Thursday 29 January 2009

Century challenge 1/12
















Did my first ride for Trio's century challenge today and I rode on my Pompino, I have a flip-flop hub so rode with the free-wheel on the back, not fixed. It was definitely a ride of 2 halves, first 30 miles I tootled about round Rivington/Anglezarke it was quite hilly, I had to get off and push twice, turns out I was a bit over-toothed on the front ring. Instead of a cafe stop I called in at home, quick snack, use of the bathroom, tweeted my progress and out again. I knew anymore hanging around in the house would have resulted in an abandoned ride. Second half of the ride I went Standish/Euxton/Buckshaw Village way. Bigger, flatter roads, I just wanted to get the miles chomped away. That's the longest ride I've done for a while and the longest ever on the Pompino. I've got sore shoulders and numb hands but my legs aren't as shredded as I thought they might be.  

19 comments:

Julbags said...

Another singlespeed nutter! That 17% sign is at the bottom of my favourite climb. I'm not being wholly sarcastic when I say that either, in a strange way I'm very fond of it.

sarah said...

Congratulations! 17%?! I'm not sure we've even got a hill that steep in this state! Glad your legs feel pretty good, hope the shoulders and hands feel better soon. Only 11 more =)

jumbly said...

I've got to say that climb did leave me wishing I had gears, I'd have rather spun gently up than stomped until I could stomp no more and then had to push!

I'm not allowing myself to think about the fact I have to do that 11 more times!

kate said...

wow, well done! you've certainly upped the ante. do we need to have a separate ss cat. in this challenge ;)

jumbly said...

Ha ha no we don't need a separate category, I'll probably ride with gears next time, the Pompino was nearest the door, with working brakes and pedals compatible with my winter boots, that's why I rode it, not cos I is hardcore!

trio said...

Impressed that it was on your pompy! I'd never get out if I went home halfway through!

No geeky stats?

jumbly said...

The geeky stats, just for Trio.....

100km, total climbing according to Ascent software is 4273ft (seems a bit much to me), moving average speed 12.5mph.

Pink Orange 5 said...

Well I can vouch that you were out there doing it. Makes my speedy 20km seem before work insignificant. No way could I have done 100km on my road bike today let alone SS that would be going over to the Dark side.
If that 17% is the one I think it is I always make sure I come down it not go up it..

jumbly said...

Yeah I've never ridden up that 17% before, we drop down it usually when we head over to ride The Nab. I did have to do a double take today to make sure it was you, the roadbike threw me! Hope your swimming training goes OK tomorrow, think I'll be resting.

Julbags said...

Can't believe you've never ridden up that before. Its affectionately called the "long b*@£ard road climb". The first time I ever MTBed at Riv they dragged me up that, the gits, I managed it in granny gear just.

I grind up it in middle ring these days as there's no such thing as spinning "gently" up it, you do that it just takes longer. We just always do it, like we tend to always go down lead mines rather than up it (and onto another 17% section). Its my fitness gauge, I know how unfit I am by how dead I am at the top.

trio said...

Does sound a lot of climbing with the second half being flat! Fab average speed though, especially without the big gear to push along flats/down hills!

jumbly said...

Julbags - weird isn't it how you get into your set routes, I always ride up Lead Mines and use that as my fitness guage.

Trio - When I looked at the ride profile the second half was still fairly undulating, so it might not be far wrong.

jumbly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Red Bike said...

Well done jumbly.

On a single speed as well.

trio said...

I rode down lead mines once, it just seemed odd! I like the challenge of lead mines, even if I haven't got up it for ages and only once ever on the singlespeed!

Julbags said...

I've ridden up Lead Mines a few times and it is very cheeky! If you've got up it even once on a singlespeed then well done. I can usually get up it if I manage to stay out of the rut of doom but then I have gears and I haven't tried for long time.....there's a thought.

trio said...

I got up in once on the singlespeed - think it was perfect conditions! had India and Ali cheering me at the top as well, odd looks from the walkers nearby! But tend to always cleared it on the geared bike, although haven't tried it since its got more eroded! Might try it on the new bike next week!

Unknown said...

Seems like I'm getting in late on the congrad's. Well done on the effort, ss none the less. Just wondering about leaving it so late? Cutting it fine with the procrastination;)

jumbly said...

Ha ha yeah, I'm ace at procrastination! I have every intention of doing my Feb ride earlier in the month, but we all know I'll be out there on the 27th or 28th, I could do with a leap year for the extra day!