Completed the triple of MT Ventoux on Thursday. But made a basic mistake of turning my garmin off after the first descent. hence the two strava in puts. It's a cracking area for cycling would recommend it, Gorge de Nesque views were stunning.
Last few days were particularly tough - heat stroke in Serbia (curled up in a ball by the side of the road spewing your guts out is not a place you want to be) and then getting bitten by a dog just after I crossed the border into Greece.
Great experience, some amazing roads and I learnt so much it would be a shame for all that learning to go to waste. But first, a few days in Corfu with my bike staying firmly in the box. Will write up a ride report at some point so will post up here if people are interested.
Last few days were particularly tough - heat stroke in Serbia (curled up in a ball by the side of the road spewing your guts out is not a place you want to be) and then getting bitten by a dog just after I crossed the border into Greece.
Great experience, some amazing roads and I learnt so much it would be a shame for all that learning to go to waste. But first, a few days in Corfu with my bike staying firmly in the box. Will write up a ride report at some point so will post up here if people are interested.
I think it's safe to say, yes, we're interested!
Amazing achievement mate, well done. Hope your legs recover enough for you to enjoy your holiday - you've certainly earned it! What is it with this ride and dog bites? Loads of people seem to have been chased and/or bitten riding through the Balkans - is it some kind of national sport?
Last few days were particularly tough - heat stroke in Serbia (curled up in a ball by the side of the road spewing your guts out is not a place you want to be) and then getting bitten by a dog just after I crossed the border into Greece.
Great experience, some amazing roads and I learnt so much it would be a shame for all that learning to go to waste. But first, a few days in Corfu with my bike staying firmly in the box. Will write up a ride report at some point so will post up here if people are interested.
Last few days were particularly tough - heat stroke in Serbia (curled up in a ball by the side of the road spewing your guts out is not a place you want to be) and then getting bitten by a dog just after I crossed the border into Greece.
Great experience, some amazing roads and I learnt so much it would be a shame for all that learning to go to waste. But first, a few days in Corfu with my bike staying firmly in the box. Will write up a ride report at some point so will post up here if people are interested.
I don't know how you coped with those last few days. I didn't realize how hot it was until we were talking about this at work, and the Macedonian said his family had seen the temp hit 50C.
Last few days were particularly tough - heat stroke in Serbia (curled up in a ball by the side of the road spewing your guts out is not a place you want to be) and then getting bitten by a dog just after I crossed the border into Greece.
Great experience, some amazing roads and I learnt so much it would be a shame for all that learning to go to waste. But first, a few days in Corfu with my bike staying firmly in the box. Will write up a ride report at some point so will post up here if people are interested.
yes please for the ride report.
And sorry to be old and sensible but get a tetanus jab for the dog bite.
@SomervilleAddick I didn't really cope all that well with the heat. In hindsight I should have switched to night riding a few days earlier. For a couple of days I holed myself up in a hotel during the day which helped. Riding through the night is beautiful, but you need to mentally prepare for it.
@Baldybonce don't worry I got jabbed at the hospital immediately. Thanks though :-)
@Leroy Ambrose yeah the dogs are brutal east of slovakia. Almost always they just bark and run alongside you, but occasionally they go in for a bite. The first few packs I tried to sprint away, but there's only so much of that you can do, especially with 3k km in your legs. The first dog to bark at me after i got bitten got whacked straight in the face, which was satisfying.
Wouldn't want to do RAAM (which is supported) but would be interested in doing the TABR (unsupported crossing America), but want to focus the next year on getting faster, getting into crit racing and time trialling and maybe doing some smaller (900k ish) events, then maybe give TCR a shot again 2019. We'll see.
I'm aware that saying this makes me sound like a bit of a prick, and I know that space is at an absolute premium for most - especially in London. But if you value your bike at all, don't leave them outside. Even in a locked, secure shed. They WILL get nicked - it's not even a matter of if. And, once they've been nicked once, their replacements will get nicked. Might not be an issue if you're willing to accept that and have them insured.
I'm aware that saying this makes me sound like a bit of a prick, and I know that space is at an absolute premium for most - especially in London. But if you value your bike at all, don't leave them outside. Even in a locked, secure shed. They WILL get nicked - it's not even a matter of if. And, once they've been nicked once, their replacements will get nicked. Might not be an issue if you're willing to accept that and have them insured.
Ours are currently in a secure brick garage with a very thick chain , a d-lock and a cable securing them to a motorbike ground mount . I've just been to view the new house and it has a large under stairs cupboard luckily but long term the Asgard may be the way forward.
Cycling in to work and suddenly my bike went all quivery. Steering became juddery. Almost as if the bike was shivering. What on earh causes that? Ended up walking the last mile as the bike felt unrideable.
Cycling in to work and suddenly my bike went all quivery. Steering became juddery. Almost as if the bike was shivering. What on earh causes that? Ended up walking the last mile as the bike felt unrideable.
Cycling in to work and suddenly my bike went all quivery. Steering became juddery. Almost as if the bike was shivering. What on earh causes that? Ended up walking the last mile as the bike felt unrideable.
loose headset.
Thanks, I googled and came up with that. Oh well more money for the lbs.
Haha. Seriously, it's not that difficult. Your only issue might be that your headset bearing is fucked. You can service them, but it's easier to just buy a new one. Of course, it is possible that you have a problem with the steerer tube or your fork, but yleven if that's so, you may as well find out for yourself - you'll learn how to strip and reassemble and save yourself cash in the future.
Thats the one thing I hate about cycling, the bloody maintenance.
I need my front and rear mech indexed properly but havent had time to do it myself and nor have I had any spare weekends to take it to my local LBS. I need to get organised as rode my bike 2-3 times and loved it, now havent been on it for about 6 weeks again!
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Brilliant effort @olster — so close now. Think he'll enjoy the piss up at the end!
Last few days were particularly tough - heat stroke in Serbia (curled up in a ball by the side of the road spewing your guts out is not a place you want to be) and then getting bitten by a dog just after I crossed the border into Greece.
Great experience, some amazing roads and I learnt so much it would be a shame for all that learning to go to waste. But first, a few days in Corfu with my bike staying firmly in the box. Will write up a ride report at some point so will post up here if people are interested.
Amazing achievement mate, well done. Hope your legs recover enough for you to enjoy your holiday - you've certainly earned it! What is it with this ride and dog bites? Loads of people seem to have been chased and/or bitten riding through the Balkans - is it some kind of national sport?
Next stop, RAAM?
And sorry to be old and sensible but get a tetanus jab for the dog bite.
@Baldybonce don't worry I got jabbed at the hospital immediately. Thanks though :-)
@Leroy Ambrose yeah the dogs are brutal east of slovakia. Almost always they just bark and run alongside you, but occasionally they go in for a bite. The first few packs I tried to sprint away, but there's only so much of that you can do, especially with 3k km in your legs. The first dog to bark at me after i got bitten got whacked straight in the face, which was satisfying.
Wouldn't want to do RAAM (which is supported) but would be interested in doing the TABR (unsupported crossing America), but want to focus the next year on getting faster, getting into crit racing and time trialling and maybe doing some smaller (900k ish) events, then maybe give TCR a shot again 2019. We'll see.
This Russian has a solution!
Looking to put three bikes in.
Thanks in advance.
Www.asgardsss.co.uk
Cheaper than three new bikes I suppose.
I need my front and rear mech indexed properly but havent had time to do it myself and nor have I had any spare weekends to take it to my local LBS. I need to get organised as rode my bike 2-3 times and loved it, now havent been on it for about 6 weeks again!