five visit the Big City

Another cycale trip this month, this time, unusually, a city ride through London, from Liverpool St station to Richmond and back.

Robin, our leader for this one, had not so subtly tagged this ride as one for "experienced and confident cyclists only", presumably in the hope that no-one likely to get lost or left behind in central London would turn up. The tactic appeared to be successful  and a manageable party of 5 cycalists stepped out of Liverpool St station in the drizzle and into the traffic of central London.

The plan was simple - down Bishopsgate, over London Bridge and turn left onto the Sustrans route 4 all the way to Richmond Park. There is something undeniably daunting about cycling in London, especially if you aren't familiar with the roads, and inevitably there was a fair amount of faffing and riding around in circles before we found the cycle route to Richmond. However, we were soon on our way, past famous London landmarks on either side of the river, out to west London.

The signage was excellent, even if some of the cycle paths weren't.

There were two incidents of note, the first involving myself. We were riding through a particularly affluent part of Chelsea, when we came across a barrier across the road - presumably a bus gate, or just a barrier to keep the poor people out. As we approached, magically, the barrier raised to let us past. The first four cycled on, but sadly the rider at the back (me) wasn't quite quick enough and suffered the indignity of being whacked by the lowering barrier as he cycled through. I thought I did rather well not to fall off, but there was some damage inflicted (to the barrier, not me).

The second incident involved our leader on a cycle/footpath in Putney. Robin was leading the way, failed to negotiate a loose dog on the pathway, and fell off. There followed an exchange of pleasantries between cycalists and dog owners, in which bad language was remarkably absent. Robin was OK other than a broken light and dented pride, and we were on our way to Richmond Park.

Cycling through Richmond Park was superb, and it was heartening to see so many people enjoying outdoor activities in a chunk of countryside within the city. Our first pub, and lunch stop, was probably the best of the day - the Roebuck on Richmond Hill, with glorious views down to the Thames. This was a proper pub, with excellent dark beer, good food, and with a proper dark interior.

Then it was down to the riverside to the White Cross

The pub was very busy, and clearly popular with it's riverside location, but we didn't stay long - just a quick half of the most tasteless beer I've ever had. Youngs London Pale was described on the pump clip as being "fruity" and "hoppy", but just tasted of water with a hint of beeriness, despite being a respectable 4%. Opinions of the beer varied between "insipid" and "very insipid".

Last of the Richmond pubs was the Red Cow, after a slippery climb up a steep cobbled street,

before we made our way back to Liverpool St. We had a small diversion at Pimlico to visit the Cask, a decent "craft beer" pub, although somewhat pricey.

A brief photo-opportunity stop at the London Eye

Our final pub was superb - the Black Friar at the north end of Blackfriars bridge, a fantastically ornate pub that was apparently saved from demolition by Sir John Betjamin, and a fitting end to an excellent day.

cycale ride to the Chappel Beer Festival

A gentle ride of about 26 miles to Chappel and back with the Cycale folks, to the World's Best Beer Festival (well, the best I've been to).

The novelty of Chappel never disappoints, a combination of the steam railway museum and engine sheds, well-behaved beer drinkers with eccentric facial hair and headwear, a spacious indoor/outdoor venue that's not too crowded, and plenty of beer. I missed our usual Thursday evening walk out and overnight camp, so I had to be content with a Saturday afternoon visit this year.

As usual, Keith didn't disappoint in the ridiculous shirt department

As ever, the day's highlights included ferret racing........

...and the Red Barrows synchronised wheelbarrow display team.....

My fitness must have benefited from our coast to coast exertions, as on the way back myself and Matt set our fastest times up Fiddlers Hill, into a bit of a headwind, without apparently trying too hard.

However, on the way out there the perennial problem of how fast to ride in a group reared it's ugly head again on an otherwise lovely ride. One of our group was having difficulty in keeping up with a fairly sedate pace, and was moaning to our rather perturbed leader about not waiting for him (even though he did, albeit out of sight around the next bend). This is a problem that will never be resolved, unless we designate someone who know's where they're going to always ride at the back (not much fun) , or get everyone to ride much slower (not much fun), or persuade those who struggle to get themselves a bit fitter (not very likely).

my knee is knackered

My left knee has been giving me jip for the last 2 or 3 months, so I thought it was about time someone took a look at it. Apart from the usual aches and pains I generally have, and the loud creaking noises I'm used to hearing from my joints, I've been having a sharp pain when running, and sometimes when walking. I've also had a vague feeling of fragility in the knee when cycling, as well as some numbness.

So, I made an appointment to see a physio at the Sports Injury Clinic in the hope that they might do a bit of manipulation / stretching / pulling about (or whatever physios do) and make the pain go away. They did indeed do a bit of pulling about, and apparently the ligaments are fine. They pointed out that the muscles in my right leg are rather larger than in the left (I knew that already), at that I need an arthroscopy to repair the worn cartilage that has been causing the pain in my left knee. So, I'm to be referred to the NHS for keyhole surgery. How annoying.

joke goes on strava

There now appears to be more than one anorak in our household. Today, myself and Joke had a pleasant cycle ride out to Dedham and back. More importantly/worryingly, this was Joke's first outing as a Strava person. Up until now, my own personal interest with all things Strava has been met with raised eyebrows and a look of bored exasperation in the Cracknell household. Now, all of a sudden, Joke has a keen interest in average speeds, calories burnt, speed going up hills etc. In other words, she is on the slippery slope to Strava obsession......

An inappropriate use of a bicycle

Readers of a nervous disposition may wish to look away now. The following image shows a distressingly inappropriate use of a bicycle.......

Yes, that's a nightdress hanging from the handlebars of my bike, and no, it's not my nightdress. Worse, it's hanging from the handlebars of the Bianchi.  The culprit knows who she is. This is not the first time my bike has been violated in this way, and I'm fairly certain it won't be the last time it is used as a wardrobe accessory. Shocking.

My "standard" ride today, just a round trip to Alresford via the university road. Entirely uneventful, except for a small childish incident that someone of my age should really be beyond.

It was nothing really, I was just steadily starting the long drag up Boundary Road when I was passed by another cyclist. Nothing unusual about this, except for two very minor points. Firstly, the chap who passed me, out of the saddle for maximum effort, made no attempt to acknowledge me as he passed, no "hello" or even a nod of the head. Secondly, I wouldn't have minded so much, but he was riding a Bianchi, in fact an identical Bianchi to my own. I would have thought that some sort of celeste brotherhood may have brought forth some communication, but no.

So, I couldn't resist it. A bit of extra effort, and I sped past him on the steepest part of the climb without getting out of the saddle, on my way to my best time up the hill. I felt better for that, even though he was probably a very nice man and entirely oblivious to my irritation.

a gentle cycle ride to test joke's new knee

A modest cycle ride with Joke of about 15 miles this afternoon, out to Alresford then back via Wivenhoe, stopping off at the Rose and Crown for a pint on the quayside. Nothing special in itself, other than the fact that it's only about 10 weeks since Joke had her knee replacement operation, and this was her first proper cycle ride. Her recovery has been both astonishing and inspiring. Her progress has been thus

Week 1 - walking a few hundred yards up and down the road on crutches (and lots of painful stretching)

Week 2- walking up to a mile or so around the Recreation ground with one crutch

Week 3 - a walk of 3 miles at Alton water with walking poles

Week 4 - a walk of 6 miles with walking poles to Wivenhoe and back

Thereafter no need for poles or crutches, and back down the gym for exercise and swimming once the wound had healed properly. A testament to sheer bloody mindedness and determination.

Fantastic.