Some thoughts and photos

Can't believe what an easy ride my road bike is. The 'Space Monkey' (thanks Pepe, good name for it) weighs a lot and the gear is not as free rolling as it should be and the difference between the two is quite marked. Having said that, the ride position on the Monkey is very comfortable.

However, as 'the Guys' brought it back from Paris for me, I'm now looking for things to do with it. Clearly, I can't keep it. Any suggestions? If I kept it, I'd probably end up being some folding nerd and spend my time dreaming about the 'perfect folder' or taking pictures of it from odd angles. Or does that only happen to Brompton owners?

Amazing how much those guys pay for their machines too; and then whine about being ripped off because they consider they are over-priced. You could take my option and get a cheaper one....

Anyway, here are a couple of pictures of the trip. There are more on the Folding Bike Challenge Facebook page.

Day 3 & Day 4........

2 days worth to do in 1 because I forgot to do it yesterday, so here goes.......

Friday was a hard day into a strong headwind. All the 'fast' guys were told to take photos to slow them down. My room mate has a video and so I offered to get some video footage of him. I spent the morning pushing ahead then chasing to catch up again. Somehow managed to miss a turning doing that and added bout 5k to the day - not a big deal 4 me but stressed the organisers. No hills to speak of and so everyone completed the 85k stage. Stayed in a French version of Premier Inn and food was basic.

Saturday was the final 85k into Paris. Again a block headwind and was asked to help some of those finding it hard. Then pm some light hills and that final steep climb into Paris. Not many managed to climb that one... I had to use one of the hub unit gears! So not a waste of time at all buying that hub.

Haven't seen the river yet and bike on the van so will think of some other way of disposal. Offered it for sale to several French people but no takers. I will give a better update on Monday eve for those of you brave enough to actually read this drivel...

Day 2........

Long day with plenty of long steady climbs and sweeping descents. Great competition with all the guys on their flashy lightweight machines. Think I'm holding my own and proving the point that the bike is the least important part of the unit - the fitness of the rider is the key.

Anyway, had lunch in a fantastic jardin public (pictures to follow). Has been a gorgeous day and the cyclists tan lines are looking good. Unfortunately a couple of riders had to take to the wagon at lunch time. Also got a front wheel puncture today right after the post lunch rest stop so finished plum last.

Day 1

Full of excitement and hills. Six of us got too carried away in the second session and were ripping the road up - about 22 mph - when a 'fan' waved at us from across the road. A moment of inattention and three of us were sliding down the road. One guy wrecked his bike. Fortunately mine is ok and I have a couple of superficial grazes to show for it. There are some seriously steep hills so far that have reduced many to walking. I've managed to ride them all but have been glad of the modifications.
Currently sat in a pub waiting for the evening meal and then ferry to caen.

Final pre-ride post

This is the last post before the ride. I'm taking the train on Tuesday to London and have made arrangements to 'call in' future updates; which will then be put on the blog for me.

Spent an hour or so yesterday just doing the final tweaks to the bike; fixing the water cage to the handlebar stem, moving the internal gear's lever to a more comfortable position and checking the gear indexing (6th - 7th was jumping a bit yesterday).

Nearly forgot; went for that important haircut yesterday.... well the weight difference could be significant you know. Packing my bag today so all that's left is a final 'thank you' to everyone who contributed and to get on with the actual ride.

Day 2 - Folding Bike to Work Week

Another breakfast. I only had a sausage sandwich and cup of tea again, but they do taste good. Could get used to them, but then I'd have to do even more riding to burn it all off.

I don't know what it is about this folding bike; this was the second day riding to work on it and again it was nice in the morning and then rained hard in the evening. So I got another drenching. This time, no silly detours down canal towpaths - straight home as fast as I could - obeying the second rule of riding in the rain.

Talking of speed, I mapped the ride to work and the computer says 15mph. So that's all right - and just goes to show the extra weight only costs 2 - 3 mph.

I've noticed people react to the folder, and don't to a normal bike. Particularly kids. I had a race this evening against a young lad of about 10. He was on his scooter.... yeah, whupped him!

Only 6 days to go now... sponsor money continues to trickle in. I can't believe how hard it has been to raise £2000. If I hadn't been helped by CREW - and John Tudor in particular - I don't think I'd have made it.

Riding the folder to work

Riding home on the canal towpath was a mistake. For a start, it was raining. You should always ride as fast as you can in the rain. No, not because you don't get as wet but because you get to where you are going quicker and hence don't stay wet as long.

Second, I didn't think of going on the towpath until Mirfield. Its cobbles at Mirfield. As a result, I've discovered riding cobbles is hard work on a small wheeled bike. To add to my woes:

The towpath by the river (the Calder is a 'navigational' system) is very overgrown and it is not possible to ride a folder through heavy - and very wet - undergrowth. I had to walk and therefore broke the second rule of riding in the rain. (the first rule is; don't.)

I found out the hard way that cable ties are too insubstantial to hold a water carrier on the handlebar stem. They break too easily and the whole lot goes tumbling down the road. I'll try a jubilee clip, although I am a bit concerned that the weight might be an issue. (Ha ha.. bike weighs 14.5kg already, I hardly think an extra gramme is going to make any difference!)

Enough of that; today was the first day of the official 'Folding Bike to Work Week' and I went steady and only had a sausage butty and a cup of tea - well, I wasn't sure if Pierre was serious or not. He was, and I really enjoyed my breakfast thanks!

Followed that with lunch with Bob Pidgeon who is also riding and also works in Halifax. Sounds like his concerns are much the same as mine, although from the sounds of it he rides one of these things for pleasure!

I'll just share this with you, then you'll appreciate what you are dealing with here:

I set off for work this morning and thought the bike felt a bit 'draggy'. Like someone was holding the seat and slowing me down. I checked the wheels several times and couldn't find anything wrong. Well, I listened to hear if anything was rubbing, that passes for checking in my book.

Anyway, I couldn't get up any kind of speed and struggled along at 16 mph - only managed 32mph down my one steep descent. But I put it all down to a strong headwind and the different bike. (Descending is 'interesting', by the way)

Anyway, didn't feel any different coming home but when the toolkit fell off, I remembered I had adjusted the brakes on Sunday. So, whilst I was stopped, I thought it would be worth just taking a little look. I'd been riding with the brakes on. Not full on, but enough to create some drag. Doh!