Think I got pwned today

Took my mountain bike out for a quick spin this morning on the closest that my part of London has to offer in the way of singletrack. Relatively steep with a few roots and ruts thrown in for good measure, not much possibility of a loop so I ride out for a few miles and then come back. Not what the experts would call technical but challenging enough for me and makes me glad of the suspension.

Anyway on the descent on the way back I passed a chap with a Surly Cross Check coming the other way. The only slight consolation that I can draw from the encounter was that he was pushing his bike up the slope that I ridden up 20 minutes earlier. We stopped for a chat which was when he told me he was going to ride down the other side!  The slope that I'd been thanking the fact that I had suspension for!

Chapeau to that man!

Early Morning Ride

Early Morning Ride
Originally uploaded by paulfulford

Quick picture from yesterday's ride.

Do gears cause laziness?

I celebrated the start of 'Summer' by switching from my singlespeed to my geared Peregrine and noticed that my average speed dropped significantly. The Peregrine is a little lot heavier but I don't spin out at about 24 mph so the 2 should balance each other out. Looking at my riding I realised that whereas on the singlespeed I just push harder when the road got steeper or the wind blew on the geared bike I'd just drop a gear or 3 and spin. So today I deliberately pushed myself, staying in a higher gear and managed to achieve a higher average speed (I also achieved a new top speed of 80 mph but suspect that there might be a degree of measurement error!!).

Run in with the Rowdies

Clearing my e-mail and found an e-mail I wrote to the Club President last year complaining about the behaviour of some riders from New York's Century Road Club. In short I accidently became entangled with some racers on one of their regular races in Central Park and experienced aggressive over- and under-taking, threats and abuse. For a club that "provides coaching and friendly competition for all ages" nearly a year on I'm surprised not to receive a response

Sir

I would like to bring to your attention the behavior of some of your riders this morning which I feel detracts from the good image of your club.

I was riding in the Park this morning at the same time as your race - I passed the start/finish just as the bell was rung for the final lap. I ride at a reasonable pace and at the left side of the road, just to the edge of the recreation lane as directed by your marshals. There was a stroller in the road which I had to move to my right to avoid and at this point the race passed me. Rather than make a sudden movement at this point I felt it was safer to maintain my position, about 6 feet outside the recreation lane so that the racers would not be unduly delayed by my presence.

The lead rider overtook me very aggressively cutting so close that his rear wheel was directly under my handlebar. As the rest of the group passed abuse and threats were shouted at me.

I ride regularly in Central park and have been passed your race on many occasions without incident so I hope that this was a one off occurrence but I feel that it may be appropriate to remind your racers to leave a safe space when passing non-racers even if they believe them to be on the racing line. Whilst his behaviour is acceptable within a racing group he did not know my experience, had I swerved suddenly there could have been a serious crash. The behaviour of the other riders needs no further comment.

Regards

2010 Cycling Goal

Well the plan is to ride 3650 miles in 2010 which works out as ten miles a day!

Fun in the snow

Picked up my new bike and was supposed to ride straight home but the common looked a little inviting.

Coming down was fun and going back up nearly as easy until the wheel started to spin frantically in some deeper snow and whilst I stayed upright I wasn't going anywhere fast so I had to get off and push!

First time that I'd ridden on snow but the bike handled really well the suspension taking out the worst of the bumps and the brakes stopped effectively on the hard pack. May be a little different once the pads have worn in.

Hopefully give it another go tomorrow if the wind stops and I finish decorating

Central Park December Early Morning

Tyres are pumped and I'm dressed.
Step on to balcony to check outside: it's cold but not icy, still dark but light enough.
Pull on an extra layer, flick the coffee machine on and call the lift.
Downstairs cleats clatter on the tiled floor, and door bangs behind me
Steam belching from a broken duct
Up Madison and onto 34th. The Moon hangs above the street haloed by a ring of clouds like a veil.
Right onto 6th and sit behind a bus my lights strobing against the vodka advert, Starting to warm up now.
Pass the bus and swerve round the potholes, the jaywalkers oblivious to the traffic
A group of party girls on their way home in filmy dresses.
The early shift heading to the office
Street people on the move to keep warm
Supers hosing down the sidewalk
Move out past a delivery truck, bus holding back to give me space, turn and wave.
Into the park; temperature drops as the road clears.
Ease up to look around; new views of the city through th e now tree branches now bare of leaves
This place changes every day
Past the baseball diamond with its flags tattered like Tibetan prayer flags
Past the early morning runners and up the hill, get passed by a rider who celebrates victory in the race I haven't entered.
Thank the joggers who wave me through the crossing
Down the hill and into the right hander; ease off the roads are wet and then up the hill dodge the suicidal squirrel Sunrise over Manhattan makes me squint.
Was that the building where Lennon was shot?
What are they queuing for?
Back on the jogging route, more crowded now. Watch out for undisciplined dogs and their less sensible owners
Take the slip road back into the bustle of the city
In a rhythm now as I ride down 5th at one with the traffic
Slalom through the pedestrians crowding the road waiting for the lights to change
Dodge the potholes at the start of my block
Into the lift, open the apartment door to the smell of fresh coffee.