Responsible adult

When will these storms end? One of the first questions Matt and I asked each other when we got to the cafe in Westerham this morning.

Looking back we have missed three rides this month due to the weather. Maybe it's average for this time of year, but it feels worse. Waking up to heavy rain and strong wind is not great on any day, but when it's the weekend; it's just not fair.

Yesterday was terrible, a lie-in was always going to be the best option. During the day it alternated between sunny and hailstones. A few times I contemplated going for a ride, but was glad I didn't when I was reminded we hadn't seen the back of storm Jorge.

I have lost count of how many we've had and their names. I hope Jorge is the last for a while.

It's not the rain that really puts me off, it's the cold and high winds. I have yet to find clothing that will keep me dry and warm at this time of the year. The biggest problem though is the wind. Close passes from motorists are so common, I don't feel safe with so little margin for error. It's bad enough on a normal day, sometimes I just want to give cycling a miss all-together. My MP, the media and police don't seem to prioritise road safety and cycling. I have contacted them, after an initial period of interest; total silence.

Back to today, it was a good ride. The "long way" to Westerham. We use the "long way" to avoid the B269 when we go to the bus stop. It adds a bit of distance, and some hills bit it's safer. The B269 is a fast road, and on a windy morning the risk of being blown off course into a close passing car or van is too great. This is another indication of how bad it's got; I choose routes by perceived safety, rather than distance. The longer rides I have planned for this year require the same considerations. I use google street view to gauge the type of road, and find alternatives if they look dangerous.


Anyway; Westerham: we arrived too early, despite the extra miles, for our normal cafe. So it was to  an Italian cafe a short distance away. Tea, croissants and a hazelnut paste filled crusty morsel was well received. The talk was of cycle clubs, I mentioned that I had thought about joining one, but it was maybe too formal and regimented for me.
We discussed our "club", and why we're the only members. I asked what would we had to offer members; other than our repartee, and mugs of tea. When we couldn't think of anything else, the idea was shelved. A bigger group would take more organisation, and require someone to be the responsible adult. Neither of us wanted that role.

Fingers crossed for a period of stable weather, so we don't miss any more rides.

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Christmas cycling

Christmas arrived much quicker than expected. Every year it creeps up on me. 

Not exactly the Norwegian tree in Trafalgar Square

Last Saturday was a total lose, strong wind and heavy rain. I have been defiant of the weather this year, rain hasn't forced me to abandon many rides. This time I just couldn't face it. As I typed the abort text to Matt, I was interrupted by the arrival of his.

I went for a walk to my local bike shop, Ross Cycles. He'd also passed on a morning ride; it was an off road route. I can't imagine how muddy it would have been. Or maybe I can; two mates and myself rode the South Downs Way many years ago.

The first day was torture, thick mud all the way, several times we were forced to push our bikes. At one point so much had built up on the wheels they beary turned, I'm sure the bikes had doubled in weight. I don't know how the gears still worked.

Last Sunday I did get out; I waited until the rain had stopped so it was a solo ride. I didn't have much time so it was all close to home.

Back to work Monday and Tuesday, and a ride first thing Christmas day before dinner with the  family.

I went to Smallfields, a village on my route to Brighton. I was surprised to see so many other people out running and riding. Two runners, and five cyclists.

Today was another solo ride, Matt have family stuff to do.

Not cycling related, but a bright beacon on a very grey day.

The weather forecast was for rain all day, but it was just overcast and grey when I woke up. So off to Westerham I went, it's not so hilly as the road to Smallfield, my route yesterday. I had a strong headwind most of the way, which help when it was time to go home. And the rain stayed away, until I left Westerham.

I cycled passed the shopfront above, but turned and stopped for a photograph. This time of year can be very dull, the very expensive chandeliers really stand out.

Foolhardy count; two runners, no cyclists.

I'll have to wait until next weekend for the promised and much anticipated cake.

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What a diff'rence a day made Twenty-four little hours

Brought the sun and the flowers. Where there used to be rain.

After yesterday's grim weather it was good to be out in the sunshine. I was alone again so the road bike was my chosen steed. I think as I add miles to it the brakes are improving. Before I bought it second hand, the bike had only been used occasionally. It still has the new bike health and safety stickers. The last time I had a new bike I was as a kid. I don't remember any such stickers being on my Raleigh Chopper. The only warning was to not carry passengers on a seat clearly designed for two. I was never joined by a friend on the bike, it was too heavy with just me. With only three gears any hill was tough enough.

There are at least three stickers suggesting you check that the wheels and pedals are attached. There could be more that I haven't noticed yet, they are very small. 

Because the sun was shining I travelled further, to Westerham. I didn't stop at a cafe, that's for when the team is riding. This meant I was home early to start the chores for the day. Once that was done I could sit down to catch up with the Tour de France. It's looking good for the French with Alaphilippe ahead by just over two minutes after stage 14 of 21. 

Cycling is the only sport I watch, maybe with an occasional cricket match.

Motorsport is influenced more by money now. There is a human element to it, but it's not the deciding factor.

There is big money in cycling, Ineos and the other top teams spend millions. But if their top rider has an off day it could be all over. 

It's easier to relate it to my cycling. I know my bike is worth only a very small fraction of theirs, and I don't ride as fast or as far. But when they are pushing themselves on a climb, I know what it feels like.


I do a few all day rides but miss multi-day routes. Riding to Paris with two mates a few years ago was great. We arranged everything amongst ourselves and carried cloths etc on the bikes. Being self sufficient made the feeling we got approaching the Eiffel Tower even sweeter. Four days just thinking about cycling. It was tough at times, but worth it.

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A performing dog?

It's the second lone ride weekend, Matt is recovering from jet lag and a fraught trip to America.

Today's ride was a new route, a loop past Chartwell.

I took the picture above at the beginning of a very narrow lane. The map I looked at when planning this didn't show just how steep a decent awaited me. I didn't cycle back up it, too tired and it was very poorly surfaced. Potholes, mud and gravel; and a grumpy old man.

I said good morning as I passed him. He shouted after me to watch the dog. I did; but it didn't seem to have a talent worth my interest. No juggling or anything. I don't think you will see it on Britain's Got Talent, unless staring becomes more popular.

On the way home it rained. We are very lucky and miss rain most of the time. It got much harder after I arrived home, so I guess it was still a win.

The forecast for tomorrow is rain, fingers crossed it abaits long enough to allow my ride.

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When will it end?

The summer this year has been incredible, I know I have said it before. But every weekend I can't believe how good the cycling has been. It's been months since the weather has caused an abort. The torrential rain last Sunday just wasn't worth braving. But the feeling of disappointment is a reminder of what it's normally like. And of what is to come.

But let's not think about the end of summer while it's so good.

When Matt and I met yesterday we had previously decided on a long ride to the lakes, but time constraints meant a slightly shorter ride to have tea with Winston Churchill.

On the way we were passed by loads of road bike riders. One guy slowed for a chat. He was wearing an Oxted CC jersey so I asked if he knew Pat. Pat was the person who had given me two energy gels that helped me get to the end of the recent Caterham to Canterbury ride. He said it sounded like the kind of thing Pat would do; just goes to show it's a small world.

When we arrived at Westerham Green a cyclist asked if we knew the area. She wanted to know if there was a bike shop; her chain had snapped. We pointed across the green to the Cyclery. She said it didn't look open, we informed her it was likely open, we had consumed tea and cake there in the past. With that she pushed her bike towards shop and we sat down to start our tea and cereal bars. She walked passed us a short time later, sans bike, on her way to Costa. Maybe the Cyclery cafe wasn't open.

It made us think about what she would have done if there was no local workshop. We know how far the closest station is, Oxted, it's a twenty to thirty minute walk. It's a trek we undertaken in the past. In the early days of our cycling we didn't carry tools, not even a puncture repair kit. Incredible I know; more than once we walked to Oxted and caught the train, or even walked all the way home. Eventually we started carrying a repair kit and spare tubes. What would have we done with a broken chain? How many tools and spares should we carry?

I am now back from today's ride. I don't know what to say, it was sunny with a cooling breeze. I can't think how it could have been better. We decided to follow a narrow track, a bit of exploration. 

The track opened on to a field, we cycled to the middle and stopped for tea and cereal bars. 

This has to be the best location for a great view.

At the other side of the field was a path through woods that lead back to the road.

Fingers crossed we get more weekends like this.

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Last day of a great weekend

Bike leant against the wall, me in the shade.

Just back from the last ride of the weekend. It always seems better to have cycled on a bank holiday, a day stolen from the work week. And only four days of work until the next time. Life is good.

Saturday was a testing ride, taking in a few of the steepest hills around me.

Sunday was a little easier, a gentle ride to Westerham. It was a longer ride, but less severe hills.

Picture from a while ago. Winston Churchill on Westerham green.

Then there is the bonus day.

It started as a steady ride to Chevening. Until I was overtaken, now this happens a lot but this time a wanted to push myself. Within a few seconds I decided to catch up and see how long I could stay with him. I watch a lot of bike racing and when a rider accelerates away the commentators say the rest of the racers have to react quickly. Now I know how quickly. He wasn't going much faster than me, but the short delay before I gave chase meant he was well up the road. And it took a lot of effort to close the gap. I stayed with him over the undulating route for five or six miles before I turned off. It's amazing how much difference to my average speed this short burst made. I cycled on past Chevening; it was one of those "I could cycle all day", days. But I did need to get home so I completed a circular loop through Dunton Green back to Chevening, then back along Pilgrims Way, up Clarks Lane and through Woldingham. The only steep hill being Burntwood Lane near to home.

A bit of advice: there are a lot of insects flying around. So keep your mouth shut. You're welcome.

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Cycling and making connections

My last couple of cycling posts have had an underlying theme, they have started to be upbeat, and positive. I'm guessing the better weather is part of the story. But I feel I'm in a better place as far as stress and depression is concerned. I have started to change the way I react to, and deal with life. The saying, worry only about what you can change, and change it. Has become more of my daily routine. I slip occasionally, but not for long.

Cycling has again shown what it can do.

Matt and I met as usual and decided our destination would be Westerham. Sitting on the green in the sun next to Winston Churchill, what could be better?

When we arrived a classic BSA sidecar motocross bike was parked by our bench.

As I was talking the pictures in this post when the owner returned from the coffee shop.

And we started chatting. To be honest the finer points of the 1950's BSA were lost on me, but it didn't matter. The guy was a real character and it was easy to chat about the bike's history. Some of the names associated with it I didn't know, some I did, or at least their descendants.

It was his main form of transport, so it wasn't a fair weather ride. He rode it all over the country to events and rally's as well as just for fun. 

If it wasn't for cycling Matt and I wouldn't have spent a pleasant twenty minutes chatting with a total stranger. I wish I had a picture of him with his bike. But it's too late to worry about that now. I must not miss an opportunity like that next time.

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A poor March

Deli Di Luca Westerham

This year started well for cycling. More rides than in previous years for January and February. And then March arrived. Snow, rain and cold are the three words that characterised the last month. This weekend gave the opportunity to catch up a bit. On Friday we rode to Westerham and had food in a new cafe. The Tudor tea rooms was closed, so we went to the Deli Di Luca for tea and almond croissants.

I hadn’t planned to cycle on Saturday, but my plans changed and I could have. But I was tired and lacked enthusiasm. I really wish I had now though. We were out Sunday, to the bus stop. And then Monday, was a total washout. Four more days until the next chance for some cycling.

And then when the weekend does arrive, what will the weather be like? I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed.

More pass too close incidents happened this weekend. They occur on most rides now. Fridays ride had a few. Most of the time the vehicle at least slows down a bit. Which isn't ideal, but better than when they pass at full speed. Whyteleafe Hill is the the main location for the idiots. The next most likely place is the Limpsfield Rd on the way to Botley. I don’t know what to do. I always report them but nothing seems to happen. I use to get an occasional call from the police, but I have heard nothing from them for a couple of months. Maybe my name is now on an ignore list.

Here is the latest. Apologies for the language, I didn’t realise the microphone was that good on the GoPro. Or that I was so loud.

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Steampunk Westerham

 

Today was to be a solo ride. Matt was expecting a furniture delivery this morning. This time of year there are so many tasks that need doing; the days are longer. But it doesn't feel like there is any extra time.

The normal question arose; where to go? Westerham was the answer, via some off road sections near Woldingham. Then down the Limpsfield Rd and Clarks Lane. I remembered another off road section through a forest just past Westerham, just off the A25. I eventually found the correct turn off, but I had underestimated how much further the forest was, so I turned back and headed for the green.

That's when I came across the Steampunk horse statue. It, and 23 companions are raising money for a hospice. Find out more here. I have donated, if you can, please donate as well.

It is very impressive. Art I can understand and appreciate.

The herd is on show until the end of September.

It certainly provided a welcome change of view as I ate my cereal bars and had a drink. But before long it was time to head home.

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