Darlington Round 50

I've never felt like getting into the shower made me drier. It rained just a little on today's ride.

Took part in the Council-organised Round 50. This is first in a series of four rides, culminating in the Hell O' the North.

Felt ok going round, though the big tyres are very draggy obviously, despite the rain.

I think my Brooks saddle might have given up after getting so wet, so the 'wings' stuck out a bit far, leading to some unfortunate chaffing. I might need to get the drill and a shoe lace out and tie the saddle to tighten things up a bit.

Distance: 52 miles (84 km)
Climbing: 1280 feet
Surface: On-road
Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Weather: Very, very, very, very wet
Bike: Solitude Singlespeed (34:18, with 2.2″ tyres)

May Riding

Proper rides: 30 miles (one ride)
Commuting/business: 110.5 miles

Total: 140.5 miles (5532 feet climbed)

Total so far for 2008: 850.5 miles
* average of 5.6 miles per day - on course for 2061 miles for the year
* 22% more than this time last year

Darlington - Bildershaw Loop

I'd planned to ride to Whitby and back today, but the forecast winds and rain (which never materialised) put me off. Instead, I rode a loop out to the west of Darlington, going over/around Bildershaw. Took in part of the W2W route, and some bluebell-lined singletrack. Bits of on- and off-road.

Nice loop, might do it again tomorrow.

Distance: 30 miles (48 km)
Climbing: 1512 feet
Surface: On- and off-road
Time: 3 hours
Weather: Cool and overcast
Bike: Solitude Singlespeed (34:18, with 2.2″ tyres)

New Shoes

I got some new shoes on Sunday: Simple Shoes Eco Sneaks Sno Tire. They're black, but green:

* Washed leather and organic cotton canvas uppers
* Organic cotton linings
* PET laces (recycled plastic bottles, apparently)
* PET pedbeds
* Yes, that outsole used to be a car tire
* Vulcanized rubber sidewall, toecap, and heelcap
* 100% post consumer paper pulp foot forms

April Riding

Proper rides: 38 miles (one ride)
Commuting/business: 104 miles (12 days riding to work and back)
Misc: 9.5 miles

Total: 151.5 miles (5056 feet climbed)

66.5 miles more than last March, despite a holiday meaning ten days off the bike.

Total so far for 2008: 710 miles
* average of 5.9 miles per day - on course for 2148 miles for the year
* 27% more than this time last year

Darlington to Crathorne and back on Sustrans W2W route

First proper length ride on the Solitude with the bigger proper 29er tyres, though still mainly on the road. It looks loads better (though still very odd) with the 2.2" tyres filling out the frame and forks properly. The Kenda Nevegals don't roll as well as the narrower tyres I had on before but they're ok and should be lots better off-road, but I think something like Small Block 8s might suit my riding better.

I used a bike path and bridleway shortcut to get out to Hurworth and then joined the Sustrans W2W route's spur towards Whitby (map (I rode home too, obviously)). I'm considering doing Darlington to Whitby and back as a long ride in the summer, so it was nice to get to try some more of the route. I just rode out for 90 minutes, then turned around and rode back.

It could be a nice route, although not through the prettiest of areas, but the pouring rain and freezing cold temperatures took the edge off a little.

I got home soaked, filthy and freezing. Great.

Distance: 38 miles (61 km)
Climbing: 1300 feet
Surface: On- and off-road (only a couple of hundred metres off-road)
Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Weather: Wet and cold
Bike: Solitude Singlespeed (34:18, with 2.2" tyres)

Our holiday in numbers

* 950 miles in the car
* 8 nights
* 14 eggs laid by our 3 chickens while we were away (they started laying on Tuesday)
* 1 bottle of whisky drank
* 0 miles ridden on a bike

A great time had by all, in a beautiful place.