'm less fat than I thought I was, fitting into the large rather than the extra large. It was about 6 or 7 degrees today (light wind, sunshine, no rain) so I went out for a test ride on the Brompton after I'd made my purchases.

(video and pictures after the jump)

Endura Deluge Gloves

Carrying on with the Endura theme, I got myself a pair of Deluge gloves to replace my old, no-longer-waterproof Gore gloves (seeing a pattern here?)

My hands get very cold in the winter, so in the past I've used a pair of Pearl Izumi Lobster mitts, which are fantastically warm, but not waterproof as I found out to my regret on last year's Christmas ride.

Tomorrow should give me a good chance to test them, as it'll be both cold and wet while I'm out, according to the forecast.